All is well in the world

I've got back-to-back-to-back meetings. I take for granted my personal errands.

BUT...

I was able to promote 2 of my team members. 

I got a salary increase that doesn't insult my efforts from last year. 

I've got very reliable team members who I can depend on. 

And despite our crazy-hectic schedules, Skye and I have one end in mind: at the end of the day, we come first. 

Our marriage is our priority. 

All is well in my world again. 

=)

When it rains, it's Four

This whole week's totally for the books. 

1. New mandate. 

2. New scope. 

3. New role expansion. 

4. Another team folded under me. 

Ako na. 

Ako na talaga.  

Ako na talaga ang nagmamaganda. 

I don't know if I'm punching above my weight here, but my new scope is gargantuan. Admittedly, I asked for a scope expansion but I was happy to just add another stream under my belt. But NOOOOO. Kailangan ba talaga dalawang buong department? 

Seriously. 

But as usual, I'm happy to take on the challenge. I just said yes. 

I'm excited. But I'm also scared. 

Gulp.

After declaring to the Universe that this year, balance is primordial to me, this is what I get.

Okay payn. Andito na, eh. 

Lezdodiz!  

(So help me God.)

Saying goodbye to people

It's a sad day. 

A young colleague passed away today. He succumbed to cancer just an hour ago. 

When I saw the posts on Facebook in December that he was in the middle of the battle, I found myself silently praying for his recovery. While alone in my car, while walking the hallways of the office, I muttered short prayers to myself for his healing. 

We're not even close. When I was still in Indonesia, I was surprised that he added me on Facebook. I just added him because I saw that we had a closely-knit social network. 

Until I came back to Manila and to my company. We became teammates. We were on a hi-hello chica basis, but he always had a positive aura. He was a good young man. Faithful, God-loving.

He was a pioneer in the blogging space, introducing video blogs in the Philippines. 

Ang gaan niya katrabaho. 

I was silently praying that he wins this battle. I told God we needed good people like him around, to rub off more goodness and faith unto others. 

I guess God had other plans. 

I don't know why I'm greatly affected when we're not even close friends. 

Truth be told, I'm on the verge of tears while writing this blog entry. 

Nasasayangan ako sa isang mabuting tao. 

Admittedly, he fought the great fight.

Coy, you will be missed. Thank you for the courage, for the inspiration, for your contribution to social media. 

May you rest in peace.

Premium on friendship

So we bump into each other near the elevator. We both look stunned, like it's not even likely to come across each other when we work for the same company. In the same building. 

We say our cordial "Heys."

I had to text you: "Is it just me, or you're not talking to me?"

You made up lousy excuses of being busy all the time and wanting to message me about my prenup shoots. 

I text back: "That's a load of crap." 

Look, you text me when you're zoning out in meetings and you text me around bed time. I used your car and driver for my birthday holiday with my bestfriends.

But you stop talking to me afterwards. 

After the announcement that I'm really getting hitched.

What gives? 

No congratulatory greetings. No nothing.

I can't just let you get away with the "I was busy" excuse. Although I did expect it.

Then you invite me to dinner like nothing happened. Like there was no radio silence between us for the past 2 months. 

2 months. 

I don't know what's going on in your head, but in mine, we were friends. 

And I placed a premium on that friendship. 

I was there for you when shit was happening to you when we were in Jakarta. 

So tell me.

What gives? 

Mapaglarong Universe

After 2 months of not talking, we finally bumped into each other. 

Hmm...

Universe, ha? 

Naglalaro ka na naman.

Getting rid of unneccessary stress

Seriously, on a great Friday...

I DON'T NEED IT. 

I don't want to fuss over the small things. 
I don't want to be bothered by the trite and the trivial that can possibly irritate me. 

My schedule is full to the brim. It's mid-December and I've spent most of the time running around for errands. I know this will be the case until February, so as much as I possibly can, I need to just learn to let go. 

Don't sweat the small stuff. 

Repeat. 

DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF.

Repeat until it sinks in. 

Wanted: desk time

I've been neglecting my paper work and it's been piling heaps. 

I need my desk time. Quiet time to approve leave requests, answer satisfaction surveys of other groups, monitor our group budget and spending. 

I need SILENCE.

The gift of time

Time. 

I need more time.

15 days before Christmas. 

2 months before the wedding. 

I need more than 24 hours in a day. 

So help me God.