My 2012 in Review

January

  “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
― Confucius

January was a month for rushing things up, real-time job and online job. I just got hired in September 2011 and serving the Regional Director as Secretary seemed to be pushing on me, hard stuff if you ask me, but coupled with prayers and patience, I was able to gather my strength and endure meetings, became speaker on the program I was and still handling. But it was also a month of letting go. We may have had worked together in less than a year, but the connection I have had with our RD was enough to make me say my deepest thanks to all her goodness to me, for bringing me inside DOLE. It was her last month in the region but nevertheless, she's forever in our hearts.

February 

 "No man goes before his time, unless the boss leaves early". - Groucho Marx

I have come to understand that my getting home depends on how early or late the boss leaves. We have a new boss who is an old maid and has no one with her except her personal assistant and is a workaholic who doesn't stay home in the office quarters thus making me stay late in the office. Well, I've handled that pretty well now, and I have accepted the fact that every director I am assigned to, I will have to adjust to their working attitudes. Work in the office is unending, and it is but a pretty good thing if you can go out once in a while to catch some fresh air. Kids are good, they're actually taking some adjustments to fine-tune to mine, but everything is fine this February especially that it's my birthday month.

March

 "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."  - Eleanor Roosevelt

My daughter is First Honors! Couldn't ask for more. With her gold medal dangling on her neck, I am a pretty and proud Mom walking with her on the red aisle. I thank the Lord for giving my children wisdom and knowledge and the thinking capacity to understand what I am saying and repeating over and over again for their good future. 

April

 "Your blog is your unedited version of yourself." - Lorelle

Kids are on summer vacation and this month is one of those months you can just hang around, work and also have fun. Summer is brewing up cool events but heck, we have work to do and writing blogs has been making me preoccupied. Blogging has kept me fed for more than 2 years now, I even had my laptop fully paid because of my blogging that's why I keep doing it. And April has been a blogging month for me. 

May

 “For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

Work has involved traveling. It is my first time in CARAGA Region where my new RD came from. we are being trained on the Basic Employment Services of the Department of Labor and Employment. Aside from the training, I and my colleagues were able to visit the Enchanted River in Hinatuan and Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig. The trainings were as good as anyone can get, you learn a lot and you can imagine and feel the many things that's missing while you are on your four corners of the office. What an opportuned time to end the summer vacation. If there's something that I missed on May, it's my 12th Wedding Anniversary on the 28th because I was already on the road to Butuan. It takes sacrifices to improve, right?

  June   

"A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away."  - Eudora Welty

Trainings, work, kids and the husband, that is just all about being together. And you have to capture each moment you have with them so that each moment doesn't go unnoticed or ignored. The Shutterblog Photography Workshop with Jojie Alcantara is one of the best Photography workshops I have been to, seriously. And I hope I get my own good camera soon too. 

July

"That has always been IT for me: Family first."   - Leslie Banks

But I can always compromise. July has been pretty fair to me. It's a good thing that I have a very understanding husband, one who can take care of the kids while I am away for some trainings and even while I am just around, can understand the little sacrifices I make for the family. My first time to facilitate the SRS Regional Validation - one successful thing with just me, and two colleagues handling it. Very neat! I sure can handle big events, haha!

August

"An interview is like a minefield."  - Michelle Williams

An interview is like a minefield, and I was forced to step on it. August has been dramatic to me, with a couple of twists and turns. The first week has been crazy with work and interview for the vacant LEO II position. That was one crazy interview, but I guess I did good! Then there was this online examination at the last week of the month, the very same day the family will be going to Bohol! But nothing can stop us. The kids were already excited for Bohol! And it was one great breathing experience for me and the kids. Vacation is awesome when spent with the whole family. 

September

"We think we can have a successful skywalk system and restore activity to the street."  Gary Fox

Back in Cebu for the Skills Registry System National Validation! It was fun meeting with good and intelligent people from the Bureau of Local Employment, and the training was mixed with fun as it was my first time to be in a posh hotel so grand that I can only say my praises to God for the opportunity. My first time to try the sauna, and I had the chance to tour Cebu city on my first and  last day there. The first day was a trip for coffee at Mr. A, one of the three highest points in Cebu City with Sir Wesley and his wife, dinner at Casa Verde, and a joyride to Cebu IT Park. The last day was spent with Carol, Jerome and Miss Evelyn. We visited 3 museums, was back at Fort San Pedro, back at Lapu-lapu Shrine, experienced the Skywalk Adventure, dinner at Larsians. Spell FUN! 

October 

"It's always nerve-wracking when you're hosting --, You either sink or swim."   - Christina Aguilera 

Made emcee when the guest is secretary! the And I have to do it right in front of the Secretary of the Department of Labor! My heart was worried I would never do it right, but things went fine! And it was good! And we were appreciated!

Son is now 12, and I'm praying he gets to grow up! Work is filled with weekly meetings for the Mindanao OSH Summit which was successfully held on November. 

November

"Government's first duty and highest obligation is public safety."  - Arnold Schwarzenegger

True! And being a servant of the public in giving public service, safety is being taught to everyone. The Mindanao OSH Summit was successfully held, amazing opening number from MSU Kabpapagariya Ensemble and a good set of participants, supportive teammates and made good friends. You can be part of the journey, the journey to public safety!   

December

"The sweat of hard work is not to be displayed. It is much more graceful to appear favored by the gods."  - Maxine Hong Kingston

I got promoted this December and that, for me is the finale of my 2013. Very favored by the Lord indeed and I couldn't ask for more! There may have had a few issues on the issuance of the first appointment to another person but I was silent about it, for I know that my time will come my way. True enough, the LEO II was given to me. Double the salary, but expect double the work, but that's life.

I'm looking forward to more blessings and more achievements in 2013. Each new year brings about a new set of twists and turns, and the previous years (2010, 2011 and 2012) has been very good to me and my family - career and family-wise. I thank the Lord for being my foundation, though I failed HIM at times, yet, He has never left me. So whatever 2013 will bring, I will continue singing my praises for HIM.

From my family to yours, let us all welcome 2013 with a bang! 

And may the odds be ever in your favor!