Two Zero One Eight

Saying that 2018 flew by so fast may sound cliche but that’s how time really is - running without us even noticing how quick it went.  I cannot say that my 2018 had been very easy, it had ups and downs definitely and some part of it didn’t go the way I wanted it to be.  Despite all the not so good things that happened, it is always best to stay positive.  Good or bad, we should always believe that everything happens for a reason - maybe to teach us something, or to lead us to something greater. 

Last year, most of my closest friends here in the sandpit already left.  I knew it would happen because this place where I am currently based right now is just transient - we are and or maybe some were just here for a reason, or maybe to attain one of our goals. Distance for me is just a term (and will always be) to define the difference with the kilometers or miles between where I am and where my friends are. Distance is not something to be scared of.  “Communication has been a lot easier” - that is one of the good things that this Digital Age brought us. 

I am thankful for the gift of all the people who always stay beside me and who never stopped believing in me despite not getting “that thing” I always try to work hard for. 

I am thankful for all the places I’ve been may it be because of work or personal travels.  I am grateful to witness the Cherry Blossom in Japan as an example. I am beyond blessed to see such beautiful places I never knew I could ever see in person - Haltstatt is like a fairy tale.  Poland has been a very informative trip. Solo trips on some layovers had been great and exciting.  A great roster with a couple of extended layovers on my “reserve” month was a pleasure. 

I never forget to count every single blessing.  Looking back on some of the moments where I cannot even fake a smile, I realized how strong I can be. I thank God for giving me the signs to never give up and just keep going.

Positivity at 39,000 Feet

I have been with my present company for almost five years now.  I quit my 8-5 job to savor the opportunity of seeing the world for free. If you happen to follow or somehow came across my previous blog, you will know that I once chased the dream of becoming a "flight attendant/cabin crew". As cliche as it may sound, I always wanted a job that will allow me to travel a lot and deal with different kinds of people. Yes, this might be the exact answer for most of the cabin crew applicants. I just want to be clear, I am not a cabin crew, but my work has the same perks.

In a few months time, I will mark another year in my company and it's going to be my fifth year with them. My job is easy, but flying is sometimes the other way around. I still deal with jet lag. I do feel tired from time to time; I am human but don't get me wrong, I don't put this as an excuse for such.  Additionally, I am always away from my family and friends back home and I can't escape the feeling of "homesickness".

One of my friends will always say, there is no easy job, it's just how you deal with everything that comes with it. At the end of the day, this is what I've signed up for and this is what I've prayed for (to get a job that will allow me to travel). The best to deal with every tiredness and stress is to think about the good side of the job and one of which is that I can see my relatives and friends based in different parts of the world. I don't count years to go home and see my family and friends. I just count months before my next leave to the Philippines.

Paulo Coelho said:

Life has many ways of testing a person's will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen all at once. 

Always look on the brighter side of things. Negative thoughts will keep us weak.  A positive mind can give us strength to enjoy whatever comes along our way.