My Life's Journey

My Life's Journey | Guisel's Crib

 Regrets vs Success 

What's up, madlang Pips! It's me again, Ghie, your storyteller of the day.

After transferring from one school to another, I had many realizations. I needed to finish my studies and cope with the mistakes I had made. I decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (B.S.H.R.M) to expedite my studies. A preacher in our church offered me a part-time job as a teacher at Compassion International - Tibiao Christian Kabalaka Center (TCKC), and I accepted. Additionally, a high school classmate approached me to run as a senator of the Supreme Student Government (SSG), and luckily, I won. I strived to excel in my studies, and to my delight, I was awarded the Academic Awardee of 2013. Alongside this achievement, I was also chosen to be part of the softball team to represent the school in the Regional State Colleges Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA).

Moving forward, since the graduation/closing time of the school year in my current school was only every March, I needed to wait. Therefore, I decided to try my luck in Manila and look for opportunities to work there. Fortunately, I found one.

My First Job

After two days of job hunting with my cousin's wife and my little "Bajojoy", I was hired as a Counter Person at Dunkin Donuts (DD). I was ecstatic about the opportunity given to me. There, I realized that earning a living was not easy. I had to wake up early, work 8 or sometimes 14-hour shifts, not including preparation and travel time. But I always told myself, "It's okay, Guisel, you can make it."

March came, and due to conflicting schedules between work and my Hooding ceremony and Baccalaureate mass, sadly, I missed them. So, I only attended the graduation program and the next day, went back to the reality of my current life.

Time flew by, and I realized that my contract was already finished. They asked me if I wanted to extend, but I refused. So, I had to look for another job.

Trials to Overcome

I went home to Antique because of my Mama Esther's health condition. Mama Esther and Papa Cano are the foster parents of my sister, Manang Jen2. They raised her while my Nanay Deding was assigned to a far-flung barangay school, and my tatay Otoy was busy taking care of me and the farm (rice field).

My Mama Esther suffered from a stroke, damaging her brain cells and leaving her bedridden. At that time, Manang Jen Jen was on her missionary trip, and we didn't have constant communication due to their policy. I felt very disappointed in her because the responsibility of taking care of Mama and Papa fell on my shoulders. From her hospitalization to her discharge, this happened numerous times. I cried a lot, begging her to come back home because Mama Esther could pass away at any moment. It was a hard decision for her to quit her missionary work. Her final decision was to continue her missionary work, promising me that Mama Esther would be fine until she could return home. It surprised us that Mama Esther survived for more than six years.

Indeed, life is full of surprises, whether they involve sacrifices, regrets, or successes. For me, I've never regretted anything that has happened in my life. I just keep moving forward, using each experience as a learning lesson, making sacrifices, and striving to achieve success. All glory be to God.

Thank you for sparing your time reading my blog.

-guisel's crib-.