On Becoming
So I resigned from work two months ago. I remember the last time I resigned. I used terms like “walking on water” and stuff. I guess I’ll use it again. I’m walking on water. Taking a risk. Newness is always a risk.
I’m excited about my new job. I’m also scared. But most of all, I’m really happy the opportunity came at the right time. I feel giddy all the way to my toes.
But how do you say goodbye to six years? Six wonderful years with officemates who’ve turned friends turned family? Well, you don’t. You just take a deep breath, close your eyes and say, “Thank you.”
To my officemates who are reading this blog right now, go back to work. Haha! 
Thank you for the surprise despedida. Thank you for making time to be with me at the party. Thank you for believing in me and enabling me to grow with you. I couldn’t have asked for a better work family the past years.
My Mom once told me, “Don’t waste those talents! Don’t waste that intelligence!” She gave me that advice when I was a stubborn 12-year-old. I didn’t want to skip a grade because I’d miss the friends I’d leave behind. Right. Where are those friends now? Haha! I still follow it now that I’m 30. I still follow it every time I need to push myself more. Moms always know best. Thank you Mama!
So anyway…
I’ve grown a lot since ’98, the year I started working. My career has contributed a lot to who I am now. And I can say I’m very happy with where I am in my life. I’m very thankful for all my mentors. I’ve learned a lot, and continue to learn tons. I’m happy my career allowed me to explore my passion for writing and creativity. Who knows what the next ten years in my career will be? I hope they will be as fruitful as the first ten years.
And there are so many things I still want to do. I want to start a family. There were many hindrances the past five years, but slowly I can see the barriers going down. There’s something different about 2008. My friends and I call it The Year of Movement. I sense that many more things will move for the better in my life. Perhaps we will start with a family this year. Perhaps we will find a permanent home. Perhaps, perhaps.
I do feel like I’m standing on the edge of something big. I’ve already taken a leap of faith. My family and friends have taken a leap with me too. It’s comforting and exciting.
I can’t wait for the second half of the year to begin.
Images from PostSecret. Mosaic by me.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
The only way that one can go places is by taking the first step. Nevermind if it has to be done on water. Imagine what wonderful outcome it would be should you succeed. And you shall!
May 14th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
wow, ang daming bago sayo Sis. all the best on all your new adventures!!! i hope i’ll get to visit you more often
May 14th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Good luck on your new endeavors Toni.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
quitting a job takes a lot of courage.
stay strong toni, you’re doing just great!
way to go girl!!!
May 14th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
i’m sure hindi lang perhaps yan ate, it will happen Toni, You will make it happen!
Good luck on the new job, i’m sincerely very happy for you! bagong (virtual) bahay, bagong work – talagang when it rains, it fours!
May 14th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
toni, people who know how to live life in its positivity deserve to move forward.
your mom knows what you’re really made of and she’s betting all the way!
good luck with the changes and stay strong for the challenges!
May 14th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Congratulations and Good Luck, Toni.
I’m sure you’ll do just great!
May 15th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Warm wishes from the other side of the world on what’s bound to be a great second half of the year for you! I loved reading your post – it inspired me to surge on in my own life – because I also got a new post at work (hence the intermittent blogging – so busy!) which I’m nervous and excited about and this year really DOES feel like The Year Of Big Things. I can feel change — good change — in the air every morning when I get up. It’s been 10 years out of college, and it’s about time.
Good luck, Toni!
May 15th, 2008 at 1:34 am
leaving your old job for a new one is like starting a new blog. it’s like moving to a new country. it’s like getting married. it’s like starting all over again. clean slate – beginnings, a new chapter.
it’s always full of promise.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:08 am
Hi Tonigirl! Goodluck to your new career! Kayang kaya mo yan!
Just keep the faith! 
May 15th, 2008 at 5:34 am
good luck, toni.
i miss that building, too. i spent 5 long years working for my previous employer. i miss my friends aka former co-workers. but remember, when opportunity arises, we have to grab it. friends will be there. opportunity doesn’t.
May 15th, 2008 at 5:56 am
welcome a beautiful beginning
all the best of luck toni!
May 15th, 2008 at 8:01 am
I always love your posts. And I so loved your Mom’s advice I wrote it on my handy notebook! Good luck Toni!
May 15th, 2008 at 8:35 am
oh i love changes because i love beginnings
and i’m so happy for you toni for the new changes in your life this year.
while i was reading your entry, i was reminded of how it was when i left my life in the phils in 2005 to start a new life here in sydney (just like you, I was also with my former company for 6 years—ang hirap umalis ng ganun na para na talaga kayong family diba?). mixed emotions talaga. sad to “leave the old life” and yet excited and happy to start anew in a differenct country. and of course there is fear. but remember, change is never easy but it does have great rewards for people who take the leap of faith. so my friend, I will take that leap of faith with you.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:36 am
lots of luck on this career change. Once in a while we should get out of our comfort zones. Many times, it brings us a lot of good.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Congrats on this new blog! And congrats on this new career! We too are going through changes. And if these changes are for the better, then so be it. It’s but natural to be scared. It’s also exciting. I’ve always admired people who took courage to go out of their comfort zone and do something new, something that matters to them, something they feel like doing. Cheers!
May 15th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Hi Toni, I’m also thinking of quitting my job this June.
Hay, nakakalito nga,ewan ko bah.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:36 am
what is there to say???
I’m HAPPY for YOU!
(((HUG)))
May 15th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Hi Toni. Hirap noh. Lalo na pag maraming memories ang maiiwan at maraming friendship ang nabuo. 2 years ago I decided to quit my 5 year job. I cried a bucket kasi maiiwan ko yung mga good friends ko. But I thought na, If I wont resign and try other opportunies how will I learn. Kasi the job that I have that time is my comfort zone. Pero after a year, I returned to the same office, kasi they offered a better oppurtunity rin. HIdi na ko nag 2 isip, Kaya now, I am much happier employee kasi Im still with my friends.
Goodluck on the new work Toni. So kelan ka start?
May 15th, 2008 at 11:37 am
hey toni! great post. i can’t help but relate. warm wishes and best of luck!
May 16th, 2008 at 8:30 am
hi toni, something that comes at the right time comes because it is meant to be. i believe that very much. a lot of good and promising things seem to be waiting in store for you kaya just go for it. you deserve all of it and more!
and just for you, i’m taking out my pompoms and bloomers and all of us here will be cheering you on! good luck! *muah*
May 16th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
hi toni! what a surprise–a great surpise!
congrats with your new career move. it’s never easy, and i’m proud of you that you’ve taken the leap. change is always good.
keep us updated. your online family is waiting with excited, bated breath.
good for you!!
D
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May 16th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Yes, spread those wings and soar!
I’m happy for you! Congratulations!!!
May 19th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
congratulations toni! go go go!
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September 29th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Oh, I can relate! I’m glad I took the chances. Life is wonderful because of risk-taking and overcoming those. =) I believe in Year of the Movement.
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