A Taste of Fate

I was stuck in traffic yesterday, bored. I found myself thinking (more like reflecting) of what I have been doing for the past year. I smiled as I remember our U.S. trip. And gasp that in a month, it will be a year already! The next picture that crossed my mind was I was sitting with my folks at the dinning area. We were talking about the results of the bar exams. I was fine at first but then I choked! The next thing I know I was sobbing (in fairness not brawling!) already! My mom, probably didn't know what to say, asked, "is this the first time you cried"? I laughed! How cute. I was able to breathe. I answered by saying yes. I said I was expecting to cry myself to sleep the night before, but thankfully sleep came in really fast. There was a blurry memory of my 2nd review and exam. And then work. In between those occasions though, I would have flashes of good times. I grinned pleased.

The biggest realization I had was how interconnected the beginning of last year and this year is. While I was in the U.S. last year, my uncle had been slowly injecting me the idea of staying there. He went as far as making me read job listings for paralegals. He really encouraged me to take time and consider it. They were even planning to bring me around different schools to actually inquire! It was so sweet of them and really, I was touched. Plus, I have to admit I was a bit persuaded. I did inquire with Berkley College of their Paralegal Program. But after seeing the tuition fees, I lost taste for it. I stopped being intrigued and really my interest just went bland. So I decided to stick with the plan and become a lawyer. After the bad news of not making it as a lawyer, I was again back to that injected idea. Go back there and give it a chance. After all, I may not have this kind of opportunity again. I was all set until I changed course.

I am a big believer of things happening for a reason. That's why I never had the habit of questioning things. Especially when something goes wrong. I would just let it go and see the good that comes out of it. And something good did happen!

It was a Tuesday. I was supposed to be studying but for some reason I was in front of the TV watching the news. Then their feature segment, "Know your Law". Interesting. I could use a little brain practice. The topic was about U.S. Immigration. Hmmm Immigration Law. The practice area I was eying on concentrating had I stayed in the U.S. or when I go back. Certainly it caught my attention. At the end of the segment, they showed info about the lawyer. He has an office in Makati! Curiosity really rising up. I mentally took note of his website. A week or so passed, during my breaktime, i was browsing the net. Just when I only have 10mins left, I remembered the website of the Immigration Lawyer. I checked it out. Found an email address then impulsively sent my resume. It was actually a very informal application. I didn't have an application letter ready. So I wrote to him on the message box. After hitting the 'sent' button, I regretted it. I realized, it was very very very informal. My message to him on the message box seemed like I was just writing to a friend! But what the hell, I can't undo it anymore. I actually considered sending another application. This time, more formal. Gladly, I didn't have to. Because days after that, I received a text message from his office inviting me for an interview. I had to reschedule because I had 1 more Sunday of bar exams. 2 days after my initial interview, I was hired and started to work! Hahahaha

It was a whirlwind hiring. So surreal! I got what I wanted at a faster and cheaper way. I'm good. I'm happy where I am now. I love it that I'm learning something different. Looking back, I have to say fate did step in.

Transition

It's the first day of the year! Another 365 days have gone by! Time flies indeed.

I can still recall how we celebrated the New Year 2008 and now, it's another year that we welcomed!

2008 was a good year. Sure, there were a couple of crap-ness that happened but still, it was overshadowed by the good ones. I have a lot more to be thankful for than to complain about. So yes, it was a good year.

Last year, New Year was of course spent at home. We had a few firecrackers only. We were having wine while watching other people's aerial display and my bro-in-law's lighting up ours. My dad actually stopped doing that for awhile. But ever since my sister, Karen, got married, Mao, her hubby, would buy firecrackers. And this year, my dad bought a couple of aerial displays along with other stuffs supposedly for Brandon. Unfortunately though, my little devil is scared. He had his mask on, his cap and my mother's hands on his ears. He complains that the firecrackers were too noisy! Whatta scared-y cat! It ticked me off! Was calling him like crazy to watch the beautiful fireworks, but he wouldn't! It took me awhile to finally drag him out of the garage. And when it struck 12 midnight, I couldn't find him anymore! He was inside the house, with the door open and was sitting on a chair. Silly boy! I just don't know what he was watching... I'm pretty sure he couldn't see anything. He sat so comfortably, feeling safe perhaps, that I just shrugged and smiled.

Ended 2008 with a grateful heart. Welcomed 2009 with optimism. Cheers to a great new year!