A "Real World" Interjection

After a rather long, forced sabbatical, I am back, yet again. Heh, the test I took just recently was right - my totem is the Dragon: "You are generally one who is good with personal growth and can regenerate yourself after a bad experience." I am not saying I am healed completely, healing does take time. Hopefully, I will attain complete rejuvenation soon enough, and it could be no more timely for I will be celebrating my 24th year of existence the week after next. Wow, 24 years. And I have so much to learn...

The past weeks have been both physically and emotionally difficult for me. I do not like being sick - I feel it holds me back more than anything else. I had originally planned this blog to be only of positive things - an escape from the real world, as it were. A compilation of positive experiences, inspired literary works, dreams and hopes. But really, without a dose of pain and trials, these dreams are little more than dreams, rather than the goals I hope to concretize with hard work and determination. Besides, they become much more fulfilling, when in hindsight, you recognize just how much sacrificing you had to do to get to where you are.

I must say, though, that I am grateful. One of the worries that I burdened myself with while debilitated by a series of migraine attacks was, plain and simply, my work. And probably only so because I love my job and the people that surround me. And Tuesday, Tuesday was the day that reinforced the fact that these are awesome people who are here to help and support me and who genuinely care for me more than anything else. We are not just workmates but friends. Tuesday was the day my boss gave us our "QIPs" - Quarterly Incentive Programs. Since the beginning of my term with this great company and when I found out how we were "graded," I was determined to get at least one superior rating this year. Only because my boss said it was practically impossible to do so ;) And so, I did. And not only did I get one superior rating; I was apparently the only one who did not have a "meets expectations" - everything else was "exceeded." Moreover, my superior rating was in the criteria that I personally thought was most important: Process and Team Improvement. He said because of me, the team is now using technology we never thought possible, everyone is beginning to use VBA, and as a result we will become (hopefully!) more profitable. Excellent. I want nothing less than the best for my team. We're an awesome group of people, if I may say so myself. We get along extremely well, everyone is good at what they do, and we continue to challenge each other. What touched me a lot, though, was when we talked about me being sick recently, and how he was worried about me, and how I should not worry about being sick because he doesn't take it against me (I'm so used to crap jobs, I guess), because what is important is I get well. But I tell you, I believe I do have the world's best boss (and team).

On the slight downside of things, I had to miss my musical theatre workshop this week. I had been feeling bad all day, so I figured going would probably just make it worse. I hope the sacrifice was worth it, and the last three meetings (and the show) would not prove to be disastrous to me any longer. It's very frustrating to sing only to trigger unnecessary synaptic activity, you know ;) Everyone at the workshop has been extremely wonderful and emphatic, however, and I am extremely grateful for their artistic and personal support.

I had an epiphany about my cello lessons. Because of the monetary QIP I'll get based on my grade this quarter, and Stringworks' awesome payment plan, I think I'll be able to rent for less than one year, and maybe buy within this year. So, I'll just go ahead and rent a cello at Blackerby's since it will be cheaper for me short term. And this will give me the freedom to decide between them and Stringworks, even, should I decide to go with that oh so expensive but beautiful German cello. Or maybe I'll have two cellos. Hehe, who knows. Really, I don't need two though, it's not as if I'll be doing it professionally... but I can't help but feel I need a backup, in case anything happens. I'm such a Taurus. I'll name one Cassiopeia, and the other, Serendipity. Five points to whoever understands why I'm naming them so ;)

I am keeping my MA dream in mind, for sure. I'll look into the IELTS mid this year, and even the TOEFL.

Other than this, I have no other updates to tell you. I just wish you well, dear reader, and hope that you realize just how much you are blessed, and that every moment of your life matters and is a step towards your personal legend.