2022 may not be the best year where I cried most months and have almost surrendered in life but in return, 2023 (kind of) redeemed it.
Jan-April
On February, I got a new job, another something I wasn't expecting to be: an in-house tour guide and researcher at a local museum in our city. My 2019 self when she first came there told herself that she will be working here one day and there---she got the job. I was only given 2 weeks to read the materials about the house and its history, the Cebuano culture, and most importantly, the Philippine history itself. I could still remember the two couple who were my first tourists: Hannah and Andrew. Both are kind and cooperative when I did the tour! Sayang, I was not able to take a picture with them but surely, I will never forget them!
On March, I watched Blackpink Born Pink 2023 World Tour in Philippine Arena with my Mum! I was so happy to have watched and ~breathe~ in the same air as them! Bonus was meeting and catching up with my elementary best friend! The whole concert experience was fun even if it's hot (it was not really that hot and I could still feel the AC of PA back when I attended Katy Perry's concert in 2015), we were literally jumping and singing our hearts (and lungs!) out. Also witnessed when Rose noticed Andrea Brillantes' Korean tarpaulin when she was still dating with her ex boyfriend Ricci Rivero lol.
April, just OJT drama and some tension with a colleague. I had a crush on him, but me being favoured by the museum officer to write the general communication inside the museum instead of him was not easy. I walked on eggshells, I do not know how to approach him properly so I just maintained my awkwardness and silence. My first time touring a group of Taiwanese with my broken Mandarin. To be honest, I do not have photos in my whole employment there but rather personal ones that I have with my colleagues lol.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I met this lovely Lola with her two apos---it was one of my memorable tourists inside the house! I still keep in touch with her :)
May-August. It was only during May that I was able to experience Gabii sa Kabilin (Night of Heritage) which was under my previous employer through their Culture and Heritage Unit. It was an amazing experience and night though the heat was unbearable. My parents picked me up and we had our midnight snack at Xin Tian Di at NuStar because my Mum wanted to eat their pancit canton.
Being an in-house tour guide is quiet tiring yet fulfilling. You get to meet a lot of people, know their perspective about Spanish period, personal stories, people of different culture, and most importantly, honing my knowledge in Philippine and Cebuano history. Doing group tours? Nah, tiring because majority of the people do not listen, do not follow house rules (no video taking), touching of the antique display and more to mention.
And oh, I didn't also expected to be featured at an online newspaper! He introduced himself as a writer and worked at DOT and would like to tour the house (once again) because he was updating the article he wrote 10 years ago. You may read about it here! I was definitely so kilig when my colleague sent me a link--ah kaya pala he took a picture of me. 💖
It was also during my last 3 months that I developed a crush with my work partner. I really did liked him and he did liked me too, but we're not really meant for each other and I do not want to progress with him either.
June-July was when I faced my ugly truth about a family matter. It was stressful and most of all, I hated myself so much. It was the times that I cried so much, regret every action I did, asking the heavens what should I do--a lot. I still try to be a better person everyday, but I would say that I'm better now than yesterday. Our first-ever house in Quezon City was sold and bidding goodbye wasn't easy; took a lot of photos and videos of how it now looked like. My parents and I were definitely emotional and nostalgic (was so drama!) when we were looking--for the last time--our first ever home. Remembering all the memories happened there was definitely hard to let go. But we're happy it's now under new and good hands!
August was the month that I decided not to renew my contract due to heavy personal feelings with my coworker and the stress and further disappointment that I wasn't chosen for the Content Writer position under different department. I also felt that it was due to office politics--majority of my classmates back in university are working for the Culture and Heritage Unit. Good riddance, I do not want to work with them too, given with their bad nature.
September-December. I got a teaching assistant position in our university at the Department of Physics! It was fun conducting exam for students--standing at the platform feels so nostalgic to me because I remember myself as a student lol. Checking their test papers, fun! Meeting new people, fun!
I passed the AFPSAT finally! Another 'I never expected' moment because I do not usually do well with aptitude tests.
My first ever international event was when I joined my Mum when the International Federation of Social Workers held their 3-days seminar in our city. The planning, meetings, attending the event itself, catering different nationalities--my customer service experience was tested! It was stressful, following the remaining 3-days seminar for the Philippine Association of Social Workers. The experience and the time spent with my Mum--the best! Would say that November was one of the best months in 2023.
It was also when I decided to take a break from law school. My idle days was spent with my Mum by going with her at the office and just be her companion (hahahaha).
It was also the first Christmas and New Year that my Dad was not with us because he has to go to my Lola (his Mum) to take care of her.
I still think of KT but looking at his photos, he seemed happy and healthy. He's smiling, saw a video of him dancing, and my heart melted when I saw a yellow mug he was holding on a video. I tend to become overacting with things I'm truly invested at (hahaha) and okay, put meaning on them but I couldn't help remember the song Yellow by Coldplay that he used to sing to me every damn night.
Yes, 2023. What a ride! I'm grateful with all the blessings and experiences you've given me. 😄
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