The Day Job

It's hard to pinpoint exactly when I realized what I wanted to do with my life, and when I decided that I should go ahead and do it. I wish I could tell you about a lightbulb moment that brought this whole thing about. But no, it didn't happen that way.

Ever since I left my company, I've been hearing a lot of people tell me "sayang". There's no direct translation for this Filipino word to English, but basically it's people telling me how I wasted the good thing that I had going for me.

For the most part of my career, I've been involved in I.T. and Marketing. My major was in business management, so that made sense. After 3 years working in the corporate world, I went full-time to start my own business with some partners. Again, my major was in business management, so that made sense. And after 3 years of being my own boss with the business doing really well, I decided to leave it. That, of course, does not make sense to a lot of people.

Although I understand where they're coming from, I don't really agree with people telling me sayang. It would have been more of a waste if I had stayed for the wrong reasons. Anyone who has ever felt unmotivated and discontent with their job will probably understand this. Not the fleeting kind that's usually there when work gets toxic, but the lasting kind that pulls you down and even lets you drag others along with you. It’s when you don’t really see the point of what you’re doing anymore.

I truly feel that leaving my business was one of the best career decisions I've ever made. And I'm glad I realized this sooner rather than later in my life. Please don't get me wrong—I love FILED, I love the people there, I love the work environment we've created, I love being able to create and innovate. But, at the end of the day, I guess it just wasn’t for me.

The FILED Familia :)

South Africa

I knew I wanted to work with animals ever since I was young, but it took me time to admit to myself that I really wanted this as a career and not just a pastime or hobby. My recent trip to South Africa was my way of transitioning into that, and at the same time fulfilling one of my lifelong dreams. Growing up watching a lot of documentaries and features on wildlife made me so keen on going to South Africa, and my experience there was everything I expected and more. Aside from the unforgettable experiences with the animals, I met new people which led me to become more social. I also discovered a love for travelling, and deep respect for all solo travellers.

Solo Travel Selfie at the Hongkong International Airport

I didn’t exactly plan for it to happen. I just came to a point in my life where I wanted to go out and do what I really want, without others influencing my decisions. Some would say I was experiencing a quarter life crisis, but it honestly didn’t feel like it.

Now

I’m now working under the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). I never thought it would happen, but yes I am officially a government employee. I was initially hired in September as an Event Coordinator (3-month contract-but it’s being extended since the event has been moved), but I’ve also been doing some work in line with being a Project Assistant. It’s not exactly what I planned to do, but I’m confident that it’s a step towards the right direction.

There’s one thing that completely irks me about working here (just ask me personally if you want to know), but the good things really outweigh that one bad thing:

Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Lagoon

• I like where our office is; it’s located inside the Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife compound. I knew, after coming back from Africa, that I would not be able to work where I was holed up inside an office the whole day. I love that it’s so nature-y right outside the office, that it makes working inside bearable.

• I get to travel and explore more of the country. In the 2.5 months that I’ve been here, I was already able to go to Cagayan, Baguio and Palawan. 

• I am able to spend time with people who are experts in wildlife and nature, since most of them are graduates of those science courses.

• It’s a very good transition to working with animals. Doing events and projects are my expertise, and being able to do it for biodiversity is a big big plus.

• I know I'm doing something worthwhile and for a cause.

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Things don’t always go according to plan, but they do work out in the end. The future, my future, is so unclear that it’s both scary and exciting. All I know is that I will make the most of each day, do what I want, say yes to more things and be really open to new opportunities.

Hmm, I think I'll make that my resolution for 2015. :)