Given the chance to travel, two main objectives come to mind: (1) to capture great memories of meaningful people, places, or things and (2) to visit all those people scattered around the globe who have made such an impact in my life.
I headed for Kansas City this time around to visit my high school chemistry teacher, Mrs. Ligon. It was already more than 8 years ago since I last saw her. Who would have thought I could fly over and visit the rest of her family? I used to think those just happened in the movies or in a dream. But hey, anything is possible huh? I was very excited to catch up on stories that were left untold over the years. When I landed in the Kansas City airport, the entire Ligon family was there to fetch me. I was very touched because of the amount of effort they exerted just to make me feel very welcome. Ate Sharon even kept saying: Shucks, Queen there's nothing to see here! Where will we bring you? But really, when I think about it, it was not about what I get to see but the company I’m privileged to be with! I got to ride their family car as we headed for Zona Rosa. We rested for a while in this cool lounge area and tried catching up with stories! There was an ongoing car exhibit of vintage cars outside which was cool knowing that those vehicles were born even before my grandparents! There was a band playing jazz music on the side to set the mood. We headed for some Ribs/BBQ at Smoke House BBQ for lunch since Kansas City was known for that. It was always nice to have a taste of whatever was the food highlight in a specific place. Then we headed for their lovely home. It was such a pretty and cozy place which made me feel so welcomed and at home. It's even more amazing to know that Kuya Rob was behind all those home improvement wood works to beautify the place. Home renovation is very popular in the US. Last week, my supervisor Dave just shared with me so many pictures of how he transformed his home into some place you would never expect. So we rested and watched a few Philippine TV shows since they had both ABS-CBN and GMA networks. We feasted on some good tasting chocolate cake. Rai was very kind enough to share with me her room! It was a pink room so it was easy to fall in love with it for any pinkaholic like myself haha :-) We headed to the Union Station in the afternoon and took some snapshots. I discovered how Kansas City was known as the city of fountains. You'll randomly find one after another as you go places! We headed for this mall, Crown Center where I found the world’s only Crayola Cafe. Thought that was pretty cool. Hallmark's headquarters was also situated in Kansas City. We also had good frozen custard which was the 2nd I’ve tasted next to Carmens at DC. I like the smooth consistency of frozen custard I don’t think anyone thought of it yet in Manila. Well, I may be wrong. Then we had sinigang for dinner. It was just about perfect timing after not having any Filipino dish for the past 2 weeks. Kuya Rob's a great cook even though he tries to be humble about it hehe. I played cards (Old Maid) and marbles with Rai during the evening. Having a little sister to hang out with reminds me of my brother, King who I greatly missed. Rai is such a sweetheart she would sometimes deliberately lose just so I get the chance to win as well. I love talking to her because of how witty and cute she is. I had a good sleep after not having enough sleep for quite some time. The jet lag was quite intense 2 weeks ago. My body clock was still in Cincinnati mode of course which allowed me to get up an hour before everyone else. It was a busy Sunday for us. We started the day with church. I loved the architecture! It was very much wedding material haha! Kuya Rob and Ate Sharon both even did the offertory. I found out that the school, Cristo Rey where Ate Sharon taught chemistry, biology, and forensic science (cool huh?) was connected to the church. There was a passage way. I felt happy to have gotten the chance to see what the high school classrooms were like in Kansas City. It was pretty cool. The lab was integrated with the lecture area all together. So it was the students moving around from 1 class to another. This surely reminded me of those chemistry days where we created little experiments which included: ice cream making, playing with co lored pigments, law of conservation of mass explosions. So anyways, we visited the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art afterwards. By the way, Kuya Rob's team did the construction for that. I love anything to do with arts so to be stuck in a museum is something I enjoy. We took photos of the famous shuttlecock pieces in the greens outside. It was a beautiful day with great weather. After going from contemporary to Renaissance to European to photography we realized we forgot about lunch! We had our late lunch at Winstead, a diner place since the 1940s. Onion rings were huge, chunky, and yummy. We went to the Country Club Plaza which I thought was interesting because I found so many famous restaurants I’ve been going to from Cheesecake Factory to PF Chang’s. The architecture was very distinct at the plaza. There was a unique blend of fountains, shops, architecture, and horse carriage going around the area. For dinner, we headed to a hotel and casino place called Harrah's. I got to meet their friends from there. The little boys were very hyper haha! The smoked prime rib was sooo good :-) When we got home, I played with Rai till 11PM! I was worried since she had classes the next day. We ended up sleeping together during my last night which was very nice. The next day I knew Ate Sharon and Rai had to go to class. It was sad since I was never a fan of goodbyes. I was lucky Kuya Rob could take me to the airport since he was on flex time. However, the plans changed. Rai couldn’t wake up because we slept so late. Even Ate Sharon called her school to say she couldn’t make it. She had to get rest too! I was deeply touched because I had an entire family send me off to the airport. I felt guilty at the same time causing a disruption to their schedules. We had a photo op at their very nice sala before we headed for the airport. As I flew out, I felt really blessed to have been given the chance to spend a weekend with them. I was obviously saddened to go. I will miss this family :-) I had such a great time with them. I am forever grateful for the memories that we can always look back to! :-) One day I hope I can go back and Reema will be there by then :-)
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Ever considered traveling to study overseas? I had the privilege of visiting the Georgetown Campus in Washington DC and Stanford University in San Francisco last year. I thought the campuses were amazing! I randomly stumbled on this file buried in my old PC. 3 years ago when I was still a junior studying at the Ateneo, I wrote about my key take away from my Study Abroad Experience (aka Junior Term Abroad) in Australia. I remember writing this in the plane. I officially embarked and headed for Manila 9:55 PM Sydney Time. A mixture of emotions came upon me. At that point, I wasn’t sure about what I was feeling - Happiness because I finally get to go home after three entire months of being away or Sadness because I had to leave wonderful relatives and Aussie friends behind. Before the trip, several concerns emerged. Internships for prestigious companies waited for my confirmation and fast-paced classes with fourth year students just so I can make it on time were things I took into consideration. Regardless of how hectic it seemed, I decided to grab this once in a lifetime experience. My UTS ID My Sydney JTA experience is a decision I will never regret. The trip definitely taught me valuable things one can’t easily learn back in the Philippines. But I must admit, life back n Manila is definitely far more convenient. In order to address the demands of the challenging world, in 2007, the Ateneo Information Systems and Computer Science Department for the first time offered an exchange program where students were given the opportunity to study and live abroad during their penultimate year in the university. More than the souvenirs I got to bring home with me, sharing with you valuables I got from the trip: 1. Independence. Being able to commute, walk alone, do things on my own was a totally new experience for me. 2. Adaptability. Starting from scratch, considering no one knew who I was. Being able to adjust in a completely different environment was definitely a challenge. Crossing the city streets just to transfer from one class to another was necessary because I was in a city campus where the buildings were scattered all around the area. Living with a different family was not easy at the beginning since there were different practices and routines. Time zone differences although minor, I also dealt with given that I was never a morning person. =) 3. Pride. Being able to represent the Ateneo during International Exchange Fairs and to invite students to experience what life in the Philippines was like. 4. Strength. Being able to make decisions on my own and allocating the budget entrusted to me. Surviving without the presence of my family and friends from Manila. 5. Beauty. To travel and explore how beautiful the world was. Meet wonderful people across the globe. I was actually surprised to have classmates from Bangladesh, Israel, Fiji, Greece, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, India and the list simply goes on. Definitely learned to appreciate cultural diversity. 6. Fulfillment. I realized that I was in the right course. It was during that time when I realized the wonders my course can do. How programming systems can simplify the complex processes of companies and experiencing joy of creating new things. Making me realize how real Project Management was in one’s everyday life. University of Technology Sydney (UTS) gave me the opportunity to have a feel of what it was like to work for Australian companies through the assigned projects. 7. Joy. Being closer with my cousins. Studying together. Travelling to places together. Touching other people. Sometimes I wish I could turn back time and revisit those memories. I really plan to go back to Australia. Perhaps next year? For more information:
University of Technology Sydney - http://uts.edu.au/ GeorgeTown - http://www.georgetown.edu/ Stanford - http://www.stanford.edu/ A Masterpiece! As early as months back when the audit schedule was released I found my birthday fall on the week of field week. It brought me to some thinking state whether to actually fly off and celebrate my birthday on the plane or fly the day after my birthday. It was quite challenging since my birthday usually landed during vacation time and flying on my birthday would mean no celebrations with family and friends back home. I finally decided to fly out because I didn't want to delay any work that could be done. I looked at it in a different light. Convincing myself to try out what it would be like to celebrate ones birthday twice given 2 time zones and across multiple parts of the globe starting off with Manila followed by Japan and then the US. Decision was made. I had a bit of regret at that point just because I realized I won't be receiving any birthday messages on my mobile because I was on air flying. I'm the type who would save them for memories. :) Because April 9 (Friday) was a Manila Holiday, and I was set to fly off on the 11th (Sunday), Allen and I had our unexpected early birthday lunch with GIA-IDS Manila folks. I suppose Liza knew of my love for Japanese food and so we ended up in Jipan. When we got back to the office we were busy preparing some birthday stints for Allen as he celebrates on the 10th. It was a good BEERday Surprise. While I was working, I had GIA Manila folks sing for me in advance with a super yum caramel cake having my name plus a crown on top. :) April 9 was a holiday so I watched How to Train your Dragon (which I loved!) I had an advance birthday treat for my family at Aubergine, great French food. This was timely since I was heading for the US in the next couple of days. This was followed off with my all time favourite, Omakase on April 10. Then I had to cram with all the packing (not a personal favourite). April 11 - Headed out of the house at 4am then off to the airport. I was at the check-in counter and found Marianne there. I could already sense that it was going to be fun with loads of people heading for Cincinnati. Jo and I were the official travel buddies for this flight. Yes, my dear office mates wanted the best birthday on the plane adventure for me. They had all the amazing ideas. PA system singing for me. Lights out. Sitting beside the pilot. HAHAHA Amazing how these people had all the best ideas. Joan and I had great wine and food. I did a lot of sleeping. Imagine, I only got to watch one movie, Sherlock Homes since I was very much updated with the movies! I stopped over Narita then Detroit. And finally after 20++ hours on the plane, destination reached. The stewardess greeted me upon landing. I heard it was your birthday today! Happy Birthday! :) Thanks to Joan for that sudden surprise! My phone ran out of battery while on the plane. I only got 3 b-day text messages when I arrived. Thanks for all those who texted. I apologize for not having the chance to respond. Cincinnati welcomed us with great weather and perfect blooms! When I landed it was another April 11 for me! It was my birthday once again. I reached the front desk of the Westin and the person in charge told me. You are to go to Cecilia's Room because there's a very important package. I figured that Ces wasn't in her room since no one was picking up the phone. Wonder where she was? Suddenly someone came knocking on the door - It was Ces! She was carrying 4 little bouquets of origami lilies!!! Truly one of a kind! It was touching to know how my GIA-IDS pals have been folding origami flowers as practice late at night after work! I didn't even notice! Thanks guys! Each flower was personally folded by Ces which contained letters from great people I love. I am extremely grateful guys! Thank you for taking the time to write! :) Ces was so sweet. She talked to the Westin people about wanting to go inside the room to set up the flowers on the bed. They didn't allow for privacy reasons haha! Just the thought alone was perfect. Wells and Ces planned the best place for dinner. Prima Vista which was located in Queen's Tower! (how ironic) It had such spectacular view! Wells was so sweet he brought me Lilacs! It was lovely! Cake from Keith I had another celebration with Keith on April 14. I was very touched. I honestly didn’t expect this birthday to keep going day after day. He got me a really good cake! It was fun spending bonding time with fellow GIA-ers. Just sit and chat all evening. On April 15, we had another great night at Bob's place. Amy had made me ice cream cake! It was super yum. I love these guys. They made me feel at home despite how far I was from it. Before Ces left on Friday, she gave me Obama as a present. :) I was very much overwhelmed with all the preparation done by these people. Planning began late March while I was in Guangzhou. Execution from Manila, on air, up to Cincinnati will always be a memory I'll forever cherish. Who said a birthday on the plane was boring or corny? I thought it was going to be. But I was wrong. I had the longest birthday ever across several countries. Truly was a birthday like no other. :) [ TRAVEL INFO ]
Primavista - Cincinnati's Premier Italian Restaurant is located at 810 Matson Place, Cincinnati, OH 45204 "Primavista was named "Best Italian" by Cincinnati Magazine's Reader's Choice, and continues each year to win numerous public popularity categories such as "Best Dining with a View," "Best Date Spot," "Most Romantic," and many more by CityBeat and CiN Weekly." http://pvista.com/menu.html I really can't imagine how fast time flies. I dreaded the day I will have to say goodbye to the one thing I've ultimately fallen in love with over the past 4 years.
Yes, AJMA has been there for me since my freshmen year. I was a proud HR member then under Jals Tiu. Those were the times when MVP was still known as the Colayco Pav and the rooms were being shared with other organizations. I remember being at the Greenmeadows Clubhouse doing BBQ with Linfred and Liz. Those times, tuwang-tuwa pa ako sa mga freebies that I get to bring home after an AJMA event. My second year in AJMA was a birthday surprise when Kat called me to officially be her AVP for events. I was the most excited person on earth that day. I remember rehearsing with Lyndon in front of Charyao for SOM Week. Laugh trip sobra. We were blue feathered eagles with Dean Ang's face on it. I was privileged to co-host the marketing competition with Patty and handle bigger events along with Kathrese and my co-AVPs Nina Cruz and Ace Olano. During my junior year, I was lucky to be able to serve the organization as the VP for events. From initially overseeing 5 events, I ended up juggling 15-20 events for AJMA. I was very much inspired to follow the footsteps of Jo Pua and Kat Gulay (who were past VP for Events). A great year under Nill Arroyo, who certainly prepared me for the most unexpected but the best ride of my life. My heartfelt gratitute to the entire AJMA Alums and special thanks to Dino, he will always be the greatest persuader or shall I say marketer. Memories of today so would not have been possible without him. My last year in AJMA highlights a school year lived to the MAX. Recalling the events that went by so fast grants me a feeling of great joy but pains me at the same time. From the red carpet Spotlight GA, Recweek memories along with the Shirt and AJMA Card efforts of the CORREL Dept, Reg Washdown, AJMA Globalympics Funday, Marketing Camp which certainly made AJMA proud by being the COA Breakthrough Project of the Year, Marketing Week collaboration with so many institutions, Marketeach, SOMWeek Stress yet we enjoyed it, Departmental GAs plus GA's with PJMA, AIMS, Shindig Wonderland followed by the AJMA Vendo, Blue Christmas, AJMA Christmas Party, Plansems Formsems and Evsems, the Leadership Training Seminars for the Force, HSBC, Chalk, and Nike Tieups, AJMA Elections, Convergence with a twist, Leadership Summit, and the Year-End Bash Awards Night (YEBA), all these memories I will never forget. Thank you AJMA for all the laughter, stress, all-nighters, challenges, memories, bonding, and friendship! I will miss all our meetings and conferences. I just have to reemphasize that I had the best TEAM ever. I love AJMA 0708! From my ebs, avps, AJMA Force (Project Heads and the Core Team), the active and promising members who stepped up. THANK YOU. The AJMA Experience can never be traded for anything else. It's the people I love so much which makes it difficult to let go. During April 1, 2008 - YEBA Day. It really came upon me that this was it. I remember how I used to cry over not wanting to let go of the best thing that has ever happened in my life. I love AJMA because of so many reasons. I love AJMA simply because you can be YOU. Moreover, the people are there to cheer you up, take away your stress, support you, and cry with you. AJMA gathers great minds, talent, and people with passion to make the best events happen. AJMA made me feel loved and that I belong. AJMA has given me so many wonderful memories which challenged me to be the best person that I can be today. THANK YOU GUYS FOR BEING A PART OF THOSE 4 GREAT YEARS. I WILL FOREVER MISS YOU ALL! Although we seniors are officially dispensable, there'll be NO GOODBYES. CONTINUE AJMA’s TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE! Thanks to the wonders of technology. You know where to find me or how to reach me ;) I'll always be here for you guys. I LOVE YOU. XOXO, Queen I cannot believe how fast my four years in the Ateneo went by. But I can proudly say that it has been the most memorable and significant four years of my life. Ateneo has equipped me with the tools to be successful and granted me the conscience to use these tools to contribute to the greater good to the best of my natural ability.
The Ateneo in its entirety offered me an extraordinary kind of aura that compels me to maximize my potential as a student and exert my best in terms of academic excellence and organizational leadership. Since freshmen year, the Department of Information Systems and Computer Sciences (DISCS) department has always been like family to me. The faculty, secretary, and staff were always ready to offer their services and guide me as I went through my four years in the Ateneo. DISCS, especially Dr. Didith Rodrigo (DISCS Chair) was always there to grant me never-ending support and opportunities to grow into becoming the best person that I can be. DISCS continuously recognizes my efforts and achievements which as a result makes me feel important and I find myself challenged to do greater things to make my home department proud. It was in the Ateneo, during freshmen year when I was extremely inspired to win the Proctor and Gamble Student Excellence Awards for Academic Excellence and Organizational Leadership. After listening to her talks and stories, I was very much motivated to set the bar even higher for MIS students. I know deep within that being at the top of the MIS batch for me wouldn’t be possible without the constant support of my fellow batch mates who were always there to help me during challenging times. Aware of the fact that I was being looked up to by fellow Ateneans in terms of academic excellence, I took the initiative to lend a hand to students who needed help. I am forever grateful to the Ateneo DISCS Department for including me as the top priority to experience a privilege of a lifetime - to study abroad for a semester. Ateneo gave me that opportunity to broaden perspectives, to immerse and interact with different cultures, and to represent the Ateneo. I was challenged to show the students from other countries what it is like to be a Filipino and, more significantly, what it is like to be an Atenean. I remember one of my classmates, Romana Chandra who approached me after my presentation for an e-commerce class. “You’re definitely from the Philippines.” I was surprised how she knew. “I know because Filipinos have extremely good communication and presentation skills.” she told me. I was deeply moved. From there, I realized how a similar scenario applies for all the other Ateneans sent abroad. This dream of mine to study abroad, fulfilled by the Ateneo taught me some lessons about life that cannot be learned just inside the classroom. The experience opened my mind to a reality that there was so much more to discover by going beyond the four walls of the Ateneo. The Ateneo way of life instilled in me that in whatever I do, I have to give more than a hundred percent. I will never forget those productions for my Literature, Filipino, Philosophy, Theology, and History Classes. It was because of the sheer inspiration coming from the teachers and fellow Ateneans with whom I share the same passion for excellence with, that pushed me to always take things to the next level. Aside from all these tools that inspired me to aspire for academic excellence, Ateneo developed in me the conscience to use those tools to contribute to the greater good to the best of my natural ability. As early as my sophomore year, I considered myself privileged to be invited by the Ateneo Sanggunian to give talks on academic excellence to my fellow batch mates. I could not forget that afternoon of being in the same level with speakers like Boyet Dy (summa cum laude, Batch Valedictorian AB DS '06) and being considered one of the 10 Whiz Kids in the Philippines along with Patrick Echevarria (magna cum laude, Batch Valedictorian BS ECE BS PS ‘05) It definitely served as a great source of passion and inspiration to keep me going. Ateneo made me realize that education didn’t have to end with the self. When Dr. JP Vergara asked for my help, it was overwhelming to have someone trust and believe in what I can do. I was more than honored to be of service as a student assistant of the MIS sophomore batch for Computer Science courses this school year. Moreover, I will never forget the faces of the kids I taught in Jose Burgos Elementary School during my NSTP, or the smiles of my students from Alay ni Ignacio (ANI), a program of Pathways offering education to the underprivileged children. Upon discovering that my ANI students (now studying in the Ateneo) still remember me, grants me great pride from within because somehow and someway I was able to leave a mark on these students of mine. The Ateneo education has challenged me to live out the true spirit of magis – that of doing more, for Christ, and therefore for others, not just in terms of academics but also when it comes to organizational leadership. I will never forget my one on one Philosophy Classes with Dr. Manny Dy which made me realize that I can never rest content with anything I or history has achieved because there is always greater justice, richer love, deeper truth to be achieved. And even the Theology classes of Ray Aguas and Jim Acevedo which challenged me to do more in order to be more. These people challenged and have instilled within me the importance of what I should and can do for our country today. To be a student while co-managing a business at the same time was an arduous task. But the Ateneo culture and upbringing has proven to me that it is possible. Inspired by Pathway’s thrust for educating the underprivileged children along with the experience of teaching them, I launched the “Hope for Nerds” Program for Pathways done in collaboration with my business, It’s Cool, a novelty shop. This tie-up permitted Pathways to sell their products in all existing branches. Each time revenue was generated, I remember going to Alingal Hall full of excitement to surrender the amounts to them. As a student entrepreneur, I devised strategies on marketing Pathways’ advocacies through the company’s paper bags, posters, and website so that each person who sees the packaging will be encouraged to take an active role in helping and supporting Pathways. Moreover, I want to be the inspiration for future and existing entrepreneurs in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility. Furthermore, Ateneo granted me the opportunity to work hand in hand with the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Community through OSCI and my philosophy class. More than the fulfillment achieved from building and painting homes, it was the relationships formed within the community that will stay with me for a lifetime. My GK encounter inspired me to bring hope to these people as I solicited educational computer toys to be incorporated into the educational system of the innocent children of the GK community. “Queenie, yung mga ibinigay mo gagawin nating school property at pipirmahan mo ang bawat isa ng donated by Queen Alandy Dy – ATENEO.” I found it funny and awkward because they didn’t have to do such a generous gesture. I told them that I always wanted to help out in educating these children and knowing that they’ll actually be able to use it, was already more than enough for me. “Ilalagay namin pangalan mo dahil nais naming ma-inspire ang ibang mga volunteers tulad mo, na makatulong rin sa amin.” I was deeply moved for I never realized that even the simplest things we do can mean so much to these people. Finally, Ateneo has given me the opportunity to meet and work with exceptional student leaders. Ateneo helped me grow and become the best leader that I can be with the guidance of great Atenean leaders such as former Celadon President, Daphne Uy and former MISA President, Bev Almazan, who entrusted to me her “Step-Up” Leadership and Development Project during my second year. Seeing the way Bev conducted training seminars along with Tatot Quiblat empowered me into wanting to develop leaders and even go beyond that. Ateneans who led the Ateneo Junior Marketing Association (AJMA) certainly served as the ultimate inspiration for me to heed the call to be the leader of the largest and most course diverse organization, AJMA. At the start of my term, I realized that it wasn’t just about implementing projects that had existed ever since but the challenge to innovate projects that will allow AJMAns to master the organization’s strength in marketing and being able to give back to society; thereby contributing to nation building. Ateneo gave me the privilege to help the development of marketing specialists and future leaders who will be movers and shakers of the Philippine society through AJMA. It was in AJMA where I met the best people whom I share the same passion and drive for service and excellence with. AJMAns have touched my heart in countless ways; more than one can ever imagine. It was through AJMA where the application of being men and women for others was intensified. Projects such as the Marketing Camp which opens up marketing as a possible career option to public high school students, Marketing Week, highlighted by the Marketing the Ateneo Competition, which shares to the Ateneo community what AJMA’s core-competency, Marketing is all about, MarkeTEACH which is an initiative to update the education of college state university professors who in return promise to spread AJMA’s marketing advocacy a hundred fold. It is Ateneo that has granted me the perspective to view what truly is the Atenean way of Life. It was a privilege to get to work with Dr. Assunta Cuyegkeng, Pia Acevedo, Joy Adolfo, Pindy Mendiola, Rudolfo Ang, Hector Guballa, and Ma’am Sonia Araneta. These people certainly challenged my organization to take a step further and do more. Moreover, I’m grateful to our manangs of the Ateneo cafeteria, the technical staff of DISCS, the Power Plant Office, the security guards and the manongs who always helped AJMA in terms of event logistics. It gives me a feeling of happiness to hear them greet me by name when I pass by them. After four whole years, truly, it is the Ateneo culture and values that have definitely prepared me to be the best person that I can be. In the end, I’ve realized that everything I’ve done was never ultimately about self-fulfillment. Instead, I now truly believe that every act was done for the greater glory of God. Without doubt, I wouldn’t have gone this far if it weren’t for the Ateneo. The School of Qwinomics talks about certain beliefs regarding life and succeeding. It supports the concept that everyone in this world was born to shine and to be somebody who can make a difference in the lives of other people. No matter how difficult life may seem, for as long as one possesses a form of burning desire within, one can overcome any obstacle that hinders one’s path. According to Professor Qwin, research had long proven that one will be able to find success for as long as one keeps on wishing and aiming for such. Having a goal will keep you going despite certain factors that may delay one’s journey towards self-improvement and fullfilment. To believe in oneself, to be optimistic and to be content with all that life has to offer are the essentials of Qwinomics.
I myself can relate with Professor Qwin’s beliefs. I have been living my life for more than 17 years already. At times, I wonder whether I had made the most out of my life or did I just allow those 17 years go down the drain? Ever since I was a kid, I was always that kind of girl with big goals and dreams. I always wanted to achieve everything in life. At 17, I recognize that the life I lived wasn’t a smooth-sailing journey. I’ve fought with many of those inevitable stormy nights. I was hurt and injured yet I can say that in the end, I emerged victorious by learning from my blunders. Reminiscing through those 17 great years filled with zeal and enthusiasm, created an eternal glow around my heart. I felt contented with so many things I’ve managed to go through. This year was a tough one. I had to balance unending schedules with no more rest left for me. As exhausting as it could be, I am still forever grateful to my family, my school, my teachers, and my friends. My heart continues to overflow with joy and contentment. As I look back through those moments, I felt like smiling remembering those times when I taught little innocent children, entertained and performed for others, made lonely friends smile, and made my parents proud. What more was I searching for in life? In one way or another, I can say I’ve succeeded. The desire to win or succeed is always within me. I am a winner. For me, nobody ever loses in the game of life. Those who falter to me are winners because they learn to be stronger. Those who suffer to me are winners because they get to feel genuine love from the people who truly value them. Those who don’t fully get to achieve their goals during their first try are also winners because they are given the gift of accepting defeat and striving harder in the future. All of us are winners in our own ingenious ways. As the year comes to an end, as the idea of graduation echoes through the air, and as I step on the ICA stage for one last time, I can already imagine how heartbreaking that day will be for me. It would be like leaving the place filled with people I’ve treasured over the years. But then I realize that somehow, someway I’ve already made a difference and it’s about time that I go and journey to another place still waiting to be discovered. |
Welcome!All about the traveling Queen who wanted to share with the world the little and great discoveries that have brought her joy.
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