Where I should be

Thinking about what my life would be like after college graduation has always scared the hell out of me. Being a student became pretty much my comfort zone for twenty years. Although I excelled in my academics, I'm not exactly the smart girl everyone thinks I am. I get good grades mostly because I love to study. Sometimes I even get insecure that maybe I am not street-smart: that I am only good with textbooks and tests!

I carry with me this insecurity whenever I see my friends's social media posts about getting hired one by one by their respective employers. You know, the Ako na  lang ba ang walang trabaho? kind of feeling. Why can't I land a job after undergoing so many exams and interviews? AM I NOT GOOD ENOUGH? Is there something wrong with me that disinterests companies to proceed with my application? Why don't they call me back?

And then I found the answers to my question(s): those jobs are simply not for me. SIMPLY BECAUSE I DESERVE BETTER.

It was May 21 when I first got a call from my current employer. I am being invited for an exam for their Management Associates Program on June 12. The invitation did not sound really exciting to me at that time but I confirmed anyway. May 21 is 22 days away from June 12 -- a lot can happen in a span of three weeks. Honestly I became overconfident that at least one of the five or six pending companies will hire me...that I won't even reach June 12 unemployed.

I was humbled. And frankly a little depressed.

So I took their written assessment with approximately 100 others. Yes, 100 applicants in Manila alone, and 200 others nationwide. I looked at my chances and there I was ready for another rejection. But what are the odds!!! I was simply having a spontaneous merienda with my friend Jassy when I got a call: I qualified for the next and final leg of the recruitment process (the best and most hardcore one in all I tried btw!). The next thing I know, I was shaking in great disbelief.

Hahaha true friends witness and document priceless
moments like this. Photo from Jassy Rosit (June 16, 2014)

I realized that maybe all my interviews prior to DBP only prepared me for this big one. And so I got in. But that's after two of possibly the funniest things ever:

I don't remember who was I talking to that time but this
conversation is pretty funny. And no, people at work
are not #conyo. At least not all. 

I'm not sure if it was my relationship status that got me in
to this job (???)  

Right now I am officially part of the organization for two weeks already. And each day gets better with nothing but fun learning experiences. Being in government makes me feel like I'm a more relevant Filipino citizen everyday. I am looking forward to the rest of the 10.5 months of training and three (or more) years with 29 of the brightest, smartest, nicest people I've ever met in my life. 

Photo from the official photographer of DBP 

People are not kidding when they say that your plans for yourself won't always happen your way. But you will find happiness if you embrace the life you are given, because you are given this life for a reason. To me, it was a combination of skills, opportunity, luck, chances, faith and God's perfect timing. I will never get tired of saying that I am not Queen of Delaying Gratification for nothing. I am convinced that DBP is where I am meant to be, supposed to be, should be.