Where We Are Now

I thought I’d have more time since I stopped working but lately it still seems I’m as busy as ever. Proof of that is having neglected by blog for so long. I am going to start having to make a conscious effort to keep my blog going. I mean, I don’t want it to turn into an obligation or anything like that. But I certainly want to maintain it and find some time to update it, at least periodically.

Anyway, as I was saying earlier, I did end my career as a Training & Development Manager for company X last Friday. It was a bittersweet day for me. On the one hand, I was really itching to leave after months of stress, long hours, numerous deadlines, and impossible expectations. On the other hand, as the date drew closer I was reminded by how nice my colleagues were. I received numerous emails and cards from staff members near and far, was taken out to lunch every day by different departments, and even had a going away party thrown for me. I was really sad to leave and actually came very close to reconsidering my decision!

But in the end, I chose to move on. In the long run, this is the better path for me. The last few days have been great. I’ve had the chance to sleep in (and have not taken a sleeping pill in over 2 weeks!), have been eating healthier (am now cooking more and eating out less), have gone back to exercising (with a personal trainer), and am able to enjoy my days running errands and taking care of details around the house. I’ve seen my eye doctor and have appointments with my doctor and dentist (things I have neglected while working), have changed our insurance plans to get better rates, have shopped for pasalubong for my trip back home (and even started on some Xmas shopping). I’ve also been able to spend more quality time with my sister as we wrap up some last minute details for her upcoming wedding. I have to keep busy (it’s my nature) but at the same time I’m keeping my own pace and that is kind of nice too.

Jojo has also started a new job this week. So far it’s been going great. I’m so happy for him since this new company and his new boss seem to appreciate him more and challenge him (without sucking the life out of him – like that last place he was with). It’s also nice that he has more regular hours so we can sit down to dinner and enjoy the evening together rather than have him working till late. All this plus better pay and benefits. Isn’t life just great?

I have so much to be thankful for and am just so blessed that things seem to all fall into place. When Jojo’s former company downsized 4 weeks ago, it was unfortunate that Jojo was laid off (he was the last guy hired), I was worried about eventually leaving my job too. I had thought about reconsidering my resignation. But we talked about it and decided it was best to go and that somehow everything would work out. And our faith has seen us through. In less than 3 weeks of job searching, Jojo has had 3 good job offers. And when he finally accepted one, his first day on the job was exactly my first day out of work. And now it seems this new job is much better than before (of course he never would have found this one if he was still working at the last place). It’s also great though that I still get paid till the 15th of this month and that I have 23 unused vacation days that I will be paid for (so technically I’ll be paid till around mid-Oct – without having to step foot at the office). The timing is impeccable since property taxes are due in October too. It’s uncanny how God just took care of everything for us and didn’t even give us a chance or a reason to be worried or scared. I am still humbled by all this and extremely grateful too.

So in a nutshell, this is where we are right now. Jojo with a new job that looks very promising and me as a certified housewife for now. Things are looking up and we can only keep hoping that everything continues to stay great.