At the End of the Day

At the end of the day is the most used phrase in this year's National Debate Tournament, and perhaps in all debate tournaments in the past. Ladies and gentlemen would probably rank second.

I believe that I have heard more than a thousand At-the-end-of-the-days and Ladies-and-gentlemens in the past week. I don't think I can take some more. Please, no more.

Quite literally, the day (October 26) has just ended. It's past 12 midnight; and here I am, with JM, Hareil and Ryan in an internet cafe in Matina.

We're supposed to be "food-tripping", if there is such a word; while waiting for two o'clock to strike. Wilter, Rem and company are in a *** bar; and hopefully, they are enjoying (hehe).

After a week of debating (in their case) and vacation (for me), we're all finally going home. I miss home!!! Both GenSan and Marbel.

Going back to "food tripping", we ate at Mc Donald's and would probably eat again later at Jollibee. We have more than an hour to kill.

This had been a liberating experience. I realized that I have been confined in my small, secure world for a long time; where I had been the center (or among those who were in the center) of attention, glory and honors.

I got my taste of reality - learning that I'm just really a small fish in the ocean. There are lots of big ones.

I did not get intimidated. But there are a lot of positive realizations. And somehow, the fire that I thought has died is now burning once again. I know that I can still learn a lot and grow some more and more and more. At the end of the day, those are the most important.

Friends Forever

I read a blog post of Ate Edmee entitled Eight years of lasting friendship. It's been eight years since she and her friends first set foot at NDDU (then NDDC) to take up Accountancy. And now, eight years since that first day, they remain to be friends, even if miles separate them.

In my case, it's been more than five years; and gladly, I can say that we have remained to be friends and will remain to be such.

We are more than classmates (or former classmates). From each other, we learned the best lessons in life. We developed positive values. In a course where most students compete and pull each other down, we didn't; rather, we helped each other. We learned to become tolerant and understanding of different personalities. We developed relationships that are lasting.

The biggest day of our (or their) academic life has just passed - the day that we learned the results of the CPA Licensure Examinations. I thought (and they, too) that I will directly share this day with them for of course we were all expected to take the board this October. But only 12 of 18 took and I am one of the six who did not.

I may not have taken the board on the same date but I am with them in their happiness (for those who passed) and whatever else it is that they are feeling (for those who did not). The "result" day has passed and we made it through.

I am looking forward to seeing them. We will have a gathering this November. Members of Achtzen Virtus who remained in GenSan and those who reviewed in Manila and Davao will do our most favorite activity - overnight and videoke at London Beach.

Oh, but there is a problem (I haven't informed them yet because I remembered this just now)! London Beach is now closed. So we will have our gathering somewhere else.

And we might not be complete. Others won't be able to come because they want to be with themselves for now (you can guess why). Friends that we are, we understand.

We are all moving on, whatever the result for each taker is, and whether we took or not. Some will apply for auditing firms, others for private orgs and the rest will review.

But wherever the wind (or our feet) will take us, I know that we will be friends forever.

Adieu

It had been the most meaningful five months of my life, and I am very thankful for the experience.

I am leaving, but this is hopefully not good bye.

Teaching had been very therapeutic for me. I was so broken after graduation. I did not know how to go on with my life. I felt so inadequate - having wasted five years of my academic life. I could not let go of student activities, too. I had so many negative unprocessed emotions.

And now, I can say that I am well (maybe the word "cured" is too much to be used).

I don't want to think that once again, I had been selfish in making my decisions. Maybe I am selfish in the eyes of many, but I only listened to myself. And my selfishness is only temporary. This is for a selfless service in the future.

I will have to settle some things first before I can finally give the whole of me. I am young. I still have a lot to learn. I don't really have to hurry.

Events have always favored me despite my being spoiled and inconsistent. But things may not be the same from now on. I am ready for the consequences of my actions.

I wouldn't say though that I have nothing to blame but myself. Because from now on, blaming myself and others will not be part of my life anymore. Things simply happen, or they don't. I won't live in the ghosts of the past. I will live in the present and look forward to what lies ahead.

I am excited. I will start anew. And I will make it good.

For now, adieu. 'Til we meet again.

Mngt 111 Evening Class

I love to end my work- day with them. I had fun. I hope they had fun, too.

My SDS Class

I will surely miss them. I'm leaving but it's not good bye :-)