Welcoming 2011

2010 was a year full of surprises.  From the start of that year, I had a very promising job that was slowly turning into a nightmare.  It was then that I realized that money isn't everything.  I'd rather keep my self respect rather than continue working in an environment that makes you lose it.  So after almost 6 months of slaving it out (and oftentimes, saving my boss' ass), I had to quit pronto!

Actually, I was already out of work but continued to keep up appearances for my father.  He didn't know that I quit.  It would prove to be a disappointment for him if he learned that. So I still went out of my way as if going to the office.  But in actuality, I was doing work online.  Not until my dad was off to the US that I broke to him the news that I have quit my job.  So that's another highlight of the year, my father going to the states and staying with my brother.  

Another thing was my work online.  Ruel pointed me the way to odesk.com and it proved to be a worthy endeavor.  I immediately set up my account, promptly took the tests and applied for work via odesk.  Funny thing about my odesk experience, the positions I applied for didn't get back to me but two clients sought out my services as a writer.  One client has even sustained my in-between-jobs phase and before long, another client was engaging my services to write copy for seminars.  I got to learn new stuff from these clients.  C2M Interactive introduced me to dropbox, onenote, basecamp and wordpress.  Legacy made me learn marketing stuff for entrepreneurs!  

St. Joseph's College also took me in as a consultant around June 2010.  Working four times a week, my schedule with them allowed me time to do other work online.  They engaged my services as an advertising and promotions officer. But that proved to be a misnomer since I ended up doing PR work for them instead of the advertising work that the school badly needs.  The upside of this was I had struck a deal with Phil. Daily Inquirer for the school's press releases.  So now, SJC is enjoying some exposure (but still not enough).  Hopefully, since they have approved my ad budget for 2011, print ads will see publication around February or March.  But I won't hold my breath on this.

One surprise before 2010 ended was the work opportunity that came my way via Marketing Solutions Limited.  Headed by Toti Ramos, the Philippine office was set up to be a "branch" of its sister companies abroad (Hong Kong, specifically).  I got to be interviewed by Toti and his foreign counterpart, a Canadian/Australian guy named Bruce Cran.  I was given a writing test and passed it.  Soon enough, Toti made an offer which I definitely can't refuse.  Tax shield and a monthly salary almost at par with my previous work in the advertising industry.  Nice, huh?  We were both hoping that I'd be able to start mid-November, but alas! the office in Ortigas (Tektite Towers) isn't finished yet.  So I started work December 1.  Christmas was surprisingly enjoyable!  I thought there'd be no parties for me to attend to, no gifts and such, but I found myself celebrating Christmas with my new officemates at MSL.  Got some gifts too!  

All I can say is that these are blessings from God.  The bad that happened were man-made.  I did my share of booboos and paid for it dearly.  But there was a lesson to be learned when I made that big decision of leaving a "Dream" job: the leap of faith was really worth it!  God will always take care of you.

Here's to 2011 as I begin a new year with a new job!