Moving to the Next Level

I got promoted last week!

I received the good news last Sunday (workweek starts on Sunday in this side of the world) in the form of an envelope containing my promotion and bonus. What a way to start the week!

After spending months of waiting, I guess all of us in the office are waiting for any news. Finally, the moment had arrived. I thank God for another milestone in my career.

Honestly, I have waited so long for the position I am aiming. I jumped from one company to another during the start of my career. When I landed to a company where I was so comfortable with, I thought I finally found the right workplace for me. However, my stay lasted only for a year and a half. I followed the calling of my heart and decided to leave the Philippines for the first time and tried my luck working in abroad – with my Lovsy.

We were starting our relationship then and she was working on a small island in Europe. She had no plans to come home yet and would like to explore more working abroad. We met half way and applied to an audit firm in the Middle East (halfway indeed). Maybe we were destined to move to a new country or just plain luck as both of us was hired at the same time. I left my career back home and started step lower from my position back then.

I consider myself as a diligent staff who always tried to deliver but I could say I am not the superstar type of staff. I am not the Lebron or Kobe with Mamba Mentality. However, I consider myself as a San Antonio Spurs player who follows the game plan as what Coach Popovich orchestrated. I win some and I had my own share of off nights. Nevertheless, I always go out and play.

Although each year, I received a raise and get promoted my jump is only one step from my former position. As compared to some of my colleagues they jumped twice as I did. I know they deserve their promotions as they have greater exposures and demands from the projects they handled. There came a point when Desiderata was my mantra. To be content with what I have but not at the expense of being mediocre.

Then my moment has come. My promotion this year is not a single step but a double. I jumped to the next level. It is the position I waited so long. All those what ifs questions were not answered.

Had I did not leave my work back home I should be at the position I am dreaming of, I guess.

Had I only stayed to my first job, I should be at the level I am waiting for by now.

All of these were behind me. I finally got the monkey off my shoulders.

I still question myself if I am ready to the position my bosses has bestowed upon me. I know I need to elevate my game and be more equipped with technical skills. I read this line that being comfortable is a problem and it is better to be uncomfortable from time to time to avoid the pit of being complacent.

So bring it on and let’s start slaying dragons!

 

The Reunion

I don’t know why I love to complicate my life. When I welcome 2018, I set my mind to two things – the upcoming audit season and my online t-shirt business venture. It was not included on my list to lead my high school batchmates for our grand reunion.

It all started when I invited my former high school classmates a couple of weeks ago for mini get together. Since my Lovsy and I moved to our new love nest, I thought to throw a housewarming to our friends – starting with my high school friends. When my classmate posted some of our photos on Facebook, I read comments from our other batchmates calling for our batch reunion. The clamor continues and I know my batchmates are waiting for someone to spearhead the reunion. No one else but the class president – and that’s me.

For the past years, hearing about the class reunion from high school friends made me feel uneasy. It was a burden on my back which I always wanted to unload. I had a perception that all the works in planning our batch reunion would fall into my hands. Not to mention that I didn’t have any clue how to raise the fund for our reunion. So I always cut the discussion or draw a smile every time they asked me about when and where our reunion would be.

But things changed after the mini get together my classmates and I had here in Doha. For an unknown reason, I started drafting a plan and found the courage to contact my other classmates through Facebook Messenger. I individually shared my plan to those who eventually become the Committee Leaders and Representatives. Later that day, I started creating the Facebook Group Page and Group Chat.

It turns out my batchmates are only waiting for this spark plug. The responses from our batchmates are positive. I was surprised we started to close the million dollar question – When will be our batch reunion? Majority of the guys agreed to hold the event on May 23, 2020. Yes, your vision is clear. It will be two years from now in order for our batchmates working and living in abroad can plan their travels back to the Philippines ahead of time.

Having no idea what my batchmates want for our reunion, I raised an online survey. The turnaround is quite satisfactorily. Before this week ended, I have delegated the main tasks and our treasurer has opened a bank account for the collections.

I don’t know what will be the result of our planning in the days, weeks, and months to come. All I know is that, wala ng atrasan to. With the help of my batchmates, I am so hopeful that we can make a better plan and execute our plans for our reunion.

 

 

A New Beginning

What’s up guys! Happy New Year to all and hello 2018!

I know a dozen of days had passed since we celebrated the New Year but I just want to great whoever is reading my blog right now. Another reason why I feel upbeat is that I finally resolved how to access my blog.

For almost a couple of years now since I last accessed my Dormboy blog. I tried to retrieve the username and password but I ended up being frustrated. I almost resigned to the fact that I could no longer write in my original blog. I tried to open different blog sites but I missed much my Dormboy blog.

Call it a sign that I should go back blogging again and the timing is just right. So without further adieu, I’m back!

Before I start writing about how my 2018 started, let me share with you tidbits of stories of how great my 2017 was.

Travels 

My 2017 started with series of travels. I flew to London to do work stuff and it was my first taste of winter in the UK. I know I love cold climate but I guess I should be careful to what I wish for. Then it was followed by another fieldwork in Dubai in February.

Skipping work-related travels, my Lovsy and traveled to the United States last June. It was my first time to visit the Land of the Free and I could say it was all fun. Together with Lovsy’s sisters, we spent time in Disney Cruise and enjoyed our time in the Magic Kingdom in Florida. We were awed by the fireworks in Disneyland which is the highlight of our vacation. Once again, we were kids again. The rest of our stay was split in Texas and in New Jersey. Overall, my first stary in the States is A-Okay!

During the Eid Holiday, we managed to book a great deal in the Maldives. Both my Lovsy and I love the beach in the Maldives so our trip was actually our three-peat. Before we the year ended we managed to spend Christmas back home. What a way to end the year indeed.

Career

I was not happy when I was moved to another department in our firm before the start of 2017. Good thing I recall the book “Who Moved my Cheese” and eventually, I learned to love my new assignment. I found my way in and my niche in my team. Although there are struggles along the way, still I accepted the grit and grind of my new work.

During the year, I also moved to the next step. Boy, it took some time since I attained the position and finally, Dormboy has landed.  So if I could grade my career, I will still give an A+.

Love Life

Let me start by saying, I love the married life. I found a great wife and I enjoy each moment with Lovsy. We almost spend the whole 2017 together except those days when my work calls for travel. Although there are petty arguments and misunderstandings during our first year of marriage, still the happy days outweigh the lonely moments.

During the last quarter of 2017, we decided to move together and found a new flat where we can say our own. After living in Qatar for five years, I never thought that we accumulated tons of stuff which made hard for us to move to our new abode. Still, we managed to settle in just a couple of weeks.

Our new place has driven us to enjoy our weekend visits in IKEA. We loved the breakfast in IKEA and enjoyed viewing the set-up made by IKEA. Moving to our own place gave us the opportunity to grow together as a couple, to be carefree and be just us. Spending, home cooked meals, or pizza night on Thursday night was more fun than before. Sounds light a great A for the matter of the heart.

Finance

I admit there are struggles along the way. My goal to be a debt free man is still a goal-in- process. Also, before I ended 2017, I started a T-shirt Project. I am still learning the rope on how to run the t-shirt business. This project makes me afloat this 2018. I will write a different article about my t-shirt business. So right now, I could say B rating for my money matters.

I plan to write more but I feel sleepy right now. I let my fingertips punch the keys and let the ideas flow. So as I bade farewell 2017, I want to say my big thanks to God for a wonderful 2017!

2018 here I come!!!

Ang nagbabalik,

DB