My aunt Lorna is recovering! I was able to speak to her yesterday and at first couldn’t recognize the merry voice at the other end of the line, a stark contrast to the sad and weary voice that greeted me in my last visit. To all those who prayed for her, thank you very much!
1 September and if I stayed with Smart, I would have celebrated my ninth year with the company. Hmmm, 9 years is really quite long considering that I easily get bored. What I initially planned for 3 years just got stretched and extended. I loved my job and enjoyed it: the experiences, bonuses, travels, perks and the camaraderie. Throughout my telecoms career, I got to work and gain experience in Transmission facilities, BSC, MSC (mobile switching) operation and maintenance as well as basic Optimization. But then, after all those years combined with tragic life events and maybe, boredom finally got me that I finally had the courage to end it and pursue other things.
One of the reasons that I went home here in Cebu was to visit my ailing aunt. She’s suffering a complicated case of cancer and is already at an advanced stage. Tonight, on the eve of my departure back to Manila, I visited her at Cebu Doctors Hospital and I told her that we will still be seeing each other once I get back. But then, motioning me to come close to her, she hugged me and whispered in my ear: “This will be our last time to see each other again.”
Prayers please, please, please 
While doing an errand for my mother, I passed by Sta. Cruz Church in Carriedo to light a candle for my departed ex. It has been three years since a tragic and violent death happened and really, I forgot about the death anniversary. Maybe that was the reason that I dreamt of my ex, smiling at me.
Life. Love. Death. Tragedy. But I’ve already gone past it and moved on.
Friends were quite taken aback, especially those who didn’t know about my resignation. They’ve been asking: “Where you going?”, “Why”, “When are you leaving?”. Its common knowledge for Smart employees, especially if the one leaving is from the technical group. Its always for greener pastures in foreign shores. With the surge in wireless telecom hiring around the world, from the Americas (north and south), to Asia (Indonesia, Pakistan), Europe and Middle East, a good number of Smart’s (and probably Globe’s) well trained engineers are making the exodus. Even if its a contract job, renewable after every few months.
Not me. I wanted to do things that I’ve always wanted to and now’s just the right time to do all these things. A door has opened and it’s just time to grab this opportunity. I can’t wallow in a job that has become stale. As hectic as a Smart employee’s work is, I just saw myself wandering along. The challenges are past. The enthusiasm has just evaporated. Some things were not what I’ve expected to be.
As what my HR manager told me, it might be a transition that afflicts workers every ten years. In my case, its earlier. But I have to carve out a niche for myself, something that I want to do and be proud of.
SUBSCRIBE