I dread that call with my manager. I had another skirmish with our APAC head about staffing issues and coverage. I just pointed out that doing a sector-based division of labor does not work in our region because each country has its own system and idiosyncrasies so we have to split countries among the “surviving” reporters. The fact that sales keep on harping about Thailand means it’s a need.

Sigh. It’s a long story.

Anyway, I was panicking this morning because it was taking a while before I could settle my car/registration at ParkNFly. There were too many people parking and traveling and there was a long queue at 3 am. It took almost an hour before I reached Terminal 1 via their service. Good thing the line at the immigration is surprisingly short and not chaotic like in T3. That terminal is hell on earth.

After an early check in, the first thing I did was to have a one-hour dry massage. It has been more than a month since my last massage. I miss Zennya. 😭 There are no good masseuse in our area because they’re all quitting their spa to go abroad.

I worked a bit in my room, didn’t want to go to our office.

Then I went around, scrounging for good deals (Singapore adopted the American Cyber Monday sale even though they don’t even celebrate Thanksgiving). If I can buy items that are too good to pass up or aren’t available in Manila, then I buy them so I would be done with my Christmas gift shopping. Only a few were worthwhile, like Japanese cosmetics at BHG at 50% off for my younger sister and sister-in-law.

Speaking of sale…I was a victim of Black Friday sale. 😶 I bought *something* from the US that would be shipped again to Shipping Cart’s Oregon warehouse, then shipped to the Philippines. 🫠 This loving thyself mantra is going overboard 🤣🤣🤣.

I have an interview tomorrow, I mean I will be interviewing a CEO so I better sleep early.

You know the drill: Pack, drive, park, and fly. I need a shuteye, even for 4 hours.

Why does it take long for me to pack?!

---

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by we’re not really strangers (@werenotreallystrangers)

I saw a post on social media (can’t remember if it was on Instagram or Threads) about a girl begging for her guy to stay. Thinking about the things why he didn’t stay.

Girl, don’t beg. Nobody is worth that much (maybe except your children). If you have to beg, he’s not worth it. The people who are worth your love, time, and effort are those who chose to stay despite everything. If they leave, that meant they have made their choice a long time ago. Nobody leaves on a whim.

The only time I asked someone to stay was when my college boyfriend broke up with me. I made him a copy of Jars of Clay’s song, Tea and Sympathy, and sent it to his apartment. I didn’t get any response (either he was dense or he just didn’t care anymore). But I knew what I did was not right because it left a bitter taste in my mouth. I felt like I humiliated myself.

I haven’t repeated that mistake.

I did ask some of them why because I wanted to understand so that I won’t seek answers and linger for a long time.

But you know, you will never get answers and better leave it like that. Eventually, the truth will come out. It usually does and when you finally learn that, you are better off knowing that you didn’t lower yourself to their level, especially if they’re a cheater and a liar.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by we’re not really strangers (@werenotreallystrangers)

And no, I don’t recycle.

If they hurt, disrespected me, and/or abused me the first time around, what is my assurance that they won’t do the same again? I am basically the same person and the same reasons for leaving me will continue cropping up.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by we’re not really strangers (@werenotreallystrangers)

It’s almost three years since I have become solo. I’m much stronger and wiser but I carry with me so many scars and my skin is already battle-hardened. What I went through were just stepping stones to something bigger that is enough to destroy a weaker person.

Don't beg anybody for anything, especially love.
-Toni Morrison#quotes #motivation #qotd #quote #inspiration #quoteoftheday #motivationalquotes #dailyquotes #inspirational #quotestoliveby #inspirationalquotes #motivationdaily pic.twitter.com/FxPOXXn45J

— World In Numbers (@motivationeerss) March 2, 2022

It’s really nice how Stephen Schwartz, the composer and lyricist of Wicked, talked about how he wrote and composed Wicked. I love the chord progression in and the emotions that came with the song “I’m Not That Girl” that it sticks in my brain. At 14:20 min

Hands touch, eyes meet
Sudden silence, sudden heat
Hearts leap in a giddy whirl
He could be that boy
But I’m not that girl

Don’t dream too far
Don’t lose sight of who you are
Don’t remember that rush of joy
He could be that boy
I’m not that girl

Every so often we long to steal
To the land of what-might-have-been
But that doesn’t soften the ache we feel
When reality sets back in

Blithe smile, lithe limb
She who’s winsome, she wins him
Gold hair with a gentle curl
That’s the girl he chose
And Heaven knows
I’m not that girl

Don’t wish, don’t start
Wishing only wounds the heart
I wasn’t born for the rose and pearl
There’s a girl I know
He loves her so

I’m not that girl

Meanwhile, it’s hard to sing “Defying Gravity” while suspended in air. Idina Menzel had to keep up with the sped up version of this song while battling asthma.

https://youtu.be/O5V9KwppMfs?si=7KVhU1GAilgbbVrB

And that is one heck of an Elphaba.

---

Got a new JBL soundbar for the living area. My girls are having friends over to hang out and watch netflix. But basically this is for me while I work in my pseudo-balcony or when I cook. I want my music to follow me. Because, yes, I am obnoxious, I don’t care about my neighbors. It’s just my mom there. 😁

I tried to be early, but you know, I needed a nap after making breakfast for my 7th graders or else I may fall asleep on the wheel. I got to the tailend of the presentation of one company that I got to interview.

I could have doubled the number of stories I produced from this two-day conference but I’m just not up to it. There is no incentive to do so.

---

I went to Ikea, which is just across SMX where the conference was, to have lunch and work. The restaurant there is huge so it’s less embarassing for me if I stay there for hours to finish work than compared to, let’s say, a coffee shop. I just stayed by the window so I would be away from people energy and I could write and edit with less distractions.

That’s the thing, it’s embarassing to work nowadays in coffee shops because people will get annoyed since I had been hogging the table near the electrical outlet for hours. It’s not that I want to; it’s just when I write or edit, I’m so deep into my thoughts that I’m really not conscious of time passing by so fast.

Last night I was chasing the chairman of a conglomerate in a dinner party in Ortigas. I buttered up the personal body guards of the chairman, held up the elevator to ask him a critical question. Then I got a scoop! I drove all the way from south just for that one question. 😂 But it was all worth it.

Sometimes I do wonder where I get my gumption to do such things.

It was already midnight when I arrived home. 🥴

Then I woke up at 5 am to cook breakfast and tended to my cats’ needs and litter box 😭. Had a 20-min nap at 7 am but I was only able to get out of the house at 8:45 am because you know, mommy things. 🫠

I worked non-stop at the conference, chasing government officials from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. I was supposed to stalk one Thai exec but, nah, I was writing stories and editing at the same time.

I’m exhausted.

I was just fuelled by the adrenalin rush that I get from being able to get scoops and write good stories.

This is m one of the two reasons why I am still here with this company for almost a decade: I like the work. The other reason is the flexibilty since I can work anywhere and however I want.

The drawback, however, is that I have forfeited the chance to quadruple my salary or increase my pay by ten-fold. That’s the only way you can jack up your income when you stick to being an employee—jump companies/jobs every two years.

I did try apply for other jobs or entertained those who wanted to pirate me. However, things didn’t pan out. Or maybe I was half-enthusiastic.

Speaking of income, I just realized I am so heavily invested in equities; I should start diversifying my portfolio this month. Start by buying units in mutual funds invested in global bonds, money market instruments, and a bit of equities. You know, the balanced fund.

I was just set back by medical expenses of my daughter but that’s ok. I still have 20 years to build up my retirement funds. Moreover, I shouldn’t stop working; I can still be a consultant until I’m old and gray.

---

Errr, I need to book my flight and hotel to Singapore for next week. I have already meetings and interviews lined up. My last hurrah for the year.