Japan...I'm Coming!!!

When the good news arrived earlier this year, I wasn't really sure yet since all the documentary requirements needed for the much awaited moment were not ready...but now, the arrival of my "departure" is  about to unfold...the long wait is about to be over...and I'm really happy to fulfill one of my life-long dreams...

Cake given by my Aunt during my 'Despedida' Party

I know that the journey may be tough since this is a brand new life for me...but I will never give up until I will be able to achieve what I've been longing for...I may experience some disappointments and frustrations at times...but I know that the Lord will never leave me through this journey...and I know that He has better plans for me...that's why, I will never stop to believe until my dreams will come into reality...

Cake given by my Boss during the 'Office Despedida Party' 

Lord, please continue to guide me along the way...please be with me through this journey...and please bear with me for whatever shortcomings or weaknesses that I may have...I believe that you'll always be there to bless my family, my friends, and me as I embark on another chapter in my life...please be with my 'child' despite of my absence...please make her understand that I'm doing all these not only for myself, but solely for her...I love you, dear God...Thank you very much and please bless and guide me.

I got this from the internet.  Yokohama, Japan

SEE YOU SOON, JAPAN... 

MEILIN :)

Thought is Truly Supreme

"Thought is supreme."

The phrase that inspired me to believe on what you can do and to be someone you expect yourself to become.  The phrase that Rhea, my colleague, my friend, my "kumare" inculcated in me in claiming whatever success you wanted to have in life.  The moment that I felt that my efforts weren't enough to achieve what I've been aiming for...I just utter the words...and voila!...in just a span of time, I am at the peak of my much awaited moment...

The moment I took the chance in taking the CPA Board Examinations for the second time in 2012, then took my second chance and apply for the study grant this year...I claimed to myself that I will be successful in my endeavors despite all the failures that I've met in the past.  Yes, I really made it!!!

As I shared a blog on March 12 regarding my application for the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Grant (JJ/WBGSP) earlier this year, I am still clueless and I don't know if I really made it...but still claimed that I could make it...and now, I am at the midst of achieving all my goals in life...the good news came to me on May 16 at the airport when my tears were about to pour out due to the departure of my brother, Jim...who became my constant companion for eight (8) long years when we were still struggling with life in the Metro...and he was about to leave then when my colleague gave me a text message regarding a package from Yokohama National University  (YNU) that came to our office at that very moment...without any knowledge on what was the content of the said package...I just jumped for joy and hugged my brother!!!  I just felt that I already made it...and when I arrived home, my colleague was waiting for me at my doorsteps and handed me the good news that is about to unfold... that will change my life forever...

Good news it is!!!  I was filled with so much joy...the same feeling that I felt when I learned that I passed the CPA Board Examinations last year...I immediately told my friends about my success...and I was really happy because they truly supported me all-the-way...and to my Savior...Lord, you never left me in every step of the way...I really wanted to thank you for all the wonderful blessings that came to me...I don't know how to express my utmost gratitude for giving me this great opportunity...although this is only the start of everything that I have to go through...please be with me and guide me in my journey...please be my light, Lord...Thank you very much!

I also wanted to give the credit to my father who inspired me and gave me the chance to redeem myself after all the troubles that I have caused in my life...Thank you very much, Papa!  For my daughter, Linlin...who never left me despite of all my shortcomings...I know this good news would be a "not-so-good-news" on your end because I have to leave you for a while...but I'm telling you this:  "Every bit of success that I shall achieve would mean a bunch of success on your end ...because the moment that I can prove myself that I can be someone someday...we will have a good life...and we'll be together by that time. Just have patience, my dear!  Mama will be coming home with flying colors!  That's a promise that is not meant to broken.  I love you so much!"

Now, I'm still in the process of completing all the documentary requirements necessary for my flight to Japan in September 2013.  Japan...I'm coming!!!!  Watashi wa Nihon ni ikamasu (I am going to Japan)...the phrase which I wrote at the back of my books upon submission of my application for the study grant...Thought is truly supreme...It is proven!!!

MEILIN :)

An Undeniably Different Baguio Experience

During our recent trip in the "Summer Capital of the Philippines" or the "City of Pines" last February 5 to 9, it was truly an amazing experience that I can't compare with my usual stay in Baguio City.  I was already acquainted with the places within the City due to my residency during my College days, but I felt a different kind of excitement and experienced a warmth feeling as I stayed for a while to attend a seminar conducted by GACPA.  

Taken at Kenon Road View Point

This time I was with my colleagues, and I was able to see familiar faces - my College classmates who turned to be my co-workers within the same organization.  It was really one of the most memorable Baguio trip ever...I also got to visit my Alma Mater and find my College professor back then.  A city tour was also one of my favorite highlights...because I was able to see places that I've never been to.  Baguio City is where I really belong...and with the experiences I got during those College years made me miss this city even more...I'm looking forward that I could visit the city again some time and reminisce on the wonderful moments I got...and to meet my long-lost friends as well...:)  I'll be back soon, I promise!

MEILIN :)

Be Careful...Bad Vibes Not Allowed!!!

Whew!  I really don't know where to start and I wonder what really came into my mind when I decided to blog about this noontime soap opera that really made every Filipinos' lives different...It was such a phenomenal TV show that really paved the way for all people around the globe especially Filipinos to stop for a while and take the time to watch this show whether during its usual airing time by ABS-CBN, or on the internet particularly on TFC, iwantv.com.ph or Youtube.  

When it was aired on the 9th of July last year, I really watched the pilot episode but I wasn't able to take the time again until "Habagat" struck Metro Manila and we're lucky that the electricity wasn't out during those times to hit the television and watch another episode of Be Careful with my Heart (BCWMH) again.  My curiosity became more rampant when I found "tweets" from famous celebrities about their love for the love story of Maya and Ser Chief.  That was the start of my fondness to watch one episode to another and I also learned that iwantv.com.ph can also help me in my schedule problems.  Thus, a 30-minute break each day won't hurt...and it really paid the prize!  My stressful life turned relaxed when I took the time to watch it on a daily basis...I was able to laugh, smile, and even cry on every touching moment portrayed by the casts of BCWMH.

Be Careful with my Heart - The Philippines' National Soap Opera

To be honest, I was never hooked or got addicted on any Filipino TV Show like this...that is similar to the addiction we got during the Asianovela Invasion in our country...but this is just a proof that the Filipino TV shows are really improving and the viewers are really happy with the by-product of what they are watching...a relaxed mind and happy heart would make our lives longer~ and even better...That's why, KUDOS to all the people behind this very famous noontime show...Kapit-Bisig!!!  We're looking forward for more heart-felt and inspiring shows like this...that really brings out the child in us!!!:)  

Now, I can say that I'm a Certified BCWMH fan...Oh my G!!!:)


MEILIN :)

I Will Never Stop...When the Going Gets Tough...

My guiding principle is:  "I shall never stop when the going gets tough..."  To be honest, I'm a bit worried now because it's been eleven (11) days since the deadline for submission was on the last day of February, 2013...I'm referring to my scholarship application with Yokohoma National University (YNU) in cooperation with Joint Japan and World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) for the second time.  Yes, it's my second time...because Charmaine, one of my colleagues, was the one who was successfully chosen during my initial application...but I never stopped...instead I was challenged to do something about my current condition and did the best that I can to make everything possible...I'm happy to share that Charmaine inspired me to fulfill my dreams and become a Certified Public -Accountant (CPA)...and I did!

My predecessor...Thank you for inspiring me!:)

Now, as I take another step in the ladder of my chosen career, I know that I can be the next awardee for the much awaited success...this will be the start of my life-long dream...and the start of a new life ahead...with much prayers and support from all of the people around me...I know I can make it...Lord, please continue to guide me on the right path...I believe that with You, nothing is impossible!  Thank you very much for giving me great courage...great talent and great family and friends!  :)

MEILIN :)