Monday, December 28, 2015

The Survival of the Toughest

Courtesy of Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)
Link:  http://www.economics.ynu.ac.jp/ppt/message/messages02.html

I will forever be thankful for the greatest opportunity that came to my life...it was truly a tough one but I am so glad that I was able to surpassed all the challenges that came with it.    It was truly a wonderful experience!  However, I know I was not alone in my journey...I was always with God.  He did not forsake me even at the darkest hours and I am truly blessed!  Thank you so much for giving me the love, support, guidance and care...I may be one of the sinners that you know...but you often lifted me up whenever I am about to fall.  

My Final Pose at the Emblem of the
Yokohama National University (YNU)

Now, a new beginning is about to unfold...and as new challenges will come my way...I will always look back and reminisce all the wonderful memories that were created during my two (2) years stay in Japan.  I will always be reminded of all the people that became part of my so-called "JAPANESE LIFE."  You will always be part of the greatest achievement that I have reached so far... :)

MEILIN :)

Monday, November 2, 2015

The Victory

The Victory

"I just grabbed the single chance of a lifetime..."


I started dreaming about travelling abroad after I succeeded in flying to some places in the Visayas region before I turned 30, however, I preferred not to work as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) or be employed in a foreign land.  In short, I wanted to travel like most tourists do or fly abroad for free like my previous domestic flights,which are considered official business trips.  Well, it was surely a long process to get what I really wanted...and after I have painstakingly undergone all the screening and selection  process plus the completion of documents...I became a scholar...yes! I simply made it! (Not to mention, the failure I experienced on my initial attempt...)

It was indeed a roller coaster ride to find success in everything that you wanted to become in life...but when you happen to be there at the finish line, you'll always wanted to look back and smile at all the struggles that you've gone through...and just reminisce those times that you were almost raising the white flag to surrender and give-up on achieving your goals.  Yet there's always a saying that everything will just be part of the history...and all you have to do is focus on what matters most at the very moment--or simply called, NOW.

It may not have turned out so well as I didn't make it to be one of the best performers in class...but being one of the successful scholars who made it to earn a Master's degree abroad was more than enough.  I would never have that single chance if I have foregone  all the opportunities beforehand...I am just so glad that I grabbed it when the doors suddenly opened for me!  It would surely  come once in my lifetime...Thank you so much, Dear God, for showering me with great blessings!

There are a lot of words that I wanted to utter to simply show how grateful I am...and to make people believe in me and on what I can do...but there are no words to say:  "God is always good!"  In whatever I have achieved,  I know that it won't be possible without Him and His unconditional love.  I may have gone through a lot of trials and painful experiences, yet I know that it's His way of telling me that I should continue what I have started and should stay  strong to hold on to my dreams and aspirations.  I am so happy I made it!

V-ery
I-ntense
C-ourses
T-aken (with)
O-utstanding
R-ealization
Y-es!!! Yes!!!  Yes!!! (Yahoo!!!)

That's right, the Victory was finally realized...and I am overwhelmed that two (2) years of hardwork finally paid off...I am officially Meilin Bocobo Lee-Hirang, CPA, MA.  The bits and pieces of my dreams are finally coming true...Mama, wherever you are now...I hope you're always proud of me...
Next stop, PhD or LLB then, Dr. or Atty.!!! As I learned from my daughter...#yolo "You Only Live Once!", hence, I will make the most of it!

MEILIN :)