TV Series, Milk Tea and Me

It's been a while since I've written any blog intended to a special event in my life. I stopped writing for some unknown reason. My last and posted blog entry? I cannot remember... Anyways, this blog will be my comeback, my first written anecdote of what happened to me this past couple of months. It's been almost a year since I left Philippines to try to venture on a career as a hotelier. And throughout those months, I kept myself busy, at times, with watching my favorite TV series. Milk tea has been and will always be my comfort drink where ever I go. I even tried to make my own concoction but it wouldn't be of the standards of Chatime or even Pappa Roti. I do usually drink one glass before sleeping to help me make relax. Sounds weird right? Despite of the not so busy schedule, I still manage to go out with some friends, but most of the time alone. I just roam around the mall, visit my favorite shops and at times, spend a couple of minutes visiting the bookstore. With all those hype on TV series and mill tea, the question is, where am I? Am I just another face in the crowd of expatriates here in UAE? I am writing this blog to celebrate one glorious gift I receive from our Creator, the gift of another year to continue on the journey of a lifetime and also share some of the things i experienced here in Abu Dhabi. I will be celebrating my 24th birthday. My first birthday away from my loved ones, churchmates, former officemates and friends. It has been a tough year for me. I had to make the toughest decision of my life, and that is to leave my present career to try and pursue the life of a hotelier. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions, expectations, joy, trials, and hope. A ride wherein i was tested to such limits that I was the verge of breaking down several times. But God did nit leave me alone. He gave me the best people who will help me regardless of the distance. 1. Getting out of my comfort zone The shifting of work environment was not that easy. From a government employee to a hotelier, both have its pros and cons. I am used to have regular and fixed schedules when I was in my former job. But now, as a hotelier, we have to be placed in different work schedules to cover up the 24-hour operation of the hotel. The office type environment has been my comfort zone for more than 2 years. It was hard to leave thinking of the experiences, the joy of having such wonderful family there and some of perks I had like traveling for work. Challenging myself to take on the life of a hotelier was the bravest and toughest decision I had. During my first few months as a hotelier, I was still adjusting. In fact, I miss my old workplace, especially that messy table! The transition was tough. But the God did not abandoned me. He gave me the best people whom taught me some of life's lessons, guided me while I was starting my life here and people who encouraged me on my lowest point. 2. Battles and challenges We all have our own battles. Most of them may be tough. But it is our own strategy that will help us to make it through. My strategy? There was no definite plan or tactic. What I had was the faith that helps me I can make it through each hurdle. That faith in God, though have been tested, helped me to win each single battle I faced. 3. What lies ahead I know that God holds our future. There are times that I feel weary because of some invisible circumstance. There are some points that I almost give up. I just let myself breathe and to let go of the burden. Then, I let myself to recover and to turn what happened as something to remind me that it's just temporary and good things will come to those who wait. The journey is just beginning. What happened to me in the past year was just another chapter of the journey that God plans for me. Now, that I am turning a year older, it will be different. I won't be the same person again. I've learned from my mistakes. I want to be the best version of myself. I want to leave you with this: This lines where taken from a dialogue in one of the episodes of Glee's final season: "Have you seen a guy shooting a bow and arrow? The power is created by the bending of the bow. The more the bow bends, the more potential energy is created. Life's challenges are just the bending of the bow. Think about it, the bigger the challenge, the more the bow bends, the more potential you create do something more amazing. All you have to do is just to find a purpose. Find the arrow that you're gonna put in that bow." -Will Scheuster to Rachel Berry Challenges will always be a part of our life. It may be just a tiny challenge or even a tough one. Use every challenge as much as possible to fuel your purpose or passion. Don't let the challenges ruin you. Don't let fear control your future and always remember that God will never leave you. He is with you all the time.