Doors and Elevators

Alright. After one planned post and drafted post after the other, here's a published one. Finally.

After graduation and almost 2 months of bumming around, I got a job! I mean, I bummed around 95% of the time. But I also did some job hunting, house chores, processing documents and impulsive buying for the 5%. We didn't have a weighing scale at home yet I wish I didn't gained weight after all the late night sleeping, eating a lot and oversleeping as well. Which, happened to no one ever. Hahahahahaha. Cue: all skinny people say "not to me!"

Short story on my job hunting: I have no job or company or specific position in mind. What I only know is that (A) I need to get a job because it is embarrassing not to (B) family thing, looking at my parents (C) everybody's getting a job so I better find one (D) I abhor Makati. No. Not there (E) or QC (F) and anything else far from Pasig (G) In the process I grew this liking for BGC because I think it's a sweet area and is not YET congested. And, BGC bus is a breather from all my barbaric transportation experiences (H) I don't like intense programming jobs (I) prefer trainings before the actual job. Regarding with my last 2 JOs, it was such a hard decision to make. My parents and I had to pray about it. And in the end I went with what my parents wanted more than the other. The other JO was hard to let go- I was referred to that company and the job was exciting as it is terrifying. I would have a very high ranking person as my boss and it has field work (internal gasp* which is what I've always wanted as a job and not just sitting in front of a PC at the office.)

In the process, I got 3 job offers, consecutively. And I was hoping for the last two to be my last (tried not to make it sound like a relationship matter) because I don't want to suffer anymore exams and interviews!! I know! I'm a bad example of a persevering fresh grad. For the record, I applied to 5 companies and backed out early on in 2 companies before sending in my resume. And a couple of non-responding companies.

Come to the day of accepting the other job offer, I woke up late. I slept again when I thought it was still early. So much for bad signs and unprofessionalism. And required me to walk from rosario to C5, sweaty and pressured as a pig. Yet was blessed to ride a jeepney at C5 and was 7 minutes late at the least. I thought it was a one-on-one kind of job offer. I was surprised to enter a training room with tables almost all filled up with people. The HR and some of the department heads briefed us a bit about our position and what we are to expect once we accept the offer. We also did short introductions of ourselves which we were about 20 people, more or less. It was a diverse group coming from different notable universities in the PH. We were quiet most of the time. I was quiet because fear was creeping inside of me. Just hearing how technical everything will be I can't help but cringe internally. I wasn't expecting my first job to be so intense and challenging since we were already presented by the topics to be discussed in the month and a half training. And it has programming! Of a language I didn't like! Man. I just don't know about everybody else.

On that chair, it was not so bad because I was having mixed feelings. The company has great background and facilities and people but I'm not sure if I fit in it. And I started to think about the job offer I turned down weeks before yet have high chances of accepting me back again if I just say yes. How I might be better in that company rather than where I already was. But after all the talks and the paper reading. I prayed and resolved to myself to give myself a chance to try to be technical. It's an opportunity to learn. And I didn't want to waste it. Many fresh grads aspire to be part of that company and some didn't made the cut so I better grab this one while it's still at arm's reach. If worst comes to worst happens that I don't get through after the assessment, at least I tried. And God is still sovereign. He knows, I don't.

So I signed every single paper that needs to be signed. And the waiting happened.

We were supposed to be called one by one by the HR to know our decision. Until only 7/8 of us were left in the room. Being me, I tried to join another table and tried to mingle with them. It became easy since we came from the same alma mater, just different branches and 1 other guy from another university. Then and there, a bit of the heavy weight was again lifted since my decision of accepting the offer because they were easy to talk to. And hey, they all accepted too! Instant NFFs! And I think we scored points with the HR Manager since we eased her job by having a group discussion instead of one on one. Wink, wink. I thought I had prepared all the possible requirements this job would need from me. Boy, was I wrong. We went home with a thick and long brown envelope with all the papers we need to process and fill-up. LOL

Soooo here's one good thing that stood out that day: there's a cute guy! In our group. Heehee. In my defense, I wasn't really expecting anyone when the day started or wasn't even eyeing anyone throughout the session. But when we were about to go home, inside the elevator, I knew I found a new crush even before starting my job. I have to excuse myself for the demeanor! But this guy, at first encounter, I observed how he would walk last in the line and open doors for girls (read: me included) who he barely knows. And he flashed this really cute smile to me and my friend in the elevator. Hyperventilating inside! I really feel like we would be friends and hopefully close friends for that matter. Hahahaha. I hope he truly is a nice guy and not just how I imagined him to be. At least I have ~something~ to look forward to even if I'm scared as a kitty just thinking about how stressed I will be to study and fight for something again.

I can say that even if I had a hard time finding a job, I'm blessed abundantly by God. I remember praying for God's favor as well as men's favor in this season of my life. And God has been truly faithful and He answered my prayers. Not exactly as how I wanted or expected it to be but it's amazing! Now, I just have to prepare myself for the incoming battle, shrug of the bed weight, and keep on praying that I will do things excellently for His glory.

Sidenote: The company I will be working for is just 2 jeepneys away from home. Without traffic I could get there in 20 minutes. But that's not the case in the Ph, specifically but not limited to Pasig. I have to be on the road 1-1.30 hours to get to work on time. And even though the location is easily accessible, commuting in the area is a real pain! I doubt I'd get a ride across the building. So I might walk a few kilometers before I get home.

Yep, the real battle is just about to begin.

Photo: stocksnap.io; edited.