I remembered telling my best friend from high school to grab the opportunity when it presents to you. My best friend is the type of person who is shy and just lets things slide. This is the reason why I always tell her that.
I have always believed that good opportunities are rare and therefore should be taken. I still believe they are rare but I am no longer too sure about the second one. I am almost 22 and opportunities should be grabbed before it's too late. It is in this age that so many things are laid down for you and you just cannot seem to decide where to go. (Lucky for those who have made their decisions already. Bravo!)
Let us get the facts straight:
1. I have a degree in Financial Management
2. I am currently employed by Deutsche Knowledge Services (Deutsche Bank Group)
3. I am in my 15th month with the Bank wherein I am a part of the Gliabal Market Equities-Utilities team. (My team is the training ground for fresh graduates)
4. On June 6 or June 15, I will be redeployed to Global Market Equites- Global Equity Derivatives.
These are so far the facts related to my current work. But there are other things that are between those facts. What are they? Other opportunities.
Don't get me wrong. I love my work. Though I am not yet quite sure about how I would be handling work once I get redeployed. But so far, so good. It is just that when opportunities are there you cannot help but reassess what you really want to do in life. My boss once told us, "you spent most of your time at work so if you don't love what you are doing then what the hell are you doing here?". I agree with her. And it is not like school that you do not have the choice. With work, one can choose where s/he can stay.
So what are these opportunities?
1. Culinary School
I know to myself that I can cook and I always find joy in it. I used to play lutu-lutuan at age 5 with sands and rocks as my main ingredients and leaves and flowers as my veggies and garnishes! My love for cooking really started when I was 7. I went with my mom to the market then we'll cook our Sunday lunch. It was my first time to hold a knife and slice, dice and chop; to pour oil into the pan; to learn which ingredient to put first, etc. My first time of course it didn't make sense to me but I know that I was happy doing it.
And now 15 years later, I feel the same passion only now there is this wanting to make it as a career because I believe that it is something I am good at.
My mom asked me when I was in college about me not taking up culinary instead. I told her that I wanted to take an academic course because I feel that what I learned in high school would just be wasted if I pursue culinary right away. But even when I was taking up finance, I still wanted to take culinary. I remembered then that I'd be jealous of students wearing their chef's uniform. I did manage myself to get into a chef's uniform when I interned for Marciano's restaurant. And I was hoping the next time I would get to wear something like that is when I get myself into a culinary school.
Dreams do come true.
I have been looking for affordable culinary schools ever since I started working for DKS because I thought then that I could juggle work and school at the same time. But finding an affordable yet prestigious culinary school is hard to find. I was thinking of applying for scholarship but I don't think there are any for the schools I really wanted. Then come early 2nd quarter of 2012 I was looking for culinary schools again and my mom was recommending me a school. I looked it up and checked on the program. I was very interested and it didn't cost to much. Classes will run for 8 months every saturday. Mommy agreed to my plan and I will be checking the school itself sometime next week! EXCITED!!!!
2. London school
My aunt has been encouraging me to take up my masteral in London. I was very interested because I have been wanting to go out of the country and stay there for a long time. I have also checked the school and I have already chosen the course (finance focused on investment banking). I already have all the application for that school but my dad asked me if it is what I really want. He gave hints for weeks that he didn't want me to leave the country. So I have to evalute. I know for a fact that living away from home wouldn't be a problem, it's school I am afraid I won't be able to survive because it will be totally different from what I am used to in the Philippines.
So for that I would have to say no to this wonderful opportunity. Maybe next time.
3. Airline career
Some people say that I can be a flight stewardess because of my height. Then I thought, "yeah why not?!". It pays good and you get to fly!
I was really interested. In fact, I have sent in my resumes to 2 airline companies. But unfortunately, no calls received from them. I was still hopeful. And my hopes got higher when I read that there will be an open recruitment in Manila hotel this June. It made me then think. I was too excited. I got to the point of planning my week because it was a 5-day event if you get into the first few screenings. But then I had to consider a lot of things: my work and my plan of going back to school.
I really wanted to go because the last time I had this opportunity of applying,it was held in Cebu. I even remembered my mom was willing to fly with me to Cebu. Now that it is just in Manila, I didn't tell my mom. Baka mas maexcite pa siya sakin.
This job isn't something you would want for the rest of your life. For me, it only meant that grabbing this opportunity would lead me to more opportunities.
I wanted to know what my chances are in this job. But I had to say no to this one because saying yes to this means giving up my job (granted that I get in) and postponing my culinary school. dreams.
4. Modeling
Yes you read it right! Mowdeling. I know I don't have the body but somebody is interested in making me a model. He said I have the height and the face! Hahahaha! He is my officemate.
He's gay and he told me that he has plans of opening a modeling agency together with his partner. He has already a lot of experience with this career and he opened up my eyes to it.
I was never a fan of anything related to media or glamming up. But I do enjoy a little attention once in a while. Don't you sometimes wish of being a star?
Well, I do.
My officemate told me that he has noticed me before and wanted to asked me. But he said that he felt that I don't want it and I was fat! Ouch! He cleared though that I am fat to be a model. Whew!
He told me that there are a lot of models now that weren't so pretty and skinny before. But they went on having rigorous diets and exercise and so they are skinny as hell! And for the beauty department? Make up and science took care of that. My point is that if I make myself thinner he told me he'll be taking me in.
I told him I am interested but I am not quite sure If I will get that model body. I said I am already on a diet and hopefully I will be able to lose some weight then eventually lose some more weight! Hahaha!
What is good with this opportunity is that it is a win-win situation. If I don't get as skinny as they wanted me to be at least I got myself thinner.
So this one is on hold!
The lesson of this blog entry?
Two things:
1. Not all things you used to believe is something you'll still believe in the future. Sometimes you have to unlearn or relearn things so you may take in more.
2. Not all opportunities are worth grabbing. Lay them down and pick. Always evaluate. Always weigh the pros and cons. Don't be selfish. Some people actually may deserve the opportunity being offered to you more.
But if you then decide to grab one, be consistent and passionate about it. Hold it and make something out of it. Always make sure that it makes you a better person and not the other way around.
Good luck to everyone!
