How to enjoy work

Whenever I talk with people nowadays, may it be my parents, some neighbors I never really talked with, or friends, they would always remind me to "Enjoy work." It could be that they think I am not enjoying my work or that they think I'm stressed with work. But really, though I may have a tendency to space out when I am at a loss for words in some parts of the day, I think I love what I am doing now than the other jobs I had back.

The primary reason is, maybe, because I have grown comfortable with the people around me. I am used to working on my own since after I graduated I worked "freelance" (and sometimes just an excuse so people will not think I am jobless) and because I also worked online. I have always felt independent and self-sufficient. But for a month of belonging (semi-belonging, actually) to such an awesome team, my perspective on work had a different turn. I used to believe that the key to being proficient in what you do is to love what you do. I still think that, but with some additional modifications. Now, I think that the key to working efficiently is not only to love what you do, but also to love the people you work with.

I had a good read at a 9gag post a few weeks ago that, people should "respect existence or expect resistance." Often times, the bad is being tremendously highlighted that we tend to ignore the good. All people have bad sides; even beds and pillows have them, too, but we sleep on them anyways. Acceptance of people and how they are will always be a good thing to carry in our everyday lives.

I would always remember what Ate Ginang, the head of the department I work with, would always tell us. She said that our job is not solely working but building relationships, which I could not agree more.

So, for those people who are feeling burned out in doing whatever job they do, try asking your colleagues to have a break and hang out--go see a movie, talk over a cup of warm coffee, or whatever it is that floats your boats. Give time to appreciate the people surrounding you and I am sure that they will, too. :)

Things I miss:

-That special feeling of having an imaginary light bulb above my head when I suddenly think of something genius
-Eagerness to get to the last page of a book
-Looking at things in a different way
-Organizing my thoughts and writing them down
-My younger self

These places and these faces are getting old.

I'm going home.

Landlocked

Since Laos is a landlocked country, it is quite easy traveling to the borders of its neighboring lands. Today, I traveled to Thailand in less than an hour by bus.

One of the things I miss in the Philippines is the big shopping malls. In Laos, even in its capital city, only small boutiques can be seen. I get to shop in a shopping mall and eat in a fast food today! I never thought I'll miss junk food, but I did after a month of eating healthy fresh Lao vegetables and noodles.

Shopping in Thailand for me is more convenient than in Laos, not only because of the venue but also because of the Baht. Dollar to Baht conversion is almost similar to Philippine Peso, so I can easily tell whether the things I'm buying are expensive or cheap. The smallest denomination in Kip is 500, and Kip to Dollar is equivalent to 7989 so you can tell how much hard work I put into converting daily.

Anyways, if you have any plans of traveling to Thailand any sooner, lots of stuff can be bought for cheaps! I bought three shoes, which were only 120 Baht (around 200 PhP) each! I can't assure you of the quality yet, though. But will do in, maybe a month's time. Haha! I also bought some dresses and clothes for myself and my family. I only spent 100 USD today, but I bought a lot. I was tempted to spend more, but the 15th won't come any sooner, so I have to tighten up my belt!

Pretty sure, though, I will never go back home without returning to Thailand. :)

Waffles, gelato, life.

Sometimes, all you need is a scoop, or two, of ice cream to remind you that life should be enjoyed.

I've had a very insightful talk with Tita Ludy, one of the people I work with, about work and life over a plate of waffles and ice cream. She told me that I am still young and that I should learn how to live. Lately I've been carrying a heavy burden inside my chest because I had to stay longer in Laos than I expected. I won't call it homesickness, it's just that I have a thing for setting my mind into the things I planned.

But I figured that life can be compared to an ice cream. If you let it melt, it doesn't taste as good. :)

In case I don't see you... Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening!

Out of boredom and the lack of a stable internet connection in my hotel room, I was able to watch a 1998 film entitled "The Truman Show". I haven't watched TV for the longest time but I am glad that I did; I really enjoyed trying to figure this movie out.

This movie had me thinking of my own perceived reality of the world. What if this world isn't real? What if the things I believed to be true aren't? My life would be interesting but I think my life isn't synchronized enough to be a constructed reality TV show.

Hihihi. I wanted to put as much insight as I can, but it seems that my mind cannot work properly now. As always.