Today marks my second year at VXI. It has been a challenging yet fulfilling time so far. Everything happened so fast, as if yesterday was my first day on the job. I feel joy, gratitude, and truly blessed as I continue to move forward on the path life has prepared for me.

Over these two years, a lot has changed, many things have improved, and some people have moved on. The challenges have helped me become a much better person than I was yesterday, and the failures have given me reasons to do my best. The achievements made me realize that every effort was worth it. None of this would have been possible without the support of my team-turned-family.

I am a person who lacks confidence in unfamiliar situations. I would stay silent in the corner, envious of those who can express their thoughts and make connections so easily. Part of me would push me beyond my boundaries, while the other part would fight tooth and nail to keep me at bay. This internal war often saw the latter side winning. But everything changed when I joined my team-turned-family. They allowed me to share my life with them and gave me a sense of belonging. Although we are different in some ways, they never made me feel lesser than anyone. As a family, we haven't always been on top of the world: we have had disagreements, trivial issues, and heated arguments, but we always return to being a family. This has made us stronger, strengthening our bond, learning from each other, and learning to love what can't be changed.

When I realized it had been two years, I thought, "Hey! This calls for celebrating success and for the many years to come!" But then I remembered that the people who had been my team-turned-family for (almost) two years were now, unfortunately, my former team. I feel brokenhearted. If only I had known that we would end up like this after resuming work from the community quarantine, I would have let them know on the last day how sincerely grateful I am for being part of the many beautiful things that have ever happened in my life. I found comfort with them; they helped me overcome my fears and taught me the value of teamwork. This might sound too emotional, as if we don't work in the same company (LOL), but nothing compares to being with them because they were a family to me.

This is another problem of mine. I can get too attached and am afraid to let go. This is the same reason I’ve been trying to avoid including myself in somebody else's life. But hey! It's time to grow up (coming from someone turning 31, LOL). It's time to develop that part of myself that has been long delayed. HAHAHAHAHA! So, yeah! I guess this is farewell to my team-now-turned-former-family. I love you guys, and thank you so much.

Leomar Tulang, signing off from Team Perfect.

Since the community quarantine was implemented I've been chitchatting with my friends and relatives online and I'm a fan of using emojis because it does help a lot when communicating my emotions then something caught my attention. Before, it was easy for me to tap on happy emojis as they usually appear on the recent items until I noticed I have to go all the way back to the category to select one since it turned out that it's been populated with sad emojis.

For me, staying at home is just a piece of cake since I used to be alone. Not that I'm lonely or "emo" I just find it satisfying being alone. That being said, it never bothers me when people feel like "it's them against the world" because it has always been.

However, with the current pandemic situation the world is now fighting tooth and nail, it made me realize more about the significance of showing support for each other. I mean, in spite of the fact that my heartfelt sympathy can't fill their stomach and save them from situation-like-hell but at least, I can somehow contribute to easing their pain. I am no expert in assessing someone's psychological situation, I just have to make them feel that I truly care. 

In times like this, it is crucial to keep in touch with your loved ones. It may just an ordinary conversation but if you listen closely you will start to feel their fear, anxiety, depression, and sadness. I do feel the same way but I trust in God that this is part of His plans. 

"The pain you have been feeling can’t compare to the joy that is coming.” – Romans 8:18

Today marked the 15th day of NWNP (no work, no pay and it turned out I'm positively NEGATIVE) since the city government implemented preventive measures to end the pandemic, COVID19, which is fine. I'd say it's fine because I've been thinking lately getting a loooooong vacation leave (as if I am that stressed LOL) and viola! Wish granted! However, the vacation leave I yearned for is not what I envisioned-- crystal clear beach in Canibad, road trip on the way to CDO, zipline in Camp Sabros, paragliding in Sarangani, scuba-diving in Samal, ultralight flying in Mati and many more I can only dream of for the moment. Yet here I am in our house waking up every day doing the same routine for the last 15 days of "YES, I DO THE COOKING! YES, I DO THE CLEANING!" and powerful naps in between. I might take a visit to our septic tank one day.

I found myself to become more engaged in social media such as Facebook where nothing has changed. Philippines has no shortage of people who would fight tooth and nail on the comment section and I'm one of them HAAAAHAHAHA! I even got my Top Fan badge from various renowned public figures (CHAROUGHT!). Just recently I had to reactivate my Twitter account because of the #istandwiththepresident and #oustduterte thing but still, the perplexity of the platform always tests my patience so... Yes, I get it! We are in a "dEmOCraTic CoUnTry aNd wE aRe eNtiTLed tO oUr OwN oPiNiOn" and my replies were mostly out of impulse but I never insult people, just killing the time while in quarantine. On the brighter side, there are these people whose contents are a laugh a minute-- that would somehow balance the negativity the social media has caused to some if not all.

Back in our office after the announcement was made I thought "well, it's a perfect time to restore those hobbies and interests that were left behind" and one that I'm so excited to get back with is blogging. So I bought a new charger for my laptop because the original one got self-destructed (ni boto! BOOM!) but lo and behold! MY LAPTOP WON'T TURN ON!!! It may have missed the original male plug so bad. Anyway, I still got a list of hobbies and interests I can look up to, is Netflix a hobby?