Signs of the Times

My preferences are changing. Basically my taste has evolved and recently, it dawned on me that my choices have indeed matured. Age for me is indeed just a state of mind. I believe it is. Proudly, I'm a woman (naks woman na ako!) in her 30s. Being at this age gives me more confidence. It's not the kind of confidence that a sanitary pad gives me but it's one that allows me to handle any situation and get through it unscathed. I can choose to walk away if I wanted to without the guilt of thinking about what every single person on this planet would think of what I did. Everyone has an opinion about everything anyway.

Lately, I've been thinking of enrolling myself in a Wilton certificate cake decorating course. Classes are held in Living Well in Podium. There are different courses offered depending on your skill level. There's Course 1 for fantastic cakes. I'll learn how to decorate shaped cakes, make star and shell borders, floral accents, leaves and roses. The course also teaches figure piping among others. I'm also interested with their Course 2 for flowers and borders. It'll be more on decorative touches like rosettes, rope borders, rosebud and color flow techniques. Lifelike flowers such as apple blossoms, daisies, daffodils, mums, pansies, violets, primroses are also included. Am really excited to take these classes. It of course depends when my first day at work will be. Well I'm hoping I'll be called and start work this September so I can enhance my creativity before I join the corporate world again. After the culinary attempts, it's time to bake and decorate.

They say that when one starts to appreciate jazz, it's a sign that one is getting older. I've always associated jazz with old people. If you happen to see my CD collection, it's usually house, chill out and R&B. No jazz. I used to listen to Wave 89.1 but lately, I've been tuning in more to 92.3 where it's usually jazz music. My new kind of music helped me with my driving too as the rhythm is slow and calming. Nothing provocative and palpitating. I don't think techno music will help me to chill. Jazz is just one of the signs of the times I guess.

Another sign is my tamed credit card bill. I have finally controlled my shopping. My love for fashion and make up had to take a backseat for now considering that I'm in between jobs at the moment. I have to be practical and separating my wants from my needs is the right thing to do. If I don't need something, it can wait. If there are 2 things I will not have second thoughts splurging on, it's food and travel. You can never dissuade me from trying different restaurants and traveling to different places. I'm setting my sights on Palawan next. Can't wait to either go to Dos Palmas or El Nido.

Lastly, patience is a sign of maturity. I've been provoked many times over in different situations by different people. I'd say choosing my battles is one I've learned to do. How easy it is to throw a fit and scream on top of my lungs but I chose not to. I could have made it my career to carefully plan how to retaliate but I'd rather not. Vindication will come one way or another. A personal vendetta is out of my list.

Things have taken a different turn. I just know it. I had a job interview with a consul general this afternoon and having gone through my resume, she asked me something that struck me. What was the most valuable lesson you've learned after successfully establishing your career at such a young age and having traveled the world? My answer was plain and simple. No matter how successful I am, I need to always balance my life. Living, eating, breathing and thinking about my career 24/7 does not do me any good. In order for me to be on top of my game, it takes more than a career. I need to have a life.