Monday, October 1, 2012

The Big Move

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.

When my uncle's colleague told me that CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) will conduct a qualifying exam for the Air Traffic Service training, I didn't have any second thoughts. I always dreamed of becoming one ever since. And for first time readers of my blog, read here on why I took the road less traveled. Last April, I immediately complied all requirements - police clearance, original transcript of records, NSO birth certificate and even took the Civil Service exam the following month.

A few days from now, I am going to leave Davao and stay in Manila for good. Honestly, I do not know what to feel.

I have never experienced of being away from home for a long period of time. The longest was a week when I went backpacking to Cebu and Bataan last December 2011. The first three days was fun and exciting but eventually felt homesick on the fourth day. When the plane finally landed Davao, I felt relieved. Sometimes, I thought of long term traveling but.. emotionally speaking, I am not ready. I always long for home whenever I travel. You know, I have this unhealthy habit wherein I always compare this city to my hometown (Davao) - how clean Davao is, how peace and order coexist with people and how dangerous Davao is for criminals. I know I shouldn't do that whenever I travel because I'd always end up disappointed.

Ever since I was born, I have always lived within my comfort zone. I still live with my family. I have friends. I always 'party' every Friday night - bag of chips and a cold glass of root beer while watching my favorite TV series. Basically, my life is comfortable.

The road less traveled.

But there's one valuable lesson that I've learned from traveling - if you really want it, then go for it. Gee, I sound like a Valley Girl right now, but you what I'm saying? Travel Bloggers like Ed of soloflighted, Gail of thepinaysolobackpacker, Flip of flipnomad and We Are Sole Sisters have taught me that reaching your dreams would not be THAT easy. You really have to work hard for it. Indeed, they inspired me a lot when it comes to life's lessons.

I am aware that I am going to live a hobo lifestyle once I settle in Manila. I am aware that my lifestyle would be definitely different from what I have in Davao. But as I slowly reach my dream, I will definitely learn a lot of things about life. I'd always tell myself that it will only take me one year. Just one year and everything's gonna be fine.

The thing is, I wouldn't be traveling around the country and abroad until the third quarter of 2013. But then again, I am still young. May this brand new journey of life be a memorable one.

Don't worry, I'll still keep you updated with my new journey. If reaching my dream requires me to go out of my comfort zone, then I'll do it.

Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. - 1994, Forrest Gump




47 comments:

  1. Pahingi ng chocolate. Chos :))

    Anyway, ayun... welcome to Manila! Hehe Big adjustment ito for you, but I know kaya mo ito. Nandito naman mga bagets eh hehe tsaka take micro-vacations na lang siguro within Luzon.

    sana makapag-Ilocos ka na hehe

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    1. Naku Mics, kung may break kami or what, malamang uuwi talaga ako ng Davao! HAHAHA Thanks!!! Wala namang class pag weekend so pwede tayo mag meet or what. :)

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  2. Wow. Renz, Big City for good. I wish you all the best opportunities here :D

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  3. Forgive me, unsay qualifying jobs nila? Pilot ba? Ay sareee.

    Hala kuya, God bless the road less traveled by and God bless you.

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  5. Wow, a big move indeed! I pray for a safer and enjoyable journey. Just try to have fun in everything you do.

    WTG, Tito Renz. We will be missing you. Hugs!

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    1. thank you Mommy Rovs! Iregards nalang ko kay Bella :))

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  6. Sometimes you have to get lost to find yourself kaya Go Go Go Renz! Good luck and God Bless :)

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  7. good luck on your new endeavour renz! God speed!

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  8. i still rmmbr when u said before, "you would not trade Davao for Manila, never!" :D Oh well, ganun tlga, we have to sacrifice to reach our dreams. Needless to say, we are all proud of you, I know it's gonna be tough for you (at first), but as the saying goes, "nothing is as hard as it first appears". You'll get the hang of it, nung una, nahirapan din ako, kase sanay tlga ako sa probinsya, fresh air and all. haha Anyway, bless you more Renz, stay happy and never forget your dreams! we love you! hugs! :)

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    1. ATE GAIL!!!!!!!! Sobrang na touch ako sa comment mo! Likewise, Life begins outside your comfort zone. WOOT! Hope to see you in MNL! :)

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  9. And now you can blog about Manila's excellent food and places. Good luck!

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  10. Earl, Raine, Anna and Lakbay - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

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  11. It may be hard at first, but for sure, makakapag-adjust ka rin, the soonest. Travel and explorse ka lang din pag weekends. It's all for the good. God bless you! :)

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    1. Hey Cris! Thank you so much! And oh, congrats for winning sa influential bloggers! You deserve it! Hoping to meet you in person :)

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    2. Thanks! :) Sige madali na meet-up pag nasa Manila ka na. *explore pala, ngayon ko lang nakita yung typo. :D

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  12. Hi Renz,

    I wish you luck on this new chapter of your journey. I had the same opportunity to work in the jungles of Makati around 10 years ago but I had to go back because I felt I was not cut out for it. But you sound pretty excited with this change. Life is too short not to live it to the fullest. :) God bless you!

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    1. Thank you Lani!!! :D And oh, it was nice to finally meet you in person sa Tokyo Tokyo!

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    2. Wow! Did I just read it was nice to finally meet me? You just don't know how that made my 32-year old Ina-Tay heart felt Renz...

      And the next time my flight's delayed, I will blog about the air traffic controllers! hehehe you'll do well Renz, I know you will make all of Davao bloggers proud of you.

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    3. BWAHAHAHA! Anyway, thank you for your kind words Lani! Really appreciate it. :>

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  13. Life is a box of chocolate..okay FLY, FORRENZ, FLY!

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  14. Do you have plans of pursuing aeronautics in the future? Good luck! Manila can be a bit of a challenge sometimes especially the commute but I'm sure you'll like it here :)

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    1. Hmmm, I wanna take Aeronautical Engineering at Stanford when I was in high school, but naah, it's too expensive. HAHA! But yeah, I'd always wanted to become an air traffic controller ever since. :) I've been to MNL many times so already thus adjusting to the environment won't be hard. I hope.

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  15. Wow! God Bless! Nagtake ako ng exam last year for Air Traffic Controller. Hindi ako pumasa. Hirap nang exam nLa sa Math. Parang ng.take ka ng board exam sa Engineering. :)

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  16. Good luck Renz. I made the big move last feb for the ATC training and it was exciting! Things did not go well for me though (bad eyesight and all) pero d ko talaga pinagsisihan na I tried to pursue my crazy dream to be near those big metal birds. Aviation geeks unite!

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  17. Being an ATC is one of the best and self gratifying jobs in the whole world. I have an ATC friend and he pulled it off, you can also do the same.

    Goodluck and make more Davaoenos proud!

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  18. Welcome back to Manila! Woohoo gives us some holler when you arrive, mkay? See you soon! :)

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  19. Kulapitot: Thanks!

    Synz: True! The Math part was pretty much fucked up. But fortunately, I made it! :)

    topindotingmetopac: So, were you part of CATS5? :D Huyeaah! Aviation geeks UNITE!

    Joey: Hope I'd pull it off too! Thanks!

    Juanderful Pinoy: Thanks Chino! :D

    Cai: Hey! See you when I see pretty face!

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  20. Woot! Many goodlucks to your new adventures in MNL. Hope you can still blog about Davao. I've been visiting here since you posted comprehensive stuffs about our city. Though I love to know your adventures there as well. :D

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    1. Oh wow! Thank you Dreb Bits! :D I'll try to update my blog even if I'm busy with the ATC Training!

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  21. Hi Renz, good look on your new journey in Manila! This will be a new chapter in your life so enjoy it and live it to the fullest!

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  22. Hey Renz! Nakikiroom ka ba kayna Robbie? HAHA! Ako naman I want to relocate either to Cebu or Davao. :-)

    I just quit my full time job dahil sobrang nag-iba ugali ko, maybe because I finally realized that I am no longer happy at work. Until now, I am in search of something that I don't know, that's why I'm jealous with your journey, nakita mo na ang gusto mo. See you around Renz!!

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    1. Ada!!! Nope, will rent a house near the training center somewhere in Merville. You're still young, go go go search mo na rin, and as the cliche goes, follow your heart! See you around Ada, let's have a date with Mica sometime! :D

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  23. Hm, so you're leaving our beloved city na pala. I haven't posted our kikay pics together pa during blogcamp. Anyhow, was looking for you if you wanted to travel (secret) with me this month on an adventure sana. I didn't know about your plans till today. LOL. I have all the confidence that you will make it in the big, maaad world. Just keep your sanity around you by staying crazy like I do. :-)

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  24. A simple life is something that you will never regret...It's enjoyable and less stress ;)

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  25. Not everyone actually gets the chance to follow their dreams so this is such a big achievement din na you get to fulfill yours and am so proud of you for grabbing the opportunity and risking everything for your dreams. goodluck on this new journey in your life. you can do it! :)

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  26. Late to learn about this but lemme just say, welcome to the dark side, Renz :D

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