Bullies hurt you or play with your mind because of no other reason than to feel superior or to make you feel small so they can feel big. You didn't do anything. You were just conveniently there.
Teachers will guide you and correct you, hoping to open your mind, because you didn't know or you did something incorrectly. They may be superior in the beginning because they know more but you can change that by becoming better than the teacher.
Teachers target those who can learn and pray they do learn by a lot of means open to the teacher. Some ways are gentle and funny and interactive. On some days, they are harsh, dramatic, even calculated to be shocking but all are meant to be effective.
How you rise and improve from a mistake measures how much you've learned. To repeat the mistake in spite or otherwise shows your immaturity.
To resist the good because of who the teacher is shows your immaturity.
To admit there was a lesson learned and to live your life differently because of that lesson, is the teacher's most valuable achievement.
True Teachers cannot turn off the teaching because it is a calling. When the opportunity presents itself, teachers will seize the moment to impart a lesson.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Monday, May 5, 2014
So We're Trying To Market Our Preschool Better
So here I am, in charge of advertising and marketing at The Little Apprentice Preschool. I co-own this with 4 other terrific teachers! Our branch in Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Pinas, came 10 years after we put the main one up at Aspen Tower, Parkway Ave., corner Corporate Ave., Filinvest Corporate City, Muntinlupa City.I got the "job" or assignment because of all 5 of us, I seem to be handy with laying out stuff (I would've joked "STUFFS", but some of you might think I really talk/think/write this way), and designing and doing free hand crafts, lettering, etc.
I wish I could have more free reign over the design at Evia, managed by Vista Malls. Anything we do must have their logo on it, as in, 1/5 the size of whatever we churn out. Do you see the sign?! ---->
It's like you headed out to Evia, parked at their hooooot Evia (open) lot, entered their mall and DID NOT KNOW YOU WERE IN EVIA!
Everything has their logo! WHY? WHY?!
They even tried to sneak in a clause in the lease contract that goes something like, anything you print, display, etc. in your premises must be approved by us. REALLY?!
If only you did things quickly and with benefit to our side too, this little marketing rule of yours would've been more palatable. But you guys wait too long, long enough for us to make frustrated movements, before you react to the situation. Is it that you have a skeletal workforce? Is it that you just don't care? I'm actually asking since I don't know why you operate the way you do....
As a preschool teacher and preschool principal, it is taboo to swear and be an ass, in front of the kids AND the parents. I've had to resort to opening another Facebook account just so I can be FREE-ER to do what I can't (just because I'm friends with the parents on the other account). I really feel like a hypocrite having these separate accounts but it pleases my one Christian-minded business partner and it keeps my stress levels down when I'm able to vent properly, like right now. Haha!
So, let me share a letter I sent Evia's Events and Marketing Manager just yesterday.
Hi, Lemuel!
Just so you can understand my impatience, please bear with me as I mention a few key points:
Your side (EVIA - Amie, Vhernie, Cheska, Ryan) mentioned to me that your side will be fabricating an acrylic standee for our benefit. Out of deep respect and knowledge that your side is here for us to succeed, DESPITE CBTL and Brasas already having placed their own signages, we did not make one in all this time BECAUSE your side promised a wrought iron standee was in the works. Ive repeatedly shown my interest through text and personal meetings with Amie and Vhernie and they've always said that they've passed the ball to Marketing. No word from your side aside from the fact that it will cost P15,000.
WHERE IS THIS STANDEE?!
People have been using the emergency staircase ignorant of the fact that the elevator only has one destination upwards, which is us. Who parent would want to enroll their child in a school with a long staircase as its entrance?! We've asked Vhernie if we could put a sticker cover on your elevator doors but no commitment was given. We were given a go signal to put a short bond acrylic sign holder within the elevator and this was ok for a while until it was maliciously torn off by someone we dont know and then kept by your maintenance crew, possibly after finding it broken on the elevator floor.
We could be having more traffic if we did not follow your rules, it seems. I hope this next statement will not overly offend you but I must remind you that Evia took a while to get things started and so we opened later than we wanted (August, last year) very late for school year standards. It is our desire to get more students in, this summer and coming school year. I know you know that when we make money, you do too, otherwise you wouldnt have gotten your position in this company. Please help us make said money!
My text history, texting all 7 people: Amie, Joj, Boyet, Brian, Cheska, Ryan and Vhernie, will show that Ive been following up this standee since March 2014. Ive been bumped off and redirected by your side. Now you come forward, sir, a stranger and yet another entity from the EVIA side.
CAN YOU FINALLY BE THE ONE TO UPDATE ME REGARDING THE DATE OF DELIVERY OF YOUR STANDEE? WHEN CAN I PAY YOUR SIDE? WHO DO WE PAY EXACTLY? APPARENTLY, HAVING OUR OWN STANDEE GETS YOUR SIDE MOVING. Regrettably, I will be bringing said standee this week. Your side, just like CBTL and BRASAS will have had no control over its design and dimensions.
I am sorry for ranting. Ive become more disappointed as the weeks and months have gone by, when they couldve been used to better market our school. We teachers try hard to be patient with little ones but cannot find the same for adults when the subject is a simple one and the other side is not paying attention. We are just frustrated and hope you can be more transparent about this standee. If its not ready for mass production, THEN JUST SAY SO. Being left hanging, hopeful and feeling helpless is not some place anyone would like to be.
My numbers are 022167688 and 09178111655. Please update me soonest.
Thank you for reading this far!
So, it didn't take too long. In fact, this letter of complaint got a reaction in 2 hours and 2 minutes. Apologies plus a design of their standee (I didn't ask for a design, if you'll notice). Ugh...the ginormous EVIA logo, they're imposing on us. And I have to pay P15,000 for this.... They should pay 1/5 of the amount! It had better be a one time payment and that's that!
Come to think of it, why should I now have to pay for TWO standees?!
Sunday, April 20, 2014
So I Love Zumba!
Yep, I'm big but I can move. Yes, I have a big tummy but can you do a split?
Let's just say, Zumba has given me bragging rights to so many things: I'm as confident as ever with my dancing skills, I don't really care what you think about my dancing skills because only what I think matters to me--I make myself happy or sad--no one else.
I love teaching, speaking at seminars or planning events just as much as I do the Zumba programs. I really cant decide which I should let go of...but if the criteria were stress levels, Id do Zumba all day every day. It gets me (and sometimes forces me) to create new choreography, to study more about the body and the effects of exercise and to dance to express my feelings.
I love Zumba so much that I sponsored my dance instructor, Gilbert Amio, to Basic 1 training so we could speak the same language! He kept correcting me when I'd choreograph, using the Zumba Formula and we started seeing eye to eye after that.
I love the happy hormones (endorphin) that are released in my system, after dancing Zumba. That's akin to the hormones released after a great bout of SEX. At least Zumba is an hour long compared to this other endeavor (wink, wink!)
There was a time when I came late for my own class. Things hadn't gone my way the whole day. But after the warm up period, I was all smiles, hoots and whoops of joy and energy. You should try teaching (if not just dancing Zumba)!
I met so many new friends because of Zumba. Some as students, some as mentors and others as fans. These are real humble people who work so hard, using the best tool they have: their bodies. They carry as much as 8 sets of clothes, complete with underwear and socks because some of them have so many classes a day! These folks give so much of their energy to their students that it's really a wonderment when they still have (because they do) more to give when it comes to fundraisers and causes.
I just realized that I have more Zumba clothes than normal clothes. Yes, theyre expensive but owning them is a badge of accomplishment. I make enough money to buy them and show them off. It's a great way for ambulant marketing.
One tee says it all, "Give me neon or give me death!"
They all become more chatty, friendly, approachable after class due to the newly released endorphin in their systems--this would be the best time to propose, to make business deals, to ask for a loan or gigantic favor. Chances are they'd happily say YES!
Know your choreo, keep things fresh, let the students know WHY they're moving certain parts this way or that way, keep the class safe, make the steps simple and easy to follow. If Zumba steps were too difficult, people wouldn't feel so successful on the first day. They wouldn't come back. Then I wouldn't have students!
I figure, I can redefine my figure at the same time Im teaching. I know what to do. You just have to get on the Zumba Toning ride with me!
I always get to wear my hot pink In2It lipstick when I dance. It adds color to my day :)
Sunday, November 10, 2013
So This Is How "Suicidal" Feels Like!
I've always been blessed. I know this because I've kept a diary of my happy moments and thankful moments--and there have been so many instances of giggles, tearful laughter, secret smiles and guffaws.
I've been hard working, out of the house at the crack of dawn only to return past midnight. This has been my Repeat Cycle since I graduated from college back in 1994--thanks to my mom, who never made me think life was one free ride!
I've been up front with (almost) everybody to the point of rudeness -- if you did not know me enough to differentiate bullshitless talk from sarcasm from deadpan answers because otherwise you'd hear "OMG, you're one wasted sperm that got through that choosy egg barrier!" in my voice. Note that I plan (I hope you read "plan") to become sweeter in 2014--I'll meditate on this some more over the holidays.
This may be lengthy and long winded, but I'll get to the feeling suicidal part soon enough.
I've been a planner and someone with standards. I work a lot with contracts which state Client's and my responsibilities because it is my belief that if you manage people's expectations, you are able to avoid disappointments and unreasonable demands.
An example of my puzzlement with a client is found below. The picture (sorry I couldn't rotate it properly) with the "8" Candle is CLIENT's SAMPLE PICTURE of what she wanted as a cake. We met on a Tuesday and the party was that Friday. As a party coordinator, my job was to find a supplier who could do justice to her sample picture, and at the same time who could agree to the rush deadline. As a party coordinator, I of course, added my usual profit. To fit client's budget and request to have an edible portion of cake, I informed her that same afternoon that one of four buildings, the bigger one, will be edible, while the three smaller ones will be made of styro but "iced" the same way.
BTW, I was just to supply the buildings and trees and client would take care of the cars, Godzilla, etc.
This second picture on the left, is the CAKE I SUPPLIED the Client.
I was incredulous that she was incredulous! She put up a big fuss, "This...this is what I get for the [x-amount] I paid?"
Admittedly, thanks to her toys, the diorama turned more appealing. I was there when a latecomer parent gushed over the cake. She shot that down, with me within earshot. "Yeah, thanks to my toys! But can you believe that I had to pay [x-amount] for this? My son's school cake was just P900 and it was better than this!" My instant though bubble read: "Haaaaaay sus, then you should have just done it yourself!"
After I used the "You gave me a peg. I just followed it." defense, she retorts, "But you know this," pointing to the cake pic she supplied "is home-made! I expected that you'd improve on it and not give me this, this, this simple design!"
How do you explain to client that she is unreasonable? And stupid?
If you show a picture, then wouldn't one expect that THAT IS THE STANDARD to be followed/copied? IF YOU DON'T SAY, "Improve on this idea," the party coordinator, who wants to be paid by a satisfied client, will stick to the sample found in the client-given picture!
The feeling I was left here was one of tired helplessness. How can you fight with stupid people? An internet quote I'm reminded of is "Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level then beat you with experience."
The next incident happened with a teacher I have in one of the preschools I co-own. Let's just call her: Teacher. In getting to know her more, she stated that she took up fashion design and maybe one day, I could consider her when I'd need clothes made. I'd asked if she could sew my next dancesport costume. She agreed to do it. I figured, she had more than a month to do it so even somebody untried would have enough time to correct any mistakes.
As an employee and a fashion design graduate, I would think Teacher would put her best foot forward for the task at hand. Naive me.
As I recall the events unfolded thusly:
Start of September - I'd asked her if she could do just the dress and I'd stick the stones myself in time for the
Sept 14 Sugbu Dancesport Competition in Cebu.
Early September - Then Typhoons Labuyo and Maring hit us and her sewer got flooded in. Of course,
Understanding Me decided to use the old costume for Sugbu and just unveil Teacher's costume during
the (Oct 12) National Competition.
Start of October - Teacher's sewer dies. Dutiful daughter of the sewer takes up the gauntlet and will sew the
costume.
October 7 - I forewarned Teacher that I'd need to fit the costume by Oct. 8, enough time to readjust
anything before I take it home to add Swarovski's to it. In all this time, I followed up on a weekly
basis and Teacher would respond that it was being done. How hard or long does it take to sew a
black knee length spandex dress with a thigh slit?!
October 8 - That Tuesday, I arrived early to catch her before class. She was teaching the class already and
so when I signaled to her, she said something like, "My lola [grandmother] is finishing the dress as we
speak." Why wasn't the dress in her possession yet?! She texts, assuring me that her lola is a good
sewer and will deliver within the day. Why was it now her lola sewing and not the dead sewer's
daughter?! She responds that the latter didn't do a good job so lola is trying to fix the dress. Come
four PM, when I asked if lola was on her way, Teacher replies that she would deliver it to my home in
QC. Then that night, she informs me that lola wants a WEEK to redo the whole dress. WHAT THE
FUUUUUUCK?!
Is Teacher a pathological liar? Is she shy of commitments? Does she know how to budget her time? Can she say "NO"? Does she have something against me (she just started this school year)? Does she have too many issues in her life that she can't prioritize properly?
So there. Just like that, she left me hanging. She screwed me--and I didn't even enjoy it! I told her that part of being a dancesport athlete is being able to get into that winning frame of mind. Thanks to Teacher, I felt uncomfortable being in the same, somewhat faded, obviously well-loved costume again. Remember that in the world of ballroom, appearances count! I was also approached twice by dancepsort officials who were worried about my decolletage--why now, after so many appearances in the same costume, would they make my boobs an issue?!
In the category I'd finished as "Champion" last year, I didn't even get into the finals. People were aghast. Even I! WHAT THE FUUUUUUUCK?! Since last year, I'd always gotten into the finals! On a better note, in a higher/more difficult category, we finished 6th (go figure!).
The 17th DSCPI National Dancesport Competition was last Oct 12. That same day, in between heats, I found another sewer/supplier and by October 14, I had my new costume (see right) complete with stones. It was very costly, given the rush situation, (x12 of what Teacher would have charged) and it was not the most flamboyant outfit but I was ready for the October 19 competition in Bacolod. We placed 3rd in 2 categories. Not bad but my wallet naman got screwed this time.
See, Teacher? It can be done, IF YOU WANT IT DONE.
It really sucks when someone raises your hopes then doesn't deliver.
BTW, good luck with your career in my preschool. I hear you don't even need me to fire you. You're doing a good job of it on your own with your less than average performance. OK, Enough bitchiness.
Incident #3 comping up! Let's call client: Tina. Meeting her in her house in Dasmarinas, I was made aware of the fact that her family speaks loudly. You know how the Italians shout because it's well, normal? This was Tina and her five year old daughter during meeting #1, only they weren't Italian. She'd asked for three arts crafts projects, balloon decor, a face painter and a games host.
Mind you, I've been hosting and teaching preschoolers since 1995. Short of a thesis in Family Life and Child Development, I could've finished my Masters degree from UP, Diliman. When she accused me of being "ineffective" because I was not "engaging" I wanted to hit her eyeballs with pointy heeled shoes repeatedly! When you have a party with so many things going on, plus a trampoline (the party was held in their garden), shouldn't Tina have realized that the kids' attention will naturally be divided and therefor the party will be a busy one?
The worst part of Tina's accusation was that "I took her for a ride" in terms of an amount I charged her! The Thursday before her Sunday event, she requested to change the Glitter Tattoo supplier to a Face Painter. Having cancelled one for the other entails cost. Having gotten the latter at short notice comes at a higher rate. Ever since I started offering Face Painting in 1999, my rate had always been P3000. Admittedly, not all of P3000 will go to the Face Painter. I get a booking commission, right? And having gone to Tina's house to plan her party more than once, costs money too, right? I need to make money too, right?
It is sad that many people try to milk these foreigners because, possibly, they don't understand Tagalog, they don't know the best sources of items. But, lady, I'm actually rich!
With mis-perceived superiority, she stated that the expat community is small (really? I didn't know this, for I am but a mere Indio peasant) and that she will make a point to let all the expats know about me. I was horrified! A dent in my reputation after almost two decades of service in the party industry by a miserly righteous expat?! I will not detail what else I think of her. She had more complaints but they were too petty and surprisingly stupid, as arguments go, so I will expound on this another day. Let's just say it could have been her way of trying to get a discount after she had already paid.
She claimed that her friend was able to get a Glitter Tattoo artist at P1500. Well and good....why didn't she contact that supplier in the first place? Why go through a Party Planner who also has bills to pay? And please, a Glitter Tattoo at P1500?? Are you kidding me?! What cheap materials would this person be using to be able to charge and be happy with P1500?!
Ugh!
And I bumped my new car. Enough said there.
Incident # 5 was that I went to my weekly Thursday Zumba Class way before (1.5 hours before) that freak October 3 (or October 10?) bout of rain that totally wet the Merville Park Gym floor. That short rain spell was enough to clog all possible roads leading home that it took me four hours to reach QC. Also, it made it impossible for my usual students to cross the road from their houses to attend my class. No one came and I didn't get paid.
These incidents happened within a week and a half this September. I'm not used to feeling dumb, short changed, duped, looked down upon/on, insulted, accused and belittled all in a span of days. I have safeguards, like contracts, like being upfront, like my credentials, like my 18 years of experience so that I don't encounter these problems. Tears of helplessness and frustration kept appearing.
As I established earlier, I've been continually blessed until September 2013. I was at a loss on how to react since these were new to me. Having no one (boyfriend, husband, dog, child) to hug and lean on, to vent my feelings to/on, the depression and anger grew. I was eating heavily, snapping at good-natured employees. I refused to deal with Teacher in any way at school and could not sleep past 2 am.
I was trying to calm myself with mottos like "There is no way but up" and "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and spiritual anecdotes like "Footprints in the Sand" but I ended up being more moody and anti-social.
I wondered if ending it all would prove any point. Upon more reflection, I realized that:
1. I'm too too vain to disfigure myself.
2. I'm too squeamish to swallow anything that's distasteful.
3. I'm too afraid of pain and
4. I'm too curious about my potential to end it because of a miserly expat, an ineffective Teacher, a fixable vehicle dent in the grill and bumper and Godzilla.
Good thing I still had to teach my almost daily Zumba Fitness classes. I think, the bouts of exercise helped replenish the usual amounts of endorphins in my system and I was sooner than later happier about my lot in life. Lots of Zumba Parties and classes later... I had a great time looking like this:
Weeks later (see Halloween picture above), I've bounced back and can only, but sadly, think of September as a blip in my road, called "Life". I have to laugh at Tina's husband because he chose her and is stuck with her FOR LIFE. At least, I'm done with her. She's an expat and can be deported. Bwahaha. Naaa. That's just my sick humor rearing its head. I won't waste my time thinking more of her after this blog is published. That's why I'm committing it to "paper" or better yet, to "cyberspace" so that I can expel the feeling finally from my mind and body.
Of course I am publishing this after Tacloban, Leyte and Ormoc have been leveled by the recent Signal No. 4 called "Yolanda". What are these small complaints made from a dry place compared to the deaths in the thousands, the need for looting to survive, the intense silence days after the storm when you don't want to know but need to know if your loved ones made it out in time? I even know of someone named Fritz, who walked 110kms in two days without sleep nor food, just to get to a phone. Well, that should be another blog all together.
Now, I must revisit my Happy Moments Diary, remember, relive and reaffirm how blessed I still am. I am alive. I am happy. I still have a car. I'm overeating. I have loads of clothes I can donate. I've ALWAYS been surrounded by friends. I have enough. And for those who do not, my prayers are with you all!
I've been hard working, out of the house at the crack of dawn only to return past midnight. This has been my Repeat Cycle since I graduated from college back in 1994--thanks to my mom, who never made me think life was one free ride!
I've been up front with (almost) everybody to the point of rudeness -- if you did not know me enough to differentiate bullshitless talk from sarcasm from deadpan answers because otherwise you'd hear "OMG, you're one wasted sperm that got through that choosy egg barrier!" in my voice. Note that I plan (I hope you read "plan") to become sweeter in 2014--I'll meditate on this some more over the holidays.
This may be lengthy and long winded, but I'll get to the feeling suicidal part soon enough.
I've been a planner and someone with standards. I work a lot with contracts which state Client's and my responsibilities because it is my belief that if you manage people's expectations, you are able to avoid disappointments and unreasonable demands.
An example of my puzzlement with a client is found below. The picture (sorry I couldn't rotate it properly) with the "8" Candle is CLIENT's SAMPLE PICTURE of what she wanted as a cake. We met on a Tuesday and the party was that Friday. As a party coordinator, my job was to find a supplier who could do justice to her sample picture, and at the same time who could agree to the rush deadline. As a party coordinator, I of course, added my usual profit. To fit client's budget and request to have an edible portion of cake, I informed her that same afternoon that one of four buildings, the bigger one, will be edible, while the three smaller ones will be made of styro but "iced" the same way. BTW, I was just to supply the buildings and trees and client would take care of the cars, Godzilla, etc.
This second picture on the left, is the CAKE I SUPPLIED the Client.
I was incredulous that she was incredulous! She put up a big fuss, "This...this is what I get for the [x-amount] I paid?"
Admittedly, thanks to her toys, the diorama turned more appealing. I was there when a latecomer parent gushed over the cake. She shot that down, with me within earshot. "Yeah, thanks to my toys! But can you believe that I had to pay [x-amount] for this? My son's school cake was just P900 and it was better than this!" My instant though bubble read: "Haaaaaay sus, then you should have just done it yourself!"
After I used the "You gave me a peg. I just followed it." defense, she retorts, "But you know this," pointing to the cake pic she supplied "is home-made! I expected that you'd improve on it and not give me this, this, this simple design!"
How do you explain to client that she is unreasonable? And stupid?
If you show a picture, then wouldn't one expect that THAT IS THE STANDARD to be followed/copied? IF YOU DON'T SAY, "Improve on this idea," the party coordinator, who wants to be paid by a satisfied client, will stick to the sample found in the client-given picture!
The feeling I was left here was one of tired helplessness. How can you fight with stupid people? An internet quote I'm reminded of is "Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level then beat you with experience."
The next incident happened with a teacher I have in one of the preschools I co-own. Let's just call her: Teacher. In getting to know her more, she stated that she took up fashion design and maybe one day, I could consider her when I'd need clothes made. I'd asked if she could sew my next dancesport costume. She agreed to do it. I figured, she had more than a month to do it so even somebody untried would have enough time to correct any mistakes.
As an employee and a fashion design graduate, I would think Teacher would put her best foot forward for the task at hand. Naive me.
As I recall the events unfolded thusly:
Start of September - I'd asked her if she could do just the dress and I'd stick the stones myself in time for the
Sept 14 Sugbu Dancesport Competition in Cebu.
Early September - Then Typhoons Labuyo and Maring hit us and her sewer got flooded in. Of course,
Understanding Me decided to use the old costume for Sugbu and just unveil Teacher's costume during
the (Oct 12) National Competition.
Start of October - Teacher's sewer dies. Dutiful daughter of the sewer takes up the gauntlet and will sew the
costume.
October 7 - I forewarned Teacher that I'd need to fit the costume by Oct. 8, enough time to readjust
anything before I take it home to add Swarovski's to it. In all this time, I followed up on a weekly
basis and Teacher would respond that it was being done. How hard or long does it take to sew a
black knee length spandex dress with a thigh slit?!
October 8 - That Tuesday, I arrived early to catch her before class. She was teaching the class already and
so when I signaled to her, she said something like, "My lola [grandmother] is finishing the dress as we
speak." Why wasn't the dress in her possession yet?! She texts, assuring me that her lola is a good
sewer and will deliver within the day. Why was it now her lola sewing and not the dead sewer's
daughter?! She responds that the latter didn't do a good job so lola is trying to fix the dress. Come
four PM, when I asked if lola was on her way, Teacher replies that she would deliver it to my home in
QC. Then that night, she informs me that lola wants a WEEK to redo the whole dress. WHAT THE
FUUUUUUCK?!
Is Teacher a pathological liar? Is she shy of commitments? Does she know how to budget her time? Can she say "NO"? Does she have something against me (she just started this school year)? Does she have too many issues in her life that she can't prioritize properly?
So there. Just like that, she left me hanging. She screwed me--and I didn't even enjoy it! I told her that part of being a dancesport athlete is being able to get into that winning frame of mind. Thanks to Teacher, I felt uncomfortable being in the same, somewhat faded, obviously well-loved costume again. Remember that in the world of ballroom, appearances count! I was also approached twice by dancepsort officials who were worried about my decolletage--why now, after so many appearances in the same costume, would they make my boobs an issue?!
In the category I'd finished as "Champion" last year, I didn't even get into the finals. People were aghast. Even I! WHAT THE FUUUUUUUCK?! Since last year, I'd always gotten into the finals! On a better note, in a higher/more difficult category, we finished 6th (go figure!).The 17th DSCPI National Dancesport Competition was last Oct 12. That same day, in between heats, I found another sewer/supplier and by October 14, I had my new costume (see right) complete with stones. It was very costly, given the rush situation, (x12 of what Teacher would have charged) and it was not the most flamboyant outfit but I was ready for the October 19 competition in Bacolod. We placed 3rd in 2 categories. Not bad but my wallet naman got screwed this time.
See, Teacher? It can be done, IF YOU WANT IT DONE.
It really sucks when someone raises your hopes then doesn't deliver.
BTW, good luck with your career in my preschool. I hear you don't even need me to fire you. You're doing a good job of it on your own with your less than average performance. OK, Enough bitchiness.
Incident #3 comping up! Let's call client: Tina. Meeting her in her house in Dasmarinas, I was made aware of the fact that her family speaks loudly. You know how the Italians shout because it's well, normal? This was Tina and her five year old daughter during meeting #1, only they weren't Italian. She'd asked for three arts crafts projects, balloon decor, a face painter and a games host.
Mind you, I've been hosting and teaching preschoolers since 1995. Short of a thesis in Family Life and Child Development, I could've finished my Masters degree from UP, Diliman. When she accused me of being "ineffective" because I was not "engaging" I wanted to hit her eyeballs with pointy heeled shoes repeatedly! When you have a party with so many things going on, plus a trampoline (the party was held in their garden), shouldn't Tina have realized that the kids' attention will naturally be divided and therefor the party will be a busy one?
The worst part of Tina's accusation was that "I took her for a ride" in terms of an amount I charged her! The Thursday before her Sunday event, she requested to change the Glitter Tattoo supplier to a Face Painter. Having cancelled one for the other entails cost. Having gotten the latter at short notice comes at a higher rate. Ever since I started offering Face Painting in 1999, my rate had always been P3000. Admittedly, not all of P3000 will go to the Face Painter. I get a booking commission, right? And having gone to Tina's house to plan her party more than once, costs money too, right? I need to make money too, right?
It is sad that many people try to milk these foreigners because, possibly, they don't understand Tagalog, they don't know the best sources of items. But, lady, I'm actually rich!
[REMEMBER: THIS IS MY BLOG. I CAN BOAST IF I WANT TO!]
I do what I do because I like doing it. It gives me a thrill getting paid for something I love doing anyway. I already have a condo, a pension, diamonds, multiple businesses and a car from my own blood, sweat and tears. The money I make goes to Zumba wear! Methinks I am just using my Earthly time productively.
BOTTOMLINE: Lady, I WAS REFERRED BY YOUR EXPAT FRIEND, which should count for something, such as a past job well done!
With mis-perceived superiority, she stated that the expat community is small (really? I didn't know this, for I am but a mere Indio peasant) and that she will make a point to let all the expats know about me. I was horrified! A dent in my reputation after almost two decades of service in the party industry by a miserly righteous expat?! I will not detail what else I think of her. She had more complaints but they were too petty and surprisingly stupid, as arguments go, so I will expound on this another day. Let's just say it could have been her way of trying to get a discount after she had already paid.
She claimed that her friend was able to get a Glitter Tattoo artist at P1500. Well and good....why didn't she contact that supplier in the first place? Why go through a Party Planner who also has bills to pay? And please, a Glitter Tattoo at P1500?? Are you kidding me?! What cheap materials would this person be using to be able to charge and be happy with P1500?!
Ugh!
And I bumped my new car. Enough said there.
Incident # 5 was that I went to my weekly Thursday Zumba Class way before (1.5 hours before) that freak October 3 (or October 10?) bout of rain that totally wet the Merville Park Gym floor. That short rain spell was enough to clog all possible roads leading home that it took me four hours to reach QC. Also, it made it impossible for my usual students to cross the road from their houses to attend my class. No one came and I didn't get paid.
These incidents happened within a week and a half this September. I'm not used to feeling dumb, short changed, duped, looked down upon/on, insulted, accused and belittled all in a span of days. I have safeguards, like contracts, like being upfront, like my credentials, like my 18 years of experience so that I don't encounter these problems. Tears of helplessness and frustration kept appearing.
As I established earlier, I've been continually blessed until September 2013. I was at a loss on how to react since these were new to me. Having no one (boyfriend, husband, dog, child) to hug and lean on, to vent my feelings to/on, the depression and anger grew. I was eating heavily, snapping at good-natured employees. I refused to deal with Teacher in any way at school and could not sleep past 2 am.
I was trying to calm myself with mottos like "There is no way but up" and "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and spiritual anecdotes like "Footprints in the Sand" but I ended up being more moody and anti-social.
I wondered if ending it all would prove any point. Upon more reflection, I realized that:
1. I'm too too vain to disfigure myself.
2. I'm too squeamish to swallow anything that's distasteful.
3. I'm too afraid of pain and
4. I'm too curious about my potential to end it because of a miserly expat, an ineffective Teacher, a fixable vehicle dent in the grill and bumper and Godzilla.
Good thing I still had to teach my almost daily Zumba Fitness classes. I think, the bouts of exercise helped replenish the usual amounts of endorphins in my system and I was sooner than later happier about my lot in life. Lots of Zumba Parties and classes later... I had a great time looking like this:
Weeks later (see Halloween picture above), I've bounced back and can only, but sadly, think of September as a blip in my road, called "Life". I have to laugh at Tina's husband because he chose her and is stuck with her FOR LIFE. At least, I'm done with her. She's an expat and can be deported. Bwahaha. Naaa. That's just my sick humor rearing its head. I won't waste my time thinking more of her after this blog is published. That's why I'm committing it to "paper" or better yet, to "cyberspace" so that I can expel the feeling finally from my mind and body.
Of course I am publishing this after Tacloban, Leyte and Ormoc have been leveled by the recent Signal No. 4 called "Yolanda". What are these small complaints made from a dry place compared to the deaths in the thousands, the need for looting to survive, the intense silence days after the storm when you don't want to know but need to know if your loved ones made it out in time? I even know of someone named Fritz, who walked 110kms in two days without sleep nor food, just to get to a phone. Well, that should be another blog all together.
Now, I must revisit my Happy Moments Diary, remember, relive and reaffirm how blessed I still am. I am alive. I am happy. I still have a car. I'm overeating. I have loads of clothes I can donate. I've ALWAYS been surrounded by friends. I have enough. And for those who do not, my prayers are with you all!
Monday, July 8, 2013
Sari Santiago, My Diva Catholic Movie Mate Bitch of a Friend
I miss Sari Santiago! She was my very good friend who passed away due to Leukemia last July 25, 2012.***************************************
HERE'S SOMETHING I WROTE LAST AUGUST 2, 2012, TO GIVE MOMMY NORA (Sari's Mom) AN IDEA OF HOW WE KNEW AND APPRECIATED HER DAUGHTER.
You know what, I really don’t recall how I met Sari! She was just there nalang, in the ZNXS group. Then again, I also don’t recall
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when I officially became a part of them! I remember literally (through writing essays) dueling with Veca as to which group was better: Duran Duran or Menudo (I’m cringing now!) on a bulletin board. This feud of sorts got me to notice (and respect) Veca’s talent with words. My best friend at that time was Mari Brias. We’d been close since 5th grade but she was transferred to Section B on our FreshmanYear (Povedans since Nursery). Later than sooner, I started hanging around more with Veca and Sari (because they were always together).
I do remember that Sari sat to my right, right next to me in class. She was the new, quiet girl with a slight accent from a country I didn’t know. When Sari and Veca were busy talking or quietly making wise cracks about the teacher (and there were many with substandard grammar and diction), I remember shushing them (Sari and Veca, not the teachers) complete with pointed stare (I tried to listen as much as I could, as well as, read the teacher’s lips, because on hind sight, I was already a little deaf then). I do remember that Sari was a little miffed at me for the katarayan, but true to form, Sari let me be, accepting that I needed their cooperation to pass high school.
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Veca, Sari and I started a tradition of posing as a threesome, with the same positioning, back in Anna de Vera’s house. I was in the center (the Leo in me dictates that I be the center of attention), I was wearing my black half shirt and I’d curled my hair using my Vidal Sasoon electric curlers. Ever since then, we always made a point of doing this at every possible occasion! This tradition was done for about 20 years. I MUST find all our threesome shots! These will be sent to you on the occasion that I find the most number of pictures. Surely 20 pieces for the 20 years, could be unearthed?!
Sari did complain and mourn the fact that being the bunso (sorry to Gladys!), you (her parents) got tired of taking pictures of her for posterity. She remembers so few shots of herself growing up. Maybe and most likely THAT WAS WHY she was a picture-hungry monster with a camera! She must’ve wanted to make up for a “lost” childhood, and while she could, she seemed to want to record a lot of HERstory!.jpg)
It was so SUDDEN for us to lose Sari. It NEVER OCCURRED TO ME that leukemia could take her life. I was maybe both too busy to think the worst for her and too dense to believe how dangerous any cancer could be. And then, when I heard Noel say that the leukemia just took nine months to do this to US, I was taken aback by its lethal fierceness!She never gave us any reason to fear or stress. She did mention (July 21) on Facebook that the doctor advised you all that alternative medicine was something you could look into for the moment since her liver was not strong enough to take the chemo medicine. This entry was her gentle way to let us know her plight. I was just too dense to understand how critical her system must have been at that time. Then again, she was the type to take it all in, for as long as she could. She must have not wanted to burden us with her burden. I think she knew God would help her through it all. Her God was enough. I liked that about Sari. She had a strong, solid faith in the Lord. I remember that she did say the Rosary very often with you.
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I am a slightly-practicing Catholic but still afraid for my soul, aware of the commandments and I do know I am a constantly thankful person with a personal relationship with Him. God and I do talk a lot! Now, Sari and I can continue to talk a lot, without the assistance of Globe Telecoms. The only upside to her passing I’ve recognized so far is that I’ll save on calls! Bad joke, I know, but she would have snickered at this one!Her death is yet another wake-up call to speed up and do something more and memorable during this lifetime. Had I the long legs of Liza Berroya-Salud, I would’ve joined all the beauty pageants that would take me and would’ve found a way to insert this motto, which I surprisingly got from a teeny-bopper movie, into the answer of the Q & A Portion:
“The ultimate secret of life is the true knowledge of death. For without this knowledge, man would not strive to leave his mark upon the Earth”.I have as yet no children with my superior genetic imprint as a legacy to mankind, but I have my word and my body as a body of inspiration for all fat women out there. And speaking of my body, her passing is also reminding me to slow down, to remember my health. Without this machine I live in, I cannot spread light and magic! I’ve been living a life of work and more work. I am only home to sleep and shower. I have scheduled a complete health check-up before I turn 40 (August 7) and I have bought (yet another) book entitled “How To Deal With Stress” by Stephen Palmer, PhD. I’m hoping that these will point me towards a healthier direction and lengthen my life so that I can continue to be a blessing to and for others.
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BTW, Did my “beauty queen motto” make you think?! Will it become a measure of your success on Earth? Will it define how fast you want to run this “race”? Will it heighten your standards to live and die, with passion in your heart? Will it inspire you to be the best friend, child, teacher, confidante, citizen and parent you can be? It had. Now, Sari has replaced this motto. Her gentle voice (at times, haha!), her steadfast faith, her patience…these are what I now strive to acquire. And when I do.... PERFECTION! Bwahahaha!
By Rosanne Araneta Pitt
(Until he is married to Angelina Jolie, I live in hope!)
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It is days before her first death anniversary. Our group, ZNXS, has not watched a movie together since she passed. We may have gotten together around five to six times for dinner. It is so different without her calling the group for a "G" or gimmick.
On a lighter note, I DID get my full physical on my 40th Birthday. Gallstones, fatty liver and possible lumps in my humps were sighted. I was given Crestor, advised to take Liverine (?). After my wrist was fractured, I was prescribed Calcium Aid. Yes, we are hitting midlife (since I plan to live at least until I'm 90) and we are starting to feel and hear the aches and creaks (sp?) in the machine.
But I continue on. For me, for Sari, for all those I've yet to inspire and well, piss off.
I've yet to encounter the bucket that I am to kick. Haha.
Monday, July 1, 2013
So I Believe In The Saying "Ask And You Shall Receive"
A relative thrice asked God for the things he wanted in life. He got them too!
1) He wanted a job or a business opportunity that would give him, in his own words, "limpak, limpak, limpak, limpak, limpak, limpak, limpak, limpak na salapi." Loosely translated, "ooooooooooodles of money" or maybe "serious wads of dough". Sooner than later, he had a billiard hall that was situated outside a university and so the students came in droves, to shoot some pool. At the end of the day, he did have his wads of money OF 20 PhP BILLS.
2) After months of hard work, same relative wanted a break. He prayed for an opportunity to go on vacation for say, about two months, where all he needed to do was laze about the whole day. Sooner than later, he needed an operation to remove either his gall bladder or a gall stone because he had suddenly turned yellow. Long story short, what was supposed to be at most a 6-inch cut turned out to be double that. He proceeded to recuperate from such a wide cut for a month. Having lain for so long, he developed fat deposits in his back. Those needed surgical attention too. So he spent the 2nd month on his stomach.
3) He'd always said he liked Tagaytay. He wanted to live there. In fact, he became a licensed real estate agent just so he could broker his own land deal in Tagaytay, and save himself some serious money. As fate would have it, he turned to drugs and his family found him a rehab center. In Tagaytay. With a nice view of the Taal Volcano.
What is the lesson in all these instances? What were this relative's short comings? One must ask for what one wants in life. When asking, make sure you ask for the moon, and include the most specific details!
I myself made a huge mistake in my request. I made a list of what I wanted in a man (as you know I am unattached). I had a liiiiiiist! It was specific! I mentioned "drug free", "great lover", "someone who likes to dance" among at least 20 other attributes that my man had to have. On hindsight, I did get everything on that list cramped into one person! What broke my heart was that I forgot to ask that he be single.
It was a painful lesson to learn. But it was a lesson truly learned. It has passed and I'm back to my happy, positive, if not bitchy, witty, sarcastic self!
I had a Multiply.com (now defunct) site entitled "Rosanne The Busy". I called myself that for years. While I was truly busy, with rackets here and there for theater, parties, commercials and seminars, I realized that being busy was NOT NECESSARILY PRODUCTIVE. Busy could mean "running around in circles", "having no time for oneself" aside from the fact that one is working non-stop. I was out of the house. I was everywhere with a full calendar.
I changed that title to "Rosanne the Productive" and then I started seeing the products of my work hours. Since I NAMED or CALLED "IT", I turned my reality around. Why not go a step farther?! I then decided to use the title "Rosanne The Productive, Rich and Happy". If I'm asking, I'll go ASK! Right?
I've been using "When you say you can, you can. When you say you can't, you're right!"as a motivational thought. I've been choosing words that will help me PROPERLY FILE memories and data into my brain, such as "Please remember to...." instead of "Don't forget to...." and "Not yet" instead of "No." I've become LITERAL in my words. I try not to generalize and use "everyday" when I mean Monday to Friday only. I will try to refrain from using negative words such as "Traffic" (since there is never a pleasant or good traffic to be had), and "broken", "late", "ugly", "problem"....
What WORDS you use or think, YOU CALL FORTH. You attach an energy or an awareness to them that becomes a reality.
One may say I'm into the New Age stuff. I must admit I've found "The Secret" and "The Law of Attraction" to be very appealing. The bottom line is that you ASK (through thought, prayer, letter, pleas, orders, etc.) and that you THINK (through lists, judgments, pictures, dreams, etc.). The more you do these, the more you want these, the more these come into your reality.
What's wrong with asking God for the moon? He never said we couldn't! We've always thought we couldn't. He loves us. He wants us to be happy. Why couldn't and wouldn't He give us our heart's desires?
It is up to man to decode, to decipher, to discern, to discover what would really make us happy and what would make others happy. We have the power of thought and prayer. We have HOPE.
Remind me to post my VISION BOARDS here. I'd pasted my face on top of thin bodies in bikinis, dancesport champions on that 1st Place Stand and seminar speakers whose audience looked enthralled. I'd cut up cars, trips, rings, houses, dresses that I wanted to own, wear, etc. It is truly amazing what I've acquired and achieved over time. We can focus on goals and make things happen.
1) He wanted a job or a business opportunity that would give him, in his own words, "limpak, limpak, limpak, limpak, limpak, limpak, limpak, limpak na salapi." Loosely translated, "ooooooooooodles of money" or maybe "serious wads of dough". Sooner than later, he had a billiard hall that was situated outside a university and so the students came in droves, to shoot some pool. At the end of the day, he did have his wads of money OF 20 PhP BILLS.
2) After months of hard work, same relative wanted a break. He prayed for an opportunity to go on vacation for say, about two months, where all he needed to do was laze about the whole day. Sooner than later, he needed an operation to remove either his gall bladder or a gall stone because he had suddenly turned yellow. Long story short, what was supposed to be at most a 6-inch cut turned out to be double that. He proceeded to recuperate from such a wide cut for a month. Having lain for so long, he developed fat deposits in his back. Those needed surgical attention too. So he spent the 2nd month on his stomach.
3) He'd always said he liked Tagaytay. He wanted to live there. In fact, he became a licensed real estate agent just so he could broker his own land deal in Tagaytay, and save himself some serious money. As fate would have it, he turned to drugs and his family found him a rehab center. In Tagaytay. With a nice view of the Taal Volcano.
What is the lesson in all these instances? What were this relative's short comings? One must ask for what one wants in life. When asking, make sure you ask for the moon, and include the most specific details!
I myself made a huge mistake in my request. I made a list of what I wanted in a man (as you know I am unattached). I had a liiiiiiist! It was specific! I mentioned "drug free", "great lover", "someone who likes to dance" among at least 20 other attributes that my man had to have. On hindsight, I did get everything on that list cramped into one person! What broke my heart was that I forgot to ask that he be single.
It was a painful lesson to learn. But it was a lesson truly learned. It has passed and I'm back to my happy, positive, if not bitchy, witty, sarcastic self!
I had a Multiply.com (now defunct) site entitled "Rosanne The Busy". I called myself that for years. While I was truly busy, with rackets here and there for theater, parties, commercials and seminars, I realized that being busy was NOT NECESSARILY PRODUCTIVE. Busy could mean "running around in circles", "having no time for oneself" aside from the fact that one is working non-stop. I was out of the house. I was everywhere with a full calendar.
I changed that title to "Rosanne the Productive" and then I started seeing the products of my work hours. Since I NAMED or CALLED "IT", I turned my reality around. Why not go a step farther?! I then decided to use the title "Rosanne The Productive, Rich and Happy". If I'm asking, I'll go ASK! Right?
I've been using "When you say you can, you can. When you say you can't, you're right!"as a motivational thought. I've been choosing words that will help me PROPERLY FILE memories and data into my brain, such as "Please remember to...." instead of "Don't forget to...." and "Not yet" instead of "No." I've become LITERAL in my words. I try not to generalize and use "everyday" when I mean Monday to Friday only. I will try to refrain from using negative words such as "Traffic" (since there is never a pleasant or good traffic to be had), and "broken", "late", "ugly", "problem"....
What WORDS you use or think, YOU CALL FORTH. You attach an energy or an awareness to them that becomes a reality.
One may say I'm into the New Age stuff. I must admit I've found "The Secret" and "The Law of Attraction" to be very appealing. The bottom line is that you ASK (through thought, prayer, letter, pleas, orders, etc.) and that you THINK (through lists, judgments, pictures, dreams, etc.). The more you do these, the more you want these, the more these come into your reality.
What's wrong with asking God for the moon? He never said we couldn't! We've always thought we couldn't. He loves us. He wants us to be happy. Why couldn't and wouldn't He give us our heart's desires?
It is up to man to decode, to decipher, to discern, to discover what would really make us happy and what would make others happy. We have the power of thought and prayer. We have HOPE.
Remind me to post my VISION BOARDS here. I'd pasted my face on top of thin bodies in bikinis, dancesport champions on that 1st Place Stand and seminar speakers whose audience looked enthralled. I'd cut up cars, trips, rings, houses, dresses that I wanted to own, wear, etc. It is truly amazing what I've acquired and achieved over time. We can focus on goals and make things happen.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
So Im a Party Planner....
Then it happened again...only this time, the mommy of the student was not pregnant. She asked for a "pabitin" (toys suspended from a bamboo frame) which seemed an easy enough request! This scenario happened repeatedly with a few changes here and there. It didn't take long before I realized that since I was doing these mommies an extra service that I should get paid for offering them in the first place.By 1998, I partnered with Dana Cosio-Mercado and we did a few parties together. She took care of the "fru-fru's" while I hosted. She needed to leave the country very suddenly so I went solo by August of 2000. I registered PartyPartyParty Enterprises with DTI.
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I've had parties for big corporations with as many as 900 kids/600 Adults (Citibank's 100th Anniversary Family Day) and small events with as little as three who showed up (think first Al Qaida bombing incident in the early 2000's). I've had events where I was Winnie, Minnie, Spongebob, Elmo, Dora, Blue, Batgirl, The Mad Hatter, Strawberry Shortcake, Barney, Snow White, The Last Airbender and yes, Belle, for the afternoon.
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I've been to all of Century Park Hotel's Easter parties since they hired me back in 1999 to plan their events. I've had events where yayas had neck lacerations due to a violent "pabitin" game (go figure)! I've been to Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Baguio, New York and my home, The Roxy, for all kinds of events. I've been to events that just got called/ closed/ booked the hour before it started. I've done events both where the caterer was my and not my contact and they came two hours late (It's "confeermed": NEVER schedule your party on Dec. 15 for this is the busiest day of December for events. The traffic comes to a stand still at this time!). I've done two events in one day where one was for a family day for 1,500 people and the other required just 1,000 servings of all food carts possible. There are lots of funny, tearful stories, as well as horror stories but methinks I will regale you with those in another blog post. So I stumbled into this lucrative business by chance (yes, lucrative!). How did I stay on? I fattened my "black book" of contacts. I lurked and read the mommy blogs and forums/fora (?) to see what they were looking for and to see what they thought of different suppliers, including me. I went to parties and took note of those who sucked and those who would make me look good. The best advice I can give those who want to get into the same, is to learn everything there is to know about planning AND EXECUTION.
Before I forget, I, of course, must give thanks to my assistants--my peeps--over the years! Glen Regalado, Randy Fernandez, Gilbert Amio, Bujon Pantaleon.... they have made my life sooo much easier. They were told or shown just once and they consistently did what needed doing. They climbed the ladders, they cleaned the mess, they front lined for me. Thank you again!
After 15 years of nomadic party experiences, I have a permanent venue from which I('d rather) do my events (The Roxy Events and Party Venue is on 185 Tomas Tomato Ave., QC). I can breathe better because I can stay put and because people now can come to me. Here, I offer all kinds of services apart from the venue rental. The running joke is, "Any event. Any time. Except Lamays."
Because I hire a lot of suppliers, I must be able to spot the bullshit from the truth behind their explanations and deadlines. In order to do this, I've enrolled myself in all kinds of workshops: styro crafting, balloon twisting, cake decoration (both for kid's cakes and wedding cakes), henna tattoo mixing, Zumbatomic (Zumba for Kids 4-12 years old) and I even joined the 1st International Face Painting Convention in Orlando, Florida last 2002! The rest of my skills are self-studied and done from pure guts or genius.
Of all my qualities that is pure genius (naks!), I know that it is my attention to detail that has helped me most. I have a tried and tested master plan and I stick to it. I have lists of lists. I cross check this with a timeline. Since I'm frank enough, I'm upfront with clients and I CHOOSE my clients. Yes, yes, it seems very arrogant of me but I can afford to be. If from the get-go they seem very iffy or flaky, I'd rather pass and save on salon costs from having to dye my hair back to black. If they're too demanding or ditzy at the start, I bite my tongue but will pass the event to some other planner who can stomach stupidity or rudeness.
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This is me, simply put. I choose my battles and challenges. Of those problems I'm faced with, I'm able to create opportunities because I have foresight, a strong sense of perseverance and faith in God. I strongly believe that He sends me all these opportunities so that I'm prepared for bigger and better things in life. I also know because I'm still kicking, that all my experiences can serve as a learning moment for others.
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