1995 - 2006

Jennifer has created a yahoogroup for BSA class of '95. It's been 11 long years since graduation. We may have communicated with some of our classmates but we weren't really updated with what's what to some. So what happened to me after our college graduation?

I’ve always wanted to be an Accountant. Imagine taking the board exams four times! Maybe it wasn’t really for me. But despite that, I decided to stay in my chosen career. I was lucky to have been employed by Castrol Philippines. I started as a Finance Clerk. I spent a little more than 6 years with the company. I have very high regards for Castrol even up to now. It may sound biased since that’s the only company I have worked for in the Philippines but employees’ growth was one of the company’s priorities. It was there where I experienced traveling. I had so much fun flying and working in the field. I also learned how to be an effective speaker having had the chance to present to the top management on a regular basis. I was also conducting seminars to clients/distributors and sales executives. I have attended various seminars not just those related to my field but also on computers and self-improvement trainings. I was holding the position of Credit Control Officer by the time I left the company. I didn’t really want to leave but I came to a point of wanting to move to a different phase of my life…which is to go to the US.

On the personal side…I’m not sure if you can still remember Irvin. He was my boyfriend in college who also became my husband. I’m so lucky to have someone as kind and loving. During the course of our relationship, I crazily fell in love (I’m not even sure if you can call it Love) with an officemate in Castrol. I wouldn’t anymore elaborate on that. I still consider that as one big mistake in my life up to now. I mean I have to say that that was one of the things I regret still. So Irvin and I had our ‘off’ moments then but for us, we never counted those and we still consider being together in the relationship for 11 years and 8 months before we finally got married.

I came here in the US on March 2002 as a tourist. It was not until 2 months later when I started looking for a job… internet, papers, even through referrals. My passport was stamped for a 6-month stay. I told myself I’m definitely not staying if I can’t find a job but I luckily did. My god sister contacted me in Massachusetts about a job opening in their sister company. I went to New York for an interview and I was lucky to be hired on the spot. I tried haggling for the salary but they wouldn’t consider it. So it took me 3 weeks to finally accept the offer…good thing the position was still available!

I was kind of desperate at first. Homesickness is something which is very hard to deal with. The 1st few months of my life here was horrible so to speak. I didn’t know anyone. I was a total stranger to the place. I missed my family and friends. But God has been always good. I got adjusted pretty fast with the new environment. My performance at the job paid off that I got good salary increases. I got along well with co-workers. The thing is I couldn’t go home. There was a big risk of not being able to come back since I changed my status here. Irvin became desperate and we even came to a point that he was making me choose.

I did a lot of thinking until I finally decided to accept Irvin’s marriage proposal. It was August 2004. This I think was the hardest decision I ever made. I have already started a life here. It wasn’t easy. I’ve gone through a lot of sacrifices. Anyone would really feel sorry if everything will turn to waste…considering also that life in the Philippines is hard nowadays. But I lifted everything to God. I did what I had to do and just prayed that He’ll do what’s best. Anyway, we told our parents about it and started planning right away… reserved the church… decided on the reception venue… etc. etc. I went home mid-September 2005. I underwent an interview at the US Embassy and I got approved for a working visa. We got married on October 1st of the same year. I came back to the US without encountering any problems. Three months later, Irvin got approved for a dependent visa. He was finally able to join me on February 28th. The only thing that we worry about right now is Irvin couldn’t find a job. That’s the restriction of his status. Still, we both believe it’ll happen in His time.

Well, I think I have covered the significant areas of the 11 years that had passed. What’s next? Maybe it’s time to have a baby! I’ll keep you posted!