I Dared To Take The RISK Part 1

Time flies really fast. Yesterday I was just a freshman in UST who's about to enter the Arch of the Centuries and now, I'm about to exit in it in a few days time. A lot of things happened through out my college life. I even shifted from another course and stopped for a year due to financial problem. But I know that all of these things happened for a reason. It totally sharpened my understanding about everything.

My life as a tourism student as I may recall it, is about personality development. We were trained to wear high heels with stockings on. Make-ups are highly encourage for women because we are ought to act like a lady, showcasing elegance and etiquette within us all the time. 

2nd year came and this is when my first test from God knocked. It was in the last week of May 2009 when my mom told me that I can't enroll for the coming semester. Hearing it made my knees trembled and my eyes, wide open with shock. Quickly, I went inside my room and locked myself up. I didn't eat for 2 days and was even tempted to commit suicide that time because I feel helpless about my situation... It feels like it's the end of the world for me. I even questioned God many times about it. 

One morning, I woke up and realized that I should do something about my misery. I can't just let it be like this. I MUST DO SOMETHING. Since I was just 17 years old that time, no employer would hire me. What I did was, I applied in my tita's dermaclinic who had also been referred by my Tita Mikki. I work there for a year and really enjoyed the company of whom I am considering as my "Ates" (elder sisters). From there, I was exposed to the people in different walks of life. This experience showed me what is life outside my own world and it taught me the true meaning of "meekness and humility". 

Year 2010 came and my mom told me that I could go back to school again. She already arranged the papers needed to shift from another course because "Toursim" is too expensive. She told me that I could still be a flight attendant even when I am not a tourism graduate. So there it goes, I chose to shift in commerce.

(First day as a commerce student)

All the shifters from various courses were blocked in one section (1EPM). And in here, I met my commerce college friends: Nikki, Maan, Zyra and Paulynne. We're all from different courses but shares the same interests that's why getting along with them was never difficult. I also met my boyfriend during this year. He's a shifter from engineering and we became blockmates until 2nd year. Our relationship was also tested a lot of times too but we ended up loving each other more.

In my 3rd year as a college student, all of us are required to choose a major. I passed in both Financial Management and Marketing Department. Not knowing what's in store for me, I dared to take the risk and chose Finance. The two semesters in it were like a living hell for everyone of us. Getting "Tres" is already a blessing. I have also been a victim of bullying by my blockmates because of my age. They teased me like, "Diane, tanda mo na nag-aaral ka pa rin/3rd year ka pa rin" or "Diane tanda mo na tapos ganyan ka pa umarte". Of course I was hurt because they already judged me without even hearing and knowing my story. But before the end of the school year, the conflict has been resolved and the gap between me and the people involved in the mockery were finally been mended in God's grace.

At last! 4th year came and I promise myself to graduate and march on March 26, 2014, by hook or by crook. For each and everyone of us, this would be the fruit of our parent's labor. The blood and sweat of their hardships. Though maybe we are  facing a big storm right now, I still believe and pray that we will make it through ALTOGETHER.... After all, it is "US" who hold the key to drive our own fate.