Writing this long overdue post. I soooo didn't have time to update my blog because of tons of things going on at work... or rather getting to and from work. The work itself isn't that hard.. but the 5 hour daily commute had finally taken its toll. Anyway! That is another story. =p 

So fast forward from November 2015 (my last post) and here I am again, writing now as an MBA graduate. <3 I successfully defended my STRAMA paper last November 2017, and graduated on December 9, 2018. Just wanted to share what an experience it had been! So here's 3 years of my work-acad life in a glance: 

AY 2014-2015 
Term 1 - APMATH, BUSCOM 
Term 2 - ETHICS, FINACC
Term 3 - LEADER, MASTAT

AY 2015-2016
Term 1 - INFOTE, MANACC
Term 2 - FINMAN, METRES
Term 3 - MANSCI, HUMRES, INVEMA 

AY 2016-2017 
Term 1 - PRIMAN, MARKMA, LEADOC
Term 2 - OPEMAN, ECOMAN 
Term 3 - STRAMA

I really wanted to finish after 3 years so I had to take 3 subjects for two consecutive terms. I took those extra challenging terms not before Strama since Ecoman was a difficult subject plus I presumed I will be needing extra time to start researching for my paper (which didn't happen lol). It was also the same time our office moved to BGC which gave me a lot of headache because of the loooong travel time. Needless to say my grades suffered and I didn't make the honor roll (boohoo). Lesson learned, be sure to plan well ahead and really be committed to your acads especially if you're a working student like me! 

So enough self pity (talking to myself here haha). I think almost all my professors were really worth the tuition. Mansci was really tough, the most difficult subject aside from Ecoman because I got my lowest grades in these two subjects. Just a word of caution, be sure to study the cases well and practice before the exam. I chose fun electives, invema and leadoc. Invema was really memorable because with Prof Biacora, we pooled our funds in class and invested in real stocks. Our ROI was well spent as we donated to charity and even had extra so we were able to treat ourselves to unlimited shabu shabu. Priman is also very toxic, you need to write fast and of course, well, because you had case reports to submit almost every week. Markma and Opeman I enjoyed too. Opeman with Prof Tenmatay is just the right pace and difficulty. I loved the Markma classes with Prof Macasaet! It was very practical, fun and packed with learnings. You can expect nothing less from a reputable marketer in the country. 

Overall, I think the time, effort and money were all worth it. Just be sure to snag the best professors and make the most out of your Ateneo education to build a network of high-calibre professionals. Who knows, you might even meet your future business partners here! =) 

Months of speculation around the office have been finally put to rest. It was announced early this month that we are indeed moving to a new location in Taguig. I am currently working in Legaspi Village, Makati so imagine the bittersweet feeling of leaving this commuter- and budget-friendly (think Jollijeep) haven. Of course I'm also excited but overall, the hassles outweigh the benefits. However, my boss recently told us that our building is pretty old and doesn't meet the current safety standards of most offices so the transfer was really a priority. 

The big move will be in April 2015 and along with another colleague, I was chosen to be a Change Ambassador who will represent the medical department. But anyway, this post will really be more for personal reasons - so I can better prepare myself for the things that I will be needing when I move in to the new place. 

Yep. Guilty as charged. I am one of those people who can't help but shed almost three thousand bucks worth of coffee just to have this incredible planner. To think I don't even like their coffee that much. I associate SB with exams and cramming so I really try to veer away from their shop because it reminded me of my GC college days. But the starbucks planner is a different case for some unknown reason until now I haven't yet had the time for introspection. Heck I'm even the type of person who lets her family and friends get 30-50% off on their coffee in exchange for their sticker. Yes, I pity myself too... haha. 

Don't get me wrong though. I haven't collected all editions. Plus the first planner I got was a gift from my sister (who also got it from her classmate or suitor?). And the 2011 was a gift from my boyfriend. Also this year, I did not bother buying a planner notwithstanding my dire need to organize and schedule my life. Needless to say my 2015 was a mess. For the record, it was not a bad year but it wasn't also a remarkable year for me. Sniff. 

*Flashforward*

So I'm a little less guilty to be back in this old habit of mine to collect all eighteen (18) stickers at the soonest possible time! I really hope that even in its small and simple way, this GV of a planner would kickstart a great 2016 for me! =)   

Can't believe it's been so long since I last posted! I absolutely have no idea what happened to my 2015. It went by like a breeze. Poof, it's gone! Don't know if that's good or bad, though. Haha. Well anyway, let me share again my crazy happy 2nd and 3rd terms at AGSB.

As you might have probably guessed, I'm a grade-conscious (GC) type of student who certainly cares about the grade she gets. If ever you're reading this post, then you definitely researched on google and wanted to learn information so I'd more or less think that we're on the same page if I say you're GC as well. (Peace!) I know did promise to blog about my Ateneo MBA life, so here are the subjects I've already taken and some tips for you my dear: 

Ethics 
Took Prof. Festin's class which I enjoyed. He is a lawyer by profession and one of the founders of Good Governance Advocates and Practitioners of the Philippines (GGAPP). It's a relatively benign subject because you only get to bring to class most of the time your thoughts and commentaries so don't fret! But I'll give you a clincher, if you get Festin, then you better prepare well for answering (theoretically) certain ethical dilemmas which his being an attorney definitely makes it a whole lot harder. 

FinAcc 
Prof. Solomon always FTW! Every year, rumors spread that it will be his last term but good thing until now, Prof. hasn't retired and I am even in his management accounting class. If you're someone like me who doesn't have solid accounting background, better group yourselves with people smarter than you (like a CPA? you bet!). It will most certainly help since a lot of the time, you'd get to submit assignments and report by group. Of course you still have to study and read the required book which for the record I did because his final exam is graded individually. No surprise there.  

MaStat 
I was so scared of this class because I have totally forgotten my statistics but it was a huge relief that Prof. Rafi is a super kind and considerate mentor. I liked how he is always focused on the business applications of statistics so all the more I was able to appreciate the value of this subject and erased my mindset that statistics is only for research analysis. In our class, he always assigns a group to report but at the end, he also teaches how to simplify life by using amazing excel functions so be sure not to miss those precious moments! 

Leader 
Another benign subject from a great prof. I recommend Prof. Yong for this subject. The class requirements are very reasonable and fun to do. The final project is a LifeBook, I guarantee you'll enjoy making it! =) 

As I'm writing this, I'm halfway through my 4th term, in fact my midterm exam was just yesterday. I'm currently taking INFOTE and MANACC. Will post another blog once this term is over! =)

It just amazes me how after 5 anniversaries.. 69 monthsaries.. countless movie dates.. foodie adventures.. and even more countless exchanges of i love you's.. you still make me feel kilig. 

Hashtag vanity sim put to good use. Haha. You simply never fail. =)

When in a relationship, don't expect your S.O. to be your safety net. There will come a time when you'd have no choice but stand on your own two feet. Until you stumble.

But the truth is, it's not all the time someone's there to catch you even when you fall. You have to help yourself stand again, endure those scrapes and bruises, and take courage to face things alone. 

I was in high school during that time telephone calls were the usual mode of communication. I remember how my friend and I would talk about school, our teachers, classmates, crush.. pretty much anything under the sun or random stuff that crossed our minds. One time, she asked me what I think would be my future husband's occupation. A rather odd question since I did not even have a boyfriend or even ka-M.U. at that time. But for some reason, after pausing for only a split second, I heard myself answer, "Doctor".

I never even knew you until 3 years later.

Congratulations, dear! I never doubted you'd pass the Physician Licensure Exam. I know how much you wanted to be a medical doctor, and I am extremely happy witnessing how you were slowly able to reach your dream. I am so proud of you. =')

... and that called for a sudden buffet celebration. Even if it was Ash Wednesday. Seafood and veggie naman eh. Haha. Loved it. =p

I won't deny having some reservations a month before our flight with Air Asia. The airline's reputation was tarnished as news broke out that their plane bound to Singapore from Indonesia had crashed in bad weather over the Java Sea. I also will never forget my mom recounting her 'free fall' experience as the Zest Air (which as you know was now acquired by Air Asia) that carried them to our province landed on the airport of Marinduque.  

Surprisingly, our flight to and from Tagbilaran was a pleasant one. I especially liked how smooth their web check-in process is. You can actually print the boarding pass already so you wouldn't have to fall in line at their check-in counters. It was very easy to open an Air Asia account as well. They even email a reminder of your upcoming flight. 

Given the cheap fare, you wouldn't expect to be offered a free snack. But drinks and light meals are available for a price. I tried a non-caffeine drink from a small cup that cost me 85 pesos. It tasted bland. I think the stewardess put in too much water. The leather seats were oh-so-comfortable though not all their planes have it. 

I guess the only downside is their loose control regarding baggage. Even with their domestic flights, PAL requests us to weigh our baggage but Air Asia only took one glance at our carry on baggage. There wasn't also any TV or music available so I would definitely recommend bringing your own gadget especially for long flights. 

Thank you for the experience, Air Asia! 

Day 1
9:00 - arrived at Tagbilaran airport
9:30 - check-in at Hotel 
10:30 - jeep to Island City Mall (largest mall in Bohol) 
11:00 - lunch at Prawn Farm Restaurant (they have a buffet for less than 400 but wasn't worth it) 
12:30 - rode a bus bound to Panglao (ask the driver to drop you off at Dumaluan Beach) 
5:00 - left Dumaluan beach 
7:00 - arrived at Island City Mall