Nothing much has changed.  In fact, nothing changed at all.  My seemingly constant state of unemployment left me with so much time in my hands, I managed to learn how to properly cook.  By properly, I mean every time I repeat a dish, it tastes the same.  Of course, there are awkward moments — measuring stuff here and there, trying to pronunce "cayenne" properly, finding the right ingredients — but so far, it’s all good.  I’m glad that even though I don’t bring any income in the house, they still have a use for me.

This month’s highlight would be… meeting two women who are similarly different.

A couple of weeks ago, I was supposed to meet this woman.  She’s supposed to proxy for my cousin’s best friend’s son’s baptism (whew) since my cousin is in the US.  We were supposed to meet at the mall closest to the chapel because I have my cousin’s gift.  (Being a member of my church, we are not allowed to become godmothers/fathers at baptisms, hence me asking help from her.)  I thought we already had an agreement until someone from her end called me (thirty minutes beyond our meeting time, way past the hour) to say that she won’t be coming.  Apparently, a wardrobe malfunction disabled her to come.  Therefore, I was left alone in the mall for the rest of the morning and because it was raining like hell, I can’t even go home. 

This woman… well.  I do know how to begin describing her, but I don’t know how not to be personal about it.  She’s smart.  She’s funny.  And for all those who know her, they can say she’s lovable.  But she has a lot of maturing to do.  Up to now, she hasn’t apologized to me.  I don’t think she has apologized to those who "contributed" to her "wardrobe malfunction".  And frankly speaking, I am disappointed.

Lessons learned:
If you can’t show up to meet someone, tell that someone yourself.   
If you didn’t tell it yourself, apologize.
Apologize soon.  Don’t act as if the incident never happened.  It did.
A small change can make all the difference. 

This other woman, I have been friends with for the past six years of my life.  Can’t say she’s easy to handle.  Boy, does she open a can of worms or what.  Just this week, she had another mishap with her company — and a costly mishap at that.  Rumor has it she might be termed for it.  I can’t say I’m proud to know it; but I can’t entirely blame it on her.

Just like the first woman, she’s smart, able and adorable.  She’s very friendly too.  But apparently, she doesn’t have a strong gut.  From what I heard, her supervisor has been pegging her for the past months.  I told her to report him to the powers that be, so that the issue will be resolved soon.  Either that or resign (she claims not to be happy with her job anymore).  Well, neither of the two happened, and now she’s in (for the lack of a better term) deep shit.

Lessons learned:
Speak.  You have a tongue and intellect because you can talk with reason.  So speak.
Speak up.  It won’t count if you’re just talking in your head.  Someone (and I mean the right person) should hear it.
You are responsible for your happiness.  Not your paycheck.  Not your boss.  Just you.
The choices that we make will shape the decisions we’ll face in the future.
Choose wisely.

They’re the same because they know their worth.  They’re different because one thinks she’s worth so much and the latter thinks she’s just halfway there.  How we perceive ourselves as individuals will always reflect how we treat and perceive other people.  Everything is in our control; we just forget that.  We claim that everything is controlled by fate, that everything is destined, that everything happens because it’s our fortune.  It doesn’t work that way, at least not for me. 

Everything in your life is your choice, your decision.  You are always presented with options, from showing up at the right time to speaking up and justifying your actions.  From the simplest chores to the most complicated apologies.  Everything is at the palm of our hands.  We just wave our hands too carelessly.