2022 came with the impression of being 2020 2.0. I thought it was going to be another year of being kept inside the house and having pandemic anxiety. But then it turned out that the situation got a lot better than the year before. The restrictions were not as strict, and everything seemed to be getting better. 

The first half of this year flew by, and as I look back, I realize I did so many new things. My highlights for the first half of the year are definitely a variety of incredible experiences that I am so thankful to have gone through. I finally learned how to make scented candles, became a speaker for an event at my alma mater, continued on with my podcast that turned one year old last April, upgraded my work equipment, got employed full-time at a BPO company, hung out more with my friends, and, of course, spent more quality time with my family. 

Scented Candles

Became a Guest Speaker

I wasn't really an active alumnus of my high school alma mater but when one of my old classmates reached out to me and asked me to participate in a live podcast for their Senior High's Career Week, I accepted. It was my first time but I wasn't really nervous because it was just happening online. I was a guest speaker along with other alumni and it was a wonderful experience. Thinking about it though, I kinda cringe a little because I may have said some things that weren't really right because I was caught up in the moment and just spoke the first thing on my mind, which is sometimes not the right thing to say. Months after this live podcast happened, I received a token of appreciation and a certificate. That was when it hit me, that little thing was something worthy to be given appreciation and it made me feel validated. Validated in the sense that maybe I did something good, that I contributed something useful to my alma mater. It felt good to be appreciated and lately, I kept thinking that being appreciated is something that can make me feel good about myself. Maybe that's the love language I appreciate the most, after all - just being acknowledged and appreciated for the work and effort I make.

My Podcast Turning One

The Single Millennial is a passion project I started last year. As I've mentioned over and over again in this blog, making a podcast has been a dream of mine, and making that dream a reality was amazing. I got to make 28 episodes to date and it's just a great way to talk about things that I have no one to talk to about. Even though I haven't been consistent with putting out new content in it, I'm still very much looking forward to making more in the future. I have so many ideas I've been jotting down on my notes and I just need to find the time to sit down and actually record them. I've been just pretty much occupied with work and work comes first for me this time. #priorities

Work Equipment Upgrade

I also upgraded my work equipment earlier this year and you can read all about it here: A Major Desk Makeover. And here's what my desk looked like last year if you're curious. I'm so happy about this upgrade. The Macbook is my dream laptop and I'm just so thankful and proud of myself to have been able to save up for it. Hard work really does pay off~

Full-Time VA

Lastly, and ultimately maybe the highlight of the first half of my 2022 is being hired as a full-time VA in a legit BPO company. It was a major life-changing event, as I have said in my previous blog, and I admit that there are cons as well as pros in it just like everything else, BUT I'm really happy with it. I'm already 3 months into my probationary stage, three more months and then I'll be regularized and I am excited to finally be granted all the benefits that this company has to offer. I am so grateful!

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Aside from these things, I've also been spending time with friends and family, and I am soooo ready to get some traveling done later this year. *fingers crossed* It’s been an eventful first half of 2022, and I am excited for what’s yet to come! xx