It has been a year now since I first lead a journey which started out with finding jobs and doing post-grad business until I drove off-course to an unexpected career path. Yup, I may not be a stressed out, thesis-arrested student anymore but my priorities have been replaced with much gargantuan ones from typical Filipino ones("How will I provide for my family?") to existential ones("What is my true purpose of living now?")to random ones("Can spending on a can of beer help cope with my adulting?").

I can only imagine how I was exactly a year ago: I was a girl with so much big goals yet, have no idea how to get there considering I just left the confines of school. My whole life has always been about schoolwork and then one day, I'm out and exposed to the real world? Scary!

THE EXACT MOMENT I LEARNED I NEEDED TO FIND WORK PRONTO

A year since leaving my beloved DLSU has changed me. While my 4 year education as armed me with knowledge in my chosen field of study, it has NOT prepared me to the taxing life of what we call "the real life." I've always been aware of social issues in the country but being in the field of journalism as my first job after college has opened my eyes. It made me learn how looking at the bigger picture isn't just enough--someone has got to do some action.

A year after college, I also learned to appreciate the value of a peso. It's hard to earn money and it devastates me how money earned can easily disappear because of everyday expenses. Even back when I was still studying, I've always been quite thrifty since I don't get much baon everyday. I learned that earning my money now, even if it isn't much, has blinded me into thinking that I can treat myself. I guess it's one of my mistakes for 2018 because money earned doesn't always mean money needs to be spent.

Between this time last year and now, I also struggled with trying to make people take me seriously. So many times, all I hear is that I'm just a young reporter who will probably resign soon. I'm just some girl who didn't have to be in my place right now because I was "pampered" in college. Truth be told, I really worked hard to get to where I am and I have yet to stop that because I know real progress is slow. In college, I also experienced trials as a scholar and as someone who wasn't rich. It's hard to shake off assumptions some fellow colleagues make of me but as long as I get the work done, that's all that matters.

The most valuable thing I learned as a real contributor to the labor force is that no matter how impossible, I can get things done. So many tight deadlines and impossible tasks have gone my way and when I get them done, I just jump up and squeal in happiness(Yes, in public). It's that small(well, actually, sorta not that small)feeling of accomplishment that I live for--and the lessons that come with it. I learned never to internally dismiss challenges that are seemingly impossible because life has its funny ways and I have my own capability to deliver.

A lot of people expected me to quit so I was really happy that time a few months ago I reached half a year in my job

More importantly, in this one year since walking away from DLSU, I found out that not everything will be ideal. I'll be covering a labor rally under the hot sun; I'll be commuting to the most random of places at 11PM; I'll not eat food because I don't have time or there aren't any places around; I'll have not so good moments with some terrible personalities; and not everyone will be impressed with everything I do. I'm not saying everything should go my way but since it never does anyway, would I do nothing about it? Absolutely not! I learned to adapt and to be honest, I still am trying to adapt as much as possible because situations I'm are different everyday.

I knew I signed up for this life that is far from being in the comforts of being safe inside an office and knowing a canteen with freshly cooked food is within my reach.

Interviewed labor leaders last week for work, after covering a labor protest. (Photo copyright of Ms. Eva Arcos of ALU-TUCP)

I learned also to rely on myself too. I had a family in college who consisted of my blockmates. Suddenly not having that support everyday has posed a challenge for me. Many times, I wish I can run to my friends about problems with work or adulting in general but I am aware that even they themselves are figuring things out themselves. Lots of times, it has been lonely too because being the only journalist out of my educator or businessmen friends, I would feel no one would relate. I would instead value time with myself as my type of therapy. These days, I prefer spending therapeutic time.

It's been one year and as much as it felt like forever between those 12 months of pursuing my goals and learning lots of lessons, it also felt as if it's only a blink. I also believe that since it's only been a year, I really only have just begun my life in the real world.

I think I can say that in one year, I lead quite a fruitful and eventful life but I know I'll be experiencing even more exciting stuff in the future and this time, without fear.