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Work, work, and more work: What made me busy this year

The year is about to end. You might not believe it but this year, I had five jobs: full-time faculty, part-time freelance writer (X2), and part-time ESL tutor (X2). I didn't mind having several jobs because I have goals. Besides, I must consider myself lucky because some people can't even get a single job that will make them capable of earning. But aside from the financial aspect, I also need to collect experiences to add to my credentials so in the future, I could get the job I really want. Of course, I have no plan of staying here for the rest of my life. I want to work abroad and live there (wherever my destiny leads me) with my family.
Here's what happened to me this year as far as my jobs are concerned:
* I had my first book deal with contract amounting to P25,000.00. I didn't care even if my mom told me that the pay was low for the effort I exerted on the 128-page book. What's important is that I got the contract and that I enjoyed writing while earning. Anyway, this book just required me to spend three sleepless nights, two disciplined and focused days, and few hours of conceptualization.
* I got a working fee for the book I'm working on with Dr. Umaly. This was unexpected. I just got the news from Sir Umaly one day and got the check without even thinking about getting one from the publisher. I call it luck and connection... I believe the book is on its way to publication before the year ends. :-) I don't think about royalty. I just want to see my byline on an academic book for ESL students.
* I started teaching part time at ILI. I started teaching ESL in January 15 of this year. This is a part-time job that makes me earn Php 3,000.00 a week for nine hours. Not bad. What's good about this is that it's tax-free! Plus I get to practice academic freedom by designing my own lesson plans and I get to have coffee while teaching. :-)
* I also had ESL students in school for two months. My student was a KOrean professional (she's a librarian in Pai Chai Univ. in Korea). She stayed here only for a couple of months.
* My academic rank moved from Instructor V Level IV to Assistant Professor 3 Level 5. Not bad...
On the side, I also finished almost all academic units in my Ph.D. course. I have 3 units left before heading to dissertation writing and get my Doctorate degree.
For all these accomplishments (well, I call them accomplishments :-) I have few persons to thank for:
Tita Opi for helping me in getting the book deal;
Nanay for all the help in getting the check, sending the hard copies of the book, etc.;
Joowon for recommending me to Professor Lee;
Professor Lee for trusting me and for believing that I can "transform" his students into becoming more fluent in English;
Dr. Umaly for welcoming me in working with him in the book he conceptualized;
Ms Remy for giving me ESL loads;
Sir Archie for encouraging me to continue with my post-grad degree;
Steffi, Charles & Dani for a lot of INSPIRATION and for giving the STRENGTH I need to go on.
and of course to my beloved husband, Daniel who keeps reminding me that WORK is not everything there is in this world.
Thanks to all of you!

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