A SIGNIFICANT WOMAN

- an excerpt from the book "The 10 Best Decisions a Woman Can Make" by Pam Farrel

A significant woman bases her identity on who God says she is, and she is committed to do nothing more and nothing less than what her identity demands. In other words, as I line up my thoughts to God's thoughts about me, I will become a woman He can use. When I see myself through His eyes, I realize my value. I am nothing more than a woman saved by His grace, but I am nothing less than a new creation.
When I see myself through God's eyes, I realize His plan for me is found only in obedience. I am nothing more than a servant and am nothing less than an ambassador. I'm not the ,aster, so I don't make up the rules. There is one God, and it's not me! All that He requires from a servant is obedience-there is nothing more I can add. Being an ambassador opens up opportunities. The more God can trust me, the more He will entrust to me. So anything less than obedience means I risk missing out on precious pieces of His plan for me.
When I see myself through God's eyes, I realize my calling and that He has a unique place for me. If I am driven to do more than my calling, then I'm not being the me God designed. If I am so busy trying to be someone else, then who is being me? If in fear I do less than my calling, I miss out on the adventure of being me. Nothing more and nothing less will gain God's applause for me. Decide to make the decision: God, I will be whom You created me to be. Nothing more, nothing less, than being the best possible unique me! I am deciding to line my life up with Your view of me. I choose a connection with You so I can connect to what You have for me.
Today, decide that you will decide. Don't let life happen-make life happen! Decisions move you forward by a series of wise choices. Decide to choose. Victorian novelist George Eliot wad ahead of her time when she wrote, "It is never too late to be what you might have been." Decide to be different. Decide to make things different.

ANOTHER PROOF OF GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

THE LORD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS PROMISES - Psalm 145:13

Today's activity was the releasing of clearance for graduating students at school. It was the moment every one was waiting for because we would know if we would all be cleared for graduating (which would definitely lessen the tension while waiting for graduation), plus, we would be informed through the small clearance slip if we would be graduating with or without honors.

I and my family have been praying for this achievement. However, if I failed to have this, it's still all right. Ever since I was a child I learned to value accomplishing my studies with honors. I didn't want to "just" accomplish things, I wanted to achieve something, something that would be an evidence of His faithfulness to me that I would definitely give all the praises and glory back to the Lord, the One who has been my partner in these chapters of my life. During my four years of study in college, He has been my guide and He knew all the hardships, challenges, and experiences I've undergone. I really thank Him for everything.

At the receiving room, I got nervous as there were only four students left before me on the queue. I was very glad for my two closest friends (the two students before me) when they received their clearance slips together with the announcement of the tourism chairperson "cum laude". 

Then, it was my turn. Confirmation of my full name, Isabelle Cruz Cortes. Yes Sir, Cortes with the S. You attended the graduation briefing? Yes, Sir. Done with Student Satisfaction Survey? Yes, Sir. He wrote my name on the clearance slip, stamped "CLEARED" on it, and gave it to me with these following words.."cum laude".

I JUST PRAISE AND THANK GOD FOR THIS WONDERFUL BLESSING. THIS IS ANOTHER TESTIMONY OF HOW FAITHFUL HE IS TO HIS PROMISES (PSALM 145:13). HE KNOWS THE DESIRES OF MY HEART AND I KNOW THAT IF I CONTINUE TO REMAIN A FAITHFUL AND COMMITTED SERVANT, HE WILL BLESS ME MORE AND MORE.

NO WORDS CAN DESCRIBE MY FEELINGS RIGHT NOW. I AM JUST SPEECHLESS OF THIS ANOTHER BLESSING FROM THE LORD. HE HAS PROVEN A LOT TO ME AND THIS TIME IT IS MY MOMENT TO GIVE BACK ALL THE PRAISES AND THANKSGIVING UNTO HIM ALONE. HE DESERVES ALL THE PRAISES!!

I couldn't wait to tell it to my parents! Yey! 

RANDOM THOUGHTS

It's already past one in the morning and yet I couldn't sleep. I wanted to rest but thoughts kept running through my restless mind..

Late Wednesday morning as I prepared myself for school for the consultation/giving out grades of our practicum supervisor, I noticed an LBC delivery item on the center table. I studied it carefully and confirmed that it was the Life Builder Series that I've ordered from CSM Publishing. I was already late for school but when I received the books, I couldn't help but open the package and browse the lessons inside. I was glad and thought that once I arrive from school, I'd inform the one who assisted me with my inquiry that I already received my orders and thank her for the assistance.

At school, good news awaited me. Though I was late for the consultation (it was only twenty minutes before 1400, the end of the first batch, but I didn't make it, so I'd have to wait for the next batch) which made me disoriented that moment, still I tried to maintain my composure. As I hurried towards our building, I spotted my two blockmates with their practicum reports. I entered the building and headed straight to our practicum supervisor's office. Waley! She's not there. I found my other blockmates seated near the photocopying center and stayed with them. I was quiet the whole time as I felt out of place with their group. I texted my other friend and later on spotted her. I stayed with the group but felt uneasy so I left the company. She spotted me standing in front of the administration's office, near the office of the practicum supervisor, and invited me to join them, telling me as if I wasn't a part of our section. Maybe I was just not in the mood to stay with them. My close friends were not around so until now it was still difficult for me to be with groups I didn't became close to.

Anyway, I thank God for the answered prayer of a good grade for this semester. I was able to see my grade, even though I haven't had the opportunity to talk with our practicum supervisor regarding some matters as I what I've expected the consultation would be, and I had my practicum report back..with its bottom part bitten by our supervisor's dog. Apologies accepted :). I also thank Him for healing me yesterday as I got sick for the third time this semester. I supposed it was caused by overwork or..lack of proper sleep and rest..just like tonight that I must be taking a rest already.

Still got lots of thoughts in mind but better share them in some other time. Gotta sleep now or else I'll prbably get sick...again.

Goodnight and God bless us all. :)

HE HAS GREAT PLANS, I KNOW

So far, my resume's seventy percent done, lol...still had to do a couple of edits and I could already have it printed. But, I got lazy this late afternoon. I couldn't stand long hours in front of the laptop, always thinking aside of how much energy I'd consume just surfing the internet.

I visited my Yahoo mail and surprised myself with a huge number of e-mails from JobsDB. I got hundreds of notifications regarding job hiring related to my field. I browsed IPAMS website again, trying if there would be any job hiring for cabin crew position. And yeah! There was one. Qatar Airways would be having a Female Open-Day Cabin Crew Recruitment Campaign on the 19th of March 2011. Unfortunately, it would be held in Cebu. And to add to this bad news for me, their minimum age requirement is 23 years old. 

Emirates Airlines, too, have their Open Days and Global Assessment Days. Unfortunately, Philippines was not included in their venues.

Seems that these announcements were not for me yet. Sometimes,  I get frustrated because we knew some of our friends would be landing a job after our graduation. One of my classmates got accepted and currently undergoing training as a flight attendant in Cebu Pacific. Another friend of mine was absorbed in a private air transport company she attended to for her OJT. What about me? Hmmm..They always tell me not to be in a hurry. Yes. I'm not. I was just preparing myself. While finishing my training at the airport, I just spend some of my time preparing my CV, browsing the internet for job hiring, etc. I also think about other options for work. Almost everyone knew that I wanted to work at once to be able to support my family. I have many plans for them.

However, there are many "what ifs" in my head as I ponder over this matter. What if no company would accept me? What if I got accepted in the position I long for, and failed to reach the expectations? The second "what if" bothers me because it speaks of my career path. Even though I long for the position of a cabin crew, at this moment I still consider finding a job that I would gain experience first. Probably, an office job basically..so that I would get myself familiar with the workplace first. I'm not really ready to work yet like going to different places..and I still can't imagine living independently, far away from my family. Of course, I'll undergo several trainings if ever God gave me that wonderful opportunity, but somehow I have a fear of getting out of my comfort zone. I mean, I'm not yet ready for these things.

Despite these fears, I know God has great plans for me. It's not just my time yet if . I wanted to work for my family. I wanted to have a good career. And I believe God prepared me the perfect career path. I'm just excited at the next thing God will do in my life. I'm waiting for His blessings. :)

TO-DO LIST

• Create resume and CV plus cover letter
• Search for job openings.
• Eat. 
• Update blogs and other accounts.

EXTENSION

We were asked to extend our duty until March 15 due to the lack of manpower..the fact that a number of senior agents were resigning already gave a hard time to the airport manager, thus requesting us to extend our stay at the airport. However, some of my friends already ended their 600-hour OJT and were not permitted to extend anymore. For the remaining five of us (all girls of UST), we got no excuse because we still got around 70 hours to complete. We were told not to report during nonflight days where we do nothing at the office. Instead, we were requested to report during flight days, when we were actually needed. The moment this thing was brought up during the briefing, the new employees to work for the company already arrived. I wondered why we were still extending when they've got new workers already. Then, I realized that they weren't that well-trained yet about the nooks and crannies of the operations, which will be a difficult time for all of them since they're still on their adjustment stage. They still needed someone like us to help them in simple things like going upstairs just to get some documents or radios, bag tagging, queuing, checking the weight of baggage, etc. So, without the student trainees, it would be a hard time for them because they got nobody to request some simple orders.

Anyway, lots of issues were discussed by us students regarding this matter. I wanted to stop, though. But, it's a good thing to share, too. I just wanted to release some of my bitterness over this experience.

We were even worried with our grades. I told them it's alright for me to receive no incentive for this extension as long as I'll have a good grade. I'm still bitter over the fact that I NEVER cheated with my work posts..unlike "some" who just choose not to do their work just because they didn't want to. Then, they get all the credit and appreciation because they're always like "in front of the crowd"..I call this act as "pabibo"..this was really unfair for us who exert much effort in doing our assigned tasks. Whenever I think of this, I just tell my close friends that God knew that we did our best, that we never cheated. This thought always gives me peace of mind whenever someone cheats that makes it unfair to me on the other hand. God knows every thing that I do. He knows everything.

Hmm..so much for this topic. Just wanted to share my "bitter" thoughts, lol. What I was just about to share that today was, I'm trying to do something productive today. I'll be creating my resume and CV and I'll try to find jobs already. I'm excited for the next big thing God will show me.:D