the good in goodbyes? yes, there is!

flashback, may 2, 2002. i wrote the article below and emailed it to my office friends. the next day, around 3 people from other divisions na nakasalubong ko told me, "i liked your article." it was apparently circulated among my friends' network of friends as well. that should have felt good, however, it was not enough to cover the sadness of the announcement that day: the company that we're working for is closing down.

that news simply meant we had to say goodbye to a lot of things we've come to enjoy, love, and live with. especially friends. for an ambitious undergrad who's about to lose his job, this also brought the fear of the unknown.

fast forward, august 2009. i would say that the lowest times of your life could bring out the best in you. but i guess, only if you would allow it.

sharing this with you guys. i'm tempted to edit this to improve on some parts, but decided to keep it as is. i just took out the lyrics part.

*.*.*.*.*.*

7 Years

Have you heard of South Border's latest release, entitled 7 Years? If not, just read the lyrics below. It's a sad song about a love affair, which, after counting seven long years for its existence, it had to end. A classic example of the saying that everything, either good or bad, whether we like it or not, really must end.

It is but timely that I write about (and share with you) the longest affair I have ever had. Yes, it's been seven years too. My affair with Innodata started March 27, 1995. Or maybe a few days earlier if I should count the days allotted for the exams, the interview and the contract signing.

I could still remember the essay question in the exams: "How do you see yourself in 5 years?" Blame it on the youth's idealism, my answers were more of the assertive type. Not just because I wanted to impress the people at the recruitment section, but because I was really full of high hopes with this then would-be relationship. Luckily, at least 80% of what I foretold I was able to achieve. Among others, I was promoted, I am earning a 5-figure salary, I am self-sufficient, and somehow, apart from meeting my needs, I was able to obtain some of my wants. On the contrary, I am still single today and I have yet to finish my college degree.

If only to give credit to whom it is due, what I have become today and what I have achieved I attribute to my having an affair with Innodata. Would you believe me if I said I was wearing a 29-inch waistline denim when I first reported for work? Seven years after, I am proud to say that my waistline is 5-inch larger, thanks to the daily doses of MTP's and the now-defunct Recto's viands. I can only imagine my taste buds holding their placards asking for a
change in my diet. <smiles!>

When I was seven years my junior, I was only equipped with the most basic knowledge in computers. I barely knew that there are a lot of ways to create a document other than WordPerfect. I was not even told that a mouse is not just a synonym for rodent. Was I that ignorant too to think that adobe was merely a type of brick or clay? Or that AC/DC (ACDSee) is just a colloquial term for a bisexual?

During the course of the past seven years, I was introduced to Bill Gates (not personally, though) and his Microsoft. No, they were not third parties to the affair. They merely acted as accessories to it. I have learned that one need not be a nerd to be able to use a computer. I have gained basic knowledge on how to utilize softwares such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and lately, Outlook. I have learned to reach out to others faster through e-mail. I have met virtual friends through mailing lists and even tapped my knack for writing. This one, for example.

I admit, just like in most relationships, there were times of trials before when I felt that I wanted to get out of this affair. Pressures would come every now and then. Thus, every now and then, too, I am tempted to break free. But my love for Innodata have always taken the best of me that is why this relationship still exists up to now.

The past year saw the most tumultuous stage of this affair. Nevertheless, I kept holding on, hoping against hope that we will overcome the problems that we were experiencing. I even consented to travel to another facility just to help the organization in transfering its projects. I traded one semester (my last one, supposedly) in school just for this purpose, keeping in mind that I am doing this because I love my job.

Despite of all this, I could sense that nothing has changed. Or maybe there was, but not for the better. What was a beautiful love story before just turned out to be a suspense-thriller now. Lately, it has become a roller coaster ride for me. After all the loops and turns, I am pretty sure the ride will end, but I just can't predict when. And I am more sure that I will endure the ride, so until then, I will remain holding on.

Believe it or not, I am not a pessimist. I just know trouble is near when I see the early warning signals. Will this affair finally end after seven years? Probably. I could see it coming. But then, whether this affair will end sooner or later, I am thankful that it ever existed for seven long years. At least, it was not a one-night stand.

@>~ @>~ @>~ ~oOo~ ~<@ ~<@ ~<@
                 RODEL & INNODATA
                       1995 - 2002 (?)
@>~ @>~ @>~ ~oOo~ ~<@ ~<@ ~<@