From the former L.I.P. Queen, a salute to SISC

After five years, seven months, and thirteen days, I am now an ex-L.I.P. Queen.

I still can not believe that I underwent the process of resignation – I gave the notarized letter; then I got my acceptance letter days after. I did turnover of all my accountabilities, underwent an exit interview, processed my exit clearance, and eventually, handed over my clearance to Accounting.

I still felt those were just the ordinary days in the office – juggling many tasks at hand. But when my brother came to get my plastic cabinet full of my personal stuff to bring it home, it hit me: I AM REALLY LEAVING. There’s no turning back.

All of a sudden, I felt the hurt that I had been hiding during the day (I only cry at night sometimes during the past month). So before I start to cry, I walked back to our office.

Did I ever imagine myself being in this situation? I didn’t, although I gave myself five years to stay. Somewhere along those years, I really thought of staying longer. And why not? It’s only thirty-minute ride to and from the house; People are cheerful and friendly. When problems arise, we face it altogether. We celebrate all victories; we immediately pick up the pieces after a failure. We even face possible challenges even before it happens.

And uh, I became as famous as my LIPs (who actually have its own publicist. Okay, I’m kidding).

Like what one of the principals said, it is in SISC that I found not only a job, but a home.

But I guess, even if one’s heart wants to stay, there are other opportunities that come along. Even kids, who become adults, eventually leave the comforts of their home to become better and stronger persons.

It was not an easy decision, though. I thought of its implications. I thought of my parents and brother in the perspective of a provider. I also thought of my colleagues, friends, career, life.

And most of all, I thought of my L.I.P.s. Who will take care of my almost 300 babies?

And so after two weeks of sleepless nights, countless times of asking advice from selected few, deliberations with my family, and nightly crying sessions with Bro, I gave that signed letter.

And after a month, here I am. No more L.I.P. Queen title at hand.

I will miss the challenges, opportunities, tasks, happy days, bad days, worst days, crazy days, rush-ian days, right-here-right-now days, fun people, creative people, wacky people, difficult people, brilliant minds, L.I.P.s, WPS, KRAs, TQM, all the other acronyms (you know what they are), victories, defeats, culture, speak English, Stars, Hearts, Laurels, Elizalde, Luxembourg, Munich, Tropical, faculty, non-teaching, and students.

But no matter what, SISC will continue to make a difference and solidify its leadership in the academe (and the world).

As I relinquish my crown to my successor, let me say my humble and heartfelt gratefulness in different languages: Männlich. Diolch. Merci. Gracias. Arigato. Grazie. Ngiyabonga. Thank you. Salamat.

See you around.

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The blogger is a former Human Resource Development Specialist in Southville International School and Colleges. To know more about SISC, click here.