Newbie. Novice. Neophyte. These are the words that may describe my stint here as I am in the process of unravelling the art of using language to tell the world the beauty of penning my thoughts into black and white, of sharing my experiences into fine prints, of telling my hopes, my dreams, and my aspirations, and of giving my views through my lenses in the way how I experienced and see the world before my very eyes.
You see, blogging has been otherworldly to me. It is a world where I lack the confidence and the courage to discover since I am well within and comfortable within the walls of my comfort zone. It is for these reasons I took my time before finally deciding to write this Intro Blog. I couldn't imagine the overflowing tons of encouragement I needed from my family and 
A YOUNG HUSTLER
When most of the kids were spending their time for leisure and sleep, you could see me in a flea market running errands as a young boy. Despite my tender body at 11 years old, I learned to earn a living and independently supported my education since 5th grade throughout my college life.
As a lad, I worked as a helper from a neighbor who happened to be an entrepreneur in a restaurant business. My daily routines usually began at 4 am to prepare their store and clean their home, went to class at 7 am-5 pm, and then back to work from 6-10 pm. These were my daily schedules. Not advisable for a child but that's how my life was.
Indeed, life was very difficult. I had the mind of an adult trapped in the frail body of a young boy. But being the eldest among three siblings, a son of an ordinary fisherman and a plain housewife, who were both young parents when they had me (father was 17 and mother was only 19), we had very little to almost NO opportunity at all to succeed. So, I took the initiative to help my parents in my little ways by taking full responsibility for my education and future at 11 years old. These had been my life. Play and leisure were elusive both in my childhood and in my youth, yet, I have no regrets at all. I AM GRATEFUL!
A SELF-MADE MAN
Despite my circumstances, I finished high school with flying colors. Immediately after graduation, I decided to join the workforce and the dream of pursuing a college degree was a sunset slowly fading its light and devoured by darkness. Doors were closed and shut for years! Without noticing, time had passed by and life was still not promising. Four years had gone by without any permanent job at all. I worked for one company after another, contract after contract. Until one day, an opportunity came knocking on my door. Little did I know, this was the chance I had been waiting for. I decided to apply as a service crew to Jollibee (a fast food chain) where opportunities to pursue a college education are welcome as a working student.
THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
Education was not given with utmost importance in the history of my family. My father was an elementary undergrad along with his 6 other siblings while only one managed to finish high school. Their parents and great-grandparents were proud farmers and fishermen with very little education. On the other hand, although my mom finished high school, no one from her side of the family had stepped within the college walls.
Robert Frost in his poem, "The Road Not Taken" penned,
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference."
Determined, I decided to enrol for college and took Secondary Education. Though uncertain if I could sustain my studies, I gambled. The only ticket I had was giving my best both to my work and my studies- work to sustain my education, and education to have better opportunities in the future. You see, juggling work and studies was beyond comprehension. The piling pressures of my job and the demands of my studies were physically, mentally, and financially exhausting. And the only thing that kept me afloat all those years was my spiritual belief- my FAITH TO GOD! There is no turning back. There is no other choice but to finish what I started. And no matter how difficult and how hard life was, I remained steadfast and resilient! I burned the midnight candles for as long as I could while also getting promoted in the company as an assistant to the manager.
ALAS! After four years of holding the rod, I finished my degree, purely self-supporting. The first in our bloodline! The first to reach college! The first to earn a degree! The first to break the chain! The first professional in the family!
I managed to poke holes big enough to pass through the walls that hindered their sights for generations. Somehow, I made my family, no, my whole clan proud!
A GOLDEN BEE
In the third year of my college education, I had pending offers as a teacher in a private school and as a manager in the company I worked with. I took the latter after finishing my degree since the job offer and pay scale were better. I had to be practical since my family was in dire need of help and took the responsibility to support them and sent my youngest brother to college until he finished his degree in commerce.
Over the years, while working in a fast food chain, I managed to remain productive in my work as a service crew and a manager. With the help of a motivated and wonderful team (both service crew and managers), we achieved unparalleled success in sales and service. We triumphed towards achieving the elusive GOLD STAR & HALL OF FAME AWARDS during my course as part of the team. These awards symbolized the epitome of success in this business. I enjoyed my stay and travelled to different places within the country as company incentives. Yet, MY HEART LONGS FOR SOMETHING ELSE.
THE TEACHING PROFESSION
Two years after graduating college and venturing my way as part of the management team, I decided to take the board exam for the first time. I was only self-reviewing while waiting for the March Licensure Examination schedule and after waiting for two months, the results were out and God showered His blessings! I PASSED the board exam in one take!
You see while navigating through life full of uncertainties where the journey takes me, God has been my compass all along. Month of August of the same year, with the green light given by my mentors in the company, I decided to apply as a public school teacher. And still, for the first time, I passed it and became part of the public teaching force in November of the same year.
Today, I have been teaching for almost 8 years in a public high school here in the Philippines. Looking back, I can only smile and be grateful for the bittersweet memories I have experienced in life. From a young boy who only knew work as a child to a lad who was inspired by his high school adviser to remain optimistic with life, now, a teacher! It is my turn to pass the bastion of hope and perseverance, to ripple the inspiration my 4th-year adviser instilled in my heart, to ignite the fire, to inspire, and to make a difference so that my students will never give up on their dreams so that they will keep on fighting, pushing, and hustling until the dawning light of success pierced through the windows of their dreams!
A REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON
The breaking point of my life happened when I was sending my brother to college while supporting my family at the same time. Additionally, when Typhoon Yolanda or "Typhoon Haiyan" wreaked havoc in our town, it took a toll on my finances. Our home and livelihood were devastated and prices of commodities and housing materials skyrocketed. I was drowning in debt during this period building a home for my parents while sending my brother to college. Literally, I was barely making ends meet. Buying food and basic necessities was even a struggle. I was living in a rat race for a couple of years before finally bouncing back and slowly building a financial house.
I learned the hardest lessons in my finances so I take this opportunity to help people build more assets. I started as a real estate agent in April 2022, bought my own house in August of last year, and eventually got recognized for a wonderful sales performance for the same year.
Now, I am helping clients build assets and teaching students for their lessons.
A HAPPILY MARRIED & EXPECTANT FATHER
No matter how pure our intentions are, you will never know what life blows upon you. You can only take the hit and get healed with it. After experiencing a devastating heartbreak and financial turmoil, I decided to take a break from a relationship and it took me almost six years to finally recover. Over those years, I decided to preserve myself and prayed for someone who deserves my love. Without gender bias, heartbreak affects differently in both sexes. And since I can only speak with my own experiences, I took it upon myself to great lengths, yet, I AM GRATEFUL.
Looking back, I realized that was necessary. The painful sharpening allows me to write a better and a beautiful story with the family I am building with my wife. Those morbid tales of yesterday have armoured me with stealth to protect, preserve, and fight for our marriage.
Now, I am happily married to my wife, Donna, and we are expecting our bundle of joy very soon. She's a nurse by profession by the way and we are both working in the field of education.
Indeed, life is full of twists and turns. I realized that if you remain rooted in the values engraved within your heart no matter what life throws upon you, God will answer your prayers. You may stumble and fall a lot of times but eventually, you will rise through the ashes.
Having said that, allow me to share with you what Alberta Vadnais wrote in her blog, "Prayer Of A Man For A Wife." It says,
"Lord, I pray for a woman of God, beautiful in heart, mind, and soul. May she be faithful, loyal, sincere, and noble in her thoughts and deeds. Grant her patience. Let her be filled with love, humility, and understanding for me and the family we will commit. Give me the wisdom to make and keep her happy and feeling protected. May she be one fearful in Your sight and be a woman faithful to prayer, praise, and worship for You our God. Let her heart be not worried or afraid of her past which is history and may her present self be in Your way of life. May she be devoted to prayer, and family life and know the values of a family of God."
MY HOBBIES
I find pleasure in reading, listening to music, and watching films or videos. Always a home buddy but I also find it exciting if someone initiates an adventure. I can spend a day or two admiring sunrise and sunsets, enjoying seascapes and landscapes while savoring the wind breeze damping through my skin with lullabies or birds chirping on the sides. Peaceful quiet moments are priceless. Productive conversation with friends and family unmindful of time, that I enjoyed most.
WHY I AM HERE?
After hearing the goodness that this platform has been given to Hivers, where everyone and anyone can give hope, spread kindness, and touch the hearts of millions of people- one reader at a time, my eagerness was ignited. I am looking forward to sharing with you more of my stories. In hindsight, I am grateful because you have kindled my spirit and enthusiasm to use the power of words to hopefully captivate the hearts of my readers. Together let’s make the world a better place for everyone through our words.
Thank you for taking the time to read my Intro blog. I am hoping for your zealous support in my journey here. This has been Mr. Nerie under the pen name, wordventures34, from Cebu, Philippines.
All the best!
Love lots.
