where i am

It came to mind.

Twelve months ago, I walked into the pantry to join the group in my first non-work related event only to find myself surrounded by people, the likes of whom I would normally disassociate myself with.

It was like a scene directly lifted from The House Bunny. You know that part when Anna Faris got stuck with the less popular girls? That's how I felt. Well, the people I am with, they're not losers. Not all of them, anyway. Rather, they seem to belong to the traditional breed of Finance persons - quiet, serious and vapid.

If anyone would have asked me then, I would have flatly said that my work sucks.

Nevertheless, I stayed despite the more lucrative offers that came my way. I chose to make the most out of my current employment. While it does not pay much, the non-monetary benefits that I reap are more than enough to keep me quite contented. I was once a King without a kingdom. Now, I feel like I have established an empire.

While there's still so much more to accomplish, I feel like I have shown what I am capable of, work-wise. In terms of camaraderie, I shall claim that I am the catalyst the department needed to get that extra oomph. I am the driving force behind the dinner and movie dates, coffee sessions, lunch outs, road trips and last-minute getaways this year. These bonding moments made our team more unified, and most definitely recognized as a fun group to be with. The stereotype no longer applies to them, to us.

In this regard, I have learned to appreciate my work, and most especially the people whom I work with. I wake up each morning anticipating what the day holds for me at the office. Are we going to have lunch at RCBC? Will we talk about A? When's the next gimmick?

The best work environment is one that fosters a good and harmonious relationship among team members. I'm lucky to be in one. I know because my work doesn't feel like work at all. I am having fun.

The HR partner, who was like, really pretty, paused before throwing back the question at me, "How are you?"

"I'm doing great. Everything's peachy," I readily answered. My words couldn't be any truer. Despite the occasional hassle and headache that normally come with any job for that matter, the relationships that I have forged, more than anything else, even the work itself, make the past year genuinely worthwhile.

For the first time in years, I feel like I belong. At this moment, I am where I'm supposed to be.

I am with the people whom I need.

*******

Celebrating my first year at work. Twelve months is a lifetime, in bunny years.