Dreaming about the future

Dreams can really be confusing. The kind you get from sleep; though dreams like hope can be confusing-ish too. They can be happy or sad. Comforting or frightening. Some feels like it goes on forever while others are cut too short. But the most confusing ones are the ones that feel like it might be predicting something about the future. In my case, they're not necessarily recurring but rather those that inexplicably come up and feel like they hold some important value.

My favorite one was when I dreamt of my nephew. I only had one niece at the time and no nephew. But anyway, in the dream, we were in a brand new house (I think it was my sister's). As I enter the house, I rush straight to the kitchen window where there's a nice view of the back porch and yard. 2 girls (presumably my nieces) around the ages of 5 and 7 years old were sitting on the hanging bench with their backs on the window. I open the window and jokingly teased the girls because they didn't say hi to their "favorite" auntie. Then the girls turned around and beamed up smiling then started yelling hi. A few minutes later the front door opens and its my sister and her husband carrying a newborn baby boy. We all settle in the kitchen and start crowding around the baby.

I had this dream while I was living by myself in another country. Needless to say, I was homesick. But it's always been my favorite because it reminds me how lucky I am to have a family that's growing healthily and happily. I also really like it because in the dream, there actually was someone else with me as I entered that house. I couldn't remember the face or the name (if it ever came up) but it felt like the guy is my boyfriend who's made my family like his own.

Ever since then, I told myself by the time I get a nephew (or become a 3rd time aunt) I should be getting a boyfriend. Now I am gonna be a 3rd time aunt and it is gonna be a nephew. Just a few more days till the proud moment!! Of course not everything in the dream became true. For instance, I now do have 2 nieces but one from my sister and one from my brother. In the dream both nieces felt like they came from my brother. In real life, its my sister-in-law who is giving me a nephew and not my sister. The age of the girls are quite a few years off. And my sister's house doesn't have a back porch; nor does my brother's. So really the only things that were correct were the orders of the children: 2 girls and 1 boy. But I'm still hoping that the mystery guy does show up sometime before baby #4 from whichever sibling arrives.

Now here's the kicker. A few days after having that dream. I had another one that was more like a puzzle. I'm not sure how it started and what it was really about. The only reason it stuck to me till now was because when I woke up, I yelled out the numbers 3-1-4. I kept trying to figure out what it meant. Obviously not lottery numbers. Not related to anything I was dealing with at the moment or something I might've recently encountered. The only conclusion I got was it somehow could be about March 2014 or possibly even March 14th itself. I don't know anyone born that day. But for now, I just tell myself something important will happen then.

So putting those together. I'll definitely be happy if on March 2014 I found my mystery guy. Or I guess with my most recent situation, I'd be very happy if CD does become my mystery guy.

All we need is a friend

Sometimes all we need is a good friend who's willing to listen to your crap and be on your side no matter what. I'm so glad that I have this kind of person in my life. Several, in fact, but like any other friendship different paths in life causes less communication. I don't blame us or our life choices. I'm just glad that during this time when my best friends feel a little distant, I have suddenly have another person I can rely on, especially at work.

It's kinda unexpected really. She's a nice person and really funny and easy to get along with but I never really saw us being close. We have more in common I guess in that we both love to tease and joke around but when it gets to serious stuff we're there for others more often than not. This is the same co-worker who was the first to notice when I had that really bad day. She looked for me the whole shift and then whenever she found me, she would repeatedly ask if I was okay. Then at the end of the shift, she texted me to see if I was fine. I've never met a person who's very caring as her when I never really thought we were that close.

Today we got paired to work on several projects and its probably my favorite shift of all time. We chatted a lot but we didn't get scolded because we were still faster than everyone. It helps that she already knows I like CD and we got to talk about him a lot. But what really made me happy was when she told me her thoughts about that person who complained about my getting more shifts. It still bothers me and I wanna know who but she managed to boost my confidence with simple words. We were actually talking about promotions and she wondered why I didn't apply yet. I said that I didn't want to unless they approached me because I don't want that jealous co-worker to think I'm being superior/snobbish again talking about promotions. She just paused there and then and started saying something like this:

What does that person care. If she/he can't perform at your level, he/she has no right to complain. And really at the end of it all, when everyone doesn't know what to do who do they go to but you. You're practically team lead by default.

So I really just beamed up when I realized that there are people who recognize my ability. And hearing this from another capable person just made me feel better. I'm 100% enjoying my job again. I won't let that jealous co-worker get inside my head any more. I'll just work my well deserved shifts and continue appreciating friends like this girl.

What to do, what to do

The more I tell myself I don't like him, the more I find myself trying to stare at him. Its seriously confusing.

I know I really miss hanging out with him after work but its pretty much impossible now coz of 1) his higher position and 2) jealous co-worker making more complaints. So I'm trying not to miss him by acting strictly as co-workers. But I think its backfiring. Less interaction with him makes me anticipate him more. I also end up talking about him more to others. It's a lot like someone going on a diet; the more they avoid the food they're trying to give up, the more they crave it.

I think my hopes went up again with the possibility of a promotion. Not only would we be the same level (and dating would be allowed), we'd have more reason to hang out now. At least it'd be fair game for me to decide if I still like him then. Anyway, my best friend who is a supervisor in a different department told me that several other supervisors like me and my own direct ones have recommended me. Although there is no current spot that's open, I can see it opening up some time in May/August for the back-to-school madness. However, it's possible that I'd also start school then. I'm not quite sure if I can handle full time school and work. Especially since this program is intensive with 1.5 years worth of schooling crammed in 30 weeks. But at the same time, 10 of those 30 weeks are meant for practicum so no test/homework... meaning just 20 weeks of no real sleep.

It would be awesome to be promoted but I've long gone gave up on it because I seriously thought I was just gonna quit once school starts. But after all this, I feel like I still want to get to know CD. So if I am staying and really want to get to know him some more, promotion is the only way to go. This would really get rid of those problems I mentioned above since 1) we'd be same positions and 2) be jealous if they want, I'm their supervisor now and my hours are fixed so they can't complain.

Still doesn't answer if I should continue liking him. Bah! I almost wanna leave it to fate. Its like, if I get promoted then I go ahead proceed liking him. If I don't, hasta la vista and move on.

A not so new year resolution

Back in the days, I did make a list of resolutions every new years. I'd probably have about 10 things in each list. To summarize, I've probably only successfully accomplished 3 of those and it wasn't even on the year I made it for.

1.) Get my driver's license. Pretty sure I promise this myself at 17 and I did get it only it expired and I haven't really tried again until I was 20.
2.) Lose weight and maintain the ideal weight. Still an on going project and probably forever will. Lost roughly 30 lbs since my university graduation. 15 more lbs till I reach my ideal weight.
3.) Live abroad by myself. This was more of a bucket list but I added it officially on my resolution list after grad. Who knew a few months later it'd come true. South Korea is now my 3rd home.

Hopefully to add a fourth one on the accomplished resolution list is to learn how to play a musical instrument. It's pretty hard as no one in the family has any musical talent. Nor was it ever fostered. It's not that we couldn't afford it but it certainly wasn't a priority. Since I now have free time and am blessed by God by not having any debts, I think its time to make that resolution come true. I'm borrowing my best friend's guitar for now since we're sorta on the same boat... wants to learn how to play an instrument but its not a priority thus guitar is now collecting dust. If I really do get into it, you bet I'll be buying my own.

Learning will be difficult as I absolutely haven't retained any info from my last music class which was way back in elementary. I'll have to learn how to read a sheet music; somehow translating those notes into sounds on the guitar; remembering finger positions and how to make what chord; tuning my ear to tell the difference between pitches and other musical terms you can think of. It'll really be from scratch basically. Now, I don't intend to be a genius composer/song-writer here but the gist of this resolution is to be able to play my favorite songs.

This passion honestly stems back from listening to OPM songs. I find it to be more soulful, the lyrics do make you emotional and the instrumentals are more eloquent. Even if someone didn't understand Tagalog, I think they can tell from the singer's voice and the instruments what emotion is being conveyed. So it makes sense that the first song I want to be able to play is OPM.

Forevermore by Side A is my ultimate favorite OPM which I sing over and over again on my karaoke. Sure, I might've botched up the song but I love it so much that I don't care. CD happens to like this song too but he plays it on the guitar, not sing it. (Lemme say it now that I'm learning how to play the guitar / this song not because of CD but for me)

Hopefully I'll be able to make a video of me playing this song on the guitar. I promise no singing involved!

Crab in a bucket

So I just found out a few days ago that a certain co-worker of mine took my joke too seriously and used it to complain about his/her lack of shifts. I know I've been getting a lot but its not like that's in my control. I didn't even know other people had that much less shifts than me and when I did, I joked that "maybe coz I'm the favorite". Pretty low ball of that co-worker to use my joke to try and get more shifts.

My supervisor was very patient explaining to me that I should try not to make jokes like that and also watch out for 2-faced people. Then he started mentioning that its all crab mentality, some people just like to aim for the successful ones. I'm really glad he's on my side with this. Coz joking aside or not, I'm aware (and so are my supervisors) that I can definitely do my job in an efficient and timely manner plus positive attitude and that alone is the reason for my many shifts.

Anywho, so I sorta spent the next couple of days sulking about which co-worker was this. I have a person in mind but my supervisor said no (not sure if he was just saying that though). I try to think back what he said exactly and since he did mention about being "2-faced", I'm now concerned its actually someone close to me. It still bugs me now but after having one-on-one time with each supervisor, including CD, I feel much better. I apologized to them if it made them look bad but they were actually concerned for me. The female supervisor actually told me they were all worried how to bring up this issue to me. So I was touched that they cared and immediately knew that this was all bullshit.

However due to the freshness of this issue. I am trying to distance myself from all supervisors, especially CD. I don't wanna give that co-worker another excuse to make me look bad just coz I happen to get along with everyone. I was pretty sad with the thought at first but this is probably for a good reason. I don't over-think as much when it comes with CD. I might just be able to fall out of crush for him and still be good friends with him. I really wouldn't wanna lose that guy as a friend after all.

[January 14, 2014 UPDATE]
There was a huge announcement that one of the supervisors is moving to another department. Although I already figured that out by piecing together some recent events. Anyway, one of the co-workers who became my first friend there joked that I should be the next supervisor. See? Even non-supervisors see my hard work and efforts. But I immediately made a sour face and shook my head. Why? Coz the co-worker I first suspected of complaining was sitting beside me. I didn't wanna give her the idea that I'm now after a higher position. I really am not since its pointless coz once I'm back in school (by May hopefully), I'll be working less shifts. But at the same time, if they really did offer me the position, I'm willing to work and study full time.

I should probably keep my mouth shut

This whole trying to be discreet thing is not working out anymore. More and more people are figuring it out and I'm having a harder time weasling my way out of this.

First is a female co-worker who knew how I felt about CD (crush dude). She actually didn't think I was serious and was so shocked when I was a little affectionate during the Christmas potluck. My defense was that he's my ride home and need to make sure he's functional.

Second, though he didn't say it, the host of the potluck and the guy who always joked he'd find me a boyfriend (was even willing to give both of his sons to me) seems to be trying to pair me up with CD. He's hosting another party and he invited me then mentioned that he'll invite CD too. He didn't mention inviting our gay co-worker though who he knows I'm pretty close with as well. So it's like he's siding with me and giving me my chance without feeling guilty.

Third, just a single conversation. Probably the first really with this older lady co-worker. She immediately blurted out that I had a crush on CD. Apparently I talked about him a lot during that allotted time. I didn't bring him up though. She was the one talking about cute guys at work and another female co-worker brought his name up. Then I just brought up the topic about that supervisor who joked about me and him going out. I also mentioned his car a lot coz I really do like it. So somehow I got to segue and say I have a crush on his car. LOL!! But I have to be more careful now because I think she is on a prowl and wants to catch me. She did say I should "go for it", to which I replied "I'm the girl here, he should be the one asking me out". And I don't mean that in a traditional male/female roles but rather my romantic fantasy kicking in.

It'll be a huge challenge since this whole week we have the same shifts. Plus the party will be on Thursday and I don't know if I really do wanna go, whether he's going or not. After how things ended for my gay friend during the last party, I'm a little afraid. I really don't wanna make things awkward at work. And I definitely don't wanna be overthinking more than I already am.