I am the SKY

Sheryl says, KAYA!


I didn't think I would be able to join this month's challenge. I couldn't think of a personal challenge except for the vague notion of scrapbooking my need to be known and recognized as my own person, not as a wife and a mother, but someone apart and beyond these titles. You can tell that it's quite sketchy so I gave it up. Until last Monday, something unfortunate happened at work. I won't go into the details but I think, I learned a lot from that episode. I am happy that I have not compromised my personal principles and beliefs, that despite the hurt and shame it caused me no matter how uncalled for, I stood my ground, filed a rather damaging but factual testimony with our HR about the person involved, and more than that, I would have the pleasure of NOT dealing, working, talking, breathing in the same air as he. Some well -meaning friends at work advised me that my resignation is running away; that sooner or later there is always that person who would take pleasure in other people's humiliation. But I know myself: I do not have the guts to cross common decency and courtesy. There is just so much I can take and I'd rather leave the company than get stuck in the same elevator with the person. I'm just really grateful I can afford it. My husband even drafted my resignation letter for me. :-)

The title is part of a mantra/quote from the Australian Indie movie "Why I Wore Lipstick to my Mastectomy". I have adapted it to be my personal mantra from the time the above incident happened. It's a very challenging mantra because it means I should rise above all my challenges, whether at work, at home, or with my social circles. I also understand it to being true to myself and never allow other people to tell me otherwise. Being formidable, relentless, brave in the face of my struggles and challenges. I owe it to myself to live a dignified and respected life.

But I think the best part of all this is the possibility of re-uniting with my beloved scrapbook materials. Hehehe Honestly, I missed scrapbooking. Now, I am happy to be back! :-)
Journaling:
"...nothing can stick to me. Planes fly through me. Storms roar past me. The sky is vast and open. It stays unchanged, no matter what happens to it."
--WHY I WORE LIPSTICK TO MY MASTECTOMY (2005)

It has been a difficult week. I never thought I would get affected by something, by somebody so much. I always see myself as a strong person, that I could weather anything and at the end of it all, stand victorious.
But Monday, May 26, 2008, past 3PM changed ALL that. To be humiliated in public, in front of your boss and colleagues, is bad enough; to be subjected to this experience because you did your job is the worst feeling in the world. The incident, unfortunate as it was, caused me to tender an immediate resignation though my boss and HR are yet to accept it.
And yet, looking back I realized it also did me good. I realized that I HAVE A CHOICE TO RID MYSELF OF NEGATIVE ENERGIES, PEOPLE INCLUDED. That I am lucky to have that choice, that compare with others before me, I do not have to suffer in silence. That I could stand up to anybody, no matter what their designations/ positions in life are because they wronged ME. I am brave. I am a woman. I will TRY to be THE SKY!

Materials:

CS: Basic Grey Scarlet Letter (in the forest, repose), Webster's Pages Sweet Charity collection, Prima Steel Toe Mary Jane collection, Fancy Pants Sweet Pea (Abigail),
Hambly Screeprints (scrapbook sonata)
Others: 7Gypsies Clips, Scotch Vellum Tape, UHU Stic, SA Kits, AC Thickers, Heidi Swapp Ghost Alpha
Becky Fleck's Pagemaps! (pp 85) Oh, this book is truly fantastic! :-)

About me:

Soon-to-be a WAHM. Happy Mama to Lilaa and Maia, wife to my one big love. Rekindled my love affair with Scrapbooking in May 2006. I c0-own and co-manage an online bookstore Bookoto.com with a good friend Julie Kelly. I hope to scrap some more in the coming days, weeks and hopefully finish Maia's first year album before her birthday comes. :-)