Hey, it's been a while.

6 years of hiatus. Is it boredom that leads me back to write again in my blog space? Partly yes. But really, it is my penchant and addiction to keep history and memories in a more solid, concrete way. So after, what has happened? 

2013 - ended my contract with a project in Tarlac and after 4 years, went back again to to the hustle and bustle city living in Metro Manila

2014 - started a regular job with RTI International via the LuzonHealth project as a eHealth / mHealth advisor. Shifted from doing EMR development, deployment and maintenance in health centers with more general developmental work in ICT (aka ICT4D) in eLearning, health human resources data analysis, adolescent health info dissemination platform, digital mapping (aka GIS, spatial programming) and #DHIS2 (oh yeah!). Spent the 3/4 of the year travelling from Novaliches to Ortigas via the hellish MRT1 line. Spent the last 1/4 in San Nicolas, Pasig. Cut the travel time from 2.5 hours to 30 minutes. 

2015 - Still doing the same type of work with LuzonHealth. Family moved from Tarlac to join me in Pasig. For this year, we are a true family. Yza began her formal schooling in LICS and weekend routine is Palatiw-CCF-Greenhills-Megamall-Palatiw. Began travelling in provinces outside Metro Manila such as Cavite, Albay, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan for work. Had my last haircut in May 2015. Also last time I visited home in Novaliches. 

2016 - First 1/4 of the year is doing 2015 routine. Everything has changed in May 1, 2016 when we learned that my wife is pregnant with our second child. The family has decided to break up again as my wife and daughter needs to go back to Tarlac as the pregnancy starts. Summer of 2016 saw the difficult 1st trimester of wife, initiation of my brief jersey selling business and consistent trips from Pasig to Divisoria. I leave alone in a house that was supposed to be for 5 people. Still travelling to and from Metro Manila to project sites in provinces. Ended the year preparing for a tough start of 2017. Finally deployed a big, nationwide IT project in medical education. 

2017 - Another blessing came in the form of Alistair Isaiah (born January 10, 2017). Stayed in Tarlac for January until early February to help in child rearing tasks. Heart-broken that I need to leave my wife to solely tend for our two kids to work in Pasig. Deployed my software thesis in Pateros from March to April and defended it in UPOU on May. Just before the end of the 1st half of 2017, I already had 2 major successes (i.e. son and a masters degree finally). Summer of 2017 is real damn tough as I need to vacate my super comfortable home and shift to a uncomfortable, insect-infested bedspace unit in Pasig. Glad that I have been travelling outside Metro Manila that I didn't have to stay there most of the time. Decided to leave after two months and went back to my first home in Pasig in San Nicolas (thanks to Ma'am Marissa) in June. Began acquiring a house and lot property for the family. Obtained my masters degree in September. Participated in our company's biggest loser challenge in August and after 3 months (December), won the 2nd place by melting 13 kilos (103 to 90 kgs).  2017 is such a blast! 

2018 - "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end". Closing and wrap up time for the project. Mixed emotions as I was looking forward for the next opportunities and changes. Sad as well as my 9 years stint with RTI is coming to a close. Family is growing with more responsibilities propping up each moment. Transferred to new home mid-year. Last 1/4 of the year is engaging in my new work in Baguio as well as starting a doctorate degree on the same city.

2019 - Learning new stuff in my current work. Been doing telephony and system administration most the time. Learning new stuff in doctorate classes such as blockchain and data mining and data analysis techniques and tools. Became acquainted with Baguio-Tarlac lifestyle every week. On my way to third semester in school and 7th month at work. Loving Baguio's weather, food and non-toxicity. Still writing down the upcoming 66% of 2019. (to be continued...)

So that's it! 6 years worth of activities in one blog post.