FOOTPRINT IN THE SAND
“I wish that I could say that I have completely pulled myself through this period of not knowing who I am, however in contrast, the struggle to regain solid ground has been all uphill and the burden of feeling lost in my world became magnified, more confused, and a period of testing that I am not even sure how I survived this time, except by the grace of God and the support of my family and friends. I am confident, however, that these trials that I have been going through are going to work out for the good, eventually.”
Way back July 19, 1992 around 10 in the morning, my Mom gave birth to me in a public hospital in Taguig. Mr. Gene C. Jetomo and Mrs. Susan L. Jetomo named me as their youngest daughter, Joyce. As my mom told me, I was a joyful and bouncing baby girl weighted 9 pounds, covering my body of light complexion and a quite long-black curly hair. I have 2 siblings, my sister Irene, was a very supportive one since I’ve been part of the family and my brother Mark Anthony which is a studious and always kept on teasing me when I am still young.
Several days passed, certain growth can be seen obviously in my way of crying and moving. Conceivably, it was the result of my mom’s sleepless nights of breastfeeding and keeping me safe while I was still awake at night.
At the age of six, I started to go in Kindergarten in Ciriaco P. Tinga Elementary School in Taguig. It was also the start of my life being a student. I still remember the time that I was crying because my mom is about to leave me in the classroom. Ever since I was a child I was more of being realistic, I never care to be happy if that would only resulted to senseless things. I care more about my dreams, on my future and not what is in the present. For me letting the time to elapse is craziness.
To be journalist is my dream, a journalist who is not just a journalist in name but who will write or report what is unseen, unknown by our naked eye. I think the most important characteristic to have as a journalist is honesty. This is very important to have because if you lie about information in your story it sets you up for a possibility of being sued. Perhaps that was the reason I chosen to give up the fantasy world of being a child. And turn my world on its harder part.
I worked so hard and even forced myself to reach even the things which are beyond my limitation. I never learned to complain maybe because I enjoyed what I was doing and that was my own will somehow. When someone pushes me to do something which I don’t like, I certainly tell it to him so that he won’t get disappointed, but sometimes I do it because I think I’m doing something not just for my own, rather for the sake of others. I bear in mind that matter when my Dad told me that I have to learn to do such things for the sake of others, probably for their own good. It’s quite good to help others; it’s a bit satisfying after helping them.
Studying in the same school in Taguig, I started my first grade as an active student of the class. I assure myself to pursue my talent in declamation that made me first place in the competition I have joined. I’ve been active in my school especially in writing in our School Paper. At that time, I was also the representative in Division and Regional School Press Conference. I can write both Editorial and Feature articles. Fortunately, I brought home the bacon in the said Press Conference. When I graduated, I am very proud for my family to have flying colors. I know it was just another stepping stone in my career.
That conquest gave me another inspiration to strive harder…
Long break seems turned to a very short period of time. I started the higher level and became friendlier as I am. Four years in high school was quite difficult not because of the restless time doing my homework and other extracurricular activities and terror teachers but because of those unforgettable things that really made me strong. My persistence was tested to all forms of biases, favoritism and other forms of immature deeds. That time I tend to give up but my mother tapped me on my shoulder. My mom served as my motivation and my vigor at the time I was crossing the bridge. I still worked hard for myself and for my family; I just choose to close my eyes while I was travelling in that short but dark part of my life. I just covered my ears and pretended I heard nothing but angelic voices. It was Him.
Another footprint in the sand…
Being a college student is pretty hard for all of us. All we have to do is to open those strange doors for us to succeed. For me, these strange doors are opportunities that will come to us in most unexpected ways. It might give us hesitation or even confusion but one thing for sure, it will help us to grow and mold and later on to be a successful person somehow. Still, we can do all things better through Him who strengthens us. Just keep on believing and we’ll see in the end, we are triumph over even in the highest mountain that we can reach.
To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe. – Anatole France
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