Between the Past and Present

Today was absolutely crazy and really, really awesome. It's been 1 month since I've left Dice but I'm starting to acclimate well to my new surroundings.

Today was a day I had to go to the office and I played Girls' Generation's Genie EP. Listening to it was really, really cute. It brings me back to my time in high school where I would play Need For Speed: Shift on my PSP and just race while playing the entire Genie EP. I saw a Reddit comment that talked about Boyfriend and it made me miss that song since I haven't heard it in years or so. But commuting to work while playing the EP was so nostalgia-inducing.

While I was going to the office, my final pay from Dice had been processed and I honestly couldn't believe it. It was such a relief because I was able to settle ALL of my outstanding credit card debt with it. Okay, maybe not all of it since my iPhone was still on installment, but I was able to clear all of the accrued debt I had from 2024 (from spending it all on food while staying up with someone, and other stuff). It was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. It put me in high spirits and I was able to book an upcoming event with it, as well as give back to my Mom and sister for supporting me this past Jan and Feb. I also had some food and coffee at Starbucks to help me feel better, also since I skipped breakfast today.

Work went on as usual and I got to eat with the team I was with last week. We mostly joked around and they told me this thing that was viral in TikTok about a weird wedding where the bride scammed the event catering company and organizers, and the husband was under some love potion-trance-thing the whole time. Super weird story. We talked about it until we returned back to the office. I was pretty productive when I got back to work. I finished all of my pending tasks and I followed up on a few things. My shift eventually ended a few hours later. After work, I went to Glorietta to buy myself an ILLIT album (another I'LL LIKE YOU variant) and a new keyboard! I honestly couldn't believe it but I got a Cinnamoroll keyboard. It looks so girly compared to my black Corsair keyboard that I've had for 5 years. In my defense, my keyboard is honestly broken and it's been broken ever since I spilled coffee or water on it last year. I originally planned to get a PS5 buuuuttt I wanted the PS5 Pro and I didn't have money for that, so I just held it off and bought the keyboard.

While I was buying the keyboard, Nicole sent a message in our Discord group and it was a pic of them, including Beni, at the Dice 10th year anniversary event. Nicole asked me to come there now and I wanted to book a ride. The ride there was quick and I was immediately at Seda BGC. I was welcomed by some of the associates at the floor entrance and, while I was late, I was able to find a seat at a table.

The event was so sudden but I'm honestly glad I attended. Dice had a look back at some of their past events and I saw myself in the old pics. I also saw someone in some of the old pics and it kind of pulled on my heartstrings to see her face again. It made me feel a bit sad and lonely that I'm not able to tell her what happened today. She would've loved to see the ILLIT album and the Cinnamoroll keyboard. Oh well, whatever, I still watched the EVP and listened to Miss Jaana talk about how Dice has been and the presentations were also awesome. We ate some food and I was able to use that time to talk to some of my former coworkers. A lot of them were really shocked but also happy to see me. I greeted Miss Jaana and Sir Aldrich, and it was funny because I just saw the both of them last Sunday and Miss Jaana also pointed that out. After eating, they unveiled their plans for the next 10 years and it was a big plan to expand Dice. I'm honestly thrilled and happy for them. They also presented the new companies that would be under Dice by having a performance group do a light and smoke show and I was so amazed because I've never seen a dance performance with this much light.

At the back of my head, I had a feeling of sadness as the award ceremony was going on and the people who have stayed for a long time at Dice were given this plaque. Had I just postponed my resignation to later this May (my would-be-6th year), I would be on that stage right now with my 5th-year plaque. But then I thought about my current circumstances and I'm happy to be where I am now. I've worked hard to get here and I made the right choice. I messaged this in our Discord group and Beni also believes that he made the right decision, as staying longer would make it harder and harder to leave. Ultimately, I put those worries aside and just enjoyed the present, and this night!

They had a few more presentations and final remarks before ultimately having the live band sing songs as we partied amongst ourselves. I caught up with my former coworkers, greeted them, asked them how they're doing, how's the DevOps in Dice now that I'm gone, etc. I caught up, danced, sang my heart out. I also took many photos with my friends and coworkers, especially Dicey Memes and with Max. The party went on and I kept partying until the live band played their last song and the people that remained had started to pack up and leave. I booked a ride home and I got home fairly quick.

My sister was shocked to see my new keyboard and I honestly couldn't believe this day. March has been such a blessing and I was able to go above and beyond this week. I think I said it right when I said that March was just filled with blessings for me. Ultimately, I'm happy of where I am in life and how I ended up here. While I may miss the past every now and again, I am happier here, today.