Goodbye... for now
I would like to thank all of my classmates and professor! I had a great experience growing with you and learning with and from you all. I am just quite sad that I will not be able to join you next term as I was advised by my academic adviser to take a leave since I am going to give birth on the first or second week of October. I will surely miss having you as classmates but I am still looking forward to hopefully crossing paths with all of you again.
Again, thank you for all your help, advice, suggestions and sharing. God bless you all!
Adjourning
The most difficult time I experienced "adjourning" with a team/group was when I left the University of the Philippines, Department of Family Life and Child Development. I think I had great difficulty saying goodbye was because this was where I felt I grew the most, cognitively, emotionally and professionally as I have experienced ups and downs in this department. The department recruited me as soon as I graduated and stayed there for 7 years. I studied in the University of the Philippines from Kindergarten until my undergraduate program and working there seemed to be so natural for me. I also took my masters in the same University while I worked there and the Campus seemed to have been my comfort zone.
Leaving my comfort zone was a very difficult decision for me especially since the Department and I shared the same vision and advocacy to help young children reach their maximum potential holistically and train future teachers who will do the same. But, I had to resign since I was pregnant and felt that the work load in the department will prevent me for providing the time I needed to care for my family. Family is my priority, work just comes next so I had to make the decision and look for another job that will require less time at work. I cried when I resigned from the department and found it very difficult to say goodbye. Having a goodbye party thrown for me made it easier. I think, the party and my exit interview provided the closure I needed. I still miss the department but I am no longer sad. I found that there is also "life" outside the department.
