Today's my first year anniversary at work. I didn't think I would last this long, but I'm glad I did. There were a lot of things that were bothering me before about my job, and I didn't think I'd weather it out.

I owe it all to my colleagues. They're wonderfully understanding and they made my transition easier. When I left my old job, I was really depressed because I thought that I wouldn't be as close to my new colleagues as I was with my old colleagues.

My old colleagues and I always had fun together. Since our editor was not strict about work skeds, we'd go to Starbucks during office hours and smoke about a pack of cigarettes just talking about random stuff. We'd go to Greenbelt and take two to three-hour lunch breaks. I guess I could say that we've cultivated our friendship through fun activities.

I couldn't forget how bitter I was to leave it all behind. That was a year ago. Fast forward to a year later, I could say that I'm no longer unhappy. I've gotten quite close to my colleagues. Though we don't hangout with each other outside the office, we've bonded with each other really well. I guess it helps to have a difficult boss. If with old colleagues, the basis of our friendship was all about fun, with my new colleagues, it was all about stress.

We encounter a lot of problems in our line of work (or maybe it's just me because this is the first time I went corporate) and it takes out a lot on all of us. A difficult boss also adds tremendously to the stress. The only good thing that came out of the situation is that it brought us together. We cheer up each other, we encourage each other, and we support each other. Although I very much appreciate the kind of relationship I have with my old colleagues, I'm more grateful to my new colleagues because they have helped me more in terms of personal growth. My new colleagues made a stronger impact in my life.

This doesn't mean that I'm not at all grateful to my old colleagues. I AM VERY GRATEFUL. The time I spent with my old colleagues were two of the happiest years of my life. The only reason now why I'm more grateful to my new colleagues is because they were there for me during the hardest time of my transition period--meaning my first few months here at my new job. Those were the times that I needed friends the most.

My new colleagues do not know about this blog, but just the same, I want to thank them. Thank them for welcoming me into the group. And I want to thank my OHA. Thank you for helping me cope and for understanding me. I love you.

Happy anniversary to me.