Well, hi, there! It's me, the cat in the bag. I believe I am going back to writing again. Why? Because someone encouraged me to. Someone who doesn't even know me. Someone who's not from the Philippines, can you beat that?

Yes, that's true. The article that qualified me to be a writer was the Cynthia Luster article that I wrote way back in 1998. Gosh, that was a long time ago, you know. I've actually given up on my writing some months back because I've already shifted careers to transcription.

But if someone believes in my writing, why should I stop? I know there are other writers out there who are better than I am but what the heck, right? We are all writers, but we have different styles, opinions, ideas, experiences, in doing things because we are all unique in our own way. That's why it's impossible that two writers are alike.

I know transcription is a lot easier than writing because you just have to type what you hear and follow a certain template your client gives you. Probably that's why I'm into it. But one also has to have that good hearing acuity, grammar, spelling, punctuation and everything that goes into a language. To this, I am lucky to have all that I've mentioned, including typing skills, don't forget that. I am so lucky that I can be a writer and a transcriptionist at the same time. Although I believe that my transcription skills came from my writing jobs.

As a writer, I would need my little old tape recorder and cassette tape to record my interviewee's statements. After the interview, I would transcribe everything that transpired on tape. Then, I would use the transcripts as the basis for my article. I would get or choose the best sound bytes from the transcript and put quotation marks when I include it in my article.

You see, being a transcriptionist did come from my first love, writing. Without being exposed to that I probably wouldn't be having this career at home. Plus the fact that I already have my dsl connection, lucky me, huh?

I do have a lot things to be thankful to God about. I thank Him for all the talents He has given me and I want to use these to the fullest. I know I would be going in the right path that God has chosen me to be in.

I don't want to sound preachy but it's the truth. These talents are gifts from God and no one else.

That's why I am thankful for the life I have right now. And that will be whatever I choose.

You too can do the same. Just discover your talents and do what makes you happy. That's what life should be.

Happy Holidays, guys!