I read this line from my manager’s note in our office communicator. I immediately relate to these three words because for the past few days I am losing also my touch. I became too lax to my work. I also became too “playful” in the office- in local parlance “pasaway” na ako. The enthusiasm that I used to have when I was still a newly hire was gone. The energetic Dorm Boy ran out of battery. In short I really lost my touch.

This year I have a great hope for a change in my life. I know my remaining days in audit are numbered. I think another chapter of my life is about to end and a new one is about to start. Leaving the pages of my audit life is a bittersweet part of my career. From a promdi fresh board passer, I was a lost sheep in the field. Going back to my first days in Manila, I couldn’t believe I survived alone in Metropolis. I have no relatives to seek for shelter. I have no idea about Makati and the offices I am heading back then. Thanks to my college friends who adopted me and helped me join a humble audit firm, I began to gain my spark in the corporate world.

They said days are so fast in audit. I believe them now. It’s really true! Weeks went so fast and months were like moments in audit. If time flies fast in audit, so does how I gain fast a number of friends… close friends to perfectly describe them. I consider my batchmates in audit as my second family. They are like my brothers and sisters from different mothers. I enjoyed the time spending overtimes, out-of-town engagement with them; funny stories about our respective clients; and the little hilarious bloopers we all have in the office. We created codes and terminologies only our group could comprehend. We shared same interest which made our group so cohesive (parang Elmer’s Glue lang).

Sad to say just like all good songs, all things need to end. Most of my close buddies in audit began to pack their things and moved on to the next level (lumelevel up na ang mga mokongs). They left audit in their due times (parang me expiration date sa audit) and here I am tonight, writing, and contemplating my next move. Would I move out, follow them and see the other side of the corporate life or would I stay for good. Things would have been fine if other factors were not that material as to speak. Practicality dictates going out weighs greater.

Joining the bandwagon of exodus of auditors in the firm either bound to abroad or to high paying companies, is not a simple decision. I am thinking about my future, the growth of my career and the financial freedom I am seeking for. Narrating other minor factors will only make this article a boring one. I rather stop here and continue planning my grand exit.

I will forever be thankful to the firm for giving me the chance to taste what audit life really is. For the past two years, the firm nourishes me both financially and intellectually speaking. Indeed passing through audit will surely make someone a better person. I am speaking on my behalf and based on the person I am now. I learn the value of patience even though my nature is an impatient bastard. I learn to respect my boss and co-workers and most of all lessen the mixture of professionalism and personal life. Boundaries are needed to establish discipline towards work and dealing with people. If they say busy people are losing their social life, believe me it is true, but you will create a better and firmer spiritual life. Faith to God in dealing deadlines and pressures both from superiors and clients will be the last rope to grip when all things are going down.

So where am I? I must be writing about losing my touch. I guess I am really losing my touch. I should be writing about it and not about losing my audit life. What a terrible writer am I now!