IMPORTANT TRADE-OFF
Writer: Jenny Lyn T. Nalupa, PhD, EdD
On January 28, 2022 I went to Cebu City, Philippines for leisure travel with my daughters. I booked our plane ticket in Cebu Pacific Airlines for my family planned short vacation after two years of staying in Butuan City most of the time because of the COVID-19 pandemic that desperately and chaotically hit the world that hinder our travel abroad for a yearly tour package with selected circle of friends. Plane leaving Bancasi Airport Butuan at 1:55PM, and arrival in Mactan International Airport around 3:15PM. Prior to our departure we were asked to provide travel documents allowing us to pass through from Butuan City to Cebu City.
As we arrived in Mactan International Airport, I hailed a taxi to take us to Banilad, Cebu City. After an hour of travel, we finally arrived in our much awaited destination for our staycation. The feeling of being free from task, deadlines and obligations is so emancipation and delighted. After arranging all our stuff and made sure me and my daughters were settled, I then contacted my friends to grab dinner in La Vie Parisienne, a Modern French Restaurant in Gorordo Ave, Lahug Cebu City. We got all dolled up of course and made sure that we look gorgeous that night.
After dinner, we decided to go to a live band in IT Park, Lahug Cebu City. Personally, I felt different as the crowd is not as many as usual but we enjoyed it nonetheless. Listening to good music removes some of my stress away, which I honestly needed. All these activities make us feel so alive again. All throughout the night I kept telling myself that “I deserved this enjoyment” once in a while. After all the fun and talks we decided to go to the beach, get a wave, have social drink and clink in Mactan Newtown, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
But as one of the school heads in the Department of Education in the most empowered school in the city I am responsible for the Research Strategic Plan and Action Plan presentation for the incoming Two- Days Strategic Planning on February 10 – 11, 2022. The decision I made for leisure travel putting me into consideration that I am working on a plan which impacts my duties and responsibilities as Practical Research Subject Group Head.
It was all full of fun and games until I remember I still have pending tasks at hand. And so, when all the lights and hype dies down we all pack up and decided to go to our respective hotels to relax for another day leisure. And as the city sleeps and so is my much deserved leisure. I need to finish the task at hand.
And so this is where Trade- Off took place, in which I have to give up my much, anticipated leisure time in exchange for work. Although, it is heartbreaking that I have to cut off my trip short, a decision has needed to be made, and that is pursuing to complete all my responsibility first as school head.
Accomplishing my task earlier is me being an efficient and effective employee, deserving for the role, deserving for recommendation to be promoted soon.
In life we always face Trade-offs. This is Life, “There no such thing as free as a bird to spread wings in order to fly high above the clouds” a popular adage communicating the idea that it is impossible to get something for nothing. I have learned with this experience about this principle first hand. That, in order for us to get one thing, we usually have to give up another. In reality this principle is always recurring, I should always learn how to manage my time, put things right in a right time and in a right timing the theory behind it.
