The fruits of my labor

Funny, I tried to research for quotes about "Fruits of labor" but I wasn't able to find something appropriate to use in this article.

I will just create my own instead, "If you didn't plant the fruit, don't harvest it". Just kidding. Perhaps you can share a more sensible quote.

My story is about my college life, but I have something funny to share first before we get serious.

When I was in 5th grade, we were required to have a garden. So we made our plot and planted spring onions. I love gardening because I have a green thumb.

We had to take care of our vegetables until the end of the school year as a clearance requirement.

The 4th grading was over and it was clearance time. I hurriedly went to school to harvest the spring onions. I was shocked to see an empty plot. I was angry at my teacher- she might have harvested them without our knowledge. So I went to her office to confront her. I asked, "Maam, our spring onions are gone. Did you harvest them?".

"What? I didn't do anything! What are you talking about?", she responded.

I was desperate to find out who did it so I stayed late at school. And then I see some squatters getting inside the school bringing their baskets. They look happy harvesting the vegetables.

Case closed. May they have an awesome meal from the fruits of our labor.

My first day of being a student assistant

I used to study at a university before becoming a student assistant. My first course was AB English Linguistics. The tuition fee was so cheap but there were a lot of miscellaneous expenses in which I cannot afford.

I remember saving a 1.50 PHP in a day so I can buy boiled bananas for snacks the following day.

I had to stop despite having good grades.

Two years after my hiatus, I luckily got accepted as a student assistant.

During my first day, I was instructed to clean the computer room and I was happy to meet my co-SA named Flor. She was friendly, nice, and conservative like me. We are still close friends up to this day.

Although I wasn't comfortable holding a mop, I felt like choking- my ego was telling me I shouldn't be there - but I have to if I want to finish college.

So I went on cleaning the computer rooms with my mop and my pail. I was trying so hard not to cry. But I got used to it as days passed by.

My tasks being an SA

I was assigned to the Computer Department to be a secretary, an internet room attendant, a teacher's assistant, and a janitress/cleaner.

The most tiring of all is being an internet attendant. I had to log people coming in and out, assist in printing the documents, troubleshoot faulty computers and web pages, etc ALONE. I remember our landlady getting inside our house because of the scent of burnt rice while I was asleep and drooling because of tiredness.

We also had to go home late in preparation for the ceremonies like Foundation Day, Awarding Day, etc.

One of the challenges is maintaining good grades: our average needs to be at 2.5 to maintain our scholarship.

Sometimes I can't study anymore due to our hectic schedules. I would wake up at 2:00 or 3:00 AM and just go through my notes. I stopped memorizing my lessons when I learned to code.

But what I love about being an SA were being exempted from class contributions and we can use the office resources for our projects. I also love that we go to school on Saturdays to clean the rooms and the office. We can also use the internet room to research and chat. Yes, those were the good old Yahoo messenger days.

We also clean the whole school every quarter. I love the fresh, hot buns and the "pancit" or long rice noodles when we were done.

My unforgettable achievements in school

It was National Statistics Month and I was still in 1st-year college. My classmate Eliezer, Cherry, and I were the representatives in the Statistics competition. So we had reviews and brainstorming.

We found out that we will be competing against each other. I was lucky enough to have read the NSO website including its FAQs. There was a head-to-head battle in the competition. I answered the last question correctly, I just forgot what it was, and I landed 3rd. The first 2 winners came from the same top university.

I also joined the cheer dance and pop dance. We would practice during weekends and late evenings. "Bebot" was the first dance that I did with my group. Every moment was enjoyable. I love dancing.

I also was given the privilege to deliver a speech for our Foundation Day. I gave thanks to our founder for the opportunity to work as an SA in her school and her daughter, our VP wanted a copy of that speech. It was awesome.

My first challenging moment

We were having our sports fest and I was too complacent being the key holder. Then a piece of news broke out that someone stole a mobile phone inside the office. There was panic. All eyes were on me. The department thought that I did it.

The dean's husband was suspicious of me when I was cleaning their table. He asked angrily, "What are you doing?".

"I was just cleaning, sir", I shyly replied.

I was embarrassed but the dean defended me. I almost didn't want to go back to school anymore. I didn't want my mama to worry and I only had Michelle, my senior SA, by my side. The others kept their mouth shut.

Justice was served a year after the incident and I thank God that I survived that tormenting experience. I knew I was innocent.

The fruits of my labor

I stopped being a student assistant in my fourth year in college so I won't extend another year. Man, it was so boring. I always loved helping people, I missed the chaos, the challenge, so I still go to the office and offer assistance.

The recognition that I've received during my graduation, humbly, was just the "bonus" of my labor.

Integrity does save us in any way: it is far more valuable than gold. That there is nothing wrong with working by your hands and serving other people. That competing fairly against other students despite being an SA was possible and for that, I earned my school's respect. That standing for what I believe was right for the students' welfare was a courageous act.

I learned to lead and to follow. I became bold in fighting for my values and principles through diplomacy. I have met lifetime friends. And most of all, I knew how to bounce back whenever I'm at my lowest.

These my friends are the sweet fruits of my labor.

How about you? What are the fruits of hard work? What did you feel going through challenges in achieving what you have today?

Can't wait to read your story!

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Ms. @JonicaBradley is always creative when it comes to the weekly writing prompts. I hope that she will accept my entry.

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-All images are from Unsplash, the rest are mine.