My intro, It's me, Joyful Joie

Hello, Good day everyone! A newbie on this platform. My name is Aidelei Joie but my friends call me by my second name, Joie. I am a mother and a wife. I have an 18 year-old son. Happily married for 25 years and still counting. I live in Olongapo City which is just a part of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone that used to be a U.S Naval base here in the province of Zambales.

I've had several past work experiences in my lifetime. I used to work in a retail company selling branded and all imported goods here in Subic Bay as the Store Operations Manager running five (5) stores for five years. I was really enjoying my job because It feels like I am the owner because our head office is in Manila and they gave me all the authority to do what is good for the company here. Not to mention other duties like doing the Importation processes like the goods coming directly from America and Europe (mainly perfumes and bags). I must say running a store is not an easy task. But even though I loved my job. I opted to resign because of the salary, so much work load and yet low pay grade. I guess we all have to say farewell to things that we love doing if reasons are so valid. Inserted photo together with my colleagues (I am the one holding a blue folder, giving a training to them).

Anyways, after that chapter. After my resignation last 2016. I was thinking and looking for ways to earn because I’m used to working and also I need to help my husband. I tried teaching English online and was lucky to land a job as an ESL teacher. Teaching English to non-English speakers. My students are from China. I like it as well because it’s a different platform from what I was used to doing. The perks are, I don’t have to wear executive clothes, don’t have to wear high heeled shoes because I just get to work from the comforts of my home. I don’t have to rush on things, Don't have to deal with so much problems with the store, Don’t have to drive and don’t have to report and to answer to anyone anymore. I was really very happy because in order to engage your students you have to be at your best smiles always, less stress and you get to be the boss of your own time. I love teaching so much. For four years (2016-2020) I was teaching online.

Then another opportunity opened for me and my husband. He opted to retire early at 47 from his company which he worked for 25 years and opened his own business. He said he doesn’t want to use up all his time at work until his retirement at age 60. Because, He said how can I manage a company when I am already old. So, he opened up a building maintenance services company last 2017 providing service to his previous company which is a water utility company here in Subic Bay and Olongapo City.
I opted to file a leave at my online teaching job which I really felt so sad leaving my children/students because hubby needs assistance doing the Finance and Admin side. He is responsible for the Technical side and our son is our IT so we are the ones hands on running our business. We are not that big, yet (haha) praying our endeavors will be fruitful. So far it’s okay. For three years we are still up and running. We were affected by the pandemic but at least now, slowly business is coming back.

The best thing about my job now is that I get to spend time with my husband everyday. Since our staffs don’t know how to drive it’s just me and hubby who drives so I am always with them every project. I drive our utility vehicle which is an L-300 van. I do the liaison, logistics, purchasing, the driving, sometimes as a foreman, the site engineer (hehe) whatever things that needed to be bought like the materials, the processing of our permits and many many more.

We sometimes involve our only son, Angelo, when he has a free time from his online schooling. We are just enjoying our time together while working and earning at the same time. Here is a picture of me with my service vehicle, We call her L3.

I love so many things. We have pets (cats, dogs, cockatiel birds). I love plants as well, I have different varieties of Mayana /Coleus plant. We grow healthy edible plant like Gynura procumbens or Longevity Spinach.

During weekends or if we are not busy. We love going to our Mango orchard which is a 25-minute drive from our house and a 20-minute trek before arriving at our farm land. We have around 40 mango trees all bearing fruits. We have Cashew trees as well as avocados, bananas and coconuts. We planted some cassava just recently, last year December. Hopefully, by August of this year we can already harvest some cassava.

My next passion is raising and racing pigeons. My husband built a two-storey loft for our pigeons. Since 2008 he started raising pigeons. We are lucky that he has been the 7th time over-all champion here at our City not to mention other winnings like always in the top 5 and top 10. I am his loft woman (hehe). I consider this hobby very profitable but that is of course if you will win and your birds really make money. We were able to finish building our For rent room coming from the winnings of our pigeons. I love this hobby because you gain respect from your fellow fanciers and the prestige that comes along with it.

Lastly, I love singing so during my free time, which is usually at night. I sing songs at the Star Maker app. I have uploaded many songs already since I joined January this year. I am so looking forward to share with you my passion in singing. I used to sing at weddings and functions and as a wedding coordinator. I am really an outgoing person. I love doing fun stuff. I love making people happy.

I think I have shared so much already about myself . I am so happy to be a part of this platform. My special thanks to @jurich60 who has been tirelessly inviting me to be a part of this awesome community. Looking forward to more stories ahead.

Love lots and be happy always,
It’s me, Joie