BLOG 8: Off the Clock: Quick Night Out with the Bridgeculture OSH Team

Sometimes, we deserve free time to relax and breathe after work. Spending great times together with your coworkers is a good opportunity to get to know each other better. I believe that a person's work personality is different from their real personality. These are moments that make you pause and appreciate the people around you. It's not just about having fun, it's also about having the opportunity to interact more personally, exchange stories, and form connections that go beyond the typical office chats. By the end of the evening, I'm always thankful for the incredible individuals I work with and eager for our next get-together.

In this blog, I want to share this wholesome experience with my workmates. I know we may not be complete at the moment, but hopefully, we will be soon. PS: I apologize if only a few pictures or if some are the same; we had fewer pictures at that moment.

Bridge Culture Inc. is an ESL company that teaches Japanese students English. I was hired on August 9, 2024, before I resigned from my previous job. This is my first time working as a nurse, and I am currently employed as a company nurse. Fast forward, I was interviewed by the Japanese CEO at that time. When I was hired, he introduced me to my team leader and mentioned that he would provide a budget to help us get along and work well together. Our team is called OSH, which stands for Occupational Safety and Health.

Three months after I was hired, the CEO called me to his office and handed me the budget for an eat-out with the team. I was very happy at that time, but also a bit shy, because I had thought the CEO had forgotten his promise to treat us.

After the CEO handed me the money, I excitedly announced it to our team, and everyone got excited as well. The only problem was figuring out when we could have the eat-out, since we all had different schedules and shifts. I was a morning nurse, with a shift from 7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., so we decided to have it after the night shift, when their shift ended at 10:30 P.M. Sadly, two members of our team couldn’t join us because it was already late at night, they lived far away, and we all had early shifts the next day.

We went to IT Park and decided to eat at Sugbo Mercado, where we had a lot of food choices. However, we arrived around 11:00 PM, and Sugbo Mercado was closing at 12:00 AM. The security guard told us that we could still order and eat inside until we finished. We ordered a lot of food, such as BBQ, sinugbang liempo, chicken skin with lasagna, ihaw-ihaw, lechon baboy, and Japanese chicken tenders. We ate, had fun, and exchanged words until we didn’t realize we were all full. We burped together and laughed. After finishing our meal and cleaning the table, our team leader decided to take us to a karaoke place.

Our team leader treated us to Music One Karaoke. We had so much fun, and we didn't realize that one of our members used to be a karaoke singer and, surprisingly, a dancer too! We all got into the groove, jiving to every song they picked. They even let me sing, despite my voice not being the best. While they were singing, we girls were busy taking photos and selfies because we had good lighting and a nice background at IT Park.

We all seized the moment because we believed that after this quick night out, we would be stressed with our office work. Sometimes, not bad to take a break from the stress of work. It's easy to get caught up in deadlines and responsibilities, but stepping back for a moment can help clear our minds and recharge our energy. Whether it's a short walk, a chat with a friend, or just some quiet time, taking a break is essential for maintaining balance and staying productive in the long run.

As we checked our phones, it was almost 2 AM, and I still had early work in the morning. At that moment, we decided to head home so we could rest and reflect. I booked a ride to go home immediately, and they all booked taxis to get home.

As I went home, I was so happy. It wasn't bad to have a little time to relax. Sometimes, life can feel overwhelming, but it's important to remember to take a step back, relax, and breathe. Pausing for just a moment to inhale deeply can help clear your mind and reset your energy. You don’t have to have everything figured out right now. Allow yourself the space to unwind and let go of the pressure. Your well-being matters just as much as everything else. We don't need liquor to enjoy life what we truly need is great company and good workmates. It's the moments we share, the laughs we have, and the support we give each other that make every day memorable. Let's celebrate the joy of teamwork and the power of positivity, because that's what really makes life worthwhile!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and connect with my thoughts today. I’m excited to continue sharing my journey with you, and I hope you found something here that resonated or sparked an idea. This blog is a space for growth, inspiration, and conversation, and I’d love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or experiences in the comments. Feel free to share if something stood out to you. Here’s to many more stories, lessons, and moments of connection ahead! See you in the next post!