From Family to Passions to Parenthood: A Journey of Learning and Growing

Hi! I’m Cristina Montenegro, but most people call me Tina. I am a wife and a mother from Batangas. At home, my family calls me Aiza—a bit different, right? Here’s why: when my mom was pregnant, she loved watching Aiza Seguerra on TV. She admired her so much that she decided to name me after her. I used to ask my mom, Why didn’t she name me Aiza instead? That would be easier, right? Until now, I don’t know the exact reason.

I believe that our lives are full of twists and turns that shape who we are, just like my name. I decided to be here on Hive to share my stories as my way of getting back to my first love—writing. I want to share my perspective on life. I hope you choose to follow along with me in documenting my learnings, experiences, adventure, growth, and personal development here on Hive. Inspiring people through my own stories is my ultimate goal.

ABOUT ME
I am the youngest in our big family. I have 12 siblings, to be exact. Being the youngest has its ups and downs. I got a lot of attention and almost everything was provided for me. But then, growing up slapped me with reality. The hardest part was convincing my family that I wasn't their 'baby' anymore and that I had my voice and opinions. Nevertheless, I am still grateful to my family.

I am a licensed chemical engineer. I have always loved chemistry since high school. Working as an engineer has opened my eyes to how rewarding it can be, especially when you realize the impact it has on people's lives.

A big turning point in my life was when I decided to make a career shift from being an engineer to an online ESL teacher. I had to do it to make sure I could still earn while at home taking care of my ill father. There are times I miss my engineering work, but I have no regrets about becoming an ESL teacher. I have always wanted to teach and share my knowledge. This has opened doors for me to learn new cultures and meet students from different parts of the world.

Outside of work, I like playing my ukulele and singing any songs that come to mind. I've always enjoyed all sorts of music, from love songs to J-pop, K-pop, and American hits. I've discovered that I love trying new things, so I am looking forward to someday learning the piano. Perhaps the other thing I am most passionate about is anime, and Detective Conan is my favorite. Sometimes I wonder if my desire to learn a bit of Japanese came from my addiction to anime shows. I am also obsessed with Sherlock Holmes and crime dramas too. I like to think of myself as a bit of a detective.

Watching movies together is one of my favorite ways to bond with my husband. We both love the science fiction genre. From Marvel movies to book adaptations, we always have this eagerness to watch it on the big screen. Moreover, we love discovering new places and attractions like museums and art galleries. Drinking coffee at home is another way to relax, as we are both coffee lovers. We also indulge ourselves by singing in karaoke.

I stay active by running. I have completed a few marathons, and although they are tough, I consider the experience rewarding. I also really enjoy cooking. Making yummy food for my family and friends makes me happy. I’m always on the lookout for new recipes, and I love getting fresh ideas from online tutorials.

Growing up, we didn’t travel much. We didn’t have the funds for it, so I spent a lot of time at home. I promised myself to see the world, and now it feels like every day brings a new adventure. I have done a lot. They’ve been some of the best experiences of my life, from surfing and cliff diving to mountain climbing and camping. Traveling has opened my eyes and changed the way I look at life.

Right now, I spend most of my time with my 18-month-old son, who fills my days with so much joy. I feel so lucky to have him. Being a mom is not always easy, but I’m learning and growing day by day.

Honestly, I don't have any idea about this platform, but thanks to my fellow teacher @antonette for sharing this with me. I'm excited to be on Hive to share my experiences and meet others who have similar interests! I have a lot of stories to tell, and hopefully you will enjoy them. I can’t wait to learn from your own stories. Let’s inspire each other. It would be great if you could drop a comment and if you’ve got any thoughts on my posts! I’d love to chat and get to know you all more.

I'm looking forward to seeing where this journey leads.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my introduction post!