Thursday 13: Wrapping Up 2009

2009 has been an eventful year for me. There were so many things that I'd rather not remember and there are things that should be noted for happening in this crazy, whirlwind life of mine. In less than 2 hours, 2010 will be kicking in and I just would like to write about some random things that happened in 2009 that made it special or otherwise.

01. I've been very sickly during the first 8 months of the year. It's not a good thing to be hospitalized for bronchitis then get allergy attacks almost every month and then I had amoebiasis. Of course, I lost my voice on several occasions. I'm just glad that the last 4 months of the year went quite well in the area of health and I hope this will continue to be the trend until next year.

02. Our house was broken into back in October. Luckily, nothing was taken and no one was hurt. It became a reminder that even if you're living in a guarded and gated area, things like this can still happen. You just have to be careful and

03. Someone made me smile again. And that there is still a chance that I'll get to be happy on a personal level. Enough said.

04. Flowers on my birthday. Enough said again.

05. Basti's been on the class honors' list for 2 consecutive grading periods already. I'm really one proud Mommy!

06. I'm still financially unstable but I'm getting there. Hopefully 2010 will be a much better year for me in terms of finances.

07. I saw Rene and Muna again after 3 years. Another brother, Gian, is back in town too. It's always great to see siblings you haven't seen for quite some time.

08. I still have a love-hate relationship with my Mom. I haven't spoken to her for the past month but I always think about her and keep her in my prayers.

09. I am 9 weeks into my no-rice diet and I have successfully lost 5 pounds during that period. It's a good start considering that I'm looking forward to a healthier me this 2010.

10. I have consumed alcohol again. I had occasional margaritas and cosmopolitans since October. But one thing's certain, I'm not going back to binge drinking. I think I am more of a responsible drinker now than when I was back in those days.

11. I appreciate my work better than before.

12. I was reminded of a previous lesson about making friends and keeping them.

13. I was once again reminded that life is all about taking chances.

Happy New Year! Stay safe and enjoy the celebration with your family and friends.

Year-End Photos

Blue Moon on New Year's Eve




Our New Year's Eve Simple Feast and other photos

Playing Catch Up on Photos

I haven't shared these photos here on my blog so catch up with what's been happening to me the past weeks through these photos.




Going back to the 70's during our company Christmas event





A weekend getaway with girl friends

2 more days

There are 2 more days into the new year and I have asked this question to myself: What's there to look forward to in 2010?

There's so much to look forward to in 2010!!!

I had a melancholic Christmas and I promised myself that I should usher in the new year with a smile and with a very hopeful disposition and thought that 2010 would be a better year for me.

All I need to do now is BELIEVE that the coming year would indeed be a better one for me and DS.

Temporary

Some recent events have reaffirmed the fact that change is the only permanent thing in this world.

No matter how much I fear change, it has been happening all of a sudden to me for different reasons. Somehow these changes have rattled me as I am more a creature of habit than someone who just goes with the flow and accepts change as they happen. I normally question the changes I see and if I don't get the answers, I become impatient and in some instances, I freak out.

I did get answers to some of the questions running in my mind but somehow I am not convinced that things would remain as they are. I can only hope for the best. And although I know that no matter how much I prepare for the worst, getting hurt would be inevitable and it is something I would have to deal with sensibly and with an open heart.

Sunday Stealing: The Final Week of 2009 Meme

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named Nik Dirga at the blog Spatula Forum. Nik is an American journalist who now lives in New Zealand with his kiwi wife and son. He does not say where he found the meme. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
** I was able to go to Enchanted Kingdom.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
** Not all. I guess I'll just carry over the next year those I wasn't able to do.

3. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?
** Probably just with family at home.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
** Not really close but he was part of Papa's immediate family.

5. What countries did you visit?
** None - which is really a bummer.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
** More money (Don't we all wish for that? LOL!) and probably someone whom I can really call an S.O.

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
** There are 2 dates: October 8 and November 19. These were the dates when I realized that I'm capable of being happy again.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
** Somehow I was able to get back to smiling and be happy again.

9. What was your biggest failure?
** Failing to get the quarterly bonuses for 3 quarters because I was sickly.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
** Yes.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
** I think it was my E71.

12. Where did most of your money go?
** Paying debts and having Victoria fixed.

13. What song will always remind you of 2009?
** Nobody by the Wonder Girls. LOL!

14. What do you wish you'd done more of?
** Spend more time with DS.

15. What do you wish you'd done less of?
** Work.

16. What was your favourite TV program?
** None. But I was able to finish watching Sex and the City and Ally McBeal on DVD.

17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
** No.

18. What was the best book you read?
** The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
** Lady Gaga

20. What was your favorite film of this year?
** Night at the Museum 2

21. What did you do on your birthday?
** I celebrated it at the office with my friends and co-workers.

22. What kept you sane?
** Playing games on Facebook and going out with friends.

23. Who did you miss?
** DS

24. Who was the best new person you met?
** The person who made me smile again.

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
** True friends are still really hard to find.

Weekly Wrap-Up: Perspective

How do you know when you need a dose of perspective and what do you do to get it?

** I need a dose of perspective when complex questions start brewing and I can't seem to find the answers. I talk to my most sensible, level-headed and trusted friends to find the perspective I need. More often than not, I am successful and I'm able to put sense and perspective back into my system for decisions I need to make.

Friday Fill-Ins

1. My boots are my best pair to date.

2. Eventful and memorable are two of the words I can use to describe this century.

3. Imitation is still the best form of flattery.

4. Would you like to see me and talk?

5. I'd like to know what's going on in your mind right now.

6. Can I get over it?

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep, tomorrow my plans include spending some ME time and Sunday, I want to rest as I still have to work on Monday!

Merry Christmas

Basti and I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Enjoy the holidays with the people closest to your heart.

The Day Before Christmas

I have never felt so sad and down for the longest time until today. I woke up with this heavy feeling in my heart that I couldn't seem to explain. A number of factors contributed to this but I guess it would be best at this point not to write everything in detail.

I cried buckets of tears, felt that I was going to have a break down and I felt so alone. But God is good. He sent me one life saver to save me from all these negative things that happened. And if not for this person, I have probably gone nuts.

I would like to believe that God allowed this to happen for a reason. It became the perfect time to re-think, reflect and re-prioritize things in my life again - but this time, I'll have to trust His will more than mine.

This year's Christmas was one of the worse ones I've had over the years. But for whatever it's worth, the realizations came in at a perfect time. The bad things probably had to happen to serve as a prelude to the more beautiful things that are bound to happen to me in the future. If only for that, I now have something to look forward to this coming new year.

Just Before Christmas

The morning Christmas breeze never fails to amaze me as I walk from the parking lot to my favorite coffee shop. I value times like this because despite the busy streets I trek to have my coffee fix, it helps me psych myself up for the day ahead. Today, I gave myself that treat and somehow I felt better.

The past couple of days have been quite an emotional roller coaster ride for me with certain unexpected things happening one after the other. I have been used to having uneventful Christmases for the past couple of years and this year proved to be quite different from what I've been having - eventful. I really can't say whether the "eventful" part is good or bad. What I know is that at this point in my life where I'm trying to realign my priorities, I don't really need additional stressors at this time.

Last night, I had dinner with an old friend and there were things that he said that gave me a different perspective on how I should look at the things happening in my whirlwind life right now - lessen the expectations, expect the unexpected, expect the worst and hope for the best - things that I should already be doing but because I'm stubborn, I decline to do so.

I don't regret a single thing I've done and the events that led to those decisions I've made the past couple of weeks. In fact, I'd like to think that they were some of the best decisions I've made. Taking risks is part of my nature and if only for the fact that I know that the risk I took made me happy, that's enough for me to say that I'll be fine (although melancholic) this coming Christmas.

The note that made me cry

I just would like to repost a note from Facebook that was shared to me by a friend. She was reading it out loud when I suddenly burst into tears and found my face all smeared with my liquid eyeliner. An embarrassing moment for me but something that has a serious effect deep inside.

Why did I cry? Whatever's written here are exactly my sentiments that I couldn't have written - feelings that I've been keeping to myself for quite some time. I have been doing a lot of thinking lately and when this was read to me, I realized that what I've been thinking of was right after all - that the one I'm looking for is also looking for me and that there will come a time that our paths will meet. Listening to this note was cathartic for me. And if only for that, I thank the one who wrote this.

I am wondering at this very minute if you are thinking of me, if you like me, if you are wondering what is taking us so long to find each other.

Many times I thought I finally found you only to be disillusioned by the fact that my wait has not yet ended. I get up each morning hoping, dreaming, longing to meet you. I am thinking of how we will meet, would it be as romantic as the ones I have seen in movies? Or is it possible that I have known you all my life but we have yet to realize that we are meant for each other? Oh how I wish you were here right now because you are the only one who has the answers to all my questions.

Sometimes I ask myself if I have ever really known "love". I do not have the answer to that question either but I believe that, more often than not, we will never really know what love is until we find that right person....

You just don't know how often I dream of finally knowing what it feels like to be in your arms. Even at this very moment I am imagining how you will simply sweep me off my feet! Perhaps I would be drawn to you by your smile, or your eyes, or maybe even how you manage to make me laugh by your silly little ways! I don't really know for sure but I am praying that God will help me recognize you when the right time comes.

I think of all the pain that I have gone through in the past and of how much I have cried since the day I began my search. I just wanted you to know that I find my strength in clinging onto my vision of the beautiful life ahead of me --- the life I shall spend with you. In my mind and in my heart I know that you are worth all that pain and sacrifice. After all, the tears have become a part of my life and I believe that they are slowly washing away my flaws so that I would become perfect, not perfect in its truest sense, but perfect --- for YOU! I wonder if you've gone through so much pain as well. I wonder if you've been hurt so many times along the journey. But my dearest one, please don't ever give up because I am right here... patiently waiting for you! I assure you that when we finally find each other I would slowly heal those wounds by my love.

At night, I would look out my window and stare at the beautiful sky, hoping that somehow you are also looking up and wondering about me. I utter a silent prayer and send all my cries to the heavens above thinking that in time they would reach you. And when I feel impatient, I just close my eyes and believe that you are on your way and that you are longing to see me as well. It is funny but when I finally fall asleep, it is still you that I think of, for you are always in my dreams. It seems that, for now, that is the only place where I can hold on to you, long enough to tell you how much I love you. In my dreams you would kiss away my fears and wrap me with your arms of love.

And this, all the more, makes me want to wake up and face the new day ahead with the hope that soon enough, you will no longer be a dream but a reality and once again I am assured that you are worth the wait. And when that time comes, everything will fall into its place, just as I had imagined, just as I had thought and dreamed, just as I had believed it would be! By then,I would simply look back and smile at all that I have gone through, inspite of the pain and amidst the simple joys of life --- and I would be very thankful because they all led me to you!

In the meantime, take care of yourself for me. Hold on to our dream and don't even think of letting go. Believe in your heart that we will find each other no matter what happens. God has planned the course and it is up to us to follow the directions. Don't worry, don't be afraid about getting lost, God saw to it that all the roads, no matter which one you choose to follow...lead to me

Weekly Wrap Up: Remembering

The holiday season is a time spent with loved ones but also remembering loved ones who are no longer with us. Paired with SAD (seasonal affective disorder) as the seasons change, and they can be quite blue.

Is there anyone in particular you remember and why?

** I just miss being with my best friend, Pam. I just wish we're together during the holidays so the celebration would be complete. It sucks that she lives in Canada but there's always the phone and the internet to keep us in touch any time of the year.

Friday Fill-Ins

1. No, we will NOT be sad today.

2. I miss the decors that used to be at the old kitchen table.

3. I watched the steam rising from the hot cup of coffee (or tea) and thought: this is just what I need to start my day right!.

4. I hope I am going to be okay.

5. I'll take as it is.

6. I'm glad to have said something at least from my point of view.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hear from someone I'm expecting to hear from, tomorrow my plans include going on a Saturday getaway with some friends and Sunday, I want to rest and hope I'll be okay by then!

Christmas is around the corner

Seriously, I don't feel it - the Christmas season that is.

A lot of things happened that made me lose track of what it feels like to prepare for the holidays. This may be good in some ways but on the whole, I actually kinda feel bad about it.

Have I lost the Christmas spirit in me? I used to enjoy the Christmas countdown on TV or on the net, but now it makes me feel like I'm pressured - like I need to belong and participate. But that's not how I feel at the moment. It's a totally different feeling all together...something that I'm not used to at this time of the year.

I pray and I hope that this is just a temporary thing - something that I need to balance things out in my life. I wasn't born to be a Grinch and DS wouldn't like it if I become one.

Let me be - at least for now. This, too, will soon pass.

Sunday Stealing: The 6 Ws Meme

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named Notbob at the blog Notbob's Bits. He states that he stole it at Milly's Big Fat Me blog. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Who...
Is easy to love?
** My son and my S.O.

Do you just wanna smack?
** Depends on what kind of smack we're talking about. If it's a quick kiss, it would always be DS. Smack like hit, I have a number of people I have in mind.

Do you trust?
** My father and my best friend.

Do you talk to when you're alone?
** My best friend

What...
Dangerous things do you do while driving?
** Talking or texting and falling asleep.

Are you allergic to?
** Seafoods, dust, excessive heat

Is Satan's last name?
** I wouldn't want to know.

Is the freakiest thing in your house?...
** A room that used to be the library.

When...
Is it time to turn over a new leaf?
** When it's already time.

Will you be all that you can be?
** Hopefully soon.

Is enough enough?
** When you know that you've given all you've got and nothing has changed.

Do you go to the dark side?
** When the times call for it. :D

Where...
Are your pants?
** Most are in the closet.

Is your last will and testament?
** I haven't done one just yet.

Is your junk food stash?
** In the cupboard.

Is Carmen Sandiego?
** Somewhere out there.

Why...
Was the Lone Ranger alone?
** Because he was a loner.

Was The Scarlet Letter scarlet?
** Because it was made that way.

Are musicians sexy and plumbers not?
** Sometimes I think it's the opposite.

Are there no seat belts on school buses?
** That we have to ask

Would you...
Swim the English Channel for a doughnut and coffee? If not that, what?
** If this would be as effective as the fat burners available in the market, then probably I can consider it. But first, I'll need to know how to swim. LOL!

Forgive someone who deliberately hurt you?
** Yes. When the time is right.

Rather believe a lie if it hurt you less than the truth?
** No. The truth hurts but it hurts more (at least for me) when I know that everything's just a lie.

You still be alive if you were sucked out of an airplane window?
** I don't think so.

A slip

Papa and I have been talking about changing the bath tub mat we have over the weekend. We went to the mall yesterday but we both forgot that we needed to buy that item we went to the mall for in the first place. Talk about being forgetful.

Anyway, this morning the slip happened. Yes, I slipped and hurt myself pretty bad - my back, shoulders and backside. But believe it or not, I was laughing. Why was that? I actually didn't have a hard time fitting in the tub and that meant that I am indeed losing weight. LOL!

Kidding aside, it was a bad slip that I had to endure the whole day at work. The pain isn't really funny but I'm glad my team mates each had their version of why the slip happened. I can't believe that they can actually make several stories out of just one incident. That was really cool from my perspective and made the pain go away even for just a few minutes.

As I look back at this day, the slips we experience always happen for a reason - be it slips in life, in love or even in the bathroom. In time the slips will heal and everything will be back to normal.

Have a great week ahead.

Sunday Stealing: The Can't Sleep Meme

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named Catherine Donovan at the blog Marvel Not a Girl. She does not states where she found it. She grabbed it because she couldn't sleep. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed?
** No.

When is it hard to kiss someone?
** When there's no feeling at all.

You're trapped in a room with your most recent ex for three days, what do you do?
** Talk when needed but I would rather not.

Does it matter to you if your significant other smokes?
** That would matter now.

Have you ever regretted letting someone go?
** Yes.

Where would you go if you were butt naked and locked out of your house?
** Inside the car

Do you want to please everyone?
** I'm not born to please everyone.

Have you ever been called heartless?
** Yes.

Someone calls you at 3:00 AM, who do you expect it to be?
** Either my significant other or a family member who lives in the other side of the world.

Does it matter if your significant other drinks?
** Social drinking would be okay but better if he doesn't.

Could you go the rest of your life without doing drugs?
** Yes.

Which is better, amazing eyes or an amazing smile?
** Amazing smile

Do you want to get married and have children one day?
** Re-married? To the right person...have more children? Why not?

Are you easy to get along with?
** I think so.

Do you ever want to go to sleep and not wake up?
** I felt that way once.

Are you shorter than your Mom?
** No.

Describe your life currently in one word:
** Happy

Are you on medication for anything?
** Yes.

Who would you allow to read your thoughts for one day?
** My significant other

Are there things in your life that you will never be able to get over?
** I still believe that one day I will.

If you woke up naked next to the last person you kissed, what would your reaction be?
** That would be horrendous. LOL!

Busy Weekend

December is probably the busiest month of the year with the holidays being around and celebrations to end the year right. Yesterday was just that for me. I was a very busy and my day was longer than anyone else's.

Yesterday was our team's Christmas party held at Aling Tonya's at San Miguel by the Bay. The whole team had a fun and filling dinner with lots of photos. Here are just some of those :)

I was able make it to the coffee date with my siblings at Coffee Bean and even for just a few minutes, I was able to bond with them.



Last Monday, Team NDR celebrated our 3rd anniversary at work. Yup! It's been 3 years for us and still counting. I have made very significant and important relationships with these people and I hope our friendship will remain until we retire. We're down to 9 from the original 18 that we were in the group. The brunch at Flapjacks today was just awesome besides, Team NDR won't be called as such if not for the food, fun and laughter.

Photos from Cybie

Photos from Mayeth

It was a busy and tiring start of the weekend but it was all worth it being with family and friends.

The Homecoming

The homecoming siblings - one from the UK and one from Indonesia. It's just great being around family especially during this time of the year.

Friday Fill-Ins

1. You get nothing from me.

2. Nobody has the right to treat anyone like trash.

3. It's about time.

4. Loving isn't ridiculous!

5. I feel more blessed than ever.

6. Wishing you're here with me...goodnight!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the team Christmas party and a coffee date with siblings, tomorrow my plans include finally buying the shoes I have reserved and spending some precious time with the SO. and Sunday, I want to rest and relax!

Thursday Thirteen: Top Signs That You're In Love

We all fall in love at one or several times in our lives and it's really such a great emotion to feel. How would you know that you're in love? Here are some of my signs based from experience and observations.

01. There's always that permanent smile on your face.

02. There's that glow in your eyes and face that everyone notices and sees.

03. Love songs that used to make you feel queasy and cheesy are sweet music to your ears.

04. You find yourself constantly talking about this one person practically every single time you open your mouth.

05. You wake up in the morning with a smile on your face.

06. Your mobile phone seems to run out of battery all the time due to constant exchange of messages and phone calls.

07. You smile and laugh off the pricey 10-page statement of account you receive from your mobile provider and there seems to be only 1 number registered on the bill that you call and text from time to time.

08. You welcome new things in your life. You probably don't know a thing or two about a certain topic or thing and now you find it in your heart to consult Google about it so you can catch up on your love interest's interests.

09. You don't seem to mind time zone differences and be awake during ungodly hours only to talk (for those in long distance relationships).

10. You constantly and consciously make an effort to look and feel good all the time.

11. You daydream in the middle of work.

12. Your love interest is a good source of distraction for you.

13. You look forward to every single day that you are going to be with your love interest.

If you have any other thoughts, post your own comment here.

Happy Thursday everyone!

And it's December

The last month of the year has come...it's December.

December brings both joy and sadness to me. Christmas is my favorite season of the year yet somehow, it has also given me that certain sadness I can't explain.

This year isn't any different. I'm happy because I've been seeing all the trimmings and decors that make the season brighter and eye-catching. We already have our tree up and I'm excited to gather all the gifts and give them out real soon.

There are things that push me to feel sad when this time of the year comes around and this year is no different. One would be how parenting time for DS would be divided between me and the ex. Another would be how to be able to make it all worth our while when there are only 4 of us here at home and they are the kind of people who do not really enjoy the holidays that much. The family's scattered in certain parts of the world, I haven't spoken to my mother in weeks and I am so far away from this one person that makes me truly happy (aside from DS of course).

I do not want to start the last month of the year feeling all melancholic because this is so not me. I'm writing about it now so I can heave a big sigh of relief and start December with a happier state of mind. Looking at the brighter side of things, there are so many reasons I can think of and rejoice about this holiday season and if only for those, I'm smiling now.