New Year's Post 2009

This was supposed to have been completed last December 31, 2008/January 1, 2009... Got a lil hung up over some stuff... So here's my New Year's post...a few days late. :D

On the road to 2009...

Is it time again for another one of those entries? It seems only it was yesterday that I was trying to create my year end blog entry for 2007 while welcoming 2008. And now, 2008 will soon be gone. I'm starting to draft my entry a little bit earlier this year. Today's the 30^th and I am assuming I'll finish on the 1^st of January just collecting my thoughts.

Like any other year, I cherish the moment that I am in Baguio. I think I've come to realize that it's not really the city I appreciate (though I do) but the house that my parents have built for us to enjoy here. It's the room, the bed, the way everything was made is just so charming and lovable for me.

When we arrived last December 28, I thought that the house lost its charm. It was so dark and I couldn't seem to connect with it. I was even thinking whether or not it was about time to let the house of my memories go. (My mom wanted to sell this house since I was very young and I until now adamantly object to that thought) But when I got to the rooms, changed the sheets on my favorite bed and lied down, it was just too perfect to let go of. I realize the house will never lose its charm for me as it will always be my special place, my peaceful place.

I slept wonderfully that night, drowning in a sea of pillows and stuffed toys that filled my baby bed. Yes, I'm 23 and I cherish sleeping in the bed I've slept in for the past 20 years in this home. It's simply comforting. :)

It's our third night here today and tomorrow's the last night for this visit as we're going back to Manila on the 1^st. Aww.. If only I could stay a little longer, enjoy the peace and quiet a little more.

I'm Hong Kong bound again on the 4^th of January, at 8AM, giving me some time to clean up the HK house and probably get some rest before starting work again in HK. I have to make sure this time I show up at work on time or else I'm sooo dead. Haha. So...

New Year's Resolution # 1: Go to work on time!

But despite the plans of going back to Hong Kong with the hopes of extending for 6 months more, my mind is already on maybe staying here in Baguio for a month after that just for a nice refreshing sabbatical/vacation.

It's all about this place isn't it?

Now moving on from my raving of my peaceful place, I went to SM a while ago and they were already promoting Chinese New Year. 2009 is the year of the Ox and all I could say was

“Sh*t, I'm turning 24 next year”

I remember last August I wrote about how turning 23 made things feel right. And indeed on my 23^rd year of existence, a lot of things happened to me.

2008 was definitely my year of change.

• Sliver of pain, flicker of hope
• On January 14, 2008, I lost quite a sentimentally valued bracelet, and had one of the most interesting, memorable and unbelievable conversations I have had in my life. It kinda started my year on a very unique track to well... change. Thank you.
• Cuptails and Dreams
• Was a bit too sweet for my taste though.
• Leaving Team Lenovo
• Just before vacation, we were told that our client was pulling out on relocation and we had to get things done in a span of about two weeks.
• Joining Team P&G
• SAP! haha
• Eventually joined Team IBM Sunrise
• It was a time for signs and I joined the team because God told me to stay on and wait.
• Learning how to Dive
• Certified Open Water Scuba Diver (many thanks to Instructor Neil Que, and fellow Sad Banana Divers RJ, RJ Jr., Jude, and AJ)
• AIESEC traineeship applications
• Turning 23
• Leaving IBM after 2 years, 1 month and 1 week. (September 1, 2006 – October 9, 2008)
• Packing.
• Taking a leave from AGSB. I wonder if I will still go back?
• Leaving for Hong Kong.
• UBS HR.
• Starting life anew.

And maybe there are many more things that I have failed to mention or will mention below as I remember them before the year ends. I guess for now all I could say is that asl far as I can remember, 2008 was a good year of change. It was challenging and it had a lot of negative ratings as every year would probably have, but it wasn't emotionally scarring. In fact, right now, if I could describe my 2008 in one word, it would be...

“Sweet”

Some of the neighbors have started with the fireworks already. I guess they're ready to welcome the New Year with open arms.

Thinking about it, on a more global level, I think a lot of people would be ready to be rid of 2008. The economic downfall and other issues affected people all over the world.

• In Hong Kong, there were old grandmas and grandpas who were staging a protest outside a well-known bank because they have lost their life savings when certain stocks dropped.
• In the US and other countries, people were being laid off from their jobs. One company laid off around 75,000 staff. That is just ONE company. It's ultimately devastating.
• In India, two of its largest , most prestigious hotels were bombed and invaded by terrorists leaving hundreds dead and tourists stranded.
• In China, the Szechuan Earthquake struck and left thousands homeless, with their families never to be seen again.
• In China and parts of Asia, the Melamine scandal broke out and infants were found sick, or dying because of poisoning (or well to put it nicely, extenders) in their milk.
• In the USA, democrat Barack Obama won a historical election against republican John McCain.
• In the Philippines, well good ol' Philippines, well, of course, there's charter change, an impeachment, scandals left and right, and Erap thinking of running for president again in 2010 IF there is no unity in the “United Opposition”

Sigh, so what's new?

I'll stop for now and continue tomorrow. (December 30, 2008 9:42PM)

It's almost 7 PM, December 31, 2008. Five more hours to go and the earth shall usher 2009 in. I wonder what 2009 will bring? Fireworks continue at the neighbor's house. I still couldn't get a shared wifi signal from anywhere inside the house. I'm hiding in our attic now, my dad's makeshift office from before. I used to be afraid of coming up here on my own, but I guess that was before, when stories of attics are bountiful and believable.

If I had a choice I'd really choose to live here, or maybe some province other than Manila. I'm not sure why that's the thought in my head but it seems that it was planted in me quite a long time ago. Oh well, whatever God's will would be. Que sera sera. ;)

Finally decided to get rid of my U700. I remember blogging about it in last year's New Year's entry about getting it the year before but I guess we just don't seem to be compatible with each other as it keeps dying on me. Thinking of getting an E63 instead. Thinking of going back to a Nokia after around 4 years.

Looking back at 2008, I'm thinking if I missed anything worth mentioning since last night. But my mind draws a blank as I am called to get some dinner. Maybe something will come again later. As I close this entry.

For now, it's just, I am thankful for 2008, and my 2^nd New year's resolution has finally come.

New Year's Resolution # 2: Lose weight! Exercise more! :D

It's not really impossible but it's somehow less doable than the first one, which I really Have to do... :D

Hmm, just a random thought that came to me just now... one big announcement in '08 was one of my friends getting married soon.

Bestwishes to Cheska this coming May! :)

I guess it just shows how time can pass by so quickly. One time we’re at that age when all we attended were debuts, and now, the weddings are going to start.

Time passes, things change, people evolve...

Hmmm..

New Year's Resolution #3: Be more active, outgoing. Go out more!

January 9, 2009

9 days have passed since 2009 stepped in. And no one could stop it.

Cheers to the 2008 that passed and may 2009 be a blessed year for all of us.

xxx

xxx