Ah, what was I doing last year? I was worried and all about the upcoming year, and it’s mostly because of work. Hah. I’m that neurotic. Well, I’m still a bit neurotic in that sense, but I am definitely doing so much better this year than last year. :)

This week has been package week for me at work. My gift for Grace arrived yesterday, as well as a late birthday gift to Happy from me and Tuesday, and earlier today, I got my Moleskine Asia order, which contains my 2008 planner, 2 blank notebooks that I plan to use somewhere (journals, yay!), and my gifts to Tuesday and Bea. I was so giddy when I received my packages — even if I spent on all of them — just because. I miss receiving letters from snail mail. The only letters I received for the past year were bills. Hah. I now know the feeling.

Maybe next year I can invest in snail mail stuff. Hmmm.

Anyway, a bit earlier today, while fixing my stuff, I was holding my new planner and the Moleskine I won a few months ago, when I was hit by my OC-ness. I tore the two pages I have written in in the said notebook, then opened one of the plain Moleskines I ordered and told myself this would be my journal for 2008. Why change from the other even if they’re both Moleskines? Can’t tell, I was sworn to secrecy. :D But anyway, I’m now using this other plain pocket Moleskine…So now I have two identical-looking notebooks all ready for 2008.

Suddenly I’m excited. :) I remember last year I was so apprehensive at the incoming year; this year, I’m psyched. I’ve always made predictions at the start of every year since 2004. Not the fortune-telling kind, but the a general feeling of how the year will go. Like, 2004 was the year of “many happenings” and 2005 was the quiet year, and 2006 was the year of promises and 2007 was the difficult year. What about 2008?

I think 2008 will be…different. I believe it will be definitely better than 2007. In what ways, only God knows. If 2007 was the year of Great Adventures, I think 2008 will be the year of Big, Fun and Scary Stuff (thanks to the NaNoWriMo people for this term :) ). Come to think of it, I think that term is very similar to Great Adventure. ^^;

But yes…2008 is going to be the year for it. :) The year of Big, Fun and Scary Stuff. I don’t know what 2008 holds, but I’ve got several things to put in my list of Big, Fun and Scary Stuff to conquer this year. :) Like, lose weight (seriously), drive (seriously), bake something new other then my revel bars (and maybe get myself an Ove glove to prevent burns), and go to Sydney. :D Woooh. And that’s just the start! Exciting!

What about you? What do you think 2008 holds for you? :)

Warning: this is an insanely long entry.

January

• Never Take Friendship Personal (January 15, 2007) – this post was an angry post. I was annoyed at some people from my previous work who I thought were my friends, but then they stopped including me in their breakfast/lunch plans…in fact, they stopped talking to me altogether, and I had no idea why. Things loosened up around March when one of them was resigning. It hurt a lot.
• Passions (January 18, 2007) – this post is the start of my doubting if I was in the right job. Note that I was only four months into the job then. I wondered about quitting, and the entire thought of loving your job.
• On Crushes (January 26, 2007) – Just because this entry is so…hee! Boys are brothers, not prospects!
• Parteeh Hangover (January 28, 2007) – Because this is the most link-loving post I’ve ever done. :)

February

• MUfHH: Are you ready to be offered? (February 6, 2007) – One of my early meaty reflections, about trusting God and letting go. Reading this reminds me of how deep Oswald Chambers’ reflections can be. And how deep I can reflect.
• For My Love (February 14, 2007) – My “mandatory” Valentine’s post. I love how positive this sounded. :D Haha.

March

• Hurt (March 4, 2007) – Reading this entry still gives me an ache in the heart. :( Written after totally eventful night which I really do not want to happen again.
• Cryptic Entry # 2: Why? (March 13, 2007) – Ah, I guess I can divulge the reason for this one. :) I wrote this after hearing from a friend that my low exam results in the pre-employment exam in the company where I currently work now did not make me qualify for the next step. How sad. But look where I am now. :)
• The Great Adventure (March 18, 2007) – The obligatory (post-)birthday post, where I psych myself up for my 21st year.
• Cryptic Entry # 3: I Want Out (March 23, 2007) – This is where I cracked from all the dislike I had for my previous job, because it seemed like people could not bear to give even the smallest of encouragement to their colleagues. Hay.
• Skimming the Surface (March 29, 2007) – This is where I elaborated on why I wanted out. I just re-read the entry and was surprised at how emotional, broken and angry it sounded. Wow.

Other notable entries here are the “What happened when I was ___” in preparation for the birthday. :)

April

Interestingly, this month seemed to be filled with deep and semi-angsty entries about work. Did I really dislike it that bad? I knew I had a change of heart by the end of the month, but I never got to post about it (the draft’s still sitting in my dashboard).

• No Comfort Zone (April 11, 2007) – My entry convincing myself to jump out of my comfort zone right before the YFC International Leader’s Conference in Naga.
• Revolution of Hope, Part 1 (April 16, 2007) – The obligatory post-ILC post. I was supposed to write a part 2 (a really angry post at that) because of what happened at the end of the conference but I never found the words to post it.
• Virginia Tech Massacre (April 19, 2007) – In the light of the Virginia Tech Massacre, I made a post that sort of kind of answered the ILC post part 1. This one is a bit similar to Skimming the Surface (March 29, 2007), only more centered on the tragedy. Here I stress the power of being present in another person’s life.
• Overthinking (April 25, 2007) – Ah, one of my favorite entries. :)) This is where I had my slight change of heart about work, because of an exam/interview at another company where I realized after that I did not want to work there. After this, I felt settled down in my work for the first time ever. :D
• Chocolate Revel Bars (April 29, 2007) – Just because I keep on referring to this one. I’m sick of baking this one because I’ve baked seven pans in the span of 5 days. O_o

May

• Captain Tal: my new Nokia 6233 (May 1, 2007) – The Captain’s arrival, after it almost not coming and deciding to come. I’m very satisfied with this one, thank you very much. :)
• On Graduation (May 9, 2007) – My comments on this article found in PinoyCentric. I still miss college, but not that much anymore.
• Five Great Adventures (May 11, 2007) – One of my entries that got the most pingbacks because I submitted it as a part of Darren Rowse‘s Group Writing Project. No significant progress yet, except for the travel part, when I went to Singapore. :) I’m planning on tackling the driving thing next year.
• An Insignificant Speck (May 14, 2007) – Bashing unlimited texting systems. Haha. Seriously speaking, this is the sad entry, the one where I felt so alone because I couldn’t find anyone to watch Spider-man 3 with. :(
• I Won a Moleskine! (May 16, 2007) – Enough said. :D
• The 7 People of Lamentations (May 22, 2007) – The emotional entry of the month. Haha. This is me being afraid that I will never be able to get out of the job I was previously in. This is what, the nth entry about this? It’s amazing how troubled I used to be with that. Wow.

June

For some reason, I just love this month, even if most of my posts are sponsored posts or memes. :D

• Who is Triskal? (June 3, 2007) – The arrival of the 30GB iPod video replacement for Star, my 2-year old pink 4GB iPod mini. Still paying for this one. :D
• Patron Saint of Lost Objects (June 7, 2007) – The day I lost my first cellphone ever. And it’s not even mine! T__T But I learned more about a certain saint that day, and even if I never recovered that cellphone, it gave me a new perspective. :)
• Waiting for the Splash (June 11, 2007) – This was the day I sent my resume online to the company I am working for right now. Leap of faith!
• Faith Like That (June 12, 2007) – This is my post after I read the autoreply email from JobStreet about my application the previous day. It (the email) was kind of a downer, but I felt I just needed to trust God and have faith.
• Hard Decisions (June 23, 2007) – And finally. This is the obligatory “I resigned from my job” post. I talked about how hard it was for my to resign, even if I’ve basically complained about my old job and how I really wanted out. Life is ironic, yes?

July

My favorite month for 2007. :D

• Identical Blue Men (July 5, 2007) – My first post about my new job, and how much I am loving it after the first three days.
• A Moment I Was Made to Sing (July 13, 2007) – Another “I love my new job so much” post, and realizing how sweet this victory is compared to if I had won it earlier. :)
• Stunned and Stupefied (July 21, 2007) – The day my old laptop, Ginger, crashed. :(

August

• Perfect Life…Now What? (August 11, 2007) – The first time I started dealing with my deteriorating prayer life. Agh. I don’t know if there’s any progress with this.
• Taking Responsibility (August 15, 2007) – Ah, the most “kilig” entry for the year, IMHO. This is where I talked about taking responsibility over my heart. :)

I just realized this month was filled with sponsored posts as well. Raket much?

September

My second favorite month, mostly because of the events that followed. :D

• Happy Anniversary! (September 4, 2007) – My post commemorating my first year anniversary of being a part of the workforce, and my lessons of a one-year employee.
• When I look at the Stars: My Switchfoot Night (September 12, 2007) – The highlight of the year :) This entry is not aptly titled, I just realized. It’s supposed to be 24+ hours with Switchfoot. Haha.
• Spirit, fall fresh on me (September 18, 2007) – My post Switchfoot detox prayer, because I realized I need to stop talking about them and need to focus on the One they are singing for.
• Goodbye for now, “Sylvia” (September 20, 2007) – The ultimate geekery: naming my credit card. My attempt on saving by not using my credit card. It worked! I was credit-card debt-free during November. Sweet.

October

• The Hunt for the One Laptop (October 6, 2007) – This is when I unofficially became a Mac convert. I did not admit it then because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get a Mac, so I posted these specs to see if there are worthy PC competitors with the specs and budget I wanted. Hah, no one crossed the line yet. :D *hugs Aslan*
• Learning to Breathe (October 9, 2007) – Follow up entry on Perfect Life…Now What? (August 11, 2007). Sigh.
• Bravo! (October 21, 2007) – My post about the award we won at work, which still lacks our photo. Heh.
• OH HAI: On LOLCat Speek (October 23, 2007) -Just because I love how geeky and cute this post was. :D KTHXBAI. :))

November

• Singapore Weekend Hangover (November 5, 2007) – The obligatory Singapore post. :D No photos though. :-s
• Aslan, the Black MacBook (November 6, 2007) – Self-explanatory.
• Night Shift (November 8, 2007) – My post about being on night shift. Not exactly the best thing…but I got used to it eventually. Of course, it destroyed my body clock, but who’s complaining? (Really, who is complaining? :)) )
• Chimon, the Canon EOS 40D (November 11, 2007) – The post about my brother’s new toy from Singapore.
• Craziness NOT Over (November 30, 2007) – My one and only semi-political post for the year, I think?

December

• Happy Holidays from Mac! (December 21, 2007) – Heh. Only because the commercial is funny.
• Once, I was a magazine model (December 23, 2007) – Where I reminisced on my “modeling days”. Right.
• A Christmas Tale (December 24, 2007) – The obligatory Christmas post, which I have to admit, after writing, made me appreciate the reason why God sent Jesus to the world. I can’t wait for Easter now. :)

Whew! That was long! Hah. It’s been an eventful year, yes? It started out with me feeling all apprehensive because I felt 2007 would be a difficult year…and it was, but it had its own share of victories as well. :) Now if only the Moleskine planners I ordered would arrive now, I can start my 2008 planning. But while I wait, lemme ogle at the photo gallery at Amby Baby. EEEEEEH! ♥

What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Get myself a truck bed liner. Haha, no, just kidding. Resign from my old job. Join a sportsfest team (Bowling!). Go boxing. Watch Switchfoot. Go to Singapore and Naga. Become a Municipal Liaison for NaNoWriMo. Buy a MacBook and actually paying for it with my own money. Pay for my website hosting with my own money (after three years!).

Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Agh. Maybe only 2? I did not make proper resolutions this year for some reason. I can’t even remember them now. As for next year…I will probably make some, but they’ll most probably be similar with the previous ones.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin’s wife gave birth, as well as my nephew’s wife. Haven’t seen the babies though. I saw my nephew’s baby (my…grand-niece? :-o) yesterday.

Did anyone close to you die?
Like I mentioned in the first survey, Erwin passed away last year but I only found out about him early this year. :(

What countries did you visit?
Singapore!

What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Better prayer life (once again), more confidence in my driving, possibly even higher salary (heh), and more willpower to actually lose weight. Heh. Better time management skills and more assertiveness. Oh, and a 250GB external hard disk drive for Aslan.

What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 15, 2007 – the day I took the walk-in exam to where I work
June 22, 2007 – resigning from my old work
July 2, 2oo7 – my first day at my new work
September 10, 2007 – Switchfoot in Manila
November 4, 2007 – Getting Aslan

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting into where I am working right now (yay), joining a sports team, getting that award at work, and being able to budget my money some kind of wisely. :D Oh, and the entire NaNoWriMo things and events for November — those were just fun. :D

What was your biggest failure?
Opening my big mouth. Not praying. :(

Did you suffer illness or injury?
The usual sore throat, colds and sometimes asthma.

What was the best thing you bought?
Captain Tal (Nokia 6233), Triskal (30GB Black iPod Video) and Aslan (Black MacBook). :D Oooh, all gadgets!

Whose behavior merited celebration?
The PinoyWrimo folks. I have never met such an inspiring group of people. :)

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
An old officemate who kept on bugging me on love problems. I’m sorry, I was just being impatient. ^^; The problems ARE kind of petty. O_o

Where did most of your money go?
Gadgets, credit card bills, gifts and Sydney fund.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Starting my new job, Switchfoot concert.

What song(s) will always remind you of 2007?
The Great Adventure by Steven Curtis Chapman.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? definitely happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? fatter. =/
iii. richer or poorer? richer, I guess?

What do you wish you’d done more?
Same answer as 2006: Pray before anything else.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Same answer as 2006: Talk and do things without praying.

What was your favorite TV program?
Heroes, CSI:NY, Chuck, Joan of Arcadia.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don’t like hating people.

What was the best book you read?
Ah. Hmm. Flashbang by Mark Steele and Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. For fiction, Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice. I promise to really make a dent in my reading list this 2008.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Brooke Fraser, Matt Wertz and Dave Barnes.

What did you want and get?
A new cellphone and a new laptop. :)

What was your favorite film of this year?
Transformers, Meet the Robinsons and Enchanted ♥

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 21 this year. The day before my birthday was spent at work, where I took a half-day leave and then hit the gym and went to the SFC Chapter Gathering to ask for prayers for my birthday. I spent the first hour of my birthday in prayer, asking God for guidance for my “Year of Great Adventure”. My entire birthday was spent cooking and preparing for the party I hosted at home.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Still the same, I guess. I am starting to change the way I dress, though.

What kept you sane?
Prayer, writing, music and good friends. :)

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Switchfoot, I guess.

What political issue stirred you the most?
The second coup attempt in Makati.

Who did you miss?
Bea.

Who was the best new person you met?
My teammates and the PinoyWrimo people.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007:
Life is a great adventure. :) God’s will is your heart’s deepest desire. :)

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
Ack, I hardly take note of these things! Seriously. A client recently emailed my bosses a commendation for the team with a special mention to me for handling her really long requests. :”> One of the best Christmas presents I’ve had since I started working. :D

The most touching experience you’ve had this year?
Being given career advices by my former boss when I resigned? Heh. Oh. Being taken cared of again by people at work, especially in my new work, how everyone’s concerned about our security and work-life balance.

What did you like most about yourself this year?
I’m starting to take more risks and try new things. :)

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
Being too talkative.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

Saddle up your horses we’ve got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder of God’s amazing grace
Let’s follow our leader into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other – this is The Great Adventure.

The Great Adventure, by Steven Curtis Chapman

Was 2007 a good year for you?
Good and difficult. I remember starting this year very afraid, because I feel like it’s going to be full of challenges that I don’t know if I’m ready for yet. Turns out I am…kind of. :) God is faithful.

What was your favorite moment of the year?
Switchfoot concert. :)

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Finding a new job times. Internal conflict all the waaay.

Where were you when 2007 began?
At home.

Who were you with?
With my family, praying the rosary. :)

Where will you be when 2007 ends?
Still at home.

Who will you be with when 2007 ends?
With my entire family. :)

Do you have a new years resolution for 2008?
I plan to have some, which I haven’t really figured out just yet. It involves me trying new things though. I’m thinking of calling 2008 as the year of “Big, Fun and Scary/Exciting things”, much thanks to the NaNoWriMo folks for the term. :)

What was your favorite month of 2007?
July and September.

Did you lose anybody close to you in 2007?
Hmm…no, not really.

Did you miss anybody in the past year?
A lot, most specifically my college friends.

What was your favorite record from 2007?
What to do with Daylight by Brooke Fraser, Brother, Bring the Sun by Dave Barnes, Today & Tomorrow by Matt Wertz, Learning to Breathe and The Beautiful Letdown by Switchfoot

How many concerts did you see in 2007?
Just one – Switchfoot in Manila.

Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2007?
Just a few sips of gin-tonic from Mike. :))

Do a lot of drugs in 2007?
Nope.

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Nothing I can recall.

How much money did you spend in 2007?
More than 2006 because I earned a lot more in the latter part of 2007. Plus I got my credit card soooo….

What was your proudest moment of 2007?
Closing this old project at my old work, being one of the Identical Blue Men. :)) Winning an award at work after four months of being employed.

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2007?
I hardly remember these things either. I’m pretty sure it involves my big mouth, though.

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2007 and change something, what would it be?
Nothing. :)

What are your plans for 2008?
Drive (this time I mean it). Lose weight (this too). Clean my room again (heh). Go to Sydney. :)

How are you different now that the year has ended?
When the year started, I was very scared of whatever difficulties I know I am bound to experience. Now that 2007 is ending, I am not regretting everything I’ve been through, even if at some point, it was very difficult. But I wouldn’t be who I am now if I did not go through them. :) I guess I am friendlier, more interested and willing trying new things, and I think I am kind of mastering the art of budgeting. Hah.

What are your wishes for the new year?
That I can finally overcome my fear of driving, that I can stick to my lose-weight resolution, that I learn to love myself as well as others more than I loved this year. And finally, that I re-build and strengthen my relationship my God again (I miss You!). Okay, and fine, an interesting love life would be nice, but I’m not counting on it. LOL. :)

I’m supposed to make a list of things that happened in 2007 that is worth mentioning but I’m too tired to think. I found this old survey from my LiveJournal though. As with everyone else in the blog world doing their 2007 recollections, here’s my second one (the first one being this). The last time I filled this survey out was back in 2003. To make things more interesting, I’ll keep my 2003 answers (in italics) in the survey so we could all laugh at how I see things 4 years ago. :P (Oh and some names are censored to protect their privacy…and prevent me from being embarrassed :)) )

PLACES:
1) Place you hung out the most in this year:
2003: my room, Gox lobby, Ampitheater, IST lab, Mito’s house, Marv’s house
2007: the office, Eastwood, home

2) Favorite new place you discovered:
2003: DLSU’s Ampitheater! :) I liked hanging out there, it is probably the “windiest” and freshest place in DLSU.
2007: Ah. I don’t know. Seattle’s Best? Haha. I started liking their place more than I like Starbucks. :P

3) Places you went on dates:
2003: Ergh…what dates? Okay, fine. Robinson’s Galleria with Marfel and Daqs. Munch Alley with BIGO girls. :) Subway with Nadz!
2007: (OMG. Let me just laugh at my old answers, LOLZ!) Again, what dates? If it’s with the Godchicks, it’s always coffee shops. :)

4) Favorite vacation spot for the year:
2003: Hmmm…none. I didn’t like Matabungkay, Morong’s okay…I have yet to see Bauan, Batangas, but then that would be next year already. Face it, I’ve been more of a bum this year.
2007: Hands down, it’s Singapore. :)

5) Places you made out in (or more) this year:
2003: no answer.
2007: still no make outs (or more) this year.

PEOPLE:
1) Person who taught you a lot this year:
2003: God (as usual), Franz, Luigi, Daqs (even if he doesn’t know it), my household
2007: God (of course), my parents. Jomar. People at work, I guess (from both jobs :D)

2) An old friend you rediscovered this year:
2003: Hmmm…Ryan Dave and Patrese, through Friendster.
2007: Diana…but we’ve yet to meet next week. :D Trac, an old chat-mate who turns out to be a YFC, who knows my best friend and who is the cousin of another friend I met earlier this year. How about that. :)

3) Person who told you the nicest thing about yourself:
2003: Hmmm…people from Friendster, through testimonials. And Love. Ü
2007: Ack, so many people, I can’t recall! Or maybe I just don’t really notice it, or take note of them, you know?

4) Person who did something really great for you (and what):
2003: F, I guess, for being honest with me. And Love, for looking out for me. And D, for making my Valentine’s Day interesting. And all the people who listened to me when I blabbed about him.
2007: (Again, OMG LOLZ about my previous answer!) I don’t know. Haha I don’t know if my memory’s just lousy. They’re always great to me. My SFC friends, I guess? (Ack, I hate my memory this year)

5) Person you spent the most time with this year:
2003: college friends
2007: officemates. Godchicks.

6) Person you did something really great for (and what):
2003: I have no idea. I don’t think of those that much.
2007: I still have the same answer. ^^;

7) Someone you wished you talked to this year:
2003: Jamie, again. And Toni.
2007: Some people I wish I talked to more: Bea, most definitely.

8) Someone whom you started a great friendship with this year:
2003: IST people, guys from S17 (because of FYI)
2007: officemates in new work (Go Bords!), PinoyWrimos. :)

9) Old enemy/s you made peace with this year:
2003: I don’t think I made any enemies…petty fights, I know, but no enemies.
2007: Hay. Still praying for that one.

10) Someone you lost this year:
2003: does D count? Did I ever lose him in the first place? Haha…no one died this year, thank God.
2007: (Ugh, that answer was so cheesy) Technically, he passed away last year, but we found out about Erwin only this year. :(

11) Person/s you kissed this year:
2003: My parents, my barkada.
2007: Same here.

12) Person who made you laugh the most:
2003: my college friends. :)
2007: Ali, Arjyl, Marc. And let’s not forget Mike. :P

13) Person who made you cry:
2003: D. Of course, he doesn’t know it. :P
2007: If it’s crying because of heartache…no one. :) Yes, no one! Because of other things…does this old server at work count? :P Haha. GCO!

14) Person you disliked when the year began but ended up becoming good friends with:
2003: hmm…some IST people, I guess. :) I thought some of them are kind of…ergh, well, pretentious, but they’re not. :)
2007: Ah. There’s someone from the vendors of the old company I worked with who I did not like that much but we’re now good friends (I think). As for work right now, I have just met a lot of people, but there’s no one in particular I do not like.

15) Person you crushed on the entire year:
2003: Uy, 10 months lang! :) D. In a way, I don’t want to associate him with my crushes, since it’s a bit different from say, Bench. Other crushes are kind of, well, crushy. :D Not too serious.
2007: The entire year? No one. There might be someone here and there, but nothing serious. Haha. I guess I’ve grown up a lot from then (hello it’s been 4 years!).

16) Someone you wished you apologized to:
2003: hmmm…no one. Like I said, I don’t think I made any enemies.
2007: My mom, whenever we’d have petty fights. And everyone who I happened to snap at.

17) People you went out on dates with:
2003: BIGO girls. I don’t go on dates with guys. Haha..unless you count the Valentine’s day one. ;) Not really.
2007: Godchicks

18) Friends you went out with a lot:
2003: BIGO girls, The Blockmates, IST people, FYI people
2007: Teammates (Go Bords!), PinoyWrimos (for November at least) and Godchicks

19) Coolest person you met this year:
2003: Stephen Speaks? :)
2007: SWITCHFOOT! :)

STUFF:
1) Clothing item you wore the most this year:
2003: last year it was white. this year it’s black. :P And jeans, jeans, jeans!
2007: Black slacks and work tops. :P

2) Nicest present you got this year:
2003: the long awaited digital camera! :)
2007: Aslan (even if I have to pay for him), the new job

3) Favorite song for the year:
2003: Picture by Stephen Speaks, Three Libras by A Perfect Circle, Big Yellow Taxi by Counting Crows and Vanessa Carlton, Go and Sin No More by Rebecca St. James
2007: The Great Adventure by Steven Curtis Chapman

4) Coolest event of the year:
2003: YFC 10th ILC, Stephen Speaks concert
2007: Blog Parteeh, meeting Switchfoot and their concert, getting accepted in my dream company :)

5) New hobby you picked up this year:
2003: more on shopping, being OC about my stuff, lettering
2007: It’s not exactly a hobby, but I plan on making it one next year :P Boxing. And I liked Bowling too. :D Blogging, I guess?

6) Best book of the year:
2003: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, of course. For me, it’s When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy and Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot. :)
2007: Gah, I hardly read this year. =/ But my vote (for now) goes to Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.

7) Best Movie:
2003: Hmm…Finding Nemo!!!
2007: Transformers, Meet the Robinsons, Enchanted

8) Most shocking news headline of the year:
2003: FPJ running for President. Ergh.
2007: The clown show at Makati last month. (Wow, both answers are political)

9) Favorite food of the year:
2003: chocolates pa rin! :) I ate less sisig this year…ummm…yeah, chocolates.
2007: I think I ate a lot of pasta this year. ^^;

10) Favorite new artist that came out this year:
2003: Stacie Orrico, Evanescence, Nickel Creek
2007: They’re not exactly new artists. Brooke Fraser, Dave Barnes and Matt Wertz.

LESSONS:
1) Wisest thing you did this year:
2003: learn from my mistakes.
2007: To dive and take a risk.

2) Stupidest thing you did this year:
2003: assume about a certain person who I haven’t known for long.
2007: Allow myself to believe for a few moments that I don’t deserve to have a good job; to be afraid of the future. Still not praying. :(

3) Biggest change in your life this year:
2003: met a lot more people and got to be a lot more active in batch activities. it’s not exactly a big change, but it’s what mostly happened. Oh yeah, I’m a college sophomore already.
2007: new job. :)

4) Biggest challenge of this year:
2003: To do good in school. And to be a dense person. ^^;
2007: To pursue what I really want to do with my life.

5) Something you leared the hard way:
2003: that love can’t be rushed, and that no matter how much the guy seems to like you. Boredom can bring a lot of bad things. And that when you choose to love a person, you don’t focus on that person alone, you do things because you are in love. :) And that I should always talk to God….as in always.
2007: (Again, let me laugh at my previous answer first. LOL). That God’s will is my deepest desires.

6) Greatest lesson you learned this year:
2003: Thy Will Be Done. Just let God work on you…and keep yourself busy! An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
2007: Life is a great adventure. :)

7) Best joke you’ve heard all year:
2003: Hmm…I can’t remember! Seriously. It must be from the FYI stuff…I never laughed that much when I’m with the guys.
2007: Don’t make me remember, because I can’t. The only funny thing I keep on remembering right now that is funny is Mike’s TYPE KA NON! :))

8) Biggest disappointment of the year:
2003: Not being able to get into the Dean’s List, thrice…and well, knowing that he’s just like that.
2007: Not passing the pre-employment exam at a certain company I really wanted to work for, disappoinment in some people I used to trust during the YFC ILC in Naga.

9) Biggest blessing of the year:
2003: getting my digital camera…and learning all the things I’ve learned. :)
2007: That company whose pre-employment exam I did not pass at the previous number? I work there now. :)

10) Biggest thing you discovered about the world:
2003: That it’s a small world. :) Really, it is. We’re all connected to each other, somewhat [Friendster!]
2007: That there’s a lot to see in the world that I have yet to see. :)

11) Biggest thing you discovered about people in general:
2003: That people are interesting in their own ways, and that there’s always something new to discover about every person. There are no strangers, only people I haven’t met yet.
2007: This isn’t exactly a discovery since I’ve held onto this one for the longest time: people are innately good, but it takes some time to see the goodness in some people.

AND LASTLY!!!
1) Goals/dreams for next year:
2003:
- get into the Dean’s List!
- erase my 0.0 in my record when I retake INTRODS (next term!)
- go on diet.
- pray more, listen more, talk less.
- continue enjoying life the way I do right now. :)

2007:
- fix my prayer time.
- drive.
- Get back to 120lbs and wear my old pants again ^^;
- salary raise…and fine, a possible promotion?
- SYDNEY!
- finish Fall Like Rain
- start a small blog-hosting business
- take time to understand all life insurance quotes presented to me for next year and save up to invest for a savings thingie. After Sydney.

2) Predictions for next year on:
A. LOVE:
2003: like what I said in 2003: don’t count on it. =p I’m all His!
2007: Hah. Shall I be controversial on my answer? I’m open to anything. ;)

B. CAREER:
2003: better? I hope. :) Oh yeah, I’m turning 18 next year! Whoa!
2007: looking bright, so far. I look forward to the new challenges up for my teammates and I next year. :) Wohoo!

Anyway.

Take the first sentence (or two) from the first entry of each month and post it here. That’s your year in review.

• January
  “Where was I for the past first five days of 2007? Let me list them down: January 1: I spent the first two hours in prayer. *blissful smile*” ((Sigh))
• February
  “Wow, it’s already February. Where did January go?”
• March
  “Well hello, it’s March already. Can you believe it?”
• April
  “Okay, I think it’s pretty presentable now. :) This is the less pink layout I wanted, and if you didn’t see this post before I edited it, I realized that I used Christmas colors here, but according to the Color Schemer website where I picked this scheme, it’s supposed to be apples.”
• May
  “Happy Labor Day everyone. It is so good to be able to take a break in the middle of the week — with pay!”
• June
  “Hello, Friday! Hello, June! I never mentioned it, but I started a Script Frenzy blog.”
• July
  “Last Friday was my last day at work. I was permitted to be a bit relaxed, provided I finish all the documents for turnover and request for transfer early. Around 3:00pm I was done, so all I did was talk with my officemates and do some picture taking.”
• August
  “If you still don’t have a mosh pit ticket, then this should convince you! :) For all mosh pit ticket buyers until August 6, you will get the following: Free limited edition poster autographed by the entire band for every mosh pit ticket purchased, and Free Sunchild Redeemer T-Shirt for every two tickets purchased (Sunchild Redeemer shirts were sold during the Reuben Morgan worship two years ago).”
• September
  “Let’s have some mindless fun again before I talk about my long, long book fair day. :) This quick survey is taken from the That’s My Answer meme for September 1. :)”
• October
  “Hello, it’s October! I’m still sort of swamped at work, but I thank my teammates for taking some of the load (Hi Mike!) off me.”
• November
  “Hello November. :)It’s a non-working holiday today and today is also the day we fly to Singapore.”
• December
  “Yes, this is another NaNoWriMo post. :) Which I am supposed to post here (well, it is cross-posted, soooo) but this blog seemed to be abandoned now, and Mike has been demanding I make a new post…so here. ^^;”

I just have to laugh at how I always marveled at a new month’s entry. Did all months of 2007 pass by that fast?

Okay, now I’m sleepy. :) I shall take a nap before reformatting Ginger and putting her up for sale. :) Good morning everyone!

And I thought today would be a peaceful day, you know, since there’s only the real work I have to deal with, no extra-curricular activities. Plus, it’s the weekend, so I look forward to shopping tomorrow with Happy for something to wear for Saturday’s company Christmas party…and then relax on Sunday while capturing this video for work. You know, a nice, normal, quiet weekend — something to recover from the stress of the week.

But other people have other plans ((Read: The Makati Standoff)). And everyone’s affected ((Read: Manila curfew)).

If you happen to be in the country and you don’t know what’s going on, you are probably not watching the news…so here’s a short version: two grown men — a senator and a general — decided to throw a tantrum because the people won’t hear their side and lock themselves up in a hotel. Oh and they brought friends too! Hey, maybe they listen to us now!

Six hours later…“FINE! I’ll go out now and surrender…but only because I don’t want people to get hurt!” *Ignores all the guests staying in the hotel who had to go out because of what he did, the workers in Makati who got hassled, and all the people who got hassled because of the curfew imposed as a result of this whole shenanigan.* Oh, at least no one got hurt, right? They’re hassled, yes, but they’re not hurt! It’s okay! The Manila Peninsula has a tank smashed up the front entrance that destroyed the hotel entrance and probably their nice ceiling lighting? Cool! But no one’s hurt, right? The place is just badly damaged, but don’t worry, you can fix that! Oh, media people? Sorry we had to use you as human shields, and sorry, we’ll use you as well so some of us can try to go out. You might get arrested, but don’t worry, it’s okay! You’ll get out! Your networks will let you out! Everyone ready? Okai, we go nao! Ktnxbai!

Hay. Sorry for the sarcasm, I’m just annoyed. I’m probably going to take a lot of heat with what I’m about to say, but I’m annoyed because this is my last night of late shift, and I had a lot of stuff to finish tonight, which I couldn’t because I had to go home and I can’t work on it at home because I don’t have a work-issued laptop. Ah, I’ve become such a corporate slave that all I think about is work, work, work.

I guess at some point in the past few years since EDSA Dos, I have become a bit apathetic over these things. It had a point back then, but people keep on overusing the rally power that we had, that it’s become tiring. Remember those rallies in Makati two years ago, the one where entire Ayala was closed to traffic because people decided to rally? Where they left Makati very dirty afterwards, hassling all the workers because all underpasses and overpasses are closed and no bus passes in Ayala so everyone has to walk all the way to Glorietta to ride the MRT? It’s just too much. And now this! It’s tiring, really.

I’m not pro-administration or pro-opposition, but this is just crazy. And selfish. The way they tried to call attention and get the other side to do their bidding and point fingers to blame other people for the misfortune of our country is plain selfish, when in reality everyone is at fault. Don’t believe me? When was the last time you threw away your trash on the street and not look for a garbage can? When was the last time you one-upped your friend because you wanted to get more for yourself? When was the last time I ignored someone who needed my help? When was the last time I thought of someone other than myself? And see how selfish I was a few paragraphs back, when I was talking about how this entire thing disturbed me from work and I hardly even throught of everyone in Makati who is affected and might have been hurt in this entire ordeal?

I’m still proud to be a Filipino, and I still hope for the best in this country. I just hope that the people in position will decide to side with the Filipino people — who they are supposed to be serving, anyway — for once, and not stage things like these that really shows how much they only think of themselves.

Alright, enough ranting. The disgruntled (hee, favorite word at work right now) corporate slave will just sleep and pray everything is normal — as much as it can be — tomorrow.

Keep safe, everyone.

So Thursday, I fixed my things and my mom (I love you!) dropped me off at the meeting area. As I said, I was nervous because I have no idea who I will be with. I met some of the people who arrived who are basically my “younger generation” since they all came from my chapter. The other people came, and it was time to leave. I rode a jeep together with other people in my chapter, some Napico kids and the SIGA who I was supposed to watch over together with Tita Precy, their couple coordinator.

Can I just say that it’s a LONG ride to Naga? As in LOOOOONG. Since we were riding an aircool jeep with not-so-soft seats instead of an airconditioned bus with cushioned seats, the ride was well, butt-hurting. Plus the wind was constantly in our face and hair that I know it all accumulated several layers of dust during the travel. Traveling at night time is even different: it’s dark and cold. We all had to figure out ways how to be comfortable without messing with the other riders and to stop your butts from hurting from sitting because of the 10-12 hours of travel. It was a fun because people actually lied down on the floor to get some sleep, while some of us bundled ourselves with jackets and blankets so we won’t freeze.

Twelve hours later, we got to the Naga Sports Complex. Then we went to Penafrancia Resort to meet with our sector and to get our IDs before heading to the accomodations. We got there, saw some people and our cluster-mates who were staying in the resort told us we could take a bath there before going to our accomodations. So bath we did — thank You Lord!

After that, we went to our accomodation. Us girls were staying in a school classroom, and HALLELUJAH, THERE WAS A BATHROOM! It wasn’t as posh-looking as I wanted it too — it’s actually a bit diry looking — but it is a functional bathroom with water! Praise God!

We went back to the venue for lunch, then since we’re not doing anything, we went around the venue for a while. We checked out the booths, saw some people we know and took pictures (of course). I was looking for the Campus people, so we went around the field to look for them but ended up taking more pictures. :P

Since Globe is our major sponsor, I just had to take a picture with this!

For those who know where I work, this is a total hoot. :) I want to make this a wallpaper at the office. :P

Anyway, around 3, we sat on the field to save our space for the night’s sessions. Took some more pictures, watched some practices, bought GK 1MB CDs where my friends Greg and Ivan were. There were some politicians spotted: Joker Arroyo, Manny Villar’s wife (who is also a member of CFC), Koko Pimintel, Noli de Castro and Mike Defensor (who Niki got to embrace). There was the oh-so-funny GK Haka, which Fr. Paul (is that his name?) made which was so funny to see especially when the politicians were doing it. :P

Niki and I went around after a while because Prince texted me and told me they were already there. A little while later, I finally saw my beloved YFC-DLSU people! I swear, I missed these people! I saw some Central C ((formerly South A)) people too, such as Tita Malu and Aiza. I was so happy to see them that I started crying! I missed them that much!

After greeting everyone, Bung and I went outside to buy water and talk for a while, and we saw some more people we know and then we went back inside because it was already dinner time. I went back to my group and then came the presentations and the talks.

The talks, as always were amazing. I kind of had a feeling that the talks won’t affect me in a personal way because it’s more on GK and nation building, but boy was I wrong. Kuya Luis’ first talk, Lupang Pangako, ((Read: Promised Land)) talked about how much YFC has been blessed, and how we can strengthen the community more. I found it funny when he talked about God’s plan and how we should hope in Him and when God calls, just say YES. I was especially hit when he said:

Plan your careers based on God’s plan. Plan your career where you have enough time to help…if you just plan to earn and earn and then help, then you’re not right soldier for the army.

Full hit!

Sponge Cola played that night, much thanks to Globe. We went back to the school to sleep and rest. The next morning, I woke up and opened the door to Ate Cherry, who was my other SFC sister who would help us with the SIGA. I was the first one who took a bath, which I really thank God for because after the second one finished taking a bath, we ran out of water.

We got breakfast, ate and then headed over to Naga City Market to buy souvenirs and pasalubong. I got lots of pili nuts and a slipper for Bea. We went back to the venue for lunch, and the other kids went to their respective workshops while Tita Precy, Ate Cherry and I rested and talked. The other SIGA joined us later and we had a food trip with them (fish balls and kwek kwek!) and a little while later, I met with Prince and we talked before going down for the mass.

We went back to the field to get read for the mass. While I was there, Gigie texted me and said she’d join me, and we met later on and heard the mass together. After the mass, we went outside to buy food (my treat) where we saw Bung, ate more food and then joined YFC-DLSU for dinner. I missed this girl so much! :) Look, we’re even wearing the same color. =)

After that it was talk time. Last year, they separated the high school aged YFC from the college aged. This year, they separated the brothers from the sisters. We had an all-sister worship and session. The talk was entitled Dakilang Lahi ((Read: Noble Race)) and the speaker looked just like Bea. :P She talked about how us sisters were made for greatness, but right now we are not living in that greatness because we have been unfaithful. It was a girl-power talk…wait, let me change that: it was a very Godchicks talk. :) It made me wish for the nth time that Tuesday and Bea were there. Hay.

The next talk was Bayanihan ng Kabataan ((Read: Heroism of the Youth. There’s no exact English word for Bayanihan, so heroism should do it, I guess)) by Kuya Cocoi. This is where he removed the focus from ourselves, the greatness of the work of GK and how everything about GK is great and pointed it to the right One who deserves all the praise and glory because without Him, none of the work would even be possible. He redefined bayanihan not only in GK means, but also as a YFC: to be a hero is to be holy, because when you are holy you go out of your way to serve other people and isn’t that what heroes do?

After that was a praisefest and then the last talk by Kuya Butch, Rebolusyon ng Pag-asa ((Read: Revolution of Hope)). This is the start of the revolution of hope, and to do so, we must Spark, fuel and live hope. He said some changes in YFC, and how the next years will be. It was an empowering talk, and it inspired me to really do more than I am doing right now. More for God, more for others. :)

There was the final worship, which cost me all my voice, then it was time to announce the winners and formally close the ILC. And guess where the 15th ILC is going to be? TAGAYTAY! I change my mind, my last ILC will be on the 15th; I want to go to Tagaytay with YFC!!!

After that, there was Rocksteddy brought by Smart, and after watching a few songs, we set off to go home. There was an accident with our kids (which I will talk about in the next post), and after a lot of tears, we ended up going home (without baths!) at 6:00am. I got home at 5:00pm, and we still had to fetch my mom from the mall. Then I rested and extended my rest until today, which is why I’m on sick leave. Yahoo.

Message-wise, the ILC was amazing as always. Though I can’t help but compare it a bit with the Davao ILC, this one had a different kind of charm with it — not exactly my kind of charm, but still a charm and lots of lessons that I think everyone in the community must learn.

So it’s not exactly the best weekend ever, but I got my share of lessons. I’m pretty sure I matured for this weekend, and that’s always good, right?

Part 2 would be more serious, if not somewhat…er, angry. Okay, make it disappointed, a bit. But it’s good; after all, real faith is never comfortable, right?

Now to rest my hands, which has been typing since this morning. :P

Early in my days of webdesign, when I was all so into cutesy pink kawaii stuff (Now who remembers that word? :P Kawaii!!!), I joined this site competition thing called The Site Fights (or was it something else? I think there was something like this called The Royal Rumble…wait, that’s wrestling… or The Site Rumble or whatever. Haha I might be wrong), where you join, your site gets evaluated, and once you’re in, there are different levels where you have to get into until you get to be TEH ULTIMATE SITE FIGHTS CHAMPION! Or…something like that. ;) To get into the different levels, people would have to vote for you and the winner with most votes will go to the next level while the rest will remain there. I remember getting into the second to last level, but I couldn’t move out from there because there was this site that looks so…um, kawaii, that everyone votes for it more. And it’s hosted on expages (I was hosted on gurlpages back then :P)…how can she beat me?! Arrogance aside, her site was actually quite…cute. Cuter…er, more kawaii than mine that is. Imagine lots of pink sparkly things, small iframe to hold her tiny text and shaking links…you know? Oh, and everyone still thinks the “Me, You, WWW” is still teh coolest thing for site navigation back then. ;)

When I realized that I might never move out of that place, I gave up and didn’t want to work on it anymore, until I moved to another host and forgot about it altogether.

But that’s not my point. The point here is…the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards is totally different from this. ;) I quote:

The Philippine Blog Awards aims to recognize notable FIlipino-owned blogs in their respective niches. With topics ranging from the arts, culture, technology and politics, Filipinos have become more abreast because of the fast growing blogging industry here and abroad. The Philippine Blog Awards is a venue to showcase notable blogs with quality content that engages readers from around the globe.

As Shari and Darwin said, this isn’t some contest you join and you’d get a blinkie to display on your site. No, no, this is bigger, better and more exciting, especially when you see the prizes! A trophy is better than a blinkie, yes? Of course.

And that 30GB iPod Video again. Lord, will this be my chance? Pleaaaase?

Nominations are open until February 28, so go and nomitate the blogs you think are worthy of winning the best in the these categories. :)

From the Blog Parteeh ’07 to the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards…2007 sure is shaping up to be a great year for the Pinoy Bloggers. :)

• January 1: I spent the first two hours in prayer. *blissful smile* I was hit by a big realization the day before while having my hair cut, and that was then I decided that I will spend the first hour of 2007 in prayer. I ended up spending two because the first one was with my family while the second was for my own prayer time. I figured out that I concentrate better in my prayer when I write while I pray so now I write it down. :) I slept, then we went to Tagaytay after lunch for kicks. We visited the lot we have there, then ate at Josephine and went home. My brother and I were supposed to go to the gym but it was traffic so off home we go!
• January 2: Back to work. It was still kinda relaxed since most people are still on leave. Oh yeah, this was also my first day of gym! Cardio workout for 30 minutes since we got there kind of late. :D
• January 3: Workout again in the morning, and then work!
• January 4: Workout again, lots of work and then dinner with the parents at Wendy’s. ♥
• January 5 (Today): Workout again, then work and now home. HELLO WEEKEND!

Kinda boring if you list it like that. :P The only interesting day I had was New Year’s. Interesting in a way that it didn’t involve work. Although work can be a bit interesting; I’m just not allowed to talk about what exactly I am doing at work here. So there.

Although, I can definitely say that 2007 has been proving to be quite a challenging year so far. And yes, it’s mostly because of work. But let’s not talk about that. ;) It’s times like these that I wonder if I might really have the gift of prophecy (as in the gifts of the Holy Spirit). It’s not that I predict things that will happen (although sometimes, the things I say actually happen, but that’s for another post). Anyway, let’s see…2004 was a year where a lot of things happened, 2005 was the quiet year and 2006 was the year where I learned of God’s faithfulness. Before 2007 started, I was quite apprehensive because I can feel like this year is going to be a year of challenges. I feel like God is going to send me challenges here and there — things that will challenge my beliefs, my faith, my relationship with Him. I don’t know what these challenges are (except work? Haha okay I shall shut up now), but it’s enough for me to balk.

New Year’s Eve, I was praying for God to still my heart, that I may be ready for the coming year. I didn’t pray for it to pass, because I know I’d have to go through something like this sometime, and what better time than now?

Scary? You bet.

But then again, maybe that’s just me. You know, being negative for a change. Who knows? Only God knows.

Though…you know what? Last year is the year where I discovered God’s faithfulness which was deeper than I ever imagined…and this year is also an extension of that. Although maybe this year, God will bring me to another level, to have a real kind of faith, not the one that relies on feelings and experiences alone, but is solidly rooted in His saving love.

As I got out of the office earlier, I was thinking of a lot of things that involved our discussion in the office, as well as battling with this feeling of wanting to quit. But thing is, I’m not a quitter. Although sometimes it feels like I’m wasting my time, and I’ve been hearing so many stories that’s enough to scare me and make me want to retreat.

But then I don’t want to do anything that isn’t in God’s will. As I was walking towards the EDSA Shrine, I got thinking…about work, and the load that’s coming in the next few weeks, the challenges that I will have to face there…and I got scared. But then a word got to me: endurance.

I read it somewhere that we are put in places that isn’t necessarily what we want, and at times we kind of want to leave it because it’s not what we want, and it doesn’t make us happy. I know we should follow our hearts, whatever makes us happy…but do we even know what it is immediately? Yes, God’s will is our deepest desire, and God wouldn’t put us wherever we are miserable…but do we really know what our heart’s desire, just like that?

I’m not saying that God would make us do things we don’t like. God cares more about the journey rather than the destination. We may see that Thing A is good for us, but God sees that Thing B is the best, which is what He wants for us. And the journey to Thing B, is not always easy, but in the long run, it’s worth it because not only did we get the best, but we also became a different person through the journey. Only God knows what our Thing B is, which makes the adventure all the more interesting, albeit terrifying at times.
And through the journey? We endure. I looked up endurance in the Bible and I got this, which spoke to me immediately:

Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.
- Colossians 1:10-12, The Message, emphasis mine

So this 2007, it may be a year full of challenges, but I know God is faithful. And God is definitely bigger than any of the challenges that will come. :)

Here’s to 2007. *cheers*

Anyway, I’ll be out later to go to my aunts’ house in QC for a pre-New Year visit, so I’ll be doing this 2006 look back now. I’d upload pictures, but it seems like I won’t be able to…so I’ll just link lots of stuff and re-post pictures I have lying around the site.

So…2006 was a year of fulfilled (and still being fulfilled) promises. 2004 eventful, 2005 was quiet, and 2006 was a year where I believed in God’s promises for me and the people I love; and also a year where I learned to branch out a little bit. Without further a do…here’s the monthly look-back I love doing. :P

Oh, and before you click that, I warn you this is going to be a long entry. :P

JANUARY. I started the year with just my brother, since my parents were out of the country. We went to Robinson’s Galleria for lunch with his girlfriend and on our way home (well, my way, since they were just planning to drop me off there), we saw this:

It was the rainbow that affirmed me of God’s promise that He has everything in His control. That time, the thing I was mostly worrying about was thesis, and well, thesis! I had a consistent prayer time because I wake up early every morning at the dorm to pray before working on our thesis, and most of the times were spent inside the thesis room, programming, eating and laughing. We were on the verge of dropping thesis since everyone else seemed to be dropping, but we ended up sticking to it: FIGHT!

Thankfully, there was time for me to go to households and overnights for YFC, although there was this one overnight that got my heart broken in a few places because of something I was suspicious of and became jealous about. The theme song for the month was Take My Love by Shane & Shane, with me singing these lines to my heart:

I think I read I annot love the world and love You
Take my love and plant it deep where life is found in You…
Plant it in the heart of thee, I’m tired of trying to believe
I’ve worn out all my strategy,
There’s nothing I can do, Lord.

All in all, January was eventful.

FEBRUARY. February was even more thesis, seeing as the deadline was at the end of the month. There were, however, some welcome distractions, like the NTREPRE Valentine’s Bazaar where we sold Chicken ala King and shakes, which were a hit in the lobby, much thanks to Baban. I got to go to Divisoria for the first time because of this! Haha. There was also midterms, other subjects we had to tackle, and of course, we shouldn’t forget thesis. :P

Valentine’s Day this year was also subdued because we were all busy, although a small part of me is hoping that someone would give me something on that day (and I picked out what I wanted to give too: a mushy Moshimaro stuffed toy which was only P100, sold at the lobby during the bazaar). I ended up buying that for myself. Other than that, my mom arrived from Saipan, and I missed GK1MB because of the final thesis overnight at Rye’s house. We finished our thesis then. :P

As for lessons learned…there was this particular household that was my favorite among all our Execom households. It was held at The Old Spaghetti House, where Greg talked about dreams, and how God makes use of our experiences to make us who He wants us to be…and I quote (from a past entry):

…maybe I was asking for the wrong thing from God. Greg told us to follow Solomon’s example: ask God for the wisdom to understand what was happening in my life, and the wisdom to see what He wants our thesis to be. Like I said, I could just ask Him to make us pass, pronto, but then I wouldn’t be able to grow in Him. God isn’t really concerned with the result we produce; He’s more concerned of the process we go through. I figured I should ask for the wisdom to see where God wants me to arrive — not only with my thesis, but with my last term in college.
- me, February 6, 2006

Songs for the month would have to be God Only Knows by Joy Williams and Back to Me by Building 429:

You’ve had your fill of questions,
There’s so much that you need to know.
But I don’t blame you for asking,
But it’s time to let go of control.
I’m sorry for what you’re feeling,
please hold on to this hope.
- God Only Knows, Joy Williams

But the second song has a bigger impact on me seeing that it brought me through thesis:

When the world is closing in, you’re breaking down
You’re crying out but there is no answer
When you call, just close your eyes and know that
This twisted road eventually, is gonna lead you back to Me.
- Back to Me, Building 429

MARCH. Ah, I liked this month not only because of my birthday but there was so many victories in this month that it’s just amazing. First off was our EK testing for thesis. This was fun, although there was some kind of annoyance the day before it. That night, there came a very revealing moment that got me hurting until I got to the Animo Camp, but God was there for me all throughout. The moment I allowed myself to feel the emotions I have the right to feel, well, everything tumbled out in tears and I got out feeling so much better after.

Of course, I will not forget the day we passed our thesis defense! It was an early birthday present, and I believe God gave me a vision the month before because I saw the four of us getting out of the defense room, laughing. It was such a victorious moment, and then I realized how short my time in school is after. How about that!

Then there’s the 20th birthday, where God made me realize two things: (1) I’m not as patient as I thought I was; and (2) It’s not about me. Both are equally important, although the second one just snapped me out of “Why didn’t I have any birthday surprise from my YFC friends?” thoughts. Again, I quote:

Anyway, the second and most important lesson I learned yesterday is this: IT’S NOT ABOUT ME. To be totally honest, I was kind of expecting a surprise thingie done by my friends because, well, we do that to each other. Even if I was pushing it at the back of my mind, I was secretly hoping for an honest to goodness “I can’t believe you went through all this” kind of surprise. I wanted to receive a cake, flowers and get all the people I care for to be there with me for my birthday and hear all the nice things they have to say about me. After all, it’s MY day.

But it didn’t arrive. I got a different kind of “surprise”, which was cool, yeah. But I have to admit that I was disappointed. When I got back to the dorm, I was kind of expecting a hidden surprise there that my friends managed to set up, but there was still nothing. I pushed the disappointment away and just fixed my stuff to be ready for bed that night. Then I reached for my copy of It’s Not About Me by Max Lucado to read before I sleep. My eyes landed on the cover and I didn’t even turn a page when I was struck dumb with all I am thinking.

IT’S NOT ABOUT ME.

Even if it’s my birthday, it’s not about me. Even if it’s supposed to be MY special day, IT’S JUST NOT ABOUT ME. IT WAS NEVER ABOUT ME. How dare I ask for a surprise that honors me when my very existence in this earth is not about me, but about God?

The very thought led me to prayer and I thanked God for letting me realize what had happened that day for my birthday. God had taught me a very important lesson, not only in humility but also in the very reason of my existence. It was then I let go of my dream of having the perfect birthday surprise that I’ve been wishing to have, and the time when I fully accepted my role of being God’s mirror in this world. My birth is one of God’s works, and I am here to reflect His glory for others to see. I don’t need the surprise, I’ll be well and happy to just be able to reflect God’s goodness to other people. I don’t need people to honor me; I want them to honor the God who has been so gracious to let me live in this world. It’s not about me, it’s about Him.

Song of the month is From the Inside Out by Hillsong United, especially these lines:

Your will above all else, my purpose remains,
The art of losing myself in bringing You praise.

I am God’s mirror, made to reflect His glory. :)

APRIL. Unofficial goodbye to college! I got my final grades, and even if I didn’t make it to the Dean’s List, I was graduating! There were a lot of events for April. The month started with Bung’s debut, followed by the Metro Manila pep rally where I first heard God’s whisper in my heart on one of His callings for me. It came in the form of a song: “And I would give the world to tell Your story.” I know then that God wants me to write for Him, but the next question is, where? How?

Now one of my most memorable experiences for this year would have to be our Davao trip for the 13th YFC International Leader’s Conference. It’s been my dream to go to Davao since my first ILC, but the venue kept on changing, until it came this time, which, as I think of it now, was just perfect timing. It’s the perfect way to end my school years and transition into a new environment. Davao is HEAVEN. Literally, figuratively and spiritually. It was the best weekend of my life, even if I had only about eight hours of sleep for three days. The worships (10, as I counted), the food, the place, the people, the cheap fares, the talks, the prayers and the bonding we shared was just amazing. Oh, of course, the beach, and the durian. ;)

Yes, I love durian. Sue me. :P

That’s just the first part of April. We also had the first and last formal dance of the batch, The Senior’s Night at The Heritage Hotel. It was fun because dressing up was fun, and I didn’t mind not having a partner. The food was good, and I loved the company, so it was worth it. :D Goodbye, Catch 2t6! The dance got me looking forward to my first slow dance with my future GG, whoever he might be. :P

A few weeks after that, to end my April were two things: I started attending the SFC Christian Life Program, which was my transition into the new world God is bringing me into. It was funny how I got in, but I know it was all God-ordained, so I’m not complaining.

The month ended with the Gawad Kalinga Summer Build at our beloved Dingalan, Aurora, which was even better than last year’s. :) I grew so much darker and heavier, but it was one of the best weeks I’ve ever had as well. :)

So many songs for the month, but one sums it all up: Heaven by Kuya Mike.

Lord, I wanna be in heaven with You
Right by Your side, I’ll stay, worshipping You all day
I will live and die for You
Anything I would do, for heaven is here in my heart. ♥

MAY. As opposed to April’s activities, May was kind of quiet, probably because it’s summer and there’s not so much money for the most of us. There was the CLP, the movie plans that always got busted, and some controversies surrounding our friends which got us gossiping and getting angry to the max, and got all of us guilty for being such gossipers. This was also the month of discernment, of the things that I must do for my future, and such.

There was a big event, which was the Steven Curtis Chapman concert, although things got spoiled for me because of some feelings that I’m not comfortable divulging in public here. Anyway, I learned a valuable lesson in humility and was amazed at how many people God sent to talk me out of my moods.

The major accomplishment of this month was learning how to drive! Of course, it’s not that I’m driving a lot now, but at least I know I’m capable of driving. :P

Interestingly, there wasn’t a song I recorded for this month in my journals. So song-less month is May.

JUNE. June kind of started badly, with an argument with my mom, which brought me to realize how self-centered I could be. There was also some kind of spiritual emptiness, wherein I learned to always come to Him thirsty. The first half of the month was spent preparing for the upcoming graduation.

The second half opened with graduation, which is one of the proudest moments of my life. It was bittersweet too, although most of us I think, were just happy that it’s over. There were more prayers of discernment mostly for the future, plus some unwanted calls from unexpected job interviews and such. It was the middle of the year, and oddly enough, this was probably the month were I was in limbo most of the time. I didn’t know where I want to go, what I want to do and all that.

Other than that, I got new books from the OMF sale, discovered my first Christian chicklit book and went gaga over High School Musical.

Song for the month was Say Goodbye by Joy Williams:

Say goodbye, say goodbye
To the you I knew before,
Say hello, say hello to a new beginning.
Say goodbye, say goodbye
To the you I knew before
This is your genesis.

JULY. I was supposed to start looking for a job here but it got postponed because of the Vibal stuff we had to finish. I ended up staying at home all throughout the Job Expo week because I was sick and it was raining, and that was just a totally bad idea because it led to sins I don’t even want to think about anymore. It was a struggling month for me because I felt pressured to choose whatever there is for me out there in the world.

I went to my first job exams and interviews, but at the end of the month, God brought me to an interview that led me to where I am right now. He also reminded me of his promise through a rainbow with a sticker, which assured me that everything will be all right. It was a different month, interesting because of the struggles, and yet amazing because God is faithful.

Songs for the month are Renew Me by Avalon and All You Ask of Me by Building 429, but I won’t be posting lyrics from that, but one of the things that got me through July, which was a book I borrowed from Jomar, The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews. Below are the seven decisions for success:

THE SEVEN DECISIONS FOR SUCCESS (Andy Andrews):

1. The buck stops here.
2. I will seek wisdom.
3. I am a person of action.
4. I have a decided heart.
5. Today I choose to be happy.
6. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.
7. I will persist without exception.

AUGUST. August kinda started out not good because I didn’t get the call I was expecting. :( Well, not yet. I got caught in a funk, as my friend Kiddo mentioned in his blog one time. I was pressured to find work, because it feels like time is running out, and the moment when I felt despair, God brought in this blessing which landed me where I am right now. Amazing how He works. He gave me enough time to prepare for it, plus enjoy my last few days as a bum. :P Haha.

This is one of the lines from Ayiesha Woods’ song Days that made a big impact on me this month:

You gotta get through something if you wanna get somewhere.

SEPTEMBER. Ah, the month of big changes, again. But first, the book fair, where I got a huge stash of books and an argument with my best friend. Then came my first day of work, which unnerved me because I felt like a loner in the office. But then God gently prodded me and just told me to obey, and He’ll take care of everything. He gave me friends, a good boss and the feeling of satisfaction of being able to earn my own money. I learned again that God is truly faithful.

The month ended with Milenyo, and another affirmation that I was where I was supposed to be. :P

Song for the month: More Than Useless by Relient K.

OCTOBER. After getting comfortable in my position, God brings me into another place. Kind of scary, but like I said, God is faithful. I got new work in the office, and it was unnerving, but I’m learning. I pretty much concentrated on work for the rest of the month, although the end of the month, I was driven to my knees asking Him for mercy because I kept on doing something I told Him I wouldn’t do anymore. This was the time I finally became accountable to some of the people I’m close to, who I walk with in my faith. Thank God for them.

Oh, and I became a godmother this month! To my handsome godson Sean. :)

Song for the month is the theme of this layout (for now): Go And Sin No More by Rebecca St. James.

NOVEMBER. And even more work! Mygulay! But this month is somewhat fun, because I’m getting the hang of work already. I was also very busy with NaNoWriMo, where I started writing my first Christian/Catholic chicklit. I’m not yet done with that. :P

Highlight of the month was the Hillsong United worship. Aahhh, what a blessing. :) The month ended with a lot of work stuff, and God taught me to be really still and rest in Him despite the chaos all around me. :)

DECEMBER. Parties, parties, and more parties in the office. It was my first Christmas as an employee, and it was fun because I got to share with the holiday spirits in the office. Work was still work, although it was kind of light because of all the parties. This month is kind of indescribable because there were a lot of things I learned, and am still learning that sometimes it gets overwhelming. There are moments where I felt abandoned, but then God puts a gentle hand on my shoulder and turns me into another direction to see a part of the bigger picture and to see what He wants me to do.

December also made me value my family more, seeing as this is one of the Christmases that we’re all together ever since my dad worked in Saipan. This was the first year I got them actual presents, plus a lot of other presents for myself. :P I also got to reflect on how Jesus came into this world, not to live but to die (this is another entry altogether :D). It’s a month of reflection and relaxation, and sure enough, this is to make me ready for the upcoming year. :D

To top it off, I got a haircut for the upcoming year. How about that!

If you read all the way here, you deserve a cookie. Wait, make that a box of cookies. :D 2006 was a year of change, of promises and God’s faithfulness. It’s been good.

2007? I’ll reserve my predictions and resolutions once tomorrow comes. But for now, I have to eat lunch. ;)