Nevertheless, I’m quite optimistic with the year ahead. 2009 was bittersweet (if not boring) and I couldn’t wait to see what’s in store for me this new year. Then again, even if monotony would still be included in my daily routine, I just hope more sweet memories will be associated with 2010.

Happy New Year everyone!

And as always, here is the token End-Of-Year meme.

What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
- Be marooned in my own (well, technically my brother’s) home

Did you keep your New Years’ Resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
- I remember my promise to be more sober when driving… still working on it.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
- Yup =)

Did anyone close to you die?
- Sadly yes. my father’s younger sister and my mother’s older sister.

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
- Hmmm…. an inflatable bed. and about 10 or more life vests

What days from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory?
- The Laiya trip

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
- Finished one short course despite the “busy” schedule

What was your biggest failure?
- Having a serious hobby

Did you suffer illness or injury?
- Not really. Recent trips to the Doctor confirmed some health issues I have.

What was the best thing you bought for 2009?
- Wii and the new laptop

Where did most of your money go?
- Savings?

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
- Joie’s vacation and the Laiya trip

What song(s) will always remind you of 2009?
- No idea

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Can’t tell
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter?
iii. richer or poorer? Richer?

What do you wish you’d done more?
- Rest and outside work activities!

What do you wish you’d done less of?
- Worrying

What was your favorite TV program?
- Chuck!

What did you want and get
- An iPod Nano

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
- 24, work, went to church, had dinner with family

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
- an amphibious car

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
- same old same old

What kept you sane?
- Lex and …

What political issue stirred you the most?
- Ondoy, Pre-election news, Maguindanao

Who did you miss?
- Joie and maybe deeper conversations with random friends

Who was the best new person you met?
- Didn’t meet anyone new

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
- Have a little faith. Worry less. Pray more.

What did you like the most about yourself this year?
- ???

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
- The somewhat uncontrollable mood swings. I still don’t know if it’s innately me or the imbalance thing.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
- ???

Was 2009 a good year for you?
- Nope. Generally speaking

What’s your most favorite moment of the year?
- Laiya trip

What’s your least favorite moment of the year?
- When Lex told me he has polyps in his gall bladder

Where were you when 2009 began?
- At home

Who were you with?
- Family

Where will you be when 2009 ends?
- At home

Who will you be with when 2010 ends?
- Family

Do you have a new year’s resolution for 2010?
- Nope. I’ll make them if I’m serious about keeping them

What was your favorite month of 2009?
- February, April, December

What was your favorite record from 2009?
- ???

Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2009?
- Nope.

You did anything you are ashamed of this year?
- the little things I try to forget

What was your proudest moment of 2009?
- Nothing stands out

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2009?
- Nothing stands out

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2009 and change something, what would it be?
- Transfer the car to a much higher plane

What are your plans for 2010?
- Work hard. Earn much more.

How are you different now that the year has ended?
- I’m trying to achieve financial independence

What are your wishes for the new year?
- Health, success and happiness for me and my loved ones

But somehow, Christmas feels different than before. I guess the joy and excitement of Christmas wears off as you grow older. That, and a handful of thoughts lingering in my head for some time now.  Christmas and harsh reality will take a very long time to mix. It may end up like oil and water no matter how hard I try.

I did manage to complete the Simbang Gabi. A feat worth saying since I could not remember the last time I completed the nine days novena. The idea of being granted a wish after it all gives me a sense of hope.

I am very much grateful for family, friends and my special guy. My wish will always be for their good health, safety and success. Because that is what Christmas is for me. Being around the people I love and seeing their success and happiness despite the cruelty beyond the warm walls of home.

I never thought I could reach our home three days later.

Everyone knows the story. Typhoon Ondoy, although projeted to only be a small typhoon, destroyed the Greater Manila Area and other provinces. Unlike Milenyo, Ondoy packed itself with so much rain water that it made rivers out of roads and islands out of houses — big or small.

My brother’s house wasn’t spared. For two days, we took refuge on the second floor while the flood water entered the house. Transferring the car to a higher lot didn’t help at all. It was completely submerged in the flood and we could only watch from afar. For fear of being electrocuted, I switched off our main power. Food was another problem. We only had cooked food to last us a night and none of us didn’t dare to go downstairs and scavenge for food — not until we’re sure that the water will not rise again. Marooned in our brother’s home. It wasn’t a pretty sight.

What made me even more nervous was the fact that my whole family were separated the whole duration of the storm. Four little groups with little to no means for communication since the ladlines are dead and so are cellphone signals. Through sporadic text messages, I learned that my parents were stranded from Saturday till Sunday afternoon on a nearby mall. My sister had to stay on her officemate’s dorm and didn’t come home till Monday afternoon. The house in Antipolo was spared but the neighborhood also had flood water problems.

The days after the storm were no walk in the park either. Clean-up, repairs, search and rescue operations, relief operations, friend roll call, reporting back to work, opportunistic politicians, blamming games — not to mention the self-inflicted paranoia that rendered me paralyzed even with just a slight rain shower. Good thing we can still see the silver lining — bayanihan, out pouring donations, volunteerism, stories of bravery. These are new blog posts all together. I could even make a book out of it. But now is not the time. All I could think of is how we can all bounce back and fast.

And now another storm threatens the country with much more danger than Ondoy. Pepeng is now named a supertyphoon and experts say it could even cause more damage to the country. This time will be different. This time, we’re (semi)prepared. I took a whole day leave so that we can do the final clean-up and prepare my brother’s house for Pepeng and retreat to our home in Antipolo. It’s tough to leave my work hanging but I don’t want to be separated with my family again. I bought food and supplies that could hopefully last us until the storm ends. The whole family is staying in the mothership — cars parked safely in the garage. This time, we’re ready.

Then again, who would have thought two storms will hit the country in such a short time. Oh dear Lord, please save us from another devastation.

=========

UPDATE (October 3, morning): News say Pepeng changed its course and it will no longer affect Southern Luzon. I just hope that Northern Luzon will not experience too much damage.

UPDATE (October 4): Greater Manila Area is spared. Pepeng damaged Northern Luzon — killing 15 when it left. When will things go back to “normal”?

UPDATE (October 10): Because of another storm Pepeng u-turned to Ilocos. Death toll is above 150 now.

Rest in peace, Miss Tara Santelices. May you finally have rest in the arms of our Lord.

Case in point:

I went bowling with Pam and Michelle last Labor Day weekend. I kept on saying a few meetings back that our barkada should really adopt a sport (for more gimmick options other than eating and drinking coffee) and I picked that weekend to start the resolution. We went to the bowling lanes in Eastwood (oh, the irony!) since Megamall was having a mall-wide sale and Sta. Lucia might be crowded as well.

We didn’t realize that it would be a sort-of High School reunion as we coincidentally run into 4 High school batchmates (plus 1 that Michelle met earlier that day plus 2 that Pam and I met after seeing Michelle off). Seven might be a small number but in a class that only has ~170 students and still has its own subgroups, it was a big deal.

Hearing different versions of how-are-you-and-where-are-you-working convinced me that my HS batchmates have come a long way since they’ve hung up the ol’ red plaid skirt (another batchmate of ours has just gotten married that day as well). It has, after all, already been two years (or one, for people like me) since we’ve graduated from College, six years from High School and ten (wow!) from Grade School.

Makes me wonder if I spent my post-High School years wisely. I didn’t even know if I had changed since graduating. Sure, I earned my degree and got my license, but as I told Pam, I’m still the same old girl with the messy wavy hair in plain T-shirt and jeans. Not that I base everything on looks, but the mere fact that I haven’t even walked beyond my grooming comfort circle would pretty much say I’m not doing/achieved anything extraordinary. I keep telling myself that I am destined for greatness. Though I really wish I’ve discovered what in the world I would be great at.

Or maybe I’m just thinking too much. I don’t know.

Some people go through these things in a span of a year or so. My family went through them in two months.

December: It was over breakfast when my mother told me that her oldest brother had past away. I knew he was hospitalized a few weeks before that but I never thought he would pass away just days before Christmas. Then again, who has the power to dictate when he/she would die anyway?

Less than two weeks later, my brother got married. His wedding was the first in the family so I guess my parents got too excited and went all out with the preparations and the gimmicks. The wedding wasn’t until 7 in the evening but honestly I felt it lasted for a whole day. Good thing, the Astoria Hotel rooms was rented for the night. My sister and I got to sleep in a swanky place not to mention the ample rest time I could get before the barkada gimmick the next day.

January went by just like any other new year. After all the new year anticipation and excitement had subsided, my aunt (father’s sister) passed away. News of her death greeted me and my sister while I was on my way to work and she to school. She never got married and had been living with us even before I was born. And since my father is the only surviving immediate family member she had, we were tasked to take care of all the funeral arrangements and be at the chapel for the wake.

February came and I celebrated my birthday. Then came valentines. And then, another news hit us on Tuesday night –  my aunt (mother’s sister) bid us farewell. It’s hard to meet your relatives again in the most depressing cirsumstances. It couldn’t be helped, though. I just had to applaud my mother and her siblings’ strength despite everything.

These series of celebrations and tragedies really made me ponder on my life and what have I been doing recently. I’m already 24 and I still feel I’ve got a long way to go before I could say I’ve had it made. Funny (and frustrating) how the last hurdle ended up being the the hardest and most exhausting struggle I have to overcome. I wish, though, that I make the right decisions and that lady luck wouldn’t leave me behind.

In 2008…
… all the things I worked hard for finally came into fruition. Thesis. Heavy acad load. URC. Graduation. Board Exam. Indeed, I am truly blessed.
… I got a job despite the impending global recession.
… my uncle passed away a few days before Christmas.
… my brother married the love of his life.

I realized that…
… sheer luck is nothing without hard work, and vice versa.
… prayers will see you through anything.
… I should move on and make some closure of my own.
… I must work with double the effort in less time.
… new friends come at the weirdest times and old friends are always there whenever you need anything (even the occasional gossip).
… we’re in a big place but live in a small world.

I am grateful for…
… family.
… friends — whether old or new.
… all my victories and defeats.
… the gifts I have received — even the ones that came from me.
… food — one of the best mood uplifters ever.
… the three little cute piggies — one hug and all is well again.
… the Dearest.

I am still praying for…
… world peace.
… prosperity, good health and long life.
… more learning experiences and the ability to retain all of them.
… more blessings — for me and all my loved ones.
… happiness and peace of mind.

I resolve to…
… do whatever it takes to improve myself. (well, that has been my resolution ever since ever).

Happy New Year, everyone! =)

Having free time after work feels surreal. I think I need a week or two to actually get used to not having to study all night long. But that’s reserved for another blog entry. I have been meaning to answer this meme for a long time. Good thing I don’t have to put it away for a year.

You know the drill. 5 questions from other people. If you want to join, leave a comment and I’ll ask you 5 questions. Post the answers in your blog and let others join in as well.

1st Set: from Alet

1. What one thing would you change in your life if you had the power to do so?

I really don’t think thatI would want to change something in my life. I have been so blessed with so many things that it really means nothing to the horrible circumstances that you went through. It would be great to have all sunshine throughout your life but I learned that the thorns on the side really does make you a stronger person.

2. Describe your ideal superpower and what you would do if you had it.

Hmmm… I’d like to have the power to freeze time. Pretty harmless, but I can take my time doing things that I have to do in a longer time span. Like sleep some more, or savor a precious moment, or keep lunch breaks longer

3. Do you think candles are romantic or a fire hazard?

Depends. Just like love, use freely but handle with care. naks!

4. Tell me something you did in the last 24 hours, no matter how big or small, that you think I will be interested to hear.

Nothing special happened today. So, I’d rather tell something that happened a few days ago… I passed my board exams! weeee~!

5. What is the worst thing anyone could ever do to you?

Hmm… no comment? hehe, maybe forget something really important. Because it could gauge how much someone values everything that surrounds him / her.

2nd Set: from Cheska

Questions: (syempre, please explain the Whys of your answers)

1. If given a choice to run for office for the 2010 election, what position would you run for? (considering you had a fighting chance to win whatever position it is that you choose)

President! Because as the saying goes, if you want something done, you have to do it yourself… or change starts from me, and everybody has to follow! But seriously, I don’t think I could emotionally handle being the Philippine president, given the current style of politics we have. I’d much rather be in a position where I could use my expertise – like the NTC or CICT.

2. If we didn’t meet in elementary, where do you think we would have met? Do you think we’d be as close as we are today?

UP, I guess. We would meet during UP AME application period. I’d like to think we would still be as close either way. It’s fate. We just had to be friends

3. Would you really have eaten Michelle’s cat Carl if he was turned into siopao?

Nope. I don’t eat cats (eeeeeewwww!). Seeing Carl siopao is enough (God bless his kitty soul. He must have been in kitty heaven now).

4. If you were to build your dream house, where would it be?

Hmmm… any where with easy access to electricity, water, cable and broadband internet access is fine and of course, I’d have to live with my dream family.

5. Why do you think are ice cream’s cold? Couldn’t they have been invented to be warm or hot?

Maybe because warm and sweet just couldn’t mix? The freshly baked pastries/cookies are the only warm sweets that I know. I don’t think they would invent ice ceam to be warm or hot. It would be too hard to manage sugar rush

And it still feels surreal. Probably because my mind is still stuck in April with all the drama saturated in one month. That, and I am feeling nostalgic.

For the record, I am elated that I graduated after all the things I went through for the past five years. It feels alienating though, to not be around with the same people I used to be with. And change can be pretty unfriendly especially if doubts and fears surface once more.

In short, I miss all my college friends… mapa-ESC man o Circuit o DSP… There, I said it.

I tried to pick up my stuff that I left behind in DSP earlier this afternoon… tried being the operative word. No cars at the parking lot and an unlit DSP lab means no people to talk to. I opted to leave my stuff behind thinking I could still have the excuse to just casually walk by EEE whenever I need to. I just hope they haven’t thrown my stuff away.

***

8 days since I started working

Fortunately for me, I am now employed by one of the big IT companies out there. I would have given myself one more month or r and r, but with the way things are going with the rising living expenses and the erratic job market, I didn’t want to risk it.

Things have been working well so far. Friends and acquaintances are no problem since the EEE batchmates are still sticking together. People in the company say the first three months are usually spent on training, orientation and more training, however the top guys in management would like to deploy us to our respective groups on an earlier date. I just hope I get to be assigned in the group that I want… else, my background would have been wasted.

***

14 days before the ECE board exam review

Once again I find myself juggling too many tasks in a short period of time.

Then, it was either the 20-unit-in-a-sem or the 198-113-115 combo, now it’s work+board exam review. Good thing I am not alone with this load, though. I know a handful of my work colleagues and other batchmates who are doing the same thing. Another obvious drawback is the full week I’ll be experiencing.

No more weekend slacking for me, that’s for sure. And It doesn’t help to have a colleague who just recently placed 5th in the board exam, either. The pressure just keeps coming and coming.

Dear Lord, please help me…

***

Another 6 months to make it all happen

Short term goals that can be realized in half a year. This is one thing in College that I surely didn’t miss. But alas, I still have to live with it.

Get through training and pass the board exam. Just two of the things I have to accomplish before the other plans would commence.

Hello sleepless nights, I am back again.