Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

The sound of firecrackers and torotots grow louder each day while as early as last week, several shows on TV are airing their special year-enders. Oh, and don't forget almost all malls are having their sale! As for me, my mom "contracted" me to a three-day general house cleaning and I also had dinner with my hs friends already. These scenarios are not new to me and in fact, I consider them as annual"rituals." Alam na, malapit na naman magpalit ang taon.

I had the luxury of time (translation: di ako tinamad manood) last night to watch New Year's Eve, well because it's kinda seasonal. How I wish I can witness the dropping of the giant ball at NY Times Square personally before the world comes to an end or at least see a similar ceremony here in the country. Anyway, my favorite part of the movie was Claire Morgan's very inspiring speech (played by Hilary Swank) when the ball was stuck.

"It's suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the New Year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by. To remember both our triumphs and our missteps - our promises made, and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures - or closed ourselves down, for fear of getting hurt. Because that's what New Year's is all about: getting another chance. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about 'what if' and start embracing what would be. So when that ball drops at midnight - and it will drop - let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long." 

Beautiful, right? New Year's Eve is a perfect time to reminisce and remember all the things that happened to us especially the wonderful ones so that when we look back, we can proudly give ourselves a big tap on the back for a "great journey."  My 2011 was not the best nor the worst either. The negative vibes inside of me---hopelessness, frustrations, hurts, disappointments, depression, and the never-ending self-inflicted heartbreak---were perfectly complemented by God's wonderful blessings. 

So for whatever's worth it, here's a rundown of my "Best of 2011." I consider them as the "best" because they made my 2011 crazy but very memorable and meaningful.
11. Attending the UST Quadricentennial celebration. Not everyone is fortunate to survive 100 years here on earth and I was lucky that I was given the the chance to witness and take part on my alma mater's 400th founding anniversary this year. It's not every lifetime that you'll witness such historical event.  

Happy 400 UST!

10.Getting myself a netbook. It's a long time dream for me to own one so that I won't have to bargain with my brother and parents as regards the computer "usage time." Feeling ko kasi para akong nasa computer shop na inoorasan. So when I got my backpay from ABS, all my money went to this:

My red ASUS 1215T Netbook. Perfect for my everyday
needs.

9.Teacher, teacher. Teaching and handling kids is really a challenge. Nakakahiya pag yung advisory class mo ay may reputation na maingay at magulo, tapos yung mga co-teachers mo ieemphasize pa yung weakness ng class mo. Pag may umiiyak at may problema sa classroom, ikaw ang tatawagin kahit break. May reminders ka na ngang sinulat sa board, may nakakalimot pa din. Pag nawala yung wallet, relo, jacket, or kahit pencil case ay problema mo na naman.Yung lunchbox na hindi mabuksan, pati yung kelangan mo lutasin!But you know what's more challenging than that? It's when you  are 100% sure that you are a communications graduate but you're given the task to handle MATH 4 and SCIENCE 4 and 5! Ako na ang matalino, sige! Seriously, I appreciated Math during those times and cursed to death Science.

With my makukulit na 4-3 girls while signing their diaries
oha!Feeling ko may autograph signing ako ;p

8. Learned a new "sport."

The only card game I know to play by heart is solitaire.
This year, I learned how to play tong-its and is getting
luckier each time I play ;p

7. Had a "boom!boom" birthday. I had the "grandest" birthday celebration this year. How grand, you may ask? Well, let's just say that Australia and our very own Philippine Team prepared a very grand fireworks display just for me. Haha! I'm easily fascinated with fireworks display so when I saw this year's pyromusical schedule in the internet, I pleaded and begged just like a five-year-old girl to my parents to bring me to MOA. The show didn't fail me. And so is my family.

Boom, boom, boom!

6. Beach camping. It was my first time to experience beach camping this summer in Calaguas (see post here). While I really had a great time, I can say that beach camping is not really my thing due to the following reasons: sand (even gets mixed to our food, yay!) and lack of a clean comfort room. I won't complain if the place has no electricity or if there are big red ants marching in our tent or mosquitoes having a "bloody party" with us as their special guests but what I really don't like (I feel traumatized) was other people's insensitivity especially in using public toilets. People should know how to make buhos of their own vomit (c/o their inuman sessions) which was all over the bowl and floor. The smell is just...a double major eeeeew.

First time beach campers. Good thing the tent can fit us.

5. Snorkeling. I find it ironic and pathetic that a Piscean like me doesn't know how to swim T.T Good thing that snorkeling doesn't require the use of different swimming strokes haha! I was really afraid to try snorkeling since I don't know how to swim but after my snorkeling experience in Coron (see post here), I realized what I've been missing all these years! 

Fear no more, as long as I have my life vest with me :)

4. My own sponsored trips. Work hard to save more; save to travel. This always motivates me. With a very humble monthly income, I can proudly say that I successfully pulled-off two trips this year with my own hard-earned money. Hep hep hooray!

I fell in love with you. See you soon Calaguas
Read entry here 

Decemeber in Iloilo-Guimaras. Read here 

3. Maroon 5 Concert!!!! Got complimentary tickets for Maroon 5's concert here. Too bad I left the camera at home and I misplaced the ticket. No souvenir for me from their concert huhu. It was my first time to go on  a concert (excluding free concerts in school) and I really really really enjoyed the show. Fave part of the concert was when Adam Levine divided the crowd in to two as he led each group to sing She Will Be Loved. Ahhhhhh....

And they will be loved...and they will be
looooved. Photo credit here

2. Ni Hao, Shanghai! Another "Asian Exploration" for us this year. It was my first time to experience a below 10 degree Celsius temperature haha! I was impressed with the city's beauty :)

Feeling high in Shanghai! Read entry here

1. New jobSSSS. I finally beat my 2008 employment history which is three jobs in a span of 5 months. I'm back in my old job hopping attitude this 2011 which is really bad. I had four jobs with three companies this year: teacher and archivist in SPCP, company writer for Easy Pha-max, and writer for BUYanihan. Things get complicated to the point that I almost welcome 2012 without a job after passing my resignation letter last December 2 without any company to employ me. But God really is good to me because He gave me one of the best gifts this Christmas: A NEW JOB in 2012 :) Thank you Lord for this wonderful blessing.

We only have more or less 10 hours before we finally bid 2011 goodbye but before we turn another leaf, don't forget to pause for a moment and look back so you won't forget. Just make sure that when you look back, you don't dwell too much unless you want to stuck with 2011 forever. Life is about new chances and new beginning. We have 366 days (2012 is a leap year!) to make the best memories of our lives.

Let's welcome 2012 full of hopes, dreams, and only positive vibes. Keep dreaming, keep believing, and most importantly keep moving forward.