Random Musing 4: MY YEAR ROUNDUP AND ALL THE THINGS I AM GRATEFUL FOR
I’m writing this real time, on December 30, 2017—3:33pm,
last SUNDAY of the year. I am seated in our dining area, having just finished
an article for a website I’m contributing for and ultimately, realizing how
blessed I am this 2017. No, my 2017 is not at all perfect. It was not awesome,
to be honest. A lot of things happened. And looking back, I DON’T WANT TO GO
THROUGH IT AT ALL AGAIN (worst was when I got hospitalized because of a bad
infection… NEVER AGAIN TO THAT). A lot of battles have been fought and
sacrifices were made—BUT, just like what happens to everything... ALL'S WELL
THAT ENDS WELL.
So as this year ends, I wanna channel my energy and focus on
all the positivity and blessing I got this year. I think, I need to pat myself
and tell my inner persona that for someone who went through a lot this year, I
did a great job. Here are the highlight of my year and what I am grateful for:
10. MY CAREER PROGRESS
I have learned a lot when it comes to my work. I have put
all my energy and effort to have that so-called “work-life balance”. I did my
best to actually have some moments with my workmates without sacrificing my
time for family, friends and loved one. It was a constant effort and I failed
at some point but I must say, by the end of the year I am quite satisfied with
what I have done. I also had a short and brief sideline which made me more
mature in honoring commitments and taught me to manage my time wisely.
9. I GOT TO VISIT HONG KONG AND MACAU
This one is my favorite. Although this was my first ever out
of the country without my family, I think this was the turning point in my life
that taught me to be braver, more patient and understanding with others. I went
to Hong Kong as part of our company’s anniversary and summer getaway so
obviously I was with all my workmates. Honestly, I learned more about them than
myself. But in the process, it established and tested my patience to be with
other people because honestly, although not majority… some of them are a
complete pain in the ass to travel with. I encountered all sorts of “kaartehan”
and annoyance during this travel but I LEARNED TO BE WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE and
adjust myself to unwanted situations. This trip will always be a memorable one
and I cannot be thankful enough to our company and bosses for this fun 5-day
trip!
8. I BECAME A PART OF WHEN IN MANILA.COM
Here’s a big leap of faith this year. I joined the When In
Manila family! This was not my plan at all. I was just browsing around the
interwebz and the next thing I knew, I am already one step away from being part
of #WIM. I worked hard for this by the way. It was not handed to me on a silver
platter. I passed a lot of articles, extracted all my efforts to produce good
photos and basically answered all the questions given to me. All my hard work
paid off when I started working for them as a writer-contributor. I have met a
lot of new friends who are all fun to be with and I got to attend some fabulous
articles and features which I all enjoyed. I also got to travel because of WIM!
But you know what made me super thankful about this? I got to hone my passion
for writing and unleash the creativity in me. Check out my articles here.
After going to Malaysia, we were sent to Singapore for
another work which doesn’t feel like work at all because we lived like a legit
tourist for 5 days. For this trip, I learned to be braver. Braver with talking
to strangers. GUYS, DON’T BELIEVE WHEN THEY SAY DON’T TALK TO STRANGERS. JUST
BE AWARE WHEN TALKING TO THEM BECAUSE THEY COULD HELP YOU A LOT WHEN YOU’RE IN
A FOREIGN LAND. Anyway, with this trip, I got to try a lot of new things for
me. From trying out a lot of unfamiliar foods and riding unfamiliar rides and
bracing myself to do a lot of unusual things, this trip will always be one for
the books as I am as fearless as possible--- except with pigballs tho. BIG NO.
(I know I still owe you guys a day-to-day SG Trip blog!)
6. I GOT TO KNOW MYSELF MORE THIS YEAR THROUGH MY
HOBBIES/PASSION
This year, I impulsively enrolled myself to a workshop and
no regrets there. I am so happy to have revived my passion for the arts this
year. From journaling to calligraphy to just simply doing random arts… this
will always be my first love and I swear, this 2018 I will focus more on
improving my craft and getting some "production" out of it. Also, I
want to learn something new again this coming year so wait for that blog update
*maybe not soon but sometime in 2018*. ALSO, PLEASE WAIT FOR A LAUNCH NEXT
YEAR. THIS IS SOMETHING WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT.
5. I READ A FEW BOOKS THIS YEAR
This second half of 2017, I must say I have read a few good
books. It may not be a lot but it has started my momentum for 2018. I wasn’t
able to read as frequently as I used to but at least, I started reading.
Actually, I started reading again to convince my boyfriend to start reading
too. He is an occasional reader he used to be so “arte” on what he wanted to
read. Now, we are both bibliophiles!!! I’m happy that we now share a great bond
through reading. Honestly, he is now more persuasive in my reading habits…
always checking out on me if I’ve read this book or what chapter am I on. We
give great value to the knowledge we earn by reading books so I think it is
awesome!
4. I PASSED THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION
This is probably the biggest plot twist of my 2017. I have
taken the exam way back before officially graduating from college… with I must
say, a lot of pressure in my shoulders and I failed. It didn’t matter to me
back then. I was not even disappointed because I honestly, I just did it to
make the people around me shut up. Bonus points daw kasi pumasa jan. Anyway,
fast-forward to 2017, this time, I am more determined to pass the exams and I really
put a lot of time, effort and money just to take the tests and after all the
things I’ve been through WHILE UNDERGOING THE FREAKIN EXAM, I FINALLY PASSED!
Guys, I am so happy. This is one of the biggest achievements of my life and I
couldn’t be happier. I am now officially a professional hahaha lelz.
3. I STARTED TO BE HEALTHY
I grew physically a lot this year. Like legit fat. It has
taken toll on my mental and emotional health. Of course on my physical health
too. Being fat when I was a kid and being bullied a lot of times for my weight,
gaining extra pounds is really a big deal for me. I lost my self-confidence and
I developed a really bad case of insecurity (at least I admit that *roll
eyes*). Just before the year ends, I didn’t wait for 2018 to come and start
improving myself. I started to be healthy and made it a lifestyle. Right now, I
am still in my journey to fitness, but I MUST SAY A LOT OF THINGS IMPROVED.
FROM MY BREATHING TO MY STRENGTH I CAN DEFINITELY FEEL IT. The fats are still
there though but my goal is not to be stick thin but to be sexy through BEING
HEALTHY AND STRONG. GIRLS, REMEMBER THIS (one big lesson that I learned the
hard way): BEING THIN IS NOT SEXY. UNLESS THAT’S YOUR NATURAL BUILT. BEING
STRONG IN THE OTHER HAND IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL. IT WILL MAKE YOUR BODY IN A
BETTER SHAPE.
2. MY GROWTH AS A
PERSON
I know I am not the mature-est person out there. I love
being a kid. I love seeing things the way a child sees things. BUT, on the
other hand, it may not be that evident but I think I have made more mature
decisions in my life this year. I have also handled a lot of challenges and the
likes in the most adulating way possible. I am still trying to get a hang of
when it comes to my finances but I am getting there… slowly lelz. I have also
learned to let go of the things that I cannot control and just live with what
is in front of me instead of pushing myself to the things that I cannot hold.
This is probably one of the biggest lessons and challenges in my life. Battling
out my inner demons and actually relying on myself to be better. Not blaming
others for all the unfortunate things and always seeing the POSITIVE side of
this are habits that I gained this year.
1. I WILL ALWAYS BE
GRATEFUL FOR MY “PAMILY”
Especially to my mom. She's not perfect (she still didn't cook for Noche Buena and now Media Noche and I'm hungry as I'm writing this) yet, she never fails to support me in
everything that I do. I wouldn’t get through this year without her. Like she is
the biggest biggest blessing in my life and I will always be grateful. From
finances to my new endeavors to my travels and basically every single thing
that I partake, she is always there. Providing, supporting and just simply
loving me. Honestly, more than all the material things she’s given me this
year, the most grateful for I am to her is probably her unconditional love. I
will forever be blessed and thankful that my mom as my parent.
To my family, I guess this year, we’ve been stronger than
ever… having occasional gatherings and rekindling our old bond, I will be
always grateful to have them by my side… maybe not literally, but I know that
they always got my back.
And of course, to my circle of friends who got smaller this
year. No regrets in trimming them down this year because I know that my
remaining friends are those who I really cherish and the best among the rest. I
am beyond blessed to have them and although I wasn’t able to prioritize the
squad this year, I know I am always in their hearts. And also, to my new found friends through the various activity I go to.
Last but not the least, I’m thankful for my jowa and his
family… for feeding me sumptuous home cooked meals. HAHA CHAROT (half meant
tho). Seriously speaking, this guy has been with me all year round. Good and
bad times. I’ll always be grateful.
If there’s one big thing that this year has taught me, it
would be to be GENEROUS. GENEROUS IN GIVING LOVE, TIME AND EFFORT. Big thanks to the
Man above for this awesome year. You are the one true STAR of my life. I will
always be grateful to you. To God Be the Glory.
2017 signing off.
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