My 2010

The New Year always makes me wax sentimental over the year that has passed. And now that 2011 is upon us, I’ve taken a bit of time look at how phenomenal my 2010 has been.

The first part of my year was spent taking care of my visa applications so I could make my European dreams come true. Being the obsessive-complusive that I am, I didn’t want to leave out any details. I do everything to get what I want and that situation was absolutely no exception. The whole process was filled with anticipation and stress over the outcome, but I stayed focused and positive. My notebook and cabinet door hopefully displayed photos of my destination countries, giving me a glimpse of what I wished was to come. And it did come! The opportunity to travel made me realize how strong and courageous I am as an individual, contrary to what I sometimes think. It made me realize how small I am compared to the world that is waiting for me to discover. It is very refreshingly unnerving to take that step out your hotel door and not know exactly where to go, the people you’re about to meet, the sights and sounds that you are about to witness. I awakened a passion that I always knew was in me but never knew in what magnitude. The whole experience will always and forever be one of the happiest ones in my life and I will look back fondly at it as I make more travel memories in the future.

In June I went back to my home, Cebu. As always, I was greeted with warm hugs and smiles and took great comfort in the people I grew up with. The whole experience inspired me to write a blog entry which led to another highlight of my year. I submitted that essay to the Philippine Daily Inquirer and it was published in the Youngblood section. You can only imagine my excitement seeing my name on print, since it has been one of my childhood dreams to be published in the country’s top broadsheet even just as a one-time contributor. That gave me a boost to continue writing whenever I have the time because I had almost forgotten the joy of being able to share my thoughts and feelings in a way that is very personal and sincere.

This year has also been very kind to me as it brought in a steady stream of work. They say God always provides and I can attest to that. I know I shouldn’t complain but I do sometimes and I regret that. What matters is I have the means to make a living and I should give the best that I can in whatever I do. Few are fortunate to work in the company of friends and I am one of those who are blessed with that chance. Hopefully 2011 will be just as or even more rewarding.

I am and will always be thankful to all of my friends who are very supportive and a joy to be with. They are always there to keep me sane when times get rough or simply when I want to bask in the company of good people. God blessed with me wonderful friends from different places and I may not get to see them as often as I would want to, but when I do it always feels as if no time was spent apart. Here’s to wishing we would get to spend more years together.

I am thankful for my family, who always takes excellent care of me even if sometimes I can be a baby. But that’s only because I’ve lived for quite a time on my own and now that I’m back with them I must say I missed being the baby :p This year we are missing my Ate Tess during the holidays, but we are looking forward to her return. I pray that everyone in my family, especially my parents, is blessed with good health and long life so that we may continue to enjoy many more Christmases, New Years, and birthdays together.

So now that 2011 is almost here, I wish that you would have as much or more things and people to be thankful for. There’s always a reason to be grateful as long as we see the good in everything. I can only hope and pray that we can make the New Year everything we want it to be. Here’s to a happier, healthier, and more exciting 2011… Cheers!