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Monday, January 28, 2013

my people of the year 2012

Last year, I started a post thanking people that helped me and made an impact on my life. To continue the tradition this post is dedicated to these wonderful people that made my 2012 memorable. Thank you for everything from the bottom of my heart!



Family - If there are people that loves me unconditionally, my family would be on the top of the list. Thank you for being always there when things are not going well, thank you for the boost of confidence and believing in my capabilities.

Tadz  and Taby - Thank you for everything, as in everything. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you -  Tadz.  Taby, thank you for all   help. Thank you to both of you for letting me invade your home with my presence. hehe! :)

Cousins and uncles - Thank you for making time to accompany me and touring me here in winterwonderland called Winnipeg. Thank you for all the treats and presents, and for making me feel welcome in your home.

AA Family
Sheila - Thank you for always keeping in touch despite the distance and time difference.  Thank for always being there; for being a great friend to me and for the encouragement and support.
Mimi - Thank you for being an awesome housemate, i'll miss our night talks, your experimental cooking, your kapraningan, your out-of this-world theories on things. Thank you for accepting me as your housemate.
Patching - Thank you for patiently listening to my kwentos about who-know-you and for trusting me with your own kwento. When I watched the video and you said, to hell with haters! I almost cried, thank you for believing in me. Thank you for always being on my side.
Rachel - My malditang alaga, Thank you for all the laughs. We never have a dull moment together, you made my 'short stay' bearable with your witty one liners and comebacks. And oh, thank you for listing me as one of your nominee. Let's plan our getaway soon! Just like what you said on the video, "see you later, ali-gay-ter!"
Nadine - Thanks to your bubbly personality and your becky speak, my vocab has improved tremendously. I'll miss our halimaw moments that always ruin my DIEt. wahaha!

Remember girls, there is life after _____ (fill in the blanks na lang). Wahaha! Go!


College Barkada  - Its almost 15 years since we met on that classroom and formed this amazing friendship. Thank you for those years we've been together  and even if we only get to meet twice or thrice a year I know we will still be there for each other.  Thank you for the send off dinner get together we had... to be able to meet with you all before I leave is really heart-warming. Special thanks to Nikki for that video message! Goddesses rule. :)

Dex - Thank you for constantly uplifting my spirits and cheering me up. Never told you this before but you can break my facade and make me cry, that sometimes I need a timeout for being tough on myself. You can read through my feelings and moods; and I thank for that! You know me too well. 

Ankat - Thank you for always listening to me, for never judging me, my actions; for always being there to support me in everything I do. I miss our asaran, basagan-ng-helmet talks and lakwatsa. I wish we could see each other soon! I miss you!

Hype Family - Thank you for your help and support especially now that I still unemployed in this foreign land. I'd like all of you to know that I'm thankful for all the assistance you have extended to me.

ABC - Thank you for always being there. I know I have not been a good friend yet you are willing to drop everything for me. I know exactly how you feel (I've been there....) I hope I could make it up to you in some way, someday. Thank you for all the patience and love. I wish you all the happiness you deserve.

To each and everyone on this list, thank you for all the love. I appreciate it and really grateful for all the things you've done for me. I may not be able to express it all the time (you know me naman...) but rest assured I am forever grateful to all of you. 

Friday, January 18, 2013

year twenty twelve


My 2012 is filled with goodbyes and hellos, travels, packing and a lot of uncertainty.

Goodbyes

I would not really call it goodbye because I know we will see each other again. Sheila and Lawrence were the first ones who said their goodbyes. Followed by Nino and Sky late January 2012. Its kinda sad but I know they will have a better future not only for themselves but also for their families.

August came and I got an unexpected email telling me that I'm on the final process of my application. And by October, everything was finalized. November, I said goodbye to my life in the Philippines. Everything went on too fast. Had too many farewell parties with family, friends and colleagues which I really enjoyed... every moment of it.

Goodbye's are not forever. I'd like to say... I'll see you again. Dear friends, see you next year!




Hello's

Hello's are always a pleasant experience. I had a chance to meet again friends whom I haven't seen in years. And I get to meet and gain new friends!

Oh Dex, it was a nice surprise to see you though it was just a few hours; I had a blast. One of the highlights of my 2012.

19th of November, I set foot to the Land of Strong and Free: Canada. Hello to my cousins, aunts and uncles and friends. The aunts, uncles and cousins whom I only get to see on Skype are now all here to meet me and welcome me to their home. Thank you for your generosity.

Finally get to meet friends JK and Lea from my previous work after 7 long years. Had a great time reminiscing all those fun times we had at the airport and catching up with other lives.

And most importantly, hello Canada, hello new life and hello challenges!



Travels

Work has taken a lot of my energy and motivation that I need to get out of it all. So, even without leave credits, I found a way to travel and re-energize and reconnect with my loved ones.

A. Puerto Princesa - The first of the 4 trips I had planned. It was not my first time to go there but still the place amazes me. Click here to find out more about my Puerto Princesa escape.

B. Zambales trip - I  had a chance to travel with friends from my former work. It was an all girls camping trip; we had so many misadventures on this one but it was all worth it. And we vowed to have another trip of this kind. You can read herehere and here about my Zambales' adventures.

C. Boracay - This place is paradise. One can do a lot of things in Boracay. Read here for things you can try when you're in Boracay.

D.  Davao - The last of my domestic flights for 2012. I had to fulfill my promise to visit Patch. We didn't explore the place much but we did make our tummy happy. Food trip!!!

March 2012, I had a chance to go back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for training. The first and last training I attended with my 'almost' complete MAA family. I wish we had the chance to go to Genting, all the 4 of us. Oh well, there will be another chance to do it and maybe we will be complete.

I was not able to write about my Davao experience and my Canada flight. I hope I'll have the time to do it.


Packing 

Late packer, thats me! Packing away 32 year of my life in 2 suitcases can be so stressful. The things I've accumulated all those years, what will I do with them? Souvenirs, photos, rinkets all those stuff with memories to tell..... How will I sort them? Which one should I throw away, which one should I keep? What should I bring? What will I leave behind? Where will I put all those things that I will leave?  Those were the questions I had to answer and figure out what will I do. I learn to let go of some stuff that I thought were important when I was young but now when I look back those things were irrelevant. 


Uncertainty

Almost always we are faced with uncertainty. Life gives us things that are not yet clearly defined and so vague that we have to grope our way through. The start of 2012 was like that, it felt like I was on borrowed time. I didn't know if I would still have a job or not. Thankfully, I get to keep my job but that was not a guarantee that everything would be smooth sailing. There were times that I felt I was shortchanged but in the end I finally understood that there were better things in store for me. I'd like to say that... there is life after AK. 

The 'big move' happened November and I had to leave the life I had known for the last three decades. All I know is that I'm going to set foot in another continent far away from home. And towards the end of the year, I was still uncertain if I can secure a job right away... but so far everything is good; still enjoying my 'extended' vacation. :) 

This is what I learn from 2012...

No matter what life brings, let's always be thankful. At the end of the day, remember to count the blessings we received rather than sulk and whine. It could have been worse; always look on the bright side. 

Looking forward to more blessings this 2013 and hopefully I get land on a job soon! Cheers! Enjoy 2013!