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 here, here 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!