I've been on break for 5 days but, I haven't really gotten around to truly resting and, you know, having time to sit and drink tea and contemplate about life and stuff. It's been a really busy 5 days.
But I'm putting things off right now so that I can rush-write this blog and express just how grateful I am for this year. I didn't realize how much happened - but a lot did happen. A lot changed. And I like to think that I've grown a little as a person. Or a lot. I don't know.
Every single year since I was about 12 years old, I'd come up with a list of highlights. Some sort of Top x-teen list for Year 20x-teen. Contrary to the past few posts I've shared on this blog, which were all, for some reason, centered on the fact that things haven't been too great for me, I woke up today with a strong urge to write about all the wonderful things that took place in the past year.
It was actually a pretty good one, now that I look back at it.
So, I'm sorry for not seeing things that way during the one billion moments of stress and frustration and laziness and couldn't-care-less-ness and all the other bad times this year, haha. I guess being a BS Arki junior does take it's toll on your life. It turns you into a zombie and makes you forget all the good things. HAHAHA Just kidding. But nonetheless, thank God for breaks like these, where you actually have the time to process things and re-realize that you love what you're doing and that life isn't so bad after all. #IKnowImCheesyPleaseLetMeBe
I've gone through a whole lot of photo albums and here they are, my Top 14 of 2014, arranged semi - chronologically. Haha.
One. Jamie's Bridal Shower & Wedding.
This was one of the most fun sleepovers in the world - held in a very pink, beautiful, secret place. Haha! It's amazing, the amount of tears you shed when it's your friend walking down the aisle. Yeah, this group will last a lifetime. :)
Two. Sagada a.k.a. The Greatest Field Trip In History.
I will never forget the happiness I felt in that cold, perfect place. It was the best trip ever, and I couldn't have been with better company. Huhu. Kakamiss.
Three. Valentines Day.
Maybe it was the post - Sagada feels but, I think our batch had the best Valentines day ever. Hahaha! The boys surprised us girls with songs and paper flowers and stuff - because we were all single and sad. Haha joke. But it really was the sweetest thing ever. :)
Four. Valentines Night.
Thank you to my other single girl friends for dragging me with them. Haha, no regrets. I needed this night.
Five. The Initiative - WordComm Youth Mission Trip.
This trip to Tacloban was one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done in my life. We visited their school, spent time with kids and built houses for the families.
Six. Holy Week at Tali Beach.
This was probably the best Tali Trip ever. Three families, eighteen kids and loads of fun!
To add to this, I'm also super thankful for having been given the opportunity to write for Aquazorb's travel features. You can check the Tali article here! More to come, hihihi. Life is good!
Seven. Mount Batulao.
My brother and I had a hiking date and during the climb, I realized how much he loved me. He basically dragged me to the peak. Hahaha! He held my hand as we climbed up those freakin' vertical paths of torture. Hayz. That's love.
And that's also a sign of how unfit I am and how I must work on my body next year, haha.
Eight. States.
Until now, I find it hard to believe that I was actually there for a whole month. It was a surreal experience - to be away from my family for that long and to be that far from, uhm, everything and everyone. Haha. So much happened in the States. Too many new experiences.
It was also my time. It was there that I really got to shut up and reflect about my life. God met me there and made me realize a lot of things. :) This trip served as evidence that you really have to get away to see things a little more clearly.
And that's what I plan to do a little more from now on. Haha.
Get away, I mean. <3
#Excited
Nine. Singapore.
For my birthday, I escaped again! My brother and I went on our second major date of the year, haha! We went to Singapore and had the time of our lives. Really. We did nothing but eat and explore. Something, I'd definitely want to do over.
Oh, and Singapore is a beautiful country!
Ten. Details Ink.
Details Ink has grown a lot this year. Apart from all the new products, there have been so many other new things... like, new opportunities, new projects, new followers, new artsy-business-crafter friends and new venues to inspire. This is one of the things I'm most grateful for and I'm praying that this carries over to 2015. May it be even better. :)
Eleven. #TeamBaler and #Friends.
It was one hell of a semester. Really. I don't know how much weight I lost (Kidding. I know but, I won't say. HAHA.) and I don't know how many nights I barely slept. Third year is no joke huhuhu.
So here's to the people that helped me get through the first half of it!
To Mico and Gabby, I'm super happy we were partners. Huhu best team ever.
To Anna and Lance, I'm super happy we're friends. HAHA WHAT. (But, really.)
And to Gab, I'm super happy that you.... visit Anna all the time. Hahahaha.
Yay!
Twelve. Semi - Good Health.
Good news, I didn't get sick sick this year! I did get Dengue though. For the third time in my life. Huhu. And I'm still in the process of gaining all the weight back so, before you make any more comments about how tiny I look, please know that I am trying my very best to get fat. Hihi. <3
Thirteen. The Constants of My Life.
The Elites.
Since Grade School.
The Supreme Six.
Since Birth.
The Barkada.
Since high school.
The Cangs, Pangs, De Langs.
Since forever.
The Best Barkada Ever a.k.a. My Family.
Ever since the dawn of time.
jk
I thank God every day for the people in my life - the ones that get me through life. Haha. What would I do without them huhuhu. And I know that I'm missing a lot of things, as well as people. I'll cheat and add more things I'm thankful for in this paragraph, hahaha. (And I'll cheat again because I'm simultaneously writing a list for Details Ink too. Oh, and the 14th thing on this list, I've intentionally kept secret hihihi. So yeah, that's additional stuff for me, yay for gratitude!)
Hahaha. But seriously, here's more:
- The Design Her Story Community. I owe my friend, Megan, a lot for bringing me to the conference that boosted my spirits and sparked my drive just when I needed it.
- The Zap Tag PH Family + Ambassador-ship. I totally forgot about Zap but, yes. I'm thankful for all the opportunities and all the free food and free things and free friends that I got since I started here. Hahahaha! Yay.
- The Maker's Market Community. Details Ink has grown so much because of this. I've learned so much from all the other local makers and our events have been such fulfilling and humbling experiences. Hayz. Super happy to be a part of this. :((
There's also a lot more people to say thank you to. I'm so super sorry if I miss anyone but, it doesn't feel right to end this blog without mentioning:
- Tim Cu, Riri Rodriguez and Alfonso Ancheta for just being there and getting me through several horrible days. :)
- Again, Tim Cu and Diego Mendiola for being the best, clingiest Arch 4 seatmates in life.
- Riri Rodriguez (you deserve a solo slot) for magically appearing during all the times I needed someone I could be a brat and total girl with, for always listening and always understanding.
- Big Minimo & Diane Diaz for being my Arch 24 buddies. We did it! Hihihi. Wink wink!
- Danielle Tan for being able to take all my outbursts and breakdowns and everything - all throughout the year and every single day since I've known you. Hahaha.
- The G People for seeing me through one of my lowest points in life without even knowing it. Hihi. I'll forever love you guys for that. :)
- Ishka Mejia for all the lovely life talks and for constantly inspiring me without even trying to do so. ;)
- Alyssa Innocencio for helping me survive Physics 71! Huhuhu. You have no idea how grateful I am. Thank you for always saving me a seat, for allowing me to sleep almost every meeting haha, for always waking me up when it's time for the seatwork and for basically re-explaining the lesson to me so I can answer it hahaha huhuhu, for all the kwento sessions that we had during the times I was actually awake in class, for always understanding my sleepless arki life and for being super galing during Recits. Hahaha, huhuhu. Oh, and thank you for your Christmas gift that super touched my heart!!! I hope this thank you note has that effect. Hihi. >:D<
Given my main list, it is now crystal clear why this wasn't my best year in terms of academics. Hehehez. Something had to suffer. But, I can't believe I even had the guts to think that this wasn't a good year altogether. Huhu. Bad Kara. This year was beautiful, huhu. And it isn't even over!
I love this feeling.
It's like there's so much in store, really.
This time last year, I wasn't exactly in a good place. I guess that makes me extra grateful now. :)
So taking into consideration all the things I've done this year, everything that's happened, the good stuff, the bad stuff... and all the stuff I almost allowed myself to take for granted; my last insight/ final thought for the year 2014, and what I want to always keep in mind, is... that LIFE IS GOOD GRAND. :)
And sometimes we have to just stop, sit down, drink tea or whatever... for us to remember that it is. <3
Here's to 2014.
May 2015 be even better!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, World! :)
