Remembering 2010

This was taken by the lovely Aimee Bisnon during our Three Cheers for Three Years hangout. While the others took multiple takes, I did this star in one take! 

So how was 2010? A lot of ups and downs, definitely a memorable one. Here's my own personal chronicles of the year. 

Eye Got a Problem: It started off pretty crappy, thanks to the recurring styes I had. It was caused by  1) stress and 2) replacing veggies and fruits with good ol' fast food. Two surgeries and multiple visits to the doctor later, I've been able to move on with just a minor scar on my left eye.

Last PE class ever: Still miss PE till this day. 3 out of the 4 (the other one was canceled out, thanks to Ondoy) classes I've been in have won the PE inter-class tournament, and I'd like to think that I contributed to it, haha! 

First Pitch: This was shot for our Intro. to Advertising group project. We crammed everything in less than three days, something I vow to never do again. However our professor praised it, saying it was probably one of the best in class.

My older sister got married to Art dela Cruz' twin brother (jk)! It was a fun day - lots of love, food and wine ;)

Went to a couple day trips in Singapore all by myself. A sense of independence and wonder on how it continues to thrive so well as a fully developed country.

 A great summer starter with the block (plus Javi G. and Deanne)! Abby and James, you guys were missed!

Juggling two internships (newspaper and a magazine) during summer. Definitely an experience, from seeing 2010's Miss Universe to publishing articles in both publications! 

With Aika in Gatecrashers (?). Went to two raves together this summer which was hella fun! Great vibes and music all night long :)

Watched Empire of the Sun in one of the raves - highly eccentric performances made the night (that and Tocadisco!) Manila should really have more raves like this!

Mikee G.'s debut. What can I say, she's blossoming into a beautiful lady. 

World Cup, baby! Abby's diehard loyalty for Spain was definitely a highlight haha! :))

With the Tina Monzon-Palma in one of Guidon's seminars.

Three-peat baby! Despite losing my phone, it was great to see so many people show up for another successful year for Ateneo's athletes. Next year, four-peat please so we can be the golden batch =)

Guidon's T2 Day for 2010-11. 81 years and still going strong!

g - I've been in this writing cluster since freshman year and this has been the best year yet. Love the staff <3 More power to g!

With Monica, Mara and Mig in 'What's up, g?' g's official launch in campus.

 The only picture I have for this year's UAAP season, and it was the infamous game where ADMU lost to ADU by how many points.

IAC Game Over Party, which was a huge success! Taken during the opening program. 

This was around 3 in the morning. Tired and damn sleepy, but still had to help clean up. 

Sembreak in Bali with Aika and my dad! First-class treatment in Ayodya, walking around in Kuta and getting the darkest tan I had in the longest time. Four days is definitely not enough in this beach haven. 

Gesu - a sanctuary for me when the times get rough and I need a little enlightenment. 

Holiday Thoughts

So this is where I've been spending 70% of my Christmas holiday - sprawled on  my new bed.What can I say, this holiday brings the hermit crab in me.  The iingering smell of newly bought furniture and burning rose aromatherapy oils doesn't help as well.

If I'm not taking one of my sporadic day naps, catching up on my lack-of-TV exposure or reading a magazine, I'm probably in the bathroom or eating. It ain't Christmas in the Philippines without having the munchies indeed (nope, not without the help of you know what ;). One day it's homemade sweet spaghetti and the next is chocolate chip cookies and spice drops. It is that inevitable time of the year again, and PMS or academic stress levels aren't the ones to blame. 

In the first Shopaholic book, the main character talks about two possible solutions to curb her outlandish spending habits - either you cut down on what you spend or earn more. Put that in weight terms, and it's either cut down on what you eat or work out more. Back in campus, it's easy to grab the running shoes and take a quick run around campus or distract yourself with work but here, it's a different story.  The holiday mood increases the cravings tenfold and the bed/couch is drawing you in. It's magical powers simply won't stop calling you in until your butt is touching it.

Aside from my silly weight-conscious rants, there's still so much things to do for school. It's a terrifyingly short-lived vacation this year, like a long weekend instead of a couple of weeks.

Christmas Spirit

This Christmas season is probably one of the best so far. Definitely feeling the holiday mood this time. It's not just about the fluorescent lights that sparkle every house here, the sound of fireworks on the late hours, or even the scrumptious food that's eying our bellies. It's finally about being with my family.
Long story short, I had to spend it without my direct family. I won't say anything in particular, but let's just say that Christmas is definitely depressing without them. There were days I would spend the whole day being a couch potato - laying in bed and watching TV, only to get up to go the bathroom or eat.  Surprisingly, while everyone was worrying about gaining holiday pounds, I lost some. The times when I dragged myself out to go to the mall or supermarket, it would only make me feel worse because it was a total family-galore with little children happily holding hands with their parents and swaying to the Christmas music.

Fast forward to right now, and it's amazing how a year can change everything. As a family, we're in a happy place right now and it's such a blessed feeling. Everyday, I thank God for giving me the family and friends who has been there no matter what. I also met some great people, and I'm looking forward to get to know more about them in 2011.

My second family!

At Miko Tiu's crib!

EB Aspirants this year!

Our Banapple date was hilarious and let's just say we learned a lot about each other. I love this staff! Oh, and VISIT g's special holiday issue!
 

Christmas is definitely a season to spend with our loved ones, but let us remember that it's something more than that. Like what my Philosophy teacher said on our last class, "As you celebrate Christmas, please don't forget the birthday celebrant." Whatever we do, whether it's attending Misa de Gallo or stuffing ourselves with lechon, do give a moment to give thanks (and give back! There are people out there who need help out there :).

While I know that I'll come back with a bigger waistline to worry about, I wouldn't trade this warm fuzzy feeling with anything in the world.

Merry Christmas EVERYONE! Enjoy the rest of the holidays :)
<3

2011 Christmas Wishlist

My Christmas Wishlist of 2011

For the beloved family and friends, especially those lucky ones (haha) to get me for Kris Kringle, or anyone who's nice enough. Don't worry, I didn't include anything that's ridiculously expensive or those cheesy things that 'money cannot buy' =)

1. Jellybean Notebook - I fell in love with this after seeing it in Spot.ph  

2. Black pens for left-handed people  -  I want a good supply before classes resume on January.

3. A DVD copy of Stand By Me - I lost mine back in high school and it always made me happy  and nostalgic afterwards. One of my favorite movies of all time and I recommend anyone to watch it! 

4. White Tea and Ginger Body Mist from Bath and Body Works - My absolute favorite scent from the collection.

5. Dobby Doll - It's cute, okay? 

6. Aromatherapy oils - My mom got me back into the habit.   

7. Any book written by Ernest Hemingway (except for A Moveable Feast, Green Hills of Africa, The Sun Also Rises and The Old Man & the Sea) 

8. Anything purple (preferably lanyards or opaque nail polish) 

9. Old (or new!) copies of Rolling Stones, Spin or Glamor magazines 

 

10. Water bottle - Help me save the environment (and allowance!) 

All You Need is Time.

Time.
is of the essence.


It allows the scars to heal. 
It allows you to ponder about anything - from the most useless things to life-altering decisions.
It allows you to savor the moment, because it is indeed a fleeting one. 
It allows you to sink it all in, take a deep breath and continue. 




Most of all, it allows you to change.