2008 Goalsetting

2007 was a concentration on growth. I wanted to grow further on certain areas of my life that I found essential then: career, personal, and emotions. These were the three spheres of my life that I said, "I want to improve these parts." There were some that were achieved but it also prompted for more pain than joy.

Professionally, it has been challenging yet rewarding at the same time. I have achieved the one goal that I wanted to achieve and I was also given the opportunity to work on a different market that tests your skill and will. Personally, I want to build more connections and maintain ties from the past. I found new friends who I can share my soul with and also rekindled friendships from highschool and college. Finally, I think I have resolved some of my inner demons and matured a bit to face them and put them at the back of my mind. However, new ones surface that until this moment I do not know how to answer.

For 2008, I just want to concentrate on balance. I need to make sure that my personal life and emotional well-being do not suffer because of what I want to achieve in the end professionally. I need to give more time to myself and learn to recharge when you are feeling empty. I also need to assess what are my passions and purpose to be able to give more direction in life. 2008's banner should be "work is not my life" and I should be able to balance work and life itself.

For specific targets, I need to properly invest on personal time with people I am comfortable with. Be it vacations, or finally use the leaves that have been accruing for quite some time. There is already a need to have "me" time. I should also broaden my horizon and realize that what I have right now or where I am right now is not absolute. The world is big and it can offer more opportunities that can help you grow and reach what you really want to be.

2007 Year End Survey

I can't believe it's almost the end of 2007 and like what I did 2 years ago, I am answering the year end survey to check how much has happened this year.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you've never done before?
So many firsts -- first time to drive, first time to travel to the US, first time to see/experience snow and sub-zero temperatures to name a few.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
The goals last year was growth in different facets in my life. I have achieve some of it and most probably, I will set something again for 2008.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
So many people gave birth this year. Ma'am Jusel, Sheryl, Irene, and Laine.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
I don't think so.

5. What country did you visit?
US, Puerto Rico, Japan (in-transit), Australia, Singapore

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Jowa!

7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 16-18: Bohol vacation! :-)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Going on to the next level at work, and finally getting a vacation albeit short.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Repeat last year's lines: not taking enough risks -- again.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The usual flu and jetlag!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My LCD TV, and my Canon EOS 400D.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I think my

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Britney Spears -- again.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Food, luho (refer to #11)

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Bohol, US TOM Mod (that was gone quickly), Driving!

16. What songs will always remind you of 2007?
Irreplaceable - Beyonce, Umbrella - Rihanna

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? sadder (nagplateau na ang work life -- again)
ii. thinner or fatter? fatter.
iii. richer or poorer? richer (thank you HP!)

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
putting myself out there

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
procrastinate -- I just do not learn!

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
With the family -- again.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
nope! Infatuation, yes but no love -- 3rd straight year!

22. How many one-night stands?
*no comment*

23. What was your favorite TV program?
UGLY BETTY!!!!

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
nope!

25. What was the best book you read?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Spice Girls are back! ;)

27. What did you want and got?
refer to #11.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Oh my. For local, it's got to be Kubrador. For foreign -- very shallow -- Enchanted.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 24 this year. The usual dinner with parents.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Moola and jowa.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Smart casual.

32. What kept you sane?
Friends and internet.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Zac Efron!

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Actually, nothing. I have become political apathetic.

35. Who did you miss?
my friends back home especially when I am out for business trips

36. Who was the best new person you met?
new hires!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007:
This will sound a bit jaded -- I think I did not learn any valuable life lesson this year.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I like romantic things
Like music and art.
And as you know
I have a gigantic heart
So why don't I have
A boyfriend?
Fuck!
It sucks to be me!
- It Sucks to Be Me, Avenue Q

Avenue Q

I got to see Avenue Q last Saturday with no expectations. Well, I really did not know what the musical was all about in the first place so I did not know what to expect. All I knew was that it got great reviews and it's about yuppies.

There are so many interesting scenes but the one that really hit home was their number on "I Wish I Could Go Back to College". It has been one of my mantras when I first started to work and during times when I want to just throw everything in the air and give up. It was just so very reflective on your thoughts when you get out of the barriers of school and you are on your own. Also, I empathize with Kate Monster so much! Well, her take on why it sucks to be her was exactly the same reason on why I think my life sucks! Crazy! And there's her take on why "There's a Fine, Fine Line between Love And A Waste of Time."

Anyway, if you get the chance, watch it! Very realistic take on our lives and the current times. :-) Hayluvet!

The Flight

It is finally Sunday and according to the original master plan, I would be flying to Manila via Detroit. However, snow happened. Not just fuzz, but blizzard-level kind of snowing happened not only in Cincinnati but also in Detroit. Since no one should be really flying in that kind of weather, my flight to Detroit got cancelled. How miserable could that be, right?

Laura, the nice lady from Northwest, looked for other options that would still take Lorrie and I away from Icy Cincinnati skipping Detroit. And she found one! However, we will be flying to San Francisco via Delta and to Manila via Philippine Airlines. To make matters worse, I do not think they have good seats for us as well. UGH. I hate it!

We are doing this so we can go to the GDPC Christmas Party and get the door prizes. Kidding. We will be arriving in Manila on Tuesday at 5:40 AM. UGH. Ugly time. Hopefully, no delays happen with PAL and we will be home sweet home by Tuesday and have fun afterwards.

Surviving My First Week in Puerto Rico

I am still alive and kicking after one week of BAT here in Puerto Rico. Many things have happened that are truly exciting but there are also some things that are just forgettable.

Let me start on the ride going to Puerto Rico. Carina (aka AR) and I had to stay for a night in Cincinnati so Sunday was our travel date to Puerto Rico. It was quite early and siyempre, I was still a bit bangag especially with 2C weather diba?! So, Cari and I were lining up Starbucks and I noticed this guy...
RF: AR, kilala ko ito. (I know this person).
AR: Sino siya? (Who is he?)
RF: Di ko maalala. Pero Hollywood actor siya. (I can't remember but he is a Hollywood actor.)
AR: Ows? Anong pelikula?
RF: Di ko rin maalala. 90% sure ako na siya yun. (I also can't remember. I'm 90% sure that he is that actor.)
AR: I-search mo mamaya. Mukhang Zahn ang apeliyido. (Search it later. It seems that his surname is Zahn.)
Note: ZAHN was written on his bag.
After a few minutes...
RF: AR, 100% sure ako na siya talaga yun. Promise. (AR, I'm 100% sure that it's him. Promise!)

So after getting a quick breakfast, we got settled in the gate for our Atlanta flight. I opened my laptop hurriedly and googled Zahn. Lo and behold, Steve Zahn appears and it's the exact guy!!! I can't believe I've met a Hollywood actor in a Starbucks queue in CVG airport! Coooool!

That's just before getting in Puerto Rico. The whole week was spent working from 9 AM until 8 PM. The time is shorter by an hour but it's not as depressing as our SIT. However. We still had to work yesterday -- a Saturday. Pfft. The exciting part was last night when we ate at this Peruvian restaurant. My gosh!!! I was sooooooo red because I drank this Peruvian drink that is similar to the mojito. I am sure na super daming pictures na super pula ng face ko. KADIRI. To make it worse, since tinungga ko yun, my tummy was doing acrobatics and my mental faculties was just whacked! I still hold na hindi ako lasing. I was just tipsy. Ang daming quotable quotes na naman. Blech.

Then today, Diane and I went out to walk around Viejo San Juan. It was tiring but it was so much fun as well. When we reached El Morro, ich war kaput! Haha!

Tomorrow, there's work again. Sighs. Siguro I should just look at the bright side -- 2 more weeks and I am back in the Philippines! I'll get to see the people I miss and enjoy life again with no pressure. I think I'll be back here in this side of the world by early January but I will see depending on Jose.