2010

from ala’s dos’ blog:)

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before? Travelled by myself to a foreign country (Malaysia). An experience which I never regret doing. It was a challenge since you have to take care of yourself and make sure that you stay alert all the time. I experienced carrying all shopping bags while dragging a heavy suitcase down the steep and scary staircase of a budget terminal with unknown men speaking in foreign language asking you if you want their help with your stuff. It can be quite lonely too as I have noticed that all pictures that I have were of the scenery and some forced solo shots. But it was one helluva learning experience!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I made a few resolutions and kept some of them. One of which was to drink more water and eat fruits everyday. Haha. I should maintain this one for the rest of my life;p

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yep! My cousin’s wife Ate MJ, Ate Nerie (Susi’s sister in law) and my good friend, Anne all gave birth to lovely babies. Anne got me as ninang because I share the same birth date as her son!

4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes. It was a surprise and until now I still can’t believe she’s gone now. Missing you, Jessa.

5. What countries did you visit? Hong Kong (one of the bestest trips ever), Malaysia and Singapore!

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? Money, good investments (condo, car, stocks, etc), flourishing career!

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory and why? September 8, 2010! Susi’s surprise birthday party which I successfully organized! Every one’s really happy and of course, you can see the birthday boy’s extremely happy 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Hmmm, getting out of my comfort zone by resigning from my company of 4 years, travelling alone, and successfully baked cheesecake from scratch (yes it is an achievement!) :p

9. What was your biggest failure? Not really a failure but I joined a company because I had no choice. This resulted in major heartaches and the feeling of not getting the fulfillment that I am wanting to have since the job description does not fit with what I’m previously doing.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nope. The usual cough-colds combo.

11. What was the best thing you bought? A brand new flatscreen tv set!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Venus Raj (hehe)

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Hubert Webb. Even if he is pleaded not guilty, he should at least show some respect to the family of Lauro. Ang yabang pa rin kasi!

14. Where did most of your money go? Travels.

15. What did you really, really, really get excited about? Travels pa rin.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010? ”Everything in Life is Only For Now”, from Avenue Q.

17. Compared to this time last year are you: Happier? A notch lower than the year before. Thinner? Yep. Richer? Maybe.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Cook, surf, go to the beach and pray.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Overthinking.

20. How did you spend Christmas? Cooking a full meal and baked pastries 

21. How will you be spending new years? The same as last year – cooking contest between me, Gia and dad!

22. Did you fall in love in 2010? Still in love!

23. How many one-night stands? Zero.

24. What was your favorite TV program? How I Met Your Mother.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Nope.

26. What was the best book you read? ”Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold.

27. What was your biggest musical discovery? None. Justin Bieber? Hehe.

28. What did you want and you got? Our very own tv set in our family hall!

29. What did you want and not get? A flourishing career.

30. What was your favorite film of this year? Inception

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old did you turn? Turned 26 and celebrated my birthday with Marian, Japanese style: Sake, Sushi and Videoke party 

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? If I landed a job which is first, pays really well, second, fits the job description that I’m aiming for and lastly promotes work life balance. It is rare for a company to promote the so called worklife balance but there might be one somewhere.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? Laidback.

34. What kept you sane? Emails from friends, food trips and travels.

35. Which celebrity did you fancy the most? Kobe. Even if he is turning back to his old ways recently (read: ballhog).

36. What political issue stirred you the most? The horrifying justice system in the Philippines and their poor victims – Maguindanao massacre victims and Mr. Lauro Vizconde.

37. Who did you miss? My friends working in Singapore.

38. Who was the best new person you met? New friends in Citi:p

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:

1) Money isn’t everything

2) It isn’t too late to start something new

3) Everything in life is temporary. Enjoy while it lasts:)