Countdown to 2012: People of my year

2 days and we're all gonna have a brand new year. For some 2011, might not have been giving but for others (like me), it was a year full of blessings (in disguise,too). Before the year ends, I would summarize and write everything that had happened in my 2011. It feels like it was just yesterday when we were all bidding 2010 goodbye and welcoming 2011 as the clock stroke 12. How time flies quickly. Countdown to 2012 posts series is all about stories, people, moments, memories, and random things that helped me get through with 2011. Hey, one day of bad luck and bad people makes you want to tie a rope around your neck, imagine a year full of ups and downs, how can one manage to survive a year? If you ask me, it's because of the people who've been there for me, and those who inspired me to be better in everything I do. So..here is the list of my people to thank for making my 2011 bearable.

This is the only picture I have with Ms. Abanto. (I apologize). Now I know what's the first thing to do when I see her on January.
Ms. Flordeliz Abanto. A name that gives jitters to Juniors. I was one of those juniors who instantly wanted to runaway whenever Ms. A would ask a question. As a junior back then CR breaks were the ultimate blessing. (I get a minute or two break from the tension) Ms.A was like Marcos to me, I was so afraid of her that I didn't had the chance to know her more. Until, she became our thesis adviser, and my special project professor, and our Calauan buddy. Our thesis wouldn't be passable if it wasn't for her. (actually, "passable" is an underrated word..let's say "nominee for best thesis") I could say that I am ready to face the world because I went through the hands of scrutiny of Ms. Abanto.

Baby Lexi I really love babies. They remind me of my baby brother Patrick (when he was still a baby). I've always wanted to have a younger sibling and so when Patrick was born It was the happiest night of my childhood.
Baby Lexi, is my cousin's daughter. She is one year and 7 months old. My tired feet, and restless eyes from school works and stressful commuting, will all be gone whenever I see a smile from Lexi. She's too adorable! (this is the part when I say Agnes' line from Despicable me.."She's so fluffy I'm gonna die!")

Clare Marie Ciriaco The only sister I've got. From 1991 up to the present, she's the number one person on my list. (Oh btw, the arrangement is random. There's no top 10 or top 1. They are all in the same rank) My life on earth was fun because of her. Shopping, Swimming with our new swim suits, Eating cold noodles in Mong Kok, Googling for random places and discoveries, she is my ultimate buddy! We may have some disagreements that turned to world war 3, but in the end..we still watched the Final Harry Potter Movie together. Now that she's all grown up, and working, we still share the same passion for Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Walking Dead, do I have to name all? She's working in Hong Kong now, and I'm all alone watching series that we love (all alone saying bad words while watching Stefan say those words to Klaus). I miss you Sis!

Franza. I call him by his last name I don't know why. Well, of course we have our romantic nickname which I call him, only if no one is listening. Can't imagine I can survive a 3 year relationship with someone. I was a relationship-gypsy (if there's such term). My longest relationship before him was 4 months and the others were.. 1 month? I guess. Back in High School, my relationship with him was just evolving around exchanges of Hi and Hellos. I never expected that text messages could be so magical that it created a spark between us. Anyway, this post isn't about our story. He is the only person I can count on whenever I needed help. I can't imagine years without him. Thank you and even though my 2012 will be spent away from you.. I know you will still be a part of it and the rest of the years to come.

Pam, Yeye and Marje. They are my thesis mates. We share the same stress, and slept on the same bed, and ate canned goods for breakfast, lunch and dinner together. We crawled the deadly wires of topic proposal, 1st draft submission, documentary editing, final defense, and more to go (Obra Kulasa, Final revisions). Oh boy, at first I thought I couldn't survive being with them (We had several conflicts but able to talk it through) My 2011 was definitely full of them! Do I really have to reminisce about the things we've been through? I really don't want to think about thesis right now! Anyway, I thank God for giving me these creatures.

It is true that people will walk in and out of your life but we have to cherish everyone who did came and brought us days of happiness.

2012 and Paulo Coelho

I was thinking what to buy with the christmas money I got from my relatives. I thought of two things. First is a new tumbler from Starbucks (so I could put hot tea). Since I carelessly lost the 2 weeks old tumblr my sister bought me. And Second is a 2012 planner by Paulo Coelho. I realized the importance of having a planner when I stepped into college. With things to do, and to remember I can't afford to forget what I need to do each day. Moments is a 2012 planner that has words of Paulo Coelho written in the pages, and designs by Catalina Estrada. My 2012 will definitely be great with Paulo Coelho on my side!

Love and its' complications

Love makes the world go round. That's what the Powerpuff girls said. But..even though they are my favorite cartoon character I would like to disagree with that premise. I honestly don't think Love makes the world go round.

Riding the Train for Drops of Jupiter

Train is my current favorite band. They maybe not the freshest band out there but womaaaaan, this band is full of soul! They hooked my heart the first time I heard them. I was on the way to the airport and heard "Hey soul Sister" in the stereo then I found myself singing it on the plane.

I love music. But I choose what music to love. I usually look at the lyrics of the song. I like poetic lyrics because it makes me think while listening to it. It's like I'm reading a book while listening to music.

When I first heard Drops of Jupiter, I thought it was sang by a new band or a new singer with a new kind of sound but as I search for the singer I was atonished to know it was Train. While I was listening to Drops of Jupiter, I was like "wait did he just say deep-fried chicken?" Then I heard he said "Saturn" "Jupiter". I went like this must be an educational song about the planets. But even though I find the lyrics too abstract I still fell inlove with it instantly. I've always feel like there's more to this song than the lyrics. I guessed correctly when I thought it's a love song. It is a love song. A love song for the mother of Pat (the vocalist). It was the saving glory of the band. They almost disappeared from the music industry but this song saved what's left of them. Not all bands, and music artists can compose a song that still breathes after 10 years. (picture from google image)

Before the year ends

It's funny to think about New Year when Christmas hasn't passed yet. This year has bring nothing but good and bad memories and moments. The best was passing thesis defense, and the worst was...all the nights spent writing our thesis. Damn! I just realized that 2011 was wasted with thesis moments. So I decided to make a self list of year-enders. Just to make 2011 memorable.

1. Kiss a stranger

Yes. I know. Sounds bitchy. But believe it or not I've never really kissed anyone aside from my boyfriend and exes. I just wonder how it feels like to kiss someone you don't have any relationship with. Exciting!

2. Have a "blissful" moment

If you know what I mean. :)

3. Have a 10 new friends.

I'm not a friendly person. So, this is very challenging.

4. Get a new hair style

5. Learn to dance the Dougie

Count the people you can count on

I've abandoned the art of blogging a long time ago. I saw it as a form of therapy that helps you unleash your thoughts, and feelings. Well, that is what I'll be doing now. This is not a happy post but a sad realization.

Last night, my "so-called" friends and I were celebrating for passing the thesis defense. We were at the moment of bliss. Alcohol, music and friends. 3 things that creates a powerful drug. I was feeling a little bit tipsy. Living far from school, the LRT is my clock. It closes at 9 pm so I have to get to the station before 9. I was planning to escape the scene at 8:30 pm with Vic and Angelene. But there were others who promised me that they will take me home. So I stayed (which was the most stupid thing to do).

After 2 hours of never-ending laugh trip, we decided to eat. I was saying Yes to everything because I know they'll stick with me until the end but I was wrong to think that. They had other plans in mind, and I don't like ruining other people's plan. One of them wanted to get drunk EVEN MORE and the other is waiting for a ride home from her ex-boyfriend. So here I was, left with no choice but to go home. I wanted to go home already. I told them I'm gonna be okay, and they kept on asking me If I can go home by myself, Come on girl! SINCERITY doesn't end with a question of Care. I honestly will never do what they did to me. I know the TRUE meaning of friendship but it takes a special person to have my true friendship. I just wanted to remove the tag "sister" with them in FACEBOOK and try to find a new set of friends who will never leave me no matter what. So I went home and ask my boyfriend to pick me up in Monumento (even if he was already in bed). He went to Monumento at 2 am and waited for me in a 7 11 store. I've realized that in the end, only those SINCERE people will be there for you and in hundreds of friends you'll meet there's only ONE who will do everything for you. I love you Baby! Thank you for being there when I'm scared and alone. Even though you're grumpy most of the time.. I love you still.

Secret # 19: Figure out what your goals and dreams are

I am not really the goal-oriented type of person. I do things randomly if I want to, and do not plan when I have to. I just like the spontaneity of fate. Isn't life a wonderland? Imagine you meet people along your journey, then these people will eventually change your life with their stories, and experiences. You didn't plan on meeting them but you met them anyway and they gave you either shits or bliss.

But one of the life's secrets is to figure out what your goals and dreams are. In my case, I do not have any ideas what are these. Maybe that's the reason why I sometimes get bored with what life offers me. I HONESTLY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I WANT TO DO WITH MY LIFE. Maybe I just want to survive every god-given days. Pass my subjects, graduate on time, work, pay off bills, then work again, then quit job if unhappy. This is the routine everybody's following. I don't want to have that life. I don't want to be a robot of consumerism, materialism, capitalism, or whateverlism. I believe that people really have no choice on the path of their lives, they thought having a job then earning money is the ordinary thing to do. Well, I don't want to be part of that culture. I may have not planned my life but hey, there's a reason why the word surprise was formed. Maybe goals are important in one's life but I don't want to write it down because I might end up chasing it then forget what I am missing along the way.