A Look at 06 and Resolutions for 07

2006 was my year.. the Year of the Dog. It was an eventful year...my life changed dramatically this year... both good and bad things, extreme polar opposites:

• I resigned from Naturale, and got a new job I loved at Unilab. Never thought I could start over. It was so difficult giving up something that has become a part of me for almost two years. My babies Felina and Beach Hut have changed hands, but I was glad to have been given the opportunity to start them. Now I have Aspilets, and I'm blessed to be learning a lot and to be able to help around the house through UL's amazingly comprehensive benefits. Plus, I get a new phone, laptop and car!
• That Month in Bohol. We're still not over it yet though.
• Got my Drivers' License. Finally! Long overdue, but definitely worth the wait. Need to practice soon!
• Was diagnosed with UTI. Two weeks' diet of no salt.. all fish! Giving up all the food I loved was tough, but at least I lost 10 lbs! True test of discipline and will power, and Mom's iron hand! hehe.
• Got Announced as WWJD Girls' Batch 18 Rector - during my 2nd year anniversary in Days, and hosting it on my birthday no less! Jess is really good, I never thought I'd be granted this blessing. And though preparations are seemingly impossible and difficult, I promise to give my all for this batch. Can't wait for my January weekend! I pray I'll have a meaningful batch, for my participants and for myself as well...
• Met my Dream Guy. Who happens to be in a relationship, but at least I know he exists! Had an interesting courtship and fling as well... quite colorful year!
• Traveled to Davao and Iloilo. My second homes. I'll always miss the people and the sights and the food. Can't wait to go back soon!
• Got New Movie Dates. Drew, Care, Oryx and Rory. You guys made my year. Thanks for the crazy movie bonding, and everything in between.
• Check-in at Edsa Shang and Crowne Plaza. I've always loved the Hotel Life. Buffets, Long Soaks at the Tub, White Terry Robes, Massages, Breakfast Room Service, Late Night Bar Parties. Looking forward to Hyatt adventures in January!
• Happy Reunions with Friends. Finally, I get to enjoy my Christmas reunions without Batas! Feels so good to bond without panicking over sunduan time... Hehe!
  

Here's a look at how many of my NY's Resolutions I was able to keep this year (dug this up from my Archives Last Year):

Things I Want to Happen for 2006:
1. Get a Drivers' License!!! - one of my biggest achievements for the year. It took enrollment in A1 and hours of lining up to get the paperwork done, but all these paid off. I look weird in my picture but what the hell... all I have to do now is pray for my car to arrive soon!
2. Learn Ilocano and Spanish – Enrolled myself in Basic Spanish 1Q06, but still need practice. Got myself a new Ilocano dictionary to help. I’m planning to get a notebook too to jot down notes from Dad.
3. Learn to play guitar – Still have to learn. Got a guitar chordbook and 1001 songs from Julius though as a Christmas present.
4. Learn how to cook – Can now whip up tinola, nilaga and sinigang, but sill need practice. 5. Develop a new sport (still deciding between Chess and Swimming) – Will prioritize in 2008 instead. It’s aerobics this year!
6. Travel to an Asian Country (Bangkok or HK... depends on the fare and rates! Sayang ang miles...) – no money! Will try to save up by 2H of the year. Hopefully I’ll be enrolled in Prefplus so I can travel to the States this year.
7. Learn Photoshop – haven’t learned much! :(
8. Watch a concert, game and play – Jason Mraz, WWE and Zsa zsa Zaturnnah.. all within the first few months!
9. Keep all doctor appointments with Dr. Sese – almost done. Will continue treatments this year
10. Invest money wisely (probably in time deposit) – still struggling financially :-(
11. Get a new cellphone! – Decided to invest on silver necklace instead

On a more personal note, I resolve to: All of these I’m still trying to do…
1. Never say anything bad about others (or at least minimize them...)
2. Fulfill all promises (that includes being on time!)
3. Pray and reflect more.
4. Procrastinate less.
5. Personal makeover! Fix self, room, workspace more...

7 out of 11. Not bad, but still need a lot of improvement.
Let's see how many I can pull off again for next year...

Projects for 2007: As forecasts told, if you worked hard in 2006, 2007 will be your year of harvest. This year therefore will be all about ME—all the plans that I had for myself I’ll finally do this year. That goes hand-in-hand with focus.. no boys, lessen dating for the meantime, so I can finally achieve all I want for myself for the meantime...

1. Improve Self – new hairstyle, new treatments, new/healthier body regimen
2. Lose Weight. Drop to 120 lbs.
3. Enroll in Aerobics / Hi-Step Classes
4. Keep (at least) 50K in bank account by year-end (to win bet with Eda!)
5. Learn Ilocano
6. Learn to play guitar
7. Travel outside the country (US or Asia)
8. No credit debts by year-end. Limit card usage to appliances/emergencies only.
9. Get UP diploma and Fix Civil Service Papers.
10. Invest on appliance for the house - new component system or oven.
11. Complete the Simbang Gabi. For the first time ever.
    
    Minor Goals: Some fetishes I'd love to indulge in...
    1. Watch a play, game, and concert
    2. Attend a book and CD signing
    3. Get my Ferreti Card :) 4. Get the 07 Starbucks Planner.

Easier said than done right? Well, we'll see... ;)

Happy New Year to Everyone! :-)

My Christmas of Firsts

It seems like a lifetime since I last posted in here. I'll confess--my attention has wavered more to multiply and have been addicted ever since. (See more recent pictures and gimiks I have been of late: http://gladysjudan.multiply.com). But I know that blogspot will always be the home of my most intimate and even weirdest thoughts, ramblings, experiences.. and everything in between.

It's been quite the holidays--welcome surprises and heart-breaking dissapointments all in one. It was a season of firsts--

• First time I fully enjoyed all my reunions with friends, because I wasn't preoccupied with meeting Batas for curfew... too bad our Noche Buena was cut short because Mom wasn't feeling too well.
• First National Conference and Party with LRI and UL, my new family... had that great two nights with Iloilo friend... I smile wistfully now, knowing that those nights will remain but bittersweet memories. At least I have our pictures to daydream by, all I have left of us.
• First time I resisted the urge to Drink and Be Merry.. First time I'm seriously considering quitting alcohol and yosi altogether. Naks, inspired kse... ;-)
• First time I brought home Christmas basket, First Christmas bonus! The best part of it was sharing all these blessings with my family; it feels great to be able to help out--taking them shopping, treating them to fancy dinners, getting them their perfect gifts. And good thing, at least I have something for my days' batch already in January.
• First heartbreak. He still misses me, he says. I told him I missed him too. But I'm not going back there, that's for sure. I guess things are better off this way. New Start for the year eh?

The best First for me was feeling the true spirit of the Yuletide during Mass. I've always loved hearing Mass at Christ the King.. the people, the choir, the entire church community always brings that sincerity and generosity of prayer. And I felt really closer to Jess during the Christmas Eve Mass. It's just like what the priest said--the true spirit of Christmas resides in our willingness to spread peace and reconciliation not just with the people we love but more with the people we have wronged as well. And I realized that Christmas cannot be found in gifts we have requested nor received, nor the parties and reunions--but in how we welcome and give happiness to others. The Spirit starts within us. And how much we love Christmas should not just end with the taking down of the lights and the tree and all the trimmings, but its love should be carried all year round.

The Christmas Spirit starts and continues within us. Have a Blessed Yuletide to Everyone! :-)

It Hurts To Be Smart

Failure has always been my nemesis. But with accepting failure comes the wisdom of not repeating the same mistake twice, of getting up and striving to pick up the pieces, of moving on...

'Tis the hard lesson I learned. I deluded myself thinking that I could change things, that I could change him. I accepted the situation knowing fully well what was expected and what can only be given, nothing more nothing less. But I was a bigger fool to hope that I could be the girl who can change his ways. I should have listened to my instincts and opened my eyes more to the signs that were right in front of me. I couldn't wait for him forever, the truth gnawing in the pit of my stomach that this was all he ever wanted. And that I was just another willing pawn in his game..

I should have ended it way before, to save me from the hurt and to save him from the hassle. It's the right thing to do.. I know, I know. But now that I have, part of me wants it all back. Wants all of him back. Because at this moment, i don't want to be smart. It hurts to be smart. It sucks to be smart. I just want him. He's moved on though, and I'm still left dreaming for both of us. Maybe I'll just keep on dreaming till Christmas, or till I don't have as much emo moments, thinking of the what-ifs and the what-might-have beens like this anymore..