Resolutions

22 resolutions now that I'm 22.

1. Stop doing multiple tasks at one time. Rather, focus first on one task, then shift to another one when the former is accomplished. (For example, I have my Epidemiology readings, my Histopathology slides, and Facebook open while I'm doing this blog post. It's not multi-tasking anymore; it's counterproductivity :|)
2. Listen in class and take down notes as much as I can.
3. Write more and take more photos.
4. Exercise at least twice a week. I should try to play badminton again if I plan on joining the varsity team next year.
5. Study everyday and not just panic study on weekends.
6. Eat more fruits and vegetables; consume less coffee, milk tea (huhu) and energy drinks.
7. Choose to drink water always.
8. Watch the news and read the newspaper more.
9. Study at the library every Saturday.
10. Attend mass every Sunday. It's best to go early in the morning so that I could start studying right after.
11. Try to fill up Boinky the Piggy Bank as much as I can.
12. Organize your life always. Since making lists and outlines work for me, then I should put extra effort to make them.
13. No more procrastinating. Text and go online less.
14. Keep things simple. Be practical.
15. Learn to say no.
16. Read at least 5 non-med books this year.
17. Know your priorities and stick with them.
18. Do something good and fun everyday and write about it.
19. Do something different every month. There's no growth in the familiar and the usual.
20. Keep it real.
21. Family first.
22. Pray.

Yearning for

1. A healthy and non-sick you
2. Time to be with you
3. Time to talk to you
4. An oven
5. Blue green nails
6. A movie marathon
   
7. Cows vs. Aliens
8. Time with my Dad
9. A good, group messaging-abled cell phone
10. Endless supply of Cobra with Gingko Biloba
11. A slimmer, fits-in-my-old-jeans me
12. Hugs
13. A cajon
14. Happy, bright-colored flowers
15. Isaw and fish balls
16. A fun trip to wherever, near or far
17. Wavy hair
18. More learning and understanding
19. Sleep
20. A vintage camera
21. That pretty pair of flats at Payless
22. Motivation and discipline
23. A fresh, positive perspective

Aaaah, stress. Be gone.

Realizations

The past week taught me the following:

1. It's hard for me to handle having my loved ones in danger. My brother going into dengue shock syndrome in front me sapped all my abilities to maintain grace under pressure. Panic kung panic. Haha.
2. Hospital rooms are like hotel rooms.
3. My priorities are messed up.
4. I am too much of a worrier.
5. My level of self-monitoring is still so high that it affects everything that I do.
6. Sometimes, it sucks to be a Type 2.
7. I should learn how to say no unapologetically.
8. I've been selfish and self-centered.
9. I should learn to enjoy what I'm doing.
10. I need to make an effort to be better and not just wait on the world to adapt for me.
11. We're all different people. Don't expect someone to think and live the same way you do.
12. I should know what it is that I really want.
13. The doubts are back. Is this really for me?
14. I should stop going online too often and study my butt off. NOW.

I have 11 more minutes before I start studying again. Wait, make that 10 minutes.

Aaah, time. We lack that. Being a med student is life-changing and meaningful and fun and all, but the time they give us to learn is just not enough. I wish med students had 30-hour days, or 3-day weekends, or 6-day weekdays so that we could have more time preparing ourselves to save lives in the future.

But we all have to do with 24 hours. I've been spending my nights studying, my weekends studying, my free time studying. It's become a vicious cycle of study, eat, sleep a bit, go to class, then study, eat, sleep a bit and go to class again. Again and again and again. Of course there are moments of laziness and socializing here and there, but the bulk of it all is spent on being face to face with pages of transes and med books.

I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss having time for myself. I miss doing the things I love. But what the heck, I'm loving med school too, so maybe all this lack of time for everything outside med school will really pay off in the future. It really will.

***

Three minutes to go before 11:30! After I've gotten this time thought out of my system, off to my 2011 resolutions!

1. Study more. Yes, I didn't study enough last year. I know that because I'm aware that I can do so much more if I just pushed myself harder. My first exam of the year went great thanks to my newly discovered perfect personal study habits, but I just hope I can consistently pull it off.
2. Exercise. I miss jogging and doing my video exercise thingies, but due to lack of time and energy, I haven't exercised at all since 2011 set in. Here's to at least two physical activities per week!
3. Cook/bake. One dish/recipe per month is reasonable enough, right? I'm so excited for this! Will blog about my cooking escapades here.
4. Write. I should blog or write on my journal at least once a week. I love reading back on my previous jots because it reminds me of the things that mattered to me in the past and the things that made me happy.
5. Save. SUPER DUPER MEGA RESOLUTION! Hahaha. I eat and shop and buy a lot, my savings are kaput now :( So I'll start putting P5 and P10 coins into Boink (my piggy pank) from now on, and maybe stash at least P100 in my account from my weekly allowance. That'll do.
6. Keep the happiness and zest. I'm the type of person who gets bored easily. So paano na 'yan, med can be boring AND it's super tiring pa :| So I just need to constantly remind myself that I want this and this will all pay off in the future. And to prevent times of stress and burnout, I should allow myself to do something I like once a week. It can be as simple as eating froyo or watching an episode of a series or sleeping for more than four hours, or as grand as getting a massage (AAAAHHH KAILANGAN KO 'TO) or watching a flick or having a coffee date with myself, as long as I give myself a break, but only when I can afford it--time-wise and money-wise. Hahaha.
7. Stick to Him. Enough said :)

So there. Seven resolutions. I can do this! :)

Quickie

Sheltered

Shot in Quiapo

• So this is how being espresso-powered feels like. Add Kesha's Tick Tock (and some dancing and head-bobbing) and I think I can last until 5AM like this. I will make this Scope pubmat pretty!
• Hay.
• Last two exams, two management papers, and one management report to go! Fight, Bea!
• I'm seriously loving the Gastro-intestinal-Nutrition module :) Well, except the Biochem part.
• Learning how to actually count calories from food and knowing the exact amounts of food groups needed by the body made me more food-conscious. I love thinking about health. Haha.
• Winter Wonderland by Jason Mraz ♥
• Christmas shopping in a few!
• CHRISTMAAAS ♥

Binge-eater

It's only day 3 of the sweet sem break, but I already mutated into a pig. See what I devoured yesterday:

• Carbonara
• Pancit Palabok
• Pancit Bihon
• Puto Pao
• Double Dutch ice cream
• Isaw
• Ensaymada
• Ding Dong mixed nuts
• Siomai
• Fruits
• Coke
• Asado Siopao

Binge-eating much, I know. After controlling my food intake in the past weeks, I crashed and nomnomnom-ed endlessly. Bakit kasi ang sasarap ng pagkain dito sa Tanay?! Hahaha. But it will stop now. As in NOW. Back to eating smart! Of course I'll still enjoy myself, but moderation is the key forever:

• Eat in proper proportions
• No rice and carbs
• More fruits and vegetables
• Occasional sweets and pastries
• Less coffee
• More tea (and Gatorade, my new love)
• EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE

I can't jog here in Tanay because there isn't a place that's conducive for jogging (or at least a place that I'm familiar with or at ease in), so I brought my Hip Hop Abs DVD. Haha.

I hope I lose and don't gain this sem break! For now, I will chill by watching Devil Wears Prada. Next movies: 21 and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Yay!

FREEDOM

The past weeks had been excruciatingly tiresome and eventful, I can't even believe that I've survived it. The best part of it all? I can officially say that I am done with my first semester in med school. WHAT UP. WHAAAAT IS UP.

Okay, so maybe I might take a removal exam for the Cardio-Pulmo module. Or maybe not even half of what I learned in the past months would be retained in my head. But I am just so tired of studying that all I can think about is the awesome feeling of having nothing to do at all. And here I am, basking in that feeling. Ah, sweet, sweet freedom!

Things I learned/realized/experienced:

• I cannot donate blood because I am underweight. I even tried twice, in two different occasions. But then again, I feel fat. Well, I got really fatter. Ask my friends. I just don't know why my weight more or less stays the same and yet I have definitely grown unwillingly horizontal.
• Tummy size is directly proportional to stress.
• I lost my stethoscope. Perfect opportunity to buy a Littmann steth? Haha.
• Sleep = death, most especially during the night before the exam. I should never ever trust my forever-alarm clock-snoozing self again.
• Shopping for a party dress three hours before the party is a bad idea.
• I really need to study study. I am not learning :(
• I missed dressing up. Being in uniform five times a week should be enough motivation for me to dress up during weekends and not just settle for my quick, hassle-free, regular apparel (AKA loose shirt and shorts).
• Inspect, palpate, percuss, auscultate.
• Staring blankly into space = new hobby.
• Goodbye, Pulmonology. There's no way I'm having you as my specialization.
• The strongest people can be the weakest ones because of love :(
• I worry too much.
• My Photoshop skills are rusty already :-s
• Wild Card was great! Congrats to everyone, especially to Borbs and Aileen! :)
• I really missed you :)

Yaaaay, free time at last! ♥

Another Year

In a couple of days, I'll be turning 21.

Twenty-one.

Bente uno.

10+10+1.

2NE1.

Okay, ang corny ko na. Haha.

But really, 21? I can't believe how fast I've grown already! Back when I was still in grade school, I would always imagine myself as a mature, sophisticated, confident, accomplished, and strong 20-something-year-old. But looking at my actual self now.. Uhh. 'Yun lang. Uhh lang. Hahaha.

But then Psychology taught me that ideal selves are really just ideal selves. We could aim to be our ideal selves, but what matters first and foremost is our actual selves and how we deal with our own realities. So what is my current reality? Apparently, there's med school. And studying. And more studying. And much more studying. Of course my med school social life is awesome, if not too much, actually. I have great friends and a supportive family. But basically, that's it. My life now simply revolves around med school and how to survive it.

And so as I turn 21, let me list down the things that I would love to have/do/accomplish, both med and non-med-related, before the year ends. Yes, before the year ends is a pretty long time, but with med school, being realistic is the key to everything. Haha. So here is a wild mix of my resolutions, aspirations, dreams, wishes, and luhos that I plan on making come true for the remaining months of 2010:

• Get good grades, especially for the toxic Head and Neck module.
• A brown, spacious vintage body bag.
• Avoid coffee and drink more tea. My hands trembled like crazy the last time I drank a grande iced Caffe Mocha. I haven't drank coffee ever since. Although these don't wake me up the same way coffee does, the Lyons Jasmine Tea that I bought and the Oolong Tea that Ma got me from her recent trip to China are doing wonders for my digestion, so yay.
• Lose ze extra pounds by eating more fruits and vegetables, cutting down on the sweets (no more donuts!), fast food and junk food, and consuming only half a cup of rice for every main meal.
• Try to exercise at least twice a week.
• Visit an art gallery.
• Watch a play.
• A Rockin' Body DVD! No YouTube or downloadable ones available online yet eh :(
• Determine the perfect study habits for me. Where? What time? What strategy? Books or trans or both books and trans?
• Save up! P200-savings every week.
• Go to Cubao X.
• Frozen yogurt, always and forever.
• Stick to my beauty regimen. My goal: get clearer, more radiant, less porous skin.
• Paint. I've been planning on painting my own canvass bag, but I haven't gotten the chance to buy a plain canvass bag nor to sew myself one.
• New paintbrushes. Mine's a bit dilapidated already, especially sizes 3, 5, and 11.
• Take more photos. I hope I could go somewhere and just shoot shoot shoot photos. Or a random, wala lang photoshoot would also be nice. Be my model? Hehehe.
• Collect more pretty notebooks/journals/pads.
• Bite Club burger/Wendy's Baconator/Charlie's burger, or any enormous and grilled hamburger!
• Blog at least thrice a week.
• A new camera with nice MP. Or a toy/lomo/polaroid camera!
• Girly boat shoes. I'm saving up for a Sole Service Manila pair.
• Learn how to apply make-up.
• Bake cupcakes. I was initially planning on saving up for an oven, but that's me going overboard. Change of profession na? Haha. So the opportunity to make and bake some cupcakes somewhere (hmm, at my Lola's? I actually have no idea where yet haha) would be more than enough for me.
• Go to my dentist and have my braces adjusted after so long. Ako na ang pasaway na pasyente.
• An Ateneo jacket.
• An Ateneo shirt.
• Pretty, artistically-made, and creative Adarna children's books. So far, I have five. Time to expand my collection.
• Have long hair that's wavy at the ends (but I don't think my hair will grow long enough for that this year, boo).
• Get a massage and a foot spa.
• Watch an Up Dharma Down gig.
• Eat at Banchetto.
• Ride the Pasig Ferry again.
• More maong shorts, lovely skirts and dresses, and breezy, loose tops.
• Try to visit Dad and Jay in Tanay at least once a month.
• Play frisbee.
• Use the roller skates my mom bought me in China. Haha.
• Go to the beach. But first, I must strive for a beach body. Haha.
• A Domokun bag! I saw a girl in Ortigas with a Domokun backpack, so there's probably one in Greenhills.
• Watch all episodes of How I Met Your Mother, Grey's Anatomy, and The Big Bang Theory. I miss Barney, McDreamy, and Sheldon!
• Join an art competition, kahit small-time lang. Just so I could exercise my right hemisphere.
• An external hard drive or a high-capacity flash drive.
• Hugs please. Me loves hugs!
• Play basketball (on a real basketball court and not just arcade basketball haha).
• Learn to prioritize.

It's 3:56 AM and I'm still all smiles.

Things that made me smile this weekend:

• Visiting UP
• Bonding with college pals
• Catching Up Dharma Down in Katipunan
• Having our picture taken with Armi
• Mushroom Burger
• No-whip green tea frap with hazelnut
• Zombie and Martini
• Yearbook meeting accomplished
• Getting semi-lost in Bambang
• A lovely set of scrubs
• Shared Wendy's Baconator
• Medical supplies shopping
• Marty's Baconette strips
• Red Horse
• Chill time
• A sweet revelation :)

Get-happy

Before I carry on with my daily crazy night life, I would just like to take note of the things that made me sane and jolly recently. I was inspired by http://1000awesomethings.com/ and I realized that acknowledging the big and small things that make life so worth living is the key to survival, contentment, and happiness :)

So here's the list:

• Being able to get a good score in today's Cell Module final exam. No removals for me, yahoo!
• Starbucks no-whip green tea frappuccino
• P23.75-worth ear plugs
• Strepsils
• Wake-up-because-you-need-to-study phone calls
• Get-happy food from Borbs: Meiji chocolate, Flat Tops, and a Pepperoni bun
• Hugs from my mom
• Seeing Armi Millare of Up Dharma Down at Dunkin Donuts El Pueblo
• Getting her autograph through Borbs
• My mom and brothers' attempts of waking me up
• Scofield, our shih tzu
• The great and wacky company of my friends
• Finally watching Inception (but I fell asleep in the middle. Major fail, I know)
• Discovering Fliptop
• Losing and finding my phone (I dropped it inside the FX we rode on. Thankfully, the one sitting beside us found and returned it)
• Jogging in Ultra
• Dinky's isaw
• Fruits
• Ladies' Hip-hop dance (I joined the workshop for fun, and it was great!)
• Having heard the former DOH secretary Esperanza Cabral talk about herbal and alternative medicine
• Wasabi, my cozy beanie
• Doodling and coloring
• Vintage polka dots
• Frozen yogurt
• Yahoo Messenger conference kwentuhan
• Checklists
• Sleep
• Alo Green Tea

Happy!

Count Your Blessings

Hello there. It's been a while. I wish I blogged more since my life has been very eventful recently, but then I had so much under my belt. So allow me to give an update of the blessings that I received in the past month or so with the help of some lovely photos:

1. I graduated from college. I now have Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, hooray! I attended both the college and university graduation of UP Diliman.

2. We now have a new baby at home: Scofield! He's my brother and my brother's girlfriend's three-month old shih tzu. He likes to snuggle by our side, follow us almost everywhere, and give us sweet licks and kisses ♥

3. As long as I pass Biochem and Cell and Molecular Biology, I am officially a first year med student at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health this June. ASMPH's month-long transition summer program was indeed tiring yet so much fun. I loved meeting new friends. The med school life also excites me tremendously. I probably just need a week-long rest and then I'm fully geared for it. I'm so glad that I'm finally living my dream.

I feel so blessed. Thank you so much, Lord. Thank you to my dear family. Thank you to my college batchmates and friends. Thank you to my new friends in ASMPH.

Pure glee. Life is good :)

Garbology

Maybe I'm just PMS-ing, but I'm thinking about the things I hate right now.

It all started when I saw a guy deliberately throw his garbage on the road outside the building where my parents' office is at just a couple of hours ago. I was walking towards him to our car, looking at a distance, and he was walking towards me as well, heading for the building entrance. He suddenly stopped, released a crumple of paper into a gap on the cement floor where he stood, looked at it for a second, then continued on his way. I gazed at the trash he left, then I stared at him. I lingered on his face; he was actually cute, but with what he did, he turned despicable in my eyes.

He apparently works in the building, so he probably knows that there's a garbage bin around three to five meters away from where he dropped his trash. Why on earth couldn't he afford to spend some of his energy to dispose his garbage into where it should be disposed, especially when it's almost right in front of him? Or even if he isn't right in front of a bin, what the hell is so damn difficult in placing one's mess in his/her pocket or bag first and throwing it later? I'm sorry, but I totally despise people who throw stuff anywhere, anytime. Especially parents--parents who even encourage their children to litter wherever--be it big or small garbage. Candy wrappers, pieces of paper, plastics, food containers.. UGH! My blood is really heating up! Lazy, destructive asses.

Other things that ruin my day:

1. People who chew loudly

2. People who don't return things to their proper place

3. Human parasites

4. Demanding human parasites

5. People who ask about the obvious

6. People who don't mind their own business

7. People who are too noisy

8. People who only talk to you when they need something from you

9. People who don't reply to your text, especially if it's important or if you're asking for a response or confirmation

9. People who don't live up to their promises (promise to do this, promise to be responsible for that)

10. Jeepney drivers who smoke while driving their jeepneys

11. People who don't know their place

12. People who complain too much yet don't do anything

13. People who don't flush after using the bathroom

14. People who don't know how to fall in line

15. People who think they know everything

I know, this post is so negative. I'm just stressed and pissed out, and my negativity is being projected on that pesky, environment-unfriendly man.

But still, dear reader, please be one who helps save our earth. Throw your trash where it should be thrown. No matter how small it is, no matter how organic or biodegradable, dispose of it properly. Hindi naman 'yun mahirap gawin.

Remembering 2009

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’ve never done before?

Won in an election where I ran against three other candidates (sobrang nerve-wracking hehe). Was the president of an organization. Ate kimchi. Had my hair cut really short. Be a model, chos (for grad pics lang kasi haha). Applied for a scholarship abroad. Went on a college fieldtrip. Skinned a cat. Went to Ocean Park. Lost someone dear to me. Got seriously angry and hurt. Went to EK with friends (and not for a school fieldtrip or family outing). Got stranded because of Ondoy. Helped out in relief operations. Bought a human brain. Took the NMAT. Joined an international poster competition. Watched the UP Fair. Registered to vote for the 2010 elections. Snorkeled.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Uh, some. A small portion, I think. Hahaha. But I will still make resolutions. Probably next week :p

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Some acquaintances and cousins, but as in close close, no.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Lei :( We miss you, Lei.

5. What countries did you visit?
None. Dapat HK pero NSO ruined everything :(

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
More money! I really want to save up for my future. And more learnings. There'll be a lot of that, I know. Med ba naman. Info overload na ito. Exciting! Haha. More time to do stuff I love to do, as well. I wish I could paint and draw and doodle and design more.

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
February 27. The last time I saw Kat before she fled to Korea as an exchange student. Can't wait to see her again next week!

February 13-14. UP Fair. Went with Kenneth and my brother. That night, the Jumping Jologs (JJs) went wild because the fair was full of people already and they couldn't go in despite having tickets. They brought the concert walls down by high-kicking and body-slamming it. From the inside, it was really scary. The artists who were playing (Bamboo, Tuesday Vargas, etc) and the University Student Council were already pleading the JJs to stop and just listen to the concert from the outside. Nevertheless, it was a memorable night. Love. Fireworks. Music. Food.

March 7. Eraserheads: The Final Set. The most bestest concert I've been to, hands down.

March 15. MS 102 Fieldtrip in Alaminos, Pangasinan! We snorkeled and saw lots of corals and fishes. The open waters frightened me, though. We had to swim from the dock in the middle of sea to the coral reefs area and back, eh ang layo 'nun. Napagod ako ng bongga. Akala ko hindi na ko makakabalik at makakagat na ko ng Jelly Fish. Hahaha.

March 19. I won as Mandala 2010's yearbook EIC and batch president. Also, Lei passed away :(

June 12-13. Batch 5 reunion in Binangonan. Old friends, forever friends. Iba talaga ang high school ♥

July 3. Mandala X Acquaintance Party. Had so much fun! Ang sabaw at competitive ng mga tao sa games. Hahaha.

August 1. RIP Cory Aquino. The whole country mourned but was nonetheless inspired by her loss. Also, I gave up. I went to Marie Digby's concert with Kuya Andre, too. I was able to meet her in person and had a photo taken with her! Sobrang fan moment lang. Hihi.

September 15. I hit the big 2-0. Goodbye younger years!

September 26. Ondoy hit Metro Manila and its neighboring areas. I was stranded for six hours with my mom and our driver. But that was nothing to what the others experienced. Heart-breaking. But at least we all learned from Ondoy.

November 14. Katy Perry Live in Manila! Katy was sooo great! I love her personality and style. She was so game, she actually kissed a girl (from the crowd) and she liked it! Haha.

November 20. It struck me. I really want to be a (artsy) doctor, hee.

December 22. EK with the EB plus Kriss and Ilao. Bought overpriced shorts and slippers because we got drenched at the Rio Grande Rapids and Log Jam. Lesson learned: bring extra clothes. Haha. Fun fun fun!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Winning and doing my job as Mandala EIC ♥

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being able to save my GWA.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing serious. The usual flu or fatigue every now and then.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My HP Mini, Chloe!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My close friends who stuck with me through thick and thin. Kat, Joyce, Mica, Jem, Christian, Zoe, and Reg. And of course, my beloved Mandala Ed Board.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Someone's, but I wasn't really appalled or depressed. I was angry, but now, I think disappointed probably is the apter word. But I'm over it already.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Clothes. Org stuff. Clothes. School supplies. Clothes.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Concerts (Eraserheads: The Final Set and Katy Perry Live in Manila) and get-togethers (HS batch, HS barkada, Mandala)!

16. What song/s will always remind you of 2009?
Nobody by the Wonder Girls, FTW. Or the one that goes "mga tambay lang kami, sawa sa babae." Hate it so much. Haha.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? – Sadder, but in only one aspect. At nababawasan na din naman 'yung sadness. Hihi.
Richer or poorer? – Poorer! Ubos ang savings ko. Dati yata marami-rami akong napamaskuhan. Haha.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
SLEPT. Worked out. Blogged. Took pictures. Studied. Haha.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Being confused. Cramming. Procrastinating. Wanting so many things that I can live without.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
I spent it with my family. The usual Porciuncula and Alfonso reunions, pero hindi kami nakaabot sa latter :( Had isaw with my mom and my brothers at around 6PM, and also spent some time with the Amonoy's and Arcilla's after dinner.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Hmm, no. Continued to be in love, yes. But then.. 'Yun na. Hehe.

22. How many one-night stands?
None.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
It all started with The Big Bang, hey! And of couse How I Met Your Mother, Gossip Girl, and Glee.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hahaha. Hindi naman hate. Pero yeah, bad vibes siguro.

25. What was the best book you read?
Psychology of Learning by Ormrod. Hahaha.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Death Cab for Cutie and She & Him. Pati si Taylor Swift? Hahaha.

27. What did you want and got?
New phones (nasira 'yung una huhu), a laptop, clothes, art stuff.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Definitely Avatar! (500) Days of Summer comes next, but its because I love Summer!

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 20. Hmm, didn't do anything special. Just ate with some friends. Celebrated with my family.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting a 99+ score in the NMAT. Asa naman ako. Haha.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Layers. Colorful. Comfy. Cardigans. Minsan vintage-y. Anything goes, actually. Depends on my mood.

32. What kept you sane?
Inspiring fashion and art blogs. Food. Friends. My dreams. My mom :)

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
The Olsens. Rachel Bilson. Kate Beckinsale. Anne Curtis.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The Maguindanao Massacre. Insanely immoral. Ang sarap painumin ng phenol 'yung mga Amputuans.

35. Who did you miss?
Kenneth and Kat.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Chris, a Starbucks barista. Haha.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
That we all have different wants and needs in life, at nagbabago 'yun through time. Pwedeng pareho tayo ng gusto noon, pero ngayon hindi na. At walang masama 'dun. Nothing is constant. We have to live with change :)

Also, that everything does happen for a reason. Gasgas na gasgas na, pero it's true. When things don't go the way you want them to, sulk a little, then move on. There's so so so much more to enjoy and be happy about. Tomorrow is always a new day to learn and change and grow. Easier said than done, I know, but I realized that it's all in the disposition, really. Kaya think about your dreams everyday. Always have something to look forward to. Spend time with people you love. Do stuff that makes you smile. These can balance or overwrite all the other things that gets us down. Para masaya ang world :)

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

It's something unpredictable but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life :)