Dos Mil Diecisiete

SURPRISE!!! Who would've thought na may blogspot account si bakla? Hahaha But yes, I was actually surprised that I had one too!! HAHAHA! That's why I decided to use this to pour out my thoughts here instead of the annual Facebook essay. LOL. 😂

(S/O to my friend, Lean, pinaalala mo na may blogspot pala ako. hahahaha!! Labyu, mumsh!)

If you really know me personally, you would know that I really didn't had a good relationship with myself growing up. Spent a lot of years on self-loathing and plotting how I could escape this cold, cruel life. But I decided to shake things up this year and promised myself that I will focus on only one thing: learn how to love myself. And true enough, 2017 became my selfish year; crossed a lot of things on my bucket list, loved and lost people, and really grew as a person.

As always, this year had its own share of highs and lows. But compared to the previous ones, this is prolly the most colourful and most exhilarating one...yet. And before it ends, let's walk down memory lane and lookback on the highlights that made these 12 months awesome.

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In January, my dear mentor, and whom I'm very lucky to call my friend, Madam Gera, came back from her Japan trip and went with us on a dinner date before heading back to Amsterdam. We were still unsure when we're going to see her again that's why this was a bittersweet goodbye for us.

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F is for friends that become family and so does February...and fontaneous froadtrips. (HAHAHA ANO DAW?! HAHAHAHA) Me and Alyssah, watched Wicked and visited my bebe girl, Arlene. And also me and Candice kidnapped Pate during her lunch break. Basically, I disturbed my sisters in the middle of their work back in February. Hahahaha

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I'm really a huge fan of musical theatre that is why I always make time (and money) to watch musicals whenever I could. Good thing I have sisters who also enjoys them as well. AND I finally got to watch THE Lea Salonga (my tita. hihihi) perform live when she did Fun Home back in March. I mean, I've already saw one of her concerts back then, but this is the first time I saw her perform on a musical which is why this moment was very special for me. 

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In April, as a celebration of our 6th month at work, me and my colleagues went out on a Korean BBQ dinner....not once, but twice!! HAHAHA Actually, we really love to eat out and chill every now and then. hehehe I love them. 

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 Finally reunited with my sisters: Micky, Niena, Pfiona, Hannah, and Jian again after a year last May. It really felt like we were all back in college as we reminisced about our life back then as we had our usual cocol in SB as we would do back in the day. Or should I say, as we would cut our classes back in the day. HAHAHA! JOKE!! And it was also my first time to treat my parents on a well deserved dinner for Mother's Day. I mean, I usually treat them out every now and then, but because of ~reasons~ with my previous job, I wasn't able to splurge on my family that much before. But now, I let them order whatever they wanted. (except for the Crispy Pata. Bawal kasi. hahaha)

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June. 3 words: IT'S BRITNEY, B*TCH. 

Thank you, Sir Paul, for this once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Kween. ❤️

 

The family was also complete for my cousin's birthday. This is a first since my grandma left us.

Of course life is not full of sunshine and rainbows. It was a shock for my family when one of my dear aunts, Tita Elena, suddenly passed away. 

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 July is for reunions and new beginnings. I got to be with my sisters again and Ferfer went back home for a holiday from her second home, Hong Kong. One thing I really love about my sisters is that we really do make time to see each other and catch up with our lives despite our busy schedules.

I grew up in a devout Catholic family and I was basically schooled in a Catholic institution all my life which is why I've always believed in God. But despite this, I have to admit that my faith in Him was frail. I never really attended church regularly (even though I've been a part of the choir since elementary), never really opened the Bible, I just prayed to Him before whenever I needed something. That's why I've always seen myself as a disappointment to Him. But thankfully, one of my dearest sisters, Arlene, invited me to attend one sunday in Victory. I was bit reluctant at first because of my family, but eventually gave in. This was when I was going through one of the biggest changes in my adult life back in 2016. But now, a year after, I must say that my relationship with God is now better than ever. And as I go through my journey with Him, He has led me to meet these wonderful people whom I can call not only my sisters in faith, but my true friends as well.

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My August had been extra special this year. It's not usual for any of my friends to throw a major surprise party for me. Sure, there had been a surprise cake before, but never really a surprise SURPRISE, geddit? hahaha I'm forever thankful for these girls in my life. This is definitely one of the most unforgettable birthdays ever. ❤️

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Ahh, September. It was a special moment for me and my PETA friends. Two of our friends, Monica and Nico, finally tied the knot! It wasn't only a reunion for all of us, but a celebration for them as well. It was really nice to spend time with them again. I really missed the Pechays so much!! 

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Oh, October, you had been fun. I finally have two visas on my passport now!! Both Schengen and UK. hihihi It was also our first year anniversary at the office. But what's even more fun is that Madam Gera finally came baaaaack!!!! hahaha She visited us before she went to her trip in South Korea. That's why we did the UBE, or the ULTIMATE BONDING EXPERIENCE, while she was here. 

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The start of November wasn't that great for the family again, as my Tita Zeny had peacefully joined Our Creator. We miss you so much, Tita. 😞

 

Going to the United Kingdom is probably not just the highlight of my November, or my year, but it is THE MOST AMAZING highlight of my entire 24 years of existence. Of course there was a lot of drama and suspense before I departed. (I'm not even kidding, I was stranded at the airport for three days.) I was really supposed to go to Amsterdam first before the UK. But because of some unfortunate events, I had no choice but to go to the UK only. I'm not gonna lie, I still regret it until this day. But I guess God has other plans. If I'm going to write more about my trip on this one, this would really take forever to read. That's why I made a separate post instead. 😅

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Finally crossed a few things off my bucket list again this December when I finally got to meet one of my internet besties, Wynnie, in Kuala Lumpur. I also had the chance to explore her city all in one day! What an adventure! hahaha Ginawang day tour ni bakla ang KL. Charot. And of course, the year wouldn't be complete without our annual year-end get together with the Titas of Psych. AND, I also got to make new internet besties from the Steps Southeast Asia page! Although this year's Christmas was definitely not the ideal, as I got rushed to the hospital because of cramps. Thankfully, it was just an infection and the doctor was cute that's why it wasn't that bad after all. 

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To the new friends that I've gained this year: welcome aboard. As my friend, Ivan, mentioned on his post: Thank you for making me believe in the magic of life again. Here's to many more years to come! And to my old friends: thank you for staying in my life. You guys have been my constants, my rock and my confidantes, and I look forward to make more memories with you guys. To my family, I love and appreciate you more than ever. Thank you for supporting me with my dreams.

As I write this, I realized that I've documented almost every moment of my year. Hahaha!

2017, you've been one heck of a ride, my friend. I can't believe we're now on our last hurrah. You'll be truly missed. Thank You for all the adventures, mishaps, sabog moments, and all the memories that we shared. I don't know what the future has in store for me. Perhaps this could be the last, perhaps this could be the first year-end post among the many. Who knows? I'm excited to see how things will unfold. I'm ready for you, 2018. 

Credits to Fandy and Gera for the photos. ❤️