It’s
been a while. Yeah, I know that you know. And I’m not sure if you even care.
Lol. It has been a year full of ups and downs that’s why I think 2013 merits a
yearend post. It might be late (give it a break, it’s late for just a week),
but as the cliché
goes, better late than whatever.
I
didn’t think that 2013 would be a happy year (though 2 of my best office
buddies decided to resign) but thanks to the book “The Secret”, which revolves
around the law of attraction and the power of positive energy, I was able to
finish the year with more than just a bang. I could say that the year that was
could be one of the best years yet. 2013 is the year when I turned 25 (quarter
life crisis, oh come on) and this is also the year when I was able to count the
blessings and list all the achievements that I’ve realized (again, thanks to
the book The Secret).
Job Promotion
Although I somehow
expected this promotion, nothing beats the fact that I already have the damn
word senior
in my rank. Add to that is the fact that it means another pay raise. I am
really thankful for the promotion although no longer surprised (it was revealed
to me when I initially planned to move out of my current company). You see, I
had my downs with my current company but fortunately, I was able to surpass all
of that and to my surprise, a brighter light was indeed ahead. With that
promotion too, I am still on track, perhaps even advanced, with my earlier
prediction on my job promotions in this post,
I’ve written a long time ago.
Gearing Towards a Healthy Lifestyle
You read it right. Despite the
fact that I still smoke, drink, and sleep less than the required hours, I
somehow added some fitness activities last year. I never, in my damnest dream,
thought that I will be interested in this activity. Ace? Runner? Haha! Thanks
to peer pressure, I was able to finish 4 runs in
2013, two 10K (Run United
1, Bank Family Fun Run), one 21K (Rexona Run) and one 25K (New Balance Power
Run). That’s a total of 66K monitored
runs. Dami no? And including the daily and weekly long runs, siguro I was
able to finish more or less 100K last year. Who said peer pressure is always a
bad pressure? Mas proud pa nga ako sa finisher’s medals ko kesa sa mga medals
ko nung nag-aaral ako.
…and weight loss
2012 was somehow depressing for
me. Being a stress eater, I gained a lot during that year. I never lifted an ounce
or performed even a single push up or curl up that year. Thankfully, at the
start of 2013, something in me screamed weight loss. So from 88kg (193.6 lbs)
last Jan 2013, I was down to 77kg (169.4 lbs) as of Dec 23, 2013. I lost fucking 24lbs in 2013! I’d
like to continue that streak this 2014 but as of this writing, I am now up by
6lbs as of Jan 2014 due to the food & drinks I had last holiday. Bawi na
lang ako this 2014. I intend to finish this year weighing only 165lbs.
<fingers crossed>
Solitary Travels
I’ve always admired
those who can muster the courage to do solitary travels whether here or abroad.
Last year, I was able to somehow achieve that when I went to Bangkok. Feeling backpacker lang ako when I
roamed around the Wats (Temples) and malls of the Thailand capital last
November. Semi-achievement lang because I was actually with friends who just
didn’t want to visit the Wats. Baby steps. This year, I plan to go to Baler
alone as my first step (to being a loner haha).
… and 2 countries in a year
Speaking of travels, I was able
to visit two countries last year –
Bangkok, Thailand and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Medyo nabawasan pera ko but
travelling is indeed a worthy expenditure.
... and more spontaneous trips
2013 was also full of spontaneous road trips with some new found (and old) friends. Feb of last
year, I was in Baguio for the Panagbenga
festival and last April, I revisited Puerto
Galera. Eto yung mga trips na masaya, tipid, at pwedeng iplano almost
instantly. I look forward to frequenting these places this 2014.
My Sister’s Graduation
Last year marked another
important milestone for me. My most loved sister
already graduated from college! Naiyak ako ng slight nung graduation nya. I
felt so proud and at the same time so fulfilled that she was finally able to
receive her college diploma. I will never be tired of being proud of this
achievement.
… and Graduation Speech
Feeling successful naman ako last
year when I delivered my very first
graduation speech. Although it was only for a pre-elementary graduation,
nakaka-proud pa rin dahil I was a graduate of that learning center, and I am
the first and the only Guest of Honor who actually graduated from that center.
Ibang level di ba. Next time, sana UP CBA naman mag-invite sakin. Kapal ko
lang.
Stronger Ties
Although no longer a new
achievement, I am happy that my HS friends and I are still finding some quality time. Aside from my family,
sila talaga ang nag-aalis ng stress ko. Being with them almost always brings me
back to the days when I was young, wild, and free.
Savings
This year also
marked the first time I was actually able to save. And not just save, but damn
save. Despite all the expenses on travels, birthday celebrations, and the usual
drinking sessions, 2013 is the year where I saved the most – in my entire life.
As in 6 digits ang savings ko this
year. Yabang ko no?
So there, 13 is not really an
unlucky number for me. On the contrary, that was a year when I learned to be
more thankful and appreciative of the good things in life. I look forward to
another fruitful year ahead. In fact, I already listed some items that I intend
to achieve for 2014. Let’s see if all of these will become a reality on my 2014
yearend post.
Photo grabbed from:
Foodmag.com.au
Hdwallpaperspictures.com
Kaipodshuffle.blogspot.com
Lakbaybaguio.com
Realsimple.com
Thesunnygirl.com
Travellingasiainfo.com
