Aaaaaand just like that, 2019 is
(almost) over. This is the time of the year where I will have a flip-through of
my planner and see all the notes, reminders, and other random things I have
scribbled. Looking back, there are a lot of the littlest things that I am grateful
for, whether it may be having to sit in the LRT because of skip train, home 30
minutes earlier than the usual, no classes, and lesser traffic, among others.
Just like what the past years have taught me, I learn how to be grateful even
to the slightest of things.
This time, let me further share
the memories that I am grateful for this year. Unlike my 2018 yearend blog
which I have presented monthly highlights, I’ve chosen 2 memories (at most) per
quarter that pretty much gave highlight/s to my 2019. Without further ado,
let’s get down to it!
1st Quarter
January
I welcomed the year by being
braver and getting out of my comfort zone. It was 11 January when I filed for
resignation. It was my first job and I will always be grateful to my mentors,
former officemates, and bosses who took their time and patience in mentoring me.
I am more than grateful that I have found genuine office friends as well. While
all of us are now working in different companies and we rarely talk and bond
due to conflict of schedules, we still try to keep in touch. I cannot help but
to smile and miss remembering our siksikan lunch and chismisan at Ms. Lau’s
desk, biglaang pa-dessert (or any kind of treat) care of me (LOL), breakfast at
pantry (when we still have one), merienda (back when we still have time to do
so HAHA), and many more.
2nd Quarter
May
It was overwhelming looking
for job opportunities because there are a lot online, I tried my luck to
various companies and government agencies. Thankfully, I got a job offer at a
Japanese bank; it was quite different from my first job and I still am at the
phase of learning all the processes. It was challenging and dreading at times
but at the end of the day, I always try to look on the brighter side, be
grateful that I was given an opportunity.
June
It was a sunny day, 9th
of June, as I witnessed my best friend, Jasmine, graduate with a Juris Doctor
degree at San Beda University, Alabang. It was a struggle (!!!) commuting from
Malabon to Alabang but good thing we have Grab which made it faster and more
convenient. Surprisingly, I did not cry the whole duration of the program!
Jassy looked beautiful and her eyes filled with happiness. I’m one of the few
who witnessed her struggles and listened to her rants and other random law
school stories and I’m proud that she’s a closer step away from her
ultimate dream and I’m delighted to personally see it. Not to mention how
delighted I am because after the graduation, we went straight to Vikings Mall
of Asia and had a sumptuous feast. 😋
3rd Quarter
August
Last 15 June, I took the
Comprehensive Examination for Graduate School Admissions at the De La Salle
University, while I reviewed and refreshed my mind about economic-related
topics, obviously, it is not enough because I had a verrrry hard time answering
them. I was hopeless and stressed that after the exams, I have to meet with Kevin and
eat at Mang Inasal with 2 cups of rice! Now, fast forward to 10 August, which
was the scheduled release of results. It was after lunch when I decided to check
the results and to my surprise, I passed! I was jumping and shouting with joy
as I broke the news to Mama, then I immediately send a screenshot of the result
to Papa and my brother via Messenger.
Passing the comprehensive exams
and being admitted to DLSU as a graduate student is probably what I am most
grateful for this year. Term 1 just ended this month and it wasn’t easy as I
needed to balance my time for work, studies, personal life, and church.
Thankfully, I managed to survive this term and I am hardly praying that I get
to endure the succeeding terms as well because I know that I am just getting
started and I still have lots of things to learn and relearn.
August
One of my highlights last year was
when I attended EXO Planet #4 – ElyXiOn in Manila with my eris, 3Js (Jia,
Jenica, and Jassy). We promised that by 2019, we will all attend the concert, but
unfortunately, due to some circumstances, they were not able to attend this
year’s concert with me. Unlike last year, getting this year’s concert tickets is
challenging; thankfully, another day of concert was added and so I am one of
the many PHIXOS who were given another chance to watch the concert.
Since, I am just all alone *sobs*,
I bought the upper box seat and not the VIP. It was funny because just as I already
made friends with some PHIXOS seated beside me, it turns out that I was seating
in the wrong seat! Good thing the concert hasn’t started yet and the usher guided
me to my correct seat which has a better view. The experience was different
because mainly I did not get to see them up close. Nonetheless, I’m more than happy
to have been a part of the ecstatic crowd, plus EXO’s ment have more substance
and genuine and very extra for this concert. I also get to see a
bigger picture of the live concert - literally - which made me appreciate the
experience even more.
4th Quarter
December
The Macau – Hong Kong trip with
my best friend, Jasmine, is very timely given that she just finished her bar
exams and it is quite of a struggle for me the past few days at work and
school. It truly was a breather for the both of us. It was Jassy’s first out of
the country after law school and I’m glad to have spent it with her. Although we’re
a bit worried when we arrived in Hong Kong given the heightened demonstrations against
the government. We are just grateful that no massive rallies happened during
our stay, but I must say, I cannot help but to panic (deep inside!) whenever we
see men dressed in all black and with masks. Despite all of that, it was still
a very memorable experience, from the dizziness of riding a bus from Macau to a
lot of walkathon and surviving the stairs of MTR with our suitcases; from
having a bad day which started from my nightmare to “overspending” and going crazy
over GU’s sale during our last day in HK (LOL); from craving for another bowl
of Ichiran ramen to becoming disappointed over our dinner at Din Tai Fung… Oh I
cannot wait to have more travels with my best friend!
💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
I have nothing but gratitude to
the Lord for the new opportunities He showered me this year. It was never easy –
as it is for almost all of us – but looking back, what’s more important is that
at the end of it all… (I believe) I am wiser and better.
May the start of the new decade
be all fruitful and productive for all of us!
2019, thank you, NEXT!
Abby 💗
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