2011 in Retrospect (Not Quite Yet)

I used to write all the time on this blog, but for some reason, I stopped my daily sessions of contemplating on paper and resorted to fleeting thoughts in my mind.

For quite some time, I've been waiting for the last few days of December to come, so I can write about how good this year was for me. 2011. I love love love 2011. Let me count the reasons.

• I got to know myself really, really better (yes I understand that my laziness leads to the overuse of qualifiers). Probably it's the what-do-I-do-with-my-life torment during high school-college transition  that has led me to this point. The IPC sessions about self-awareness didn't hurt either. 
• A huge burst of creative inspiration. Wrote essays and children stories, something I wasn't able to do a lot of times during my high school years. It's probably more of deciding that you want to do these things, rather than waiting for the perfect inspiration to strike you. It's more about the process, rather than the end result. It's all about moving forward and taking small steps, rather than cowering in fear.
• My 16th Birthday was very memorable. I invited all my close friends and some people who are rather important to me (especially at that time), and treated them to a nice dinner in my house. We sang in the karaoke too and played with cards. Haha. Five of my friends slept over and we watched movies. I didn't expect the huge love (not to mention some rather exciting gifts).
• My first encounter with theater! I've been thinking about watching musicals for a long time already, but I haven't taken the time to actually do it because 1. I (always) think I'm busy 2. The tickets are kinda pricey and I'm stingy. I'm glad I finally dipped my feet in the interesting waters of theater! I watched Sweet Charity, The Sound of Music and Noli Me Tangere. More shows to come! Or not. I'm thinking of spending my parent's money (HAHA) somewhere else this year. I want to attend more dynamic events like forums, museum talks, book signings, etc. Nevertheless, watching shows occasionally still has the potential of putting more flavor to my 2012. 
• INTARMED. I confess that I haven't been exactly the most enthusiastic person when it comes to this course. I've had certain highs and lows this year because of this particular issue. Putting my doubts aside, however, I've had plenty of new and interesting experiences with IMED. Manila life. Independence. New friends. Yeah. So far I still haven't exhausted the list of possible good things I should try out, though. Like orgs and stuff. 
• Mr. and Ms. Freshie and BPI Search for Ten Outstanding Pinoy Expat Pinoy Children. Two very good opportunities that have allowed me to meet new people and see new perspectives in my otherwise uneventful life. Kidding :)) All jokes are half-meant, though. Someone (Mark Twain I think?) once said that twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by things you did not do than by the ones you did do. The point of the quote is that we should be open to opportunities and go with the flow (when it comes to good things of course). Live our lives well. :)
• Macbook Pro. :">
• Graduation! Oh, how can I ever forget. Saying goodbye to your friends is surely no fun, yes, but there's something that I've realized recently. Actually, just now. You know how in romantic movies, the plot reaches the climax and curtain finally rolls after a minute or so? The lovers don't go on and on, talking about how they could be in love with each other forever. The movie ends, so that the viewers can fill the next parts themselves. So with high school. We can't be in high school forever, because its magic actually lies in the fact that the special does not last forever. Now we have our whole lives to reminisce and remember the good stuff.
• So far, that's about it. I'll throw in a random thing to make this list more, uh, casual. Super Bass been's the last rap song I've learned since Stupid Love (which I learned when I was still a kid). So yay for progress in rapping :))

In 2012:

• Learn more rap songs :))
• Join orgs and get more involved.
• The ones mentioned above
• Do baby steps towards achieving my life dreams and see my efforts come into fruition. Yeah, cheesy I know. One thing I've learned is not to belittle my thoughts. I should, first and foremost, be my staunchest supporter. :>
• Be more giving. Pay back and pay forward.
• Live life to the fullest!

I want 2012 to be an even better year than 2011. After all, what if the Mayans were really right?