brièveté

Bits and pieces of heaven in 2011

Manila, 12-31-11

Yes. This year, our family is celebrating New Year’s Eve in Manila, something that we haven’t done in quite some time. (We usually hide out in Bailen, our quaint and quiet hometown in Cavite, to keep me away from one of my worst asthma triggers: firecracker fumes.) We stayed in Manila this year to attend EMC’s New Year’s Eve worship service, and watch an interpretation of The Lord’s Prayer by the EMC White Hand Ministry, led by Kuya Jai. *clapclap*

And so, I am writing my 2011 recap amidst (hours early, over the top) loud firecracker blasts and honestly, it’s disorienting. But it’s been an exceptional year so I am channeling Po’s inner peace: here’s a walk-through of my past twelve months!

JANUARY

* I marked 2011 as a year of transitions, and the book “What Color Is Your Parachute” helped a lot in identifying my skills and setting goals. :) I also got to visit Seoul, thanks to the Garcias! Kimchi, make-up, coffee… oh what’s not to love? :) Also, according to a Facebook post I don’t remember anymore, na-electrocute ako sa doorbell. Buhay pa naman ako ngayon, obviously.

FEBRUARY

* Aah, the month of love. :) For their VDay gift, each of my Kinder Beavers sang a special song for their parents. Their wide repertoire (ABC Song, Perhaps Love, BEP’s I Gotta Feeling, Lady Gaga’s Telephone…) once again reminded me that love is best expressed by kids, really. Their genuine affection can just topple you over. February also marked a special day for Filipino motorists… I got my driver’s license. I’m so sorry MegaManila if I’ve been stressing you out with my erratic driving. You have Jeb, my personal GPS, to thank for my improving skills!

MARCH

* We watched Trixie-The-Pink-Salmon in her ballet recital and thanks to that crazy night, learned from Marius that the Quezon City Circle is the biggest roundabout in the world. Ewan ko lang kung stir.

APRIL

* Take me back to Tali! :) Maan hosted us in one of the best after school breaks I’ve had in quite some time. (Here’s a jump to the video, it will speak for itself.) Trixie and I also became partners for the first time ever for Explo’s summer nursery class. :) Thank you Eric Carle for being a wellspring of inspiration. And I became a Camp Ate once again for EMC’s Youth Camp!

MAY

* And the Camoteheads were born! :D Jeb, Maan, Javi, Trixie, Tanya, Lawrence, Teejay, and I went to Camotes Island where we met Lebron James. I cannot make this up even if I tried. :p (The caretaker of the house we stayed in named his firstborn Lebron James. When it’s time to go home in the afternoons, his mom yells LEBROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON for all the coastline to hear.) Jeb and I also marked our 5th year together last May 14, and I cannot express enough gratitude for the big blessing that he is in my life. (It was also in May that he did his Camotes-El Nido-Pulag week, that wonder boy.)

JUNE

* No new school babies for me then… Because 2011 was a year for transitions, I took a break from teaching in Explo and helped Jeb with our baby company, Crevin Media (events photography and videography). I became a professional photographer, believe it or not, that moment when I documented SM Megamall’s Rizal Day Opera. :)

JULY

* Jeb and I said a proper goodbye to the biggest movie franchise ever: Harry Potter. First screening, first day- off we went to IMAX that sunny July day and watched, clapped, and bawled with fellow Potterheads. Also, last July, I met Banchetto and my weight was never the same again.

AUGUST

* It’s weird, but it’s very difficult for me to remember events that happen in August. Every year. Oh well. Thanks to FB, though, I found out that it was in August when I lost a big chunk of my right molar because of munching on caramel popcorn. It’s a significant event because I haven’t gotten that tooth fixed yet and the pain kills me from time to time, lalo na kung malamig. Parang ngayon habang nagtatype ako.

SEPTEMBER

* I got to ride an elephaaaaaaaant! Her name was Shirley, and I wanted to bring her home from Thailand. Boo to baggage weight limits! I also managed not to fall asleep in the middle of LET, which is a feat in itself… and I found out two months later that I passed. God is good!

OCTOBER

* Tanya’s mongolian birthday, Brit Team’s Guimaras-Iloilo escapade, Carl & Yan’s Davao wedding… oh how I loved this month! :)

NOVEMBER

* Jeb went to the States and thanks to Skype, we got to talk often. It was a loooong month, but I got to accomplish many things as well: I started boxing, I edited videos and shot a birthday party for Crevin Media, I sang with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra for Pong&Tippy’s wedding… ang saya! :)

DECEMBER

* I played the guitar for several Explo Christmas Programs, and I was reminded that Explo is the best place to be in during Christmastime. :) Joy is something that you can almost touch. December was an endless food fest: it began with the bottomless buffet lines in Explo, the Explo Christmas dinner in Legend Villas, Maan’s children’s party in her house, Warner’s run-for-cover party… and the list went on and on. Another highlight is Psalm Ensemble’s Christmas concert in Philamlife Auditorium! Truly a groupie’s dream come true. :)

I wanted to finish the list before midnight and this is all I could think of right now, but without a doubt there are lots of other things that I am thankful for that didn’t make the (crammed) cut. I may be a New Year grinch (sorry, it’s really just not my favorite holiday… masyadong magulo for me) but I will always be grateful for God’s hand that moves majestically in each day.

From a year of transitions to (what I’m claiming as) a year of fulfilled promises… santé 2012!