on the Verge of

2016 has been a year of surprises and unexpected turns for me. In this post, I'm taking a look back at the significant events that made my 2016 an interesting year. Early this year, I decided to leave my comfort zone and resign from my first job. It was probably the most difficult decision I made this year. It had been a tough goodbye especially to the people who've become my second family. But there was a sense of relief and peace of mind when I was able to make the reset I've been needing in my life. Around the same time, I was reunited with a high school batch mate who, months later, became my boyfriend. It was one of the biggest surprises for me this year: to be in-love with the most unpredictable and barely acquainted boy from high school. We explored Cebu and had so many unexpected adventures together. In May, Duterte won the presidential elections. Although it was quite expected given the massive support from the people, it still feels incredible to know that o...

It's time again for the annual Christmas/New Year date for me and my best friend Kim. We've known each other from high school since 2004. It's amazing how far we've gone and how we remain as friends up to now. Since she went to Manila for college, our dates and sleepovers have exponentially decreased. Nonetheless, the excitement of sharing stories over coffee or wine remains the same. Today is no exception. She's had a rough time this year, facing some unexpected circumstances and decisions in life. Although I've had my own ups and downs this year, 2016 has been relatively a happier year for me. Being with each other is like a breath of fresh air. When the world comes crushing in, being with each other's company is a comfort to the soul. We share each other's joys and triumphs, each success and heartache. We would also ground each other when one feels like floating on thin air. I find it a great blessing to have found a best friend that I could s...

Yesterday, I was struck with two news: the death of a friend's mom and the birth of my nephew's first born child. My nephew is actually a few years older than me. We are like childhood friends playing around with cousins during family visits and reunions. And now that we've grown up, it's amazing to see him with his first baby. My friend's mom was a kindhearted person. She would greet me in church whenever she can. And you can see in her service to the community that she was selfless and loving. Tita Irene, we will miss you. Enjoy your first Christmas in heaven! These things made me remember how life can be so fragile. At some point we were born into this world with so much anticipation from our family. And without notice, life can be easily taken away. It makes us realize that some of the problems we have now can be so petty. So whatever problems or struggles we have now, we have to carry on and be grateful in this life that was granted to us. Not many are ...

Last night we had our IA department's Christmas party. It was a small intimate pajama party that started with a 'breakfast' dinner at Cafe Demitasse. Then we headed out to K1 KTV for our videoke and party proper. We had fun games, raffle and exchange gifts. We sang our hearts out and danced. Goodbyes were also said as some members of our team will no longer be with us next year. It felt sad to miss these people. Our team won't be the same again. But the journey we've been through has been wonderful. I hope they find joy and meaning in the new path ahead of them. Life is made of decisions. It's what we choose and where choose to be that defines where we are heading. A new year is truly ahead of us in IA. Whatever decisions we make, whatever choices we take, even if we go far away, we've already left a part of us with the people we've worked with. That is more than enough to give us hope and move forward. Cheers! PNX - IA Christmas Party 2016

It's been more than a week since my last blog. This past week has been crazy and wonderful. The office was buzzing with so much activities for the Christmas party. There were tiresome nights practicing and preparing props for the group presentation. I had to juggle in between my preparation for the Kalokalike contest and hosting for the program. I wasn't even sure how I was going to pull off everything during the event. Finally, we had the Christmas party yesterday and it was a blast! I won 5th place in the Kalokalike contest and our group won 3rd. I also had good feedback regarding my hosting which was quite a relief. Although I missed a good dinner and exhausted myself so much, it was all worth it. To God be the glory! PS-To cap off the week, my love is finally home for good! Woohoo :) Me dressed as Audrey Hepburn

Today, Keen and I are celebrating our 8th monthsary together. It's the last monthsary of 2016. It made me look back on our earliest memory this year. We were just having a small high school batch reunion at Green Coffee early January. We were seated far from each other. I went over to his area to say goodbye to some closer friends. There was an exchange of few words with him before I left. We learned that we were both working in Cebu but we never really bumped into each other. I forgot to add him in my new FB account so right then and there I did. We exchanged numbers and promised to see each other during Sinulog Festival along with some other high school batchmates who will be in Cebu by then. There was no commitment though. No spark. Nothing at all. Just an exchange of words and loose promises between two acquainted high school batchmates. I knew back then that not seeing each other in that reunion wouldn't be much of a disappointment. An exchange of few words compared to...

December is finally here! As the famous Christmas song goes, “It's the most wonderful time of the year!' It seemed not too long ago when I was cramming for Christmas presents. As cliché as it sounds, the month of December seem to arrive and pass by so quickly. We begin the month by finalizing our schedules for parties and budgeting our gifts for everyone. Next thing we know, it's already Christmas day and we're just one week away from starting a new year all over again. I find myself in a whirlwind of activities and things-to-do. There is also an upcoming travel that I haven't really prepared for. There is so much to do but so little time. I'm afraid that this December will pass too quickly like the previous ones. I hope that this season will be more than just parties, meet-ups and kris-kringles. I hope this year's Christmas will be about family and friends, reunions and remembrances, thoughtfulness and generosity. May this Christmas be about gi...