What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Resign from my job.
Travel to
Move to
Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t make new year’s resolutions. But I did promise to go to the gym more regularly. And I also promised to stay in touch and see my girlfriends more often. I pretty much accomplished both.
As I am getting older and wiser, instead of resolutions, I made a list of goals for 2009 which covers all aspects such as personal, career, financial, fitness and spiritual.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
My high school and grade school friends, Cathy to Ysabel and Tammy to Diego. My small group friend Malou gave birth last December 30 to Kristoffer Isaiah.
Did anyone close to you die?
A colleague from work, Patrick, died.
What countries did you visit?
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More time to manage the household. More time to work out at the gym.
What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
December 5: my last day at work
December 12: the day I moved to
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Put my family first by supporting my husband and following him to
Jed and I also started tithing this year. I joined a small group and learned a lot from the weekly meetings.
What was your biggest failure?
I should have saved more and shopped less.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
None.
What was the best thing you bought?
My NIV Women’s Devotional Bible and Christian books from OMF.
My gadgets: an iPod classic and a Canon digital camera
Whose behavior merited celebration?
My husband – for not giving up on me when I would feel most discouraged about our move and also for being the son that he is to his parents.
My mother and siblings – for encouraging me to move to
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I’ll keep you guessing. They come from all over – family, relatives, work, friends, etc.
Where did most of your money go?
Food, dining out, travel to
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Starting 2008 with a husband. The thought of a new boss. Resigning from work. A new life in
What song(s) will always remind you of 2008?
David Cook’s version of Always Be My Baby
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
Sadder. I’m still adjusting to this new life and I’m still missing my family and close friends, and the life in
ii. thinner or fatter?
Fatter! Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!
iii. richer or poorer?
Richer. In a way, we’re better off than when we started last year.
What do you wish you'd done more?
Be more adventurous. Tried out more new things.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Sulked. I was mostly a pessimist which did not do me any good.
How many one-night stands?
None.
What was your favorite TV program?
I closely follow these shows: Gossip Girl, Grey’s Anatomy and Brothers & Sisters.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is a strong word. I’m trying to be more forgiving and not hate anyone or anything.
What was the best book you read?
My Christian books: Joel Osteens’ Become A Better You and Elizabeth George’s Loving God with All Your Mind. I also enjoy The Nest Newlywed Handbook.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
David Cook
What did you want and get?
Earrings.
What was your favorite film of this year?
The Dark Knight
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 32 last November. Jed came over from
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Travelled to a country I have never been to.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Neyza and I fell in love with dresses which we shopped more of. I was fond of clothes from Zara and Gap as the cuts are more classic and the style is more forgiving which concealed flaws very well. Towards the end of the year, I purchased more dresses and sandals to prepare me for resort life in
What kept you sane?
My girlfriends.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Barack Obama
What political issue stirred you the most?
The
Who did you miss?
For the Christmas holidays, I missed my family and friends back home.
Who was the best new person you met?
My small group buddies: Malou (even if I’ve met her in 2007, I’ve gotten close to her this year), LJ and
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Keep on obeying God, and He will reward your obedience.
What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
I bring warmth and joy to people.
What was the most touching experience you've had this year?
Ending a chapter in my life made me realize how much the people I have worked with value me and what I have done to them.
What did you like most about yourself this year?
I was eager to know more about God.
What did you hate most about yourself this year?
I allowed myself to be weak, and think disturbing thoughts.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Manila, Manila. I keep coming back to Manila."
Was 2008 a good year for you?
Yes, it was. It was a year of challenges and changes but I surpassed them all.
What was your favorite moment of the year?
Seeing the happiness and excitement in Jed’s eyes whenever I would visit him in
What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Bidding my friends goodbye.
Where were you when 2008 began?
At our first home in
Who were you with?
My husband
Where will you be when 2008 ends?
In Shangri-la Mactan
Who will you be with when 2008 ends?
Nobody else but my husband
Do you have a new years resolution for 2009?
Not resolutions but goals.
What was your favorite month of 2008?
November. I have always loved my birthday month.
Did you lose anybody close to you in 2008?
None
Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Sam and Rob who had to go to the
What was your favorite record from 2008?
There’s none I could think of.
How many concerts did you see in 2008?
Ding, Neyza and I listened to the Chris Brown – Rihanna concert at the Fort.
Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2008?
Occasionally. I’m not much of drinker now as I was in the past.
Did you do a lot of drugs in 2008?
I have never done drugs in my life.
Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
I do not believe in regrets. And I know everything happens for a reason.
How much money did you spend in 2008?
A lot on food, clothes, gadgets, pampering.
What was your proudest moment of 2008?
When Jed and I started tithing.
What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008?
I do not remember such unpleasant things.
If you could go back in time to any moment of 2008 and change something, what would it be? The time I felt weak, and I gave in my craving to smoke cigarettes. Thankfully, I’m no longer addicted to nicotine.
What are your plans for 2009?
To settle and adjust well here in
To buy a car.
To be the best wife for Jed.
To have a baby.
To find my passion and make money out of it.
To continue getting to know my Lord.
How are you different now that the year has ended?
I am wiser. The experiences of 2008 made me a stronger and better person.
What are your wishes for the new year?
Despite the grim forecasts, may this new year be a better one for the world that we all come out wiser and stronger at the end of the year.
