posted on my Friendster blog on January 8, 2006

I know this is already late, but I'm posting my "a look back on my 2006 year" survey. I'm always late in almost anything..hehe, but I guess better late than never. Happy New Year, by the way! And oh, this is also my first blog for 2007. :-)

1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?

Ooh, very good question for starters since I think 2006 was filled with new things and changes for me. Well, I graduated college in April; I finished my internship in May; I went to Manila for our 3-month board exam review in June. My parents left for USA in June. I spent June, July, August and early September getting ready for the Medical Technology Licensure Exam. The first 3 months were spent studying. Never a day goes by in those 3 months when I didn't open a book or my notebooks to study. I studied as hard as I can and the way that  I haven't done in all my life. I was scared of not passing the board and at that time, the exam was the most important thing in my life. I also prayed hard. I found a different me when it comes to praying and I draw strength from God, like I've never experienced before. It was a great feeling. I went home to Bacolod 2 days after the board. Going home after more than 3 months was really something. I was homesick and I couldn't wait to get home so I can rest my weary mind and body, not to mention I was finally able to be with my family, friends and most especially Flip. 2 days after I went home the board exam result was released. I passed the board exam!!! For the first time in my life, I cried out of joy. I jumped up and down and screamed and cried and laughed. I was so happy! I experienced the joys of the reward of my hardwork. It felt so good. I was in heaven. Back in Manila, the day after the board exam, I went with my friends on a studio tour of ABS-CBN. We watched the taping of the show, Homeboy, for two episodes: one live and the other one to be aired the day after. I got to be on national television! I texted a lot of people to watch Homeboy and some of my friends who I wasn't able to text also sent me a message that they saw me on TV. It was fun! I also get to meet celebrities and I was high most of the time. I was so excited! hehe A month after the board exam, I had my oath taking in Iloilo (sadly, I wasn't able to attend the one in Manila.) I officially became a licensed Medical Technologist = RMT! I volunteered at the Red Cross in Bacolod for just a week and had my very first salary. I reviewed for the IELTS and took the exam in November. I was thankful and happy to pass the exam and get a decent score. I felt the pain and hardship of saying goodbye to the people you love when I left for USA in November 30th. Coming home after the board exam without my parents at home, I felt my extended family's love and care. I have a whole new layer of love and respect for my aunts, uncles and cousins, which made it even harder to finally say goodbye to them. I was crying and sobbing at the airport, we were. It was hardest to say goodbye to Flip. It sounds cliche but I felt like my heart was being crushed. I couldn't stop crying, even after I boarded the plane. I went to America all by myself for the first time. I finally was able to be with my parents after 5 months. I experienced being here in America again, this time it was different since we are here for good. I felt sad here at first, mainly due to missing the people back home, especially Flip and also boredom. All this time I was also questioning if I had chosen the right decisions all along; if it was right for me to throw away my dream of becoming a doctor. I was also afraid for my future career and life. I didn't know what I want and if I could really work and earn a living. I felt scared, really scared. Now things have been quite OK and I know that I just have to be patient and do the best that I can. I also have to pray, most importantly. I had forgotten about it after I got what I was praying for and that is to pass the board exam. I'm learning how to be patient and not to be afraid.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I can't even remember what my new years' resolutions were for 2006. I'm also not sure if I made any. My online diary host crashed and my entries were lost so I can't look back on what I really did and in this case, if I made any resolutions.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No one in my family gave birth in 2006, nor do I recall any close friends who did.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Sadly, yes. My uncle who's my mother's cousin died on September 2006.

5. What countries did you visit?

USA, I also moved here for good. The Philippines, I went to Manila for the board exam.

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?

Patience, definitely patience; Also a stable and "rich" relationship with God. I also think that 2007 will be the year when I'll have my first official professional job. :-)

7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

September 7 - I found out that I passed the board exam!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Making my parents and family proud and happy when I passed the board exam.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Still not learning how to be patient and I'm still lazy and quite unorganized.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing serious, just some fever, flu, dysmenorrhea and diarrhea. Not all at once though!!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Not really the best thing, but that denim Heart Strings bag I bought has been convenient.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Flip's. He has been patient, reassuring and even more loving to me amidst everything that I and we have to go through.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My mother's, unfortunately. She's just... well, she's my Mom. But of course I still love and respect her deeply.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Hah! Sadly, on clothes, shoes and accessories. I sold my old clothes and stuff and bought new ones before I left the Philippines.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Can I have 3? (1) Being with Flip after being apart for more than 3 months. (2) Finding out the result of my board exam - exciting and really, really stressful and scary. (3) Going to America - I was excited, scared, sad, and happy at the same time.

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?

Feels Like Home by Chantal Kreviazuk. It's quite an old song but it was the one playing most of the time in my player. It's a nice sad song and everytime I hear it now I'm being taken back to our dorm in Manila, recalling the feeling sof being scared and hopeful for the fast approaching board exam.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

happier or sadder? happier

thinner or fatter? thinner. I don't know if it's a good thing though because a lot of people have been telling me to gain a bit of weight.

richer or poorer? richer, and that especially applies to experience, relationships, family and love.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Pray, and go out with my friends and go dancing.hehe

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Spend money on useless things.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

My Christmas of 2006 was spent for the first time in a new country with my parents' friends, instead of our family. which we have been doing ever since. It was a new change and it made me thankful for friends.

21. Did you fall in love in 2006?

Yes, to Flip more and more each day. *mushy* :-)

22. How many one-night stands?

Hah! One-night stand doesn't exist in my world.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

Gray's Anatomy got me hooked.

24. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't dislike this time last year?

None, I guess. I couldn't think of anyone.

25. What was the best book you read?

Med. Tech textbooks! Urinalysis and Body Fluids by Susan King Strasinger. Essentials of Clinical Chemistry by Marlon Torrento. Histopathologic Techniques by (Oh my golly gosh, I forgot the author!). And other textbooks.. They were the only books I got to read in 2006 since I didn't have time for other kinds of books, due to my preparation for the board exam. They're not that entertaining..hehe but they're certainly helpful and also interesting if you're willing to learn.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Praise songs, especially Still by Hillsong. Jack Johnson, Natasha Bedingfield (Unwritten) and some alternative, pop, jazz and house songs, as well.

27. What did you want and get?

Passing the board exam! (Have I said this a million times now?!) And a new laptop!! (Thanks to my parents!)

28. What did you want and not get?

For Flip to be here in America. (Yeah, it's impossible for now and I NEED to sacrifice and to be patient about it!)

29. What was your favorite film of this year?

Casino Royale was entertaining. Happy Feet was cute. The Holiday was fun and gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling. I didn't get to watch most of the major films this year though.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

My birthday was the same day as my uncle's funeral. So I didn't really get to celebrate, but I don't mind since at least I get to spend it with my family. I was 21.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

(Here comes my repeating answer..hehe) Passing the board exam and becoming a Registered Medical Technologist!!!

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?

Personal fashion concept? Wow..hehe! It sounds something major and serious. I guess I'm still more of a sneakers and flats and tee kinda gal. Though I wore Havianas often back in the Philippines since it was hot in there.

33. What kept you sane?

Praying, God, my family, Flip.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Britney Spears?!?!? hehe.. It's sad to see her destroy her image, career and life though.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

The execution of Saddam Hussein, I guess. I'm not really into politics and that kind of stuff.

36. Who did you miss?

Flip and my parents.

37. Who was the best new person you met?

Sir Rabor and Ma'am Leah, our reviewers in Manila. They're are two of the most amazingly brilliant people I've met, not to mention fun! Sir Kenneth also, the owner of the review center. He's kind, helpful and prayerful, and he definitely helped us a lot.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.

God is amazing!!!!

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten