And so 2006 came to pass

What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
It has to be my decision to live in the USA.

I have to admit that I really didn't think so hard about this move. The opportunity presented itself, I grabbed it, and, with a little luck, I found myself on my way to the Land of Milk and Honey. (Looking back, I didn't even consider what was left of a flagging relationship...or was there a real relationship to begin with?)

I have worked in a foreign country before, but it was only in Singapore, a mere three-hour flight from the Philippines. and I lived with my sister and her family, meaning, I still had a semblance of family.

Out here, man, is a totally different ballgame. I just hope I did the right thing. :)

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't think i consciously made one. I am building a list of to-do's, though.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope. Not yet, anyway. But two dear friends are on the family way - Tina and Jannette!!!

Did anyone close to you die?
Thank goodness, there was none.

What countries did you visit?
The USA. I guess I am here for an extended visit. :)

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

What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
First few weeks of January 2006. These are the days when I was constantly reminded of my aloneness, that I was really out here on my own. It didn't help at all that it was my first time to experince winter. Utterly melancholic.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being happy is something that is consciously developed and affirmed. So when friends tell me I look happy where I am right now, it is enough achivement for me.

What was your biggest failure?
1. Not having taken even one of the four CPA exams.
2. Not making it just in time to save a relationship.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes. I was rushed to the hospital on June 12th.

What was the best thing you bought?
A cheap but portable and very reliable heater for the winter!

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Me! I never thought I could survive living in the US for a year on my own. I have never experienced being genuinely independent and grown-up (finally! ha! ha! ha!).

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
PGMA. Tongressmen.

Where did most of your money go?
House rent, car, insurance, winter clothes... i gotta stop now.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Running! Long drive! Touching base with friends from all over!

What song(s) will always remind you of 2006?
Can't think of one song in particular.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? -- Happier
ii. thinner or fatter? -- I've gained 8 pounds since I arrived here. Now, how come i could still fit into my old clothes?
iii. richer or poorer? -- A little better off, surely, but none the richer.

What do you wish you'd done more?
1. Exercise
2. Yoga
3. Visit another foreign country. The US is so vast it felt like you were visiitng another country when you just flew to another state.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
1. Thinking about how some things should/would/could have been.
2. Procrastinating (bad, bad habit).

How many one-night stands?
None. I'd rather be bored. lol.

What was your favorite TV program?
Grey's Anatomy.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope.

What was the best book you read?
Books, actually - The Tipping Point and Blink by Malcolm Gladwell.

I think it is quite a feat to be able to translate dreary social and psychological studies into something one can actually enjoy reading and learning at the same.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Celtic Woman. I have never heard voices so pure and so enchanting. Theirs is what an angel's voice probably sounds like.

What did you want and get?
A car - first thing that came to my mind.

What was your favorite film of this year?
Nothing comes to mind right now.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Work. Dinner with friends. 31!

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I would have given the world to spend year-end holidays with my family back home.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
I think I struggled on this score. lol. I've never felt more ignorant in fashion than when fall and winter came - almost no idea how to properly layer clothes. Nada. Zilch.

What kept you sane?
1. Driving alone, sometimes even when I didn't know where I wanted to go.
2. Just being silent, listening.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
1. Jamie Oliver.
2. Anthony Bourdain.
3. Ian Wright.

What political issue stirred you the most?
It was a conscious effort on my part to avoid anything that involves Philippine politics or else I'd get sick to my stomach.

Who did you miss?
A lot of people.

Who was the best new person you met?
Everyone to whom i got introduced.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
Being independent in the truest sense of the word.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
1. That i don't look my age. I was almost always mistaken for a new associate! Babaw :)
2. I write well.

The most touching experience you've had this year?
I'd rather keep this one to myself. But just so I would not forget, it was something that happened in June 2006. And I was so stupid I didn't know how to reciprocate the kindness.

What did you like most about yourself this year?
I am brave.

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
Procrastination.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I can't think of any right now.

Was 2006 a good year for you?
Yes. But it could be better.

What was your favorite moment of the year?
The first time I ran ten miles.

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Going to the doctor alone.

Where were you when 2006 began?
In Stockton.

Who were you with?
Mommy Lina, and other relatives.

Where were you when 2006 ended?
In Antioch.

Who were you be with when 2006 ended?
With JP and Tina and their friends.

Do you have a new years resolution for 2007?
Just for me to get better.

What was your favorite month of 2006?
July 2006.

Did you lose anybody close to you in 2006?
No.

Did you miss anybody in the past year?
I miss a lot of people!

What was your favorite record from 2006?
Quite surprisingly, Celtic Woman.

How many concerts did you see in 2006?
None.

Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2006?
A little.

Do a lot of drugs in 2006?
Never.

Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
I've learned from it the hard way but I won't elaborate. I just hope I will not be so stupid as to be in that situation again.

How much money did you spend in 2006?
Next question, please.

What was your proudest moment of 2006?
1. Getting a driver's license in California.
2. Driving on the freeway for the first time!

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2006?
Spilling steaming extra hot vanilla latte in the leather seat of a BMW Z3. It was my first day to car pool with a male intern who offered to give me a ride to and from work. 'Twas a good thing he was totally unruffled about the whole incident. A real gentleman, I should say.

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2006 and change something, what would it be?
I am one of the most gullible persons around, but then when it comes to handling relationships, I think I am irredeemably predisposed to skepticism. Having said that, I wish I believed more, reciprocated more…blah blah blah…

What are your plans for 2007?
1. Pass the California CPA exams.
2. Visit more states. roadtrip can be fun.
3. Travel to a foreign country, possibly with a good man (Oops! did I just say that?!)
4. Get involved in a new hobby (cooking/baking class, photography, yoga)
5. Those three should keep me pretty busy the whole year, thank you.

How are you different now that the year has ended?
I have:
1. learned to rely and depend on myself more - quite possibly one of the things living in the US has taught me well
2. paid more attention to people who matter (yup, absence surely makes the heart grow fonder)
3. appreciated the peace ang happiness that comes with being and doing things by myself.

What are your wishes for the new year?
World peace. Seriously. :)