What a way to start my Wednesday.

It's almost 4 o'clock in the morning. I've been awake since 2am. Not that I had anything to do really. Weird dreams have taken over my subconscious recently. It's like I'm awake the whole time. My mind's so exhausted. Now that I'm awake, I might as well, blog a little. I haven't been able to update my blog since the new year begun. Sad. It wasn't as if I didn't want to. More like, I didn't really have the time. Ever since I got back to work, everyday has been so busy. I'm practically swamped. You know that feeling where you thought you've already finished and then here comes the new things to do? Yeah, that's basically what I'm going through. But hey, don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. Been having a blast most days.

Now, about the dreams. I don't know why but I've been having these dreams with people from the office in those dreams. And every time I wake up, I always think, What the hell? It wasn't a nightmare. But yeah, it's just weird. To be with my officemates half of the day is great...but when the same people are in your dreams, kind of makes you wonder why. I don't know if I should go into detail. I'm still in the phase of processing everything. My gosh! It's like I have my own television series. Officemates, stop visiting me in my dreams! Hahaha! Maybe I'll post the dream after. Hehe.

So now what do I do? It's impossible for me to go back to sleep. My mind's so awake.

*Sigh*

The Year that Was and the Year Ahead.

Happy New Year to one and all!

As I bid 2009 farewell and say hello to the new year, let me look back at some of the memorable experiences that happened to me for the past 12 months.

1. New Year celebration with the family -- cooked Arroz Valenciana
2. Loricer mini reunion -- a night filled with lots of laughter and reminiscing with my high school batchmates
3. Celebrating Chinese New Year with friends -- I will never forget Jan eating the taro puff!
4. Tito Bert's homecoming -- had weekly get-together with the family; celebrating his birthday and Lola Bait's birthday at Legends Restaurant
5. My 23rd birthday -- what I could only describe as the MOST AWESOME BIRTHDAY I could ever ask for! 3 separate celebrations in one week: with officemates, with family and with my barkada
6. Singing in front of a crowd -- it was one of the most unexpected things I've done ever since! Haha!
7. Kuya Rom and Mama celebrate their birthdays -- even though Kuya is in the US, we still managed to celebrate his birthday by eating at Mei Lin Chinese Restaurant. Meanwhile, Mama turned 60!
8. Mother's Day celebration at Super Bowl of China -- another memorable family gathering with the Franciscos
9. Mama and Papa's 33rd wedding anniversary -- all expenses paid date for Mama and Papa: overnight accommodations in Hotel Celeste, dinner date at David's Tea House, lunch at Amici with me and Kuya Miguel, coffee at Starbucks
10. Tita Connie, Tito Monching and Tina visit the Philippines -- bonding time with my balikbayan relatives, as well as celebrating Father's Day and my brother's birthday
11. Kuya Miguel turns 28 -- we went out to celebrate my brother's birthday and it was a real blast!
12. Bonding times with my "anak" and my "bru" -- yes! spending time with them is one that I always look forward to. Next get-together?
13. Going to Laguna, Davao and Ilocos in one month -- August was probably the most exhilarating month of the year because I got to go to lots of places. I love it, I love it, I love it!
14. Celebrating Papa's birthday -- Papa turned the big 6-0 and Mama couldn't be happier! Hehehehehe
15. Monthly get togethers with my after-work buddies -- one of the most memorable dinners we had was during Ate Det's birthday celebration! Totally hilarious!
16. Monthly family get-togethers -- the Francisco matriarch never let a moment passed by when she didn't ask me, "May boyfriend ka na ba?" Hahahahaha! I really thought she was kidding about the Christmas 2009 deadline
17. Kuya Rom's surprise homecoming -- none of us expected that my brother would be home the month of December...I swear, it's one of the best things that ever happened this year!
18. Christmas with the Franciscos -- as always, Christmas with the Francisco family is a day filled with lots of laughter, lots of food and lots of picture taking...and yes, my Lola looked for my "plus one"
19. Year-end trip to Davao -- it was a totally unexpected trip...but well worth it! Thanks to my officemate-slash-friend who invited me to go!

These are just some of the highlights of the year that passed. All the memories from these events will always be with me. And so, as the year 2010 begins, let me just share some of the things I'm looking forward to:

January: Trips to Boracay and Laguna

March or August: Trip to Davao again

April: My 24th birthday

June: My 2-year anniversary in SEAIR

December: Christmas

Once again, I greet you all...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tis the Season to Contemplate: A Christmas Message

In just a matter of hours, Christmas day is here. And this Christmas, I share with you all my message. This is truly a time for us to contemplate on what has happened and on what has become of us over the year.

May your hearts be filled with the Christmas spirit...

o O o

That time of year is upon us once again, the holidays. A time of family, friends, good cheer, and, my personal favorite, home-cooked food. It is a time to reflect on the past and consider the future, and determine, as individuals, what we can do to improve our lives. It is a noble pursuit, humankind working to better the world, a valiant attempt to secure a better future for our posterity.

Most agree this will be a different Christmas. We will still exchange gifts, light our candles, and eat ourselves into oblivion. But just behind us lies a past that we will never forget. It is not that we have more to be thankful for; rather, it is that we better understand how quickly we can lose what we have.

This holiday season, most of us will take a moment to consider the quality of our lives, and perhaps resolve to lose five pounds, stop procrastinating, cut down on the booze, what have you. And then we'll forget we ever made those promises to ourselves. Yes, a noble pursuit, valiant, and hopeless.

The holidays are supposed to be about being surrounded by friends and family -- and these days, it is mostly about material goods, but everyone has the power to change that. This holiday season, think about what gift would make you truly happy to give. This doesn't mean that you can't buy individual gifts. But think about the bigger picture during the holidays this year. It could be easier, less costly and more heart-warming to give a gift that someone will truly appreciate and be thankful for. Let yourself get caught up in the true spirit of the season and give a gift that makes a difference.

Merry Christmas to one and all!

Photobooth: JC2X: Black 2 Black Party

It was a night of great laughs, wonderful company and endless picture taking!

Thanks to Jan and Carlo for inviting me to their birthday bash.

Can't wait for next year's party!