Personal Recap

Since the year 2009 will be closing and a new chapter in my life is starting in a few hours, I was thinking of putting together a list of my personal highlights for the year. I am not going to make a super extensive list because, well, I am in an internet shop in Valencia and editing blog posts is not something I would like to do for the next hour. I would just like to type away the first five things that come to my mind and while, the list may not be as well-thought of, it probably is the most honest list I can come up with. So here goes my list. You ready?

Little Miss Preppy - In 2009 I got accepted to do a part-time Masters in Business programme in Helsinki. I consider this a huge deal because I feel like studying is something that makes me move my life forward a little bit faster. I have been kind of in a rut before that. The studies gave me the structure I needed to take things one step ahead in my growing up process. In a way, what the studies made me feel was that there was a real future ahead of me. I know this sounds very cryptic but there is really no codex to break here. The point is the studies made me feel structured, intelligent and well, credible. I like that feeling. I know it will be a rough two years ahead but after that I know great things await for me.

Buh-bye Lucky Colors - It is no secret that my faith has been a huge part of me. I have been growing and un-growing all throughout the year. One thing that did happen though was that I lost complete faith in superstitions, the universe and all stuff related to that. My faith lies in one person alone - God. I feel really great about this because I used to be all "pink is my lucky color." Nowadays, I can wear blue to business meetings and could not care less. My faith is complete in God and man, has it been liberating. Ironically, it made my life luckier as well!

Plurk in Your Face - So 2009 was a good year to sell out. I joined Facebook and started micro-blogging via Twitter. Eventually, I deleted the personal Tweets and Plurked all the way. FB was not as addictive as I thought it would be so delaying the join was actually a very smart choice. I think I learned to control it way before I even had a chance to be addicted to it. I like the idea that I have a great online phonebook. It is also quite nice to be updated with things that people want you to be updated about. The whole micro-blogging thing is too fun to be ignored. I am glad it is a part of my life because vomiting your thoughts on a minute-to-minute basis is very good for your mental health. Ooh, and keeping the micro-blog private was a smart choice too!

Typhoon much? - So the typhoon that struck Manila this year went beyond all levels of my personal consciousness. I been reminded once more of how important taking care of this sick planet of ours is and as a consequence my lifestyle is evolving. I will be a hippie dippie soon, I tell you.

Work Life Scale - Careers have flourished in our household this year and while we are thankful, we realized that much improvement is needed when handling the stress that work brings. I am starting to learn NOT to take too much stress out on my husband. He deserves much more than a bitchy wife, you know?

So I guess that is the list. Five big ones off the top of my head. Whew. 2010 looks promising.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

P.S. I fulfilled both 2009 resolutions I had. I think this factoid deserved to be mentioned somewhere. Donchatinkzo? :)

Valencia Now

We are in Valencia where internet access means going to a net cafe. You have deduced correctly that net access will be very limited while we are here.

Just wanted to greet everyone a lovely Christmas. Hope we all remember the reason for the season. :-)

Spanish Impressions So Far

We were conquered - Having travelled quite a bit already and seen a lot of cities, I think Barcelona is by far the closest to Manila (or Cebu). The absence of chaotic traffic and slum areas make it un-Manilaish but nevetheless the city has this "similar feeling" to Philippine cities. You can definitely feel that this was the land of our original colonizers. Haha. :-)

Coffee shops - I like that there are so many coffee shops and restaurants around the city that reek of personality and culture. Of course, there are coffee chains here (i.e. Starbucks) but it is nice to be in these small shops where you feel either at home or not (due to how good the service is). I like that because commercialism can be so suffocating.

Picasso - So, as a token stop of every tourist, we went to the Pablo Picasso museum. We also ate at 4Gats where Picasso hung out as a teenager. I did not realize that the guy was actually a child prodigy until I have been to the museum. I admit my art appreciation is kind of mediocre. I don't know anything about brush strokes or development of avant garde styles, but I appreciate history. The fact that the guy lived 92 years and survived so many historical changes (e.g. world wars, women being able to wear pants, etc) was very good for me. :-)

In Spain

We are here.

Will update more later. :-)

Christmas Rush

I have been way too busy lately. The business is picking up so all that cliché about being patient the first months is true. The studies are progressing well. I have a thesis topic and will start the research proper in January.

I am positively stressed and it is much better than being negatively bored.

Next week, we are off to Spain for a two-week long Christmas holiday. Woot! :-)

Photo Source: www.sxc.hu

The Nerd

It is a nice, crisp Saturday morning. It would be a great day to go out and do some shopping since shops are probably going crazy this season. But, lo and behold, I am at home, sitting in front of my laptop with a coffee cup in my hand. Why? Because I am doing my assignment due in a week.

Spell whew. My life as a nerd has been reinstated and it feels great. I feel like this is what I have always been -- one huge nerd. I lurve it! :-)

I intend to graduate in two years and that means doing my thesis on time and taking just enough courses. I am also doing the business so I know I need proper energy management. Oh and of course housewife duties are in the to-do list.

I don't know where this Erica went a couple of years ago but she is back and I feel that this is really me. I love studying. I love learning. I love school.

VERY GOOD.

Photo Credit: www.sxc.hu

My Thousand Words for the Day

Want to take a wild guess what I feel today?

Photo Source: 777Denny