2011: My Crazy 12 Months

19.January.2012

I've been through a lot for the year 2011; from being a student, to being an adult worker, been out of my teenage years and went abroad. It was a crazy year for me. Undeniably, a lot of things have happened but it was 'FUN'.

I'd briefly look back on how my year 2011 has been.

From January to March, I've been busy with school matters that I almost never went home. I have retreat, events management, thesis, strategic management, and more school-related matters. From April to June, I was busy looking for a job, going here and there and submitting resume. June to December, my life was adjusting to my work schedules. Yes! WORK.

J A N U A R Y

I went to Caleruega for my Retreat. Of course, I went there with my class and two other classes. The place was amazing! I never though there's a place like that in the Philippines. Moreover it was just in Batangas!

We stayed there for 2 nights and 3 days. It was actually hectic but the place was just too great to relax. I'll admit something although this is not a secret: I'm sleeping during every session :)

It was actually a perfect place for photography, or practice shoots. It really brought me closer to nature. I actually wanted to visit that place again, but commuting alone to that place is just no good.

Then, there was the celebration for the 400-year existence of my university. It was a week of festivities but I'm too busy to partake to the events. Well, we are considered the 400th graduating batch and yet we're the ones who never felt the celebration. We're graduating students after all. That was a quick break from all the mental stress caused by the title 'Graduating Student'.

There was a fireworks display. They actually call it pyro-musical but it was nothing like that. Basically, the fireworks doesn't go along with the music beats. I believe it's a three-night presentation.

What I at least enjoyed was the fiesta-thing provided by the university. Well, it was just like Paskuhan.

F E B R U A R Y

Our event was on February. It was very hectic. It was clashing with our thesis and strama papers. Actually, we're at school 7 days a week. We had our pre-event a week before our main event, too.

When our main event came, it was a really, really terrible day. I was working backstage so I really don't know how our event went. However, working backstage doesn't gave me the excuse to slack off. Actually, we're more stressed there compared to those working in the floor who all did was chat and complain about the presentation.

After the event, we had our Strategic Management Defense. Now, I can't imagine how I survived my hectic schedule.

Despite telling myself not to go to the other events, I still went to my friend's event which is a bit similar to our concept. It was on impulse and I never really planned to go there. But I still went.

Oh! I almost forgot about my Sociology course. We had a little wedding ceremony as a requirement for that course. Of course it was rush and we never really planned it well. We just had our funny-couple for our wedding couple. Somehow, we managed it.

Here's a video link of the photos taken. This one is for the pre-nuptial, a short date at UST: Night Date. This one is for the nuptial proper: Umali-Santos Nuptial.

Before February ends, I was able to dine at Papa John's Pizza. It's a restaurant specializing in pizza - a pizzeria, that is. It was a really good idea that my friend and I tried dining there. It has been my favorite ever since. I go to that restaurant every month just to eat there :)

What made me come back there is their pizza and Seafood Marinara :)

M A R C H

March was such a peaceful month. I had my final final examinations during the first week of March. And our professors are just too kind to us. I wished they had been like that through my four years in college? The night after the final examination, we went to Ortigas for the Street Food Market known as Banchetto. We had quite a big group at that time. It was fun since it's my first time for that food-trip, and quite stressful as well due to the huge crowd in there. Well, it was a Friday after all.

For the sake of the awarding-feel, we are called to the university, despite the provinces we are living in, just to take group pictures with medals, certificates and trophies. The certificates were given later in the month, though. We are called again on another day to get our clearances and learn of our academic standing. I got a 'Cum Laude' title even though I slack off since the second half of my college years. Then, we are called again on a another different date for the orientation for graduation. We had a short boring practice as well. It was quite annoying and a bit funny. We're thankful to be relieved of stress since we're done with everything. On the same day, we are invited to a small dinner to celebrate our batch as the 400th slash quadricentennial batch.

It was a free dinner so why not come, right? I still have the unit rented so going to Manila is not much of a hassle. The food were catered by Ate Eva's which is one of my favorites among the Carpark restos. The admin even performed for our sake, as well as the student presidents. It was a fun evening.

Oh! This month is my only time eating at Seoul Garden Philippines in SM CIty Noth EDSA. It's not as exciting as the one in Singapore though.

Then, my friend and I dine at Tender Bob's. It was a steakhouse but I love the Mango Crepe and Lemonade above anything else.

And how could I ever forget my 2nd Pyromusical Olympics? It was not as exciting as the first one since it rained this time and I don't have a good view of the stage. I mean, they changed the layout of the sections this time and it was not good. I'm willing to pay fair enough for a good view though. however, being in front isn't much of a wise idea either since the stage is too close and too broad.

I also went to Los Banos, Laguna to meet my friend. However, I enjoyed our lunch time more than our meeting. The cream puff is my favorite and the Mango Egg Tart is just so sumptuous. They're Baked Macaroni is fantastic as well.

And of course, as an ender for my March is the Baccalaureate Mass. We don't have a University graduation held for everyone, but we do have a mass were all the graduating students from all colleges gather. It was a big event for all of us. It was long and pretty tiring but was never boring. There is a mass, a presentation, introductions, and etc. Well, there was also the time capsule thing. I really don't know what's inside that capsule, though. And, finally, we had our exit walk in the Arch of the Centuries. During our first year, we had our Welcome walk, so before graduating, we had our Exit(?) Walk.

A P R I L - M A Y

Once April arrives, we always think of summer vacation, beaches and long holiday. That is true! But for me, April is the beginning for a new chapter and ending for a previous chapter. Well...I graduated on the 1st of April with three medals and a Cum Laude title. I was thinking that I could have done better if only I maintained my attitude during my first year. Not that I'm bragging or something, but I COULD have...there's a possibility. And that small possibility is a big difference!

However! April also means that I need a work and I need to find a proper job. I'm no longer a student on a summer break. It's a talk of pride. But in the end I didn't find a job that easily, despite having an academic title. Experience is still the number one key. I went to a couple of interviews and went from from to place to submit my resume. It was tiring. And it was a hot season on top of that! I also went out to have fun with my friends. And it was actually my first time to sing in a karaoke house :)

J U N E - J U L Y

I started working on the month of July. I got accepted in Marriott Hotel Manila as a part-time Banquet Associate. I have a steady schedule for the first ten days since I have to clear 90 hours for my training. After that, I didn't have a proper schedule. It was difficult for me since I have to travel from Cavite to Manila. Even if I stay in Manila, going to Marriott is still quite troublesome. It costs me a lot of money just for the travel itself. I had three schedules with pay and after that, I never showed up for work again. My colleagues are fun to work with and I have a senior who is from the same University.

A U G U S T

At the beginning of August I started to work under a new employer. Compared to Marriott which is a five star hotel and a big company, my new employer is just a small company operating mostly in real estates. In my new employer we have rooms no more than a hundred. It was a three-star hotel. Oh, I was working in the reception by the way. I learned everything in a week. Or rather, I was forced to learn everything in a week. I also did night shifts alone. Night shifts are interesting since I get to meet interesting people. The best part was that it was about twenty minutes away from our place in Manila. That gives me a great advantage. I don't need to wake up really early in the morning :)

I also had the chance to go for some photography practice. It was a really good thing. I discovered some interesting spots too :)

Rizal Park is a conventional one but it was different at dusk to night. I went there in the after noon when the sun is just about to set. The park at night was astonishing! I never really thought that the water fountain musical show was interesting. I stayed there for the colorful fountains :) The photo was at the other end of the Rizal Park, where Rizal monument was.

Then, I also discovered a small park slash old cemetery (I guess, since it looked like one) in the heart of Manila. I mean it was Paco Park and near Malate. Who would have thought that I can find such a Place in Manila?! Amazing things are just every where, really.

Then, I also went to Harbour Square for a sunset photography and a try of night/reflection photography. didn't get to see a good sunset and I failed at night photography. It's not a waste of time though since I get to see how undisciplined my fellows were.

S E P T E M B E R - N O V E M B E R

I ended my employment in Corporate Inn in this month. Well, it was a good thing that it ended since I don't plan to stay there for long. Also, this is the month that I returned to Singapore. Yeah! I was back to my Little Paradise.

I get to meet new people, pay for my own rental fees and work in the Front Office department. Oh! I also got a good photo of the Marina Bay. I'm happy with that. Hence, I learned of how I should take night photos using my camera :)

D E C E M B E R

This is my first time spending Christmas Eve out of our house and not even in the Philippines at that. Well, I got quite a good Christmas this year since we had exchanged gifts and celebrated happily. The thing is I spent a month's worth of salary to buy gifts for others and for myself as well. That's a pain in the pocket for real.

I'm not particularly fond of New Year's so it's fine with me that I worked a 1700 - 0100 hrs at that time. I got no problem with it. Although celebration of New Year here is not as noisy as it is in my place in Cavite. Oh, well.

Love Letter

06.December.2011

How long has it been since our last time together? I don't even remember the day when we decided to part ways. If I am not mistaken, it was a few years back from today. However long it has been, it was indeed a part of the past.

Truth be told, even up to this day I am still having moments when I reminisce our times together. Those days are surely filled with the pink-colored aura of two people in love. Our dates, hugs, kisses, talks, and arguments...looking back, they seem to be unending stories that are full of hope for the future. Our relationship was that of a young couple in love - happy and hopeful. It was a sweet and somewhat childish love story. I never regretted those days I spent with you. Those moments eventually became part of our memories. Those were part of our story. But I can only remember those moments by myself now. Those days already belonged to the past. They will remain part of it.

Before we started our relationship as a couple, we were merely classmates…not even close friends at that. We only have a pretty close relationship in virtual messaging. That was a long distance friendship, perhaps? Since we were used to that kind of set-up, it became pretty easy for us, who were studying in different universities, to cope with our distance issue. We have always been in a long distance relationship even before we became a couple. The long distance relationship we had seemed normal for us. Of course, we missed each other a lot, but it was like our normal set-up. Physical distance is a common problem among young couples and we took it lightly. We never realized the damaged it was causing our relationship.

Despite our distance problem, we always managed to see each other every once in a while. Every time we were together, we would always become sweet with each other on certain moments. I always loved the time we were cuddling each other. I love the sensation. I feel like I am melting in your arms. Moreover, I love the warmth of your body. It was comforting and calming. That was the reason I always feel sleepy beside you. You emit the warm I am most comfortable with, and with you around, I feel secured. Honestly, I always act childishly only around you because I want to be pampered. Maybe it was due to my fetish to have an older brother. I have low immunity towards boys since I did not really grow up with my father around. You know the matter about my father, but I bet that you never really thought how it affected my behavior. I will tell you another secret: when we were still dating, you were the only guy that I trust, more than my father and my brother.

We started our relationship, from being friends to a couple, with a physical distance between us. We were used to that. It was normal for us. Eventually, as we progressed with our studies, things changed and meeting each other became difficult. Our time together was always something we treasure. With our studies being our top priority, we always put our relationship second. I am sure that you also felt how our own circumstances are hindering our relationship. You are busy. I am busy. We barely have time to have a normal conversation. Our meetings became rarer. Months passed by with our status growing vaguer.

You have your own circumstances and I have mine. We have been together for more than two years. During that time, we honed our tolerance with our long distance and lesser time relationship. But our individual circumstances are different. Despite being together for so long, we are still two unique individuals living in different environments, taking different career paths, having our own problems, thinking and feeling differently. We longed for each other just the same…but I felt insecure.

Remember the time when I told you that I am sick? It was the beginning of the week, Monday morning. After our short conversation, I never really get in touch with you again. I have been confined in a hospital for less than a week and I never told you. I know that you are busy and I do not wish to worry you. I can make an excuse without the need to tell you that I am admitted in a hospital. However, I want to be selfish and make you worry so I never told you a thing. You only learned of it, on the day before I was released from the hospital, from a common friend, your classmate and my neighbor. I don’t remember if we even talked about it afterwards. I only remember that I was busy when I returned from being sick because it was my examination week.

Then, my most terrible month came - August 2009. I totally slacked with my studies. I almost failed all of the exams I took after being ill. I needed to catch up with the lessons I have missed. My requirements also piled up. The worst thing is that my laptop was broken and I cannot use it properly. I have an incoming international tour that I wish to join but my family just spent huge amount of money for medical expenses. And my father was at home for almost half a year and I don’t know when he will be boarding his ship or if he will be sailing again. He was our only source of family income. My mind was in a mess and I do not want to care about anything anymore. It was the time when I am crying almost every night because of being emotionally depressed.

One day, I just got fed up with my situation and I tried bothering you despite knowing that you are busy. I told you stuffs like I've missed you and that I needed you to comfort me. Despite telling such things with a sad smiley icon, the only respond I received is that you are busy. I am used to that kind of respond, but at that very moment, I just let all my tears flow freely. It was a way of getting rid of my hazy mind and emotional depression. I kept on crying until I fell asleep thinking just how important is my position of being a girlfriend to you, that I should not have gotten myself so attached to you, and if I even deserve this misery.

I can never really forget the fact that you rejected a request from your girlfriend who is obviously crestfallen. I am not very sure if I even tried bothering you again after that, but I think I did. I already felt, since long ago, that I am not one of your top priorities even if you tell me how important I am. I made myself believed that I am your last priority despite my position of being your girlfriend. I am one of your priorities, yes, but I was the last one. Your family comes first and then your studies, and so on. I do not even know how far I am on the list. My insecurity grew stronger, and our relationship became colder. I do not even know if I still have a boyfriend for I do not feel like I have one. Our existence to each other’s life became like that of a spirit. I do not know anything happening to you and I became more selfish.

Eventually, the day came when we needed to talk about our relationship status since you heard from my best friend that I feel like I do not have a boyfriend anymore. Would you not even realize my absence from your life without hearing it from another person? That time, I just say whatever came to mind not giving it a thought. I told you how tired I am from being too considerate of people who don’t even think of being considerate of me. I propose a break up as a solution for our problem. Then you started talking about the future. In my case, I can’t even think of the future if we are like this. I don’t remember what I told you. But in the end, you agreed to my proposal. After a few hours, I tried contacting you again, but I think you are asleep and so you never replied. I think lightly of our break-up and thought that, eventually, we would reconcile again. However, that never happened and we never even had a normal conversation afterwards. We lost contact with each other. Even though I wanted to know what happened to you and to tell you my reason for my break-up proposal, I was never given the chance to do so.

We are over. Our love story has ended. It was not one of those stories with a happy-ever-after ending. You have your flaws. I have my own. We were both at fault. I am sure that there are bygone emotions that were never conveyed and silent words that were never heard. But life goes on. We simply returned to being two individuals not related with each other...just like how we were during the first fifteen years of our life.

Regards,

Lisa

P.S.

I know this is too late now, but I still want to tell you this: I loved you. You will remain as a special person in my life. Though the love I used to have for you will eventually fade after meeting someone more special, I know that there will still be a special emotion for you. I know this is selfish of me, but I really wish to keep a close friendship with you. I will undeniably compare how you have been to my future partner, and I will definitely look for your character in that person. However, by that time, I am sure that I am not the same childish person you knew before.

I hate goodbyes. And please take care of yourself. Our memories belong only to us. If you wish to forget them, you may do so. There are still chances of meeting you, so see you someday.