A Look Back at 2011

How time flies! One month of the new year is already ending. And I still haven’t made my “the year that was” post. Well, as they say, better late than never. Hehe So, here it goes...

2011 was a great year for me. Not just great, actually… I consider it the best year of my life, so far. It was a year of firsts, milestones, new beginnings. Of all the blessings and good memories of 2011, here are the major ones:

Clockwise from top left: Miggy (born on 02.12.11), Guido (our first car),
SG (my first travel abroad), ULP (my new employer)  

I became a mother. This milestone, hands down, is the highlight of all. On February 12, I gave birth to our first baby, our adorable son, Joaquin Miguel. We fondly call him Miggy. Nothing compares to childbirth, I gotta say. Eleven hours of labor, the excruciating pain, the inexplicable joy upon seeing and holding my baby for the first time -- just wonderful. I thank God for letting me experience childbirth. And I so love being a mommy! It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.

We bought a car. Paul and I bought our very own ride some time in April - a 1997 Toyota Corolla 1.6GLi. Albeit second hand, we are so proud of this first major investment. Thanks to my brother, Ronald, for giving us a friendly (or rather, brotherly) price and convenient payment terms. Hehe :)

I travelled abroad for the first time. In August, I went on a week-long trip to Singapore to visit Paul, who was there for a project. I enjoyed Singapore. It’s my first taste of the so called ‘first world’. Haha I particularly liked their public transportation system, so efficient. Paul and I had fun at Universal Studios, Sentosa, among others. We are planning to go back there with Miggy, when he’s big enough to appreciate travelling and theme parks.

I got a new job. I really did not expect this that I would get a new job towards the end of the year nor I would get accepted in that company, given the competition. But God is indeed the best and He gave me the opportunity. So, after four years with ATS, I bid goodbye and joined ULP at the end of November.

Other highlights of my 2011:

• I got a sideline. Last year, my bestfriend Ese’s dream of becoming a wedding coordinator came true, and I became a part of it. Felicity Events Bulacan, which offers events coordination services, was started. I served as one of the wedding coordinators. We had our first client on November 26.

Garden wedding reception of Chi and Des, FEB's first couple/client for OTD coordination

• Twitter and Instagram! I got hooked on Twitter last year. I had an account since 2009 but it was last year when I really got so into it. I would access Twitter more often than Facebook. As for Instagram, I’m addicted! It’s a photo service for iPhone. I now have 500+ photos uploaded.

My Instagram profile, I took a screenshot after uploading my 500th photo. :)

• iPhone 4 and Kindle Fire. In May, I got an iPhone 4 with my plan renewal. Best phone I’ve ever had! My Kindle Fire (which I call Kief) was Paul’s surprise birthday/Christmas gift to me last December. It’s my first tablet and I super love it. :)

Kief! :)

• Boracay, Baguio and Batangas. I got to travel to these beautiful places -- went to Boracay with Paul in September (it was our 2nd time in the island); went to Baguio (work-related) last December and stayed at The Manor (read: chochal! And I super love the food at Le Chef); spent Christmas with the Rosels and Barals in Nasugbu and Balayan.

The Manor

So, to say that 'last year was wonderful' would be an understatement.  True, there were several bumps along the way, but all in all, the good outweighed the bad. And those so-called bumps just made the adventure more exciting. Thank you, Lord, for a great 2011! Looking forward to more blessings, more milestones and more fun times this year. :)