2007 Yearender & 2008 Bootstrap

My blog is turning 3 soon, and I've seen my posts evolve slowly from very personal reflections, into more guarded public expressions of sentiments and ideas... I think it goes along with the territory when you start to lose your free "blogging" time and when you get deeper and deeper into work... also... it doesn't help to realise that your sphere no longer just involves your closest of friends, but begins to broaden to acquaintances, peers, colleagues and potential critics... I feel that blogs naturally evolve from private confessionals into becoming another facet of the face we show to the public.

Anyway... its been a while since my last post... I'm back in Manila, at the tail-end of my grad school term break and I haven't had much time to contemplate about the past year. I've been busy running up and down EDSA (my dissertation topic) doing fieldwork and gathering data; I've also been bouncing around the requisite social obligations and meetings throughout the metro; and most importantly- I've been quietly savoring the company of my family and friends.

I was reading my 2006 yearender, and as I pointed out then, 2007 really was a pivotal year for me... it was marked by challenges which I wouldn't have overcome if I didn't go through the hellish year before:

Passing the boards - finally! after 7 years!
Bagging my first important project for our office-> under construction
Earning the scholarship 
Living and studying abroad
Being away from my family and friends
Being independent... away from all the safety nets
Being around other nationalities and building new friendships
Stumbling into and meeting interesting <ehem> <ehem> people
The prospect of romance - long distances notwithstanding - and the even more looming prospect of heartbreak...
Learning more about myself - who I am, what I want and most importantly - what I don't want

Indeed, 2007 was a fruitful year, and I really have to thank God for all the blessings...

It has been an amazing ride... and I did grow up tremendously in almost all aspects; I only hope and pray that 2008 would be as challenging and fruitful, not just for myself, but for all of us.

2008 will be another important year... I hope 2006 and 2007 will be strong foundations for the kind of goals I'm setting for the future: (2008 and beyond)

Do well in Grad school- finish the dissertation...
Graduate!
Work with a developer or major multinational firm in Sing (wag sanang pangproduction lang)
Travel :)
Start earning and investing more
Socialize :)
Win new projects for our office - prepare for eventual return to practice in the Philippines
Become more business savvy - with or without the MBA
Teach?
Learn another language
Learn to cook better
Build a relationship <ehem ehem> 



Cheers to all! God Bless! Kick Ass!

Business as usual

Welcome to the Philippines! :)

Please do bear with us while we conduct our regularly scheduled semi-annual coup d'etat... meanwhile... please enjoy our beaches, see our sights and feel the warmth of our hospitality. :)

By the way, may interest you in some fantastic ocean-side real estate, or an upmarket penthouse maybe?

Thank You :)

We will try to get back to you shortly.