Also, in keeping with tradition, here are my 12 resolutions for 2012. Because just like before, I’m still delusional enough to believe in them. I wasn’t able to stick with my resolutions last year. But that’s not stopping me from creating and recycling resolutions for the new year. 

1. Focus on my long term goals.
2. Take more and more photos this year.
3. Eat Healthy and Work Out.
4. Travel outside of the Philippines.
5. Be more friendly and make lots of new friends.
6. Quit the affectations.
7. Slow down on the materialism and keep a simple lifestyle.
8. Be a better boyfriend.
9. I need to be nicer to myself and to other people around me. 
10. Spend more time with my family (i.e. vacations, trips to the beach)
11. Give More.
12. Love More.

So that’s that. I hope I can’t stick to it as much as possible. It’s better to have goals set that to go on with the year without any plans at all. The photo above is the only decent firework photo I got on New Year since I was still buzzed from all the wine and from the food coma I was nursing courtesy of my mom’s lasagna and ham. Anyway, have a prosperous 2012 everyone! I hope you can stick to your resolutions as well.

2009 is the best year of my life so far. I’ve had my fair share of wins and losses, but all important life lessons nonetheless. That’s why I’m really grateful for all the things that happened to me this year:

1. God has been very good to me this year, despite my short comings. I feel that all the good things that’s happening is all because of God.
2. I graduated college. I almost graduated Cum Laude. Not everyone can say that loud and proud. It was only a matter of 0.14 points. I had my bitter phase for a month but I got over it. Although it was that close, but maybe there are better things coming my way in the future.
3. This year was my review year for the board exams. I literally had a year to prepare for it. So despite all the things that distracted me from my review, I got through it and I think I equipped myself with enough knowledge to get really good results from that exam.
4. I learned how to drive! I thought I would be too scared to do it, but I did it. And I am super proud of myself for that.
5. I found who my real friends are. And I am very grateful that our friendship has grown so much over the years and that this year, it became stronger. I thank God everyday because I have friends like them.
6. Everything in our family is finally improving. The four of us (Mom, Dad, and Brother) are closer than ever. Because of the awesome things that happened to us this year, I can safely consider them as my real and ultimate best friends.
7. This year I got an iPod Classic, PSP, Laptop, Xbox, Honda City and a Canon DSLR, just to name a few.
8. And finally, I was able to complete all my requirements (OR/DR Cases, Forms, etc.) to take the November Nursing Licensure Exam. That was the highlight of my year. Taking that exam will open new doors for me—more great opportunities for me to grow and be successful in life.

Although I have to admit, 2009 has been a very challenging year for me. I won’t go into the details on all the mishaps, misadventures and heartaches I’ve had this year. That’s all in the past, and I am certainly not going to dwell on those things. Instead, that’ll serve as a lesson learned and to never make those mistakes again.

I tried to find love this year, and although this is very cliché, I realized that I can’t get love into my life if I don’t love myself first. This year, I’ve been in and out of many relationships—the ones that only last for less than a month. I was desperate. But then after countless failed attempts, I shifted gears and focused more on me by improving myself to become a better person—a person who can give love and a person who deserves to be loved. And even though my heart has been broken way too many times this year, I’m doing my best to still give love a chance. I’m not going to find it anymore. I’ll just let it happen and let things fall into its place. And hopefully, 2010 is going to be that year.

For 2010, I will not make resolutions that I’m very sure I won’t be able to do. I will only disappoint myself. Instead, I’m going to set goals. That way I can achieve more things rather than telling myself not to do this or that. This time, I’m not going to stop myself from doing things that I want to do, and things that I want to happen in my life. But most importantly, I hope and pray that 2010 will be the year that I will become a registered nurse so that my life in the real world can finally begin.

I see life as a progression and there were certainly a lot of things to learn from 2009. That’s why I have faith that 2010 will be a better year for all of us. May you have a wonderful New Year and a prosperous 2010!