(edited)

My nana virgie was involved in a violent accident on New Year’s eve itself. No, it wasn’t because of fireworks. (We’ve forgone on that tradition a long, long time ago) She was crossing a street when a white civic apparently hit her because he couldn’t be bothered to slow down and let an old woman cross. Since the white civic pulled over and was contemplating if he indeed hit her, she was sitting in the middle of the street when another fast approaching cab hit her. The cab driver then took nana virgie to the hospital. It was such a violent death and it still hasn’t sunk in.

Nana Virgie was such a kind person. She was with our family (my grandmother) for almost 40-50 years. When you say its hard to find good help these days, imagine how hard it is to find another Nana Virgie. You never heard her complain. Every Christmas, she would approach me on the side, and give me P100-P300 as a gift and she always tells me “kahit pang-load lang!” (I know its not big, at least you can use it to buy credits!) I remember being over there this Christmas, because we always spend christmas eve at my grandmother’s house. I remember her asking me when she’ll get to see Pat (my gf) again. It’s been more than a year since I brought Pat over. I told her don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of times! Baka nga yan na pakasalan ko eh! ( She might be the one!) I told Nana Virgie. That was the last time we spoke.

You see, Nana Virgie and I have a lot of history. When I was growing up, since the gap between my siblings (who are twins) is just a year, I’d usually end up being taken care of by my grandmother. I would get dropped off at her house and well I’d stay there. Since I was the only kid there, I’d usually be taken care of Nana Virgie. For breakfast, I would have Oatmeal and little hotdog bits in it. For merienda, she would concoct, pan de sal pizza made from her pizza sauce. I never did get the recipe for the spaghetti she always made. I always enjoyed that. I have a lot of fond childhood memories. And most, if not all of them are at my grandmothers with Nana Virgie. I can never imagine Banawe without her. I love you Nana Virgie. You were the link between me and my childhood and now that is gone.

Another loss is my 9 year old rottweiler died. Maki was beautiful. He was full of energy. He guarded our house. I could never walk him because he was too strong. People where just too scared of him. I remember, since I commuted from school when I was in HS. As soon as I started opening the gate, he would run towards the gate and would try to knock me over or pounce on me. He would always be there to greet me when I got home. Goodbye dear friend. I loved you dearly as well.

What a way to end 2009. I am looking forward to 2010. A year full of loss and yet, I felt as if I gained much more.

“When you get angry, you only punish yourself for mistakes of others.“

*edited

For my other thank yous, here it is.

My Family, because even though I rarely speak at home anymore they somehow know what is going on and have been supportive.

My old boss Sir Bong. You taught me the meaning of what it was to be a good teacher and a good friend as well as a good boss. Someday I will be the boss, and most probably I will be using some of the things you taught me.

The Bitch. Yes. I am still thanking her because if she didn’t fool me. If she didn’t make me believe that there was something better, I would never have left. I don’t agree with the shitload of lying and almost destroying other people’s lives but somehow it all worked out I guess.

Danes and Mikey. In an office where sometimes my sanity is in question you remind me that I am indeed insane.

Justine. We’ve been friends for almost 5 years now and you’ve been my bestfriend since that 1st year. You’ve been there for some of the lows and we’ve gone through so much crap. Thanks for listening to my rants and raves. Even though sometimes our busy lives usually gets the best of us, we still manage to find time to hang out and roam gh and food trip. (too bad mahal na ang Tapa King.)

Co-workers @ Nuffnang. We’re such a small group of very, VERY, VERY diverse people. I sense that we could implode at any moment but we manage to keep it together. Thank you for inspiring me to work harder and never give up.

Bosses & Office. Thank you for trusting in me and giving me the chance to discover myself along the way.

James, Ms. Cookie , & The Rest of Carat Ph. You guys are awesome! The work environment seems like its so fun over there! I hope to work with you guys more! Thanks for everything!

Nuffnang SG and MY team. Thank you for making my stay (albeit a short one) so enjoyable. I seriously love our company even more! I hope I can come back soon and bring my gf too! I’m sure she’ll enjoy meeting you guys as well! (I’d love to special mention but then again I’d mention everyone! LOL You guys were so awesome! But some thanks are in order. HuiWen you were a gracious host. I never felt like I was not taken care of! Elise for all your bullying! Penton because of all your stories! Carol for teaching me everything I know now! Yeehou for being a source of laughs, and of course Robb, you changed my perception about gay guys. You are seriously one awesome dude.)

Nuffnang Bloggers. You guys rock. I’ve never met a better bunch of bloggers! Although at times we might have hiccups here and there, I honestly and seriously enjoy talking to you guys! (special mention: Jehz, Maki, Mica, Hannah, Franny, Jane, Jonel)

The Fab 5. Its awesome we’ve reconnected so much this year. From the trip to Pangasinan and Baguio to just meeting up randomly and that awesome night when we were all together at Ken’s house for Luigi but ended up having a great time teaching Leo! Hope we can do this again soon!

To all those I didn’t mention or forgot to mention, thank you guys for making my 2009, the 2009. Hope you guys will be part of my 2010 still!

I guess that’s it. I don’t know if it was a good 2009 or not. There were a lot of crap but a whole lot of good too. Lets just say 2009 was 2009! Happy New Year!

I have the best GF in the world!

*Photos above were taken with my Blackberry

Fast forward a few months later, I am where I am now. I’ve taken up blogging again since it is directly connected to my work. I’ve met some great new people. It was a bit tough for a few months since Pat (yes that’s my girlfriends name) and I’s relationship was a bit rocky but we got through it, and I believe we are stronger than ever. We are going on 3 years now and its been an awesome 3 years. I’m looking forward to spending more years with her. Work was better. I was able to find something I am passionate at, and apparently good at. When I started, I had zero knowledge about this thing. I didn’t know what CTR, CPM, mCPM, and all these little acronyms and now well, look where we are at. I was able to go to Singapore, Malaysia, and Subic all in a span of 5 months. God has indeed been good. I now believe that God does not give us trials we cannot overcome. Maybe he gives trials we cannot overcome by ourselves, but with Him impossible is nothing. (Yes I had to throw in the Adidas tagline since they are my clients!)

I’ve come to a point where my outlook has been changed so much in a span of one year that I know now I am a very different person as to when I started this year out. I was bitter and proud young man January 2009. I didn’t want to accept that with my arrogance came certain consequences. But it did. Life slapped me across the face so bad it sent me reeling for the ropes. I was down for the count, but through sheer heart and prayer, and a strong corner and coach, I got up again. Now I am humbled. I accept certain limitations, and who I am. I am thankful for everything and everyone who I came across through my journey called life.

I have never re-arranged my room on my own. I always had someone do it for me, or had the help do it on their own with my mom. This month, I decided to change things up. I took the initiative to fix my room. I saw it as a transformation. I saw it as an opportunity to physically declared my emancipation from that which binds me to the past and look forward to the future.

Thank you 2009.