Calaidescope World

Looking Back

It’s the end of another year – a lot has happened – there is always change. Most of me feels better, some of me not at all, but there’s no such thing as a happy ending, only another beginning.

December is a good time to take stock and to reflect. It is a good time to be thankful, a good time to ask questions. Don’t let the month just fly by before you collapse over a turkey. Use the time – it’s precious.

- Jeanette Winterson, December 2005 Column on www.jeanettewinterson.com

At some point towards the end of the calendar year, Gars and I would normally review the year that has passed and see if we have achieved what we had set out to do. We didn't do that last year (i.e., December 2005. You know, a few days ago. Haha). I stopped making New Year's Resolutions because I just get disappointed in the end. So, in retrospect, this was my 2005 (thanks to Bianca, Alia, and Jay Ig for the idea):

What is/are the best thing/s you did in 2005?
Lived through Search-In Alabang's 100th retreat. Visited St Rita's Orphanage on Jen's birthday (I've been back twice since). Visited Fatherhood in Pittsburg. Spent some quality time with my youngest sister Julia. Took Jeric and Melisse up on their offer to extend my business trip to Singapore .

What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
Visited Singapore. Drove to Monterey Bay. And something that made Andaya call me long distance in the middle of the night. Hahaha!

Did anyone close to you give birth?
My sister! Gabby and Rosabel had their second baby.

Did anyone close to you die?
Millette and I weren't exactly close, but I was very affected by her passing.

What country/ies did you visit?
Singapore and the US.

What are the best place/s you visited in 2005?
Baguio - once for the heck of it and another time to attend Miggy and Tanya's wedding (I still prefer the beach). The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco - second time there. I just looooove that place. Singapore Science Centre - to check out The Art of Star Wars Exhibit =)

What is/are the best meal/s you had in 2005?
I ate a lot when I was in the US, I can tell you that, and almost everything was good. And I tried the kimchi fried rice in Kaya (Korean restuarant in Paseo Centre) - it's my new favorite semi-fastfood dish.

What is/are the best drink/s you had in 2005?
Thanks to Jerome, I "discovered" Starbucks' Sugar-Free Vanilla Soy Latte.

What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Money? Hahaha! Seriously, my answer is Time. Time to do everything I wanted to do, especially to contribute more to Search-In.

What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
There are 2, actually - when I met Neil Gaiman (9 July) and when my niece Layla was born (29 October). I love them =)

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I survived!

What was your biggest failure?
Do I really want to answer that? It really has a lot to do with time. Or lack of it. And a domino effect takes place from there.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thank God, no. I had more migraines, though.

What was/were the best thing/s you bought?
A garlic peeler (I'm serious. Ask Bianca), a Harry Potter Hogwarts scarf, and a map of Middle Earth on parchment.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
I honestly don't know. Bono's?

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The ex-girlfriend of one of my friends, the ex-boyfriend of another friend, my friend the philanderer, this guy whose manners are so lacking (to say the least) that there are days I want to hit him on the head, and a man who simply needs to grow up!

Where did most of your money go?
Max (my dog) and Luke (my car).

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Meeting Neil Gaiman, going to The Art of Star Wars Exhibit in Singapore, and Layla's arrival.

What song/s will always remind you of 2005?
"Layla" by Eric Clapton and "Govinda" by Kula Shaker.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? -- It's not "sadder". It's "more sad". Hahaha! But I'm somewhat happier. Heehee.
ii. thinner or fatter? -- Fatter. Lech!
iii. richer or poorer? -- The same.

What do you wish you'd done more?
Attended more Search-In Alabang retreats, some work-related stuff that I can't explain, and worked on my photography skills.

How many one-night stands?
Yeah, right.

What was/were your favorite TV program/s?
My favorite new progams were The Contender, Rockstar: INXS and House, M.D. I still love watching CSI. When we got "etc" on cable, I got addicted to Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope.

What was the best book you read?
"Weight" by Jeanette Winterson (many thanks to Bianca, Alia and Jay Ort).

What was your greatest musical discovery?
DRT, Franz Ferdinand, Kasabian, The Killers, The Mars Volta, Morningwood, Up Dharma Down.
What did you want and get?
A Harry Potter Hogwarts scarf. Yes, I'm THAT mababaw.

What was/were the best movie/s you saw in 2005:
Batman Begins - it was so worth my $20!
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - saw it twice.
Mean Girls - I didn't think I'd enjoy it, but I did! It was hilarious!
Sky High - big surprise! I saw it on the plane and never thought I would enjoy it - let alone finish it.
Spanglish - saw it on the plane, too. I just love Singapore Airlines.

I know there should be more, but somehow I can't remember....

Now, consequently, the worst movies I saw were:
Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros) - actually, it's a really good movie. The story is great, the casting and acting - fantastic! However, the film suffered from HORRIBLE editing. Thus, it dragged on and on and on, and I sat there waiting for all these issues to be resolved when the movie could have been scaled down to an hour)
War of the Worlds - I was just waiting for it to END!!!

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Threw a drinking party at home. Ageless.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It's work-related and, again, hard to explain.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
A wee bit dressier thanks to An-an, Andaya and Tricia's prodding. Hey, I wear heels now.

What kept you sane?
Coffee, cigarettes, red wine, and Max. Well, some of my friends helped, too.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Marty Casey!

What political issue stirred you the most?
That whole "Hello Garci" thing, the UAAP scandal and the SEA Games.

Who did you miss?
Uh...No one? I got to see my Dad, my cousins, Lorraine, Celso, Gars,.... Oh. But I didn't get to see all the Bangkokians =( Next time!

Who was/were the best new person/people you met?
Layla Ortega and Neil Gaiman.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
I can't be SuperKulot ALL of the time. At the end of the day, even if others say that the only person I can totally trust is supposedly myself, my family and friends will always have my back. And I've got theirs. Oh, and I learned that the secret to healthy skin is to moisturise, moisturise, moisturise!

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
My old busmate texted me, "Remember u r warrior princess jedi knight. all girls should be jealous of u;-)".

The most touching experience you've had this year?
Kissing Neil Gaiman? Hahaha!

What did you like most about yourself this year?
I like to think that I kept certain people from saying any more hurtful words, pulling out knives and killing each other! Also, after I did Sobee's speech for her at Miggy and Tanya's wedding, Joel said "That was scary!" because he thought Sobee was really there. I thought that was a compliment.

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
I lost some of my Fire.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Oh well do you, do you do you want to?" - Franz Ferdinand

Was 2005 a good year for you?
Overall...yes!

What was your favorite moment of the year?
Meeting Neil Gaiman. Sorry, I was just really kilig! Ask Benjor, Sid and Jay Ig.

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Haaay, too many mention!

Where were you when 2005 began?
At home...then an hour later, I was on my way to Makati.

Who were you with?
My family...then Gars...then Sobee, Martin, Eric and Angel. Then we bumped into Jemen and her friends. Then Chittina passed by. Then Patrick was there, and I met Neysa. Then....

Where will you be when 2005 ends?
I was at home. First time I didn't go out in 10 years!

Who will you be with when 2005 ends?
I was with Bianca, my Mom, Tita Girlie, and Max.

Do you have a new years resolution for 2006?
Nope. But I promised Andaya and Gars that I'd get my finances in order! Exercise?

What was your favorite month of 2005?
I always enjoy December, hands down!

What was your favorite record from 2005?
Wait...I think I set the office record for express job matching and speed comfile checking. My favorite new CDs are "Kasabian" by Kasabian and "Inner Resort: UK Dub Lounge" (some chill out compilation thingy from Singapore, like their version of Anton Ramos' "The Chill Out Project" series).

How many concerts did you see in 2005?
You know what...I don't remember. Did I see any concerts last year? I went to a lot of DRT gigs.

Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2005?
Oh yeah! First time I tried Jack Daniels. Ewww....

Do a lot of drugs in 2005?
Nope. Although technically nicotine is a drug, isn't it?

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Not really....

How much money did you spend in 2005?
A LOT!

What was your proudest moment of 2005?
I really don't know....

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2005?
Do you really think I'm going to put that online?

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2005 and change something, what would it be?
Maybe I wouldn't have kissed Neil Gaiman's cheek. Instead, I could've done a lot more damage. Hahaha!

What are your plans for 2006?
I'm saving up for another trip to the US and - finally! - a trip to Europe. We'll see....

How are you different now that the year has ended?
I can't pinpoint what it is...but I feel good!

What are your wishes for the new year?
I wish...I wish...I thank you.

posted by Calai @ 11:20 AM