Calaidescope World

The Year That Was

So here I am again at the start of a new year. Bianca sent me a beautiful Neil Gaiman quote to ring in the new year and I sent it to most of my friends via text on the first of January. It went, "May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art - write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself." You can just imagine the sudden boost in my self-esteem when one my good friends texted back saying he owed me a kiss (Yehey! Someone thinks I'm wonderful! Hahaha!).

Ma-an had a wonderful reply to my borrowed greeting: "...I'd like to wish you the same thing I wished for myself...To surround yourself with people who will NEVER let you lose your sense of awe and wonder, and who will refresh your childlike spirit." That sounds like all my friends! It's going to be a very sociable year, huh?

This post was inspired by Bianca, Alia, and Jay I. last year, and I’ve revived it thinking it’s an ok “review” of my 2006. Thank you so much for being a part of it. I wish you will all look back on 2006 with fond memories and will look forward to 2007 with hope.

What is/are the best thing/s you did in 2006?
I joined Chevron in February (it continues to be rewarding and very humbling) and started swimming almost every weekend (I'm not any slimmer, but I have a beautiful, perpetual tan).

What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
A lot of it is work-related, and I don’t want to bore you…. However, I did enjoy the 2 singles dinners that JR and Marian organized. I have more drinking buddies now!

I also got additional ear piercings, so I finally have 5 holes instead of the usual 2 (something I've wanted since High School). I'd never worn a cast before 2006 either, but never wanted one! I feel like I've gone through some adolescent rite of passage (you know, braces, cast,...). Tattoo nalang!

I got to sing with a band. Ok, it was just Benjor on bass, Gabby on guitar and Gars on the kahon, but we all know I can't sing to save my life (I don't know why Gabby is so encouraging, but he is sweet that way). Hell, Benjor's voice is higher than mine and has a wider range. Thank God, it didn't rain and the only other person who knew it was me singing was Rosabel. I enjoyed it because it was just, you know, us, being goofy. Gabby taught me how to play the kahon. Benjor and Gabby also taught me how to play the bass, so we did Creep.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
My former officemate, Arlene, had a beautiful baby girl. Eileen finally had a baby boy.

Did anyone close to you die?
I wasn’t *that* close to Tita Claire, but she was one of my second mothers, if you know what I mean. I guess you have to had grown up with my friends and their families to understand why we are the way we are and are so affected by what happens to any of us.

Bro. Rafe passed away, too, and although we weren't close, I felt that he was a great loss to the La Sallian community. It worries me that Bro. Felix will be next and just the thought of it almost makes me cry.

Max Soliven. I never met the man, but I loved reading his editorials in The Philippine Star.

What country/ies did you visit?
Singapore…thrice! How boring is that? Although I had a lot of fun with Rit-rit, Mia, Jolee, Geia, Jeric and Melisse on my last trip in November. We ate (good God, black pepper crab! Yummy!), we shopped, we partied. I can't wait to head back to the Ministry of Sound in Clark Quay this year after another week of being locked up in the office for salary structure development!

Singapore is not for the disabled, believe me. But I so love flying business class on Singapore Airlines. That was probably the best thing that happened to me while I was in a cast.

Thanks to the World Cup coverage and all those Discovery Channel and National Geographic specials, I feel like I've been to Germany. By the way, "National Geographic" has a whole new meaning for JR, Marian and I now. Heeheehee.

What are the best place/s you visited in 2006?
You know, there’s something about Davao…I'm going back this March for work, and I hope I find the time to explore it. Almost everyone I know who has been there loves it, and some who were assigned there decided to move to Davao permanently (Dexter is the exception). I'm intrigued. JR and Marian just spent a few days there after Christmas and came back raving about it.

What is/are the best meal/s you had in 2006?
Davao lechon at JR’s parents’ house last Friday. Oh. My. God. And the Italian dinner that Tito Masa made on my birthday. The best! I can't get over it! Of course, my turkey (with 2 kinds of stuffing) and baked lamb chops came out well this year, too. I am my father's daughter! Ha!

What is/are the best drink/s you had in 2006?
Lambrusco, I think it’s called. It’s a sweet red Italian wine (I normally like dry reds). Very good.

What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Last year I asked for time and money. I’m happy to report that I got both (I actually have savings! Yippee!). However, given my steep learning curve on my new job, I need to manage my time better...and safer! I missed 3 Search-In retreats and quite a number of nights out because of work and my stupid injury.

What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Nothing comes to mind except those that are work-related (Watson Wyatt despedida, last day of work, first day of work, first union meeting, first CBA signing,...). Sorry. Well, Milenyo was "memorable". Oh, and I think I saw The Benchmark while I was partying in 54.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I survived 10 months in line management! Woohoo! I also love it that Layla is attached to her doll, Jack (as in Jack the Pumpkin King from A Nightmare Before Christmas. I gave it to her for Christmas in 2005), and that she and Max are now friends (sort of). Organizing Marian's bridal shower. That was fun! Here's the greatest achievement of all: I stopped smoking in late August and have not even had a puff since then.

What was your biggest failure?
Again, it really has a lot to do with time management. I know I'm BETTER than this!

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes, and how! Torn ligaments on my left ankle resulting in a cast I had to wear for 2 months. Possible torn ligaments on my right knee from playing badminton after Christmas (I'm having it checked by a sports medicine specialist/orthopedic surgeon tomorrow). My allergies seem to be back with a vengeance, too.

What was/were the best thing/s you bought?
At last, I have an original DVD of Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume Two (something I wanted for Christmas back in 2005) and I got Camelot for my Mom this Christmas (love that movie!). I also found a Boba Fett action figure (without packaging) for only SGD15! The saleslady in the toy specialty shop didn't even know who he was! So I now have Asajj Ventress Unleashed (thanks to Roman), Boba Fett, and General Grevious (still in the box). Beautiful! And Luke (my car) finally has a CD player (I can hear Gabby saying, "iPod! Get an iPod! What's wrong with you?!").

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Last year, I mentioned Bono. I think that people like him, Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffet, Angelina Jolie and the like inspire much hope and much willingness for others to bring relief to those who have nothing. Like my friend Jen. She is a very generous soul (you can't tell because she looks so masungit). I continue to visit and make donations to St. Rita's Orphanage because of her example.

And there are other people who I actually know who quietly inspire. My Mom is grace under pressure. Tito Masa is the embodiment of patience. Gabby's success at work and his everyman persona is enviable in that I wish I could be as down-to-earth, and nice and friendly to everyone I meet as he is (if you know about his work, you will understand what I mean). Andy's Mom. She's blind and is always smiling. She inspires by being so positive about everything. Andaya who always ensures I explore every angle. Gars. It takes a lot of guts to pack up and go on an adventure. Hans, who I hardly saw this year, is surprisingly a constant reminder of how I should appreciate my family and friends.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I had 5 on my list last year. 2 of them are still on it. And then there's Zidane. I'm still disappointed about that headbutt.

And I just realized...shouldn't this question read "Whose behavior appalled you and/or made you depressed?" or "Whose behavior appalled and depressed you?". Marian, help....

Where did most of your money go?
As usual, to Max and Luke. Also to paying off a lot of old debts.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My new job and the World Cup.

What song/s will always remind you of 2006?
Fake Tales of San Francisco by the Arctic Monkeys (thanks, Gab!), the soundtrack of High School Musical (I can't escape it!), and Shall We Dance? from The King and I and The Nutcracker Suite (both because of Layla).

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or more sad? – As you can see, I have corrected this item (last year, it said "happier or sadder"). I’m much happier now. Thank you very much.
ii. thinner or fatter? – Fatter! Much fatter!
iii. richer or poorer? – Better off than before.

What do you wish you'd done more?
"...done more of"? Same as last year: attended more Search-In Alabang retreats, some work-related stuff that I can't explain, and worked on my photography skills. I also wish I was able to take and pass a World at Work exam (I have 3 more to go towards becoming a Certified Compensation Professional), and spent more time seriously studying Spanish.

How many one-night stands?
How I wish! Hahaha!

What was/were your favorite TV program/s?
I’m still hooked on House, M.D. and CSI. I got caught up in Philippine Idol until Drae was voted off. I do not understand the appeal of Grey’s Anatomy. I'm lost with Lost. I continue to enjoy The Amazing Race Asia.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope. Well, ok. Zidane?!?!! The Brazilian football team??!!!?!

What was the best book you read?
Berlitz's Hide This Spanish Book and Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
The playlists on Gabby's iPod!

What did you want and get?
Work-life balance. Corny ba? But Gabby, Rosabel, Benjor, Joby and Anna I. appreciate it.

What was/were the best movie/s you saw in 2006?
Surprisingly, I didn’t see a lot of movies in 2006. I loved Cars, I really enjoyed Happy Feet, and I liked Casino Royale. I was pleasantly surprised by Superman Returns (it was worth the long, painful climb up the Greenbelt 3 cinema steps in a cast and with crutches, but Batman Begins is still my favorite superhero film), Shatterd Glass (which I saw on cable. Hayden Christensen is an under-rated actor who was unfortunately horribly directed by George Lucas in Star Wars), and The Devil Wears Prada (it was so much better than the book). Inside Man was good, too, but not half as great as The Usual Suspects. Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest and X-Men: The Last Stand were entertaining as well (could have been better, though). The Da Vinci Code was forgetable. I can't believe Bianca and I re-read the book and lined up for that. All the controversy surrounding it was a bunch of crap. Now I'm trying to remember if I saw The Chronicles of Narnia, Memoirs of a Geisha and Fearless (Jet Li) in 2005 or 2006. I liked those, too.

The one and only play I saw in 2006 was hilaroius and absolutely worth the long and confusing drive to Mordor with Bianca: Zsa-Zsa Zaturna: Ze Muzical starring Eula Valdez. I want to see it again. I haven't seen the movie version (with Rustom Padilla, Zsa-Zsa Padilla and Pops Fernandez).

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I had a small, simple family dinner (thank you, Tito Masa!). I called off the actual party on account of Tita Claire. I love that woman. It was the least I could do to show some respect. How old was I? Guess.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It's work-related and, again, hard to explain. Getting back into shape would have been good, too. Stupid cast. Brazil winning the World Cup?!?!!!

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Corporate goth chic? Oh, and I know how to put on make-up now. Surprise!

What kept you sane?
The usual - coffee, cigarettes (up until August), alcohol, Max, some friends, and memories of how much harder and more tiring my old job was. I've got fun officemates, thank God. My seatmates, Marife and Andy, are particularly entertaining.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I miss Marty Casey....

What political issue stirred you the most?
Although not necessarily political, Pope Benedict's speech in Germany.

Who did you miss?
I actually miss Miggy (awww...) because I spent most of the last 10 years having coffee and smokes with him 2 to 3 times a day and discussing comp/ben issues like salary increase trends, salary structures, hiring rates, benefits changes. And I miss his insights on OD issues. Yes, we're HR geeks. No one here reacted when I cheered, "Oh my God, my r-squared is 0.96!"

I miss Celso, Sobee, Eric and Angel, JM, Ate Kat, Jun, Hans, Jeanne and Carlo, Roman, Drew, the Munchkins, the Bangkokians, my old officemates (they made such a beautiful scrapbook for me),...all for obvious reasons.

Who was/were the best new person/people you met?
My new officemates!

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
Aside from the fact that I move better in the water than I do on land? Again, at the end of the day, even if others say that the only person I can totally trust is myself, my family and friends will always have my back. And I've got theirs. It's a recurring lesson, I suppose.

I also learned that I could be both indispensible and easily replaceable at the same time. Nanette was right when she said Watson Wyatt was graduate school, and that line HR was the real world. I never thought I'd have to fight for my corporate life like this.

And there was something that Andy told me about the nature of God and acts of forgiveness. I hope to blog it one of these days.

Oh, and I learned a lot about oil and gas. Did you know that the Philippines is not yet ready for biodiesel and ethanol?

And I learned that the best players never make the best team. ARGH!!!

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
"You should have been my daughter-in-law" (said by 2 different people on completely different occasions - a chance reunion and a wake) and "You're so cute!"( in response to some quirky remark I made. No one has ever described me as "cute" before).

What else? All the good things Joji told me before I left and when we met up again after we had both been in our new jobs for a few months.

The funniest thing a few people at work have told me was that I was such a positive, happy and bubbly person. These people obviously didn't know me in my dark years....

The most touching experience you've had this year?
You're going to laugh. It was a bit of an epiphany while watching House, M.D. Anyway....

What did you like most about yourself in 2006?
I was happy. I was calm. I let go of a lot of baggage. I was able to jam with Gabby and Benjor (once with Gars, too).

What did you hate most about yourself in 2006?
I didn't get to party as hard as I did in 2005 and I missed a lot of World Cup games.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Sorry, but what comes to mind is a sad Regina Spektor song, Samson, that played on CSI: NY, "You are my sweetest downfall. I loved you first." It doesn't sum up my 2006, but it was in the middle of 2006 that I realized how far I've come, how good I've got it, and how fiercely I have to hold on to everyone and everything I fight for and love.

Was 2006 a good year for you?
YES! VERY!

What was your favorite moment of the year?
I don't think that even meeting the Fab 5 from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and writer David Sedaris combined will beat my meeting Neil Gaiman in 2005. Fernando Zobel de Ayala smiling at me on the plane in July comes really close, though. Finally walking without my crutches was a very rewarding moment, too. And getting a new head unit and front speakers (separates!) for Luke, the Geek Mobile. Hearing the Star Wars theme blasting from my car was fantastic!

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Every single day that I was in a cast and my leg itched and I couldn't scratch it. ARGH!!!

Where were you when 2006 began?
I was at home. First time in 10 years that I didn't go out on New Year's Day because Gars (my perennial party partner) was in Boracay.

Who were you with?
My family and my neurotic dog.

Where were you when 2006 ended?
I was all ready to go to Makati with Gars, made up and everything, when suddenly my sisters, my neice and I all got allergy attacks (possibly from the gunpower in the air). Alia looked like Hitch and ended up in the hospital. So after a bottle of Cabernet, 2007 started with 11 grapes (should have been 12, but one fell and Max ate it), Celestamine, several glasses of water, and Neil Gaiman's Fragile Things. I wonder what it all means...?

Who were you with when 2006 ended?
Bianca, my Mom, Tita Girlie, and Max.

Do you have a new years resolution for 2007?
I stopped making new year's resolutions, but I am determined to swim at least 1,000 meters every weekend and to train for an 8-day 120 km. trek from Leon to Santiago de Compostella in September (it will happen! I know it will! I'll make it happen!).

What was your favorite month of 2006?
December, always, even if this time I didn't get to spend the entire second half on the month on vacation leave. I will post pictures of my Black Christmas soon (rock-themed office Christmas party and my, Gabby, Gars and Andaya's gothic make up at our barkada Christmas party. Both were fun).

What was your favorite record from 2006?
It's not new, but I loved listening to this collection of Astrud Gilberto classics that came out in early 2006.

How many concerts did you see in 2006?
I didn't see any concerts, but I went to Capone's before Christmas with Gabby, Gars and Mike M. and we enjoyed Overtones' gig. The boys and I had our own concert in Gabby's music room. Just another loud Bato Party....

Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2006?
Not as much as in 2005. I tried Johnnie Walker Blue Label for the first time. Blech! Absolut Peach with Sprite is really good.

Do a lot of drugs in 2006?
Nope. I'm a good girl, I am.

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
This one morning when I parked my car like an idiot and Joby said, "What's wrong with you today? You're driving like a girl!".

How much money did you spend in 2006?
Not as much as An-an did! Hahaha!

What was your proudest moment of 2006?
Uh...my family winning second place in the Halloween costume contest? We were so cool! (Thanks again to Dexter and Nina).

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2006?
My stupid accident at the BPI ATM.

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2006 and change something, what would it be?
Hmmm...that night in Ponti...I wonder....

What are your plans for 2007?
I'm going to Spain! I will get on a train and fall in love!

How are you different now that 2006 has ended?
I'm a lot happier now that I was before.

What are your wishes for the new year?
World peace [insert award-winning capped-tooth smile here]. Thank you.

posted by Calai @ 7:46 AM