2008 Goalsetting

2007 was a concentration on growth. I wanted to grow further on certain areas of my life that I found essential then: career, personal, and emotions. These were the three spheres of my life that I said, "I want to improve these parts." There were some that were achieved but it also prompted for more pain than joy.

Professionally, it has been challenging yet rewarding at the same time. I have achieved the one goal that I wanted to achieve and I was also given the opportunity to work on a different market that tests your skill and will. Personally, I want to build more connections and maintain ties from the past. I found new friends who I can share my soul with and also rekindled friendships from highschool and college. Finally, I think I have resolved some of my inner demons and matured a bit to face them and put them at the back of my mind. However, new ones surface that until this moment I do not know how to answer.

For 2008, I just want to concentrate on balance. I need to make sure that my personal life and emotional well-being do not suffer because of what I want to achieve in the end professionally. I need to give more time to myself and learn to recharge when you are feeling empty. I also need to assess what are my passions and purpose to be able to give more direction in life. 2008's banner should be "work is not my life" and I should be able to balance work and life itself.

For specific targets, I need to properly invest on personal time with people I am comfortable with. Be it vacations, or finally use the leaves that have been accruing for quite some time. There is already a need to have "me" time. I should also broaden my horizon and realize that what I have right now or where I am right now is not absolute. The world is big and it can offer more opportunities that can help you grow and reach what you really want to be.

Avenue Q

I got to see Avenue Q last Saturday with no expectations. Well, I really did not know what the musical was all about in the first place so I did not know what to expect. All I knew was that it got great reviews and it's about yuppies.

There are so many interesting scenes but the one that really hit home was their number on "I Wish I Could Go Back to College". It has been one of my mantras when I first started to work and during times when I want to just throw everything in the air and give up. It was just so very reflective on your thoughts when you get out of the barriers of school and you are on your own. Also, I empathize with Kate Monster so much! Well, her take on why it sucks to be her was exactly the same reason on why I think my life sucks! Crazy! And there's her take on why "There's a Fine, Fine Line between Love And A Waste of Time."

Anyway, if you get the chance, watch it! Very realistic take on our lives and the current times. :-) Hayluvet!

Surviving My First Week in Puerto Rico

I am still alive and kicking after one week of BAT here in Puerto Rico. Many things have happened that are truly exciting but there are also some things that are just forgettable.

Let me start on the ride going to Puerto Rico. Carina (aka AR) and I had to stay for a night in Cincinnati so Sunday was our travel date to Puerto Rico. It was quite early and siyempre, I was still a bit bangag especially with 2C weather diba?! So, Cari and I were lining up Starbucks and I noticed this guy...
RF: AR, kilala ko ito. (I know this person).
AR: Sino siya? (Who is he?)
RF: Di ko maalala. Pero Hollywood actor siya. (I can't remember but he is a Hollywood actor.)
AR: Ows? Anong pelikula?
RF: Di ko rin maalala. 90% sure ako na siya yun. (I also can't remember. I'm 90% sure that he is that actor.)
AR: I-search mo mamaya. Mukhang Zahn ang apeliyido. (Search it later. It seems that his surname is Zahn.)
Note: ZAHN was written on his bag.
After a few minutes...
RF: AR, 100% sure ako na siya talaga yun. Promise. (AR, I'm 100% sure that it's him. Promise!)

So after getting a quick breakfast, we got settled in the gate for our Atlanta flight. I opened my laptop hurriedly and googled Zahn. Lo and behold, Steve Zahn appears and it's the exact guy!!! I can't believe I've met a Hollywood actor in a Starbucks queue in CVG airport! Coooool!

That's just before getting in Puerto Rico. The whole week was spent working from 9 AM until 8 PM. The time is shorter by an hour but it's not as depressing as our SIT. However. We still had to work yesterday -- a Saturday. Pfft. The exciting part was last night when we ate at this Peruvian restaurant. My gosh!!! I was sooooooo red because I drank this Peruvian drink that is similar to the mojito. I am sure na super daming pictures na super pula ng face ko. KADIRI. To make it worse, since tinungga ko yun, my tummy was doing acrobatics and my mental faculties was just whacked! I still hold na hindi ako lasing. I was just tipsy. Ang daming quotable quotes na naman. Blech.

Then today, Diane and I went out to walk around Viejo San Juan. It was tiring but it was so much fun as well. When we reached El Morro, ich war kaput! Haha!

Tomorrow, there's work again. Sighs. Siguro I should just look at the bright side -- 2 more weeks and I am back in the Philippines! I'll get to see the people I miss and enjoy life again with no pressure. I think I'll be back here in this side of the world by early January but I will see depending on Jose.