The Year That Was... 2008
How was your Medya Noche? Did you spend the New Year countdown at home with family or out with friends or at the office with co-workers? Whatever way, I hope all of you all had an amazing celebration :) Now, as I just checked my Bonjour Paris 2008 planner, looked back on the year that just passed - i think I made it a very colorful one like the pictures in my planner.
2008 had been good to me. Utterly Blessed! Blessed! Blessed!
The best thing that happened to me this year is being able to attain my dreams. It was the most unexpected birthday present of being given the assignment to work for 12 months in Netherlands for our DTA team. Working abroad is gives a different feeling of fulfillment - the experience it gave for my job. 6 months has passed; and now for another 6 months (extension? no one knows)... Living far away from home is difficult. Doing household chores and warming from the cold are both tiring and exhausting, but battling homesickness is another heartbreaking drama. Having MM (Manila Mafia) with me in NL is such a gift. We only have each other in that foreign land and I'm really thankful to the Lord for giving them to me. I learned so much from them. They are my family in Utrecht. Let's see each other again in a few days! ;) Also meeting new friends and colleagues of different nationalities really helped me in my confidence to build rapport and connection to other people, the Dutch, Italians, Aussies, Scots, Indians, Americans and many more. We'll be back in a few days in Netherlands to start working again. My dream for 2009 is to see Dutch Tax Authority Belastingdienst ETM Project to Go Live!
More so, 2008 had been great for me in terms of my passion for traveling. I've seen so many different places, different culture and different walks of life by going to all these countries. Japan, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Czech Republic, and Spain.
Going to Japan was such a surreal experience. Until today, I still can't believe that I have actually really really been there. Having the chance of going to Japan to watch Tohoshinki at their best, in live concerts for [T]; Not many Filipinos had the chance to watch this live, so indeed I was very grateful to see it with Meli (also with Tin). Seeing the boys again, my heart flutters. Also, the chance also to tour around Tokyo, Nagoya and Sendai; Seeing the Cherry blossoms, Tokyo Tower, temples and Tokyo lights had been a dream come true. It's Forever Love baby. Forever. Itsumademo.
Working in a country covered by Schengen Union gave me the chance to explore other nearby European countries too. I've only dreamed of being able to see these places in Europe, a really far-fetched dream and I am so thankful that it has been fulfilled.
All the countries has their charm. Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and Prague have the Old Europe appeal. Spain greatly reminds me of home with the food and Old Manila feel. But France,... Paris. oh oh oh. My heart burns with just the thought of Paris. (there's a Bonjour Paris trip entry in my Bonjour Paris 2008 planner, how cool iz that?) ♥ And we're hoping to cover more grounds as we go back there for 2009.
2008 also gave me my share of grief with the passing of my most beloved grandfather. I miss you lolo. Sometimes I think about him and I feel sad that I can't see him anymore and I can't share with him all my triumps. Like my lola that is very exultant when I talk about my trips, I'm sure lolo listens too. He is my guardian angel always beside me, taking care of me, like when I was still a baby wanting to explore, running full speed, aiming to reach and experience new things. I know he is with the Lord now, on a much better plain, and I will always think about him and pray for him.
Meeting new friends, renewing old ones, enflaming current ones. My second family, my friends. I wouldn't name all because that is impossible. I would never be able to count all our meet-ups, discussions, getting-to-knows and a few misunderstandings, but all of these has helped me grow somemore as an individual understanding the importance of forging friendships that hopefully will last althroughout this lifetime. :) Thank You. I Love You. <3
As I was watching the fireworks lighting up the sky (and lighting up the television), with my celebratory trumpet, I felt goosebumps. it never happened to me before. Looking back at all that has happened, It's unbelievable. and now it's time to make new dreams and to never stop believing and to say with conviction that with the help of the Lord, my family, friends and my own hard work that I can achieve it. :-)
HAPPY NEW YEAR Everyone! :D More Blessings for all of us in 2009!
2008 had been good to me. Utterly Blessed! Blessed! Blessed!
The best thing that happened to me this year is being able to attain my dreams. It was the most unexpected birthday present of being given the assignment to work for 12 months in Netherlands for our DTA team. Working abroad is gives a different feeling of fulfillment - the experience it gave for my job. 6 months has passed; and now for another 6 months (extension? no one knows)... Living far away from home is difficult. Doing household chores and warming from the cold are both tiring and exhausting, but battling homesickness is another heartbreaking drama. Having MM (Manila Mafia) with me in NL is such a gift. We only have each other in that foreign land and I'm really thankful to the Lord for giving them to me. I learned so much from them. They are my family in Utrecht. Let's see each other again in a few days! ;) Also meeting new friends and colleagues of different nationalities really helped me in my confidence to build rapport and connection to other people, the Dutch, Italians, Aussies, Scots, Indians, Americans and many more. We'll be back in a few days in Netherlands to start working again. My dream for 2009 is to see Dutch Tax Authority Belastingdienst ETM Project to Go Live!
More so, 2008 had been great for me in terms of my passion for traveling. I've seen so many different places, different culture and different walks of life by going to all these countries. Japan, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Czech Republic, and Spain.
Going to Japan was such a surreal experience. Until today, I still can't believe that I have actually really really been there. Having the chance of going to Japan to watch Tohoshinki at their best, in live concerts for [T]; Not many Filipinos had the chance to watch this live, so indeed I was very grateful to see it with Meli (also with Tin). Seeing the boys again, my heart flutters. Also, the chance also to tour around Tokyo, Nagoya and Sendai; Seeing the Cherry blossoms, Tokyo Tower, temples and Tokyo lights had been a dream come true. It's Forever Love baby. Forever. Itsumademo.
Working in a country covered by Schengen Union gave me the chance to explore other nearby European countries too. I've only dreamed of being able to see these places in Europe, a really far-fetched dream and I am so thankful that it has been fulfilled.
All the countries has their charm. Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and Prague have the Old Europe appeal. Spain greatly reminds me of home with the food and Old Manila feel. But France,... Paris. oh oh oh. My heart burns with just the thought of Paris. (there's a Bonjour Paris trip entry in my Bonjour Paris 2008 planner, how cool iz that?) ♥ And we're hoping to cover more grounds as we go back there for 2009.
2008 also gave me my share of grief with the passing of my most beloved grandfather. I miss you lolo. Sometimes I think about him and I feel sad that I can't see him anymore and I can't share with him all my triumps. Like my lola that is very exultant when I talk about my trips, I'm sure lolo listens too. He is my guardian angel always beside me, taking care of me, like when I was still a baby wanting to explore, running full speed, aiming to reach and experience new things. I know he is with the Lord now, on a much better plain, and I will always think about him and pray for him.
Meeting new friends, renewing old ones, enflaming current ones. My second family, my friends. I wouldn't name all because that is impossible. I would never be able to count all our meet-ups, discussions, getting-to-knows and a few misunderstandings, but all of these has helped me grow somemore as an individual understanding the importance of forging friendships that hopefully will last althroughout this lifetime. :) Thank You. I Love You. <3
As I was watching the fireworks lighting up the sky (and lighting up the television), with my celebratory trumpet, I felt goosebumps. it never happened to me before. Looking back at all that has happened, It's unbelievable. and now it's time to make new dreams and to never stop believing and to say with conviction that with the help of the Lord, my family, friends and my own hard work that I can achieve it. :-)
HAPPY NEW YEAR Everyone! :D More Blessings for all of us in 2009!