Last year was a sucky year for me but I choose to look back at the euphoric (here we go again of my over-usage of this word hahaha) days with my super family and real friends. I quote from my sister, bad decisions make good stories. Still, it is so nice to look back at the photos that made all the difference. I did this polaroid project over the holidays in exchange of my sleep and sometimes eating time. I tried remembering and organizing the events and memories as humanly as possible. You can freely click the links and it’ll redirect you to the main story. You can also click the photo itself to make it appear bigger. This time, i’ll let my pictures do the talking (although i can’t help but say a few nonsense notes about each month). I tell you, this project not easy (because nothing worth it in life is easy ha! a moral lesson found hahaha). And after wading through thousands of pictures and spending too much time editing and layouting, here it goes:

JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011

My family celebrated the New Year in our home but we miss doing it at our grandparents’ house. These are also the months of my last academic in college. My girl friends and i played Wii for endless of hours during Valentine’s day. We also had our emotional graduation photo shoot and my face looked like a cement (haha). My friend and i attended the car show in Tagaytay Highlands and surprisingly my cousin was the head of it. It was rather funny when i tried the boxing as well. I, together with the Catalyst, joined the photography division for the Campus Journalism Awards held in La Salle Manila. It was also the first time Typhoons joined the New Year’s League. Though the both competitions didn’t bring home the bacon, we had a pretty good time knowing that there are still more to learn.

January and February taught me to make the most out of any moment by being grateful and by seizing the day as if it’s your last.

MARCH 2011

I was already part of our frisbee varsity team, Typhoons, and though i admit i didn’t become any better in that sport, it’s kind of nice to be part of something big. We’ve always had spontaneous movie marathons and endless food trips. I also watched my friends play in the bandfest and i remember i had chocolate vodka afterwards. Praisefest, organized by Youth For Christ, happened that month. My sister won the presidential elections by a landslide (i think she’ll implement the eat-all-you-can at the cafeteria and the don’t take a bath school policy haha)! And it was my long-awaited defense day for my manuscript paper about my internship a term ago.

March taught me that you need courage to follow your heart not just by going against the stream of what other people think but by fighting for what it’s worth.

APRIL 2011

This month is one of the happiest because i felt a lot of things that i kept written on my paperback journal (please don’t read my previous blog entries about last summer haha). I also won Blogger of the Year from De La Salle’s CSC College Ball Awards and it felt good to be able to know that you were able to make a change and inspire people. Luckily, I was able to hear Bruno Mars and The Script play live in Manila.

April taught me that your actions and decisions affect other people.

MAY 2011

It was my family’s second time to visit Boracay islands and we had so much fun with the food, frisbee, white sand, sunny umm? the sun, clear waters, feel-good music, stories, laughters and everything in between! It was mom’s birthday too. DLSCAA Typhoons conducted its discfest at our very own sunset field and it was a blast playing hat tournament from different teams in different universities.

May taught me that your family is the only permanent thing in the world and they are the first or the only ones who’ll be there for you at your worst. God will never give you a test you can’t surpass so He is the best person to hold on to.

JUNE 2011

This month is full of celebration! I finally graduated from college and it was also my sister’s 18th birthday. We planned her two surprises and the first one was a failure haha. It was also De La Salle’s 100th year in the Philippines and we are the batch of centennial graduates. Our team Typhoons also played in Manila Polo Club. We were drinking our hearts out and eating at the middle of the night. It was also the Nestlé’s (dad’s workplace) 100th year.

June taught me that neither alcohol, blame nor regret will save you. Understanding and acceptance are the important things that will help you let go and move on.

JULY 2011

This month, it was the end of the Typhoons’ summer league and my sister was the golden goal (i’m a proud sister again)! The Philippine Ultimate Association held a party and we danced until the wee hours of the morning. The college varsity also played at UFC in UP and we cheered for them as we eat by the streets. It was DLSC’s foundation and it was so cool to ignite the paper lanterns and watch them float in the dark velvet sky. My friends and i tried the chicken-all-you-can and we swore to never eat any piece of chicken afterwards. It is the start of my job hunting and job interviews that time. And to end the month, my sister had a debut at Alabang and i successfully surprised her with my amazing program.

July taught me that you have to forgive (even the people you love most make mistakes) because if you can’t forgive them for not being perfect then you are going to end up alone. Plus i’ve learned these.

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2011

This month is full of well, uh food. We did nothing but eat. We also supported Lucid at the Skechers street dance battle tour. My close friend, Catherine, and i did a photoshoot for fun too. I’ve also been in a constant rejection of job applications in those months and i still didn’t know what to do with my life after everything falling apart.

August and September taught me that you have to keep trying even though you have failed or have been hurt. Life goes on and it doesn’t stop for anyone.

OCTOBER 2011

This month is full of adventure! I’ve had sleepover, beach trip, road trip, food trip, birthday celebration and farewell party. And it was the start of me looking like ugly betty, aka having my braces on.

October taught me that you have to stand up for the right reasons before it’s too late and lying, especially to yourself, will only make things worse.

NOVEMBER 2011

This month is when i finally landed on my dream job, or rather the magazine industry. I learned how to commute for hours just by going to work and to my home. I sadly said goodbye to my frizzy hair and bare face. I was able to meet new people and experience new things. It was Meg’s Up and Coming party series for the whole november featuring people such as fashion designers and fashion bloggers. It’s a bit fulfilling to feel that step-by-step i am actually doing something right. It was also dad’s birthday by the way.

November taught me that dreams do come true and you have to work harder but be humble in every milestone.

DECEMBER 2011

This last month of the year, you can see that i repeatedly wore my favorite maxi skirt. Shame. Haha! I get to be part of the Bloggers United 2 and it was my first time to attend Mega’s christmas party. This is my month because i celebrated my 21st birthday with my family and the most important of all, it’s Jesus’ birthday. We’ve had festive and meaningful Christmas celebrations with families, friends and relatives. And just yesterday, as we were about to welcome the year, we’ve got a new puppy!

December taught me about happiness and that no matter what curveballs were thrown at you, it all comes down on being braver and being stronger.

Two thousand and eleven taught me well (still there are so much more to learn) and i hope 2012 will be a lot better and happier. Happy new year!