Nevertheless, such is life, and all that is left for us to do is move forward, eyes bright and ready for the future, with only our memories as a reminder of time that has gone by. So while we may end another important chapter in the story of our lives, we bring forth with us experience that couldn't have been taught to us by even the greatest minds.
With that said, I'd like to share with you memories of how I spent my 2009 as I close that book and face 2010 with renewed vigor and strength:
Ate Iyay, Ate Blu, Ate Jill, and I welcoming 2009 @ Home.
All bundled up for the cold weather @ higher ground.
Ate Blu & I on our way home from ate Jill's bday dinner.
On my way to Singapore to visit Ate Mai, Tuts, and Ally.
Touchdown!
Reunited @ Singapore soil. Ate Iyay, Ate Mai, Ally, and myself.
Random shot of us during our arrival day @ Singapore
Quite an emotional first day. He he he!
Bgy. Pamandanan sans Kuya Jap (who was taking the photo), Mum, Dad and ate Jill who were unable to come.
Got sick during my stay but battled on!
Back home @ the country club.
Acting all silly at one of my favorite places in the world - the bookstore!
Reuniting with old friends (=
Celebrating dad's birthday @ Astoria.
Posing all funny with none other than Drei, ate Iyay, and Ally!
Goofing around while shopping!
With ate Mai. (:
My mini-me, Allyson, and I while looking for books to purchase!
Ally and 2 of her titas/ aunts: Ate Jill and myself.
Fastfood for breakfast.
The girls (Mack, Joane, Gaia) and I outside the chapel for Rior's wedding.
Waiting to shower the newlyweds w/ petals!
The bestfriend and I on a coffee fix.
Celebrated my birthday w/ a few chosen loved ones @ Baguio!
MAFIA; A fun game of lies & deceit!
Bedroom makeover.
Earl and I being random.
A failed attempt at looking seductive.
On the airport heading to Bora!
Waiting to board...
Checking in at our lovely hotel, the 2 seasons.
Soaking in the sun w/ ate Iyay.
Happy birthday, Miggy!
Captain Awesome and I (:
FRIENDS and I doing all that we can during the aftermath of Ondoy
Relief goods to help tide over the victims.
Who says helping out is a chore?
Met new friends. (:
And retained some old ones. Mack and I having dinner at Claw daddy.
Drei's wicked Halloween birthday!
The best people you will EVER meet!
13 years of friendship.
The Pamandanan kids sans ate Mai.
The mommas and their babies.
Photoshoot w/ one of my favorite people ever! Mack and I being all boho.
Right before going back to help facilitate an event.
Socialized w/ new friends.
Watched my mum perform!
Family first, as always. (:
Working at the ad congress w/ ate Jill.
Being silly w/ ate Iyay.
Waiting for ate Mai and Ally to arrive.
With dad and kuya Jap.
Ah, my darling girl. (:
Kuya Jap trying to commit sororicide.
Meeting @ my aunt's.
Ate Trina's birthday celebration.
Zara's birthday.
Family portrait during Ally's surprise birthday party!
Soph, Mack and I @ Regina's birthday.
Tuff & twisted (:
December bash! Raia, kuya Jap, Mack, Benjo and yours truly.
Christmas w/ the Martinez cousins!
Christmas Eve '09
Mum and I, Christmas day.
'Cause we're big fans of glee!
Christmas dinner
Siblings!!!
Although it pains me to say it, as 2009 has been relatively good to me, I bid it adieu -- with a lump in my throat and a tear threatening to fall from my eye. I say goodbye with fond recollections and happy "in hindsights". As I wave from where I stand, like a mother cheering on her child who is about to venture out into the real world for the first time, I feel both happiness and anguish. Happiness for all that have gone past, and anguish for all that might have come. In retrospect, the year I thought might be cruel, has been lovely. What a pleasant surprise.
"I’ve had to say goodbye more times than I would have liked, but everyone can say that. No matter how many times we do it, even when it’s for the greater good, it still stings. And though we’ll never forget what we’ve given up, we owe it to ourselves to keep moving forward. What we can’t do is live our lives always afraid of our next goodbye, because chances are they aren’t going to stop. The trick is to recognize when a goodbye can be a good thing, when it’s a chance to start again."
- Betty Suarez
I couldn't have said it better myself.
2010, I'm ready for you.
All my love,
Essa.
