Two Thousand Eleven (2011)

I started 2011 without any great expectations. I know its my silver year and I was somehow hoping that something good will happen in my life but never have I imagined that my 2011 will be this colorful. 2011 is one of the best years of my life and a milestone if I may say.

I have learned and experienced a lot of new things that I couldn't even believe would happen to me. My 2011 is categorized in four milestones.

1. Weight Loss. When our CEO reached out to help me, I unwaveringly said YES. It was a chance of lifetime for me -- to use a weight loss program of a famous French doctor and for a personal dietitian to follow me. I wasn't sure though back then if I will succeed this challenge. Go with the flow lang ako at first. But then, I religiously followed the program eventually kasi nahihiya naman ako na hindi ako mag-uumeffort samantalang CEO na nga yung lumapit sa 'kin. I poured out all my energy and discipline just to curb my appetite. Di ko lubos maisip kung paano ko nagawang hindi kumain ng kanin sa bawat tanghalian at hapunan ko. But I amazingly did it. Now, I have lost 60 pounds in about seven months. It feels so surreal that I have reached this point and I feel absolutely greaaaaaaaat!

Now, I actually believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe I didn't get the job offer in my dream company early this year for a purpose. I needed to stay at Anxa to live a healthy life. Moreover, I didn't only lose weight but I also gained the lost respect and confidence in myself and I thank Anxa with all my heart for that.

2. Love. Before 2011 sets in, my mind is already settled that I will never experience love, romantically speaking. I am already imagining an old maid's life and all I wanted was for my sister to get married so that my parents can play with their own grandchildren. But, indeed, love comes when you least expect it. And when it does, it will surely shake your world, especially for someone like me who haven't had any relationship in the past.

It is a one-sided love. Despite this, I am still thankful because the relationship I have with him taught and made me experience a lot of things (and emotions) in life. Samu't saring klase ng emosyon na ngayon ko lang talaga naramdaman. Teaching me how to be courageous, how to express my feelings, how to be sweet, how to care for someone, and how to show my love are just some of the several things I learned in falling in love. I didn't know I can do these. Di pa ako nag-a-all out sa kanya ng sobra dahil hindi naman kami, pero at least I know that I am capable of doing these things. How lame can I be? 25 na ako bago ko naexperience 'to? Haha! Iba rin pala talaga yung happy feeling na nadudulot kapag inlove ka. Iba rin naman yung lungkot na mararamdaman mo kapag nasaktan ka sa pag-ibig. Sabi nga nila, only the person you love can give you the happiest and saddest moments in your life. Amen.

3. Career Development. My immediate boss had her maternity leave and since I was the senior in the team. I became the Officer-in-charge of the StatsLab. It was a really overwhelming position. I have to do meetings with the CEO and somehow be the "leader" of the team. I was not a born leader. So making decisions for the team is a hard feat for me especially when others will be at stake. Anyway, I have no choice. The responsibility was left to me. For the first few weeks, my heart always skips a beat whenever I have the weekly meetings with the CEO. Eventually (with lots of prayer involved), I managed to face my fear (or at least lessen it). I was able to cope with the stress and workload in time. I learned to somehow take the lead and be responsible for the actions and decisions I am making.

4. Personality Development. I have acquired various traits during my weight loss, while being in love, and in my career development that helped me to become a more well-rounded person. Discipline and being confident are the two major traits I've gained. It may be simple but to me their impact is enormous. Nabawasan ang pagiging mahiyain ko at mas nakakapaglabas ako ng tunay kong nararamdaman. I've always been an introvert so now at least my hard outer shell is cracked already.

2011 had been really great for me. My utmost and sincerest thank you to all the people I've shared my 2011 with. You were all awesome! I still do hope to spend my 2012 with you :)

My journey in these milestones will be continued in 2012. I just hope 2012 will be even a greater year or at par with the passing year.

Happy New Year!