2010: The Year I Grew Up

To say that 2010 was an eventful year for me is an understatement. I had to go through so many emotional and physical hurdles that tested my strength and sanity to the limits, challenges that I continue to face till this very day. I've heard a lot of people say that 2010 was a better year than 2009. It was a good year but a stressful one daw. I can definitely attest to that. It's the year that I was forced to really stand up on my own, watch over myself and just deal with things without having to rely so heavily on other people anymore. It marked the beginning of adulthood for me. Though I'll ways be a kid at heart I feel, I know I no longer am one.

So here's a rundown of the highlights and lowlights of my year in no particular order. Each item on this list contributed to pushing me in becoming a stronger, better person, some directly and some indirectly.

1. After taking months of hiatus from work to spend time with my family, I went back into advertising. I joined OgilvyOne, the digital arm of Ogilvy & Mather with no formal background in digital marketing. I was forced to hit the ground running, learning things on my own (and learning it fast) and working mostly on my own too. It took awhile for me to get used to becoming a full fledged Accounts person, a position that I spent several of my first weeks questioning if I was even suited for it. 10 months later, I've found my groove in the agency, made enough friends and gotten by so far so good. Learning A LOT too.

Two realizations so far: 1.) I have never worked so hard in my life and 2.) The top of my head feels hot whenever I feel stressed or panic-y. Salamat sa Ogilvy for making me see that. :P 

2. I lost my amazing mom to cancer. But I couldn't have asked for a more peaceful way for her to leave us. And for the incredible support and strength that we received from God and all our loved ones in the days to follow. I thought my world would fall apart when the day would come that she'd leave us. But it didn't. God is so good. 

4. Played football for the third time in my life and fucking tore my ACL. I had to undergo surgery with my entire family abroad. Thanks to Tita Inday (my dad's sister) who accompanied me. Spent the next few weeks in a brace, limping and struggling to get around. I'm fine now even if my knee hasn't regained 100% of its strength yet. 

5. Started Laking Aircon Nights, a monthly advertising party with my two best friends in Ogilvy--James and Jason. It came about because we had nothing else better to do and just grew to be this awesome get together with all my closest friends from the industry each month. It eventually gained so much popularity that other bars have asked me to bring LA Nights to them too. And people actually come up to me and thank me for putting together these events. Sweet. 

6. My writing career took off. Well, not in the sense that I became the most in-demand writer in town. But I did get so many job offers for writing gigs. I was actually getting paid good money for various projects left and right. This was the reason photography took a backseat. I simply didn't have time to shoot anymore. :(

7. My sisters and I have gotten to be closer than ever. With mom gone, we only have one another to turn to now. People marvel at how well we get along and I can only attribute that to how my parents raised us. I'm especially grateful for my two older siblings Fran and Lillian who have taken charge of the more serious matters in the family. I wouldn't know what to do without them. 

8. Two of my best friends moved away--one to Bacolod and the other to Italy. I miss them a whole lot. 

9.  I found myself going home to Iloilo more often. I've rediscovered my love for the city, including Guimaras. I want to be able to contribute to both places in the same way my mom has. I'm just not sure yet what. But perhaps tourism is the easiest way for me to help. 

10. I discovered that my being strong isn't just a fluke. It's because I know I am and I work hard at it.

It wasn't an easy year for me, I tell ya. But I survived it and I'm ready to keep on going!

Here's to a brighter 2011 for everyone! May we all reach our dreams, goals and have a life full of incredible love and laughter! 

2010: The Year I Grew Up