What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before? Hmm.. Started with a paper/project a week in advance haha! Devoured on local exotic delicacies—tapang usa, adobong wild boar, sawa liver (I don’t want you guys to start barfing now…) . Attended my first Genrev Night. Traveled to Cebu. Joined the ITC CLO org and received my first paycheck. Shifted to a new course (I’m a proud economics major now, baby!). And… *ehem* made some shocking revelations.

Did you keep your new year's resolutions and will you make more for next year? My last year’s resolution was to be more confident and be less of a wuss. To be more assertive and to fight for what is right. To study harder and be a better person. I think I'm almost able to fulfill those resolutions. This year, I hope to be bolder, wiser and better. To aspire and inspire. To grow. To learn. To live fully and be closer to the Lord.

Did anyone close to you give birth? I’m not sure if it was this year that this blockmate of mine gave birth.. other than her.. Er.. I guess no.

Did anyone close to you die? Yes. Our pet dog.. Wency (RIP)

What countries did you visit? Zilch.

What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004? More patience. More will power to study study study. Hah!

What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Summer '04 and the last quarter of the year.. Secret. Bwahaha!

What was your biggest achievement of the year? Making it to the dean’s list. Surprisingly getting a perfect score in one of my defense. Getting that wonderful and inspiring comment from a Prof. Overcoming my fears and facing them. Being bolder. Being able to gradually enrich my spiritual life.

What was your biggest failure? Being a slave of my emotions.

Did you suffer illness or injury? Aside from the usual monthly cramps, the headaches and slight fevers.. I think the worse would be that bad cold I had. Many rolls of tissue paper were used because of that. Worse, from that runny nose sprung a gigantic red zit due to incessant rubbing. Oohw.

What was the best thing you bought? Pasalubongs and PC upgrades!

Whose behavior merited celebration? My super duper special friends , this guy and would you believe, Rosanna Roces. I was touched with what she said in an interview regarding her daughter’s pregnancy and I think it, IMHO, deserved recognition. (this is coming from someone who actually do not like Osang before)

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? I’ve long forgiven that person.

Where did most of your money go? Food, books, food, g-tec refills, food, gifts, food.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?  Everyday Y!M conversations. Occasional phone marathons. Movie dates. Finishing a book. My first day as an eco major. My birthday. Christmas. Family outings. Get together with friends. Too many to mention!

What song will always remind you of 2004? If I Ain't Got You and My Boo

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? fatter (WAH!)
iii. richer or poorer? Neutral… but I guess it’s leaning more towards the latter haha!

What do you wish you'd done more of? Study and be nicer haha!

What do you wish you'd done less of? Procrastinate. Complain most of the time. Be a sulker and a worrywart.

How will you be spending Christmas? I spent it with the people dear to me—my family. We spent a weekend at a hotel in Tagaytay. We got ourselves stuffed. We played monopoly (where I suck terribly). Attended mass. Went to a reunion. Robbed our uncles, aunts, godparents and grandparents haha.

Did you fall in love in 2004? Yes. One of the craziest and happiest moments of my life.

How many one-night stands? None.

What was your favorite TV program? ETC and Discovery Channel shows.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Nada.. No place for hate.

What was the best book you read? Dan Brown and Bo Sanchez books and the Five People You Meet in Heaven

What was your greatest musical discovery? American Idol 3: Jasmine Trias, Electronic & progressive rock, weird Scandinavian bands, Bossa Nova and 70’s music!

What did you want and get? Love. Friendship. More hard disk space. My first pair of Chucks.

What was your favorite film of this year? Oh my God I have tons. I don’t even remember if I watched them in 2004 … But I guess the ones that struck me the most would have to be Harry Potter 3: PoA and the Devil’s Advocate. And of course the usual chick flicks—50 First Dates, 13 going on 30, Princess Diaries 2, Dirty Dancing 2. And the kiddie movies—Shrek 2, the Incredibles. There’s also Spiderman 2, Troy, the Pianist, Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind. And some local ones. Crying Ladies and Feng Shui. That’s about all I can remember. Gosh my memory’s getting a little rusty.

What did you do on your birthday and how old were you? On my 19th birthday, I brought a camera and took pictures. Then my close friends and I had lunch at Kaibigan. We feasted on Sisig and Calamares plus the heavenly brownies Katkat baked. I also had a wonderful lunch the following day at Aku and indulged on desserts at Red Ribbon courtesy of my friend Jigs.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 2004's great as it is.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004? Still casual with occasional kikay moments. Oh and this year I had my hair rebonded. Hohoho!

What kept you sane? Music, ym buddies, blurty buddies, family, close friends, Bo’s teaching tapes and books.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Christian Bautista *swoons*

What political issue stirred you the most? Not really big on politics. The presidential elections I guess.

Who did you miss? Some of my closest friends

Who was the best new person you met? Too many! My econmates, my ym buddies whom I have frequent conversations with, the Genrevers, everyone—I love you guys!

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004: Patience is a virtue. Face your fears! You create your own future.  Happiness is a choice. Choose blessing instead of a curse. “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”~Matthew 6:33

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
“You live you learn / You love you learn / You cry you learn
You lose you learn / You bleed you learn / You scream you learn

You grieve you learn / You choke you learn / You laugh you learn
You choose you learn / You pray you learn / You ask you learn
You live you learn”
~Alanis Morisette