in preparation for the new year: taking stock

It's right about that time of year when people take stock (ok, most people take stock) and make lists of their bests, worsts, favorites, least favorites of the year. I don't do that and I won't start doing it now, well, the  "making lists" part anyway.

2011 was ...(stares blankly at the screen for several seconds)

I don't think I'm going to find a SINGLE word to encompass 2011 except maybe,  hmm, 2011. (hahahah!) But, I'm still going to try....alphabetically, and I'll try really hard to be super positive.

2011 was (all about) ...

Adventurous -- went on several trips this year. The highlight of which was the impromptu trip to Sydney, Australia with E. (I cannot promise a blog entry on it, but it's on my hope-I-get-around-to-it list.) Plus, the QC adventure club with R, L, I, E, G, and whoever else we can invite.

Breakups -- spent a lot of time listening to friends' sob/rage stories about their respective break-ups. Makes me wonder how I'll be if I ever get around to having a relationship. On the positive side, they are all fine and recovering well, I think.

Chilly -- No love life! Hahaha!

Decisive -- took positive steps with respect to what is good for me and what's not. Learning to say "No".

Efficient -- career-wise, the year has been great. Cleared the backlog in my office and now we are well ahead of schedule. Worked out a system with the boss to help us all manage our case load better.

Financial responsibility -- controlled spending. Started a time deposit. Continued my SSS contributions. How's that for someone on a government salary?! Not as wealthy as if I had continued in private practice, but at least I go home at 4:30pm. Hahaha!

Growth -- emotional - check, physical - uhm, check. Serious poundage has been added. Hmmm, maybe I can just pretend to be pregnant. As to the emotional side, yes I'm still as emotional as ever but I've learnt a little restraint when it comes to letting my emotions run free. Hello, repression! Hahaha.

Honesty -- no more lying to self...other people, fine. (-__-)

Indifference -- sometime in the second quarter of the year, I just stopped caring about current events. I no longer read the papers. What I know of current events are mostly from twitter, and snippets I see or hear on tv or on the radio. I don't even read the funnies anymore.

Jogging -- well, I wanted to. I even got the shoes.

Koko Krunch -- rediscovered the joys of munching on this chocolate cereal. Probably part of the reason for the excess weight. Hehehe.

Love life -- absent. See entry for C. hahaha. Good thing I have family and friends who love me.

Maturity -- does being mature include not eating that last slice of cake? If yes, then I've gained maturity. (If being able to follow a diet is a sign of maturity, then I'm not yet mature.) Hahaha. And  people don't mistake me for a high-schooler anymore. I file my bank statements, pay my taxes and my credit card bills. I don't throw a tantrum when I don't get what I want. Hooray for me!

Nephilim -- read a lot of angel and nephilim books this year. Bestsellers and YA. Hahaha!

Orange -- My sister gave me a Body Shop Natural Lip Roll-On with an orange flavor. It's a lip moisturizer/gloss. I love it and I use it everyday. Super yummy.

Playdom -- well, Gardens of Time, actually. I used to play this for hours on end when I started. I've stabilized now and play maybe 9-10 hours a week. Replaced my Plants vs. Zombies addiction.

Quilting -- yeah, right! I just can't think of anything related to me that starts with a Q.

RTH -- road to hotness project with R, L, I and E. I'm sometimes compliant, more often not. But it's a goal that's concrete, attainable and... I should have another word there but can't think of it right now.

Stories -- in my head, about other people, about my life. It's why I started doing this thing (i don't think this qualifies as a blog) in the first place. It's mostly fiction anyway.

Toughness -- saying "No". Staying calm even when others are unfair. Not saying anything when it would just hurt someone. I was really tough on my inner bitch as well as on my inner (spoiled) child. Net effect = neurotic needy bitch. I'm not doing this again. Hehehe.

Understanding -- that family is difficult and you make the best of it. Even when I don't want to anymore.

Voice -- started singing again. Oh joy.

Writing -- my first novel. Uh, no! I am too lazy already. I think my writing job has taken it's toll on me. Doesn't matter that I'm writing on completely different subjects. Sometimes, I read what I've written and I think, "wow! this is as dry as a codal". There goes my plan to annotate the Tax Code. Hahaha!

X-rated -- I wish. Hahaha!

You -- but I'm moving on now.

Zen - Yep, it was all about finding my inner peace. The latter part of the year was spent trying to live my life as calmly and serenely as possible. Did it in real life and I hope I can continue it, but can't really avoid all the drama in my head. Hence, the continuing emo crap in blog entries. (There go the supposed positive inner language.) Hahaha!

Well, after some work I finally did this alphabetical thing (whose shit idea was this anyway?). Should have just said 2011 was great and been done with it.

And what is this if not a list? Huh?!