Thanks 2020, be good (utang na loob) 2021 :)
Sabi nila di raw deserve ng taong 2020 ang year-end essay. Kaso maraming significant events happened to me that I cannot just drop, erase, ignore, nor disvalue this year in my life. But to disclaim, as my friend pointed out to me, 2020 struck us differently. So kung ayaw nila mag essay, valid din naman :)
1. Trip to UAE
Visited Ninang and Adriel sa Abu Dhabi :) It was indeed an ecstatic experience. Having Nanay and Ninang around plus!!! A new pinsan. I was overwhelmed with the sceneries, ramdam mong nasa ibang bansa ka. Haha. Super thankful to have Ninang as ninang, para siyang all in one na nanay, ate, at bestfriend. I wanted to become like her, can be considerred as successful sa career but still very down to earth. Turning 30 this 2021, I should do something about my life already. Pressured? Yes. Pero can be viewed as determined to reach my life goals.
2.WFH serye
Drawing the line between life and work became simple as literally drawing a marker between your working station and bed inside your very bedroom, aka your sanctuary. Stressed during start ng quarantine.. ng work from home. Hindi makapagrest ng maayos because you can still feel the office vibes kahit nasa bed na. But nakapag adjust naman eventually. I realized how privileged I am to be able to work from home and actually blessed to still have this work during this pandemic. Valuing these opportunities during this difficult times; all I can do is to be thankful to the One Up There and pray for the people who were greatly affected by this crisis.
3. UNLIQUALITY TIME with family
Did you know that Kuya, Abey and I watched The King: Eternal Monarch together, for the whole series? Imagine, 2 months of dedicated time with each other. Sarap sa pakiramdam. There was this an episode of breakdown din, pero it was a turning point for me and my mom. Mas nagstrengthen bond naming dalawa. And car rides with tatay? Cutie quality time with him every time. Cliché it may sound, but family will always be there, always will understand, always can be leaned on.
4. COVID-19 scare
As I have shared sa Twitter, my significant other caught the virus. Long story short, we realized the seriousness of this pandemic. Katakot. The circles? He interacts with his family, I interact with mine. People who are dear to us. Yung takot mo sa virus, plus takot mo to cause harm sa family mo. Nakakapraning. I realized how fragile life is. In any moment, a life threatening event may occur. At wala ka nang magagawa.
Lola being gone gave me an experience I would never want to happen again but grateful in a way that I have felt that much pain. Gets niyo? Hahaha. I have this thinking na I am thankful that God had let me to feel yung sakit na kakaiba, sobra, matindi, so I will be, somehow, ready for any pain lesser or equal to it. Malungkot, hanggang ngayon na nagttype ako, naiyak pa din pag si Lola inaalala ko. Pero I learned how to value life, lalo na't inilalaban ka ng mga mahal mo sa buhay. I was overwhelmed with emotions when I witnessed how Lola's children fought for her life inspite of the high amounts of hospital bills. I realized at that very moment, your life is not solely yours. God created you for other people, not to please them, but to be a significant part of their lives.
I started this thing, whatever u call it, wherein I value my life. Either being grateful or just appreciating lessons along the way. These are daily reminders that I have to continue living, keep holding on, and continue loving this God-given life. What I realized doing this thing is that I became more appreciative of grace and blessings that God is providing me -- His way of helping me to walk through this life.
7. And other things :)
I finished 2 online courses, started (and paused) doing cardio, consulted a psychologist for therapy (in addition to my psychiatrist), learned and cooked dishes, splurged an amount on an IG store and Lazada, and continued to be with Dan in this life. Grateful with these things. Grateful that I am still alive and was able to experience these things.
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Yes, 2020 may have been difficult. Di rin nakatulong na sablay ang pamamalakad ng gobyerno natin. I cannot invalidate nor devalue the struggles experienced by most of us - people who lost their jobs, people who lost their loved ones. But I always pray for the goodness of each one of us. I pray that love and faith remain in our hearts inspite 2020.
As we begin 2021, I pray for people to experience love and grace - love from other people, grace from God. Let us face this new year. -- things MAY be different now, but can also be just a continuation of the previous year. Nevertheless, be reminded that God has His plan for each one of us, and let His will be done.
Happy Christmas! Merry 2021! God bless us :)