My Xanadu

We are almost done with the first quarter of 2009, yet I just have the time to post this meme - my 2008 summary that I first answered around January this year. Enjoy!

What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Travelled to Europe…Frankfurt, Germany my 1st Europe experience. Leading and organizing a community networking/volunteering projects.

Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I couldn’t remember if I made any resolutions when I welcomed 2008. Maybe I did and more likely it has to do with “trying to be a better person in this planet”!

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Two of my BBMSLAM girlfriends and 1 of my MASSGIRLFRIENDS gave birth to darling little boys.

Did anyone close to you die?
None from my immediate family thanks God. Though I feel sad when I heard that my 3rd Grade teacher who was also a very close family friend passed away.

What countries did you visit?
Hongkong, Philippines, Singapore, Germany..in that order.

What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
My family visiting me here in the States.

What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Hmmm..I think there was one in January and another one around November. I won’t go into details though.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
At personal level, being more understanding about why we were not able to spend the 2008 holidays in the Philippines.

As a community member, being part of the TAGA-BORBON group and being able to make a difference back in our town no matter how little extra we might have and how far we all are from our town of birth.

What was your biggest failure?
Still not being able to get my driver’s license. What a shame I have wasted many driving permits!

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thanks God I did not.

What was the best thing you bought?
A dining table. Chicago trip. Lily.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
My dear hubby. My dear sister. TAGA-BORBON donors and volunteers.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? “Blood is thicker than water”. Just have to accept things and pray for the better…someday. Sounds vague huh?

Where did most of your money go?
More inventory for my business. My mother’s visa-related expenses. My family’s trip to Manila. Trip to Chicago. Trip to Macy’s and the outlets! Check my answers above on the things I want and got.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The fact that my mother’s US Immigrant Visa was approved last December and she will be able to visit the US, or stay as long as she wants.

What song(s) will always remind you of 2008?
Hmmm…I’m so poor when it comes to music…can’t think of any.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier (I think!)
ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner by a pound (I think!)
iii. richer or poorer? No more, no less but still blessed!

What do you wish you’d done more?
Exercise maybe. Sleep early (hahahahaha!). Eat more. Read some. Scheduled a driving test.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Less internet (?) (hahahahha)

What was your favorite TV program?
Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Dancing with the Stars, The Tonight Show

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate might just be too strong to describe my current feelings toward certain individual(s). “Bothered” might be more appropriate. I am bothered.

What was the best book you read?
I don’t think I had read even just one book last year. Shameful! Though this is one of the things I want to change.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Are you asking me if I found any new bands or artists that interest me lately? Hmmm..I just love the songs featured on Grey’s Anatomy.

What was your favorite film of this year?
Mamma MIA!!

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Went out for dinner with hubby at one of our favorite restaurants; also, he personally prepared a birthday dinner at home and we celebrated it together with his side of the family; went out with my mass-girlfriends for a belated celebration. I turned what, 33?!

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
I’m still the jeans-person that I am. Though for a change, I started wearing skinny jeans and flats. Two of the styles that I tried not to get into in the past since I’m short and I prefer to wear straight or bootcut jeans and heels or wedges.

What kept you sane?
My hubby. He gives clarity to things that puzzled me and solutions to situations that troubled me.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Michael Phelps, during the Olympics.

What political issue stirred you the most?
Presidential race. I casted my first national vote.

Who did you miss?
My family and friends in the Philippines.

Who was the best new person you met?
TAGA-BORBON Members and Volunteers. Some of them I didn’t know in person when I was growing up in Borbon but because of Friendster and the internet, I have come to know each one of them much better and I have come to admire them due to our similar interest on helping back our hometown. You guys ROCK! Thanks!

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Make a difference. Everyone can make a difference to someone. Together, we can do more.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself: “You inspired me”.

The most touching experience you’ve had this year?
The bonding that I have with my fellow Borbonanons living around the globe and their generosity to share what little extra they have, so that together, we can give back to our hometown. I also admire the heartfelt support that our local volunteers in Borbon because without them carrying out our missions, our noble visions won’t happen. Without them doing the legwork, nothing will be accomplished.

What did you like most about yourself this year?
Community work networking. It’s very inspiring and I hope this is a start of something bigger and better.

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
Still not able to schedule an actual driving test!

How are you different now that the year has ended?
I think I am so homesick right now and very anxious to see my family that sometimes it’s irritating to my hubby.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Can’t think of any. I’m so poor when it comes to music.

What are your plans for 2009?
Bring Mama over, and maybe my grandmother, sis and brother. Get a US driver’s license. Continue with my community networking.

What are your wishes for the new year?
Healthy family. Enough blessings to enjoy life and share with others.

Thanks to my UPHigh’92 classmate, Artemis, for this meme.

Filed under: Thankful Posts and tagged 2008, Taga-Borbon