Awesomeness of 2011

It's only a few hours, 4 to be exact, before 2011 is officially over. As I look back the year that was, while scanning the last pages of my planner, I couldn't believe that I've had so many things to be really grateful for. Ironically, my planner was called "This Journal will actually change someone's life!!!" and the time that I had it, I didn't really thought much about it's meaning but coincidence or not, my life really did change. 2011 was quite an astounding year for me and my family because of the so many things that happened. Doodling on the last page of my planner, I listed the top 12 reasons that made my 2011 uber awesome!

12 Amazing Things that Happened in 2011

1. First Complete New Year celebration with the newest member of our family - baby Aiden!

2. My University's 400th year celebration

3. 3 years with DA-NMIS family

4. My Quarter of a Century Birthday celebration aka 25 years of being alive and kicking

5. Kuwait

6. My first baby DSLR - Nikon D5100

7. Mom's new work

8. Aiden's 1st Birthday celebration

9. Awesome events and concerts that I had the chance to be at (oh yeah there's social life in Kuwait lol)

10. SFC + the Beckies

11. Job at MOH

12. Priceless bonding with my Dad

Looking back, I feel so blessed with everything that 2011 has brought me and my family. All of this would not be possible without His grace and for that I am uber and sincerely thankful. Now that 2012 is almost here, I'm more than optimistic and blissful to welcome the new year, with the hopes of continuous guidance and blessing from Him, who made all things possible. <3

Essence of Christmas

For the past two weeks, I have been utterly busy preparing for the presentation to represent our unit - Salmiya. Although we only had 3 days to do everything from brainstorming for a good concept, creating dance steps and getting people to participate with us -- everything facilely fit into place as the event draws near.
The event was jam packed with creative juices, showcasing different talents from acting, singing and dancing. Our performance turned out a success with a spice of comedic act when we did our version of the Grinch's story but what amazed me most was seeing the release of SFC Kuwait's station ID were I, luckily, became part of. (NOTE: Since Blogger can't seem to upload the video, I'm putting the link here: Christmas Is About Love Video)

Then, after only a few days when I thought it's high time for a vacation from the community, came another colorful event that I thought I definitely wouldn't miss for the world, even though I'm currently attacked by the flu monster -- the Pasko sa Embassy 2011 organized by SFC Kuwait's Social Ministry aims to share the spirit of giving to the hundreds (250+ to say the least) of female distressed OFWs staying in the Philippine Embassy to feel that they're not forgotten. The basement of POLO office were filled with different faces of Pinays who have different stories to tell. But for a short while, when the affair began, all you could see were happy faces filled with glee and laughter that would remind you that Christmas is really here.

Although it's unfortunately sad to think that this would be the very first Christmas that I'm away from my family and friends back home, I somehow came to realize that what's more important is not the presence nor the material things but how we understand the true meaning of Christmas through the celebration of the spirit of love, joy and sharing.

Paano mo ba masasabi na ayaw mo na? Kung sa tinagal-tagal ng panahon na naging kayo, halos lahat ng bagay naibigay mo na, sa isang iglap nagising ka na lang na iba na? Kahit anong gawin hindi mo na maibabalik ang dati?

Juan 2 Sawa Concert

It's been a month since I first heard that another set of Filipino artists would come to Kuwait to do a show, but unlike the previous one that I attended it wasn't free nor it was located inside a gorgeous hotel with dozens of freebies to be given away through its sponsors. Like any, the ticket fee was 3.5KD, coupled with the free rides inside the Sha'ab Park, but of course suffering the cold winter breeze that ranges from 10-13°C since it would be held in an open ground. I don't know who the hell conceptualized the idea that having the show in a leisure park is good with the current season in mind, but anyway it's probably all about the money. Considering those, I obviously didn't intend to see it even though I'd really like to see Richard Poon in person.

Luckily, my cousin wanted to see Sitti, one of the two artists and thought it's a good chance to spend his rare 2 and half days off from his job. He works in a hospital and it's not everyday that he'd get to have those free time. Bottom line, I ended up calling one of my friends for the tickets as I braced myself to see if this event would be successful as I initially thought it wouldn't be.

And just as I have imagined, the area wasn't as crowded or full as I have experienced before with the Allan K concert a few months ago. It was probably due to the two crazy factors I cited above, but anyway since I'm already there I took all the chance I got to entertain myself in taking their photos and listening to their music. Oh, have to say Richard Poon was really charming in person than on TV.

Ice Skating in Kuwait

I've always loved to skate..on ice. It was a childhood dream that I always fancy, more so after watching the movie The Cutting Edge and a few years later, Ice Princess. Unfortunately, it doesn't snow in the tropical island country where I live so I never had the opportunity to experience what they'd call White Winter. Although there were Ice Skating rinks available at the malls, I used to remember that I couldn't afford to try one since the fee for the hourly Ice skate is different from the Skate shoes rental plus the tutorial for the beginners' session. The tutorial was an option but for an elementary school kid, everything is just plain expensive.

Luckily, I did have my chance when I was in High school but that experience was a total mess. I couldn't even stand on my two feet and all the time I just kept on holding onto the rails for life support! That expensive precious one-hour of my hopefully glorious first try to Ice skate turned into hell since I would always fall on my butt flat on the hard ice. I also still couldn't afford to get a tutorial since my budget was only fit for the Ice skate usage and skate blade rental. The overall experience made me feel uninterested plus the fact that I have to travel almost 2 hours just to get to the mall to try that Ice skating experience.

Never did I imagine that I'd be able to try it again here in Kuwait for the second time. The fee was way cheaper as compared back home since the skate shoes rental is already included in the payment. I obviously don't have any clue about the mechanics of Ice skating in general except on how to tie the skate shoes properly though interestingly, it took me only a couple of minutes to finally get a grip on myself to stand on the ice without falling! That gave me an odd sense of joy to start with. And as the minutes passes, by after I started to move my two feet atop the hard ice, my excitement started to grow more. It's as if I was a kid again dreaming of becoming a great figure skater like Michelle Trachtenberg in the Ice Princess movie! Yeah that was a bit overboard, but every time I let myself loose in trying my very best to keep my balance while gliding on the ice, all the time carefully following my friend's basic instructions, I couldn't stop myself from being overly thrilled! Unlike my first try, the experience that took place was definitely worth repeating even though I slipped a couple of times, five to be exact plus adding the faint bruise I received as a souvenir on my left palm. But whatever the case, the experience was worth it and I can see myself, this time, coming back for more!

Credit: Chickee Pante for the Photos XD