PEOPLE OF MY YEAR 2013

I've been away for a while. Yes, Away from the world of wishful-thinking and drama.  The last three months of 2013 were full of challenges and now, I finally had a breather.  To kick start this new year (and now, celebrating the Lunar New Year), I have my fair share of list and recount the events that made my 2013!  Some bloggers posted their first article elaborating their New Year’s Resolutions, it is a good thing, though, but since my 2013 was a leap of faith for me, I am dedicating my first post to those souls who made an impact in my life, whether they know (or want) it or not, well, it’s my choice to put them in my list, anyway! J

1.      PATTY (My NFF)

My NFF (new-found-friend) Patty

Her patience is one-of-a-kind.  I admire how she tolerates all my madness and even though I feel that she wants to spank me, she would rather be like an older sister scolding me and letting me know it’s going to be fine.  First day of January 2013, she’s the one I am crying with over the phone at 7AM in the morning.  We’ve been together during our ups and downs, when our wallets are almost empty and half-full, we just continue drinking till we let our hearts out.  I hope to have more ‘cheers’ with her but more on the celebration of what life will give us, especially now that she’ll venture to another chapter in her life and this time it will be marching the aisle.  I am excited to witness it and I hope to wear that cute gown as one of her bridesmaids. Argh! (that’s another story for sure)

2. WEDNESDAY (My Myurkee)

My Super-Friend Myurkee (Yup, i'm the one
who named her Myurkee, short for Myerkules (Wednesday)

She’s a LEO. Well, she’s the typical friend you would want to have.  For a LIBRA like me, it is a struggle at first because of my mood swings and Leo’s authoritative way of sorting things.  It is a good chaos, actually.  She’s been sooooo soooo good to me and of course her whole family.  I felt I have a family when I am with her.  I feel the comfort she brings and she never fails to cheer me up and bring positivism to a higher ground.  She’s really an angel.  I may not always be the good friend to her because I always want to pick a fight with her (or just completely insane arguments!), she never lets me down because she will always make me feel guilty of making her feel bad! See, we are complete weirdos when we are together.  I just hope to spend more time with her. I love her!

3.      ANNIE (My Chum)

My independently dependent Chum-Annietwah

Another LEO in my list!  She knows me a lot.  Well, she knows my mood a lot.  She knows where to pinch my emotions whether I want to be mad, when I want to just cry, when I want to scream and make everything around me a happy place to be.  Actually, my day won’t be complete without her childish-not-so-mature-front acts that I can just laugh with it anytime, but of course, she doesn’t know that.  For me, she’ll always be like a little-lady who can wear a sundress with a nice hat and run in the fields or take her bike and just enjoy nature by herself.  She’s independently dependent.  And I love her for that.

4.      KATE (My Goums)

My Goumie-Cute Kate

She’s more of like a little sister to me.  Sometimes, when I am with her, i don’t have to say anything because she knows me completely.  It’s a rare thing to have someone whom you can be yourself with.  If I want to scream, laugh so hard, cry too much, etc. name it, I've done all those with her…as far as I can recall, huh!  I tell her things that I don’t tell to the first 3 names I listed here.  It’s like she comforts me more and she really speaks her mind.  During those times I was really coping up with my emotional hang-ups, she really gave me words that comforted me.  It’s like she’s with me in that battle and I can’t thank her enough for still making me sane in this crazy world.  I love her!

5.      ICY (Yads) & Helene ( My Helenita)

He is one of the funniest gays I met.  He is my partner

The ever-energetic ICY

in our so-called show “Ladies and Gentlemen” in the office.  We always have this ‘showbiz’ like ‘talk-show’ atmosphere each time we have our chit chat in the office.  Never a dull moment when I am with him and each time the ‘camera rolls’ and our ‘staff and crew’ are there ‘on-air’.  I am blessed to have him.  Imagine when I was talking to him that day and he was all like ‘crying’ for me.  I was really touched with that gesture.  He is the one always telling me that I should take my time and don’t rush decisions especially if for me it’s not the right time yet.  I do appreciate him in those times that I needed a grip.  We really have this moment wherein we know what our hearts were saying even if we don’t talk that much in terms of our personal lives.  I hope to have great moments and episodes with him.

The "Sole Wanderer" girl 

 She’s the bravest girl in the land.  Her being an adventurer takes her into new heights and of course in different lands in Asia.  She’s one of those ‘old souls’ trapped in a young woman’s body.  She’s with me each time I need someone to talk to over coffee.  When life chases me, she’ll be there to pause with me and then everything will turn out to be better.  Well, I do feel better most of the time that’s why she’s like a happy pill that I need to take once in a while.  What’s really funny is that, her age against my age, who would’ve thought a younger human being will touch my ‘old soul’ and she keeps on doing it without hesitation.  I love her a lot.

6. CARLO SANTOS (The Whole FAMILY!)

Si Caloy, my classmate
way back from grade 1.

I had this wonderful trip in MALAYSIA last May 2013.  It was one of my memorable ones because it was a secret out of the country trip.  It was my first time to do it, guess what, I never regretted it.  

Cyrus! Carlo's very adorable SON!
Soooo Kulit and Daldal!

For me, I really needed that break, that alone-time away from Manila (naks!). This Helene actually messaged me and said there was a seat-sale in AirAsia, imagine going to Kuala Lumpur for just 2,700++ pesos roundtrip?!?!?! It was really a SEATSALE!  I grabbed it of course!  Sent an email to Caloy since he once invited me to go there and see the country, so, that's what I did.  After some minutes, I got his reply and he said I can stay at his place.  

with the super-kind and pretty wife - Jen

I am so thankful to this man...even though he didn't know (until now) why I opted to travel alone, he just welcomed me together with his wife and handsome son! We rekindled our friendship.  He updated me with his life. We reminisced mostly of what happened to him during college, the 'help' I gave him for research finishing ECE, well, it wasn't a big deal after all, though I kept reminding him of that favor on that bus ride going to Kuala Lumpur from KLCC Airport where he fetched.  He took a leave from work that day and I really appreciated it.  Well, for old times' sake...hihihi! 

Caloy gave me this souvenir from Aquaria,
a surprise token, actually!

Kuala Lumpur's Twin Towers! It's really grand in person!

I stayed with his family for barely three days and I felt that bliss surging through my soul--I had the best trip ever!  We went to Genting Highlands, shopping malls, restaurants, Twin Towers and took lots of photos of him and his family.  I am forever thankful for being alive again.  It was worth it.  I told him during my last night in their place, that it's a good feeling having his family around, I can feel that he is happy and really enjoying family life.  It changed my perspective in having my own family and raising a child.  Yup, I know, it is a decision and a commitment.  See, I learned a lot from that trip! hehe! I promised to be back and he said if I return, he will allow me and his wife to have a night life there.  I am soooo excited about it.  I actually thought of returning there this year.  Fingers-crossed! I JUST LOVE MALAYSIA!!!!! 

7.      CAROL, AGNES, TEY, JOANNA (My Peaches) and SHEILA

Agnes and Sheila

with Carol in one
of our trips last November
(Cagayan De Oro)

These girls are my angels.  They are my booster.  2013 was great because of them.  I did some nasty things and tried to make them good and I thank God they are there to witness it.  I can feel their support each time I needed a hand.  Our weekends were cooler because we reminisce (most of the time) the old grade school life.  Our girl talks were awesome because we share lots and tons of stories and those we always look forward of what our future be like five years from now.  Like if all of us will tie the knot, have babies, who will be the last single lady in the group and like everything!  My 2013 was happier and louder with laughter because I got to share it with them.  

8.      VIRGS (My Best)

My Forever Bestfriend! 

The word “BEST” is already an understatement in describing her.  It’s like our friendship is FOREVER!  I really can’t imagine my life without her.  If there should be a lifetime friendship (or relationship), it should be me and her.  Don’t get me wrong, but during those times I needed her, without a word, she knows if I’m not OKAY, maybe soul mates are like that, I guess? As far as I can recall, we’re together like forever!  If I could trade my soul or give her my life, I would.  That’s how I love my bestfriend.  Life may give us the trials we both need, but the bond that we have is something I will always cherish.  And even if I die, I’ll definitely be an angel to her so I can always be with her and catch up the lost years that we should’ve been together.  We have lots of plans in life.  What we want to be at the age of 40, etc.  and I would still want to create plans and dreams for us as best friends.  Her caring heart and tough-love for me is something I am proud that keeps me humane until now.  If not for her, I’m already dead.

9.      Daddy, Mommy, Kitbielle (La Familia)

Kitbielle and her bestfriends, ILY and Sherwin

In the most needed times in my life, they were there!  Mommy would always tell me the things I need to hear.  Just like, ‘you can choose your friends!’ and ‘learn from your mistakes!’.  Whew those words were killers, you know!  Especially last 2013.  Dad will always understand me and still treat me like a grown-up and I thank him just being like that.  They will always support me and of course, they will do anything just to make me cry.  See, how masochist my family is?  Well, last 2 months of 2013 were great because I get to spend some days of it with Kitbielle.  She told me her struggles in Canada and I was just so proud of her.  All her professional fees and savings were the money she spent for her tickets and allowance during her one month stay here in Manila.  I don’t think I could be that tough as her.  I appreciated her more.  In my mind she will always be the baby in the family, but right after her stories and how she cope up, I thought I was talking to a grown up lady.  If not for her, I will be spending Christmas and New Year alone (just like 2012).  This time, she chose to be here.  We shared the same bed, snore out loud together (I just know!).  We watched a movie, ate dinner in McDonald’s (she said the BBQ sauce tasted different here!), had unlimited mojito together with her friends.  I will always cherish those times that we made it through over the holidays.  If I could just elaborate everything here, but one thing was sure though, that we’ll always be the sisters, no matter what.  I will always be her ‘ate’ (eldest sister) and she’ll always be my neneng (youngest sister) and bambina (my pet name to her).

10.      GINA, JOHN and THOMAS (My Musketeer, My Angel and My BeastieBreast)

My Musketeer

My BOSS (Gina or GCG) should definitely be on this list because most of my hours spent are always with her.  She gave me sort of ‘words of wisdom’ in a sisterly-friendly-not-so-motherly type of way.  And I like it that way.  She’s a toughie woman.  Not everyone knows how kind and generous she is.  Our relationship I could say is better because we know each other very well now.  I still fear her in terms of her generosity because I don’t want to abuse her.  She was there as my guardian (she doesn’t have a choice, actually) since my family is away.  She supported me and boosted my self-esteem in a way that she don’t know she did.  Because her presence itself is a proof that when I am with her, things are better.  I cried to her several times, she did too when she feels like and when pressured with things at work.  She is a fighter, she is indeed a MUSKETEER.

My Angel 

My JPD (John), my Angel.  He is so patient and kind.  I love him because he is lovable.  He is like an angel to me, literally.  I was thinking that he can be a priest if he wants to.  It’s just that, he is too smart and ambitious to be part of the corporate world.  And having him as a boss is a great experience.  Imagine if you are in a hell-hole at work and  he is there, man, it feels like heaven.  The security he oozes in the work environment never ceases to amaze me.  How can a chaotic world be turned into a sea of calmness.   I know, it is a GIFT.  What I remember in one of our talks, after I told him everything that happened to me, he just said, “You trusted them too much!” and I felt better after that.  He didn’t say anything after that, for me, that was just the thing I should know and I have to face so I could feel better and move on.  Yes, too much trust could kill your soul and let’s face it, Trust is also the last thing that is hard or too impossible to bring back once it’s broken (or lost).  JPD will always be an ANGEL to me, ready to give me a lift when I need one.

Thomas

Thomas is an accident. Hahaha! I mean, having him as a friend was unplanned and never really occurred in my brain that I will (really) get along with this man! I could say he is a blessing in disguise.  He is a beast (i could say I am the only one who could and should call him that in this planet!).  He is the last person I’ll choose if ever the world will end, because I don’t want to die in vain and that I might die blaming myself as the reason why Earth will shatter.  Hahaha!  Yes, he is a toughie-dough.  But because of that character, I became more mature and yes, I became stronger.  I remember the first time I cried in his car and I was so drunk with Patron and I was so pathetic and didn't care what he’ll say to me. But he still managed to calm me down and pinpoint why I was acting that way...and that was the start of so many more crying moments with him. I cry most of the time when I am with him, or let me rephrase it, I feel like crying when I am with him.  I had this feeling that each time I talk to him or open up something he is just there to listen, and when I am done with all the whining, he does all the talking.  We talked about the things I did, the stupidity I have over friends or to my so-called friends or the extent of foolishness I possess over simple things in life (and the not so simple things, too!).  I never learned my lesson and that was I always thought until he clears and clarifies that I can always learn from my mistakes.  See, I’d rather be shot in the head than hear his words, his fiery words that drains my soul and suck out the blood from my veins.  It gets to a point wherein, he is the monster that I fear.  He said it’s because I fear the truth…and gosh, he is right. 

burping in Thomas' birthday celebration last May 2013
Glen, Thomas and Adrian

I fear acknowledging the mistakes I did, I am ashamed of hearing the fierce words stabbing my heart because those were all so true.  It was always a draining moment facing him and hearing all his thoughts.  That’s why he should be part of my 2013's most suicidal moments.  We have our own little fights I never even won (it’s record-breaking for me because it’s a first! Geesh!).  See, I always have things to say just to win in an argument, but if he’s the one I am debating with, expect me to throw a towel in the ring.  I always concede, or maybe because I couldn't agree more of his principles, etc.  then, it crushes me because I can’t win! Damn It! But, he has a big heart.  His Heart is bigger than him (he is really huge in  height and weight! LOL).  I can be my craziest and sanest when we are together indulging traffic. He made me stronger and better because he was (surprisingly) there in my 2013 (so with Sir Glen), that’s why I am looking forward to a better 2014 and hopefully with less drama with him.  He is also a fan of How I Met Your Mother (TV series) and I always feel that our friendship is more of a 'series' with lots of seasons, hopefully it gets better every episode.

She's always in my prayers!!! Arianne is really an ANGEL!

Oh, yes, he has a beautiful family that I adore a lot.  I can't wait for his daughter to grow up and witness how many percentage of being 'Thomas' will be in her blood. Hahaha! If I could just fast forward time, I would!

Now that the People of my year 2013 is complete, I am more excited for this 2014 to meet people or rekindle ties with my haven’t-seen-in-ages friends and to make new memories as well.  Life may give me reasons to give up and stop, but because I am surrounded with these friends who truly care, I know I will be able to make it one step at a time.  Who says life will be easier anyway?  We might as well be enjoying the rest of our days until we savor each moment one day at a time, every minute, every second...