oh snap!: December 2009

I find it bittersweet to say goodbye to what will go down in my life's history as the best year yet. 2009 has been very gracious to me.

2009 was a good year because I fell in love.
Truth be told, I was already losing hope in finding him - The One. I was fast becoming cynical and was almost convinced that I won't find anyone who will come close to my ideal man. But a chance meeting on that fateful day in December 2008 changed everything.

And so today, I am happily in love with a man who is awesome beyond words and I wouldn't have it any other way.

2009 was a good year because I got a good job.
Remember that business deal I was whining about earlier this year? Yeah... that. It pushed through (thank God) and it has afforded me a stable source of income for the rest of the year. Aside from providing me with financial stability, this job has also given me a really nice boss who I share a good working relationship with and who respects me enough to seek my opinion on business matters. Nothing rouses morale in the workplace than knowing that you and your ideas are heard.

2009 was a good year because I got to travel.
Cambodia - Kuala Lumpur - Ho Chi Minh - Pattaya - Singapore - Koh Phangan - Singapore - Kuala Lumpur - Singapore - Koh Samet - Hua Hin - Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Lumpur - Cambodia

Wow! I went to KL a lot this year. On a more serious note...

I enjoyed valentines in KL with D and bought numerous pairs of shoes in every trip. I fell in love with the laid-back vibe of Ho Chi Minh. I loved walking around Singapore while admiring the beautiful greenery. I wish I explored Cambodia more and I would want to go and visit Angkor Wat some day soon. I spent five blissful days in Koh Phangan with D, sipping fruit shakes and beach hopping on motorbikes. I spent a restful weekend in Koh Samet. I enjoyed my stay at a luxurious resort in Hua Hin. I had the best mexican food in Pattaya and enjoyed the swanky accommodations of D2 Hotel.

All in all, it has been fun. And although my travels this year were mostly for work, I welcomed the opportunity to explore different places, meet new people and learn about different cultures.

2009 was a good year because many people visited.
I really do miss friends and family back home. So it's always a treat when they come over to visit lil' ol' me. This year, Binky and Muriel - two of my truly truly bestest friends on the face of the earth - visited. My mom visited twice this year - April with her sisters and my cousin Maika then November with my Dad. My dad celebrated his birthday in Bangkok which was really nice because I miss my Dad practically everyday I'm away from him.

All in all, it was nice to talk to them face-to-face, to be able to hear and see them laugh, to be able to hold them and give them squeeze-me-tight hugs. And although it was sad to say goodbye when it was time to go, I genuinely enjoyed every minute they were here.

2009 was a good year because I was able to give back.
I made a promise at the start of the year to give back. I am lucky to have been showered with so many blessings this year and was also fortunate to have been given an opportunity to share my blessings to my family and to people who needed it the most.

So you see, all these (and more) made 2009 a good year. As for 2010? I believe it will only get better.