30.12.11

A Final Glimpse On The Year That Was 2011


It’s hard to believe that 2011 is almost over.

I started the year hitting the sack ‘cos of some stupid illness. What a way to start the year, I thought to myself. Little did I know, then, that this will be the most awesome year of my life after 2005 and here are some of the reasons why.

2011 Memorabilia ♥ 나는 그들을보고 싶을거야

○ The 12-Hour Albay Escapade officially kicked off my 2011. I had a great time doing this especially I was the one who organized the whole trip. (I was a sheltered brat growing up so most of my travels heavily relied on my parents) I didn't have much time to research but thank God, it went as smooth as I was expecting it to be. Of course, ayaw ko din naming mapahiya kina Seul-ki. This was also my first (and last as of press time) pathetic attempt to travel blog. Damn it’s hard. You have to recall even the smallest of details.

Ako na ang oily ang face. Loser! Hahaha.

○ After four years of sleepless nights, hundreds of cups of coffee and instant noodles, I received my splendid, shimmering diploma from a reputable university. Trust me, when I got my diploma, my hands were shaking. It was a happy moment. My mom was there, cheering me on. My family was there. But at the same time, it was sad and a little bit thrilling. I realized that the people I see everyday will most likely I will never see again. I’m not really concerned about friends, I know we can find ways to keep in touch. It’s the people that I don’t know yet.

In fairness, ganda sana ng beach. The thing was, hang sakit sa paa. Hang bato.

○ One of the highlights of my summer was our one-week escapade in Cebu. I can’t describe how exciting this whole experience was. It was “a journey of firsts” for me – first time to ride an airplane, first time to set foot in the Visayas and first time to stay in a 5-star hotel. Winner! And on top of everything, I’ve got to spend a week in the company of my loved ones (most of whom are US-based). It’s priceless!

The best part of my year: I fell in love. I’m a guy who does believe in mushy things like destiny and soul mates and true love, you know all those childhood nonsenses. But getting a girlfriend isn’t a priority for me. Really. It just changed when I met my greatest love one lazy summer afternoon. It was love-at-first-sight. Now I do understand why guys turn into love-sick puppies when they are inlove.

I don’t remember getting too psyched about taking the Nursing Licensure Exam (NLE). I attended review sessions, yes, but my head was all over the place. I wanted to be on top but I don’t have the concentration and the focus. It was only two weeks before the exam when it sunk in to me. The thought. The anxiety. I started to get worried. All those I thought were preparations suddenly seemed insufficient. I only had a few hours of sleep everyday. It was a race against time.

○ Then the examination day came. I almost didn’t make it on time, I got lost. Oh, I’m so stupid without a map. Thank God, I was at the testing room 20 minutes before 7am. Before I could realize what happened next, Test I was handed to me. Not much of a choice, fight or flight. And then, the 2 hours were up. I went out of the room devastated. There and then, I knew that I won’t make it. Ampucha, I thought. Test I pa lang ang hirap na, paano pa ang Test 5? The good news, I survived the two-day ordeal.

Also, I would like to take this chance to thank the security guard of DWCL (College Department) for helping me with the directions. Saludo ako sa’yo Ser!

○ A month after I took the NLE, I went to Manila to find a temp job. And lucky me, I did but not for too long. After 8 days, no typo error there it’s really e-i-g-h-t, I was fired ‘cos of my awesomeness. Well, just my luck. I told myself that everything happens for a reason but I'll admit that it significantly decreased the size of my ego. Lesson learned? Be prepared for anything ‘cos as secure things may seem, they truly never are.

○ The next day, PRC dropped the bomb. My heart was pounding off my chest so imagine how I went hysterics as soon as I saw 22830 Hoobert the Awesome. I was like, “is this forreal?”. After long hours of dueling with my mind and myself; after months of waiting, I finally stood triumphant. I passed the test. Once again, God proved that there’s always a rainbow after the rain. I can’t be more thankful to Him.

Note: My score wasn’t the one I’ve been dreaming of but it’s definitely the one I deserved.

I still did a couple of job interviews after I learned of the results - both for BPO companies. I don’t know what gotten into me and I tried applying as a CSR ‘cos I know in myself that I’m not good in talking over the phone. As expected, both were unsuccessful. Maybe I made the impression that I am too arrogant, over-confident, GGSS or worst, too bored.

Sharing an interview with a company in Ortigas -

Interviewer: Do you think you have the chance of getting hired?

Me: Yes. Well, there’s a thing called luck.

Interviewer: *Giving me that “are you freaking serious” look* Just luck?

Me: And my charm. *laughs*

Yes, that’s the most stupid interview I had. You can’t blame me; I was so damn bored and uninterested. I know you know what happened next. I’ll ask you, if you were the interviewer, would you hire me? I don’t think so.

I am not used doing household chores for other persons. As his unico hijo, my mom spoiled me in this department. But now that I’m a full-grown adult, it needs to change. I stayed in my Tita O’s apartment when I was in Manila and she taught me how to do some household chores. And I’m just so fuckin’ proud of myself that I phoned my mom about it. All these years, I’ve been bragging to everyone that I can cook longganisa. Sorry but I was wrong. I just learned four months ago through my Tita that you should (kind of) boil it first before frying it. Sheeze.

September, October & November. I’ve been a little down the past 4 months because I felt like I had no specific direction in life. As much as people perceived that I knew what I want to do in life, the only clear thing is, I’m clueless. I became pretty depressed. I don’t have a job. My mom bugged me every day to find one. Chris was busy with her studies that we don’t have the chance to hang out. And I was being paranoid that she’s falling out of love. I don’t want to use the term suicidal but something close to that described what I was feeling. That was the hard times. I’m just thankful to God that I escaped the “Great Depression” unscathed and with my sanity intact.

December was the bitchiest month for me, I think some of you know. I got sick for 5 days. I had difficulties of breathing. I was throwing up. My whole body was aching. I got allergies. At some point, I thought I’m going to die. Seriously. Then, my girlfriend broke up with me. So there I was, a dying man who just lost his greatest love. Truth be told, I ruminated to commit suicide but then I love my life too much. Indeed, December was really the cherry on top of a terrible (but exciting in a way) last quarter.

This year, I wasn’t tempted with stuffs like smoking, alcohol or alas, drugs, but the things I was tempted with were things like procrastination, settling for less and looking for the easiest way out. Of course, I am not proud of that but I am not ashamed of it as well. ‘Cos with every experience, good or bad, I think I’ve grown wiser and stronger; although there’s still so much to learn.

The good news and probably the lesson of the story is that, while you considered yourself cursed, there are those who consider you a blessing. That while you may think of your life as pointless and wasted, there are still many things that you have done and many that you shall do more that are worthwhile.

All in all, loads of good stuffs to make up for the bad stuffs - a ridiculously awesome mom at my side, the love and support of my not-as-awesome-as-me-but-awesome-nonetheless sisters, an ex-girlfriend every guy could hope for, my ever-expanding list of friends and my internationally-acclaimed (in my dreams) blog. With all these blessings in mind, the one I’m most thankful for is that I became closer to God.

Now, I’m ready to put an awesome year behind me with high hopes for a more awesome year, with none of those terrible stuffs that dragged some parts of the year.


Here’s a toast: for the next 12 months!


25 comments:

Hoobert the Awesome said...

Happy 2012 to all of us, earthlings!



Putukan na!

RoNRoNTuRoN said...

Happy New year!!! NIce to know u passed this years NLE, colleague. :D Godbless and cheers for more blessings in 2012!

Zen said...

Astig yung mga collage ha.. hehe. Anyway, gusto kita makilala in person. Hehe. I guess that's something to look forward in 2012 right? Happy new year to you.. ^_^

hana banana said...

hey,,thanks 4 greeting me and same to u..may u have a happy 2012 ^.^

d ko alam if napadaan na ako here before but eneweys...ayoko rin ng cockroach kaya frenz na tayO! haha

Hoobert the Awesome said...

Hey Ron, yeah, thanks. Last August lang kaya bongga ang year ko. Nurse ka din pala. Hahaha. We are everywhere.

I really had fun reading your blog. Nakakatuwa, hindi nakaka-umay. :)

I hope we can be friends din. Tas dalhin mo ako sa Norway. LOLJK. Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

happy new year sa iyo. God bless :)

Kimeh said...

Natawa naman ako dun sa GGSS. =))))

It seems like your year was just like mine. Some parts of the year was good while some months seem to have gotten out of hand. -_-

Hoobert the Awesome said...

Lols talaga Ate Zen? Di nga ako solve. Wait 'til you see yung kay Kuya Rob. Biglang nahiya yung collage ko. HAHAHA.

Yeah malay mo. One day, may EB 'no?

Happy 2012 sayo!

Hoobert the Awesome said...

Hello Hanna Banana! Thanks for the visit. Apir! Pareho tayong takot sa ipis. Di tayo pwede sa Fear Factor. Hahaha.

Happy 2012!

Hoobert the Awesome said...

Thank you Bino. Happy 2012 din sa'yo. Ansaya saya.

Hoobert the Awesome said...

Haha. Wala lang naisip ko lang Kimeh. Haha. Sometimes kasi ganun feeling ko. LOLSJK!

At first, I thought you're a girl. Haha. Maybe 'cos of the name. Pero nung nakita ko blog mo. Di pala. & 16 ka lang? What the. Ang feeling ko tuloy, ang tanda ko na. Hahaha.

Di ako makapag-comment sa blog mo. I'm having problems sa Disqus. Maybe tomorrow. Sinave ko na url mo. :)

Happy 2012.

RoNRoNTuRoN said...

ahahahaha. :D naku, eh sabaw sabaw lang naman yung blog ko. :D

Hoobert the Awesome said...

Lols Ron. Kung sabaw sabaw lang ang blog mo, ano na lang ang sa akin? Hahaha.

McRICH said...

napadaan po and congrats for a fun-filled 2011, happy new year!

Hannah said...

Lol, that interview! An interviewer asked me that once, if I thought I had a chance of being hired... I remember I thought it was a stupid question, and I answered "Well if I didn't, I probably wouldn't have bothered showing up to this interview". It made him laugh though, and I did get the job, but I never understood the point of that question =/

Sounds (and looks!) like 2011 was a great year for you, I'm glad ^^ I hope you'll have a wonderful 2012 :D

Anonymous said...

I wish you all the best in 2012, Jubert. Happy new year! :)

Hoobert the Awesome said...

Thanks McRich. Congrats din. I really commend your efforts to lead a smoke-free life. Breaking up a habit is difficult but it is doable.

God is really good. Ingat ka dyan sa UAE. :)

Hoobert the Awesome said...

It seems Hanna that the one who interviewed you was a bit stupid for asking that question. In my case, we (me and the interviewer) were both stupid. Her, for asking. Me for answering a dumb question with a stupid, stupid answer. Lols.

Good luck to your upcoming wedding.

Hoobert the Awesome said...

I wish you a fruitful 2012 PP. One bit of an advice: Forget the past. ;)

Allen said...

Yes! A toast for the next 12 months!

Kura said...

I'm back! woot woot! Happy happy new year Enchong! I didn't expect the last part. Pero hayaan na... Diba, kaya tayo iniiwan ng taong mahal natin kasi baka meron bagong darating na mas okey. Na mas mamahalin tayo. Yung taong hindi tayo sasaktan at paaasahin. Yung nag-iisang taong magtatama ng mali sa buhay natin ng lahat ng mali sa buhay natin.. -Popoy(One more chance) hahahah!

You really is a blessing. Though we don't know each other personally, I consider you as one of my closest sa blogosphere. I appreciate every comment from you. Yeeeekeeeeh! hahha! Have a blast this year. God bless you!

Hoobert the Awesome said...

So how did you celebrate your New Year's Eve Allen? 2010 ka pa dyan 'no? :) But I think celebrating the holidays #IsMoreFunInThePhilippines. Hahaha. Maisingit lang.

Hiyono said...

And yet another good entry which inspired me... ikaw na Hoobert, ikaw na!

Hoobert the Awesome said...

Yay, you're back Ate Kura-ching! Pinanindigan mo talaga hiatus mo. Hahaha. Antagal mong nawala. Miss na ng blog ko ang presence mo. Hehe. Srsly.

Die-hard fan ka talaga ni John Lloyd. Madalas mo siyang mabanggit. Pero di ko pa napanood yung One More Chance. Masyado yatang cheesy. Haha.

Aba, na-touch naman ako dun. Isa ka din sa mga closest ko dito. Natutuwa din ako sa t'wing magko-comment ka. Thank you for being part of my 2011. :)

Hoobert the Awesome said...

Aww, gusto ko na talagang maniwala Hiyono na nakaka-inspire ako. Haha!