Clarissa

I still remember how I swore I was gonna make 2011 one of the best years of my entire living experience. It was exactly a year ago, with the rest of our clan, same place. I wrote it down in my hard-won Starbucks planner, with that Tanduay Ice logo bannering the page. Halfway through twenty-eleven, I wanted to tear that page out. But I didnt. It stood as a reminder everything was about to change in the year. True enough, it was one of the bests! :)

To mention just a few things I really am thankful about, I graduated on time as a Quadricentennial Batch  Alumni, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts degree. Imagine? I dont think even an entire 50% of graduating college students in the Philippines were given that very once-in-a-hundred-year chance. I walked down PICC with the rest of my girls, at exactly 1:30pm during the 31st of March. We were all filled with the mixture of hope for a bright future, fear from pessimism and sadness of separation. Nevertheless, that was topped off with pure gratitude. :)

Progress career-wise was overwhelming. This, many has noticed. I, too, am taken over by the sudden rise of this certain aspect. Got to work for a lot of editors, directors, producers, editors, managers, celebrities, politicians. Not many are given the chance too..  Not braggin`, or anything. Just recalling the very many things to be effin grateful about! :) I pray that for 2012, I finally find the direction to which I`m supposed to go.. Famous philosopher Seneca once said, “If a man knows not what harbor he seeks, any wind is the right wind,” and I pray I do not go astray.

The importance of “family” surfaced.  My parents, my cousins, my titos and titas, have proved to be my best defense in any great war. Our diversity, though very eminent, has led us to grow as the individuals we were supposed to be, and helped us grow to love each other more. Distance from each other and even the growing threat of separation has just brought us closer together… and we`re all so thankful. We made it all through 2011.

I have learned the very essence of “let go and let God.” I gave up the plans I had for myself and let the Lord do all the coursing. There’s just more magic in letting things fall in to their rightful places than forcing them to happen. People come into our lives as blessings and lessons. No matter how many people you`ve lost, best believe you have everyone you need at this very moment.. Yes, I have loved and gave everything up, and still lost. But I`ve never felt so blessed and loved right now.. And once again, I`m full of thanksgiving.

Friends I`ve made in 2011 have been so welcoming and such blessings. I`ve got no words, hands down to those who will stay. :)

My pursuit of happiness has never been this difficult. But I found my contentment, the fulfillment, and the essence of which happiness is concerned. As I reflect about 2011, I could once again feel the victory, the gaiety, the pain, the downfall, the peace, the anxiety, the frustration… but I am always refreshed by the joy I never lost, instead, was strengthened.

Once one believes he knows it all, learning stops. I will never stop learning. This will always be my edge. Two-o-‘leven has made me the best fighter I could be at this moment. I learned to choose which battles I was going to take on… I dint fight battles I was sure Im going to win. I fought the battles that I believed were worth fighting for. And I won. Thank God. :)

Thank you, 2011.

Love,

Calleigh S.

Original post:
Thank you, 2011
2011, Dec