there’s a beautiful christmas song i heard over the radio a couple of days ago before christmas…the kicker line was: When my heart finds Christmas, i hope it finds you too…

Now, this is my version: When my heart finds Christmas, it doesn’t always find you…

Pretty much explains how i spent my Christmas. hehe… but like what a friend said, i deserve someone better. So okay, i deserve someone better.

Anyway, here’s a look at how 2006 has been for me…

2006 KICKER MEMORIES

     MY first trip outside Luzon. It may not be Cebu or Davao but it’s a different place. Definitely not Manila, Naga or Laguna.

     My first airplane ride. It wasn’t the knee-shaking experience I thought it to be. We didn’t get stranded in mid-air and we snacked on Goldilocks cake and orange juice (no, not peanuts and Maxx candy). Pretty uneventful. But I’d like to do it again, preferably outside the country next time.

      Pagsanjan Falls escapade. Nothing beats the feel of the water hitting your back — a very good alternative to a spa massage. Thanks to Miko and PJ!

      Bagyong ‘Milenyo’ in LB. In the six years I’ve stayed in Los Banos, it was the   first time classes were cancelled for a week, the first time I saw all those palms and acacia trees go down, the first time I had to struggle with a flooded bedroom.

      Three crashes in a row. Don’t ask me.

      Graduate studies. God, I can’t wait to finish!

      Coffee dates where the girl ended up paying. It was bad that she started it last year and the habit was carried on this year. But it’s definitely something she has no desire of ever doing again.

      A newly-renovated house. Our living room’s fit to be featured in Better Homes and Real Living magazines. My dad says I can now bring boys and suitors at home. What a joke!

 A laptop. I’ve always wanted one and thought that I would have to wait for five years. But perhaps the early gift was to compensate for the lack of other things in my life – like a boyfriend, just like what my friend PJ would tell me.

 A three-day immersion with the Aetas of Zambales – a truly memorable, humbling experience. You see a world outside your own and you develop a deep respect for these people who have managed to preserve their culture, live life the simple way and rise above the injustice and discrimination.

 Getting involved in ALL in CBNRM. I might not be doing much except write articles and organize the trainings and workshops. But it’s a good way to learn new things, gain new perspectives and yes, let’s admit, earn more.

 Starting my time deposit account. I’m young, active, and so full of dreams. I want to buy this thing and that. I want to travel and go to places. But while I want to indulge in all these luxuries, I’d like to be stable, to save for the rainy days and be financially independent, free from want.

 Kupal moments with PJ. I usually end up badly beaten by his comments, but he keeps me grounded, keeps me sane, keeps me rational. He makes me laugh even when I’m so down in the dumps nursing a broken heart. Yeah, talk about being a masochist.

     Bonding moments with the junior faculty. Pizza treats, drinking sessions, Tagaytay trip.

 Getting published in Youngblood again. It’s the third time an article of mine made it to the column. Perhaps its time to consider a sideline work as a columnist. Hehehe…

 Doing charity work. I’m thinking of making this a yearly habit. It feels good to share given the many blessings I’ve received.

 Nana’s graduation celebration — my first outing in Tagaytay with my family.

 1st semester, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Don’t even bother asking.

 Breaking number three rule in Clarisse’s Blue Book of Honor: Never mess with students and colleagues. Translate: No crushes, no flirting, no falling in love. I deserve a lesson on being impersonal, detached and rational.

 Discussions on relativity, carpe diem, humanistic philosophy, truth, rationality…

 ‘Friends forever’ punchlines. The first time it was ‘we don’t know each other that much’. The second time it was ‘you’ll find someone who deserves your love’. The third…well, he just drifted away. I wonder what’s next.

 Being such a sucker for charming smiles, sweet words and intelligent, sharp minds. I swear, perhaps it’s time I go for the bad-boy, rough-around-the edges type because there’s always something wrong with the nice, preppy guys I like so much. And perhaps, it’s time I also stop falling for all the laude, smart types as they all seem to have a problem with me. Perhaps I should choose a moron next time?

 Exchanging smiles and a ‘hello’ with a stranger. Freaked me out, really.

 Being asked if i’d like to go beyond being friends. Duh! What a question!