Wednesday, December 31, 2008

2008 Reflections

Hmmmn, this year was not the year for me. For many reasons I will try to enumerate one by one in this blog post.

Anyway, this year marked my 5th year in the University, and is one reason I am not happy (still) with my life right now. This year was not a good academic year for me, for I was almost kicked out of the institution. This was caused by excessive focus on non-academic activities that made me zone out of academic mode. The results were not good - I was on probation last semester and unfortunately (despite my amazing efforts to lift up the punishment) this semester too. This semester is very risky for me for i need to pass my all my subjects (all 18 units of it, including Thesis proposal). Ugh, Lord God Almighty help me!!!

Moving along the reflection blog, I think one of the most memorable things I experienced this year was having a crew, a dance crew that is family to me. DanceWorks (D.W. as I call it)was not an option when i first entered UP Baguio, until my good friend Ed Bellosillo asked me to help her revive the group. I was not hesitant to help her for she took a new stand in choreographing the group. She mixed Jazz and Hip-Hop to come up with a new brand of dance she labels as "Jazz-Funk." The group started small, very small, with only seven members (Dei Antonio, Abby Ajero, Mickey Eva, Julius Masarate, Ochi Bernadas, Ed Bellosillo and Me!), but gained appreciation from the UP Baguio community and from fellow dance organizations (thanks Shadows, UPBDT and Tayaw). Our first performance was done in Tagis-Lakas and followed by invitations to dance at the CCA Mini Concerts and the annual Pasiklaban. For the said occasions, Thea Micu, JR Culaton and Jessica Acuna were welcomed to the family. The group will be opening its doors for new members next June. I loved that these people became part of something more than just an organization, for they are real and down-to-earth honest, and I, myself is honored to be part of a family that is growing. I love D.W.!(check this link for our performance video http://pavl.multiply.com/video/item/33/DanceWorks_Tagis_Lakas_2008)

Another thing that I am thankful for are my friends, the S&B (Single and Bitter). The barkada originated in Baguio, during our freshman year in 2004. Suprisingly, despite differences, and present geographical separation, the barkada continues to be one of the best things that happened to me. I remember this year, Ria Manuel, one of my ka-barkadas graduated this summer and has gone to Riyadh to find work. I was sad indeed that she left but that woke me up, telling me that life does not have to be stuck, move on and still live for yourself, for your family and for your friends. Although sometimes, the barkada gets into weird arguments (about someone's picture *wink), we still find ways to humble ourselves and forgive, something that is not common to all, and which I am glad to share with my life partners. I thank them for keeping me strong and undeniably happy. They say your friends will tell you who you are, and i could not agree more. I am S&B and S&B is my life. Cheers to the life-long friendship!

Lastly, i thank my family for being always there for me. I really do not know why i am studying, or even try to study. Then i figure "i have my family, they are counting on me." For this reason, i am still trying to finish my under graduate studies and trying to make them proud. I do not know any mom and dad that has displayed an amazing amount of patience as mine did. I am a stubborn kid who does not want to do house chores, but they understood, and as for my part, i tried to change that, and somehow I did. I love my parents and my brothers, and i could not ask for a better family.

So whats in store for me in the year 2009? I do not know. But i will try to out-do myself next year and I will graduate. So there goes my words again. God bless me and this whole country and the world!!! Happy New Year!!!

1 comment:

Ria M. said...

awww. that was sweet. i was really sad when i left you guys too. super. parang ang laki ng nawala skn na part. pero as you said, life goes on... naisip ko rin un na sana forever nlng tau mgkksama sa baguio tpos dun tau lahat magwork and all, parang college. pero teh wla taung mararating ng ganon haha. test of friendship ang distance and mukha nmng pumapasa tau. anyway, have a really prosperous new year. kaya yan sa acads, i know you can do it. you just have to push yourself hard and be tough. miss u super! i'll see you soon :-* love u!