January
Bid goodbye to Shimmer, my nearly four-year old laptop. Welcomed Shadow, a Sony Vaio S series laptop named as such because of its sleek black color.

On this month, I also went home in Aklan and celebrated Kalibo’s renowned Ati-Atihan Festival.

February
This month, I got reunited with a friend and together, we embarked on my most unpredictable trip yet to Siquijor: the trip was canceled because of an earthquake, pushed through with it the following day but on our way back almost got stranded in the island because of rough seas. Still, seeing the beauty of the said mystical island was worth all the (mis)adventures we had.

On the 26th, I was a nervous wreck when we went to the US Embassy to get visas and was particularly ecstatic when I did get it. My Facebook status update summarized it all.

After feeling zombiefied from lack of sleep due to a very early flight & an early interview, having to contend with my heart roaring from what seemed like galloping horses & the knots of tension that formed at the pit of my stomach (these put the phrase, “butterflies in my stomach” to shame) as I waited in agony for my turn, I am over the moon for this recent blessing.

Thank you, dear God & thank you, daddy. I know you are watching over me. 🙂

March
Was so toxic with work I did not get to travel.  As my therapy, I spent most of my days working on a scrapbook project as a July birthday gift for a dear friend.  I ended up not finishing it so I thought of just giving it as a Christmas present.  As of this writing, it’s not yet done.  Ha ha.

April
Went island hopping to the islands of Nalusuan and Olango.

Another toxic work month because of the Holy Week.

May
Time to reward myself after two grueling work months.  Summer fun with friends whom I haven’t seen in years. Trekked Sumilon Island, swam with the whale sharks, discovered Tumalog Falls, and climbed Osmeña Peak, Cebu’s highest point.

June
My most awaited and exciting trip yet. Visited Incheon, South Korea and Narita, Japan before finally arriving at Los Angeles.

Also toured Las Vegas.

And rode the cable car and enjoyed the sights of San Francisco.

July
Took a short course at Cornell University.  Enjoyed going back to school even for a while.

Made the most of our last stop of our US trip: New York.

Also became a 5-year veteran at work and this photo caption on my Facebook page best showed how proud I am to be working for one of the country’s premier resorts.

Happy anniversary, Plantation Bay. You’re sweet 16 today & as our GM touchingly shared, are coming of age. You’ve proven your resilience over the years & done us proud with the many awards you reaped. But more than the pride for these awards is the honor of me being part of your distinct brand of service that creates a unique experience for & leaves imprints into the lives of not just our guests but on ours, your PB family as well.

It’s been 5 years since I joined you & all these years, I have been very happy to be working for you.

Today, as you acknowledge my contribution, I am feeling proud & humbled at the same time. Thank you.

Cheers to many more years of weaving magical moments with & for our guests! 🙂

This month, I was also offered a different position in the same company, shaking my very well-laid career plans to the core.

August
Accepted the challenge of my new position and wrote about my hopes and fears in this post. Part of it read:

I am really thankful to my company for believing in me and for giving me the chance to contribute to it through my passion for writing. And though I still feel a little wary of things to come, I resolve to myself to give my best to this endeavor and make the most of it.

Bring it on.

September
A mostly toxic month as I started learning the ins and outs of my new job. Funny how my Facebook page used to be so updated prior to this but come September, it only showed birthday greetings from friends.

As mentioned, this is my natal month. And days before I turned 29, I wrote this piece about how some people are bothered by my being single at this age. I just said it’s my choice and really not a problem for me since I’m happy being one. Because really, since when did marriage have a deadline? More importantly, since when did one’s (marital) status define a person or his / her happiness?

October

First year death anniversary of Daddy. While time helped us accept his loss, I will never get over missing him. Funny. The longer he’s not a (physical) part of my life, the more I am reminded of him. I still cry over the songs played at his funeral and always talk to him every day. I once even bought his favorite chocolate and ice cream only to realize when I got home that he’s no longer around to share it with the family.

Really had a blast at home. Enjoyed my much-needed break from work and spent my days doing nothing. We even went to the beach like we used to when I was a kid.

Also welcomed Andie, my Samsung Galaxy S3. Yeah, I know. I name all my gadgets. It’s one of my idiosyncracies.

November
Our traditional Christmas Tree Lighting got more fun with my four best gal pals in the office. For weeks, we agonized over what to wear to this Filipiniana-inspired event. Thank heavens we managed to pull it off.

This blog, Thoughts, Tales, and Whatnot, was also born.

December
Perhaps my most memorable company Christmas party to date. Village People-inspired with our department having construction workers as our sub-theme. Proud that this was the first time in my adult life that I went onstage to dance.

Mid-December, I visited Manila to attend a good friend’s wedding. Revisited my beloved alma mater, the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

Also got reunited with people I haven’t seen in years and visited Tagaytay and Batangas.

Got myself a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 as a Christmas present (the S3’s my company phone) and loving it to bits.

So there goes my 2012.  And as I bid adieu, I thank my loved ones for the memories and life lessons they brought into my life this year.

And to my Lord and my God, thank you for always blessing me with much much more than what I think I deserve.