A Toast to the New Year!

I know it's a tad late but I'd like to wish everyone a belated Happy New Year!  J

I know, I know.  It's a little late but these past holiday season have been the busiest I've had thus far.  Along with the usual festivities and the accompanying reunions and parties, there was also a baptism to organize (which we successfully pulled off.  Thank you very much.   J), vacations to plan and a sick baby nephew to cheer up at the hospital (on December 31st no less!)  All these of which was further complicated by the Little One's cold.  Whew!  Thank you, adrenaline rush!  J

But regardless of how hectic the last 2 weeks have been, I was still able to jot down a few of the things I'm extremely grateful for for the past year.

1. First and foremost is the birth of the Little One middle of 2011.  Our tiny family of 2 just got more complicated and interesting.  Two more and the Hubby and I will be outnumbered!  Hehehe!  J

2. Hubby is also included in this thanksgiving list.

He has always been supportive of most of my decisions and plans. And although I was stuck at home for most of 2011 (extreme torture for me who has been out and about -- either studying and/or working -- for nearly my entire life), I most probably would never have survived without his support -- both financial and psychological.  Mainly the psychological part as I was such a pain to be with especially during the early part of 2011.  Darn pregnancy hormones.  J

Our small band.  J

3. I’ve always been grateful for family and the previous year is no exception.  Returning to RP to give birth after staying in Singapore for the better part of 2010, I find that I never would have survived the pregnancy, post-pregnancy and new baby aches and pains without my family who all served as my support system from day 1.

A dear family friend -- Ninang Madre (Catholic nun), my mom (at back) and dad (right)
Missing in the picture are my bro, sis-in-law and the favorite (and only) nephew who was at the hospital that time..

4. Free time. With me at home for the most part of 2011, free time was definitely the one thing I had an abundance of.  And anyone who knows me well enough is aware how easily bored I get. 

So instead of just planting myself in front of the TV (which I also did countless of times too.  Hehehe!), I tried to keep myself busy.  I was able to re-open my small online business (I sell second hand books on Ebay.ph – username: christine00900.  Please check it out.  J) and do some freelance writing on the side.

I was able to catch up on some reading, do some crafting, learned some new non-work related skills (like applying make up, among others), practice my photography skills and tie-up some more loose ends here in RP which I was not able to focus on before I initially left.

Aside from that, I was also able to start redefining The Average Jane blog which eventually lead to a lot of online friends (forever grateful, everyone!  J) and a few opportunities related to blogging, most of which I never, in my wildest dreams, have imagined would happen.

Interview at Dig Radio last December 2011 --
just one of the opportunities given to me because of blogging.  J

Yup.  There is indeed a lot of be grateful for in the year 2011.  J

***

After a few hectic years in the corporate world (7 years worth) and school (Elementary to College plus 4 more of Graduate school); a wedding (which took us a year and a half of planning and execution) and a health scare (2 years and counting.  Hehehe!), I can now finally say I’m completely rested (1 year is enough, thank you very much.  J) and have a new understanding of where I want to see my life headed.

That being said, I’ve made up my list of goals for 2012:

1. I want to live a healthier lifestyle.  While pregnant and restricted from eating a lot of the junk I used to love, I realized just how harmful my old eating habits were. 

Knowing that the Little One was feeding off the nutrients from the food I was stuffing myself with, made me realize how much junk I was used to having and how harmful it was for the baby and for me as well.

Healthy living

Seeing her now also made me realize how badly I want to see her grow up.  And so I restarted my fitness regimen again and have been more mindful of what I eat.  I’m not perfect and there are times I cheat but at least it’s a start.  Hehehe!  J

2. Be more patient.  People who know me well are aware that patience is not exactly one of my strongest traits.  I’m used to multitasking and hate wasting time.  2011 taught me that it’s sometimes ok to take it easy and relax.  I hope to continue this mindset for years to come.

3. Find an HR-related job in Singapore.  Human Resources is my chosen career and I love it!  Starting there since I graduated from college last 2003, I have learned that HR is a job I enjoy doing.  With 7 years in the industry, I have sufficiently invested and have planned my career in RP already. 

But in order for our small family to be complete, the Little One and I will once again be joining Hubby in Singapore this 2012.  If everything goes according to plan, we’ll most probably be staying there for good.  Sniff!  A huge sacrifice just to ensure that our family is intact.

That being said, I’m hoping to restart my career in Human Resources again in the Lion City.  A new culture to adjust, new laws and customs to learn but I’m up for the challenge.  Bring it on!  J

My old work table.  Oh how I miss the days of being a workaholic.  *Sigh*

4. Save! Save! Save!  I’ve been very lucky that I was able to save a portion of my paycheck every month.  With that I was able to set aside a substantial amount for emergency purposes, aside from some investments I placed on the side for future use.

However, me without a stable income last 2011 was a bad combination, and as expected my savings have slowly been depleted.  It’s still a good amount but I want to start saving again.  And in line with goal #3, I'm quite optimistic I'll be able to start doing so again.

Challenging list but doable, wouldn't you agree?  Here's to bigger and brighter things this 2012!  J

Cheers!