I answered this survey last year. I thought of doing it again this year.

What did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before?

• Started the year with the Crossroads retreat of YMPACT. I decided to do so because the last quarter of 2004 was rather depressing.
• Got my driver’s license and learned how to drive. (Thanks A1 Driving!)
• Setup an aquarium. My pet flowerhorn is now around 6 inches in length and growing.
• I went to Palawan with my parents and nature tripped to Butterfly and crocodile farms, bat caves, and snorkeled at Snake Island, the best beach I’ve ever saw. I became an instant beach lover because of that.
• My thesis mates and I started and finished our thesis this year after having 10 million sleepovers, movie marathons, chismisan blues and bull sessions. We also visited a lot of government offices this year like the BIR, the NTRC, NSCB, DTI, DOF among others.
• Met one of my fave bands: MYMP! Even had a picture taken with them. Naks!
• LASARET - the retreat of my accounting block.
• Helped build houses for Gawad Kalinga at Baseco, Manila.
• Had my community service at the Makati City Jail.
• This year I also decided to not sound like a frog anymore when I sing. Thus I took voice lessons last summer. And to make the process of transformation from croaking to actually singing something in tune, I also joined the choir, went KTVing on a regular basis and sang in front of a large crowd.

2005 basically was a year of deeper and more meaningful relationships—met new friends, connected with old ones, rekindled friendships and mended past conflicts. I cried, laughed, bruised, drove, snorkeled, crammed my way through 2005 and had the time of my life.

Did you keep your new year’s resolutions and will you make more for next year?

This was what I wrote last year:

“This year, I hope to be bolder, wiser and better. To aspire and inspire. To grow. To learn. To live fully and be closer to the Lord.”

I’m still far from fulfilling them completely (I believe they’re lifelong goals) that’s why I’d keep them again as a resolution for this year hoping that I’ll be able to get closer to my goals as the years go on.

Did anyone close to you give birth? No one.

Did anyone close to you die? Hmm no one too.

What countries did you visit? None. Hopefully this year we’ll go somewhere.

What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005? Focus. Haha I slacked a lot of times in 2005.

What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Second term this school year. Secret.

What was your biggest achievement of the year? Actually finishing our thesis and all my academic subjects. YES!!!

What was your biggest failure? Losing focus. Hurting people I cared for the most.

Did you suffer illness or injury? I had still, the occasional cramps. I think I had the worst case of dehydration during the latter part of the year. Oh, and the dreaded pimple breakouts. Ew.

What was the best thing you bought? Everything I bought in 168. Ukay stuff. PC stuff. I didn’t exactly shelled money for it, but I got a phone upgrade this year. YES! :lol:

Whose behavior merited celebration? I’m super super impressed at the same time, inspired by the spiritual growth and maturity of my friend, Trixie. That and the behavior of her and her and him. (name withheld hehe)

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Oh, him.

Where did most of your money go? Generally broke in 2005. Most of my money went to food, 5-peso-per-song videoke tokens and never-ending photocopying and printing and binding. It’s so expensive to do your Thesis.

What did you get really, really, really excited about? Sleepovers(!!!), travels, YM conversations, basically hanging out in school, phone conversations, birthdays, and many other things I may have forgotten.

What song will always remind you of 2005? Ben Folds’ The Luckiest, hands down.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier!
ii. thinner or fatter? fatter (huhu)
iii. richer or poorer? Poorer! (huhu)

What do you wish you’d done more of? Prioritize. Keep focus.

What do you wish you’d done less of? Slack. Procrastinate. Judge hastily. Criticize recklessly.

How will you be spending Christmas? I spent Christmas with the family as always. Attended the Misa de Gallo then ate Christmas dinner with the family and a few relatives. The following day, we had a huge family reunion (my immediate family keeps growing every year) exchanged gifts and received aguinaldos.

Did you fall in love in 2005? I fell in love with life. (CHEESY!) But yeah, I’m still single (as always) but I enjoyed every moment of my singleness this time. No joke!

How many one-night stands? 10 million. Nah! None of course!

What was your favorite TV program? Joan of Arcadia, Arrested Development, Desperate Housewives, Whose Line Is It Anyway, the Amazing Race, and… Pinoy Big Brother! Haha! I was rooting for Jason (aka the effortless comedian) the whole time. Too bad he didn’t win. :razz:

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Still no place for hate.

What was the best book you read? Harry Potter 6. Bo Sanchez’ Fill Your Life With Miracles.

What was your greatest musical discovery? Pinoy alternative bands and more indie bands.

What did you want and get? Still, love and friendship. In terms of material things: a new phone, a new cd drive, new clothes and shoes. Haha.

What was your favorite film of this year? Thesis sleepover’s were never complete without watching movies so most of the films I watched this year were done in the comforts of my room with the help of my trusty computer. Some of my favorites this year include a lot of asian films that I’m beginning to grow fond of: My Sassy Girl (fave!), My Crazy Love, Windstruck, Battle Royale and FFVII Advent Children. I also remembered laughing our asses off to Vhong Navarro and Toni Gonzaga’s hilarious movie D’ Anothers. There’s also The Terminal which I enjoyed very much. And Harry Potter 4: Goblet of Fire which I think was the best movie adaptation to date. Let see, there’s also the 40 Year Old Virgin, the Phantom of the Opera, Donnie Darko.. I’m sure there were lots more but my brain’s a little rusty so I’d stop here.

What did you do on your birthday and how old were you? I’m no longer a teen this year. But I did enjoy my 20^th birthday. In fact, I think it’s one of the best I had. I attended mass with Bum to thank the Lord for another year. Then I treated my friends to a lunch at Kaibigan and Cello’s donuts. After that, the Maloccos (that’s my barkada in Eco) basically hangout at the amphitheatre and laughed the whole time. I also received nice presents, sweet text messages and greetings this year thanks to my thoughtful friends.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 2005’s great as it is. No regrets. ;)

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004? Mostly sabog. No time to fix yourself up and be fashionable when you’re too groggy from doing your thesis or studying for a test. Of course there were times when I looked presentable—in corporate attire since it was required for school.

What kept you sane? Music, friends, my family and prayers.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Hehehe Champ, Sam Milby (for a while, now I’m sick of seeing his billboards, him singing Only You, etc, etc. they’re everywhere! driving me nuts.) Robert Pattinson aka Cedric Diggory hehehe. *drools*

What political issue stirred you the most? None. I let them run their circus while I do my thing.

Who did you miss? My highschool friends. IV-4!

Who was the best new person you met? The Maloccos (that’s Me, Chesca aka Buma, Cynthia aka Kua, Ryan, Jig aka Daddy and Jay) hands down. Buma and Cynthia definitely.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.

Friends are my greatest treasures. (Again, cheesy but true)

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

“I don’t get
Many things right the first time
In fact, I am told that a lot
Now I know all the wrong turns
And stumbles and falls
Brought me here..”

Ben Folds – The Luckiest

Here’s to a fantastic 2006 that’s full of happiness, blessings and surprises. Happy New Year everyone! ;)