324. a last day musing

Reflection

My hair color is now reddish black. The hairstylist advised it'll turn lighter. Plus, I'm wearing green contacts; soon enough, I'll shift to gray.

It's goodbye to the old me.

This is not the measurement of a transition. But for now, it'll suffice to have reminders as such to the 'death' of an era that has become so passé for me to linger on. You see, I need visuals.

Moving on --

I was sick the entire Christmas Day which, upon deep thought, wasn't bad at all. I spent it with my family (my brother and his family, that is), coupled with a bowl of soup, two paracetamol tablets, orange juice & the ever-handy water. I got good presents this year, but I reckon that the BEST blessing there is is none other than "love".

Otherwise, why celebrate Christmas?

I haven't had an ACTUAL shopping spree, in terms of gift-giving. Unlike last year, which was filled with fancy stuff for almost everyone in my family, I only had a bottle of Marks & Spencer wine laid out on the table. Oh that, and the good 'ol ham & food basket from the Company. This is in preempt of the trying times ahead, plus the fact that I had to save a couple more dough for the rest of the holidays.

But enough about the brouhaha. I hope EVERYONE is enjoying the holidays. There's absolutely NO COMPARISON to the love, joy and peace that surrounds us. It's just that sometimes, we are so apathetic, like the rest of the world, to even realize the little things that means so much.

I've taken defeat to the fact that every good, no... GREAT things that happen to us are consequences of our choice. It'll take a lot of (failed) attempts to convince me of luck, charms, superstitions and traditions that'll shape one's destiny. I'm honed to be an optimist, with my life experiences, ups and downs as a strong basis.

My 2008, so to speak, has been a lovely year. Sure enough, I had my fair share of failures, disappointments, sorrows, heartbreak and pain. The heck do I care?! I had to beat my downers with my uppers: My family. My struggling but gripping-on relationship with God. My friends. My relatives. My work. My boss and colleagues. My mentors. My life-changing travel. My health. Blah-blah-blah.

It's a life-given fact that you can't appreciate the sweet taste of the Dolce Vita motto without the negatives. That (negatives) I have to thank for. I'm in no certainty how my 2009 would be:

I might get promoted. Or stay in my position, but grow. Or jobless.
I might inspire more people. Or the other way around.
I might have a boyfriend. Or the single yet mingling type.
I might travel to another country. Again. Or just within the Philippines.
I might take French class. Or enroll at a Brazilian-Capoeira class.
I might drive our red Toyota. Or buy a new one.
I might stay alive. Or I might die.

An optimist, I am... at the same time, a realist. I know how contradicting it is; yet, I'd rather arm myself with reality filled with hope, faith and a surreal kind of love.