1PM (Philippine time), and I am counting the hours until this year ends. I am devastated. I fear the beginning of 2008. Three more months and I am graduating. Five months and my life changes dramatically. Nine months and I will celebrate my womanhood ALONE. I am afraid.

2007 was my year of reconstruction. I broke free from dark music and art. I developed a healthier lifestyle. I learned to make good use of my skills and to enhance them. I regained the faith I once lost. I learned to let loose and neglect the slanders that society will throw at me. I learned how to appreciate the little things that I have forsaken in the past. I have developed stronger and greater friendships. I learned to love others and of course, I learned to embrace the person I came to be.

I am thankful and I feel truly blessed for the year that was. I am extremely happy for the person I grew into and I would never have been so, nor have had a year so phenomenal if it weren't for the spectacular people who have been part of it.

Thanks Chup, Caren, Lea, Gigi, Joni, Bea, Pauba, Tricia, Tracy, Cheddar and Rea for being such sublime friends in and out of school. Kahit malayo ako, kahit mahina utak ko, kahit di ko kayo maintindihan -minahal nyo parin ako ng lubos.

Thank you Gab & Ish for always listening and for sticking around especially on those times when I am all scuttled, despondent and enervated.

Thanks to the Youth *yeah, I can't really enumerate you all 'cause we're so many. ^.^v* for being such fun and amazing company in and out of the Church.

To the people of Silid-Sining, Tita Pinky, Teacher Joseph & my musical theatre friends: thanks for the awesome summer experience!

To my favorite carpool family, Lolo Kikko & Uncle Kev: Thanks for tolerating my emotional breakdowns and crazy antics, and thanks for making even the darkest moments of my life light and jovial.

Thank you Mom, Dad, and my lovely sisters for bearing with my emotional breakdowns, mood-swings and momentary insanity. I know I've given you guys a pretty rough time but nonetheless you stood by me in every step of the way.

Thank you Geoff for always standing by my side, for teaching me and for inspiring me to strive for greatness. Thank you for showing me how marvelous this world really is. Thank you for always making me laugh, for making me feel beautiful, for making LIFE beautiful, for being my bestfriend and more.

2007 was a long, windy road full of potholes and speed bumps. I got hurt: I bled, sweat and cried -but I always had hands to help me through. Thank you so much everyone 'cause you made my 2007 a blast!

In all my 17 years of living, this is the FIRST time I have nothing to ask for on christmas. Every year I always had something to beg my parents for: a new laptop, a new phone, an iPod perhaps, or some fancy-shmance designer dress -this year is so different.

This morning, I sat with a cup of tea, munching an apple, and started thinking about what I can ask for this christmas, and I concluded NOTHING. Yes, NOTHING. I can't seem to find anything else to ask for. Sure, maybe a car, an iPhone, something -but none of these really make me happy. It's like, I'm probably just asking for it 'cause EVERYBODY wants it -that's just so hypocritical of me.

Looking back on this past year, I realized that I already have every material thing I need AND want; and should there be anything missing, I can easily purchase it 'cause it's just a missing PART of what I have already -an accessory, so to speak.

I'm not saying that I am totally happy right now. I AM happy but not the jolliest -I mean, of course nobody is EVER happy in the absolute prime, but you get what I mean.

I don't want any thing. Just make me smile & super-glue it on my face -no, I want a GENUINE smile: one that'll last centuries long. Make me feel warm & loved. Hug me, hold me -whatever.

I've had the most wonderful year ever! I have the nicest clothes and shoes, top-class gadgets, a happy family, the BEST of the best of friends one can ever have, regained my faith, achieved more than I imagined, and I'm with THE most AMAZING and WONDERFUL and -gosh, mere words cannot explain it -person EVER. I've had a really remarkable year and that I am just really, REALLY blessed right now. I couldn't ask for anything better.

Two hours in a car. The sun's hot rays beating down on us. Both of us exhausted. Both in dire need of deep slumber.

No, I'm not writing a poem; I just needed a nice intro.

We met at the cat house and together we hopped inside a car. Like any other trip, we had a little chat on how our day was. He yawns -a sign of exhaustion. I'm guessing that he slept late again, working on his speech for his brother's wedding, working on a video for school -basically, working.

He took my hand, and I moved close. I looked up and saw him shut his eyes. No, he wasn't asleep YET.

I closed my eyes and rested.

I felt his hand twitch -he must have fallen asleep. But how to prove that he's really asleep? LISTEN. Listen 'cause he has a nasal condition than causes him to snore when unconscious.

I felt like a mom watching her own child pant from exhaustion -something that brings tears to a mother's eyes. It was the cutest thing and yet it was so sad. I wanted to pull him close and hold him tight, make him something and just simply cater to him -make things better; make him feel better.

I have never seen him so tired. Nakakaawa tignan. He was so tired and was in such deep sleep a while ago yet, still, he held my hand the whole trip home. It was the sweetest thing.