2011, Bring it On!

What's in store for me this 2011? I ask myself.

2010 was a year full of tribulations and doubts. I was practically depressed the most part of the year. Although my depression was brought about by personal woes and issues I could not address directly. I was smack in the middle of "mid-life crisis" and no pun intended on that. 

I was lost. I had plenty of questions. And those questions until now are not yet answered. However, I cannot let the mistakes of 2010 bring me down as well this 2011. I need to rise up and face whatever challenges head on because that is the only way I will learn. 

I pray with a sincere hope that 2011 brings the much needed break each and everyone of us so badly need. 

So 2011, bring it on!

Welcome 2011 with Hope

2010 has been a year of "greats" - great disasters, great snow storms, great political threats that could shake a nation's security, great attack to Christianity, great economic depression and recession, great rift among nations (N. Korea and S. Korea), great divorce amongst famous personalities, great environmental harm and great deaths. The list can go on but I don't want to press on the negative events of the year that will become a "has-been." Rather, I want to focus on the good things that happened during 2010. I am sure that 2010 did not bring just the unfortunate events. It also brought brotherhood and humility to everyone.

What are the positive things that happened this year which we all find inspiring and worth taking to 2011? I have a few to list here which I feel and think merits recognition for the positive impact they have on a global scale. (Like I said, these are my personal opinion.)

1. Oct. 13, 2010 - Successful rescue operation of the Chilean Miners

All 33 Chilean miners have been trapped for more than 10 weeks. Although the rescue mission took long because of the sensitivity of the mission, the were rescued nonetheless.

Nations prayed together, had a vigil and camped out to await the day of the precise extraction. It came on October 13.

2. June 11 to 11 July, 2010 - South Africa's FIFA global fever

South Africa graced the successful 2010 FIFA and brought about unity and camaraderie amongst other nations and fellow Afrikaans.

It is good that their country hosted the well-known sport event because throngs of delegates and other nationals flocked their country to watch and support their team. And what does that mean financially - money came in.

3. November 16, 2010 - In-Kyung Kim donates golf winning to charity

Money is scarce and the rich are richer. It is so wonderful to know that a young adult is wise beyond her years by doing the thing most young and rich people will not do - give it all. The winning that is.

22-year-old In-Kyung Kim donated her golf winning from the Lorena Ochoa cup to the Lorena charity. Half of her winning went to another charitable institution in the United States.

4. June 18, 2010 - Final installment of Toy Story (3) is released

With the deluge of senseless movies this year, it is breath of fresh air to watch something we will all remember. I have always been a fan of Toy Story, from the very first to the last installment. This movie moves me and make me see toys in a different light.

I love how the theme revolved on the "toys' desire" to be there for Andy no matter what it takes. It showed , friendship, trust, love for others, perseverance, and respect which I don't see too often in other movies these days.

Toy Story 3 may be the last but for me, it will always be one of the greatest animation ever shown. And I will make sure that when I have grandchildren, they too, will enjoy the movie as I have had.

So, the year is about to end. It will be nice to bury the fear, animosity and negativity in 2010. I know it is easier said than done but let's welcome 2011 with a glimmer of hope - one day at a time. A prayer will do wonders too.

Happy New Year everyone. 2010 has been tough and we have braved the tumultuous year standing. 2011 will be challenging but we already know what to do.

Busy Cleaning

I posted few days back that I will be conducting end-of-the-year cleaning. Today is day 1 and so far, I am progressing well. I love to clean up especially when there is no one to distract nor stop me from throwing the unnecessary clutter we have collected over the years. The only sad part is that, we have all fond memories of some of the stuff but I believe we should separate or distance ourselves from the earthly ties we have on material things. So, I am moving on...

Clean, clean, clean. That's what I want to obtain by the end of the year. I am even de-cluttering the negativity in my live right now. I want to welcome 2011 with a positive outlook and determination to beat the odds, no matter what them may be.

I'll say good bye soon to 2010 with a clean house (and mind, heart and soul) and will  welcome 2011 all bright and beaming with joy.

It is Hot!

The long and very hot summer months here in Dubai are finally back! It is difficult to walk outside around 8 a.m. without sweating. The weather is so humid and I feel suffocated going to the car parked in a covered garage. Imagine the temperature rising as the days go by specially in the months of July and August where the peak of the summer heat is felt.

I need my sunblock lotion, wide-brimmed hat and good old fan to cool me down. This is going to be one, weird summer of 2010!

The Year That Was and The Year That Will Be

I welcomed 2009 with big, open arms but was disappointed as the year wore off. I am not saying that my 2009 started on a wrong footing. As a matter of fact, the beginning of 2009 was promising for us. We spent the holidays with our love ones back in the Philippines. We applied for our USA visa for the first time and got approved. My brother's employer gave him a chance to work full time in their company. And I established good blogging relationships with new bloggers who later on became my online-sisters cum buddies.

2009 didn't really start to disappoint me until the recession took a nose dive sometime mid of the year. Our company did not give us increment in lieu of our job securities. We did not get our bonus for the exemplary performance we gave for the previous year. However, despite the lack of monetary award, we have our jobs. That is a blessing in itself.

A lot of misfortune happened this year. Many calamities hit my motherland. A lot of people perished. And now, Mount Mayon is showing its natural force! Are there more to come before the year ends?

My heart ached for this year's misfortunes and misgivings of people I trust and close to my heart. I feel bereft of anything except for the flicker of hope that is 2010. The recession is still on. But I hope that tiny shimmer of hope does not wane as I enter the new year ahead.

I am praying for everybody and not just for myself and my family. I am praying that the coming year will bring us good tidings and peace. Please join me in this solemn prayer I wrote:

Dear God,

We thank you for the year that was and the year that will be. We know the trials before us are something to prepare us to strengthen our faith.

We pray that You will guide us through 2010 with big hopes and belief that all these will come to an end. Help us detach ourselves from earthly possessions which hinder us from accepting all the harsh realities. Let us grow in our faith and hope with your loving grace.

We know it will be tough but with You on our side, we will get through this. We will believe that there is hope in everything as long as we pray with sincerity.

Thank you dear God for the lessons we learned this year and prepare us to learn more with a better discernment and bigger faith as 2010 approaches.

We believe. Amen.