Unbelievable

I can't believe a year has passed and I have written about 81 posts here in the writing challenge... (excluding this one). A great wrap-up for the year.

The Lord really blessed me this year and I am so thankful for all that He has given me...

Thank you for those who stood by and read my posts... I know most of them are boring but thank you for taking the time anyway.. LOL!  Hope you still read my posts next year... see you around!

God bless and have a wonderful, blessed new year... Let's all welcome 2012 with thankful and praising heart.

NC22: Favorite City

Favorite City....

I haven't been that far, but I miss my home the most. So obviously, that's my favorite city...  MANILA.

http://flightsaustralia.com.au

NC20: Nicknames

Have you ever had nicknames? I don't. I am not actually fond of nicknames nor pet names. But my username is actually a pet name for me... anyway, that's another story.

I never had a nickname because when my friends try, I ignore them. I don't look even when they are already calling me... hahaha! Nicknames aren't my thing.

So I'll just look at the transitions of nicknames, at least in the Philippines:

NC19: Something you miss...

There are a lot of things I miss. Being in a foreign land, I can't help but compare my home country to the place I currently consider my home. There are a lot of things in the Philippines that I never get to do in here in the mideast, particularly here in Oman.

What I miss in the Philippines?

*  Street foods - siomai, fishball, squidballs, tukneneng, kwek-kwek, kikiam... although mideast has coffee, mishkak, and shawarmas everywhere, I would still love to see and eat the familiar street foods of 'pinas. It's just not the same.

NC18: Something you regret

I don't want to live my life full of regrets. I don't think I have done something that I would consider unrepairable (I don't even know if that's a word). In short, DON'T HAVE ANY REGRETS.

I did have problems before that I should not have done... yet! But I know I'll end up there eventually. I was just impatient and impulsive. I am reaping the consequences of my actions.

But those decision, whether good or bad, I've stuck on it. I faced the consequences and in the end, everything worked out okay.

NC17: Something you're looking forward to...

We all need something to look forward to. It gives us a sense of achievement and fulfillment. It motivates us to prepare, to work hard and achieve our goals. It also gives us direction. We all need it.

Anyway, what do I look forward to for the new year? I got a lot. My New Year's Resolution ended up being a Bucket list (LOL!) but at least, I have a goal and something to keep me occupied.

In no particular order, my goals:

NC16: Dream House

If you've  been reading my posts, one of my goals is to get rich. I know, sounds a bit obnoxious, annoying, even irritating. You've probably heard it over and over. Things like:  "I've been poor all my life and I don't want to be poor again".

I won't bore you into details but I do want to get rich. Rich in the sense that I live comfortably, able to retire early, have fun at what I do, have a beautiful house with my wonderful family and basically, have a comfortable, well-off life. (Still sound annoying).


If I were to  have a house, I can say that, right now, I just want something where I can be comfortable, have a work room, a room for my baby/ies, etc. where everyone can fit in.

NC15: Bible Verse

Having worked abroad for quite a while, I've finally accepted the fact that I cannot please everyone. There are times when I get so frustrated but I take work and family into consideration before making any harsh, rational or irrational decisions.

During the turbulent time of working in a company where I felt under-appreciated, over-worked and underpaid, all I depended on was the Lord. And the fact that I need to please Him and not man.

I remembered putting this verse on my phone and used it as a wall paper so I always remember God is in control and everything will work out okay.

NC14: A picture you love

I am not a photographer. I don't like taking photos nor taking my own picture. Not that I'm vain or anything, I just don't like taking photos.

But with these current challenges, it kind of forces me to take photos and say something about it, which is great but as the word "forced" mean, I don't exactly like it.

I only take pictures when I feel like it and most of the time, it's the people I am with that I take photos of, not the scenes.

NC13: Goals

I heard it incorrectly.  I thought I heard Gold... lol! Well, they sound similar. You could really get mixed up with the words.

Goals are set to give you direction. You need to have something to look forward to. Otherwise, you'll just wander around, working at something you don't like and not really lived your life to the fullest.

I try to make my goals as realistic and as achievable as possible (see here). Unfortunately for me, although I made them simple, I haven't attained most of it yet. :P

NC12: What you believe

I've written this down a year ago.. about my faith. This is what I believe in and will stick on it. Everyone has believed in something. It may not be God but everyone recognizes there is a higher being, far greater than us.

Whatever it is, I respect it... so I hope you respect mine.

Here is what I wrote:

NC11: Favorite TV shows

I'm a couch potato. Never let me sit in front of a TV. I will ignore everything else around me except the one I am watching.

I spend more time watching TV than reading. So whenever I get a chance, I'll read. But only for a few minutes, then back to TV again... Not much of an activity. huh?!

So, writing down my favorite TV shows, I don't know where to start. It's just too many. I'll just write down what's on top of my head or if I remember some more, then, I'll write it down again.

NC10: Something You're Afraid of (fear)

I don't have something. I have plenty of things to be scared of. Fear is normal. Fear is also constant. I can't overcome something I am not afraid of. That would just be silly.

Here are list of my rational and irrational fears:

1.  Fear of unknown. The best and most common fear. I admit, I have failed to try several things because of this fear. Questions like "what would I expect there?", "what happens if...?", etc. are just excuses. We can't overcome this fear if we don't try.

2.  Fear of becoming poor. I am not rich, nor are my parents. So I don't expect any inheritance from them. We just have enough to live by and to afford necessary and often, unnecessary needs. But the thought of not having money, or not being able to afford the necessities, scares me. I don't know why. I guess, that's why I work so hard and try to live the life I wanted.

3.  Fear of death. Death is inevitable. We will all die eventually. But the thought of dying right now, where I am unaccomplished, unsatisfied and discontent with my life, scares me. Makes me feel inadequate. That I don't have much time.

4.  Fear of rejection.  I don't want to feel unwanted and rejected.

5.  Fear of losing my faith.  Sometimes I feel that I have neglected my faith and that I have taken God for granted. Knowing that God is constant and that He will be faithful to me is my strength. Unfortunately, there are times when I feel that I don't feel God, that I don't need Him and I have taken Him aside. It scares me to come to a point when I lose my faith completely and I will never know who I am anymore.


There are even more fears that I haven't had the chance to write. I have never explored more of my weaknesses. I admit that these fears are what holds me back. I am scared to take risks that could be both fulfilling and uplifting. Maybe if I let go, I would have the life that I have wanted and the life God has planned for me.

NC9: A picture of your friends

This is going to be tricky. For one, I try as much as possible not to post pictures of my friends without their permission.  Two, I don't want anyone to feel left out.

I've got lots of friends and few close ones.  I cherish every relationship I have. And although, I don't see them that often, they know that they're still my friend and I think about them.

So although, I would like to share with you. I decided not to post any of their picture. I know, it's lame.  What an excuse... I am kind of hesitant putting a picture of myself, let alone my friends.

We've got few bumps on the road together and yet, here we are.. we're still FRIENDS.

I love that I get to see them. Talk to them, share with them, worship the Lord with them and just simply being with them.

I guess I'll just keep this private... (LAME).