Looking Back and Forward.

I don't know if it was that noticeable, but people really are more excited about 2010. I for one am.

It may not be manifested in the fireworks display that midnight of January 1st, 2010, since we are seeing less of the fireworks compared to years that have passed, but the certain glow in peoples' faces shone much brighter than the lit sky.

People were smiling out of happiness or out of hope. I think we were all just looking forward to seeing better days after coming from a bad one.

Looking back, 2009 was not a very good year. People all over the world were struggling because of the recession that hit late 2008 which led to a lot of job cuts, financial instability, personal crisis and hopelessness. Add to that are all the unforeseen disasters that just made the year turn for the worse. Although my personal struggles had nothing to do with the recession (I was blessed enough to have a good stable job and income), my 2009 was not such a good one either.

Here are some of the sad things that happened in my 2009.

At the start of the year, my beloved lola (grandmother) passed away. During the course of my lola's wake, my lolo (grandfather) developed a flu out of emotional pain and a few weeks after- a couple of days after his birthday- he also passed away.

Most of my closest friends and colleagues started quitting their jobs and left.

Despite wanting to get away, I canceled a few trips and holidays to which I already had non-refundable tickets to because of a lot of unfortunate circumstances.

I had a terrible tummy flu that tied me down to my bed, and for a time, I thought was the dreaded swine flu.

I went through some heart drama. again.

My sister and I got held up. An armed man robbed me of lots of stuff I worked hard for, and my sister still has a scar from the knife that went through her wrist.

My family was somehow affected by typhoon Ondoy, one of the worst storms to hit Manila. We were still very much blessed compared to many during this ordeal, but it was so heartbreaking to hear about what happened to a lot of good people we care for.

Overall, it really wasn't such a good year (except maybe for the last few months of the year when things started to get better). But coming from a year that wasn't too nice to me obviously makes me more excited and hopeful about this year.

I did start the year believing 2010 will be exciting. I declared it to people with such conviction that it would be. By exciting, I meant, it would be full of life, meaning and interesting stories to tell and experience. Exciting could be a combination of both good and bad. It's probably going to be both most of the time, but I really don't care. I just want to be able to go through each day, witness the months unfold, and feel more alive!

It's actually starting to happen. The year has just started and so much has been going on already. Lately, I've been having those exciting, and somewhat funny types of experiences that make you want to just go up in the mountains and scream...

Come on, 2010, bring it on!!!

I am looking forward to what you have in store and I am SO READY for you.

2010. New Year for Fashion.

I am always excited about the start of the year because this is when most of the global fashion brands begin their SUPER SALE. I'd like to think I'm chic but I'm also quite a cheap-o so getting fabulous fashion finds during the end of the season works best for me! Problem is, I don't think I can say no to great deals, like a pair of boots that have been slashed off over 50% off its original price! But then again, they are sooo last season (hah. who cares?!?)

Okay, that's me. Given a tight budget for my wardrobe, I would definitely go for a great bargain anytime! It feels good, too, not having to guiltlessly swipe my credit card, plus have some money left for other things like a weekend trip out of town! yipee! :)

More than the end of season fashion steals, I'm actually excited to see the latest trends for 2010. It's been a decade since the start of this millenium, and FASHION as a form of expression, and as a show of individuality just keeps getting better and better. (unfortunately, more and more expensive too. yikes).

2010 photo from JakandJil.com

Being with French brand Promod for about 6 seasons already made me witness how fashion has evolved yet still remains the same in some way over the years. During the recent fashion trends presentation in France, I was given the wonderful privilege of taking a sneak peek at Promod's nouvelle collection.

It's fun to see how the likes of Nina Ricci, Givenchy, Jill Stuart, Stella McCartney, Betsey Johnson have inspired such collections which will be made more affordable for women like me. :)

My current fave is the Arty Graphic collection, which reminds me of Donna Karan's pieces. Walking in the streets of New York come springtime with this chic ensembles and famous big, dark, Jackie-O sunnies will make you feel so effortless yet very sophisticated.

Arty Graphic Collection. At Promod Head Office in France

Steve Madden Stardom Flats

Here's another fashion item to drool over. A recent fave of my shoe-loving friend.  These flats with the studded silver details looks pretty laidback but very glamorous at the same time.  Perfect shoe to top off your 2010 futuristic /glam/ rock star ensemble. These flats can actually go well with almost anything on your wardrobe! ;)

           Photo from Garancedore.fr. Bess Minnetonkas

Studs have a cute way of glamming up items even your cute Minnetonkas especially for those winter cold start of the year parties. :)

Time to Fly

(repost from my private blog, written March 2007)
A year ago, I felt like flying. Flying meant leaving the nest where I was well-fed and cared for, but more so it meant reaching greater heights and being able to experience new things. For that very reason, I wanted to fly.


I made that attempt…I tried. I almost jumped off the cliff, but I didn’t. I guess that time, I wasn’t ready yet. Something was holding me back and somehow at that point, I strongly felt like holding on. Something was telling me that I still had a lot of things to learn first before I would be able to finally spread out my wings and soar. Maybe it was the fear of the unknown and the fact that I didn’t think I’d be able to make it if I took the big leap.

I have never been a risk taker in my life. I always tried to play it safe. I was never used to taking big steps if I didn’t know what lies ahead of me. And since some of the forces have suddenly grabbed hold of my wings tightly, it became much clearer to me then that it wasn’t my time yet.

And so I stayed on while others slowly developed their wings and ventured off. I saw them fearlessly brave the unknown, and I felt proud knowing that they finally made it. Somewhere deep inside I knew that one day soon I’ll be reaching for the skies, too.

Now the time has come for me to try venturing out into the vast open skies as well. There is still that fear inside of me that I might be doing the wrong thing, but now I have a greater fear of remaining at a standstill and not being able to know what I am capable of. I know it’s not going to be easy. As a matter of fact, nothing is. But I really have to do this now, not for anyone else, but for myself. So now, it's time to say goodbye because finally, my time has come to fly.

"There's just nothing you can't do,
when you reach that part of you,
that let's you take another chance to fly.
Time is going by, I see the signs of goodbye,
Right before my eyes, I see the signs, that in my life.
It's time to fly. It's time to fly." – Annette Warner

PLS

Diary of my birthday blues and blessings

"Although life may lead to where you least expect it, have faith that it is where you were meant to be" (thanks, Bugee)

November 30, 2007.
I was somewhere a plane ride away from home where I was greeted with tears and yet another heartbreak.

November 30, 2008.
I was surrounded by my favorite people who held my hand as I bravely greeted the year ahead of me, regardless if it brought tears or laughter, we celebrated.

One of my best friends (you know who you are ;) ) gave me a special French book, CD and Calendar for year 2009 as a gift knowing how I would love to fly to Paris someday. *hopefully 2009*

November 30, 2009.
I was again somewhere a plane ride away from home. This time, I was greeted with a smile and a heartwarming, unforgettable experience...

Celebrating my birthday in beautiful PARIS.

The City of Lights and The City of Love.

SURREAL.

I can't even express fully how it was such a wonderful gift to be in one of the most amazing cities in the world on my SPECIAL DAY! Such timing!
"Bonjour, Joyeux Anniversaire!" Oh Joy.

I mean, how often do we experience these cute little moments in our life? Really.

Life is full of surprises. I'm just learning to take it all in. Both the good and the bad. I guess it's what makes life beautiful. :)

Sometimes we cry, sometimes we feel nothing, but I guess, sometimes, too, we feel happy.

Why not be a little optimistic and quit complaining about the rain when the sun shines?

In retrospect, I can't help but feel that the happiness I have was meant to happen to make up for all the sadness I had. This makes it all the more worth it.

In sad moments, I should learn to remember the blessings.

And in happy moments like this, I should learn to be grateful for the blessings.

I thank God for giving me blessings that are beyond my wildest expectations.

I thank all of you, my loves, for holding my hand through the ups and downs each year brings.

There will be more drama. There will be more dreams come true.

There will be more of LIFE ... sooo thank you very much for being a part of mine. :)

I'm a year older now, and my life is much more full.

Merci Beaucoup, Much Love.

PLS