Friday, January 01, 2010
looking back at a fulfillling 2009
it has been months since i last posted something here on my blog. as part of my annual (well, not-so-annual... as i missed last year and the year prior) "tradition" i take some time to look back at the year that was. mostly to sort of document what how my life has been, how i've changed, and to reflect and see where i am. after all the revelry, celebration, and (lots of) food, and now that everyone's fast asleep, i finally get my quiet moment to try to put together a coherent post.
just like any other year, my 2009 had its fair share of ups and downs, and sometimes to extremes. i started the year with a trip to japan to visit a cousin who's working there. (no, she's not a japayuki, tagahalo lang sya dun ng detergent. haha!) that was actually my first out of the country trip in years, having been quite pre-occupied with school and much later, the bar exams and the preparations it entailed. japan is very interesting, to say the least. and yes, i intend to go back to satisfy my urge to explore and learn more about places and cultures.
i haven't had the time to share my japan stories (and even upload pictures) when robbers broke into our house. (refer to related post na lang, i don't want to dwell on this part of the year na. bad vibes.) suffice it to say that those days were probably my most tuliro moments. anyway...
january also marked the start of my teaching life. i've probably told a lot of stories of how happy i am when i teach, but due to time constraints (as always), i haven't had the time to actually write something on the matter. cheesy as it may sound, this teaching bit has taught me a lot. from dealing with people to (sometimes) engaging in "skit making" in class to cultivating patience. it has been one year since, and things have been happening quite fast -- faster than i expected. quite a lot of trust has been reposed. and i hope to be able to fulfill my responsibilities and meet expectations.
needless to say, 2009's highlight was of course the release of the results of the bar exams. after more than 4 years of slaving away in law school, i finally earned that coveted title (yes, that a-t-t-y that can be prefixed to your name). thanks had been said and stories had been shared, but these things i would tirelessly repeat over and over. this accomplishment i share to my family and friends and to my mom who looks after me every single day. and most importantly, i offer back everything to my Creator.
being the "rebel" that i am, i didn't go into any law related job until the bar results came out (this was a promise i made when i was in 3rd or 4th year in law school). so while most of my batchmates were starting out their careers in the legal world, i was just... umm... floating around. when i felt that i should start my career (and well, earning), i started applying. but i wasn't quite ready to just let go of teaching. this was probably the cause of my unsuccessful applications.
but as the saying goes, "great things come to those who wait." and wait i did. doors closed but windows opened. (i'd rather put it as "windows closed but doors opened") now, i find myself back home. the past 5 months had been a roller coaster ride (this is an understatement), yet i find happiness. it has been 4 years, and i feel that it's time to give back. i have come full circle and i started a new journey. the road will not be easy. but i believe that challenges are meant to be surmounted. teaching / formation / education may not be what i had planned on doing when i started law school, but i think this i was called to do and this is where i found myself. truly, the long wait was well worth it.
2009 had been very kind to me. the Lord has been so good. despite everything, i feel blessed, and even if given the chance i probably wouldn't want to change anything in my 2009. a friend once asked me, "are you satisfied?" my instant answer was "no, but i am fulfilled and happy, and that is all that matters for now."
a peaceful and prosperous new year to one and all! :)
