Happy New Year!

Sorry, I’m late.

            2007 has been a huge year for me. I passed my $2500, all-expense-inclusive NCLEX-RN Exam and, again, the local board exam (CGFNS and BON guys: See? I told you I passed it fair and square the first time!). My relationship with my current girlfriend became official last May. Also, I got to work at the not-so-perfect-(payroll for mah bros, baby!) but-one-of-the-better companies: Access Worldwide. I even got myself tangled in the lines of E*Trade Financial’s late bear slide. That was suffering plus excitement rejuvenated! Why is that any good? I’m a nurse not a financial kid and yet I got to be a business saver there! I got new friends from that place (which is a good thing, of course) before I left for Lucena (which is another good thing!), “the slow motion town”. I also got to have new outlets for my creativity: eager young people in the church. Man, they’re a workforce! All in all, I have Jesus to thank for such a tremendous year. I couldn’t have done it by myself.

            Err… 2008, welcome! (One, two, three… Ten fingers! Complete, sir! Haha!) I anticipate this to be a bigger year than 2007. It’s my shot for jobs in local and American hospitals. It’s also the launching year of the programs I pushed for my team of young people, the Red Champs. 40 Days of Focus: Revival, Deuteronomy 8:3 Drive, The First Step Challenge and the Champs Care programs are all set to fire up the first and second quarters of this year. I also got assigned to become an assistant teacher to the New Converts’ Class and probably a spot for the Outreach Department. You see, when somebody gives me a stage and walks my talk, that’s big for me. I’m also set to complete my Fascination With A Better Garden Series. And well, my NBA team is still winning! Say what you want but the Boston Celtics are on a roll! Bigger than the winning stretch though (I want them to lose 11 games to retain the Bulls’ 72-10 record) is my dream match-up of Celtics versus Spurs in the Finals. My girlfriend is an avid San Antonio fan and it would be exciting to be rooting for different teams in the championship round. Go Gang Green!

 

I’ve said a lot of things and lemme dedicate this space for these thank yous or this entry won’t be complete:  

To Jesus-I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for using a lot of people to help me out. My greatest love is you.

 To Sui-It’s been a tough year for us. But hey—we’re so fortunate—we have each other all the time! Thanks for the love, support and inspiration. This is no easy road (The enemy’s throwing mud pies! Goodness!) with the pressure rising up all the time but you’re enough encouragement to stand strong.  I love you! 

To Nanay and Tita Betz-thanks for being such wonderful parents and for the support you never ceased to extend throughout the years. ‘hope you’ll understand the real reason why I’m away from home. I love you both! 

To Wry-hey sis—you’re a big girl now, aye? Now I have to kick ‘em boys’ backsides! Thanks for your loyalty to me, sis. That’s your greatest trait. I’m proud of you.

 To Pastor Jun and Mama Ela-thanks for accommodating me like real family. I can’t be more fortunate. Thanks for your love—the key reason why we have good chemistry inside the household. 

To Marky and Kuliws-you’re the brothers I never had. Thanks for the friendship that started this wonderful craze and for you’re generosity. 

To Shane-thanks for being a real sis!

To the rest of the Vasquez, Mendoza, Gabinete and the good slice of Alivio family-thanks for the warm welcomes. 

To the Lucena Church-you mean much to me. The chance you’ve given me is much appreciated. 

To the Venstraphiles-‘miss the pizzas, bros! Thanks for the friendship and the kakulitan. See you soon. 

To the Juan Parliament-Tang, where in the world are you? ‘Mund, you are bonakid! You’re a genius, man! To everyone, you’ve all grown up, huh? I miss you… Thanks for the lasting chemistry and friendship. 

To the BSN 4A 2006-‘miss ya fellows. Thanks for the fun and the teamwork we’ve shared. 

To Bespren and Kas-thanks for the kind of friendship that never dies albeit we’re miles apart. I know I can always count on you. 

To Marlon-Hey, dude! Thanks for the friendship, man—and the treats! You are Access’ future—I’m tellin’ ya! Do your best, man. I will criticize you ruthlessly if you ain’t promoted to TL this year. Au revoir! Take care!

 To TL John-please have a single girlfriend or they’ll break your neck! Haha! Somebody’s tellin’ that it’s a different somebody all the time! What the? Haha! ‘just playin’, TL. Thanks—you’ve been real kind to me and you’re still the best fashionista-machoman-supervisor there is. Or is it you alone in that category? Hehe. 

To Danilleh (Dan made me think you’re gay)-give up thinking ‘bout your ex or was it just air? Haha! Thanks for being open and for accepting my trash. You can do it! Laugh with your trade mark laugh. 

To Emmy-I don’t think you look like an angel with that hair. Change it puh-lease! Haha! Kiddin… Come on… ‘Wag pikon… Thanks for the jolly jeep walks. 

To Burt-go for Jeleen, man! Haha! Thanks for the laughs.

 To Abby and Sierma-thanks for helping me survive guys! I couldn’t have done it without you! 

To Kix-don’t give up on TL! Haha! Thanks for the compliments on my side view shot!

To Dee-I’ll never forget the foodie! Thanks!

To the rest of the Royalty Units-I miss you guys and thanks for the company.

 Daddy Nelson-you’ve turned the statement upside down, man! The truth is—you’re the better writer but I’m better looking than you are at all counts! Thanks for reviving my writing hunger. 

To Wave 30-thanks for the friendship and the memories guys… “Seriously…” 

To anyone I might have forgotten about-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. But thanks for who you are to me and my life. Basta!

            What is the most personal thing I have for myself? Project Turnaround. It’s a program I set to cater to areas where I need to give my special attention to: Productivity, Papers, Prayer Life, Partner and Parents. It may seem silly setting a program for my own self but, being a streak shooter, not having plans is synonymous to a year of failure. If I start lousy, then it’s a lousy run. If I have a great start, then expect fireworks behind my name. I’m not “Everybody Loves Raymond”, you know, so victories should pile up for me to weigh heavier than the lawsuit stage drama that my dunno-what-they-want malicious critics are setting up.

            How about you guys? A new year’s a new chance. Rev yourself up! 2007 was bad for you? Encourage yourself. Don’t wait for a friend to come by and give you a back rub. For all I know, if you don’t start within yourself, then the only marks he or she will leave is a Grauman’s Chinese Theater imprint of money-smelling dirt on your shirt. Dwyane Wade’s Converse slogan says Fall Seven Times, Stand Up Eight. And that’s Biblical, too. Proverbs 24:16 states: For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again… Rise up. I believe it’s my year, it’s the church’s year and it can be your year. HAPPY NEW YEAR, BUDDY. GOD BLESS YOU!