Today, I’m officially 25!!! 😀

I kiddingly tell others that I’m well on my way to my quarter-life crisis… 😉

Good thing is, all my friends say that the ages of 25 to 30 is the peak of every person’s life!

Anyway, to sort of celebrate the slight change on my age, I’ve asked myself several questions on what I did when I was 24… it’s very difficult to top last year, but hopefully being 25 will be way more exciting!

C’est La Vie!

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1) What have you done when you were 24 that you’ve never done before?

– Had my first experience of lian-yi as a favor for a girl-friend.
– Monumentally experienced my first breakup. After trying so hard to make it work, my ex and I called it quits exactly a year after we became official.
– Tried indoor wall climbing early this year and got completely hooked. I’ve gone scuba diving, white river rafting and river tracing.
– Visited Japan alone.
– Traveled overseas to Hong Kong and to Hualien without my parents ever knowing. I usually ask permission, but I’m more selective now. Will go to Green Island this weekend, and they won’t know about that either.
– Had an honest talk with a friend that she’s making a mistake in continuing with her relationship.

2) Did anyone close to you give birth?

– Not within my relatives, but my colleagues have been popping out babies like crazy!

3) Did anyone close to you die?

– My Auntie Anita — she was my dad’s little sister

4) What countries did you visit?

– Went to Japan last November and to Hong Kong last July. I was going to Australia later this month till my parents chucked out the idea.

5) What would you like to have when you’re 25 that you lacked when you were 24?

– The self-esteem and willpower to treat myself better, to say “no” when I don’t feel like doing something and to stop taking sh*t from other people. I’m way too nice and accommodating for my own good!
– More wisdom in realizing what I want for my life and my future.
– More love.

6) What date this year will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

– April 18, the day I had my first heartbreak
– May 22 and October 1, for reasons I’d rather not say

7) What was your biggest achievement of the year?

– Being the head of a 1,200-member organization and supervising the implementation of 3 to 5 projects per month.

8) What was your biggest failure?

– Not being able to find a better job? 🙂 Seriously, not being able to protect my mom and my little brother from the emotional stress they’re experiencing back in Manila on my behalf.

9) Did you suffer illness or injury?

– Lots of big bruises as a result of the numerous outdoor activities I’ve been doing lately.
– Eye-strain from looking too much at the computer.

10) What was the best thing you bought?

– My laptop, it has wireless capability.

11) Whose behavior merited celebration?

– My ex. Even though it took us a long time before we both decided to break up, he finally had the courage to voice out what we both wanted.
– Karen, for not sugar-coating things and telling me things as it is.
– Mike, for sticking by me through thick and thin.

12) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

– Wishy-washy people who keep changing their minds, stubborn people you’d have to deal with, and people who don’t like me because they misunderstand me.

13) Where did most of your money go?

– Entertainment (e.g., clubbing, outdoor trips, eating out, movies, etc.) and rent

14) What did you get really, really, really excited about?

– The organization I’m part of and having been in what I thought was a mature, healthy relationship.

15) What song will always remind you of this year?

– Songs you’d always hear playing in a club: Mariah Carey’s “It’s Like That,” The Game and 50 Cents’ songs, Usher’s “Burn” and “Yeah!,” Eminem’s “Mosh” JoJo’s “Leave (Get Out),” Pussy Cat Doll’s “Don’t Cha” and Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl” among many others.

16) Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder? Happier, more fulfilled.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fitter, or so I hope.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer.

17) What do you wish you’d done more of?

– Start blogging earlier. Dated more guys. Grew a spine earlier. No regrets though.

18) What do you wish you’d done less of?

– Worry less and not care about the little stuff.

19) How will you be spending Christmas?

– Probably with friends, Christmas in Taiwan isn’t a big deal. We’d still have to go to work.

20) Did you fall in love between October 2004 to October 2005?

– Yes!

21) How many one-night stands?

– Technically, they’re not one-night stands… do flings count? Seriously, do you really think I’d tell you?! 😛

22) What was your favorite TV program?

– Still no TV this year! Although CSI remains a classic fave!

23) Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

– Hate is too strong a word, but yes, I do no like or am irritated with a few more people this year.

24) What was the best book you read?

– A tie between “Standing in the Rainbow” by Fanny Flagg and “Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini

25) What was your greatest musical discovery?

– JoJo

26) What did you want and got?

– My freedom. More knowledge on what I want in relationships. More exciting weekends.

27) What was your favorite film of this year?

– Sin City — it rocks!

28) How did you celebrate your birthday?

– Had a nice dinner at TGIF with my closest friends, had a drink and chilled out, then went dancing. Following the tradition, they proceeded to get me pissed drunk (and this was after 4 shots of tequila, a Dita drink, a bottle of Smirnoff Ice and a glass of strawberry margarita), which made me go home earlier (we were still going to continue the party at Room 18).

On the day itself, my organization had brunch so over 40 celebrated my birthday with me. It was really sweet, had cake and a big bouquet of roses! Then, we took a walk at the botanical garden and had coffee afterwards. I then went with my Japanese friends for dinner and some drinks. Overall, it was a pretty good birthday weekend!

29) What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

– A trip to Australia, which my parents vetoed.
– Continuing what I used to think was a healthy relationship. Oh well.

30) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?

– Loads of sexy, feminine skirts and dresses. Tanktops and halter tops.

34. What kept you sane?

– People who are closest to me — Mike, Karen, Mary Anne and Mark
– Long, relaxing walks around the city
– This blog.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

– Hmm… not really into celebrities. But Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were always in the tabloids, so maybe they got a lot of my attention.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

– Re-election of George W. Bush after fighting it over with Kerry (really thought Kerry would win!!!)

37. Who did you miss?

– Hmmm… guess?

38. Who was the best new person you met?

– MDQ

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned between October 2004 to October 2005:

– Love yourself more — Treat yourself right. Don’t accept crap from other people.
– Don’t sweat the small stuff. Things will turn out right in the end.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

– “It’s Like That” by Mariah Carey feat. Fatman Scoop

Cause it’s my night
No stress, no fights
I’m leaving it all behind
No tears (no tears), no time to cry
Just making the most of life

I’m just making the most of life…

“Don’t Cha” by Pussycat Dolls

Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me
Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me
Don’t cha, don’t cha
Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me
Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me
Don’t cha, don’t cha

There are days when I feel just like the hottest person ever. I guess, it’s a state of mind. 🙂 I’ve always seen myself as the anti-girlfriend until I become one…