Seven Questions about 2013

Before 2013 ends, I want to reflect on what this year did to me or what I did with this year. Generally, 2013 has been good to me and so far, this has been the longest year I had. A lot happened and I can now attest to what my former professor said, “A lot of people and things come, go and change in your twenties.” While browsing online, I stumbled upon this one article entitled “Seven Questions to Ask about Last Year” and this, I thought, would be a good reference as to how I will reflect about the ending year.

Question 1: If the last year were a movie of your life, what would the genre be?

Honestly, I cannot classify how my life has been in the past year. It’s a combination of 65% comedy, 10% drama and 25% romance. I’m certain, however, that it is not a tragedy. Oh, let me revise that. It is 60% comedy, 10% drama, 15% romance and 15% ACTION. Haha!

Question 2:  What were the two or three major themes that kept recurring?

This year, my life has been mostly about my transition from the student to the career world. It was about the struggle of having independence in every aspect of my life. It was about making decisions that I knew changed my life entirely and affected how my future will be. Included in those decisions were finding and choosing a job and getting involved in a romantic relationship.

Question 3: What did you accomplish this past year that you are the most proud of?

If there’s one unforgettable achievement that I will be proud of forever, that would be the fact that I became an alumna of the university that I really dreamt of being in since I was a child. The joy, the fulfilment, the victory during the graduation ceremony was overflowing within me. That was the moment when I felt I deserved such ceremony, such honor, such feeling of success after all the excruciating days college life brought me.

Also, another one accomplishment was being able to present our group’s undergraduate research in a national conference. It was an unexpected opportunity and a great learning experience for me. I gained confidence for I used to think that I really am not the type to talk in large crowds. Yet, I did it. I met a lot of intellectual people and I enjoyed having my cerebrum stimulated by what they say or ask. Plus, the conference was held in Baguio, a cliche place I’ve never been before until the conference.

Another achievement was being able to find a job after graduation (although I’m not so proud about this later because I eventually hated my job).

Question 4: What do you feel you should have been acknowledged for but weren’t?

I think there’s none. Even I, myself, cannot find anything I did that should be acknowledged. Orrrr, let me take that. I am juggling three jobs as of now. One of those jobs is being a research assistant of my former professor in college. She’s really hard to deal with. She always wants everything done her way, her time but you’re the one who’s going to do what should be done. She’s pushy and I hate working with such people. Perhaps, it’s also partly because we have this former professor-student relationship that she uses over me to her advantage. I do my job and I feel that she does not recognize how I get the job done. What matters to her is the result. Oops, well, this sounds pretty fitting to almost all bosses.

Question 5: What disappointments or regrets did you experience this past year?

This year, I regret hastening things – in career and in love.

Question 6: What was missing from last year as you look back?

This year, a lot of blessings were given to me; I could not ask for more. However, despite all these blessings, there still are times when I feel alone, unrecognized and insignificant. Sometimes, I think that I probably am too much focused on my job or myself or my lovelife that I am unknowingly unable to give time to other things or people; that these people gradually learned to live without me.

Question 7: What were the major life-lessons you learned this year?

I learned that I and anyone should take things slowly but surely – in all aspects. Take risks but make sure the risks do not outweigh the benefits. Finally, listen to and trust your body, mind and soul.

Cheers for 2013 and 2014! I hope 2014 is still my year. :)