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Mobile"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"I Blog, Therefore I Am."},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"My Life, My Time. Views \u0026amp; Reviews."},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/6756132\/posts\/default\/-\/Memories?alt=json-in-script\u0026max-results=6"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/search\/label\/Memories"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/6756132\/posts\/default\/-\/Memories\/-\/Memories?alt=json-in-script\u0026start-index=7\u0026max-results=6"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Abbie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14265494155672178468"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg3ZlB3UUlhyXMQIaOi0DTXHREeL7tPKYtpZW-Cgma25DaIFEbiZkZ0D08RVrDzo_ROLV5ScywRCzPoxvWl-vj28vl2O-0rfZuHdTJurdaZeEmlLum-GUVmb2ouddpHRQ\/s113\/AbbieGorgeous.jpg"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"13"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"6"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6756132.post-7470714309114556117"},"published":{"$t":"2010-03-30T23:43:00.014+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-01-01T00:20:04.143+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Abbie"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Forces of Nature"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Memories"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Web Stuff"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Witt"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"DEAR FUTURE ME,"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv align=\"justify\"\u003E\nI got an e-mail tonight that made me smile. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nExactly a year ago, I wrote a letter to myself through \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/futureme.org\/\"\u003EFutureMe.org\u003C\/a\u003E. I'm almost sure that I got the link from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/idagurl\"\u003EIda\u003C\/a\u003E, a friend from Highschool, who I assumed also wrote to herself in the future.  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI was probably bored to my wits last March 30, 2009, a Monday, as evident to the letter I sent to myself:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ccenter\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/abbiereal\/4476654187\/\" title=\"4477216730_fbc162b12a_o by AbbieReal, on Flickr\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"4477216730_fbc162b12a_o\" src=\"http:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4053\/4476654187_6582884f5e_o.png\" height=\"276\" width=\"600\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nFunny how (both) similar and different things are now and then. I remembered that \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.abbiereal.com\/2009_03_01_archive.html\"\u003EMarch last year \u003C\/a\u003Ewas a month of good news from friends and cousins about weddings and unions thus my e-mail's thoughts and themes were all about love and tying the knot. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/charuzee\"\u003ECharu\u003C\/a\u003E is now a Carrillo (and newly-preggy to boot!), \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/siaz\"\u003EMitzi\u003C\/a\u003E a Busuego, Weng is now married to Elaine, and Cleng is now a certified Villanueva. I was \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.abbiereal.com\/2009\/12\/things-i-love-at-jako-charus-wedding.html\"\u003Ebridesmaid\u003C\/a\u003E to both Cha \u0026amp; Cleng's \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.abbiereal.com\/2010\/01\/week-1-highlands-wedding.html\"\u003Ewedding\u003C\/a\u003E but failed to attend \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/sweetsiaz.blogspot.com\/2010\/03\/from-inspiration-to-reality.html\"\u003EMitzi's in LA\u003C\/a\u003E. I also did not attend Jaymee's because of some drama that is better left untold - on this blog anyway. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe happy surprise this March was \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/lilacstardust\"\u003EAileen's\u003C\/a\u003E marriage to CJ whom I didn't expect and \"predict\" last year on my e-mail. \u003Cstrike\u003EPictures and stories to follow. I am still making them.\u003C\/strike\u003E [Edit: Here's the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.abbiereal.com\/2010\/04\/cj-aileens-civil-wedding.html\"\u003Elink\u003C\/a\u003E to the Lantin-Coronado Wedding blog post.]\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI still do presentations for a living and I can now claim that I am a \"Presentation Diva\". I mastered PowerPoint 2003 and moved on to the 2007 version mid last year. I had my first crack of MS PowerPoint 2008 For Mac just this evening and will soon explore Keynote this Lenten Break. Yey, me!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe big difference of this March to last year's was the \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003E\"having someone to hug \u0026amp; hold\"\u003C\/span\u003E part (Yeah, Abbie of 2009 is a cheese!). I finally got \"girlfriended\" last October! Woot! \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/witt24\"\u003EWitt\u003C\/a\u003E is probably one of the \u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003Ebestest\u003C\/span\u003E blessings that God has given me. Having someone like him in my life makes me feel somewhat complete. :) That's all I can say for now before I turn this post into another mushball. Life is happy and that's the important thing. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nP.S.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI am still with \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.abbiereal.com\/search\/label\/Smart\"\u003ESMART\u003C\/a\u003E, still enjoying, and I am happy to say that I finally got to save some of those moolah!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/feeds\/7470714309114556117\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/2010\/03\/dear-futureme.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/6756132\/posts\/default\/7470714309114556117"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/6756132\/posts\/default\/7470714309114556117"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/2010\/03\/dear-futureme.html","title":"DEAR FUTURE ME,"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Abbie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14265494155672178468"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg3ZlB3UUlhyXMQIaOi0DTXHREeL7tPKYtpZW-Cgma25DaIFEbiZkZ0D08RVrDzo_ROLV5ScywRCzPoxvWl-vj28vl2O-0rfZuHdTJurdaZeEmlLum-GUVmb2ouddpHRQ\/s113\/AbbieGorgeous.jpg"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6756132.post-5634377176923506212"},"published":{"$t":"2009-02-15T00:25:00.007+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-02-22T23:00:03.867+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Birthday"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Memories"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"DEAR BLOG,"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv align=\"justify\"\u003EThanks for being my soundboard for the last five years. I can't believe that we've been together since 2004 (longer than any of my past romantic relationships). Thanks for sticking and witnessing the last five years of my life - which ironically were also the most important ones.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYou're such a great buddy. You've always been there for me even if I neglected you in the past. I know that you still haven't forgiven me for almost ditching you when I was stressed and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/abbieunreal.blogspot.com\/search\/label\/Goodyear\"\u003Eoverworked at Goodyear\u003C\/a\u003E three years back. But I also know that I more than made up for that when \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/abbieunreal.blogspot.com\/2008\/08\/i-won.html\"\u003EI won you\u003C\/a\u003E the Pond's Age Miracle Blog Writing Contest last year. People were so happy about you that I've been asked twice to join other blog writing contests by a couple of PR firms since winning in July. I unfortunately have to turn it down because I don't have the energy and time to devote on it. I was also asked just recently to test some blogging platform but you and I both know that I cannot do it because of obvious conflicts. :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPeople are always asking me why I keep you. My reasons varied in the last five years - from keeping an on-line memory repository to keeping my sanity intact by having a \"venting machine\". But I know now why you are here. I just learned recently your purpose. Writing and publishing something about me is for my future generations. I know for sure that no one will be interested to write my story ala \"Diary of Anne Frank\" so I figured that I should just do it myself through you. It would be great for my future kids to read how I lived and loved. It will hopefully teach them what to avoid in the future (eg. men with commitment issues, mean colleagues and bosses who doesn't give a sh!t about you, etc.). If in case I will not be married or have kids, I am sure that my niece Gabbie will have a riot reading you and learning about my friends, our adventures, my crazy antics, food loving, and fun travels.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYou are definitely one of my most precious possessions. I often read your archive especially when something is bugging me. I often search it for insights whenever I need to decide on something or if I am confused. My memories are kept alive because of you and for that I am grateful. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI vow to keep you as long as I can. Thanks for all that has been and for all that will be! Happy Blog Birthday!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELove,\u003Cbr \/\u003EAbbie\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EP.S.\u003Cbr \/\u003EIsn't it weird that you share the same birthday with one of my ex-beloveds? \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/abbieunreal.blogspot.com\/2004\/02\/oh-valentines-reposted-from-my-other.html\"\u003EI started you\u003C\/a\u003E six months before he came into my life. Now I wouldn't be able to forget his birthday because of YOU. Sheesh.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/feeds\/5634377176923506212\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/2009\/02\/dear-blog.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/6756132\/posts\/default\/5634377176923506212"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/6756132\/posts\/default\/5634377176923506212"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/2009\/02\/dear-blog.html","title":"DEAR BLOG,"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Abbie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14265494155672178468"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg3ZlB3UUlhyXMQIaOi0DTXHREeL7tPKYtpZW-Cgma25DaIFEbiZkZ0D08RVrDzo_ROLV5ScywRCzPoxvWl-vj28vl2O-0rfZuHdTJurdaZeEmlLum-GUVmb2ouddpHRQ\/s113\/AbbieGorgeous.jpg"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6756132.post-332376598845202547"},"published":{"$t":"2009-02-07T23:39:00.005+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-02-08T06:08:10.744+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Abbie"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Meme"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Memories"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"TWENTY FIVE"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv align=\"justify\"\u003EFacebook is the new battleground for memes, surveys and quizzes. A certain meme is making the rounds among friends and I was tagged to do it by no less than 17 people. I finally succumbed to it tonight and answered it.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ERules:\u003C\/span\u003E Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E1. I have a very long name, Anna Vida Theresa, and I love it. I hate it when people do shortcuts on it or omit one of the names in documents. I want it long and complete.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E2. My mom told me recently (like a month ago) that I almost died when I was 7 months old. She said that I had non-stop diarrhea and they even had my IV on my infant head!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E3. I am generally a nice person. I am also very optimistic. I am the epitome of sunshine!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E4. My mother is the most important person in my life. Period.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E5. I have a very weird personality. I am very extrovert, loud, and can talk non-stop for hours BUT I also enjoy being alone and just staying at home. I often prefer eating or watching movie alone. I definitely want to shop alone.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E6. I am literally a \"dreamer\". I always have vivid dreams when sleeping.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E7. I chose the right course in college. I know what's my calling even then.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E8. I have gazillion friends and acquaintances but I learned in the last few years that quality is better than quantity. I am still friends with a lot of people but I hang-out with just a few.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E9. My favorite time of the day is early evening. Creative thoughts and ideas usually kick in at 7:00 at night and it can last until 4:00 am. I am usually mentally \"dead\" in the morning!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E10. My first love is reading. I read everything from carton boxes to hard-bound novels. One of my resolutions this year is to read more. Six months into the new year and I already finished The American Wife (Curtis Sittenfeld), Sisters (Danielle Steel) and I am currently reading Living History (HRC's autobiography).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E11. I've been blogging since mid-2003. It was Aileen who influenced me and I plunged into it because I need an outlet for my then 'quarter-life crisis'. My entries evolved since then and gone now are the drama and love dilemma posts of my 20s. My posts now are happier but less personal. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E12. I won in Pond's Age Miracle's \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/abbieunreal.blogspot.com\/2008\/07\/myponds-7-day-beauty-blog.html\"\u003E7-Days of Beauty blog writing contest\u003C\/a\u003E last year. My prize? A 3G iPhone.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E13. What to know what I'm up to at this very moment? Try \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/abbie12\"\u003ETwitter\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E14. I religiously download the following shows every Friday night for my weekend watch: Grey's Anatomy, Brothers \u0026 Sisters, Gossip Girl, Privileged, 90210 and American Idol. I am also watching old West Wing episodes via DVD.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E15. I am very OC when using punctuation marks and small\/upper cases\/capital letters in writing. i hate seeing small letters in beginning letters in sentences like THIS sentence. I also hate seeing \"I\" in small letters.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E16. Two of my ex-boyfriends got the same name. How weird is that?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E17. I enjoy driving! After years of procrastination I finally learned how to drive in May 2005. My fastest driving speed is 140kph at The Skyway on my way to Makati; and my longest drive was 5 hours straight to Quezon then back to Laguna again for another 5 hours of drive (with only 3 hours of rest interval).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E18. I've been wearing my hair long and straight (with the occasional layers) since 2001. I am not going back to short hair...ever!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E19. I got myself a new toy last Christmas: a Canon DSLR. I'm fascinated with food photography and it's something I want to delve into. I am going to enroll myself in a Basic Photography class but I can't find time to do it at the moment.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E20. My word of the year is \"collaboration\". Last year's was \"project\" and 2007's was \"celebration\".\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E21. I am a closet politics fan. I don't express my views and opinions often but I am fascinated to hear what others think. Politics is fun!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E22. I am an information junkie and a history buff. I usually spend at least an hour a week reading Wikipedia or other information sites on random topics, policies, views, opinions, scorecards, statistics and articles. Last week's topic was the evolution and history of \u003Cspan style=\"font-style:italic;\"\u003ERoe v. Wade\u003C\/span\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E23. The last three weeks at work were super busy ones. A new job function that was given to me is making me anxious but excited. I am literally tired from working BUT I am not complaining and is actually grateful about it. I love my job! :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E24. The opposite of love is not hate but indifference. Too bad I'm indifferent about love at the moment. Heh!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E25. I am such a great believer of love and all the neat things it can do to people. I was fortunate that love found me in the least expected moment in my life. Unexpectedly love also went away and broke me into pieces. I've longed moved on from the pain and hurt and is cool about it. Despite everything I am still a big believer of love...I am just too damn scared to fall again.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESome of the items above were actually taken from the former memes I had before. I recycled some because thinking 25 random things about you in one go is a bit narcissistic for me. :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENow it's YOUR turn! Tag, tag, tag to anyone who wants to do this!\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/feeds\/332376598845202547\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/2009\/02\/twenty-five.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/6756132\/posts\/default\/332376598845202547"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/6756132\/posts\/default\/332376598845202547"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/2009\/02\/twenty-five.html","title":"TWENTY FIVE"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Abbie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14265494155672178468"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg3ZlB3UUlhyXMQIaOi0DTXHREeL7tPKYtpZW-Cgma25DaIFEbiZkZ0D08RVrDzo_ROLV5ScywRCzPoxvWl-vj28vl2O-0rfZuHdTJurdaZeEmlLum-GUVmb2ouddpHRQ\/s113\/AbbieGorgeous.jpg"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6756132.post-3371934571510566479"},"published":{"$t":"2009-01-01T23:19:00.013+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-02-08T02:52:10.999+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Abbie"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Drama"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Family"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Forces of Nature"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Friends"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Memories"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Musings"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Smart"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Work Tales"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"THE YEAR I TURNED THIRTY"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv align=\"justify\"\u003EIt's more than twenty three hours since the New Year and I am still stuck on 2008 (but not because I want to). It's just that I was too tired in the last few days to make a serious and emotional \"looking back post\" and it's only now that I become inspired to actually write one.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI usually describe my years according to the major milestones I felt or experienced in that year. Like 2004 was The Year I Fell In Love, alternately 2005 and 2006 were the The Year I Messed Up and The Year My Heart Got Broken In So Many Ways (I still can't decide which is which) and 2007 was The Year I Became Smart - literally and figuratively. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E2008 was a year of great blessings for me. Yeah, I still have the occasional trials and hardships in various aspects of my life but it was nothing compared to the tumultuous years I had in the past (Hello, 2005 \u0026 2006!). 2008 was very generous to me even if I don't deserve all the things that were given to me.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Year I Turned Thirty was probably the best description I can give to 2008. Turning thirty years old (and single at that) can be a dread. I used to fear it when I was still on my twenties. But being on this year actually opened doors for me. Come with the age is the respect and a certain reverence. I am still funny, clumsy  and carefree but I already sense a certain maturity within me which I've been hoping to achieve for years. My views and convictions are now on the serious path compared to the ideals I had a few years back. Oh, and thirty is \"happiness\". I'm now happier and more contented with my life compared before.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe most-asked-and-I-often-despise question of the year was of course the boyfriend question. \"Do you have one?\" \"When are you going to have one?\" \u003Ci\u003E\"Mag-diet ka kaya\u003C\/i\u003E so you can have one?\" I am tired of answering these questions so I often answer in jest or sarcastically. My usual answers were \"I am not interested!\" or \"I've long given up on love!\". Then there will be another batch of questions and opinions ranging from \"But why? You're still young! Don't give up!\" to \"Why? Are you now interested in women?\". Oh well! The truth is I feel so indifferent about it. Yeah, there are guys out there who asks; and friends keep on fixing me up with people BUT I just don't feel it. The past, though very painful and a bit traumatic, is no longer an issue for me. I have longed forgiven myself and moved on from it. I just want to be happy all by myself for the meantime. I want to be single and discover things for the meantime. I want peace and serenity for now. I'll be ready when I'll be ready. :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt was a less emotional year for me except for the fact that one of my good friends unexpectedly died last February. Binchy definitely struck a cord in all of us but we believe that he's now in a happier and better place. Aside from that, everything was smooth-sailing and drama-free. My relationship with my family and friends became stronger than ever and I was also given a chance to bond more with my bestest friends through several trips, vacations and travels last year. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWork is great and I learned a lot last year. There was the usual pressure and competition but it helped us more than it broke us. Heading a team was really a challenge especially if you were out to prove something. There were a lot of guts, second guessing and prayers involved as we launch one project after another. I am definitely happier and more contented with my current career compared to all the other past jobs I held. It allowed me to have independent ideas, kick-ass\u003Cspan style=\"font-style:italic;\"\u003E diskartes\u003C\/span\u003E, and most importantly it gave me the opportunity to have a work and personal life balance. The pay-out at the end of the year were just icings on the cake. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI sailed through in 2008. It's a neutral year for me (boring at times actually) and I will definitely miss it. I am sure that 2009 will be a bit different since I know it will involve a lot of challenges and risk - not only for me but for everyone (Hello, Economy!). I also know that I will be fighting a lot of internal battles this year with the choices I will make...so help me God. Stay tuned! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELet's rock 2009! Happy New Year!\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/feeds\/3371934571510566479\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/2009\/01\/year-i-turned-thirty.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/6756132\/posts\/default\/3371934571510566479"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/6756132\/posts\/default\/3371934571510566479"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/2009\/01\/year-i-turned-thirty.html","title":"THE YEAR I TURNED THIRTY"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Abbie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14265494155672178468"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg3ZlB3UUlhyXMQIaOi0DTXHREeL7tPKYtpZW-Cgma25DaIFEbiZkZ0D08RVrDzo_ROLV5ScywRCzPoxvWl-vj28vl2O-0rfZuHdTJurdaZeEmlLum-GUVmb2ouddpHRQ\/s113\/AbbieGorgeous.jpg"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6756132.post-9020153763561728197"},"published":{"$t":"2008-12-31T17:06:00.016+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-01-01T23:02:51.439+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Abbie"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Books"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Events"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Family"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Food"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Forces of Nature"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Friends"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gossip Girl"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Grey's Anatomy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"iPhone"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Memories"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Movies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Reviews"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"TV"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"TOP IN 2008"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv align=\"justify\"\u003EI was really fascinated by Time Magazine's \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.time.com\/time\/specials\/2008\/top10\"\u003ETop 10 of Everything for 2008\u003C\/a\u003E and I think that it would be cool to do one for myself as a year-ender. \"Ten of everything\" would be too much for me so I am just limiting my list to my ultimate \"tops\" and favorite things. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ETOP PEOPLE\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003EFamily\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, until death do us part. Enough said.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/27237177@N06\/3153086955\/\" title=\"Year-end2 by abbiexcites, on Flickr\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3057\/3153086955_3f1190937b.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" alt=\"Year-end2\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/27237177@N06\/3153916712\/\" title=\"Year-end1 by abbiexcites, on Flickr\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3133\/3153916712_915bd25c11.jpg\" width=\"267\" height=\"400\" alt=\"Year-end1\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003EForces Girlfriends + Jako\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe've been through a lot this year - travels, dinners, quarrels, success, misunderstandings, profound e-mails, unions, engagements, singleness, happiness and broken hearts. Despite everything we've gone through we realized that we all love each other at the end of the day! :) \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/27237177@N06\/3153087715\/\" title=\"000009 by abbiexcites, on Flickr\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3223\/3153087715_6320ed9d27.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" alt=\"000009\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003EMy CLRD Angels\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe year will not be as sweet if not for my dear \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/margeeness.multiply.com\"\u003EMarj\u003C\/a\u003E and Kathy. We worked very hard and delivered a lot of projects that helped build subscribers' loyalty. I'll miss you, girls! Thanks for all that has been and for all that will be!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003EGabsters\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOur fondness and support for GDM was the one that introduced us to each other; but we discovered along the way that we have loads in common other than our PBB obsessions. Our BBQ Boy dinners were always riot events!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ERos + John + Eric\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/abbieunreal.blogspot.com\/2008\/02\/more-today-than-yesterday.html\"\u003Ecommon tragic event\u003C\/a\u003E early this year made us closer to each other. It was not a \"good year\" for us but we all believe that it's already time to move on (Binchy would want it that way).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ETOP TRAVELS\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003EBoracay Birthday\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis is my most traveled year! I'm out each month except in January. The one that stood out is my 30th birthday celebration in Boracay. My friends \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/taetin.tabulas.com\"\u003ETin\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lilacstardust.blogspot.com\"\u003EAileen\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/charuzee.multiply.com\"\u003ECharo\u003C\/a\u003E and Jako went with me last 888  (August 8, 2008) and had the time of our lives. The highlight of the trip? The Paraw Sunset Sailing!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003EViva Vigan\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy friends and I had a memorable roadtrip to Vigan last May. Aside from the cobblestones, the picturesque Spanish houses, and the yummy delicacies (I'm still craving for Martha's Bibingka until now), the trip was one for the books because we were were stranded in La Union for hours because of Typhoon Cosme. Our trip back home was 17 hours long. Whew! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/27237177@N06\/3153948926\/\" title=\"100_3281 by abbiexcites, on Flickr\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3228\/3153948926_1408964a32.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" alt=\"100_3281\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003EBeautiful Bohol\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOur Team Celebration Program in Bohol last September was great because there were only four (4) of us on the trip and it was my first time in Bohol! I can't wait to go back for more! Bohol is truly a relaxation haven!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/27237177@N06\/3153938254\/\" title=\"Bohol - Day 1 070 by abbiexcites, on Flickr\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3215\/3153938254_bd9f9c035a.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" alt=\"Bohol - Day 1 070\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ETravel To Meet Subs\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA huge chunk of my work-related travel this year was because of one of our loyalty programs. I was able to meet various subscribers all over the nation through this activity. They were all fun and enriching events and it gave me also the  opportunity to visit Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija and Balanga, Bataan for the first time. I also visited Cebu (twice), Davao (thrice), Baguio and Cagayan de Oro this year.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ETOP EVENTS\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E(These are my non-travel events this year that are memorable. \"Memorable\" can either be happy or sad and a couple of entries here were unfortunately sad ones.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003EMy Pond's Beauty Blog\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOne of my non-work achievements of the year is winning the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/abbieunreal.blogspot.com\/2008\/07\/myponds-7-day-beauty-blog.html\"\u003EPond's 7-day Beauty Blog\u003C\/a\u003E. The \"essay\" (as my dad puts it) won me a new iPhone 3G and gift certificates.  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003EBinchy's Passing\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy good friend's \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/abbieunreal.blogspot.com\/2008\/02\/more-today-than-yesterday.html\"\u003Eunexpected death\u003C\/a\u003E usually trumps the happy events of the year. We are still grieving but we know in our hearts that he's now in a happier place.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ENatCon 2008\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECustomer Care's National Conference 2008 became a memorable one for me because of some unexpected twist of events. It still haunt me at times but I already learned from the experience. Things that doesn't kill you truly makes you stronger! :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003EVince \u0026 Eliza's Wedding\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-style:italic;\"\u003EAte\u003C\/span\u003E finally \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/abbieunreal.blogspot.com\/2008\/11\/my-cousins-wedding.html\"\u003Etied the knot\u003C\/a\u003E last November! The event was a joyous one and it gave me the opportunity to be reunited with my Real relatives whom some I haven't seen in years.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/27237177@N06\/3153948670\/\" title=\"VE-Upload-27 by abbiexcites, on Flickr\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3232\/3153948670_25688a3948.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" alt=\"VE-Upload-27\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ETOP GADGETS\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ECanon 1000D\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESanta came this year and got me this! Eyeloveit! Definitely the gift of the year (or even the decade). \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/27237177@N06\/3088894165\/\" title=\"Canon 1000D by abbiexcites, on Flickr\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3193\/3088894165_6739ac9d98.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" alt=\"Canon 1000D\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ENokia E71\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENokia did everything right with this phone. It's perfect (or perfect for me at least!). The slim design allows you to text using one hand, it has WiFi, cool interface, huge LCD screen and its HSDPA! Definitely one of the best Nokias in the market today.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003EiPhone 3G\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDubbed by most as The Gadget of the Year, it is not on top of my list because it's not the best - for me anyway. It has its greatness, \u003Cspan style=\"font-style:italic;\"\u003Eganda\u003C\/span\u003E points, Internet anywhere and everywhere, and it's the best iPod ever...but it's far from perfect (jailbroken or otherwise). But I still love it to bits because it's \"my trophy\". \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ETOP TV SHOWS\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EGrey's Anatomy\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe plot with Denny coming back to life is beyond absurd and George may be resigning but I still love this show! Nothing can keep me away from it despite the cheesiness of Mer and Der. My only wish? End the dead guy story and let Izzie fall in love with Alex.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EGossip Girl\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOne of my \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/abbie12\"\u003ETwitter\u003C\/a\u003E buddies thought I was on my early twenties because of my great love for these Upper East Siders. Season 2 made me fall in like with Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass together with the teens and tweens of the world. I still love Serena and Lily but I just can't stand the Humphreys especially Dan, the over-analyzer.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/27237177@N06\/3153392095\/\" title=\"the-gossip-girl-cast by abbiexcites, on Flickr\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3195\/3153392095_fba5782c4c_o.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" alt=\"the-gossip-girl-cast\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EThe West Wing\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt might have ended a couple of years ago but I am still on Season 3 of this great political drama. I am so fascinated with life at the White House and my week is not complete without hearing the \"CJ! CJ! CJ!\" of the reporters at the make-believe press room.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EBrothers \u0026amp; Sisters\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWho doesn't want to be part of the Walker family and their famous dinners? I've decided this season that Kevin is my favorite Walker (aside from Nora of course). Who's your favorite?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ETOP MOVIES\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ESex and The City Movie\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESeeing Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte once again is beyond words! Watching it at Powerplant with great friends after Pepper Lunch was also great.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/27237177@N06\/3153232591\/\" title=\"Year-end4 by abbiexcites, on Flickr\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3085\/3153232591_3a47618a1e.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" alt=\"Year-end4\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ETwilight\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESeeing Bela and The Cullens come to life is more than enough to land this movie on the list despite its crapiness. Sorry, Twitter movie fans.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ETOP BOOKS\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ETwilight Series\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt was the much-hyped launch of Breaking Dawn in August which prompted me to read the series. It somehow filled the void that Harry Potter left me. Stephanie's writing was so bad (grammar and punctuation errors, over-plot, under-plot) but her great storytelling skills compensated for it. My favorites are Breaking Dawn, Eclipse and Alice Cullen.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003EAmerican Wife\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETime Magazine agrees with me that this is one of the best reads of 2008. It's a story of a librarian turned First Lady of the United States of America (sounds familiar?). \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/27237177@N06\/3153268527\/\" title=\"Year-end5 by abbiexcites, on Flickr\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3119\/3153268527_82f5f52622.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" alt=\"Year-end5\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ERemember Me\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnother chick-lit of Sophie Kinsella which was patterned after the humor and sweetness of tUndomestic Goddess and Can You Keep A Secret?.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ETOP RESTAURANTS\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E(Funny that everything on this list is a destination restaurant.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003EBigby's\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI fell in love with their Grilled Rodeo Chops and Iced Tea! I had it four times this year: Bigby's Davao, Bigby's LimKetKai, Bigby's SM Cebu and Bigby's Ayala Center Terraces. They will open a branch in Manila soon! Yey! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003ECyma\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis was my \"supposed\" 30th birthday dinner. The Cyma feast we had in Boracay was one of the best dinners that my friends and I had of late. Greek food is truly love! Best Moussaka I've ever had!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ccenter\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/27237177@N06\/3153219835\/\" title=\"Year-end3 by abbiexcites, on Flickr\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3134\/3153219835_8df9ba6baf.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" alt=\"Year-end3\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/center\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003EBreakfast at Antonio's\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI came back this year to this beloved restaurant that hold so many wonderful memories of yesteryears. Their steak is still tender and I still love it! Yum!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ETOP ON-LINE SITES\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ETwitter\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI tried \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/plurk.com\/abbiereal\"\u003EPlurk\u003C\/a\u003E for a couple of months but I came back to Twitter. If I can't blog then I usually express myself via Twitter's 140 characters. According to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/tweetstats.com\/graphs\/Abbie12\"\u003ETweetStat\u003C\/a\u003E, my average tweet per day is 7.3 and I usually send them 8:00 pm onwards. My most replied twitter friends are \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/taetin\"\u003Etaetin\u003C\/a\u003E (Tin), \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/rivengodwind\"\u003Erivengodwind\u003C\/a\u003E (Rodge) and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/lilacstardust\"\u003Elilacstardust\u003C\/a\u003E (Aileen), \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/siaz\"\u003Esiaz\u003C\/a\u003E (Mitzi) and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/charuzee\"\u003Echaruzee\u003C\/a\u003E (Charo). No surprises here since they are also my real-life best buds! Twitter is our cheesmux extension.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EFacebook\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI joined Facebook in mid-2007 but I only realized its full potential early this year. Everyone who's anyone is on Facebook; and it's the best Social Networking Site ever!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EMultiply\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis has always been \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/abbiereal.multiply.com\/\"\u003Emy favorite repository site\u003C\/a\u003E for photos, videos, blog entries and music. Add me up!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EiGoogle\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA customizable one-stop shop for everything Google (and some more). It's always a joy to see my e-mail, google search tabs, Remember The Milk tasks, Google Reader feeds and various news all in one place. Thanks to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/margeeness.multiply.com\/\"\u003EMarj\u003C\/a\u003E for the tip!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThanks to 2008 for being such a wonderful year! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cfont size=\"1\"\u003ECredits to Bordoy Viterbo, Charo, Aileen and Marj for the photos.\u003C\/font\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/feeds\/9020153763561728197\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/2008\/12\/top-in-2008.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/6756132\/posts\/default\/9020153763561728197"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/6756132\/posts\/default\/9020153763561728197"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/2008\/12\/top-in-2008.html","title":"TOP IN 2008"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Abbie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14265494155672178468"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg3ZlB3UUlhyXMQIaOi0DTXHREeL7tPKYtpZW-Cgma25DaIFEbiZkZ0D08RVrDzo_ROLV5ScywRCzPoxvWl-vj28vl2O-0rfZuHdTJurdaZeEmlLum-GUVmb2ouddpHRQ\/s113\/AbbieGorgeous.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3057\/3153086955_3f1190937b_t.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6756132.post-5033096635141780958"},"published":{"$t":"2008-02-19T21:46:00.011+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-02-08T09:05:30.378+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Favorites"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Friends"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Goodyear"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Memories"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThe title of this post was inspired from the song of Spiral Staircase which will always remind me of this great friend I had.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003E\"I had\"\u003C\/span\u003E. Speaking in past tense about him is one of my struggles in the last few days. Maybe it has not fully sunk in yet that my dear friend Binchy is now gone. Its been more than a week since he left us and my friends and I still cannot stop talking about him and the way he touched our lives. It is also probably the reason why this memoriam post is a bit late. It took me more than a week to finally open my desktop PC and gather the beautiful pictures we had. It was truly a heartbreaking experience for every photo is a memory of fun times together.\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI was chatting and doing my on-line stuff last Monday, February 4, when I got a message from Jovet, a good friend from Goodyear, asking me to pray for Binchy because he was rushed at the Asian Hospital. I replied and asked what happened. Jovet did not reply so I decided to call. That conversation was probably one of the worse I’ve had in my life. Jovet relayed to me that Binch collapsed after getting home from a badminton game and arrived ‘flatlined’ at Asian Hospital in what appeared to be as a Cardiac Arrest. He told me that the doctors and nurses were able to revived him but he was then in a respirator about to be wheeled to the ICU.\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI was frantic and nervy after that phone call so I immediately went out of my room and told my parents what happened. I also grabbed both of my mobile phones and started calling Ros and Eric, two of our closest friends, at the same time. Eric, who was in India at that time, was the first to answer. He also cannot believe what happened and even told me that Binch sent him an SMS just before he left for India. Ros on the other hand was already asleep when I called so she had a hard time absorbing everything that I was saying at first.\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThe next few days were tragic ones. There were a lot of calls, e-mails and SMS between friends and former colleagues. Ros, Eric and I were so affected by what happened and I cannot focus very much at work. I went to see Binch on Tuesday at the ICU and it broke my heart when I saw him with all the tubes. I also met his family led by his sisters, Beepsie and Butchick, and it was really heartwarming to see them all there and the loving support and care they are giving their \"Kuy\". It was also nice seeing the many friends who visited and prayed for him at the hospital (and eventually at his wake). I am sure that Binchy will go \u003Ci\u003E“Awww, how sweet!”\u003C\/i\u003E by the outpouring love, support and prayers by all of his family, friends and relatives.\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nFebruary 8, 2008 was probably one of the worse days of our lives but it was probably the best day of Binchy’s. If there was one person I know who was ready to meet his fate and was God-conscious, it was probably my dear spiritual friend, Binch. At 2:45 am of Friday, February 8, 2008, Binchy went into the light to meet his Father and Creator at a young age of 38. He was ready but I guess most of us were not. His 4 days in the hospital where he stayed and fought were probably not for him but for us so we can properly say goodbye to him.\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWho is HE  for me? Except for my maternal Lola, Binch was probably the closest person I had ever loss. He was this funny, goofy former-Goodyear-cube mate friend of mine who never failed to make fun of me whenever there was a chance. It was also probably the reason why I cannot fully cry until now since all of my moments with him were pure joy and happiness. Plus - I know that he doesn’t want me to go all drama on him and his memory. Nevertheless, he was a very important friend of mine, who used to be one of my go-to-guy cradles at Goodyear. Thanks to him, my iPod is rich with music and classic timeless playlists. Binchy, as my blog readers would also notice, was also a constant star here on my blog and was probably the best looking guy at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/abbiereal.multiply.com\/\"\u003Emy Multiply photo page\u003C\/a\u003E. (oh yeah, I know you want me to say that, Binch!)\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI actually have a confession to make. A lot were telling me about widow and bereaved wife jokes since last week. So, was there ever a time when he was more than a friend for me? It was in 2006 when Binchy and I became really close. We became friends when I started pouring my troubles to him after I broke up with Mark and started having troubles at work. He was one of the advocates of my “moving on and starting anew” mantra. He was such a great friend who provided me lending ears at that time. We went out to watch cheesy movies, dinners and lunches, shopping, and work from the coffee shop. He really helped me in one of the lowest points in my life and for that I am forever grateful. It was never ‘more than friends’ but I must admit that he was really a good looking guy whom you can impressively take to dates and events. Hehe! He always got adoring stares from girls whenever we were out. There was an unpublished blog post which I wrote while we were together in one of our late night video-editing sessions for our project, Bayani Ng Kalsada. He fell asleep beside me at the sofa after gushing about seeing his crush in a badminton game he just came from. The blog post I wrote was about him. I said that I would have fallen for “this sweet sleeping guy beside me” if I was not too blinded and still in love with my ex-boyfriend. I mean what’s not to love, right? I never posted that blog entry (nor entertained other sweet thoughts about him) but I showed it to my friend Marge. It unfortunately went to the trash bin together with my other Goodyear files.\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThere were so many memories I have of him and space is not enough if I will write them all here. There were so many fun times but there were also a couple of bad times – mostly the times we fought and argued because of work. One of the things which stood out (and I know he wants me to write this) was when he took me with him to his Bible Study at CCF Alabang. It was truly one of my finest moments with Binch. He was really on his element at that time and he gladly answered all of my curiosity questions even if I was already bothering him while he listens to the Pastor.\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI was part guilty because the last I saw him was when we had dinner at Brother’s Burger in Westgate at the end of October 2007. He and Ros just filed their Goodyear resignation that week and I was really happy for them for finally taking the plunge. We never actually ‘talked’ that night and that was one of my regrets. But I remembered pestering him for information on our ex-boss’s reaction when he handed his resignation letter. The four of us (Binch, Ros, Eric and I) usually went out and had dinners post-Goodyear to catch up on things. There were several plans in November and December but they unfortunately did not materialize due to our our busy schedules. There were also SMS greetings between us last Christmas and New Year but that was it…and now my friend is forever gone. :(\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI have no doubt in my mind that Binchy is now with our loving Father. He was one of the few people I know who was never afraid to proclaim the greatness of our Lord each moment he can. (He used to send us Daily Bread messages in our e-mails which he typed religiously each day.) I also admire the way he helped other people through his kindness and generosity. His life was very full and alive and he made sure that each person he met was appreciated. He touched so many lives and for that he will never be forgotten.\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI was hesitant at first to write something about him on this blog because it might be too heartbreaking for me. Then I remembered one conversation we had when he told me that he tried Googling himself once and even found a post or two about him – which I made fun of, of course. \n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nSo, here you go, Binch. I swear that I have carefully chosen your most\u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003E gwapo \u003C\/span\u003E shots for the picture collage above! I know you will like this very much and will even make fun of my blogging habits – as usual! :) You will be missed and always remembered! We love you!\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/feeds\/5033096635141780958\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/2008\/02\/more-today-than-yesterday.html#comment-form","title":"15 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/6756132\/posts\/default\/5033096635141780958"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/6756132\/posts\/default\/5033096635141780958"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.abbiereal.net\/2008\/02\/more-today-than-yesterday.html","title":"MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Abbie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/14265494155672178468"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg3ZlB3UUlhyXMQIaOi0DTXHREeL7tPKYtpZW-Cgma25DaIFEbiZkZ0D08RVrDzo_ROLV5ScywRCzPoxvWl-vj28vl2O-0rfZuHdTJurdaZeEmlLum-GUVmb2ouddpHRQ\/s113\/AbbieGorgeous.jpg"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"15"}}]}});