Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014! (FINALLY!)

On the end of the Christmas Season (Three Kings Day), I said that I would write a summary of my 2013 on my birthday. As I somehow expected, I wasn't able to do it. :( A certain someone got confined on her birthday due to Hyperthyroidism and Cardiac Dysrthmia (I'll explain it in another post). Such a memorable birthday because she celebrated her 20th birthday in the ICU.

But here I am, redeeming myself on Chinese New Year! :) I don't celebrate Chinese New Year as religiously as our Chinese fellows do, but I respect their tradition and it has the words "new year" on it so why not, right?

I have a feeling that this is gonna be long because I suck at making summaries. Hold on, okay? Let's start!

Sunshine Boulevard

My clothing store, Sunshine Boulevard, started last August 2012. The store started to become on hiatus on May 2013. Something this special to me needs more attention and more effort, and I can accomplish this if I have more time for it. On that time, I wanted to focus on my acads and learn more first on starting a business. I think it was a good decision. :) Just by the start of my 3rd year in college, some of the subjects I took are marketing and managerial accounting. I can certainly use those when we launch Sunshine Boulevard for good! :)

Last 3 months of my term in UP-AIT Student Council

Me during one of the events for AIT month. :)

I loved being in the Student Council (SC). Even if my position was just the 2nd Year Representative, I've poured so much heart in it. I did all my best to know even just a little on all of my batchmates (and even the lower batches) in order to understand their situation and how I can help them. On February 2013, I had two events which I was in charge of. I was the head of Career Assistance Management Series IV (CAMS IV), a seminar on what's in store for tourism and HRM students after they graduate. This was sooooo memorable because this was my first big scale event! I have experienced going to different schools in one day to give them invitation letters, calling different tourism department chairpersons, and settling other logistic matters with the help of other SC members, of course. Next, I was the co-head of C3: Culture, Cuisine, Couture. This was a fashion show in partnership with UP ACTS who did the collection of ethnic inspired clothes. They've made awesome clothes which I think can join the ones shown on Fashion Week!

February is also the campaign period for the next set of officers. A lot has been asking me why I did not run for the next term. I was offered one of the Standard Bearer position, but I said no. I wanted to focus on my acads first, because I want to try to run for any Laude award. I have to admit that being in the SC, it made studying a bit more difficult because there must be a balance in time. Also, I want to grant my mom's wish: she wants me to stop being an SC member because she doesn't want me going home late due to the dangers it bring. In fact, on the last SC General Assembly of my term, my phone got snatched - I went home late and I have no time to choose a jeepney which is not scary (which is rare). But my mom is referring to more dangers than that.

Do I miss being an SC member? Yes, a lot. I know I can serve well, and I don't just serve because I can, but because I love to. So if you're gonna tell me why I didn't run for AY 2013-2014, here's what I'll say "it doesn't mean that because you can, means you should".

Summer 2013; Starting to be girly

Do you know that I'm an introvert (despite me being in the SC and having an organization in college)? This means no beach parties, late night at clubs, or travelling with friends (but this part is due to my parents being conservative). I also don't know why I didn't take summer classes, even if I did last 2012. I think it's because I didn't get the subjects I like? Whatever. But my summer was still productive because I've...

• finally learned how to do makeup (Yes, I've learned how to do makeup at the age of 19 only. A lot of girls knows how to before they go to college)
• learned LOTS of new hairstyles (I know a lot of hairstyles ever since I was a kid because I love playing with my hair! ;) )
• started to do nail art (never even had a single bottle of nail polish before!) 
• and improved my photography skills. ;)

Having so much time in my hands was fun (I am 98% busy). It's too bad it only lasted for a while.

UP Club Ecotour

It's my first time to model (officially)!

I owe my org, UP Club Ecotour. The time I was an applicant, I was busy for the SC campaign period. On my first year of being a member, I was too busy to help them. :( So since I'm not a member of SC this year, I think I've helped a lot in my org. :) I was the head for the major event for the first sem, Anniversary Week. It was a week long celebration, which made it really exhausting! There was a different activity every. exhausting. day. But it was surely worth it, and surely a great achievement for me and awesome Hya! We couldn't have done it without each other's help. :)

For the 2nd Semester, awesome Paulo (Hya, Paulo, and I call ourselves as the "awesome trio". But we don't literally call each other "awesome+*insert name here*"!) and I are the current heads of Domestikwhiz 2014, the biggest event of the org during the 2nd semester. We're still working on it (as of January 2014), so good luck to us!! :)

My 2013 Bucketlist!
   [x] Travel 3 times - Ilocos, Bohol, and hotel immersion at Hyatt Regency. I'll explain this on another post on another blog I'm planning to start on. ;)
   [x] Learn to do makeup - Weird to be in my bucket list but yes, I did it! If you're reading attentively, you would've read this above ^
   [x] Charity Event :) - Technically, I was part of my org's event, Rockalikasan, which was intended to raise money for a tree planting activity. Not exactly an event for helping less fortunate people, but it's still for a good cause which will benefit everyone!
   [  ] Learn to drive - Unfortunately, my mom is still against this idea. :(
   [x] Save money (FOR REAL) - Well, I was able to buy my new laptop. So I guess this is accomplished. :P
   [x] Accomplish at least 4 items in wish list
   [x] Be happy no matter what happens. :)

This 2014...
I want to have a simple life (no more attempting to be known by everyone or whatever), graduate on time (it's on jeopardy because there might be some delays due to my sickness), and finally love myself. If you know me personally, you'll tell me that I work hard. I don't notice it, but people around me does. I stress myself too much, that sometimes I put other things before my health. Being confined for 7 days and experiencing being in the ICU taught me to love and to take care of myself. Maybe that's my main goal for 2014 now.

Okay, I'm almost done...
2013 seemed to be my life's transition. I don't have to prove myself to anyone as long as I have already proved something to myself. After being so busy doing so many things for others, I think I have already proved myself. Now, I'm not pressured to do more because I now know in myself that I can do anything.
It's time I learn to love myself and focus on my goals. :) I've started not caring if I have a large number of friends or not. To be honest, I only have a handful of friends; but they're the best I could ever wish for. In college, I am 90% of the time alone. Even in my org's tambayan, I'm alone. I'm not mad at the people around me. But for me, I just realized that I don't need to change myself to be with people I have to pretend to. :)

Keep smiling! -Po ☀