The Annual Review: Chad in 2009

2009 was the best year of my life.

(Now how's that for a one-line summary of my blog entry?)

Way back in January 2009, when I started this blog, I only had one promise to myself: that I would live life to the fullest in 2009, and with the way the year turned it, I happily declare that I have achieved my promise to myself.

I would be remiss in not mentioning the details of what made 2009 the best year of my life, so here we go:

1. Living my life as myself. For far too long in my life I've always tried to live up to the world's expectations of myself - hence the statement of some of my friends that I "grew up too fast." In 2009 I decided to stop trying to live up to what everyone wants me to be and just decided to be myself. It was liberating to realize that people who still like and love me for being just me: a bookish geeky guy-next-door. :)

2. Having a much more personal relationship with God. I may not be as active as my mom is in the Church, but since 2009 I've had a much more meaningful and deeper relationship with God. I haven't changed my outward habits - I still go to Church once a week - but my prayers have been more frequent and have been more of "conversations" with Him as opposed to simple requests for help. I find myself thanking Him everyday, literally, for I was so blessed in 2009 and there's so much to be thankful for. 

3. My family rocks. Big time. 2009 was not just the year that I got closer to my parents (though there's still some work to be done there!), but it was also a year that my sister and her entire family visited for the holidays. The last time we were all together was in June 2007 and it was such a blast having them over. We did so many things while they were here: had a trip to Cebu, had a birthday dinner for my brother-in-law in Tagaytay, went to Punta Fuego along with some of my cousins, and had a blast during the New Year fireworks. They just left for home a couple of hours back and I must admit to being sad - the house is so quiet now. Granted that it was super noisy when they were here, and it was quite tiring too - but it was FUN. The house had never been so noisy and full of fun that I miss them all - it's going to be quite a long time before we're all together again, and I'll miss them all till that time comes.

4. Gail and her meeting the entire family. How can I not be utterly happy and blessed with Gail? She's the most thoughtful, sweet, caring, loving, patient, and brutally honest (which I absolutely love) person ever. I've never felt so loved an cared for, and the future has never been so bright and clear for me when it comes to spending my life with her. I'm so happy that my parents love her for who she is, and I'm also very happy that she met and spent a lot of time with my sister and her family. Christmas of 2009 will always be remembered as one of my best Christmases ever not just because my entire family was here, but also because Gail spent virtually the entire Christmas holiday season with our family. I can't even begin to describe the joy I have the my family loves Gail for who she is, and that Gail loves my family for who they are. :) What more could one ask for?

5. My true friends. I can count on my fingers and toes the number of friends that I trust with my life - and I consider myself the richest man in the world for them. They stuck with me through thick and thin, something I can never repay them for. Not just that, but I also love how my true friends and Gail have meshed - I'm done with the days where parts of my life are compartmentalized from each other. 

6. My career. Yes, despite some setbacks brought about by forces beyond my sphere of influence, I'm still happy with where I am. I must admit to being super sad in the latter half of 2009 as a lot of my close friends have left P&G for other companies; however, I made the choice to make a long term investment in my current job and it's beginning to pay dividends. Definitely a long way to go, but I like where I am (so far) and I like where its going (so far).

2009 was the best year of my life - but given that all the things that I'm thankful for in 2009 are still present in 2010, I'm supremely confident that by this time next year, I'll say that 2010 trumped 2009 in being the best year ever. :)

Till that time comes, I'm going to enjoy 2010 as much as I can. :) Hang out for my next post: Resolutions 2010!