I have to say that so far it was the best year ever. A lot has happened. Overall it was a year of steadfastness and contentment, a year in which everything has fallen into place without really asking the stars and the universe to. I have matured as an individual and as a physician during the last twelve months. And I am still in awe of how fast and how great the year has become.
It was for me a great year because there were a lot of changes. Though these changes were not at all pleasant, it gave me the opportunity to be able to react things and it allowed room for maturity. I have changed a whole lot.
When the year began I was on a quest to make this year another awesome year in memory. And it did. That's what I am most happy about. The year did not start with a bang but it ended with a big big bang!
Here are the highlights, and instead of making a top ten list I will be going through the year month by month.
January:
1.) Tarah's homecoming
- after four years Tarah visited Cebu again in time for Sinulog and a get together dinner with karaoke afterwards ensued. What was awesome about this trip was bonding with significant others of our friends and talking and talking as if she never left.
2.) Mountain road trip with Mikah
- together we discovered the therapeutic effects of a lazy Sunday drive across Cebu's mountains through the Transcentral Highway, just add some freshly cooked corn, fresh air and vanilla twilight plus a happy go lucky iPod playlist - it's all good!
3.) Decisions, Decisions
- it was at this month that having to go on duty at the Surgery Department at VSMMC that I finally decided where will I do my Post Graduate Internship and I have never looked back since. I then switched from VCMC to VSMMC and thank heavens I did.
February
1.) Kim's engagement
- Kim went home and told us about her wedding. Ultimate catch up
2.) 26 years on February 19.
- this is how long my parents have been married. Mostly it was bliss and through understanding they were able to raise decent kids and set a good example for us.
March:
1.) The last days of internship
- and yes the countdown began on the first day and it was then breezing through.
2.) High School No More
- My youngest brother Aldrin graduated from high school and he did grew up so fast - from a whiny bratty kid who cries every time I steal his French Fries to a dashing Romeo who listens to the same music as I.
April:
1.) April 1
- the most unforgettable day of the year. I will never ever forget the feeling of excitement because of the fact internship was over and the liberation that the possibilities are endless momentarily for the summer. I felt like a prisoner who has been given parole.
2.) Summer in Camiguin
- I've always wanted to visit Camiguin. In order for it to be more memorable throw in crazy party friends and an impromptu itinerary, it was the highlight of my summer! It was our island in the sun with a wonderful mix of lush greenery, mystical mountains, splendid volcanoes smacked right in the middle, beaches, culture and history, it was a great vacation to remember the summer by and cap off medical school.
3.) Medical school graduation
- It is indeed the end of an era - medical school took most of my time for the past four years though during that actual day it did not feel big. Looking back it was a crowning achievement in it's self.
May:
May was the month I started my PGI year official. Though I did not start right away compared to my fellow PGIs I'm glad I did because I was able to fully prepare myself physically and emotionally.
1.) Farmville at Nadia's farm
Gossip pals Nadia, Reggie and I spent a weekend at her farm in the middle of the summer heat wave - which meant there were no harvests at all. We ended up talking, catching up and pigging out on food. Till next year guys!
2.) Cebu Museum
Ianne and I have always been fascinated with history and culture. The Museo Sugbo just recently renovated of what was used to be a prison houses a decent collection of memorabilia that's vibrant of Cebu culture. Since our schedules permitted it off we went and had a jolly ol' time rediscovering the city we both were born and grew up in and reaffirmed our love for it.
3.) Anesthesia and Ortho rotations
- Both were a blast! I am considering Anesthesia as my ultimate back up career just mainly for the cash. And I so want to be an Orthopedic surgeon in this lifetime but it seems that the Fates aren't conspiring for me to be one. Well see.
June
1.) Psychiatry rotation
Psychiatry will always be a blast for me. This time around as a PGI it was twice the fun! I've met the coolest residents which until this day I still hang out and keep in touc with, got to know interns who were my school mates, able to meet and was enlightened by a cardiologist who decided to relocate to the US despite a successful practice here in the Philippines and finally tried out go karting - all of this plus learning a ton in Psychiatry.
July
Worst month of the year for me. In this month I lost my phone, iPod and camera.
August
1.) My 26th Birthday - I had qualms of celebrating it but at the last minute I decided to. I did a 26 shots of alcohol this year which resulted in me, yours truly knocked out by the 14th shot and puking in the sidewalk in the middle of the city. However the celebration continued for a night of dancing and tequila two weeks after, which again resulted in me having a hearing disorder the next day for duty. But it's all good!
September
1.) Charisma's homecoming
After spending two years in the US, it's about time Cha paid us a visit and it was the ultimate catch up homecoming.
2.) Kim's pre-wedding homecoming
And we finally had a chance to meet the lucky man!
3.) Group 12
After two months of coaxing I finally joined Cebu Trivia Nights and my week has never been the same since. I found new company and met more interesting people that are into some of the things that I am.
October:
1.) Kim's Wedding
Kim tied the knot and it was one of the most heartfelt ceremonies ever. Love was all around
2.) My Manila Weekend trip
The fastest, action packed weekend ever - watched a musical and got to meet it's lead actress, food trips, culture and history trip, exploring Chinatown, book shopping in a span of 34 hours!
3.) The hiatus began.
- Jo finally came back to Cebu for a three month hiatus!
November:
1.) Daphne's birthday - after five years of not celebrating because she was spending her days in the US, the comeback girl had a birthday party and it was the a chance for a reunion of friends who have not seen each other for a while.
2.) Eva's Baby Shower
I can finally check "Throwing a baby shower" of my list. Though I am not an events organizer, I sometimes do enjoy concocting theme parties for a party of not so full people. We had games, names and well wishes!
December
Of course December will always be the best month or the next best month of the year. In this case it was the second best, after October. A great way to close up the year.
Highlights:
1.) Group 12 won first place unexpectedly in Ayala and then second place after an intense sudden death round. The latter though I was a bit traumatized gave me confidence - as I am now formed a new team - the 20somethings.
2.) Mountain Christmas - Spent 24 hours with my fellow PGIs for our Christmas party. Though we were a small group only 12 and 2 did not even show up it was still a lot of fun and a day to remember. Thank you John for my gifts since you gave to me all of my wishlist.
3.) 90's Christmas - Christmas party of my high school barkada - 90's in theme from gifts, music and games! And don't forget karaoke - what is a party without karaoke! I was high from singing 90's hits
4.) The BigBang Burger Party - Since all of our schedules aligns - we conquered the big bang burger with the 20somethings.
In conclusion it was a good year. More than a good year. And I am predicting and hoping that there will be more good times to come!
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5 months ago
