Hello, December!

It's December once again. Time for Simbang Gabi, Christmas shopping...and bibingka! :) (Well, I guess bibingka is available year-round, but nothing beats eating hot bibingka right after dawn mass...Sarap!)

Just like any other December, this year-ender is sure to be a hectic one. I lost around 4 lbs same time last year because of the stress of Christmas preparations: Christmas party practices, last-minute shopping, pahabol deadlines at work and school. I had so much weight on my shoulders that time because of the pressure to win, all the drama surrounding it, and everything else I needed to accomplish.

2 and 1/2 weeks is not enough to finish all of this madness.

And here I am again, 8 days into the month, and I still have not accomplished a tenth of what I need to do. Same list: Christmas party practices, last-minute shopping, homework, quizzes and reports for school, site work, and paperwork. The list never ends (as with my complaining).

So instead of listing down every single item on my to-do list (yes, the items above don't even encompass HALF of my actual to-do list), I'd rather procrastinate and do a happy list...my random Christmas wishlist! :) There are only 2 days in the year that I can be selfish (and get away with it) - Christmas and my birthday - so I shall claim 1/2 of that privilege now:

1. A MacBook Pro. I would settle for a new MacBook...but if this is a wish list, then I should just go crazy and ask for the best there is. :D
2. An iPad. Yeah, yeah, so I already have its sisters, an (old) MacBook and an iPhone...but i want to be greedy and get the whole set. Me want iPad, now na.
3. Peace in Korea. As much as I want peace on Earth, I will be specific for now, because I know that these things (peace, and other big world issues like love and poverty) take a lot of time. So, God, please grant peace in Korea. I want to go to a safe, happy place by 2012.
4. First place in the Datem Christmas party presentation 2010. God, lilinawin ko lang: gusto ko maging Champion, hindi First Runner-Up.
5. A pay raise. I wish this every single day. I haven't been able to set any money aside for my "future fund" this year (ok, I did, but only during the 1st half...pulubi na ako pag-dating ng 2nd half. Why is this always the trend??).
6. Enough vacation time to be able to read the 5+ books I bought but haven't gotten around to reading yet. I have 5 more books I want to buy, but I have to resist buying them because my book stack is getting higher and higher. Hmm. Ok, maybe I should postpone this wish for next Christmas, since I know it's next to impossible to find some free time for 2011. Mind Museum turnover by December, STRAMA by next term, and all sorts of hullabaloo in between. Right.
7. In line with my wish above, I wish to be able to travel to lots of places by 2012. Since I will be virtually tethered to the Fort/Makati in the next few months, once all of my obligations at school/work are done, I will be freeeee! Planning to have enough money/time to be able to go to the U.S. (to visit my cousins for my 30th birthday), U.K. (watch the Olympics with Sally! And hopefully tour the other nearby countries), and South Korea (if they are at peace already...see wish #3)
8. A job well-done on my first construction project. :) Well, I don't have to wish for this...I just have to do it.
9. A job well-done on my first design project (our house!). Again, it's useless just wishing for it. I will just have to get it done.
10. A job-well-done on my StraMa paper and defense. And hopefully, to graduate with honors. :D Woohoo. Let's go!

I cannot think of other stuff to wish for. Too many material things that I want, but I know I can just buy them when wish #5 comes true (in time).

In terms of virtues and values -- Lord, please grant me patience and faith. :) I have faith that You only have the best planned out for me, and I am patient in waiting for it to come to fruition. Thank you, Amen. :)