2008 Year-end Review

This year has been a whirlwind for me. Lots of stuff happened. 3 deaths, a trip abroad, finding a job and letting it go, returning to a previous employer...

Hm... I guess it was easy for me to say early on that this year (2008) was not my year. Circumstances were against my favor and the things I set out to do did not turn out so successful. *sigh*

2008 Highlights:

February - Dad's By-pass
Yup, after numerous hospital confinements, Daddy's doctor finally told him that a heart bypass was the only way to fix him. And so, the operation took place. Me, being unemployed at the time, took the rolde as Daddy's head nurse. As such, it was my task to make sure he took his medicines, eat right, rest, and sneak his favorite doughnuts past my aunt's watchful eyes.

February - Nanay's Passing
About 4 days after my Dad's bypass (he was still confined in the hospital), we received word that Nanay (our Grandmother, my Mom's mother) died. That was about 10 am. Based on accounts, she was ballroom dancing 'till 1 am. At 8 am, during breakfast, she asked to be taken to the hospital since she couldn't breathe. The next thing we know, she's gone. That was fast.

April - Hanoi Trip
While vacationing in Davao during Christmas and New Year, we came upon an ad on the newspaper that said that Cebo Pacific was offering flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh come April. I have an aunt who lives in Hanoi and she immediately offered to house whoever was willing to go visit. My sisters bought tickets right away. They got a roundtrip ticket for a bit over 4K (all in). I was still unsure of working by then so I put off buying my ticket until March. I got it for a bit over 5K.

Hanoi was fun. It was a different culture entirely. It was interesting to see the thing people do or carry on motorcycles. I saw them texting or carry things like refrigerators, king-sized beds, full-length mirrors at the back of a motorcycle. Scary! My aunt brought us to the silk village and we did some shopping. Also went to Halong Bay, the Water Puppet Theatre , and my favorite Hoan Kiem Lake (the coolest place to go shopping!).

June - Toy Con - Baby Moon Launch
Just like last year, we joined the Toy Con to sell my sister's Talecraft cards. But this time, we decided that having just one product in the booth wasn't enough. My other sister, Maita, has always wanted to go into the business of Gothic and Lolita Fashion. So, we made some mini hats that were popular in Japan's Gothic and Lolita scene and sold it during the Toy Con. By noon of the first day, we were out of hats and were worrying about what to sell the next day, a big smile plastered on our faces. We called that project "Baby Moon Lifestyle." I helped design many of the hats.

Since then we've joined 3 more conventions and did fairly well. We've expanded into Victorian bonnets, headbands with cat or bunny ears, eyepatches, and many more. Maita is looking into selling at shops or department stores in the coming year. I'll keep helping with designs.

October - Auntie Lin Passing
At the end of October, we experienced another death in the family: My Auntie Linda (my Dad's sister). She was already pretty sick but it was shocking and sad anyway. That turned out to be a wake-up call. I flew to Davao to spend more time with my Amah (grandmother) who was also pretty sick.

November - Jenelyn
With the passing of Auntie Lin, the members of the family decided that it would be best to have Auntie Lin's only daughter, Jenelin, stay in Manile. She was to live with us, the Lu's. And so, I sunndenly found myself having a new, boy-crazy, teenage little sister. She's trying her best to adapt to a quirky, geeky, wierd family. And we're doing our best to tolerate excited squeals over hot Chinese guys.

December - Amah Passing
On Christmas eve, my other grandmother, Amah, died. It was sad. We were very close to her. We grew up living with her. Noche Buena was pretty gloomy, despite our efforts to be happy. The next day, our parents flew to Davao for the wake and burial, we spent Christmas reminiscing. Being with family helped.

And so... On to the NEW YEAR!!

2008's end comes nearer. As soon as I finish blogging, I'll run outside and watch the fireworks. I'm pretty optimistic about 2009.

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Cheers!
Here's to a past that began with "Once Upon A Time..."
Here's to a present finding lost treasures and slaying monsters,
To epic journeys and a fellowship of good friends,
To secrets, dreams, illusions, magic, and fantasy,
To a life filled with fierce dragons, and handsome princes...
And here's to a future that, no doubt will end in "Happily Ever After..."
-Marie Lu-