December 31, 2013
The Best Gifts in 2013
“I have no idea what 2013 has in store for me. Will it bring more heartaches? Will it let me experience failures again? Or will it make my heart beat to the sound of love? Will it make me feel more victorious moments? Nothing is certain but I know that I can always do something. Whatever comes my way in 2013, I will accept it with open arms. I will always say “yes” and accept the challenges. My power word for the year is BELIEVE. I know someday, all these dreams will come true.” This is how I ended
my year-end post in 2012. And I will be starting my first blog post in 2014 with the same line.
2013 was a great year for me, my family and most of my friends. I’m happy to say that there were no heartaches for the previous year. The 365 days brought so much happiness in my life. There were some sad and depressing days but luckily, I survived them all. As for failures, I’m also glad to say that in most of my days in 2013, I have more success stories than that of the former. There were many moments when I felt I won different battles. Yes, I’m proud of all my experiences in 2013. It was a happy, challenging and blessed year.
The Gift of Friends
First of all, I am thankful for the gift of friends. They are the persons who made my 2013 extra-special and memorable. As I look back to the days we shared together, I find myself smiling and giggling. I remember the coffee dates we had, the drinking sessions we planned, the endless talks we shared and the crazy things we did. I am truly grateful for having the right set of friends who never failed to remind me of the importance of looking at the brighter side of things, who are always there when I need them the most and who help me in reaching my dream.
The Gift of Giving Back
With the right people in my life, I was able to do amazing things for the past year. Some of those were participating in different charity events and reaching out for the people who are in great need.
2.
Children’s Day made possible. Thanks to the one and only Naprey Almario for always thinking of the welfare of the kids and extending his helping hand to everyone!
The Gift of Blogging
In August 2013, I received the Triple Threat Award in Globe’s Tatt Awards 2013. Two months after, in October, I received three awards in the first Mindanao Blog Awards namely Best Personal Blog, Social Media Movers of 2013 and Davao Blogger of the Year. I was also nominated in the category of Mindanao Blogger of the Year. At the same time, my blog was featured at M Magazine under “wwWowMindanao.”
I was also given a chance to meet lovely persons from Cebu Bloggers Society and Philippine Travel Bloggers when they visited in Davao for the Kadayawan festival. There were also unforgettable events I attended with the Davao Bloggers Society. One of those events was the Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2013 (DFAT) wherein we visited 13 food establishments and 2 resorts for three days. Another unforgettable experience was the one day trip to Manila in order for me to meet the admins of Filipino Bloggers Forum.
The Gift of Solitude
“For those who are not frightened by the solitude that reveals
all mysteries, everything will have a different taste.”
This is the most wonderful gift I received in 2013. As I look back to the days when I was in complete solitude, I feel happy knowing that I’ve grown mature enough to be an independent and strong woman. In 2012, I dealt with my broken heart and started all over again. In 2013, I learned how to be on my own. I realized that there is nothing to be afraid of being “alone,” of doing things all by myself and of going solo.
I’ve always wondered how it feels to watch a movie alone and last year, I satisfied my curiosity. I went to my favorite cinema house and watched the
Life of Pi. It was such a liberating feeling! I also learned how to go to coffee shops and restaurants without the need of a date or a set of friends. I appreciated the times when I’m all alone. Those are the special times when I became more aware of what is happening in my life and understood myself more. Indeed, solitude is a beautiful blessing. There is nothing to fear in being alone. I think I am not yet ready for a new relationship because I’m absolutely enjoying my “single” days!
The Gift of Time
Another thing to be thankful of for the previous year is the gift of time. In 2013, I mastered the art of time management. My friends started to appreciate my act of showing up in our instant reunions, being present in our coffee dates and having time to enjoy drinking sessions with them. I had enough time to watch movies with my favorite persons in the world and read great novels written by brilliant authors. I also spent some precious time with my family and loved ones!
However, when it comes to law school, I still find myself running out of time. But instead of whining about it, I simply let the bad thought go and believe that I am capable of managing my time. There is a time for everything.
Listed below are the posts I’ve written about the books I’ve read and movies I’ve watched in 2013 (selected only):
I’m really excited for another 365 days in 2014. I’m claiming that it’s going to be another best year for me. For the new year 2014, my power word is GRATITUDE. Last year was BELIEVE. As I mentioned in my Instagram post earlier, I’m not going to have a new life but will definitely enjoy a new beginning.
Great blog! It sounds like you have great friends like I have. My friends and kids are what makes my world go round. I had the most amazing year, Christmas was the best part. The look on my oldest son Kaden's face when he opened his Kool Rider bicycle noise maker that makes his bike sound like a motorcycle (hes obsessed with motorcycles) was probably the one of the best moments in my life. He hugged me and cried for about 15 minutes straight. Congrats on your blog awards! It sounds like you really got to know yourself in 2013. That is great! Thanks for sharing.
You've done what you wanted and the most valuable thing was the time management that it's most vital of all.
A lot of achievements for 2013, that's very good!! All the best for 2014!
Glad to know that you had an amazing 2013 and that you overcame many challenges. They say success is nothing when you haven't experienced any hardship. 🙂
Happy New Year! Wow! Congrats on all your awards. More blessing this 2014.
You have so much to be thankful for during the past year. Wish you all the best for this new year.
Yes, I think God for the gift of friends just like you. I learned a lot!
everything will be happened if you believed in yourself and pursue the dreams no matter what.
Congratulations on all your successes and everything that you have achieved in 2013! All the best to you this 2014 and be the best you can!
this is the year for me in blogging and giving back and to my face my fears to explore and meet new people. I just freak out when I am in a place where I dont know anyone haha.
so happy for you Algene, for all the wonderful blessings that came your way, may the rain of blessings continue to shower on you this 2014. Congratulations on all your achievements.
I loved to watched movies too, and the one I adored, thriller-suspense genres.
I agree. The gift of friends and time are one of the greatest gifts one could ever have. Only a few get to have good real friends, and most of us don't have enough time to have fun and do what they want.
We should all be thankful for the blessings we receive from God and let us not forget to share them to others who are in need.
God has blessed your 2013 with so many things. Don't forget to pay it forward this year and it will come back to you a hundredfold.
God has blessed your 2013 with a lot of things to be thank ful for. Don't forget to pay it forward this year and it will come back you a hundredfold.
I admire people who find time to give back to the community. Kudos to you!
xx Daphne of http://daphnebenosa.com
I admire people who find time to give back to the community. Kudos to you! 🙂
xx Daphne of http://daphnebenosa.com
I love the idea of the gift of time. That is something I both need and can give.
I think for gifts you were able to get the essentials during 2013 and I'm sure you'll be blessed more in 2014.
Gratitude! What every one needs to value. Specially being thankful to the One that gave it all. Who have passionately gave Himself up for our happiness and solitude in spite of the hurtful past. Congratulations for having won those awards, I'm sure this year will prove to be even better for you!
i like the idea of giving back Joel Osteen once said if it doesn't fit a need turn it into a seed for someone else..
The happiest moment last year was when I finally passed the VUL exam. I didn't expect it to happen till my mom told me the news. I was so elated that I hugged my mom and cried a bit that day. I was all smiles and couldn't easily hide it.. 😀
I'm so glad that you had a great year Algene! Imagine, several awards were given to you and the parties you've been through!
I hope that this year, you'll have more blessings to reap and our blogging community will remain very strong and sturdy! 😀
I temporarily stopped blogging on 2013. I got busy with being pregnant. Haha! But I would agree on the gift of friends and time. I treasure my friends so much and I love spending time with them and so with my family. Just like you, these are also my achievements. I'm trying to revive my blog this 2014, so goodluck to me. 🙂
Most of the time, the best gifts cannot be buy with money 🙂 I love the gifts of friendship and family with just being together and having fun 🙂 I hope that year 2014 is another best year for you to spend time with friends an best if all with the family 🙂
I am looking for the Gift of Love.. wink. You are so blessed dear Algene to have a fruitful 2013.
Taking time for yourself alone is one way to relieve stress and at the same time access yourself.
2013 is indeed one of the best years of your life.You accomplished a lot especially the charity events and reaching out for the people who are in great need.
What great gifts to receive for 2013 🙂 I like your hygiene project for the Yolanda victims 🙂 Wishing you more blessings and gifts this 2014.
All of these gifts are priceless and could not compete to material things. Indeed, you got great gifts and I am glad you got them last 2013. I hope you will have more gifts in 2014 like these 🙂
All of these gifts are priceless and could not compete to material things. Indeed, you got great gifts and I am glad you got them last 2013. I hope you will have more gifts in 2014 like these 🙂
i guess the best gifts happened to me b4 the year 2013 ends is the gift of friends. now i am so happy to have more of them this 2014
As we grow mature, we thank God not for material things we possess but for those intangibles and cannot be quantified by cost. Happy New Year. 🙂
If we pause for a while, be still, and know that we have a God Who has plans already set for us, we will realized by and by that the best gifts are just within our reach. God bless you this year and all your dreams! 🙂
It's so heartwarming that you acknowledge the people first as a Gift before anything else. True, the gift of friends always there to make our year extra special and memorable. That will only not happen to you last 2013 but it will still apply this coming 2014. Keep your friends, they are your treasures. God Bless your 2014. 🙂
Cheers and congrats on all your achievements, Algene! Very well expressed article and I feel that it was written from your heart. May the grace of God be always upon you. Stay blessed!
There are so many things to give thanks in the year 2013. Me too are so thankful. God bless on your aims for 2014!
Congrats for an awesome 2013!! Hope you have more this 2014.. and more power to your Project Hygiene Kits.. 🙂
Very well said. I truly agree with all your points.
HAPPY NEW YEAR dear!! Wishing you and your family all the best this year 2014, more opportunities and success to come! 🙂
More gifts to come for you this 2014! Cheers 🙂
I agree with this list of the best gifts for the past year! Cheers for the awesome 2013 and good luck for this 2014! ^_^