Looking Back O_O

As I've mentioned a couple of times here, the year 2011 has been very rough and tough for me. But then I realized that the obstacles and sufferings I've faced were nothing compared to others. As you may already know, the Philippines has gone through a lot of tragedies this year due to natural calamities and other forces of nature. And I am quite sure that more people suffered a more cruel fate. Thus, I should refrain from feeling sorry for myself; especially after I somehow counted all the blessings, privileges and great opportunities bestowed upon me.

2011 has been a year for travels and trips. It's the year where I had gone to various places, far and near. Those trips served as bonding moments with whomever I was with. It was also a way for me to forget all the bad happenings. And though some unnecessary and unwanted events tried to ruin some of my trips, I was still able to enjoy every moment like it was my last. I just hope that more trips will come my way this year.

Going to Cebu-Bohol with (Teampourra) my largest circle of friends was perhaps the most adventurous and very memorable trip. We visited a lot of places, and experienced caving like no other. It was really fun; although I had been a killjoy for quite some time. lol I always have a hard time "eliminating" whenever I'm traveling. Maybe that's one of the reasons why I had mood swings. lol

We also went to witnessed our friend's wedding that was held, of course, in the province or hometown of his wife. The wedding was fun and cool, although it was rainy. And the memories were added when we visited the Sampaguita Garden where we all felt young and "childish." 

The place was amazing; full of detailed and mesmerizing dolls. I wished we could have stayed overnight. I bet the place is more beautiful with some colorful lights on during the night. But the experience was more than enough to satisfy our crave for new places.

My last trip before the year ended was our 6-pax trip to Agho Island, Concepcion. It was a magnificent island with white sands, massive rocks and lots of corals. That was the best trip with fewer people; and one that I did not organize. It really felt good to just relax and enjoy the moment. We had good laughs, good food, good accommodation and a great scenery. I could stay in that place for a week without getting bored!

And before I forget, last year has also been the year for Food Trips. We were kind of prone to "mass starvation" and guilty pleasures of monstrous tummy. Unfortunately, I'm not a voracious eater like my other girlfriends even though I "seem" to be the one with big appetite. lol Office food trips were actually the ones that sort of blew me off. It's like, we were always hungry as we were always eating! Ice cream and Pizza became a natural sight in our pantry. And as much as I want to go on a diet, I just can't say No; especially if you're being blackmailed. lol

The opportunity to finally consider working at home has also presented itself. Some bad things made me decide to pass my resignation. Actually, I have been planning to resign from that company; I just wanted to have a reasonable reason for doing so. But when I was given the chance to work together with my friend, I stayed. So when the exit door caught my attention, I did not waste any moment and started to pave my way through being a home-based agent. So far, so good. :)

The Pleasure Of Having Friends

My weekend was a blast. I had a truly memorable and very fun weekend with my friends. Well, I am actually a friendly person; some of my friends would even call me Miss Congeniality. ahaha. We played paintball and then stayed overnight at the beach. The memories we had will always be remembered even without those photos to attest for it (but of course, taking pictures should not be forgotten as much as possible). And it wasn't the first time that we had fun at the beach. Everytime we bond, great memories and stronger friendship are always made to last. 

It really feels great to have wonderful friends. Friends whom you can become stupid with, and friends you can always have fun with no matter how fierce the storm is. When it comes to friendship, I am really an open and caring person. Only my friends know what kind of person I am. And I can never live in this damn world without those friends I know would always accept me for who I am.

I know the same goes for everyone else (or for most people, that is). No man is an island; indeed. Nobody can ever call himself a happy person without even just a single close friend. There is always a time in our lives that we would need a friend's presence.

For that, let me share to you some quotes on friendship which really captured my heart:

 

 

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.

The sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual, forms a bridge between the sharers which can be the basis for understanding much of what is not shared between them, and lessens the threat of their difference.

A faithful friend is a strong defense: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure. (Ecclesiasticus 6:14)

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

True friendship consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and value.

=> And here are some of my favorite friendship-related quotes made by famous people (writers, poets, etc.) 

"Have no friends not equal to yourself." 

- Confucious

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson 

"If a man does not make new acquaintance as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, Sir, should keep his friendship in constant repair."
- Samuel Johnson 

"My friends are my estate."
- Emily Dickinson 

"Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant."
- Socrates

"A true friend stabs you in the front."
- Oscar Wilde 

"Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with."
- Mark Twain 

"Thus nature has no love for solitude, and always leans, as it were, on some support; and the sweetest support is found in the most intimate friendship."
- Cicero 

"Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods."
- Artistotle 

"My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me."
- Henry Ford

"Never shall I forget the days I spent with you. Continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours."
- Ludwig van Beethoven 

"Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light."
- Helen Keller