2:25p

ode to life in 2002
first, can i just say that it is beautiful outside!
as much as it is "neat" to be inside on a rainy day, wrapped up in a blanket, etc.
nothing beats good old sunshine.

so I decided to celebrate the last day of 2002 by taking a walk outside
after my breakfast.
besides, I didn't really have a healthy meal (lechon and fried vegetable lumpia), so I
figure I owe it to my body to get out there and get my blood pumping some.

the walk gave me a chance to think some...
'reflect on this past year.
when i was younger, I actually would do the same thing, only I would write it in my diary
an hour or so before midnight.

so I thought...
one year ago, I was unemployed...and I still am.
one year ago, I was embarking on a brand new adventure with the whole massage thing....now I've got a job at a new spa
and met soo many incredible, down-to-earth and amazing clients and therapists...
I am now a part of another unique and grounding community.

this past year has been filled with so many other cool beginnings
'like my "reunion" with my cousin in London - we rarely EVER kept in touch before. now, she knows what goes on in my daily life
via this blog (which she inspired me to start) and vice versa....and we are even able to communicate via AIM almost everyday! (sometimes 2 hours at a time!)
'also "reunited" with my cousins from L.A. who stayed with us over this past week.
Now, I have a new set of family and little cousins to connect with.
I'm excited to visit them now when I am in L.A.
I can't wait to be able to take my little cousins out and spend time with them.
In fact, I think I will make it a point to visit them at least once or twice a year....I swear, they will grow up faster than you know it!

I also got 3 new "nephews" this year from all my friends having babies.
yeah!!! 'can't wait til they can finally eat solid foods so that I
can FEED THEM!!!! cooking will take on a completely different meaning for me.

hmm...this year I also got to reconnect with an old friend who I went to elementary, jr. high and high school with.
we lost touch for 10 years and now...I'm getting an invitation to his wedding.

The best thing i think I got this year was "time".
I had so much of it!
I can remember all the times I was at work wishing for more time
to work out more often,
to take care of my stuff,
to travel,
to vegetate....

I learned that it is just as hard to manage time when you have it than when you don't.
When you have too much of it, sometimes you get lazy and just don't want to do anything
because you know there is still lots of time left.
That was a challenge for me during these last few months of this year.
I already had a job that I would be working in soon...so I didn't really need to continue my job search or work temp jobs.
I had to continue being frugal with my money since my unemployment checks would end soon....so i didn't really go out and do stuff.
Hence, laziness set in.

nevertheless, I was pretty stress-free this year.
This is probably why I didnt' get sick (the flu) at all!
'Had a couple of head colds here and there, but nothing major.
I think I may have lost a couple of brain cells, though, from
all the lazying around.
Anyhow, it's amazing to experience no stress.
'helped me to gain more perspective on stuff...

in particular, my priorities in life...
boy, has that changed a lot!
I'm all about "balance" now.
I swear, if I can make it happen, I don't want to have a 9-5 job.
I now want to travel and see how people live in other parts of the world.
I want to try different things, meet new people and continue on exploring,
because I've come to realize:
I'm not done yet
I'm not done yet
I'm not done yet
period!

this year, my bf and I also celebrated 10 years together.
though we can be considered "an old couple",
our experiences together are definitely far from being old and boring.
both of our individual journeys in massage (for me) and photography (for him)
have opened up the world to us in so many ways.
I understand now how people can stay together for 30, 40, 50+ years
because we've learned so much from eachother through these individual journeys/passions.
what more could I ask for than my bf to share life with?
'cause life experiences are really meant to be shared.
(hence, the reason for this blog too, I guess? )

in any case, I consider 2002 one of the best years of my life. and I'm glad i was able to
capture some of it via this little corner of the internet.
now if I could just figure out what the hell to do tonight to celebrate.

oh and P.S.
thanks to the people who read my stuff (whoever you are out there)...
although this space is more for me than for you, thank you
for being respectful of my space and also
for sharing your feedback respectfully.
it's a big risk for anyone to make their blog accessible to the public,
but it's also been cool to be a part of yet another community of good folks.

peace, love, and lumpia grease to you ALL in 2003!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!