It's December! Hurrah!

... and I haven't even started on my christmas shopping.

Don't you just love December? It's that time of the year when I can actually do a shopping spree because December is the only time of the year when I have money! Haa! I can now buy that jacket I've been eyeing at Topshop...

December means that Ayala Ave. looks beautiful at night. I love it when they put all the lights around the trees and Rustans looks festive as ever.

December means that the christmas trees at the fancy store at Shangri-la is up and selling all sorts of expensive decorations.

It means that everything, for once in a year, looks lovely and happy; dressing up for the season in reds and greens even if the world is in chaos.

December means that christmas carols are now being played everywhere. I love it everytime I go to starbucks at Pearl Drive and I hear Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song while studying and reading my handouts.

December means that we all are nicer to one another although probably because we want gifts in return. More than that, it means that we care more because we think about one another.

December means that the parties will be all over the city once again. I love spending time with my friends even if it's just a casual dinner talking about nothing of importance.

It means that for once a year, we all are showing how much we love and care for one another.

December means that we go to the Misa de Galo and fall half-asleep while listening to the priest's sermon. After which, we buy puto and bibingka from the street vendors.

December means that the pigs are ready to be slaughtered for the traditional lechon for the Noche Buena with the ham and queso de bola.

It also means that my traditions come alive with my family and christmas is all about family.

I wonder though when my dad will put up the lights on the tree so we can decorate it.

Just Great.

I am definitely going down with something.

I'm feverish, coughing, blowing my nose and my eyes are hot!! Then I have this barfing feeling that I can't shake off! Argh!

That's why I had to go home early today because I really had no strength to go to my two remaining classes.

This sucks.

Vacation. Has a nice ring to it don't you think?

Thursday was a very hectic day for me. I had two major exams which I think I screwed up and had a quiz in theology where I got my first imperfect score. How trivial.

Anyway, much of the day was spent studying and studying and studying. It was then that I relaized how utterly boring my life is. You see, I don't really go out, go clubbing and all that jazz. I'm more of the unwind and relax let's-have-dinner-somewhere-in-Makati type of gal. Then maye a spot of coffee from Starbucks. I've come to appreciate Starbucks and it's grand messianic movement from saving poor students from endless pages of readings.

Needless to say, it was a boring day because I had to study six weeks of readings. Not to mention, I have this unbearable cold that I can't seem to shake off.

Later, we decided to go to the christmas party of Pol Eco still wearing our school clothes.

Everybody was drunk. Teachers, students, and outsiders. I will forever remember all my teachers drunk and singing karaoke. That was the best part; so lacking in finesse and dignity! This is blackmail material! And then of course my evening got ruined when Lester spilled beer all over my pants and not bothering to do anything about it. I really didn't like the guys who went.

So anyway, I stayed with the girls and drank everything they sent my way. It was a night of pictures too and Dana and I have several funny shots.

So there, after a long hard night, I decided to go home around midnight since I've been out of the house since 6:30am.

SHIZZZZZZNIT!!!!!!

J.K. Rowling has already finished Half-Blood Prince!! Oh, the excitement begins! I'm so excited! excited excited excited excited excited excited excited excited excited excited excited excited excited excited excited excited excited excited excited excited!

Hah!

WB has also released new pictures of Goblet of Fire! I'm so excited excited excited excited excited excited!

Hahahaha!

Just before I go to celebrate christmas...

Merry Christmas!!

I'm off!!

Edit: I GOT AN IPOD!!!

Warning: This is another one of those year-ender speeches.

This year has been a year of self-discovery for me. There have been many lessons I've picked up along the way and many of those lessons I gathered the hard way.

It was hard that I was told that I really didn't know myself.

It was hard letting go of a few things and try new things.

It was hard getting to know new people and trusting them.

Despite all that, life has given me a new perspective.

I've learned that I can give more and do more if I belive in myself.

I've learned that I'm resilient; that despite the kicks and the blows I have survived and stood up again.

I've learned that one can love tremendously and never know the extent of the heart.

I've learned hardwork pays off... even if I got a low grade, I learned something.

I've learned that little treasures are found in different people; that they have enriched my life so profoundly that words could never be enough.

I've learned that I am a Starbucks loyalista. I know all the baristas in Pearl drive by their first names.

I've learned that I care more than I let people know. I realized that i can be affectionate.

I realized that I need passion in my life. I need passion to be able to do things, to achieve things. I've learned that passion makes me the Joanna you know in so many aspects.

And most of all, I realized that I want to change the world. Maybe along those lines, I'll change myself. I'll light up the world with a torch and who knows, one day, I'll be up there doing wonders.

So everyone, I wish you a marvelous new year. Drink to a new year full of surprises and life. I wish you all the very best in luck, life, and love.

"Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."

INUMAN NA!!
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