Beautiful things made

Awww. I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy as I write this. Must be all the nostalgia and the goodness that this year brought. For one, it's become hard to believe that certain things are possible. Not that these things were impossible, it's just that you get a feeling of being lost when you need to be somewhere or with someone and you just can't figure out how to go about it.

While this wish list is really meant to be fulfilled as my birthday bucket list, I got lucky in fulfilling some this year. And here's a rundown of the fulfillment:

1. Dance. While I didn't get to enroll in dance classes, I mustered enough courage to put on heels and join the flash mob at the company christmas party. Despite the lack of practice and general lack of finesse at these things, I managed to have fun with some friends while fulfilling the dancing.
2. Travel. It occurred to me that the best travels I've ever had were always the minimally planned ones, and with very good company to boot. Traveling around the metro with the office gang (Eric, Macky, Paul, Miray, Cathy) and my ever-reliable high school gang to see sights, eat out, drink heavily, or talk our heads off. Having a new car (by way of my brother-in-law) also brought the family to that side of Batangas that we've never seen before. While I wasn't able to really go out of the metro that much this year, the mini travels have all been worth it. To end this year, I just came from Baguio and La Union and had exquisitely good food with very good friends :)
3. Be a pseudo-mom to nephew. Facebook friends will attest that I've been posting pictures of my nephew a whole lot lately. Not that I'm excited to be a mom. I kinda enjoy the concept of having to take care of a slightly grown boy but could take him back to his mom's when he's too much to handle. *Wicked plan brewing inside head*
4. Be a good friend to Macky. I remember reading somewhere that I might have a disagreement with a friend this year. And that really happened for the first time ever with Macky. The good thing is that Macky is that kind of friend who I can be truthful to. And I'm glad that that disagreement happened. Otherwise, I would not be able to believe that we really are good friends.
5. Lose more weight. Okay, this is where I was unsuccessful. But I'm successful at keeping my weight to a slightly healthy one. 20 more pounds to go!
6. Change my diet. I changed from junk food, to no pork, to little pork, to what the hell I shall eat what I want but keep to half portions. I still can't bring myself to eat lechon or crispy pata, though. So I guess I'm good?
7. Go on regular food trips. See #2. Been to the following: Cafe Juanita, Chihuahua, the Burger Brgr Project, Moonleaf (which I am really fond of), Hermanos (best Mexican so far). Here's to more food trips!
8. Read! Ugh! Still have to finish Sophie's World!
9. Record my EP. We found out that the recording bit can get expensive so I did not push to do it this year. Instead, I recorded using phone mic and some other expensive microphone. All of that lead to this. I hope you enjoy listening to how I hammer Coldplay songs to pieces. hahahahahahahahahaimembarassed
10. Join a music band. The funny thing is I didn't know where to start with this particular wish. It turns out, joining the office Christmas party talent auditions would make this little wish come true! I got to jam with different talented guitarists, Macky was able to perform using her cajon, and I was able to sing Tadhana! Omg, dreams do come truuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuue!
11. One more guitar, the acoustic-electric kind. My room was recently slightly "renovated" to share with my grandma so I really don't have space for another guitar that I won't be using that often. So this will be postponed to 2013, that is if I'm not yet a full-fledged frontwoman for a band hahahahahahahaha!
12. Write a song. Ugh! No progress at all here.
13. Star in a music video. Ugh! Not thin enough yet for a video!
14. Be a subject in a nude photography session. Ugh! See number 5.
15. Join a photography exhibit. I have to admit that I haven't been focusing on the photography this year. This will all change come 2012. I'm planning to add more gear to my camera, and to go to places and meet people to be subjects. Excited!
16. Learn how to drive. Ugh! Will enroll in driving school in the next two months. Double ugh!
17. Do more cooking. Cooking for Christmas and non-occasions have been part of my life. I know I will get to cook more in 2012 :) Excited!
18. Visit a zoo. Or better yet, visit Thailand for a picture with a real elephant, and go to Palawan to get a photo of a real giraffe. Weeeeeeeeeee 2012!
19. Get a new tattoo. Which requires #5.
20. Fulfill short-term bucket list. This bucket list is a secret bucket list that requires another person. Hihihihi giddy!

That's a lot! I've been very blessed this year, really thankful that my head and my heart are in right places. Excited as excited can be for 2012!