12 Reasons Why 2014 Was My Year

It's no secret that 2013 was very unkind to me so I was determined that 2014 should be the best year yet. And it has been. 2014 knocked me off my feet, in a good way. Here are the reasons why:

12. Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
I kickstarted my 2014 with a break-up. It wasn't the easiest ordeal that I had to go through but it was necessary. My year wouldn't be the year that it was if I didn't let go of the unhealthy relationship I had. It hurt. It hurt like hell but I am a stronger person because of it. You can read my goodbye to him here.

One of the few good memories that I have of him.

11. Almost Mr. Perfect
When 2014 started, I caught the fancy of this gorgeous guy and he was perfect in a lot of ways. He's handsome, smart, successful and we share the same faith. Of course, I wasn't ready for him. I was still picking up the pieces of my shattered heart. Suffice to say, it didn't work out. It just made me realize that I am deserving of so much more than what I previously settled for. It is true what they say. Some people just enter your life to teach you a valuable lesson. So, thank you R.

This text from R blew me away.

10. Livin' life YOLO
Before 2013 ended, I started becoming chummy with a friend who loves to party. She would take me out to clubs and we would be partying until the wee hours of the morning. I'm a sleeper and dancing the night away is very unnatural for me but I did it anyway. I never liked it though. There was something so empty and unfulfilling about a life of getting wasted and twerking. I have always known what I wanted out of life. I may not know how to get it but I know I wouldn't be getting it at the bottom of a bottle of Jack. When 2014 rolled in, I kicked off my dancing shoes and left the club scene.

Lounging under the shade while listening to Up Dharma Down perform at the recent 7017 Music Festival

9. Working 9 to 5
Technically, it would be 11 to 6 but there's no need to get our panties up in a wad over that, is there? I wasn't looking for a job but I got one and it's the best job I've ever had. I am so grateful for the vast opportunities that opened up to me once I entered the world of advertising — an industry I've been trying so hard to avoid.

Lacing up for a day at the construction site

8. Taking a Turn to the Silver Side
2014 is the year I turned 25 and it has been the most uneventful birthday I've ever had. For starters, my heart was still breaking and I was broke. But you know what they say, "when you've hit rock-bottom, there's no other way to go but up." Even if that was the case, I was hopeful that my life was about to change from that day on.

Single and Employed at 25

7. Learning how to change a flat tire
I've always considered myself to be an independent woman but when it comes to cars, I am such a noob. I've always depended on my ex-boyfriend to fix any vehicular problems I might have. When I finally learned how to change a flat tire, it made me feel that I'll manage just fine without him.

I need to get me one of those hydraulic jack thingies.

6. An Unexpected Wedding
My college best friends and I were planning a trip to Hong Kong when Joan announced that she just took a pregnancy test and it was positive hence, she cannot come with us anymore. MC and I decided to put our travel plans on hold because how can we ever go on a trip without her? Solidarity, baby! After that surprise, 2 months later, we were on our way to a wedding in Subic. Prime example of "life is what happens when you're too busy making other plans." Good times!

With the newlyweds

5. Purchasing my first Air Max 90s
I know, I know. This item seems too shallow to be so high up in the list but let me explain. For the past few years, it's been really difficult for me to spend money on myself for reasons I really can't divulge in here. My AM90s are so much more than shoes, they're a marker that I've left the past behind and I'm finally moving on to better things.

At Sports Lab by Atmos in Takashimaya

4. Ohayo Tokyo!
After a lot of failed travel attempts, it was such a blessing to go to Tokyo. You can read about all the fun I had here.

Getting Lost in Shinjuku

3. Kuya going to the US.
It's been a slow and rocky journey for my Kuya these past few years but God finally gave him a break through. After graduating from Culinary school, he is now on a paid internship program at a ski resort in the US. Never did any of us imagine him flying across the globe for a job. God is really bigger than anything we can comprehend.

A photo with the sibs before Kuya left for the US

2. Friendship Never Ends
In the best and worst of times, true friends will always be there for you. That's what 2014 taught me. Thank you to all of you for laughing and crying (but mostly laughing) with me through out the year. I love you all oh so much!

All classed up at a friend's wedding

101st wheeling with the rest of the crew.

Girls' day out in Tagaytay

1. Meeting Mr. Funny
B is definitely the highlight of the year. From the first text to the actual meeting at the airport up until he kissed me good bye at the bus station, he is really something. You can read a little about him here.

Blurred because I am so ugly in that picture

Small but had a Wonderful 2014,
Monica