I’ve calmed down a bit. It’s been a little over half a day since I received the final wake-up call of the year to date, after all.
I don’t think I can take any more surprises today, the official end of twenny-oh-six. I figure fate probably couldn’t hand me any more shockers in the next 12 hours coz I’m shutting myself off from civilization long enough to enjoy a nice New Year’s Eve with the fam. Kind of like trying to start the coming year with a clean slate.
I’ve been neglecting posting updates these past few weeks on account of work and preparations for my pilgrimage to the homefront. Anyhoo, in the interest of making a neat summary of my two-week sabbatical thus far, I’ve come to the following agreements with reality:
1. If you’re the hero of your own story, others will always be the bad guy. At some point, everyone takes their turn at trying to make life a little more complicated for you. And I do mean everyone.
2. If the market seems too bullish to be true, it probably is. Look before you leap. Don’t assume your stock will always soar.
3. I am Cold Fish. Normally, I’d go for Ice Princess or the proverbial Girl-on-the-Pedestal or something equally privileged-sounding. But I feel I’ve been a tad too generous to myself this year. Time to make like Calvin Klein and get hard-core minimalist.
4. Sometimes you’re on top, sometimes you’re not. And sometimes others need the prize more than you.
5. Every dog has its day. Just hope that yours comes at the time you need it the most.
6. Muay Thai is always a good idea, especially if you’re feeling the need to beat someone to a bloody pulp. Trust me, a mental picture won’t be enough. Of course, this doesn't mean that I condone violence. Like the ladies in the beauty pageants, I wish for world peace.
7. Secrets are a fine thing. Everyone should tuck away at least a couple funny ones to smile to for times when life seems a little less fantastic than usual.
8. You can’t blame parents for being how they are. You may be right, but they know best. Usually, anyway. Or at least until you become one yourself.
9. Despite your best efforts, you can’t change society. It’s either get with the program, or get your walking papers. Good luck to you too, Oprah.
10. Consider this: You’re strolling along downtown minding your own beeswax when all of a sudden, one by one you run into each member of your family, plus a few outliers in your family tree (i.e., baby-ridden relatives you see only at weddings and religious holiday parties). And get this, all in the space of 5 minutes. It’s enough to make you go off your rocker. But if your own uber-overprotective dad bumps into you at a time you least need to be conspicuous and at which you took pains to go incognito, then you know it’s time to pack your bags and skedaddle. There’s no such thing as anonymity in downtown Zamboanga City.
Happy 2007, everyone!
