2011 Reality Check

So I cannot sleep as usual. And when I cannot sleep, I usually end up tweeting a lot, reading blogs of friends and searching random stuff over the internet. 

I spent my first few hours of Christmas day reading blogs of two people I am thankful I have met. The blog entries were good stuff, the kind that makes you reflect on how you are doing as a human being. Since it's six days away from 2011 to be over, I decided to make a little assessment and do the easiest way to hear myself talk: to blog. :)

What I love about blogging and reading blogs is you can have an instant reality check. It's nice that you can read people's thoughts on how they think they are making progress on their own lives and you can also assess how far you've been through. However, you should be ready on the mixed emotions you can possibly feel. It's like you'll automatically be bipolar because of the strong swing of emotions that could probably affect the way you live on the next few months but hey, it's self-awareness. 

So here goes:

On weight issues

I just came from an overnight outing with my high school friends last December 22-23 and one of my dear friends uploaded our pictures on Facebook. Sadly, I am not happy on how I look. I look really wide and thick, and my face is getting bigger. Kill me now for such a melancholic and epal description of myself but it's really painful to see how college calories changed how I look. When I was a frosh, I do not understand why some of my friends get really depressed when they gain weight. I mean, why starve yourself and deprive from the pleasure of eating if you can lose what you gained anyway? I, now, understand that it takes a lot of discipline; that once you started eating a lot, it's hard to get the control back. It will really really take a lot of courage to stop eating. Now, I get it. My plans of shedding weight leads me to another area I want to tap on 2012. 

On going to the gym, swimming and learning Judo

Two of the many reasons why I should be thankful for 2011 are meeting such fun and awesome friends and covering this year's UAAP Judo Tournament. 

I met a friend during an event in our school. Lately, we've been talking about ways on how to lose weight. The top choice is, of course, to go to the gym. Second is to swim and the third way, I'll discuss in another paragraph (and in another blog entry if time permits!) because it's too special. :)  The gym part, we'll see because I'm not the gym-type of person and I'm so lazy but I want to see it as one of the many ways to keep my life balanced. The swimming part, most likely we'll swim in our sports complex which requires me to wear proper swimming attire and being the conscious that I am, I doubt I have the guts to wear a swimsuit even if it's one piece but we'll see!! 

And for the special part...I'm planning to learn Judo next year. 

I used the term "planning to learn" instead of "joining the team" because really, I'll start from scratch and given that, I'm kind of shy and it feels like I'm not deserving to be part of them. I've said above that covering the UAAP Judo Tournament this year is very dear to me, not only because I finally know why the score suddenly turns into 100 (ippon) when one Judoka gets to throw his/her opponent (covering the previous tournament was a mess. I have no idea!!) but also for the reason that I've met Judokas from my school's Judo team that actually inspired me to become better and realize what real family/friendship is about. I have to admit though that what attracted me the most was their sense of belongingness and how they look out for each other. Sure, it is not pixie-dust-and-everything-nice kind of thing but the security of being part of their team was more than enough. I can say this not because I know a lot about them but it is so evident that you can just see it right through your eyes and feel it whether you're a dense kind of person or not. Second is, honestly, I like the thought of me throwing a person not because you're mad but you just want to. Sorry if this sounds so childish! But yeah, surprisingly, I found myself enjoying the sport.

Now, to be an athlete, one should love the sport first above anything else. In my case, I like the environment before the sport. Pretty much, I can say that the sport will be on the top notch of my list eventually but I am questioning myself if I am sure and if I can manage the work load. Now I understand why they say that a lifetime is not enough to do everything you want but who knows? :)

The friend I've mentioned above is also part of the team. At first, I didn't know unless I realized she looks familiar, turns out she competed on the tournament I covered! Can you imagine how small world can be? :) It's like meeting the end of my thought-circle!! ;)

On grades
Grades. Ugh. Grades. The common defense mechanism is "It's just grades" but really, I have to be serious on my studies soon. As for the grades that I got this term, they're not so good but I didn't fail anything which is better than failing. But then again, one shouldn't be contented on grades with no failures and I shouldn't be an exemption.


On the opportunity-seeking area
The most exciting part. I have observed and learned that I daydreamed a lot this 2011; not just about some crushes but also on who I want to be. The downside of this is that I JUST dreamed. Perhaps the sentence of my 2011 is, "I dreamed." Hopefully, 2012 will be "I conquered." (WOW. Why so serious? HAHA.)


On planning to get a double degree
The thought of getting a double degree has been playing inside my head for months now. Supposedly, I will be graduating on March but the turn of things got really awesome and made me realize that it's not about the span of time you spend in college; it's about the ride and the realization that you're ready to step on another prestigious stone. In my case, even if I will graduate on March 2013, it feels like I'm not ready yet.


On family & friends
Roller coaster. That is how I'll define my 2011 with family and friends. Early this year, I've been lost and feeling alone (Too emo, IKR) but as the cliche goes, there's no other way but to the top. What makes this year extraordinary is the new friends I've met along the way and our small fun adventures that always made my day! ;)


So how did your 2011 go? :)