Muffled Noise

At last, or too soon, the new year is upon us. The fireworks are over (well almost), your neighbor’s terrible videoke-singing is… unfortunately not over yet, and the big celebrations brought about by anticipation of 2009 are now reduced to trips to the mall, people catching up on sleep and the occasional relative (whom you may or may not really know) coming over. However…

The new year means only one thing to those of us who need to clean up our act. Thaaaaaaaat’s right. This is the part where I announce my resolutions for the coming year.

But before I do, let me just say that I, like at least 99% of the people I know, have a bad track record when it comes to New Year’s Resolutions. Knowing that, I’ve come up with a more *cough* organized list of to-dos — a list that’s more quantifiable. So that I can efficiently measure how much WIN or FAIL is running through my veins for a certain month.

Also, I’m listing out my goals. These are things that don’t fall under changeable habits, but more like stuff that I should have accomplished by the end of 2009. And lastly, my We-Shall-See’s — they’re pretty much goals too, but I’ll be less strict about them given the circumstances.

Here goes.

MY RESOLUTIONS

1. To spend at least 5 hours a week on drawing.
Okay, I know I said I’d draw more last year, but believe me I broke that one so effortlessly that I might as well have thrown away all my drawing gear. I’ve actually committed to do the art for a super special ultra top secret project, and the partial work up there is from concept art I have for it. While I could’ve finished that in 2 days, it took me MONTHS to finish just because I couldn’t get my lazy ass back into the game. Something is wrong with me. Oy.

2. To post something on my DevArt page at least twice a month.
Linked to Resolution #1. I am the sorriest excuse for an artist, SRSLY.

3. To learn at least one new recipe per month.
See, the problem with me isn’t that I can’t cook — it’s that I don’t really even try to remember any of the stuff I cook. I could have tossed monkey brain in there and I wouldn’t remember. Same thing with baking. I help around in the kitchen, sauteing and mixing and all that stuff, but I don’t really leave the kitchen with anything after the meal’s done. So, since I’ve already learned 3 dishes this vacation alone, I have a good feeling about this one. It must be done, for the love of FOOD!

4. To sleep before 11pm on weekdays.
Because during the last quarter of ‘08 I’d been sleeping around 12:30 or 1am. I thought it was, but as I realized from frequently zoning out at work the day after, it is in fact not cool.

5. To set aside at least 15 minutes everyday for quiet time.
Personal and spiritual thing, because I really need it.

6. To (continue my) exercise at least 3x a week.
Mainly to keep fit. I’ve been doing it for the past few weeks now, so I wanna keep the ball rolling. Anyway the treadmill and pool are just there, haven’t been using them for the longest time before this. Lazy bum is I.

MY GOALS FOR 2009

1. To finish all concept art for the project (see Resolution #1). Should be faster, but I’m cutting myself some slack.
2. To finish reading at least 3 books. I still have the Kite Runner lying around in the house. It was a gift to me, and I’ve had it here for a long time now. Also I’ve been bugged for the longest time to read it, and I already know I’ll love it so I have no idea why I haven’t started. Epic fail.

THE WE-SHALL-SEE’S

1. To have at least half of the downpayment for my own condo. Praying hard about this. DO WANT!
2. To have started with my top-secret BIZNIS. Not saying what it is yet. :]
   
3. To go on a vacation outside of Luzon (Hong Kong doesn’t count). This isn’t as easy as it may seem given my schedule.

Note to Future Abby of January 1, 2010: How did you do?

So, it’s the last day of Two Thousand and Eight, and I’ve decided to take on this whole recap thing in a different way. Being the trigger-happy photographer that I am (if you know me, you’ll know that I take my camera everywhere) I thought that a good way to take you through my past year is to show you some of it.

Along with tiny pics from the month, I’ve added some lines dug up from an old blog posts. Of course, these won’t give you a clear idea of what happened in these months, but I don’t wanna bore you haha. Oh and please be kind, I didn’t say my pics were any good! Here it is, without further ado.

“But two things that I’ve learned about the floating concept of new years — new beginnings come every day, every hour, every moment. Also I believe that the year is what we make it. No amount of greetings will change your year if your heart and mind are not in the right place, but if they are, no amount of bad circumstances can ruin a year for you.”
— Let’s make a toast and kiss them goodbye [01.01.2008]

“There are times when deep words work, but sometimes, or most of the time, it only matters that you’re sincere.”
— ‘Yun talaga. [02.16.2008]

“But at the same time, there have been a lot of realizations, stuff for me to think about, that I don’t think I would’ve come to if not for this trip.”
— Day Seven [03.16.2008]

“So I’ll tell you what I’ll do — I have in my hand this Big Reset Button, and I’m using it. It won’t change how things were in the past, it won’t undo mistakes and won’t rephrase words already said. It won’t undo anything. But I’ll press it, and I’ll start over. I’ll take things as they are from now on, and I won’t look back.”
— Welcome to the rest of your life. [04.05.2008]

“It was authentic Chinese food all the way, some were really good, some were interesting, and some were just hard to adjust to! I’m sorry but the ancient chicken thing was too much for me haha. Anyways, it was a great dinner because we had people from the 4 teams working on the project together for dinner for the first time. It was fun seeing them all out of the office for something like that.”
— The good times. [05.10.2008]

“After that we pulled out the grill, and because I totally forgot we had an igniter, we had to do it the old-fashioned way. Thankfully we all had experience with it, so it went well haha. Well-done Liempo mhmm.”
— We burn it up. [06.15.2008]

“People react different ways. Some spend half an hour figuring out what happened, some start walking to wherever, some stop to analyze, and some (like madmen) decide that they’re just taking the scenic route.”
— Not everything is as it seems to be. [07.07.2008]

“Week one was awesome, the presentation was awesome, and the clients signed, which is also equally if not even more awesome… I can’t wait to see how things turn out.”
— Another messy update: HK Week One [08.11.2008]

“On a very ironic sidenote, I miss hanging out, and seeing all those people out last night made me miss it (and the people I did it with) even more. October means something else to me, so I’m thinking of planning something.” — Oktoberfest 120 [09.06.2008]

“P.S. My birthday was a blast. Thanks, I missed you guys. P.P.S. It’s true (for me) that it’s easier to write when you’re down.”
— I’m lost again. [10.11.2008]

“The interview turned out more fun than I thought it would! And it felt good to see a lot of international players on the chat with us, asking questions and showing a lotta love. Heartwarming, considering that for some of them it was around 3am. So anyway no details on that, but I’m glad I went.”
— Interview at Level Up [11.15.2008]

“Nine. Happiness for all the people around me. Because quite frankly, they all seem like they need it”
— 12th Day of Christmas: My Wishlist [12.14.2008]

While I was looking through these pictures and my archives, I realized why recap posts are so important. They help you realize the things that matter, remember the things you’ve forgotten, and learn from events that would otherwise just be random memories. Despite the ups and downs, the year started and ended great for me. I couldn’t ask for a better, more meaningful year. It’s something nice to take with me as we all step into 2009.

*sniff sniff*

Cheers everyone, and try to find your faces in those pics! have a blessed New Year! :]

So I went ahead and bought number 2 in my planner wishlist two days ago — This Journal Will Actually Change Your Life!!!”, and I must say that I’m pleased with my choice, and it’s not at all disappointing from what the website shows. :D Before the pictures, Let me take you through my grueling decision-making process:

Abby —> pretends to think about it —> goes to Powerbooks —> acquires planner

Okay, quite frankly it was a no-brainer for me. The fact that I couldn’t see any pics or talk of the Go Nuts planner made me think that it probably wasn’t all that, so I pretty much made a bee line for this planner haha.

Now, to add valuable content to the Great Intarweb we all know and love (and because I told Columbia I’d post pics) here you go!

Black white and brown, they got one of my favorite color schemes down. :D

Calendar.

A sad day for the world. But more interestingly (by no means more importantly) the day of Thomas Crapper — inventor of the toilet flush we take for granted now. That’s an unfortunate name, but anyway, let us all flush our crappers in unison on January 27.

And this made me feel even better about buying it. Kudos to them. :]

The facts inside are pretty interesting, but from what I remember the Go Nuts planner was sorta like this last year, unusual holidays and all. Now for the record, I did visit Go Nuts Donuts to check the planner. And, hmm… let’s just say that IMO it’s just right for Php270. Nothing special, but okay if you just want a food-brand planner. :P

I can feel my life changing already. Gasp!

And when I say everyone, I mean including me! I’m not the type of person who buys stuff expensive because of names (though to be fair, they tend to have good quality) but darn did I want that Starbucks planner. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem all that good from what I gather, and when I saw the picture from Pinoyfood, I was kinda relieved!

Believe it or not, I was contemplating treating my officemates to coffee just to get this, but for the cover design, not worth it for me (Hey, if you think it’s good, then whatever floats your boat. :D). The designs inside aren’t so bad, but Mary says it sucks so at that price, I’d rather not. Haha.

Now, that still doesn’t break my resolve to get a good planner. I saw the Belle De Jour ones and while I do get why they say they’re nice… not my thing I guess, and I can’t really tell why. You guys might find it pretty though, so clicky click if you want.

Now I have 2 options. No, not the Moleskine ones — I seriously do not get it. No really, someone please explain to me what the big deal is about Moleskines, I’m curious. Lulz. But anyway, being the cheap (lol) paper-loving person I am, my 2 options as of now are

1. The Go Nuts Disorganizer. I haven’t seen it yet, but I saw Columbia’s 2008 disorganizer was cute! If it’s anything like that, and please say it’s brown, I want.
2. This Journal Will Actually Change Your Life!!! 2009. Yes, that’s what it’s called. It’s from Free Speech Publications, and though it looks pretty decent on the website, I have yet to see the actual one. I’m gonna try looking for it, I hope it’s still in stock.

The best thing about those planners is — you can buy them! Wonder of wonders!

Quite frankly, when I use calendars for work I prefer ones printed out on paper or on a wall (preferably both), because they’re more accessible and you don’t have to flip pages to see them. This, in theory, would be for personal use rather than for work, buuuuuut I don’t really plan my weeks too much. I’m guessing I won’t be doing my future planner any justice.

But I like paper, so don’t judge me. :)