Cherry on top.

My December was a blast.

My December was the cherry on top of the delicious cake that was my 2013. It is the best month of my year! I had a lot of things going on. I was busy, my schedule was filled, I had little sleep, but it was a lot of fun :D (and I ought to share some pics too; they are too memorable) =>

a. After a long time, I finally re-attended the Communion of Reparation (ComRep) Vigil in LB. ComRep Vigil is an overnight spiritual activity -- Mass, Confession, prayers, sharing, reflection, and adoration to the Blessed Sacrament. I frequented ComRep back in college, but after I graduated, I never returned. It was so grace-filled to be with the community again and pray together, listen to inspiring sharings, and adore Christ.

b. After the overnight vigil came a crazy weekend full of papers. I spent all weekend finishing the paper, and, by God's grace, victoriously finished everything! I finished it at 5am and had 30 minutes of sleep before going to work, but the pay is worth it *wink*.

c. On Tuesday of that same week, I was invited by an orgmate to sing at ABS-CBN's Christmas Concert for the benefit of Yolanda victims. It was thrilling! It was my first time to step in the halls of the Araneta Coliseum... and I was not a spectator, but a performer! Wow... It was ecstatic. A lot of Kapamilya stars were there. Our eyes were twinkling every single moment. Haha!

At the backstage while waiting for our turn.
(c) Kajd de Leon

Stunning Kat Bernardo. And there we are in the background! LOL!
(c) JR Azagra

d. My birthday came. Many of my friends greeted me, and some even bought gifts. Touching ^____^ we had a simple celebration at home, where my titos, titas and cousins came. I was a happy kid.

I repeat: A really happy kid.
(c) Sally Eugenio 

e. The day after my birthday, I attended the Feast at PICC and heard some inspiring messages from Bo Sanchez. The most memorable advice is to "Eat your frog early in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day." It means that if I have some difficult task, I should do it right on, so that the next tasks of the day will be peanuts. This advice very much applies to me, because I always have a tendency to procrastinate difficult tasks. Bull's eye, Lord. Huhu!

f. That same day, I attended Aurum: The Philippine Madrigal Singers' 50th Anniversary Concert. It was my birthday treat -- we got 50% discount on tickets! Their voices are, as always, terrific than ever. I also got a photo op with Ily (tenor). He's so pogi! Hihi! I will definitely watch them again.

Aurum buddies.
(c) Yani Cinco

With Ily (Tenor). We do look alike so...alam na. HEHEHE
(c) Yani Cinco

g. I don't really dance, but of course, I have no power over my officemates (lol!), because it's our office tradition -- newbies get to perform at the office Christmas Party. I shrugged my shoulders and decided to just get it over with. Besides, a friend advised me to "have the courage to let yourself be vulnerable." So if this performance is going to make me vulnerable to others' judgment, then screw it!
But I didn't expect that I would have so much fun! I was really happy during our practices (tired, yes, but happy!). It was also a break from all the monotony I've been feeling in the past few weeks.
I also saw how God's providence unfolded right before our eyes. We started from scratch: no budget, no props, no organization, no professional help for our performance. But slowly, we tried to make it work. Our director, to the best of his ability, choreographed our moves; the practices pushed through; the props and costumes came in one by one. Everything was Divine Providence, I tell you.

A few hours before the party, when we were goofing around.
(c)  Leah del Rosario

The Nian Monster and I. Awesomesauce.
(c) Leah del Rosario

h. And of course, we actually WON the Best Performance award in the Christmas Party! ^______^ This is the cherry stem on the cherry on the top of the delicious cake that is my 2013! Honestly, up to this day, I still can't over the fact that we won.

Winning moment! :)
(c) Paddy Pagcaliwagan

i. Christmas is always celebrated best with family! I got to spend Christmas with my family. And although I have a bulk of papers to do, that I didn't go out much this Christmas season (I actually didn't go out at all), I feel so happy and peaceful.

Christmas @Tita Sally's. The only day I ever went out.
(c) Sally Eugenio

I feel a twinge of sadness because 2013 is almost over. 2013 is so far very good to me, I don't want it to fly away just like that. Haha! I'm nuts, I know. But I have high hopes for 2014, because my gracious God will not fail me.

Thank you, Lord! I cannot thank You enough. :)

Pag-iinarte @ CCP, slide-on-the-wall style.
(c) Yani Cinco