Changing Tides: 366 Things to be grateful for in 2012++

Normally, I would do a year-ender post enumerating the Top Ten Things I am grateful for or simply made me happy. It was always fun recounting the "major" things to be thankful for in the year that was. On the down side of it, doing such list is a little challenging because there are more than ten things that I was blessed of.

This year, I will make an open list which I can grow and document every little thing I am grateful for in each day of 2012.

Let's begin:

Day#1. Technology.

For the first time, my siblings and I spent the holidays parents-free. It felt different and sad but thanks to Skype we were able to greet each other real-time. :)

Day#2: Homemade dinner at Casa Mafia

Casa Mafia is our nickname for my friend, Mia's house. This is where our group usually gather and feast on Mia's (and Denise's) sumptuous cooking. Tonight, we had Chicken Pastel. :)

Day#3: Friends you grew up with (literally and figuratively)

My souls sisters and I huddled together to send-off my best friend, Wena, as she treks on a new chapter of her life: marriage. It was a night filled with a lot of reminiscence, laughter and high hopes.

Day#4: Tagalog movies and celebrity crushes

Call me jologs (a Filipino slang term or word used to describe persons, things or events who or which are poorly made, dirty-looking, corny and cheap.) if you please but I do watch Tagalog films and go gaga over celebrities. I even have a huge crush with John Lloyd Cruz for several years now and I am proud of it. :) The butterflies in my stomach are always a treat. A bit of insanity in this serious world. :)

Day#5: More Tagalog movies and ex-boyfriend-turned-friend

Let's admit it, Tagalog movies hit home run because we relate to them, whether we like it or not. Oftentimes, we see ourselves and our real life stories on the silver screen. Thank God it isn't only in the reel that we'd witness ex-lovers become good friends. Tell, you they too happen in real life. :)

Day#6: Love and friendships

Six months of courtship and two year and 5 months of being a couple. Finally, they said, "I do" (I now remember the bride saying "Oh yes, Father!" and the groom. "Very yes").

Thank you both for being an inspiration.

Day#7: Buffets and a new friend

It's always nice to make new friends from strangers over good food and endless conversations.

Day#8: Sleep, DVD Marathon and Wine

Today is declared as Rest Day. :) Thank God for sleep, DVDs and a promising convo with and about wine.

Day#9: Work

"Find something you love to do, and you'll never work a day in your life" - Confucius

Day#10: Spontaneous rendezvous and scheduled dinners

Friends will always find ways to make it work. Thank God for Gen, Rina and HC Angie.

Day#11: Ward 7 Girls, Giggles and Ice Cream

Fun time are priceless. :) Love it when Kate said, "Girls, sana kahit matatanda na tayo and meron na tayong mga asawa at anak, we'd still see each other ha?" Friendships are truly meant for forever.

Day#12: Water and Life

Today is not a favorite day for two things. One, my tummy is sick and two, a co-LEAPer met an ill-fated death. Nevertheless, I am thankful because of my tummy I was able to take a day off and rest. I now know why God made water. If not for it, I would have passed out already for having excreted almost everything I take in. Also, because of Haidee's death, I became thankful of life. I realized how it swift it can be so it should be lived with much love. :)

Day#13 - Wine and friends

Jay, Nela, Renan, Mia and I went wine bar hopping for a project. More than the vino, I loved the convos and the laughter. Til our next wine tasting treat, friends! :)

Day#14 - Surprise visits

Juju came over to visit Ninang. We played and he slept on my chest again.

Yiii! Truly adorable feeling. :)

Day #15 - Lunch out on a lazy Sunday morning

It's a Sunday and we stayed in bed until the sun was high. Be and I pulled ourselves out of bed for a chicken treat at Charlie Chicken in Banawe for Brunch.

Day#16 - Mom

Life will surely be chaotic with moms. Today, my mom is celebrating her birthday!

Enjoy it, Mama! :)

Day#17 - Coaching and my Coach

I was invited to Coach for a LEAP team. It was surely an honor to be entrusted with the task of leading other people make their own lives work. But what was more touching was the phone conversation I had with my coach. She still inspires and guides me no matter what. :)

Day #18 - Cafe 1771 and soul chats

Mia and I had dinner exactly on this spot.

It was a night filled with sharing and friendship,

not to mention a very healthy but sumptuous sandwich. :)

Day #19 - Email

I received an email rather a facebook message from my buddy, Denise

which brought me to tears. Thank you Lord for friends who endlessly

support and love me as I go fulfill my endeavors.

Day #20 - LEAP 51, Make It Happen and black heels

Black heels lent by an officemate saved my Make It Happen Friday! :)

Day #21 - Friday's on a Saturday

It's dinner-date with my buddy Denise. This time, it's her treat! Yipeee! :)
Hours and hours of kwentos wiped the night away! :)

Day #22 - Kung Hei Fat Choi

It's Chinese New Year's Eve and what a way but to celebrate with stuff zodiacs with LEAP 49

and a feast of chinese food at Casa Mafia. Yuummm!

Day #23 - Franco

"Tita Faith, are you sleeping here tonight?"

"Tita Faith, are you staying here until tomorrow?"

"Tita Faith, can we play?"

Franco is Mia's youngest child and the only boy in the family. He is such an adorable kid with all his antics and kakulitan. I love how his charms just works on Tita Faith. Love this boy. :)

Day #25 - Rack's