...is to thank God for all the blessings He showered upon us and to look back at the year that passed and see the good things and the lessons learned.

2010 was a tough year for me. I struggled. I almost gave up. But God has His ways of lifting us up. And just days before the year ends, I stumbled into a book and a sentence at the back of the book caught my attention that says "Some people pursue happiness, you create it.". It made me realize that we shouldn't focus on the things that are not in our life, instead look at the things that are already in it and just be thankful for those. :)

So here are what I will be forever grateful for:

1. Mom & Dad. Moving here in US left me with no friends, but I'll always have the family who'll tolerate my rants, mood swings, weekly shopping trips, sale-ang-asin foods I prepared, TFC/NBA time and the ever important search-for-the-perfect-boyfriend. They've always been proud of my achievements and I am always thankful for that.

2. Family. They were my greatest fans. It is evidenced by the number of Likes and innumerable comments on fb. So I treated them and myself an hour of phone call to greet Happy New Year! The excitement on their voices made me feel sooo loved.

3. My UAAP girls. I can talk about nonsense stuffs with them and I wouldn't worry on being judged, whether it'll be our crushes who fall below our standards or what happened in Mara Clara. And these girls can tolerate my insanity 'cause they're insane on their own ways. I'm thankful for the message thread " A special card for Ms. Jerica Claudine Riego Webb" and the Skype dates.

4. Thomson Reuters. Actually, months ago, I was thinking of what I'll put in on my resignation letter, but now I know that was a horrible thought. First, they offered me a weekend job and then I was regularized, plus I was able to go to New York 2 times this year for FREE. Plus, I can pay for the bills with just my paycheck and still be able to save. Who would think of resigning?

5. Jesijesyty. We've been together for more than a decade and we've been through a lot. It wasn't easy for all of us when Camz and I have to leave. But we have proven that not problems, or time or distance will break us.

6. CMC/Demand. They have been not just workmates, but have been my friends and extended family. They just don't know how their emails or phone calls mean to me. The stars aligned for me. Though I had to leave the country, I still got the chance to be working with them again.

7. New people in my life. I'm starting a new life and of course, new people will be part of it.

What I've learned:

1. Budgeting. Now I am learning that earning money is really hard and that made me value money more. I'll admit that I can sometimes be a spoiled brat, but now I am the breadwinner. I pay the bills first before I save and shop!

2. Driving. I've learned it before, but I never got to practice it. Given that I am in a city with not much public transpo, I got to have my own wheels and I call him Baby V.

3. Filling up my car with gas. You won't see a single gas station with gasoline boys, so a driver must really know how to fill up his/her car with gas. Haven't learned to use the touch free carwash and filling the tires with air. Sa 2011 na lang!

4. The importance of good credit. Lucky for me, I get to start with a clean slate and I will try me best to have a good credit. With the very low credit limit that I have, I don't think it'll be hard. :p

5. Reward. It is okay to reward yourself with a fabulous pair of pumps or a new outfit. Shoes are my new bestfriend!

6. Happiness is always a choice and worry won't take you anywhere.

7. God works in wondrous ways. Amen.