=======================
(written on 28 july 2004)
Too bad I can’t attend the retreat this weekend, believe me I badly need one. Recently I’ve been visiting one of my bestfriend R’s blog, the recent entry was entitled “historical survey” written on her 32nd birthday. Last night I was having bouts of insomia. Although my 32nd birthday is less than a year away…I found myself writing my version of “historical survey” but gave it a different title. Well, I hope you find it worthwhile reaching the end of the page.
REFLECTIONS
10 years ago…I
1) partied every night.
2) drank 3 mugs of extra-black coffee (no sugar) daily.
3) was head of homecoming committee and ChemSoc was my life.
4) wore a size 27 black Jag jeans, light-blue Giordano shirt and a white L.A. Gear rubber shoes.
5) learned wearing lipstick.
6) smoked 1 pack of Marlboro Lights Menthol a day.
5 years ago…I
1) switched to Marlboro Lights Gold.
2) worked 12 hours a day.
3) partied 3X a week.
4) bought my first cellphone: a NOKIA 509
5) went to GenSan to attend a colleague’s wedding.
6) have established an international circle of friends.
7) have been to Banaue for the 2nd and third time. 
walked the streets of Vigan.
9) renewed my relationship with God and joined SFC.
10) was denied a visitor’s visa to NZ.
4 years ago…I
1) took a second shot at NZ but gave up.
2) was on my first international plane ride. destination: HO CHI MINH City
3) went on a soil-sampling-cum-shopping-trip to Bangkok.
4) bought my 2nd NOKIA cellphone, this time with SMS capability.
5) was a “text-addict”.
6) was bride’s maid to a friend’s wedding and sang at their reception.
7) wore a size 28 button-fly Mr LEE blue jeans, plain Blue Corner shirt and a bluish-gray leather Tretorn. added sugar to my black coffee.
2 years ago…I
1) opted for choco milk.
2) had the worst birthday.
3) had a new boss.
4) learned molecular biology research techniques.
5) discovered the pleasures of a foot spa.
6) said goodbye to my size 5 1/2 Reebok rubber shoes.
7) never touched a lighter and a stick. started my MS.
9) grew my hair long.
10) wore maternity clothes.
11) weighed 170 lbs.
12) became a mom.
a year ago…I
1) walked the very thin line between sanity and insanity.
2) gave my 3rd Nokia cellphone to my mother and bought the 4th one.
3) was on “night patrol watch”.
4) turned 30.
5) learned to cook pansit.
6) started wearing a blouse, a soft-stretchable jeans, high-heeled slip-ons and a short hair.
7) have perfected the art of sleeping at the edge of my bed and mixing infant formula with eyes closed. realized that a baby’s breath is the most fragrant of fragrances and that sour milk is the cheapest perfume there is.
9) bought a surplus TV.
10) did “ocho-cho” on my son’s birthday party.
11) met Santa in the flesh.
this year…I
1) bought 3 long umbrellas but lost 2 of them.
2) dyed my hair red.
3) gave up Wageningen.
4) forcibly turned into an early bird.
5) sleep on the floor.
6) work 8 hours a day.
7) party once in a blue moon. am a mommy 24/7.
9) eat stress for lunch.
10) burn 3 sticks of Marlboro Lights Gold on terrible days.
11) need eyeglasses.
12) can’t afford the luxury of an afternoon nap and a box of sour cream ‘n onion pringles.
13) drool over latest models of Nokia cellphones.
14) accidentally turned english tutor.
15) desperately need a crash course in child psychology.
16) learned a 4th language called toddler’s blabber.
17) found out that the best place on earth is locked in a child’s tight embrace.
18) discovered the best of therapies: doing the laundry and shopping for diapers.
19) wish to buy a decent queen-sized bed and a refrigerator…in that particular order.
Today…I
1) terribly need a pedicure and a hair cut.
2) have started blogging.