YEAR ENDER
What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Go on a backpacking tour with my siblings.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Well, let me put it this way. I think I ended up where I'm supposed to be. I can only hope that the same holds true next year.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.

Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. It was a year of deaths this year. Sad.

What places did you go to for vacation?
Europe, Boracay, Vietnam

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A steady job. A good job.

What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
A couple stand out, actually. Our whole tour in Europe from April to May, for example. And Vietnam in December. Macky's death. But the date I will always remember, whether I want to or not? April 7, when my grandfather died.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my returning resident visa for the US. Getting myself back together. Well, almost.

What was your biggest failure?
None, really, although it wasn't a year for smooth sailing either. Money, perhaps?

Did you suffer illness or injury?
No.

What was the best thing you bought?
Travel tickets. Contiki. Vietnam. A flight back to New York.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mine. For not giving up on me. My family, for helping me along the way.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A few guys around us. I thought they'd be better people, for some reason.

Where did most of your money go?
Travel.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The Europe Trip.

What song(s) will always remind you of 2009?
No Reins, by Rascal Flatts.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? – Happier, definitely. Although, I have to say, it's a somber kind of happiness.
ii. thinner or fatter? – Very slightly thinner.
iii. richer or poorer? – pretty much the same, broke as hell.

What do you wish you'd done more?
I think I did everything I needed to do.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Drink. Strange, but drinking is really starting to lose its appeal. Now it's really only a tool of conversation, a necessary evil. But if I could do without it altogether, I probably would.

How many one-night stands?
Didn't have many male connections to begin with.

What was your favorite TV program?
Dr. Who. Castle. The Mentalist.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is such a strong word. But I do feel more ambivalent towards some people I used to think I loved.

What was the best book you read?
Again, I can't answer this. Don't make me pick favorites with my babies.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Nothing comes to mind.

What did you want and get?
A way back out to the big, wild world. For now, that means New York.

What was your favorite film of this year?
I liked a whole bunch of them, but nothing really stands out as the The Favorite.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 28, and I had a tiny party. It was enlightening and a push in the behind that I really needed.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Publication of some sort. A better flirtation.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
A little bit of everything.

What kept you sane?
Reading. Dr. Who. Travel. Family, esp my mom and Lia.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Santiago Cabrera. Tom Wisdom. David Tennant. Simon Baker.

What political issue stirred you the most?
Again, I'm an apathetic Filipino. Sadly, I get more excited about US politics.

Who did you miss?
At times, I missed my ex, but not that much, really. I think mostly I just missed a partner, a male of the species who could play off my personality. Someone who took care of me and made my daily happiness a priority. Someone I could make happy. Someone I could wake up with. A good friend who saw me through everything and still thought I was pretty damn great.

Who is the best new person you met in 2009?
I met a lot of interesting people. I don't think anyone truly "stuck" though.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Some things you just have to do for yourself.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
Someone who was practically a stranger called me beautiful and really meant it.

The most touching experience you've had this year?
Death.

What did you like most about yourself this year?
I dealt. And I was resilient. And I finally cut through the crap - not just mine either.

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
I didn't really hate myself this year.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
It's pretty simple as lyrics go:

"All she's ever felt is held back
She says, "It's kinda nice to hear myself laugh"
She's gonna do a lot more of that
She's makin' plans and makin' tracks
She said, "Oh, oh I gotta go and find me"
Oh, oh she found the strength to break free"

Was 2009 a good year for you?
Highs and lows. One of those years.

What was your favorite experience of the year?
Europe. Vietnam.

What was your least favorite experience of the year?
Seeing through other people's bullshit and realizing how shallow some of my so-called friendships really are.

Where were you when 2009 began?
My grandparents' house.

Who were you with?
The whole extended family.

Where were you when it ended?
The same.

Who were you with when 2009 ended?
See above.

Do you have a new years resolution for 2010?
Live life for me.

How many concerts did you see in 2010?
None, I guess.

Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2009?
No, not really.

Do a lot of drugs in 2009?
Meds for migraine and my skin. That's it.

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
No. I'm trying to cut the shame out of my life.

How much money did you spend in 2009?
Quite a lot.

What was your proudest moment of 2009?
None comes to mind.

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2009?
None comes to mind.

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2009 and change something, what would it be?
Nothing. And just like last year, surprisingly enough, I think I actually do mean that.

What are your plans for 2010?
Move back to NY. Get a good job. Travel solo at some point.

How are you different now that the year has ended?
I'm calmer. I like myself a lot more. I'm ready to get out there.

What are your wishes for the new year?
Travel. Live life for me. Make money. Get published.