The title is an excerpt of the song by Semisonics titled "Closing Time". This song is actually the "official soundtrack" of Leyte Asia Trading when we're about to close the store. It's been playing everyday in our store for about 5 years (more or less) and is the undisputed number one most played hit in our store. Lol!

Anyway, while welcoming the new year with lots of fireworks (to drive away the malas daw), I've come to reminisce what I've done the past year 2008. 2008 is so far the most stressful year for me yet an enjoyable one. The stress mostly comes from school (where else? hehe..), college apps, xtra-curricular activities, etc... But I can also say that I tried and was able to make the most of the year by having fun with my friends especially since this will be our last school year together.

I don't know if I've just enjoyed 2008 so much that I'm not looking forward to ending it; or it's just that I have a fear in facing the challenges of 2009. I guess that 2008 has been tough for me but I was able to face all the challenges that came along my way which was kind of an achievement on my part. 2009 will be much tougher I guess as I will be entering college. I'm waiting for my DLSU admission results which is to be released this week. What's even tougher for me to answer is the question about where am I going to study. Which is linked to the question "what course am I going to take up?", because the school that I'm going to choose will largely depend on what field will I choose to pursue. ASSUMING that I'll be able to pass ADMU, DLSU, UST, and UP, if I choose to end up doing business course (which is a safe zone for me as I come a family of businessmen), I'd choose to enter ADMU or DLSU, but if I decide to end up in a medical field, I'd choose UST.

Yeah, I know, I'm already in 4th year (only 3 months to go before graduation!) and yet, I don't know what I want?! How irresponsible of me! hehe... I have dreams and aspirations in life but I'll share to you the story why my mind's going gaga over this. Well, when I was younger, it was like programmed in my mind to be like my aunt who's a doctor and since my family on the father side is longing for a doctor in the family. But as I grew older, I got more and more involved in our family business. I enjoyed helping to tend our store, make simple computations, handling bills, and etc. I even know some "tactics" in business and I idolize personalities such as the Gokongwei family (Robinsons), the Sy who controls SM, and of course Lucio Tan (who remains very humble despite being one of the richest). Sales-talking comes in natural for me as my teachers would joke about sometimes! But, I realized that maybe there's not enough room for me especially in our family business, and I grew tired of always "following the footsteps" of my elders (bros, cousins, aunts, etc.) who are also taking up or took business or accounting courses. I don't want that my entire life's ahievements will be compared to theirs so I told my self, why not venture out the unfamiliar? Be bold enough to try something new? I asked myself where am I good at aside from eating, sleeping, and assuming leadership roles i guess? haha..

In school, I was always excelling in science and english. Not much with math though it really makes me feel great if I'm able to get the answer. I'm really fascinated with science plus I'm an avid fan of grey's anatomy ( a tv series base on the lives of a group of doctors). That's when the idea of being a doctor came into picture. While I was in third year h.s., I already set my goal on pursuing a med course. But my dad would disapprove. And he's reasonable cause being a doctor is a VERY long process and you'll have to endure days or even years of sleepless nights! Plus, it's way too expensive and I don't have any educational plan.. My dad wants me to be a top executive one day. Who knows! I might be the next Robina Gokongwei! (except the kidnapping part!) I was sort of brainwashed or have reprogrammed myself. I began to accept the idea that taking up a business course will be my fate. Of course, I won't force myself to take up a course without the support of my dad. But now, my dad is already open to the idea for me to take up a med course. Ugghhhh! My mind's really messed up!

Anyway, I've ended up 2008 chilled and relaxed. I've done nothing during the xmas break. I haven't started studying yet as a "reward" for my performance in 2008. I think that I owe myself fun and relaxation. 2008 was super stressful.. After all that I've been through in 2008, I'm sure that I'm a better and stronger person now. I'm looking forward to a new beginning, a brighter 2009 for all of us. Let's all learn from all the mistakes we've committed in 2008 and learn not to repeat them again. Cause every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end..

Happy New Year Everyone!