My 2014 - Part 5

OCTOBER (PART 1)

October was one heck of a month!

Just before we left for the US, I had tons of work to finish and I was thankful that I was able to accomplish them.  I noticed that every time I have to leave Davao City for an out-of-town travel, work amazingly multiplies! Hehe

Anyway,  October was also Oh-some.  I left for the US to take my oath as member of the New York State Bar.  I received a letter sometime in January that I was supposedly scheduled for the August oathtaking.  I begged off since I cannot leave in such short notice, and because I still had tons of stuff to do along with my classes.  So I requested for an October schedule so it would coincide with the sembreak.   

But before I left, I had to finish my classes first!

 Sales Class 2014 (2-Manresa)

And so my mom, dad and I left for the US. We arrived in Los Angeles in the evening and we celebrated Ally's 3rd birthday at Goofy's Kitchen the next day.

Goofing with Goofy!

Notice how Ally is mesmerized! (haha)

In the evening, we left for Toronto, Canada.  Start pa lang, hectic na .. haha!

The View from our room!

And so we went around Toronto!

You can stay under my umbrellas! Hehe

Toronto Downtown Centre with the grannies!

Teaching Ally how to do a Jump Shot!

Taking a Break

At the CN tower

I'm on the Top of the World looking ..

We just stayed for two nights in Toronto as we left the next day for New York.  But before that, of course, we just had to stop over at Niagara Falls!  I have been truly blessed to see this God's spectacle twice.  The first time was from the New York side, and this time from the Canada side! And also, I got to ride the Hornblower!

 Girl in the Hood!

 Happy!

 Amazing!

Riding it out!

From Niagara Falls, we then went to Albany for my oath taking.  Yes, the main reason for this whole trip was for me to take my oath as a member of the New York State Bar.  I am so happy and grateful that I passed the exam.  No more what if!  I don't know yet what to do with this title but I am sure glad that I was able to prove something for myself once again.  And of course, I am really happy to make my parents happy and proud :)

And I Swear!

Certified

Full Support!

New York, New York!

And I am not yet done!

My 2014 - Part 1

Yes, I know.  I am fully aware how less I blogged in 2014.  I posted the fewest blogs in a year from the time I started blogging.  Let me just say that my hands were indeed full.  Nevertheless, to cap the year that was, here is my 2014 summary.

JANUARY

I celebrated New Year's Eve in one of my favorite cities in the world - Melbourne.  And on the first day of 2014, took a plane from Melbourne to Manila and from Manila to Davao City.

Happy New Year from Melbourne! 

Of course, I was very happy to be a part of my friends' special events - attending Teen's birthday and thanksgiving party as well as Cloud's baptism.  

 With law school friends at Teen's party (Ate Jo not ready for the picture .. hehe)

 Godparents at Cloud's baptism

 And there's that once in a blue moon beach outing with law school friends.

Beach time at Paradise!

This was also the year I turned 33.  I was very lucky to have people greet me before, during and after my birthday.  I feel so special having celebrated it with family and friends.  

Turning 33 at Yakimix!

How sweet!

Simple but fun lunch with this bunch!

FEBRUARY

My February usually starts with a joint birthday celebration with Lyn.  This time, we spent it at Vikings!

 Mukhang busog na ako dito :)

Teaching wise, I was very flattered having a talk with my former teacher now my co-teacher in undergrad.  

And of course, my BL Entrep Class was very amused with my perfect circle in class.  I do not have any picture of it, but my students surely took a picture of it.  I just drew a circle on the board and amazingly, it looked as if it was a perfect circle.

MARCH

I had a sumptuous dinner sometime the first week of March with friends.  

Food galore at Cellar de Oboza

Things happened so fast towards the last week of March.  It was quite shocking and surprising for the whole family and we just all hoped for the best.  To this day, I always thank GOD for the strength He has given our family as we went this ordeal together. 

Taken at 1 am after we fetched Jeni and Ally from the airport.

Our dad was very surprised when Ally was the one who woke him up at 1 am! 

Paradise again with family!

APRIL

One thing I will be always grateful is that of GOD's presence in my life.  Without Him, I have already faltered.  But what is amazing is that my faith remains steadfast in Him.  Our family has truly been blessed by Him, and with that I am always thankful.

To be continued ...

My 2013 - Part I

Yes, this is indeed a late post.  But better late than never.

In fact, this is my first post for 2014.  Where was I for the first two months of the year? Ah, that would deserve another blog.

For now, here's a look back at how blessed I was last 2013.

JANUARY

I could say my 2013 started with a blast since I traveled to Cebu with one of my everdearest and longest friend, Elaine.  As she is very familiar with Cebu, she prepared an itinerary so that we could make the best out of our 2-day stay there.  Food, places and friendship celebrated indeed ...

Just as we arrived back in our hometown, Davao City, I remained busy with the IBP National Convention.  I was more than a participant since I was part of the Programme Committee, which was in-charge for the opening ceremonies and the evening programme.  I was some kind of an FBI agent on-stage/near the stage, since I was in full suit mode, with radio on hand and ear-piece.

I also turned 32 .. ooh, ooh, ooh!

FEBRUARY

Our family, together with Tita Grace got to experience the Venue Party Boat.  I have to remind myself to bring Allan here.

MARCH/APRIL

March and April were awesome as our family was complete for JJ's graduation.  Johanna was home from Australia while Jennifer and her cutest daughter, Ally, were also in town, all the way from US of A.  It has been years since we were complete.  I think, the last time was in 2005.

Words and pictures are not enough to show how happy and grateful I am with our family.

APRIL/MAY

After my sisters left, I was nevertheless busy with the remaining summer as I had my "racket" ... I taught summer classes in Law School.  It was no easy task since I have to prepare for it everyday, in addition the work I do at the office.  It is not really easy to prepare for a 2-hour class everyday, in law school at that.  And it was my first time to teach Business Organization 1 in Law School.  But, hey, I survived!

It was also in April when I decided to take the New York State Bar Exam .. as I have posted in my status before, "This is it!".  As such, I began reading (seriously).  Although, it was hard since I was also preparing for my class during these months.

I also volunteered during the election period.

JUNE

This time, I was in full mode for my review for the New York State Bar Exam.  Yes, I took time off from the office, although I go there once or twice a week just to do some work on urgent cases.  I spent my time studying at home.

I also made arrangements for my undergrad teaching load.  I asked permission to take time off for one semester but I'll be back by November.  The only load I accepted was my law school class, in which I had advance and make-up classes for lost time when I will be away in July and August.

And that is just the first half of my 2013 :)

Birthday Girl

I turned a year older.

I know that it has been weeks since I celebrated my birthday. But who says I can't post belated blogs, hehe.

My day was pretty simple as I wanted it to be. I was off for work at around the same time. Surprise, surprise .. my dear friend Elaine came for a short visit to greet me and deliver a cake. Woohoo! Allan treated me for lunch at the newly-opened Mesa at SM Lanang - as in they opened on the day of my birthday. So, yes .. the staff of Mesa sang a birthday song for me and I was given a free dessert .. woohoo!

I was back at the office and I did my usual stuff.

At around 5.30, I attended mass together with Allan. At about 7, I went to my class and they had a birthday surprise for me. Nice! I had my class for an hour, instead of two, because I left some of my notes (and not because it was my birthday .. defensive? .. hehe) Thereafter, I went home to my family.

It was pretty much a simple day, the way I really want it to be.

Thank you for all those greeted me a happy birthday. GOD bless everyone ;)