pearls on the path: a summary of my 2011

General Climate of 2011:
The first half was good and easy. The third quarter was dull, though not exactly bad. The fourth quarter was horrible and difficult, spent crying inside daily.

The best decision made:
2011 wasn't a year of big decisions, so I don't remember a "best" one.
But I suppose the the nearest-best was making an impromptu trip to the U.S. to see my Mama.

Photos mine

The biggest joy:
Traveling.

The biggest challenge:
Not having as much financial resources as I think we should.

Best trip out of town:
Las Vegas and Southern California, May to June. I went to see my Mama, her husband (who I met for the first time) and my little sister in LV, and other relatives and friends in SoCal.

It was such a sparkling experience; it's partially why the latter half of the year seemed dull in comparison.

Best discoveries:
Mercato Centrale in BGC.
The ukay-ukay in Tagaytay.

Greatest finds:
Cover Girl Clean liquid make-up. Topnotch quality; I'd buy it all the time if it wasn't so pricey in manila.

And I must mention the $5 platform shoes on sale at the Glendale Galleria - they're not exactly current fashion, but they're just the kind I've been hoping to find - covers my toes, adds to height, just enough chunk and in brown - and just the perfect size.

Worst loss:
My beloved bunny Pepper. :( :( :( I'm still not over it.

Spiritual principle of the year:
The unforced rhythms of grace.

The year's ministry:
Mostly volunteer work here and there, since the Hubby and I wanted to make good with our pre-planned rest year.
In the latter part of 2011, we slowly started with the new youth ministry - which we refuse to call "youth ministry". Hip new name still being conceptualized.

Most fun project:
Putting together my "i make pictures" blog.

Photos mine.

Prettiest thing I made:
"L'arc-en-ciel" necklace. Put together while watching The Jane Austen Book Club.

The most painful experience:
Losing Pepper. I was inconsolable.

Biggest disappointment:
Not being able to fly back to the U.S. in September as planned.

Biggest frustration:
Being too young to be credible, too old to be naive, too ugly to be likeable, and female as to be limited by people's narrow minds.

Best reads for 2011:
Nonfiction: Blue like Jazz.
Fiction: Lolita. Nabokov.

Fave movies for the year:
The King's Speech.
Black Swan.

Fave TV series:
Doctor Who. I crammed all six seasons within the period of two weeks. And I understand why most of the Doctor's female companions fell in love with him.

Dr. Who is property of BBC.

Fave snack:
Red velvet cupcake.

Fave thing of all for the year:
Coconut oil. ^_^

Fave gifts received:
Plane tickets.
Black boots from Mama.
A lovely new bag from my mother-in-law on Christmas.

Most thoughtful gift received:
Just before we left Las Vegas to head home, my sister gave me a necklace with a little key for a pendant (she gave me two actually; the other one was to be delivered to our other sister when I got to Manila). She has a matching necklace with a little padlock pendant that can be opened by our key-pendants. Real sweet.

Fave place visited:
Valley of Fire State Park, Overton, Nevada.