I allow myself a couple of days lifting through my red abaca-banana fiber journal. 365 days worth of writing. I am humbled at this year’s blessings. Thankful to the brim. Amazed. Now let me share with you all my 2011…
- New Year Depression. What an irony. It was early January 2011 and I am crying and sad over the fact that I will be going to work again (on a night shift). Determined to change jobs outside of the current company I find myself waddle from one job and role to the other obviously unsure. It was a big struggle to know what I want to do. It was pure dilemma. I hate going back to working on something that I don’t love.
- Joined Art Initiatives and Got to Know Artists. To challenge myself I joined Art Everyday, Inspiration Avenue, TicTocc, 100 Illustration, Paint Party Friday etc. I get to know Ken Roberts, Kelly Watts, Lauren Nash, Michael Nobbs, PPF artists, etc.
- Moving on with Relationships. I lost friends. We lost touch. There are hurts and tears. I shred letters from my past. We can truly move on if we have forgiveness in our hearts.
- Finished Old Testament. Last year I have finished reading New Testament. This year it’s an inner accomplishment to have read the Old Testament. Enriching.
- Captured the Story of Two Birds Through Photography. A nest with 2 eggs build low enough for me to capture their life. It was a beautiful sight. And sad too.
- Harmony Thoughts. My website attests that anything is possible to achieve as long as I believe in what I love to do and do it with all the courage and faith that God has given me.
- Sketching on-location. I am gaining the confidence to sketch outside wherever possible. Just paper and pen.
- A New Role at Work. By God’s grace I was able to move out of my graveyard’s shift and into the sun. I am working on a different role handling teams and certifications. No more complaints. I just want to be thankful.
- Watercolor Painting. Browsing through other artists’ sites lead to the discovery of this cool medium. I bought materials and is enjoying every moment of painting.
- The Sketchbook Project 2012. I signed up, received the sketchbook, draw, paint, write on it. Will send it back by Jan 2, 2012 and hopefully reach the Brooklyn Library before Jan 31, 2012. My sketchbook will join thousands others in the tour.
- Joined SketchFest. This is in commemoration of our Independence Day. The theme of this contest is Freedom of Expression. Lovely to join my first ever art contest.
- Invested on Friendships and Relationships. Need I say more? I had a lot of meetups and eat outs with friends and loved ones.
- Writing Small Stones. I am writing my observation of one small thing or sometimes composing one in my mind. This act made me more appreciative. Aware. Two of my stones were chosen by Fiona Robyn.
- Volunteered on Creation and Design. Designed the Breathe Pixels (the bf’s soon-to-be-up website) logo. Illustrated an interpretation of a poem created by my friend. Illustrated a design on the scrapbook cover for a friend moving to another role. Conceptualize and designed the Service for Kids logo.
- Simple Adventures. Ark Avilon Zoo, Buon Giorno and Bag of Beans eatery at Tagaytay, Pipino, Burger Project, National Museum, Estrellas de Mendoza Batangas beach.
- Art Gallery Event at ManilArt. Amazing artworks from artists. Immersed in different galleries. Thanks to my friend for the two free tickets.
- First Haircut at a more expensive Salon. 200 pesos plus haircut is pricey for me especially since I am used to having my 40 bucks haircut. My first also to splurge on 800 pesos worth of hair scrub experience.
- Holiday Harmony Cards. A Card for a Cause. Designed 6 cards. All profits were donated to Project PEARLS and to the Sendong victims at Mindanao. It is an experience of helping others that I can never forget.
- Separated from the Boyfriend for 2 months. It’s a first but most of all I am proud of him. The frequent chats are helping. And oh, Paris and Eiffel Tower. Rome, Switzerland… It’s as if I’m there with him.
- Tried all Shifts at Work. I have experienced the Asia, EMEA and NALA shifts. Hooo-ray.
- The Butterfly Effect. Created a handmade butterfly and sent it for exhibit at the Holocaust Museum Houston in commemoration to the 1.5 million innocent children who died during the Holocaust.
- Laptop Refresh and the number 4. The 4 pertains to the number of work years. Haha.
- Miura Hydro-cultured Plants. Bought my 1st indoor plant. It’s called Dracaena Sanderiana. Lovely greens.
- Attended worship and praise at Jesus Our Hope International Assemblies (JOHIA). My friend invited me and in my awkardness I dance and sing for God.
- Cathat Tour. The cat hat is a knitted hat with the design of a cat’s head done by one of my Photoblog friend’s daughter. It is then send from one person to another and we are to pose with the Cat Hat on. A collage is created after that. Pretty awesome.
- ITIL v3 Certified. Praise God!
- Service for Kids at Father Luis Amigo Friendship Homes. Delightful to see kids happy. Happy to serve.
- A Goodbye Celebration for Cleng. She is our team lead, a friend and advisor. She’s leaving our team for a new role. Goodluck Cleng! Thank you very much for everything!
- Books for 2011. I bought a lot of books but only managed to finished one (Travelling with Pomegranates–a must read).
2011 has been the most challenging and difficult year so to speak. Just skimming through my journal brought about so many memories of my daily inner struggles with my dreams and myself as a person. And yet looking back at those months I am simply in awe at how God has lifted me through everything. In a snippet of my writing I scribbled that Whatever cross we are carrying it’s always for the greater glory of God. Suffering is an offering.
I cannot be where I am today–alive and working on my dreams if not for the constant reminder of God’s love for me. God who believes in my everything, who changes situations and events just to strengthen and prepare me for something greater, who prod me to talk to Him all the time, who gives me beautiful people to inspire me when I feel that there’s no one left. When we offer to God our life we have nothing to worry about.
I created this digital painting to capture my 2011. There is a mixture of emotions in this piece. And that through everything that has happened the Chain of God’s Love has bind me giving me courage. I thank you Lord for 2011. It has shaped me into a better person…always.
Now onto my goals for 2012. Here is a sweet surrender for 2012…
- Indulge into more card making designs for other occasions.
- Open myself to personalized cards, invitations and commission pieces.
- Integrate a virtual Shopping Cart.
- 365 days worth of drawing and writing small stones on my sketchbook journal
- Driving lessons
- Holiday Harmony Cards on December where the profits will be used to buy goods and non-perishable items for the people living on the streets.
- Buy a DSLR for the love of photography.
- More detailed planning of future with the boyfriend.
- Scripture reading, reflection and writing.
- Read and buy more Art Books.
- Awareness on oneself, on every stroke, on every word, on God. Continue to inspire others through Harmony Thoughts. Keep on learning and have faith.
I won’t pressure and promise myself that I should accomplish everything on my 2012 goals. I’ll be gentler. I’ll do little.
Happy New Year Everyone! Thank you so much to Eva and Kristin for hosting Paint Party Friday. This is truly a wonderful community of support and creativity. It is so amazing to meet so many talented artists from around the world. Your comments and encouragement have always shaped me to be a better artist. Thank you my dear PPFers! 2012, hello! =>
