.in retrospect.

Yesss! Christmas na. Or Christmas vacation, at least. Finally, almost 2 weeks akong PGH-free! Wahooooo!

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I am vaguely aware na hindi ko pa tapos un previous entry ko... but oh well. Inaayos ko pa sa isip ko 'yung kadugsong.

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Inspired by last week's faith group fellowship, I want to write down what 2007 meant to me:
2007 - Expanding My Territory

CAREER-WISE:
1. I realized that I wanted to serve the Filipinos IN THE PHILIPPINES.
2. I got to go to Palawan and see how the health care system works from a different perspective. I met different people with different opinions and different methods, but somehow with the same heart for the country.
3. I got to know Dr. Portia Marcelo up close. And talk to her one-on-one pa at that! Heehee. Plus I also met and interacted with more community-oriented physicians to look up to. Like Dr. Anthony Cordero, Dr. Jimmy Galvez-Tan, Dr. Delen Dela Paz (my mentor, I've known her for quite a while now), Dr. Bebol Paterno, and more. (Thanks GHC!)
4. I began my clerkship in PGH and started to, one by one, rule in and rule out various specializations. That is, kung mag-specialize nga ako!
5. I learned how to deal with patients.
6. I learned how to deal with bantays.
7. I learned how to deal with residents.
8. I learned how to deal with my colleagues (interns and clerks).
9. I learned how to deal with nurses, paramedics, and other people that make PGH work. That includes the guards, the manongs, the ates, and everyone else I encounter as I spend most of my waking hours there.
10. I've finally come to terms with the fact na MAGIGING DOKTOR NGA TALAGA AKO!!! ;)

RELATIONSHIP-WISE:
1. I realized that I miss my family when I don't get to see them everyday. I learned to value the times we have together, and so these times have become so much more meaningful to me. I also realized that they miss me too. And that goes even for my extended family in Pagsanjan (who never fail to keep in touch).
2. I began to appreciate all the little things my parents and my sister do for me.
3. I re-established my solid friendships with some of the closest people to my heart.
4. I allowed friendships to grow. I allowed them into my heart. I learned that when it comes to people, I should EXPECT NOTHING AND APPRECIATE EVERYTHING.
5. I gained a deeper understanding of how and what it is to put others before myself.
6. I realized that I am capable of giving up something I want to do for myself for the sake another person's happiness.
7. I learned that relationships will work only if you work on it together. No matter what kind of relationship it is.
8. I learned that it is possible to disagree on something and yet still manage to be really good friends.
9. COVENANT FRIENDSHIP. No matter what.
10. Lopao. My homi. 'Nuff said. =.)

PERSONAL LIFE-WISE:
1. I rediscovered how good my life can really be if God is at the center. And how horrible it will be otherwise. With Him, I have everything I could ever want and more.
2. I realized that I can never do anything in my own strength. I would have probably given up a long time ago were it not for the grace of God that gives me strength, wisdom, and the ability to go on.
3. HIS STRENGTH IS PERFECT.
4. I learned that growing in the Word takes work on my part. A pleasurable and fruitful work, but work nonetheless. And that I cannot afford to be lax and careless. I cannot live on yesterday's manna.
5. I learned that my ministry extends beyond the four walls of my church. Even without a microphone, my life can still sing out God's melody in such a way that the people who hear will come to know Jesus Christ.
6. But I still will always come back to singing and music no matter what I do and where I go.
7. I discovered one thing I am good at: speaking in front of many people. And one thing I am not so good at: speaking out on a more personal, intimate level (I write better than I speak at times). But I am working on it!
8. I am blessed to be a blessing. Literally. I have more than enough. I LIVE TO GIVE.
9. I am beginning to realize that no matter how bad circumstances may look like now, or how lost I may be feeling at present, GOD STILL HAS A MARVELOUS PLAN FOR ME. And that is something I can look forward to. So I live one day at a time in the present, while that hope of a wonderful future keeps my heart strong, steady and trusting in the Lord.
10. I CAN DREAM BIG.

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Ayan, sa next entry na lng pala yung for 2008, pag-iisipan ko pa ng husto e. Tsaka ang haba na nito masyado.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!