It’s been almost two weeks since we took down our Yuletide decors. Nairaos din ang kapaskuhan! With all my payables and shopping for gifts, parang break-even lang with all government/judiciary bonuses — leaving me penniless for the January payables tuloy (think realty tax, village association dues, village car stickers, et cetera). Oh well, nadaanan na rin naman ang siklong ito last year; and the fact that I’ve come full circle facing them again means…malalagpasan din ang mga ito and God did and will still provide :o) But, me, being me, I just gotta whine a bit about these. Hahahaha. Hay, kaya those who earn major bucks, or are still living with parents, and/or got elders na natatakbuhan pa, lucky you!!

Speaking of luck, my mini-reflections while driving from work led me to conclude that I should be off the "people-with-butt-balat" list. 2007 has been generous and kind. Yes, there were some glitches and very sad moments; but generally, I think Lainie and I are successful in channeling positive energies to our lives. The Force really propelled Berby’s World…2007 to boldly go, in warp speed at that! <— ria-geek-talk, ahahahahahahaha!

Anyhoo, lemme just recap some bits of Berby’s World…2007 (based from my trusty Palm.TX):

JANUARY

- After more than two years in Botswana, Tita Madre finally came home for a visit! Imagine, first time lang niya nakita yung house.

- A bit of a scare when fire broke sa SC Session Hall.

FEBRUARY - A family outing to Corregidor with Tita Madre and our then still very much heathy grandma, Lola Saling.

MARCH

- Finally, Kris had his Oathtaking at the AFP

- Kris filed his certificate of candidacy to run as a provincial board member of Ilocos Norte.

APRIL

- I finally freakin’ passed the bar exams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- first time ever to attend SC Summer session in Baguio.

- full blast campaign for RRA and KRA all over the first district of Ilocos Norte MAY

- officially became a lawyer! - RRA and KRA both won the elections in Ilocos Norte!!!!!!

JUNE

- Skyjump-ed in Macao!!!

- finally finished the treatment for my lungs and doctor declared they’re ok.

- job promotion…booyeah!!!!!

JULY

- dang, I got mid of my late twenties!

AUGUST

- attended Ablan Day for the first time ever!

- freaky accident of the family of Shey’s sister at Dagupan-Tarlac (thanks to the Lors for adopting us) SEPTEMBER

- served as a Bar Supervisor in DLSU

- grand birthday for Lola Saling

- freaky health analysis by my aunt/lola’s Chinese doctor.

OCTOBER

- took up boxing.

- took up Nihongo.

- Lola Saling died.

- Glorietta blast.

- Kris left his twenties!

- Barangay elections.

NOVEMBER

- KL, Malaysia

- House of Representatives blast.

DECEMBER

- job promotion…booyeah!!!!!

- walang tigil na Christmas dinners.

- Lola Soph died.

- First Christmas in Laoag.

- KRA and RHB engagement.

With two grandmas dying of cancer and me being sick more than once every quarter, I think my area of focus this year will be my health. [Yes, there is also the wedding, but we need a separate reflection on that matter.] I am quite concerned already with how my usual meds do not work their wonders on me anymore. And if that Chinese doctor is really not a quack, then I am in for big trouble.

In line with this resolution, Julia and I signed up in a gym near our respective areas of work. I can’t believe I actually did this ‘coz I’d rather run outdoors; but then again, I thought I’d better ‘jumpstart’ muna my heart, lungs, and busted knee in a controlled environment. When I build back my stamina, balik pavement na uli siguro. I hope I’d be fit even just a little bit in time for the short marathon Abel and I intend to join this February.

Along the gym thing, I am seriously considering at least a basic executive check-up. The one in NKI seems good to me, will ask the mom of Kris for more info about it. For more on the matter, visit: http://www.nkti.gov.ph/patients_visitors/executive_health_program.htm.

Which makes me go back to being broke all the more. Hayayayay!

And yeah, there is the wedding this October….

Stay tuned na lang as we continue the VOYAGE and BOLDLY GO to Berby’s World 2008!

FIGHT!

Yet again, another great performance from the ballerinas of TEAM…and finally, I got to watch Swan Lake.  Super adorable nung mga kids and ang galeng sobra ni Jacqui (promise, unbiased opinion ito)!

The proud friends with the real and the tarp version of Jacqui (photo from Jac).

Jac, Me, Kris, Joan, and Von outside GSIS Theater (photo from Kris).

***A Good Friend Because You’re Supportive***

You are almost like a life coach for your best friends.
You give them help when they need it… but you also know when to give them a push.

People tend to rely on you for moral support and advice.
You’ve probably always been mature for your age, so this is a role that’s you’re comfortable with.

A friend like you is one of the rarest kinds.
You are both a good mentor and companion.

Your friends need you most when: They are confused or worried

You really can’t be friends with: Someone who only wants to complain

Your friendship quote: "The only way to have a friend is to be one."

What Makes You a Good Friend?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatmakesyouagoodfriendquiz/

A HUGE MOTORCADE participated in by the different units of the University of the Philippines System from across the country will highlight the UP System Centennial Launching on January 8, 2008 that will kick off celebrations for the State University’s 100 years of existence.

The UP Alumni Association, the organization spearheading the kick-off activities, announced that the motorcade will start from the University of the Philippines campus in Padre Faura, Manila — where the first UP campus was first established in 1908 – and will proceed to UP Diliman in Quezon City beginning at 12 noon.

UPAA President Ponciano E. Rivera Jr. said the Manila convoy will then be joined by other motorcades originating from UP Baguio, UP Pampanga and UP Los Baños and will converge with the UP Diliman contingent along Quezon Avenue at an appointed time. The grand
motorcade is expected to enter the Diliman campus at about 4 pm, after which a series of grand launching ceremonies will unfold.

Lion dancers, ati-atihan performers and a host of UP dance groups will welcome the motorcade in front of the Oblation statue where a big crowd of alumni, students, faculty, staff, supporters and well-wishers are already gathered. Sky jumpers bearing the emblem of the various UP campuses will land in the open area near the College of Mass Communication.

Ten tambuli players will then blow their horns from atop the Administration building, amid the ceremonial firing of 100 rockets (“kwitis”) to announce the start of the program.

100 torches will be relayed around UP Diliman’s Academic Oval, with the first flame being lit by a 100-year old alumnus. The last flame will be lighted by UP President Emerlinda Roman, who will then proceed to light the UP Flame, as all the flaming 99 torches are extinguished. Simultaneous with the lighting of the cauldron, the “UP @ 100” lights display at the Quezon
Hall go on and the grandly lit trees around the academic oval come to life, making the UP campus blaze with lights on its centennial.

One hundred rifle shots will be fired into the air by the UP Rifle Team, ushering in the announcement by President Roman that the UP Centennial Year is open.

A free concert featuring internationally acclaimed UP alumni, among them, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Ryan Cayabyab, the UP Symphonic Orchestra, Nanette Inventor, and UP Symphonic Band follows at the UP Amphitheater. The evening will be capped by a grand
fireworks display.

All UP alumni and friends are invited to take part in this historic event. For inquiries, please call 981-8500, local 2589 or 2590 or send a fax via 632-928-2947.

——-

I got this from the bulletin post from Rbee.

People working (like us!!!) or got business sa area, be forewarned sa traffic and dami ng tao. 

Tomorrow, watch out for the Black Nazarene event naman.  Learn the re-routing plans given by the Manila Police/MMDA na.

hahaha, a funny calendar for me from my brother!

i read this ad in the Philippine Star last Sunday (click the cut-out to enlarge):

Ayala Wastes Market on January 11 at Goldcrest parking lot and January 12 at Bonifaci Global City from 8am to 3pm.

the group at Texas Roadhouse, BHS

the girls and the boys at Bo’s Coffee, BHS