Love and Hot Air Balloons are in the Air.

For some reason, my 2009 journal entry for February 14 is "I now officially dislike V-day. :(" I can barely remember why, but since it is evident that that day belongs to the not too good memories of the not so distant past, I refuse to ponder on it any longer. In fact, my February 14 this year is way too much fun that it makes up for last year's and some other days of its kind.

This year's Valentine's day celebration was a Sunday of everything that flies! I gladly spent the day with friends at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga for the 15th International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.

We took an hour and a half bus ride from the Cubao Terminal to Dau, Mabalacat then another 15 minute ride to Clark Freeport Zone. We arrived there at lunch time, so naturally we missed the first flight of the hot air balloons scheduled at 5:30 to 7:oo in the morning. (There were over 22 hot air balloons from all over the world.)

After lunch, we busied ourselves watching the Skydiving and Kite Flying Exhibitions followed by the Light Airplane Flyby while we patiently waited for the Valentine's day Flowers and Candy Drop scheduled at 3 pm. Now this part is a bit disappointing because I didn't see any flowers but I did see three candies fell from the air. (Yes, I counted. It's either there were only three or I just wasn't in a good spot during the Candy Drop.)

To make up for the Valentine's Day Flowers and Candy Drop, amazing Aircraft Formation Flights and Paragliding Exhibition soon followed.

The highlight of the 15th International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta for it's final day was the Valentine's Fireworks to cap off the event. The Valentine's Night Glow was another wonderful sight too. This time, the hot air balloons went up to lit the night sky and to add a romantic glow into the night.

This is one Valentine's day I'd always remember. And eventhough I could hardly feel my legs by the time I got home, I'd take the trade any day. :]

Mission accomplished!

My coffee mug would be so proud.

***

I've always disliked being routinized. It is important to me that my everyday has a good deal of variety attached to it. Otherwise I am inclined to float away and do random things out of the blue, even if sometimes I turn out to be unproductive. But as I got through college and review school I realized that being routinized is inevitable. I maybe taking a short break from it now but as soon as I start on my career, monotony would be hogging the spotlight once again.

On the lighter stuff, I figured that buckling down under this situation won't resolve anything. I had to maintain balance. But somehow, while I patiently waited for those few times I could take the time off, I overlooked the little things. By never experiencing the moment, we miss the chance to savor life's small pleasures. I've read that on a magazine just recently and I know it is time to hit the panic button pronto!

I keep thinking about how I'll feel or what I'll do during those much awaited breaks that I fail to savor the joyful mini moments along the way. I think we all have the tendency to be distracted with matters we've been juggling mentally or the tasks that keep our daily planners loaded up that we fail to take in those little reminders telling us that we can be happy any time of the day.

I've been using the same coffee mug every morning for two years now. It also has been my companion during those countless all-nighters I've managed to pull of during college. This is why I can't believe that for years I have failed to take note of four words, printed on the inside which represent the secret mission of my coffee mug. That is, to wish me a great day ahead. (I'll post a photo soon.)

I am not saying that being mindful of the mini moments that can liberate us from that I'm-too-busy state of mind is just about using printed coffee mugs. (I just wanted to give my coffee mug credit for being true to its mission and for wishing for my happiness everyday while I'm too busy to even pay attention.)

With this is in mind, I am now focused on heeding those little things that transform my busy days and even my downright boring days into bliss. It can be the sound of laughter after my sister cracked a silly joke over breakfast while we share chocolate-chip pancakes, or an unexpected call from someone special who always seems really happy at the sound of my voice, or a good news shared by a friend confirming an answered prayer. The fact that more than a dozen feel-good mini moments can start happening right when I get out of bed until the time I'm comfortably tucked in my covers at night is enough for me to always have a nice day. :]

A bamboo and a spark of hope.

Change.

The only thing that is constant in this world. And perhaps, the one thing that was constant in my 2009. This is a tribute to the people and events that brought about changes in my life during the previous year.

People.

People that you know come and go. But for whatever reason why, you know that they came to change a part of you. They came maybe to let you experience happiness, or to teach you the true meaning of selflessness. Maybe to let you see that hidden courage inside of you that you didn't know was there. Yes, people that you know come and go, but they come for a reason and go by leaving you a lesson.

During the previous year I've said goodbye to some people who have been my source of happiness and hope for a while. And by parting ways I knew that my life would never be the same again. At first I thought they are bound to leave a hole. But it turned out that the goodbyes were to give way to new acquaintances. New people easily filled those holes as if there weren't really holes to fill in the first place. This doesn't mean that the old ones are easily forgotten. It was more like transforming goodbyes into something new, flourished by beautiful memories and helpful lessons of the past.

Yes, my life has never been the same again since then. Once in my life I have built dreams with people I hoped would be with me forever, only to wake up in the world of reality that nothing's permanent in this world. Something is bound to change. The only thing that should remain constant is how we welcome change. Be like a bamboo. A bamboo survives by bending with the wind. You can survive by adapting to every change that comes your way, even to life's most unexpected twist!

Events.

I had my own share of ups and downs in 2009. I won't deny it. The previous year was a difficult one not only for me but also for those whom I hold most dear. I am sure most people have had the same experiences we've gone through: suffered the pain of losing a loved one, have witnessed your once perfect home crumble, have had broken ties with friends, have seen your dreams at the brink of jeopardy, and have almost mastered the painful art of letting go of a lost love, or a lost dream.

The fact that life isn't as perfect as each of us wants it to be has been reiterated to me over and over and over during the past year. Same as the fact that a person may not always get what she wants no matter how bad she wants it. This year, however, I am starting with a clean slate, armed with the most effective means of retribution I could think of- hope. I am hopeful that with this fresh start, things are going to be different, and 2010 will be a great year for me. If everything is just a matter of perspective, then I choose to have a great one.

Let us all be hopeful this 2010! If you have had countless of unsuccessful resolutions for the past several years, may this be the one you can perfectly stick to, despite whatever it is you've gone through . :)