The past year taught me a lot of lessons in living, loving, learning and the whole shitload of everything that we call the human condition. I can’t say that I became wiser. I consider myself as a decently smart individual, however, I have my blond moments. {* These days I’ve been getting them a lot. }. Yes, I would not say that I am wiser now… Maybe a bit smarter than before. Wiser, well I honestly don’t know.
Ah yes, the 69 things I learned so far in the past year.
1. I learned that having a second had fridge that I bought in some Japanese surplus shop so that I can have cold water in the morning is a bit extravagant, considering that I live in a box.
2. I learned that buying second hand / cheap products doesn’t mean it’s cheap in the long run . Wait till you get your electric bill.
3. I learned that an unused second hand fridge makes a real good storage cabinet for books, sugar, and shitloads of cosmetics and beauty products.
4. I learned that you need to act stupid sometimes in order to get your point across.
5. I learned that it’s good to let others see your blonde side {and let them revel in it} so that you can UNLEASH the raging brunette later.
6. I learned that money is really important in all facets of relationships.
7. I learned that money isn’t everything.
8. I learned that it’s easy to find a job but it’s shit difficult to establish a career.
9. I learned that there comes a point in your life where you need to choose between establishing a career or establishing a relationship.
10. I learned that what I do in life is always about choices. That the choice I make may not necessarily produce my desired result in the end but I still make the choice because the intent is there.
11. I learned that there are times that things may not come out as planned.
12. I learned that it is always good to have a Plan B.
13. I learned that you start praying to the Universe/Jesus/God/Allah/Buddha/Mary/Paul/Ringo/Krishna/Shiva/Patrick/Tom when your Plan C fails.
14. I learned that it’s always good to have a day job.
15. I learned that it isn’t enough to just have a day job in this economy.
16. I learned that the taxes I pay can pay for two maids in some places.
17. I learned that I pay way too much taxes in this country.
18. I learned {a looooooooong time ago} that none of the taxes I pay go to public spending.
19. I learned that democracy is a very loose word…
20. … and so is Socialism.
23. I learned that Obama is not Jesus.
24. I learned that Noynoy can never be an Obama.
25. I learned that Manny Paquiao makes a Gazillion dollars in boxing.
26. I learned that I can never be a boxer.
27. I learned that Filipinos in general are really good singers.
28. I learned that I can never be a singer.
29. I learned that I really need to quit smoking.
30. I learned that buying an electronic cigarette does not mean I quit smoking already.
31. I learned that I can eat 8 cups of rice in one seating.
32. I also learned that eating 8 cups of rice ain’t good for my tummy.
33. I learned that my maximum is 3 cups of rice.
34. I learned that I can get really fat in a span of 4 weeks.
35. I {re}learned that beauty is a philosophy, a state of mind.
36. I learned that a person can be here on a Tuesday evening and be gone by Wednesday morning.
37. I learned the importance of telling the person of his/her worth.
38. I learned that talent is discovered, but genius is reared and cultivated.
39. I learned that consistency is the key to everything.
40. I learned that family is cool.
41. I learned that you really don’t have to believe in Christmas as long as you believe in free food.
42. I learned that friends who fly thousands of miles just so that they could spend a night in my box apartment on my straw mat are the kewlest people in my book. {Thanks guys}
43. I learned that 32 is just a number….
43. I also learned that 32 is still 32.
44. I learned that people would do anything to get a job in this economy.
45. I learned how to say no to these people.
46. I learned that a lot of Filipinos are so fixated with American English.
47. I learned that there is really no difference between toilet paper and paper napkins.
48. I learned on how I could save on toilet paper and paper napkins.
49. I learned that I was living a really good life in China.
50. I learned that sulking in one corner and thinking about the human condition {at least my condition} will do me no good except to magnify it.
51. I learned to smile on occasion.
52. I learned that it’s ok to be happy even when you’re life is really shitty at times.
53. I learned that love is sometimes a hard pill to swallow.
54. I that staying quiet doesn’t mean I have acquiesced. it meant that I’ve understood.
55. I learned that I am indeed an Urban Sinner.
56. I learned that despite of this, I still love you.
57. I learned to believe in myself and myself alone.
58. I learned not to trust people who are cops, lawyers, doctors, business people, presidents, preachers, priests, nuns, motivational speakers, yadi yadi… because they swindle me everyday.
59. I learned that even 80 year-old cab drivers can still swindle me of my money when they get the chance.
60. I learned that it doesn’t matter whether I own a Blackberry or an Android or an iPhone because what really matters is how I use it and why I bought it in the first place.
61. I learned that Google Sync is really a cool app.
62. I learned that my ‘wow factor’ is only a day when it comes to smart phones.
63. I learned that the best way to communicate is a face to face conversation.
61. I learned how to clean up my own mess.
63. I learned that it isn’t all about sex.
64. I learned that sex is great! But cuddling is better.
65. I learned that sleeping with the one you love {as in actual sleeping} when yer really knackered to the bone is way better than masturbating yourself to sleep.
66. I learned that I need to masturbate my mind more.
67. I learned that it is important to be happy.
68. I learned that at the end of the day, I alone will experience my death.
69. I learned that there is a God/Universe within me.