HERE'S TO A BRAND NEW YEAR!

New Year 2006 didn't come in with as much BANG! as previous New Years. It's understandable considering that prices of fireworks have really gone up.

For instance, for P 2,750, I bought myself imported pyrotechnics that just fit into one plastic bag! And it was only good for about 5 minutes worth of fireworks display.

The noise around our place also didn't last long. By 1:00 AM there weren't too many explosions from fireworks anymore, unlike in the past when this would go on up to almost 2 AM.

As I have been doing every New year, I updated my diary and browsed thru my entries of the past year. Reflecting on 2005, I was thankful that I survived a difficult year. The country was in a political & economic mess. Our company suffered some setbacks but in the end, we pulled through with a sales performance that was better than expected. In spite of plans that would put my job in jeopardy, I got my contract renewed.

2005 to me will be remembered as the year I turned 50. Although I didn't really feel a year older, my body started experiencing aches and pains that just told me I am not as young as I used to be.

I will also remember 2005 as the year for reconnecting with my past. This is mainly because I got in touch with former colleagues in the seminary at least thru the internet. Now, we're looking forward to February when we will actually see each other in a Grand Reunion. Then just recently, I had a reunion with my former Jollibee staff.

My work has not been as hectic as before, since much of my workload has been taken by somebody else (e.g. the FSC Update.) I also started getting more involved in matters not related to the Training function (e.g. sitting in during discussions about concepts for advertisements.)

I look forward to 2006 with a more optimistic mindset. The furor over an inept President will soon die down and we will get down to the business of building the economy.

I plan to keep making myself better as a person and making a contribution to making the world around me better. I plan to achieve the following goals I have on my list:

1. Organize a successful Grand reunion of former Juvenists and our formators this February.
2. Complete the payments for our house by the end of January.
3. Achieve significant growth in my second income stream (Amway) and start getting checks from this.
4. Attain my dream physique from my bodybuilding efforts.( Wide shoulders, full chest, blasting guns, size 31" waist,proportionate legs and calves) Bench: 160 lbs.
5. Travel to USA with the kids (See Disneyland, be in touch with our relatives there)
6. Reach 2M mark in savings & investments by June 2006 and be within range of 3 M by end of the year. (I should be in the other room at the Citibank office)
7. Illustrate pages for the Juvenate Souvenir Program & the San Beda Reunion Program. I should have developed skill in the use of Corel Draw or Adobe Photoshop.
8. I will have seen Tasha and james Graduate from Elementary & High School respectively.
9. I should have installed more traditions for building the family: Date Night every Friday, and Kids One-One every week.
10. Achieved something spectacular!