Eight (8) is supposed to be the official
lucky number for all two billion Chinese out there, and I guess this holds true
even when you attach it to the Y2K prefix to form 2008, the eighth year of the
new millennium. Now at its tail end, some people may prefer to look back on the
year that was with much chagrin, citing the numerous global woes and the
massive economic slump. For my part, however, reflecting for some time made me realize
that indeed, I had a lot of things to be thankful for in the year 2008.
Here are my top ten reasons:
1. Academic
Achievement
Admittedly, Year Level III was a year of
“seconds”, “almosts”, and “what ifs”. Armed with newfound lessons, I entered
Year Level IV keeping my fingers crossed and praying that I’d survive what many
tout as the hardest year in med life, academically speaking. For someone who merely
asked for a decent performance, I am immensely grateful to the Lord for
bestowing me the great honor of emerging top-ranked and the only University
Scholar in our batch, receiving two awards in the process. Furthermore, along
came the added tidings that we were finally eligible to receive our BS BMS
diplomas. More than divine providence, I call it hitting three blessings with
one God.
2. OPD
Rotations
I remember telling myself one time that if
med school were only a bunch of OPD rotations, being a med student would
certainly be ten times more exciting. There’s the fun and learning rolled into
one – minus the soporific effect of didactic lectures and the physical toxicity
of 24-36 hour hospital duties. As they say, you learn best by actually seeing
and doing – with your mind and sanity intact.
3. Music
and Theater
By now, some people already know I harbor a
secret of becoming a Broadway star. But you can’t be one without seeing the real
stuff first. This year, I was fortunate enough to have witnessed three fine theatrical
performances – “Cinderella”, “Golden Child”, and “West
Side Story”. The first was a pretty, grownup adaptation of the
well-loved fairy tale, the second an insightful peek into the delicate innards
of a Chinese family struggling through the times, the third a courageous
attempt at giving justice to one of theater’s most enduring productions. And of
course, there’s American Idol. ‘Nuff said.
4. The
Last Minute Sembreak
To quote what I had posted before, there was
really no sembreak. And it almost took an instant miracle to make one, the
auspicious result of will and circumstance. Though I barely had a complete
breather during that heavily-packed one week sabbatical, I must say it proved
to be my most productive break yet.
5. Writing
In a cover letter I penned months ago, I
described myself as one who “considers writing almost second nature.” Sadly,
school and stress force me to habitually relegate this activity to the
sidelines, only to be picked up with the occasional boon of free time and
favorable ideas. Thus said, I happily reached another writing “high” this year
when my review was adjudged winner of the Cinderella review-writing contest. I
would like to thank Mr. Bill, Ms. Mikaela, Gibbs Cadiz, and everyone behind the
competition. Most of all, to “chief judge” Ms. Lea Salonga herself for
earnestly believing in what I wrote and ultimately serving as its inspiration. Here’s
to more years of making beautiful words and music.
6. Cash
There’s no denying 2008 had been the most
lucrative year of my life so far. I cannot remember of any year where I had
been so financially-blessed. And it’s all due to four main reasons:
- ____
- ____
- ____
- ____
Clue # 1: Three of them I earned out of my own
efforts. One of them came out of pure luck.
Clue # 2: Two of them you will find in this
blog. Two of them you will have to extract elsewhere.
Go figure.
7. New
Experiences
In 2008, I played host to two batches of
vacationing classmates – barely a week apart from each other. I stepped on
neighboring Boracay and Guimaras soil for the first time and further got to
know my own backyard more. In 2008, I hosted and co-organized three consecutive
debut parties in the family – all within a month’s time – writing three
separate scripts and organizing three separate programmes. I drank my first
shot (okay, make that 5 shots) as a cheeky birthday favor for a classmate. I kept
awake 24 hours inside a stifling labor and delivery room. Medical-wise, I did
my first rectal exam (family medicine), spinal tap (anesthesiology), delivered
my first baby, performed my first procedures, and had my first surgical assist
(OB-GYN). Also in 2008, I hit my first car and barely grazed my first person – grave
experiences that taught me to be more vigilant on the road.
8. Meridian
It is definitely heartwarming to see an
organization grow. Especially when it’s the one you’ve poured your heart and
soul into for the past three years (Before, I had plans of joining MSS and Med
Choir but found these too toxic.) This school year, I saw the stats jump with a
dramatic 77.5% increase in membership. Moreover, many milestones were achieved
in 2008 – the org had its first academic review, first mini-sports fest and
first TRP performance – although I definitely have no plans of resurrecting my
own shabby performance, thank you very much.
9. The
Beijing Olympics
“If you saw the opening ceremonies of the
Beijing Olympics, you would have been truly proud of being Chinese.” That was
what my aunt (actually, two aunts) told me after being almost moved to tears by
the stunning spectacle. How much more if you were one of the blessed few seated
inside the leviathan Bird’s Nest, speechless at the marvelous sight of history
getting rewritten before your eyes. Athletes like Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt and
Nastia Liukin were true inspirations, giving us not-so-athletic people enough
hopes to pin on.
10. Friends
and Family
They have always been there behind my back,
and were it not for the people who have continually served as the wind beneath
my wings, 2008 would have been stark meaningless. Instead of showering a trivial
deluge of verbal ostentations, I am simply going straight to the point: Thank
you. You know who you areJ
There’s an extra one, the most important one
in fact…
11. Faith
2008 was not all bed of roses. I had my share
of depressing lows and troughs, but I’m glad faith helped me get back on track
again.
Have a prosperous New Year everyone!!!
