Thumbs Up

Finally, the 2010 Philippine presidential election is done. The results are not final yet. However, there’s a certain relief that comes from everyone. Before the elections, people were nervous and thought there will be a failure of elections this time. I did not think it was likely to happen, but a lot of people were really nervous.

Thank heavens everything’s all over now. We just need to wait for the final announcement of who the next Philippine President is. From the news today, it looks like our new President will be Senator Benigno Aquino, III. Anybody who knows about Philippine history knows who he is. I am not saying that he is the perfect candidate. In fact, there are about a couple of other presidential candidates who may be more qualified than him. But qualifications are not all that matter in the country’s highest public position. A leader does not need only to be qualified. He also has to have enough charisma and patience to get the entire nation to listen to him. If Senator Aquino will be declared as the new President, I wish him all the luck. This country has been through so much. I am sure that he is in for yet another bumpy ride.

The 2010 Grammy Winners (Part 2)

Rap

 
Best Rap Solo Performance – Best I Ever Had (Drake)
   Beautiful (Eminem)
   Death of Auto-Tune (Jay Z)
   Day N Nite (Kid Cudi)
   Casa Bey (Mos Def)
Best Rap Performance by a Duo/Group – Too Many rappers (Beastie Boys and Nas)
     Crack a Bottle (Eminem, Dr. Dre, and 50 Cent)
     Money Goes, Honey Stay (Fabolous and Jay Z)
     Make Her Say (Kid Cudi, Kanye West, and Common)
     Amazing (Kanye West and Young Jeezy)
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration – Ego (Beyonce and Kanye West)
    Knock You Down (Keri Hilson, Kanye West, and Ne-Yo)
    Run This Town (Jay Z, Rihanna, and Kanye West)
    Im on a Boat (The Lonely Island and T Pain)
    Dead and Gone (T.I. and Justin Timberlake)
Best Rap Song –  Best I Ever Had (Drake)
  Day N Nite (Kid Cudi)
  Dead and Gone (T.I. and Justin Timberlake)
  Death of Auto-Tune (Jay Z)
  Run This Town (Jay Z, Rihanna, and Kanye West)
Best Rap Album – Universal Mind Control (Common)
  Relapse (Eminem)
  R.O.O.T.S. (Flo Rida)
  The Ecstatic (Mos Def)
  The Renaissance

Country

 
Best Female Country Vocal Performance – Dead Flowers (Miranda Lambert)
     I Just Call You Mine (Martina McBride)
     White Horse (Taylor Swift)
     Just a Dream (Carrie Underwood)
     Solitary Thinkin (Lee Ann Womack)
Best Male Country Vocal Performance – All I Ask For Anymore (Trace Adkins)
    People Are Crazy (Billy Currington)
    High Cost of Living (Jamey Johnson)
    Living For The Night (George Strait)
    Sweet thing (Keith Urban)
Best Country Performance by a Duo/Group With Vocals – Cowgirls Don’t Cry (Brooks and Dunn)
      Chicken Fried (Zac Brown Band)
      I Run To You (Lady Antebellum)
      Here Comes Goodbye (Rascal Flatts)
      It Happens (Sugarland)
Best Country Collaboration With Vocals – Beautiful World (Dierks Bentley and Patty Griffin)
     Down The Road (Kenny Chesney and Mac McAnally)
     Start a Band (Brad Paisley and Keith Urban)
     I Told You So (Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis)
     Everything But Quits (Lee Ann Womack and George Strait)
Best Country Instrumental Performance – Under The Five Wire (Alison Brown)
     The Crystal Merchant (The Greencards)
     Mansinneedof (Sarah Jarosz)
     Producer’s Medley (Steve Wariner)
Best Country Song – All I Ask For Anymore (Trace Adkins)
   High Cost of Living (Jamey Johnson)
   I Run To You (Lady Antebellum)
   People Are Crazy (Billy Currington)
   White Horse (Taylor Swift)

 

New Age

 
Best New Age Album – Faith (Jim Brickman)
   Prayer For Compassion (David Darling)
   Laserium For The Soul (Henta)
   In a Dream (Peter Kater, Dominc Miller, Kenny Loggins, and Jacques Morelenbaum)
   Impressions of The West Lake (Kitaro)

Jazz

 
Best Contemporary Jazz Instrumental Album – Urbanus (Stefon Harris and Blackout)
     Sounding Point (Julian Lage)
     At World’s Edge (Philippe Saisse)
     Big Neighborhood (Mike Stern)
     75 (Joen Zawinul and The Zawinul Syndicate)
Best Jazz Vocal Album – No Regrets (Randy Crawford and Joe Sample)
   Dedicated to You: Kurt Eliing Sings The Music of Coltrane and Hartman (Kurt Elling)
   So In Love (Roberta Gambarini)
   Tide (Luciana Souza)
   Desire (Tierney Sutton)
Best Jazz Instrumental Solo Performance – Dancin 4 Chicken (Terence Blanchard)
     All of You (Gerald Clayton)
     Ms. Garvey, Ms. Garvey (Roy Hargrove)
     On Green Dolphin Street (Martial Solal)
     Villa Palmeras (Miguel Zenon)
Best Jazz Instrumental Album – Quartet Live (Gary Burton, Pet Metheny, Steve Swallow, and Antonio Sanchez)
    Brother to Brother (The Clayton Brothers)
    Five Peace Band Live (Chick Corea and John McLaughlin Five Peace Band)
    Rememberance (John Patitucci Trio)
    The Bright Mississippi (Allen Toussaint)
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album – Legendary (Bob Florence)
    Eternal Interlude (John Hellenbeck)
    Fun Time (Sammy Nestico and The SWR Big Band)
    Book One (New Orleans Jazz Orchestra)
    Lab 2009 (University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band)
Best Latin Jazz Album – Things I Wanted To Do (Chembo Corniel)
   Aurea (Geoffrey Keezer)
   Braziliance X 4 (Claudio Roditi)
   Juntos Para Siempre (Bebo Valdes and Chucho Valdes)
   Esta Plena (Miguel Zenon)

Gospel

 
Best Gospel Performance – Free to be Me (Francesca Batteistelli)
   Jesus is Love (Heather Headley and Smokie Norful)
   I Believe (Johnny Lang With Fisk Jubilee Singers)
   Wait on The Lord (Donnie McClurkin and Karen Clark Sheard)
   Born Again (Third Day)
Best Gospel Song – Born Again (Third Day)
  City on Our Knees (TobyMac)
  Every Prayer (Israel Houghton and Mary Mary)
  God in Me (Mary Mary feat Kierra Sheard)
  The Motions (Matthew West)
Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album – The Big Picture (Da’ T.R.U.T.H.)
    Crash (Decyfer Down)
    Innocence and Instinct (Red)
    Live Revelations (Third Day)
    The Dash (John Wells)
Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album – Speaking Louder Than Before (Jeremy Camp)
     The Power of One (Israel Houghton)
     The Long Fall Back To Earth (Jars of Clay)
     Love is on The Move (Leland)
     Freedom (Mandisa)
Best Southern/Country/Bluegrass Album – Jason Crabb (Jason Crabb)
     Dream On (Ernie Haase and Signature Sound)
     The Rock (Tracy Lawrence)
     In God’s Time (Barry Scott and Second Wind)
     Everyday (Triumphant Quartet)
Best Traditional Gospel Album – God Don’t Ever Change (Ashley Cleveland)
    The Law of Confession, Part 1 (Donald Lawrence and Company)
    Oh Happy Day (Various Artists)
    The Journey Continues (The Williams Brothers)
    How I Got Over (Vickie Winans)
Best Contemporary RNB Gospel Album – Audience of One (Heather Headley)
     Renewed (Sheir Jones-Moffett)
     Just James (J Moss)
     Smokie Norful: Live (Smokie Norful)
     Bold Right Life (Kierra Sheard)

Latin

Best Latin Pop Album – 5to Piso (Ricardo Arjona)
   Te Acuerdas (Francisco Cespedes)
   Sin Frenos (La Quinta Estacion)
   Hu Hu Hu (Natalia Lafourcade)
   Gran City Pop (Paulina Rubio)
Best Latin Rock, Alternative, or Urban Album – Rio (Aterciopelados)
     Y. (Bebe)
     Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo (Calle 13)
     La Luz del Ritmo (Los Fabulosos Cadillacs)
     La Revolucion (Wisin and Yandel)
Best Tropical Latin Album – Asi Soy (Isaac Delgado)
   Ciclos (Luis Enrique)
   Guasabara (Jose Lugo Orchestra)
   Gracias (Omara Portuondo)
   Bach in Havana (Tiempo Libre)
Best Regional Mexican Album – Corazon Ranchero (Shaila Durcal)
    Necesito de Ti (Vicente Fernandez)
    Compañeras (Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles)
    10 Aniversario (Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea)
    Pegadito Al Corazon (Joan Sebastian)
Best Tejano Album – Borders y Bailes (Los Texmaniacs)
   Divina (Stefani Montiel)
   All The way Live (Jay Perez)
   Point of View (Joe Posada)
   Radiacion Musical (Sunny Sauceda y Todo Eso)
Best Norteno Album – Dejame Soñar (Cumbre Norteña)
   El Niño de Oro (El Compa Chuy)
   Pese a Quien le Pese (Los Rieleros de Norte)
   Tu Noche con… Los Tigres del Norte (Los Tigres del Norte)
   Soy Todo Tuyo (Los Tucanes de Tijuana)
Best Banda Album – Se Nos Murio el Amor (El Guero Y Su Banda Centenario)
   Mas Adelante (La Arrolladaora Banda el Limon de Rene Camacho)
   Derecho de Antiguedad (La Original Banda el Limon de Salvador Lizarraga)
   Tu Esclavo y Amo (Lupillo Rivera)

The 2010 Grammy Winners (Part 1)

MusiCares Person of The Year – Neil Young
Lifetime Achievement Award Winners – Leonard Cohen
    Bobby Darin
    David “Honeyboy” Edwards
    Michael Jackson
    Loretta Lynn
    Andre Pevin
    Clark Terry
Trustees Award Winners – Harold Bradley
   Florence Greenberg
   Walter C. Miller
Technical Grammy Award Winners – AKG
    Thomas Alva Edison
Presiden’t Merit Awards – Doug Morris
   Kenny Burrell
   Placido Domingo

 

General

Record of The Year – Halo (Beyonce)
   I Gotta Feeling (Black Eyed Peas)
   Use Somebody (Kings of Leon) 
   Poker Face (Lady Gaga)
   You Belong With Me (Taylor Swift)
Album of The Year – I Am… Sasha Fierce (Beyonce)
   The E.N.D. (Black Eyed Peas)
   The Fame (Lady Gaga)
   Big Whiskey and Groogrux King (Dave Matthews Band)
   Fearless (Taylor Swift)
Song of The Year – Poker Face (Lady Gaga)
  Pretty Wings (Maxwell)
  Single Ladies (Beyonce)
  Use Somebody (Kings of Leon)
  You Belong With Me (Taylor Swift)
Best New Artist – Zac Brown Band 
  Keri Hilson
  MGMT
  Silversun Pickups
  The Ting Tings

Pop
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance – Hometown Glory (Adele)
    Halo (Beyonce) 
    Hot N Cold (Katy Perry)
    Sober (Pink)
    You Belong With Me (Taylor Swift)
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance – This Time (John Legend)
    Love You (Maxwell)
    Make It Mine (Jason Mraz) 
    If You Don’t Know Me By Now (Seal)
    All About The Love Again (Stevie Wonder)
Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals – I Gotta Feeling (Black Eyed Peas) 
      We Weren’t Born To Follow (Bon Jovi)
      Never Say Never (The Fray)
      Sara Smile (Daryll Hall and John Oates)
      Kids (MGMT)
Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals – Sea of Heartbreak (Rosanne Cash and Bruce Springsteen)
    Love Sex Magic (Ciara and Justin Timberlake)
    Lucky (Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat) 
    Baby, It’s Cold Outside (Norah Jones and Willie Nelson)
    Breathe (Taylor Swift and Colbie Caillat)
Best Pop Instrumental Performance – Besame Mucho (Herb Alpert)
    Throw Down Your Heart (Bela Fleck) 
    The Fire (Imogen Heap)
    Phoenix Rise (Maxwell)
    Funk Joint (Marcus Miller)
Best Pop Instrumental Album – In Boston (Chris Botti)
    Legacy (Hiroshima)
    Potato Hole (Booker T. Jones) 
    Modern Art (The Rippingtons feat. Russ Freeman)
    Down The Wire (Spyro Gyra)
Best Pop Vocal Album –  The E.N.D. (Black Eyed Peas) 
   Breakthrough (Colbie Caillat)
   All I Ever Wanted (Kelly Clarkson)
   The Fray (The Fray)
   Funhouse (Pink)

Dance
Best Dance Recording – Boom Boom Pow (Black Eyed Peas)
   When Love Takes Over (David Guette and Kelly Rowland)
   Poker Face (Lady Gaga) 
   Celebration (Madonna)
   Womanizer (Britney Spears)
Best Electronic Dance Album – Divided By Night (The Crystal Method)
    One Love (David Guetta)
    The Fame (Lady Gaga) 
    Party Rock (LMFAO)
    Yes (Pet Shop Boys)

Traditional Pop

 
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album – A Swingin’ Christmas (Tony Bennett)
    Michael Buble Meets Madison Square Garden (Michael Buble)
    Your Songs (Harry Connick Jr.)
    Liza’s At The Palace (Liza Minnelli)
    American Classic (Willie Nelson)

Rock

 
Best Rock Solo Vocal Performance – Beyond Here Lies Nothin (Bob Dylan)
    Change in The Weather (John Fogerty)
    Dreamer (Prince)
    Working on a Dream (Bruce Springsteen) 
    Fork in The Road (Neil Young)
Best Rock Performance by a Duo/Group With Vocals – Can’t Find My Way Home (Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood)
      Life in Technicolor II (Coldplay)
      21 Guns (Green Day)
      Use Somebody (Kings of Leon) 
      I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight (U2)
Best Hard Rock Performance – War Machine (AC/DC) 
    Check My Brain (Alice in Chains)
    What I’ve Done (Linkin Park)
    The Unforgiven III (Metallica)
    Burn it to The Ground (Nickelback)
Best Metal Performance – Dissident Aggressor (Judas Priest) 
   Set To Fail (Lamb of God)
   Head Crusher (Megadeth)
   Señor Peligro (Ministry)
   Hate Worldwide (Slayer)
Best Rock Instrumental Performance – A Day in The Life (Jeff Beck)
    Warped Sister (Booker T. Jones)
    Playing With Fire (Brad Paisley)
    Mr. Sufer Goes Jazzin (Brian Setzer Orchestra)
    Now We Run (Steve Vai)
Best Rock Song – The Fixer (Pearl Jam)
  I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight (U2)
  21 Guns (Green Day)
  Use Somebody (Kings of Leon)
  Working on a Dream (Bruce Springsteen)
Best Rock Album – Black Ice (AC/DC)
  Live From Madison Squre Garden (Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood)
  21st Century Breakdown (Green Day)
  Big Whiskey and The GrooGrux King (Dave Matthews Band)
  No Line on The Horizon (U2)

Alternative

 
Best Alternative Music Album – Everything That Happens Will Happen Today (David Byrne and Brian Eno)
    The Open Door EP (Death Cab For Cutie)
    Sounds of The Universe (Depeche Mode)
    Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (Phoenix)
    It’s Blitz (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

RNB

 
Best Femal RNB Vocal Performance – Single Ladies (Beyonce)
    It Kills Me (Melanie Fiona)
    That Was Then (Lalah Hathaway)
    Goin’ Thru Changes (Ledisi)
    Lions, Tigers and Bears (Jazmine Sullivan)
Best Male RNB Vocal Performance – The Point of it All (Anthony Hamilton)
    Pretty Wings (Maxwell)
    So Beautiful (Musiq Soulchild)
    Under (Pleasure P)
    There Goes My Baby (Charlie Wilson)
Best RNB Performance by a Duo/Group With Vocals – Blame It (Jamie Foxx and T Pain)
      Chocolate High (India.Arie and Musiq Soulchild)
      If U Leave (Musiq Soulchild and Mary J. Blige)
      Higher Ground (Robert Randolph and The Clark Sisters)
      Love Has Finally Come At Last (Calvin Richardson and Ann Nesby)
Best Traditional RNB Vocal Performance – At Last (Beyonce)
     Soul Music (Anthony Hamilton)
     Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight (Boney James and Quinn)
     Snow Love (Ann Nesby)
     Woman Gotta Have It (Calvin Richardson)
Best Urban/Alternative Performance – Daykeeper (The Foreign Exchange)
    All Matter (Robert Glasper and Bilal)
    Pearls (India.Arie and Dobert Gnahore)
    A Tale of Two (Eric Robertson, Ben O’Neill, and Michelle Thmpson)
    Blend (Tonex)
Best RNB Song – Blame It (Jamie Foxx and T Pain)
  Lions, Tigers and Bears (Jazmine Sullivan)
  Pretty Wings (Maxwell)
  Single Ladies (Beyonce)
  Under (Pleasure P)
Best RNB Album – The Point of it All (Anthony Hamilton)
  Testimony: Vol. 2, Love and Politics (India.Arie)
  Turn Me Loose (Ledisi)
  BLACKsummer’s Night (Maxwell)
  Uncle Charlie (Charlie Wilson)
Best Contemporary RNB Album – I Am… Sasha Fierce (Beyonce)
    Intuition (Jamie Foxx)
    The Introduction of Marcus Cooper (Pleasure P)
    Ready (Trey Songs)
    Thr33 Ringz (T Pain)

The 2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominees and Winners

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

– George Clooney (Up in The Air)
– Colin Firth (A Single Man)
– Morgan Freeman (Invictus)
– Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker)
– Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

– Helen Mirren (The Last Station)
– Carey Mulligan (An Education)
– Gabourney Sidibe (Precious)
– Meryl Streep (Julie and Julia)
– Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

– Matt Damon (Invictus)
– Woody Harrelson (The Messenger)
– Christopher Plummer (The Last Station)
– Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones)
– Christopher Waltz (Inglorious Basterds)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

– Penelope Cruz (Nine)
– Vera Farmiga (Up in The Air)
– Anna Kendrick (Up in The Air)
– Diane Kruger (Inglorious Basterds)
– Mo’Nique (Precious)
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

– An Education
– The Hurt Locker
– Nine
– Precious: Based on The Novel Push by Sapphire
– Inglorious Basterds
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

– Public Enemies
– Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen
– Star Trek
Outstanding Ensmeble – Drama Series

– The Closer
– Dexter
– The Good Wife
– Mad Men
– True Blood
Outstanding Male Actor – Drama Series

– Simone Baker (The Mentalist)
– Brian Cranston (Breaking Bad)
– Michael C. Hall (Dexter)
– Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
– Hugh Laurie (House)
Outstanding Female Actor – Drama Series

– Patricia Arquette (Medium)
– Glenn Close (Damages)
– Mariska Hargitay (Law and Order: SVU)
– Juliana Margulies (The Good Wife)
– Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)
Outstanding Male Actor – TV Miniseries

– Kevin Bacon (Taking Chance)
– Cuba Gooding Jr. (Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story)
– Jeremy Irons (Georgia O’Keeffe)
– Kevin Kline (Great Performances: Cyrano de Bergerac)
– Tom Wilkinson (A Number)
Outstanding Femaile Actor – TV Miniseries

– Joan Allen (Georgia O’Keefe)
– Drew Barrymore (Grey Gardens)
– Ruby Dee (America)
– Jessica Lang (Grey Gardens)
– Sigourney Weaver (Prayers for Bobby)
Outstanding Male Actor – Comedy

– Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
– Steve Carell (The Office)
– Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
– Tony Shalhoub (Monk)
– Charlie Sheen (Two and a Half Men)
Outstanding Female Actor – Comedy

– Tina Fey (30 Rock)
– Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?)
– Toni Collette (United States of Tara)
– Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie)
– Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine)
Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series

– Mad Men
– The Closer
– Dexter
– The Good Wife
– True Blood
Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series

– Glee
– 30 Rock
– Curb Your Enthusiasm
– Modern Family
– The Office
Life Achievement Award

– Betty White

Praying for Haiti

2009 has been full of natural disasters. Before the year ended, I was kind of hoping that things would be better this year. However, I think we may all be in for a more bumpy ride this year.

It’s only the first month of the year, and already, we are rocked by a devastating earthquake. Our brothers and sisters in Haiti are now going through so much tragedy. If only I had the riches of Gates and Trump, I’d give as much as I can to help them. If only I had the means and the opportunity, I’d gladly fly to Haiti and help in any way I can. I really wish that I could give back even half of what I have been given. But what can I do? I am just one small person a thousand miles away.

I can only console myself with the knowledge that I can still help. I can pray for them. I can pray that, one day,  all the hurts that they are feeling right now will heal. I also pray that they will never lose their Faith in God.

Opening The American Idol

Finally, it’s the AI season again. I have watched the show for as long as I can remember, and I’m sure I’ll be watching this season as well. I became a fan of some of the AI alumni. I agreed with the judges’ comments, and I laughed at Ryan’s comic banter.

This season is different, though. For the first time in eight years, we will no longer be seeing Paula Abdul. We won’t be hearing her extensive vocabulary and her sweet lines of constructive criticism. She has been very dear to the contestants because she was the kindest among the three pioneering judges.

What’s American Idol without paula Abdul, right? We all know that it just won’t be the same. Unfortunately, the change does not end there. Recently, news has come out that Simon Cowell will also be leaving. For contract reasons, AI will again lose a very influential part of the show.

We have all known Simon for his harsh and straight-to-the-point comments. But surprisingly, he has also influenced a lot of viewers when it comes to voting. He definitely has an eye for talent, and has discovered some of the most popular names in the music industry.

As if losing Paula Abdul was not bad enough, the show loses Simon Cowell too. I only hope that AI will survive. Although it may never be anywhere near its previous seasons, I will still support the show because I support the talents that the aspiring idols are so willing to showcase. I just hope that Simon and Paula will one day find themselves back in the show again.

It’s So Nice To Be Happy

I have learned a very important thing over the holidays. I’ve been sick for almost a week now, but I am still as positive and energetic as I can be. I spent New Year’s Eve shivering with cold while the rest of my friends and family sang their hearts out to their favorite songs (we had videoke for the entire neighborhood). Videoke is our version of the popular Karaoke wherein you choose a song and you sing it to the best that you can.

Even as I felt my body start to give in to sickness, I still tried to celebrate the coming of 2010 with my friends and family. I just had to sleep earlier than them because any later, I would have been too sick to even write this blog today. The lesson that I learned? Well, it’s the fact that even when we have so much fun being with our friends, partying, celebrating, or doing stuff we like, nothing can still beat the happiness that our family can bring. It’s just so different when we’re with our family.

I am so fortunate that I got to celebrate Christmas and New Year with the most important people in my life. I know that not everybody celebrated the holidays with joy. But I can only hope that my fellowmen who feel so sad and desperate will one day find it in their hearts to be happy again. I hope that they will find peace and that they will never turn away from God.

Resolve

January 1. Everything starts today. Another year, another decade, another chance at making a difference. I have a new them for my blog. I hope that, as readers, you will like it, and you will still continue reading my blog.

These are a few of the things that I will do for this year:

1. Write a blog entry everyday. I will make sure that every blog I write will be worth the time you spend on reading it.

2. Travel. When I travel, even to already familiar places, I always have something to write about when I return. I always have pictures to share.

3. Learn something new. I tried learning to read the tarot last year, but I found it too complicated, so I stopped. I think I might go back to learning it again. If not, I’ll probably find something else to learn this year.

4. Everyday, I will try to look for one thing that I should thank God for. It could be really small things that happen or entirely grand ones that do not happen to just anyone.

5. I will try my hardest not to repeat my mistakes last year.

This blog will be the witness to everything else that I see, encounter and deal with. Happy New Year, friends!!!!

Last Hurrah

I am welcoming the new year tonight. I am excited for so many new things that, I am sure, 2010 will bring. As for this blog, since we are now saying goodbye to Christmas and to 2009, I will also change my theme. Goodbye Vermilion Christmas. I’ll be looking for a new them to use for my blog. I hope I find something that I can use for the whole year through.

My neighbors are outside having a little party. I’ll be joining them in a while. I won’t be blogging until tomorrow. Once gaina, Happy New Year. May we all have peace and happiness all year round. 🙂

Sick and Busy

I am busy preparing things for tomorrow. New Yera has always been my favorite holiday. I love it, even more than I love Christmas. Yes, Christmas means a lot to my religion because it is the day that the Lord was born. It is the day that the One who will save everybody was born into this wretched little world. But New Year for me brought in hope.

For me, the start of a new year brings in a new wave of hope- hope that the next year will be so much better, hope that everything else will be okay, hope that all the pain and hurt will heal in the coming of the new year. I am not sure how other people look at it, but that’s how I define and celebrate the New Year.

A decade has passed since we all celebrate the dawn of the new millennium. Back then, we all thought that the end of the world was near. Yeas, while I am not denying that our world can end anytime, I will not also take it away fromt he people who want to live their lives as fully and as joyously as they can.

To everyone else, Happy New Year!!!