2005 is quickly coming to a close and as I look back on the year, I realize how much of the year was a real... bummer haha. I don't think I've ever felt so much despair and misery in one year as this one and I honestly cannot compare the events of first semester ECE to anything else that has gone wrong in my life... maybe except second semester ECE.

But I am thankful for one thing though. I got to keep a lot of memories along the way. I met new friends, become closer to existing ones and rekindled old ones. If it wasn't for them, 2005 would have just been a big flop. Yesterday as my friends and cousins were coming home from EK, we shared some stories about high school days. We remembered our friend Gerome -specifically- who spiced up our high school years with kabuki dances, brain lags and cartoon-like expressions. We talked about one-man shows and lab accidents. We talked about ice cream and mayonnaise making experiments that ended in stomach aches and diarrhea. We talked about home-made race boats that sank to the bottom of the deep end of the pool. The many stories of laughter and misadventures, we were all the stars of the show back then.

We honestly missed those days when we were in control compared to now where we hardly have any. It just shows you how much life changes just as how our stories have; from fun and adventure to bitterweet endeavors tasked by college life. I think we are growing up faster than we thought. 2006 marks the twenty mark for most of the gang, I guess it will be the year when everyone's bubbles start popping, then again, we have always had a certain knack for being kids at heart, who knows right? Some of us might grow up and start in planning for their futures... Some might stay in the thirteen year old's lifestyle of videogames and fart jokes... All in all, it seems so small to observe the way people around you change because in the end, it is after all, inevitable. It will come to you eventually and it will hardly seem like a big deal.

We cannot pretend forever and say to ourselves that life can go back to the happy days. That's why time moves forward, you are not meant to go back. That's why I think life is cruel and that gives me enough reason to be reluctant of new years. I never liked new years, the fireworks are too loud and we have to go to parties I eventually pass out in. Whenever I look out my window and see the fireworks, they seem so beautiful that they light up the night Manila sky yet they have always been a harbinger of a new beginning and I was never good at beginnings. Ask anyone.

I hope this entry makes sense. I went to EK yesterday, rode rides until I can't stand anymore and spent the rest of the night watching movies with friends and family until the wee hours of the night. I just wanted to write before I do not get the chance to.

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year Everyone

PS A Special Mention for Manuel in Canada: Hope you get better, we all miss you back here.