the Big 8: results

Last January 2008 I wrote a blog entitled "the Big 8". I listed the things I should do for that year or my resolutions for that year. And now before the first month of the year ends, it's checking time. Here is my list:

1. hit the gym (on a regular basis)
- I did this! In fact I would like to believe that I grew bigger (in a good way)
2. be seen on TV (preferably as reporter pero kahit hindi muna)
- Yup, this happened. Although not as a reporter, pero ok na rin.
3. be promoted (kahit as writer or researcher)
- Not officially, but yes it was kinda a promotion, since I am not doing the usual stuff I was doing before.
4. visit Bacolod (minimum 2X this year)
- I visited Bacolod just twice last year. Although the second visit was just one day.
5. gain 20 lbs (hopefully hindi puro fats)
- I'm not sure if I did. But I think I did. I think I'm nearing 150lbs.
6. visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site (kahit sa Philippines lang)
- I did, but it was not my first time there. I visited the San Agustin Church in Intramuros.
7. go to a province/country I have never been
- I did go to places I have never been: Camarines Sur, Albay, Davao
8. have a girlfriend... hehehe
- I wish!!! This is the only thing I failed to do... huhuhu

I scored 7 out of 8. Not bad. I'll make another list by February. I hope this time, perfect na!

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the e-mail

This is the good news (well, for me at least)...

I told my boss about the news and I didn't expect she would post it on our ANC yahoogroups:

"One of our young writers, Jekki Pascual, has been awarded a three-month Mandarin language scholarship in Taiwan by the Taiwan government.
Congratulations, Jekki! We expect you to be able to translate every Chinese news item for us once you get back:) "
-Glenda Gloria, ANC COO

Yup, that is the good news! I will be in Taipei this spring (March-May) through a Taiwan government grant. The program was awarded to three Filipino journalists: me from ANC, Alvin Sejera from IBC-13 and Maan Macapagal from ABS-CBN.

I will surely miss my family and friends for 3 months! And surprisingly, I think I will miss my work. I'm scared I might not be able to write news reports well when I come back... hehehe

Can't wait to be a student again!! (especially in a foreign land)!!
:-)

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the phone call

Yesterday, Jan. 13, I received a really good news. I was so surprised and happy upon receiving that call. I can't divulge yet what it is about, since I am not yet 100% sure. But I'll definitely blog it upon confirmation of the news.

Clue: It involves me being "invisible" for 3 months... hehehe

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Long Break

It has been over a month since I last posted on this blog (the longest hiatus in recent months... hehehe). I have been very busy- both work and vacation related. I just arrived Wednesday night from an almost 3-week vacation in Visayas and Mindanao. I have so many stories to tell but I don't know where to start.

I first visited Bacolod, then sailed to Iloilo, then flew to Cebu (for a stopover), then proceeded to Davao. From Davao, we went to our target destination-- General Santos City. Our clan had a family reunion after almost a decade. It was fun meeting relatives I rarely see. During the break I also had the chance to visit Sarangani Province and Koronadal City in South Cotabato.

One memorable experience (and an experience I hope will not happen again) is the way back to Manila. We had problems with our tickets and all flights to Manila are fully booked. We therefore rode the military plane C130 to fly from Davao to Manila. It was a scary flight since C130's are dubbed as "flying coffins" due to its old age. Worst, I was standing during the entire 2-hour flight!! It was like an LRT-- the entire aircraft was crowded with hundreds of soldiers and civilians. My body ached!

The flight was for free, but I'd rather pay for a commercial flight than repeat the experience. But it was definitely a check on the "things to do in your life list"... hehehe

There are so many more stories and experiences to tell, but for now this is enought. I'm back at work and I hope for a better 2009. Hopefully I can also travel more this year even just domestically.

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