One Day to Go.

Yes, one more day to go and it's Christmas Day. Oh, how time flies so fast. This Christmas, I only have one wish. That is...to be happy. As a kid, I would always wish for material things -- clothes, toys, shoes, musical instruments. But now, I'm a 20-year-old lady who has realized that true happiness does not come from mere earthly possessions. It's all about realizing what you already have in life: your family, your friends, your loved ones. Yes, it's all about the people in your life who made you the person that you are now.

Since I turned 18, Christmas has been different for me. You see, when I was younger (Note: Yes, younger. I still am young, you know.), I'd look forward to Christmas because I know for sure that I'd get a present, whether it is from Santa or my parents or my brothers. But now, I look forward to Christmas simply to give thanks to what I have over the past 12 months. The Christmas season is now a time for me to see how my life is getting better and better because of the people in my life. Even though there have been heartbreaking moments from one time to another, the happiness that I have still overcame the sadness I've felt.

I have a lot of reasons to be thankful for. Those reasons are the people in my life.

(*) Mama and Papi >> For twenty years, they have given me everything they could just so they can be sure I'm happy. They have never been anything else but the best parents a girl could ever have.

(*) Kuya Rom and Kuya Miguel >> They have been my protectors and my guardians...what would I do without them?

(*) Yvette >> She's been like my big sister and I'm happy to have her here with me.

(*) Chi >> My one and only best friend! She always has and will always be my one and only best friend. She has seen me at my worst and at my best. I could not ask for a better friend than her...

(*) Alla and Euki and Claudia >> my Panganay and my Bru and my Sis...being friends with them for a decade (yes, we've been friends since we were in fifth grade) has taught me a lot of things and they've helped me through thick and thin.

(*) College Barkada (Faye, Chatti, Marvi, Tracy, Doray, Maria, Tetel, Jane) >> For three years, they've helped me in my problems and shared my happiness. Our barkada has been through a lot of trials and yet we're still intact.

(*) Fine Arts Friends (Cha, Sari, Net, Nyx, Andres, Angelo, Francis) >> They have made me part of their circle and I am simply lucky to have them in my life.

(*) TS Family (Ms. Wowie, Lei, Jen, Nica, Ping, Febbie, Ian, Ykai, Jay, Chesca) >> They have always helped me when I'm down. Without them, my college life may not be this colorful.

(*) Two of my PolSci Professors (Professor Yu and Sir Boogie) >> They have served as my inspiration and they continuously encourage me to become a better student in the classroom and a better person in the real world.

(*) LoRiCeR >> Through thick and thin, we're still one. I'm the luckiest girl in the world, being part of this wonderful batch.

There are still a lot of people to thank and to greet and God knows that there isn't enough space to tell all of them how grateful I am to have them in my life.

So to all of you...