Whoever said that change is the only constant thing in life must have been a really wise and brutally honest person.

Who would have thought that a very friendly and outgoing girl would turn into a very hard and guarded person? Who would have thought that a person’s difficulties in life could eventually give her the chance to enjoy it? I certainly wouldn’t.

Seven years ago, I thought of nothing but to study and make sure to finish my college days on time. To make my parents proud. Three years ago that thought was replaced by the overwhelming need to work and earn to help my family for a united cause.

But God, it seems, works in ways that we really do not see most of the time. For the past year, I was blessed beyond measure, beyond expectation, beyond dreams—

Naming each blessing would be impossible of course, but let me share some that made me excited to face more of life… more in life— both the good and the bad.

1. I got to invest on another love of my life— a Kindle. I know some may think it shallow, but I bet they haven’t read some of the best books I’ve read on the past 24 months: Guild Hunter Series by Nalini Singh, Immortals after Dark by Kresley Cole, Lords of the Underworld by Gena Showalter and the latest Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward. No one should forget the awesome Fanfictions (Congrats EL James for making Master of the Universe, now Fifty Shades of Grey, a hit!) , of course! All of which I wouldn’t be able to read and finish and share without my Kindle.

2. I will finally say good bye to my 5800 XpressMusic and say hello to my HTC One V. ^_^

3. With my love for movies and TV series, I lost time last year but regained the chance this time. I loved Spartacus (watched all three series) and several movies.

4. I finished paying for all the house loan assigned to me. Thank God.

5. The promotion I was gifted on my last birthday gave way for me to know very special people who will always be treasured in my heart. My original account was pulled out, I was accused of something I did not do, I was transferred to an account I did not want at the start, I was not treated fairly in an application. All of these were pivotal in knowing who I need to keep in my life and which way I need to go.

6. I was once again given the chance to use God’s gift of teaching young kids in this year’s Vacation Bible School. I’ve never thought of how thirsty I have been on this until I was already there with the kids surrounding me. This made my mind clearer on my path more than anything.

7. I was informed that I am to have my Civil Service License without taking the exam due to being an Honor Graduate. Thank you Lord!

8. I finally made up my mind and will start on my new career— starting with getting a Master's Degree.

Lots of actions to plan. Lots of pain to face. Lots of struggle to endure. For without plans and actions one will go nowhere. Without pain, there’ll be no difference in joy and laughter. Without struggle, there’ll be no true success.

Each little blessing gives us reason to hope and persevere for a better future, to have the courage to love and be loved, to have the wisdom to enjoy life to its fullest. I’m ready to count them all and start another year full of promise for more.