The Year 2007

Probably one of the best years I’ve had hands down as it was full of accomplishments, excitement, love, and most importantly, progress. I’ll admit there were bloopers and blunders along the way but overall it was truly a great year for me.

My 2007 Summary:

In one word, why 2007 was a happy year. “Jaye”

Still my excuse why I didn’t lose weight this year. “Lose weight” was NOT one of my resolutions for 2007.

2007 Resolution that had no chance since day 1. Learn to play the guitar.

Just proves how geeky I am. I received 2 certifications this year – one for database design and another for database administration using Microsoft SQL Server.

Proves that geekiness is contagious. Jaye received her certification for design with me.

Where most of my money went from January to June. Expensive car repairs.

Like a pawn promoted to queen. I got promoted to team lead. Anything would have been better compared to last year when they “increased” my salary just enough to put me into the next tax bracket (which means I actually lost more money).

At least I didn’t hurt my knee. I badly sprained my right foot and developed a defect on my right eye. My foot still hurts but my eye problem is permanent (the problem helps a lot though in photography)

Most lopsided loss. Jaye beat me 137 – 82 in bowling.

Not that it matters. I beat her in our next game 108 – 102.

Enjoying long hair. 2007 was the year of my monthly haircuts (it used to be every 2-3 weeks) until June 13, when I had my last haircut.

I wouldn’t feed this to my enemy. I cooked chicken adobo with Coke.

Why I’m such an evil roommate. I let my roommate taste it without telling him about its dark little secret.

Best Conversation of the Year. With Mike, my American friend:

Mike: “Hey Arn! How’s it going?”
Arn: “It’s…going… on...”
Mike: “Huh? What’s going on?”
Arn: “You know… life…”

(Weeks later I learned that the response should "I'm doing well, how about you?")

Why my friends from Ateneo didn’t talk to me for a month. De La Salle University won the UAAP crown in men’s basketball.

Why my friends who were die hard New York Yankees fans didn’t talk to me for a month. The Boston Red Sox won the World Series.

Most important technology I learned. Torrent

Most expensive Purchase. My Nikon 70-200mm lens.

Most expensive thing I sold. My Nikon 70-200mm lens.

Happiest Day. December 12, 2007.

Movie of the year. Shrek 3

Based on my iTunes play count stat, my song of the year. Alapaap by 6CycleMind by a hair over Rivermaya’s Balisong and You’ll Be Safe Here.

Stupidest Thing Done. I woke up one day and saw my water jug in the medicine cabinet.

Which means…? I opened my fridge and saw my GNC multivitamins inside.

My trump recipe card and the only thing I’ll bring during potluck, my best dish. Arn’s famous wet beef tapa.

The whole year I tried using this as an explanation as to why these things happen and for some reason it always make sense. “Kung gusto maraming paraan, kung ayaw maraming dahilan.”

Split in half down the middle. I spent the first half of the year in Manila and the second half in Chicago. I left Manila on June 15.

He doesn’t look like he belonged to this store. When I bought my Wii from Toys R Us, the guy who punched in my order was a big muscular man.

That’s not even the funny part. His name was “Jaye”.

I should have been an action star. While taking pictures of the flags during one windy night (the picture is entitled “Wind” in my Chicago at Night gallery), the wind blew my camera and my tripod. I dived and caught the camera before it fell into the ground. I scratched my elbows but the camera was fine.

Most important lesson learned. There are people who are just plain jerks. Learn to see through them or else you'll only know about this when they stab you in the back.

Chicago’s onshore next top model - most viewed model from my gallery. Leah Rebosa

Most viewed landscape picture from my gallery. Chicago at Night.