2007 is over. Admittedly, that could have been the longest year for me. The schedules were heavy, the struggles were indeed difficult; and my life has become a bumpy ride with so much ups and downs. Thank God, I survived. So here comes another year — a year of new visions, a year of realizing some of the dreams. This is another year of challenges; though, I do not want it to be like last year, I want it new. I am excited how this year will turn but I am more excited on how I will accomplish everything I set for the new journey.

A Master's Degree. Hopefully, I will be able to enroll at the graduate school next school year. I still do not know where to find finances or scholarship for that matter. But school year opening is still five months from now. I have some in my bank account (not enough though) and I am hoping to earn more. A mentor told me to enroll a Master's in Ministry, which I think is really needed now. I mean I need a more professional background in doing my ministry in the church. Though, I am also hoping to get a Master's in Applied Media Studies, so far only available in De La Salle University, which I do not know if I can afford it without a scholarship.

I still need my job but I am not giving up the possibility of becoming a full time student, especially that the demands of my ministry may increase this year and may require a lot of time for field work. Rumaket na lang muna, so far, I am doing well with this; though I need a stable source of income.

Career. Before 2007 ended especially when I became part time employee in my current job, a realization came to me. I have already accepted that my church ministry is my career; and that is my calling. That is where God wants me to be. I am not dreaming anymore of having a stable job in a company, rise to the corporate ladder, earn high wages and so on.

My resistance to it for the longest time may have just caused me to be tired and took everything as a task rather than enjoying it and acting in the service of God. I have so many accomplishments but rarely that I have enjoyed. So for now, that I have accepted that truth in my life, I am expecting that I will enjoy more and have the feeling of fulfillment.

Another Book. I am not giving up in publishing another handbook for the UMYFP. If it were not possible until the end of my term, I still want to be a part of it until it is printed. I am having hard time pooling writers but I know it should be taken one at a time. Besides, there are more projects that need be accomplished before it.

I am also planning to continue writing my (semi) autobiography; or maybe a start another personal book project and publish it in 2010. Well, I am still looking forward to finishing the curriculum for young people so we can start writing study and  modular materials.

Priorities. I have already mentioned a lot about my ministry and plans. But this year I want to prioritize people; mend relationships. I have become more focused with work last year and least about family, friends and myself.

I want to give more time to them this year. I want to reconstruct my relationship with my mom and make us closer to each other. Praying, though, that she will learn to treat me more like a grown up and not her baby anymore.

My boyfriend and I is also trying to have more time together. Honestly, I just put him aside last year in place of meetings and projects. Though he did not complain, not once, I just realized that we need more time together. Time with him could be considered time with myself.

For my friends, I think I need to catch up with them; or maybe look for them. I already do not know where they are, what they are doing or whatever they are in. Perhaps, I need to attend one get together or to ask them for a dinner or whatever.

Something New. I also want to try something new each month — travel to new places, do new activities, eat new food, try a new line of clothing, or whatever new to me. That I think can give me extra motivation to go on.

Part of this something new is my desire to learn playing the guitar. There are a lot of people around me now who can teach me. I really want to set aside time for it. This is a new craft for me; something I should have learned long time ago if only I was determined.

Rest. Of course, this is one aspect I almost did not have last year. I want to have more time for it this year and I am promising myself not to tire it so often. I have been always sick and still harvesting the fruits of my not being a good steward of myself.

At the end of the year, I want to travel and have a vacation!

Read More, Write More. I have not accounted how many books or journals I finished reading last year but I know they were not many. This year, I am expecting more. I also want to write more, more than what I am writing in the office or from clients but something to enhance my skills and share a lot to my readers. I have started writing in Filipino at Pinoid. Hopefully, I can also regularly update my blogs.

This could be a very promising year; and I am praying that it will indeed be. Many are the plans in a (wo)man's heart but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails, says Proverbs 19:21.