If I have a yearly publication of books accounting my life's experiences, the thickest one would be my Life in 2009. Personally, I have encountered various happenings which enabled me to become more responsible and capable not only for others but also for myself. There are things which I have encountered for the first time, and basically achieved victories which I didn't imagine to have before. Everything now has become possible not because of my own strength or abilities, but entirely of God's guidance and revelation of His purpose for me as a person.
That is why twelve months back, I conceptualized a list of plans and targets to be accomplished for the year 2009. It has since then called my 'Nine Priorities for 2009' or 949' for short. Stemming from its name, I listed down nine priorities which I have to achieve for the year. eventually, it became a budding success as well as challenges for me strive harder and do more than what I intend to accomplish. It has also become my testing ground so I can determine my strengths and weaknesses and how I will improve my planning strategies for the coming years.
On this issue, I will be giving to you my accomplishments, as well as my dreams which remained so due to several circumstances.Now, without further explanation, I'll let you see my record for the past year and give you freedom to express your thoughts on my planning strategy.
1.RELIABLE INTERNET CONNECTION = DONEThis has been my dream for over a year. I thank God for providing me resources for this to become a reality. Last March, we have connected through Broadband and presently enjoys unlimited web connection. The frequency of usage of our home computer has dramatically increased. Now, even my parents enjoy using emails, web forums and social networking sites everyday as there are no problems encountered during connection.
2. SERVICE AREA CONSTRUCTION = HALF-DONESince 2008, I have raised this issue with my family, as per my mom's request to have another lavatory wherein she can use especially during cooking time outside our home. By the beginning of that year, I have secured the funds needed for this until I used it for more other immediate things like our Colgate Video Production. Sadly, it has been repeatedly postponed until early 2009, where I ensured this as my major priority project for the year. Inch by inch, the works are in progress until June, where plumbing for the Service Area and lavatory itself has been completed. Plaster works and finishes followed suit, but this has been obstructed due to Ondoy flooding so my budget intended for this has been diverted to other more immediate needs. It was only last December when plaster works and finishes continued, and up to present this is already in the works. You'll be surprised upon knowing that I made this project (esp. plastering & finishes) all by myself. This kept me busy when I have no work during holidays. The challenge now for this year 2010 is that the plastering finishes as well as tile works will be finished before first quarter (March) ends. This target is definitely feasible.
3. ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF LIVING = NOT FULFILLEDThe true meaning of this is finding a new job. Unfortunately, I still hardly find the right time (Tiyempo) to resign. Primarily due to my pending logbook to be signed my present employer. Last December, I finally decided to hand-on the resignation letter by February, as I will secure the Log-Book this January. Hopefully, everything will be fine since I am readying myself for the Board Exam which will be held this June. I really have to do this, or else, I will have a stagnant career in Architecture. I have to move. In local language, 'Wala nang Atrasan 'to!'
picture above courtesy of kitchenscience.com
4. BETTER COOKWARE: New GAS RANGE = NOT FULFILLEDOriginally, this is the partner project of Service Area Construction where the new cooking range will be housed in it. Unfortunately, due to lack of funds for this to materialize, it has been postponed until late this year. The cost of a reliable one is a quarter of P100,000 PhP. So definitely, this will need a separate funding where I really have to triple my efforts for this to become possible. Please include me on your prayer lists with regards to this long-time dream. Woohoo!
5. THE BENEFITS OF WORK = HALF-DONEI resume contributions on the SSS after more than a year of inactivity. Thanks to our accountant in the office, it has been included my payroll by since June 15 last year. Moreover, I am planning to place my voluntary contribution on Phil Health by September. Unfortunately, this has been delayed due to Ondoy tragedy which happened later that month. The next challenge would be the Pag-Ibig fund contributions but will be feasible only on my next job, since no such option is available on my present work so far.
6. VARIOUS SHORT FILM PROJECTS = BREAKTHROUGH!2009 will greatly be remembered personally not because of disastrous floods of September 26, but due to an unexpected overwhelming victory which I had experienced in relation to my latest love: video making. April last year, I won two separate categories under the Nescafe 3-in-1 Flick Contest after my entry: 'Taken' has been chosen over some three dozens of entries. I really did not expect this since I'm worried about the video quality of my entry. Moreover, I intend to prefer my second entry as more likely to win. I won the Best Video in the Advanced category and Best Poster of the same video. I received the Mac Book Pro Laptop and IPod Nano player as my prizes, respectively.
7. HELPFUL APPLIANCES= DONEWith the increasing need for household companions that I conceptualized this target for the past year. Initially, I had in mind a Rice Cooker and Ionizing Fan for the hot summer days. Unfortunately, target appliances have been altered by middle of the year due to budget constraints. It finally turned out to be three objects borne out of circumstances: First was the Electric Drill, which has been badly needed for the Service Area works; a camera Tripod, after my church mate broke the original one; and, Hair Blower, which was bought so that the books and other objects affected by Ondoy Flood will be dried up easily.
8. HOME DESIGNS FOR THE FUTURE = HALF DONESince 2008, I have been doing designs in line with the upcoming moves to extend and/pr refurbishes our house. As architecture graduate, I have drawn the plans by myself in correspondence with the preferred designs/styles of my family. Consequently, only one proposal has been finished. This is the Prioposed Reconstruction of Suyod Residence in Camarin, Caloocan City in which the perspective has been displayed in their living room. The proposal for extension of our house is yet in the pipeline due to several concerns which needed to be ironed. One of this is the option for the second floor to be rented. As of year-end it has yet to be finalized on the number of rentable spaces available for the second floor, as well as the size of the roof deck.
9. BOARD EXAM PREPARATION=IN THE WORKS!By the middle of last year, I have came into decision to take the board exam not by January 2010 but by June instead. This is in accordance with the preparations being facilitated for the first quarter of the year. There are still more other things to be accomplished so the board exam preps will be affected. On the brighter side, I have already bought new National Building Code book last July in order to beef-up my reviews. Later that year, news about new Arki Board Composition came true as the new head of examiners said that there will be no drawing problems for Architecture Board. However, this is not yet vague in terms of scope of exams to be in drawing type or in multiple choice.
