2011 = WIN

It's already 2012 - probably the most anticipated year in recent memory. It's the year we party like it's the end of the world. It's the year of the dragon!!! I'm really excited for what 2012 has in-store for me. I just can't wait!

I remember blogging last year that 2010 was just the beginning and that 2011 will be epic. And boy did the past year exceed all my expectations. The past year has been a BIG WIN.

2011 now sits atop my list and if the trend continues, 2012 will be way better!

So for this year, I'd like to call this year's list as victories because 2011 made me feel so blessed that it felt like winning a major pitch, hitting a buzzer beater, or even winning the lottery.

Ladies and Gentlemen, my personal list of "WINS" for year 2011.


1. Getting back into sports
I'm the type of guys who genuinely loves sports. I watch, read and at times blog about sports. More recently though, probably in the past 2 or so years, I've been more of a fan rather than an athlete.

During my senior year in college, I seldom played in our varsity games because I felt I was needed more as a coach rather than play shooting guard in a guard-heavy team.

Right when I went into the corporate world, I didn't get to do any sports for half a year or so. Part of it was probably due to my own adjustment to a new lifestyle as well as my overly loaded weekends in 2010.

In 2011 though, I got back on track with tons of sports activities - yes, believe it. I started playing basketball again - started off with January's StatWars in UPLB then the regular basketball mondays with the MWG boys. Next thing you know, we're playing in the Advertising League. Need to jot this in: scored a career-high of 12 points (on 4 three-pointers) during our last game against Publicis-Manila.

I also started running. Yes, running!!! haha! Did the MWG Walk the walk at Ayala Triangle, the ran 5k in Adidas KOTR and another 5k at Run United. Some jogging sessions after my weekend make up classes in UP as well. :)

Game against Fox

MWG Walk the walk

I just had to put this in - Azkals versus Sri Lanka WC qualifier

My first 5k

ayus!

Yeah, I did put on a number of pounds this year - but gaining back that drive to do sports was definitely a win for me. Looking forward to shooting more threes against the opposition as well as attending more running events in 2012.

2. New teaching gig
I've already blogged about this and yeah, I started teaching in a new school last June 2011. I got a lecturer position in my alma mater - the University of the Philippines School of Statistics. Last summer, I was  preparing for my 3rd term of teaching in DLSU - then all of a sudden I got the chance to do a demo class in UP Stat.

Next thing you know, I got an e-mail telling me that I had been accepted. I may not have been jumping up and down when I read the letter but man, that was one proud moment. It was already good enough that I had a teaching gig in DLSU. I was sort of having a great time already then look, I finally get the chance to teach in my alma mater.

Few weeks later I got a call that I had teaching load for the first semester. Awesome right? For two months, I was teaching twice a week in DLSU and twice a week in UP. All that plus my day job at McCann. It was tiring at times but hey, you guys know how I love teaching!

My Statistics 125 class

No, not everyone got an uno. hehe

3. A banner year for SugarStop
After starting out in 2010, I remember telling Marj that 2011 will be big for the business. Coming from the learnings we got from our first year, we did some tweaks on our product line and strengthened our marketing push. That big jump from 2010 to 2011 is definitely a win!

Jin, Marj & myself

That's me at Rockwell Urban Bazaar

Marj started doing customized cakes and cookies as part of our menu. Did she do it well or what? She was even surprised regarding how things turned out and how she got to discover a new forte.

Barnyard

Masterchef inspired cake

Briefcase + Necktie Cake 

Ano ba to? HAHA

We also got to launch our new online assets - our new Facebook page, Twitter, as well as our Tumblr - great job Jin!

you guys better check it out!

And we also made it on Appetite Magazine! Probably the highlight of our year!!!

We've come a long way guys!

I know that 2012 will be great and changes may come in handy - specially now that Jin also has a full time job as well. There is still a lot of room for improvement and growth. Looking forward to more ventures!

4. The MRM Dragons [my workada]
You might take notice, specially during the later part of the year, week in week out, I spend a lot of time with my officemates. Sometimes we can't help but call ourselves "losers" for having no social life and it seems like we're forced to spend our weekdays/nights with the same people! haha!

We had tons of lunch-outs and dinners this year. S&R pizza, Persia Grill, Gong Cha, Amber and Red Ribbon, are just a few of the reasons why I gained a lot of weight this year. HAHA!

at Fiamma for the MWG Townhall

My 23rd birthday in the office 

At Congo Grille - after IMMAP Summit

At CamSur - after Araw awards

Jim's birthday bash @ Relik

I'd beg to differ and spending time with these people has been worth it. Apart from all the good things that happened within MRM as a digital agency, such as new business wins, Araw Awards, and the coveted MWG Quantum Leap Award, it is definitely a win for me that I'm in a great situation where I'm good friends with my workmates. I feel blessed because of this. And of course, special mention to my closest friends, Pat, Amiel and Mabie (who already left MRM months ago but still hang out with us).

Core 4 in Tagaytay
(went there twice this year)

5. Sir Tonico Travels
Before 2011, I've only been out of the country once and locally, I've only been to Cebu, Naga, Leyte, Marinduque and Bacolod - the rest are all in Luzon. On top of all that, I've only been on an airplane for a total of 5 trips. Yes, 5!!!

For 2011, I've been able to travel more versus the first 22 years of my life. LOL. I'm very thankful that I've been given the chance to go to a lot of places in 2011. I was able to go to three new countries. I got to travel locally a couple of times - both by land and by air. :) This is probably a late entry to this list of wins because it was only during November and December when the trips piled up. At one point, I was in the airport for three consecutive weekends! Talk about jet-setting! Haha!

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
with Amiel, Lulu and Pat

Apple Store at Hong Kong

That's me taking a picture of myself
(yes I went there alone to visit the MRM HK office)

Extended my stay there by going to Macau for the weekend 

StatWars @ UPLB

Tagaytay Highlands with Mabie, Amiel and Pat

Batangas Road trip for Mikko's Grad Party

That's me chillin' at Boracay - went there with Marj!

Pico de Loro with my college barkada

Tagaytay / Nuvali with my passwords

CamSur with the MRM dragons

Puerto Prinsesa with Mikko, Han and Tin

Tagaytay again with Core 4 :)

Anvaya Cove in Bataan with the family

Wow. Only now do I realize that I went out of town at least 10 times this year! It's been a great adventure for me this 2011 and I'm hoping to continue exploring more places this 2012.

I'm so thankful for everything that happened in 2011. I may not have been able to achieve everything I planned to (yes, I sort of made a number of resolutions for 2011 and I'm not that comfortable posting it here. haha!) but I have been blessed with the gift of family, friends, career, extra-curriculars and a whole lot more unexpected ones. 

2011 is definitely one big win for yours truly. Cheers everyone!