The Obligatory New Year Post

A lot's been happening these past few days. I don't really want to elaborate, but let's just say I feel like a rubber band that's being stretched to its limit (emotionally AND physically). I don't know if this particular band will snap or if it will go back to a roundish shape (though definitely, no longer the same).

And since I'm fresh from reading on Erik Erikson's fascinating psychosocial stages (EDCO 101, great subject as an elective!), I'll use his theory as a basic framework for this "the-year-that-was" list.

1. Trust vs. Mistrust: If 2006 was the year I experienced Betrayal, my experiences in 2007 taught me that there are still so many wonderful people in the world. My faith in humanity has been restored, my original optimistic nature along with it. I am thankful for new friends in the arnis club, in my college, and I hope that these relationships will last even after I graduate from UP. :) These new friends have made a huge impact in my life already, even within our short acquaintance. I can say I'm a better person for having met them.

2007 was also the year that I learned (the hard way) to trust myself less and trust in Him more. I can say that this is the biggest life lesson I've learned this year.

2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt: 2007's allowed me more opportunities to "spread my wings," though not as many as I'd like. Still, I can now proudly say that I've been to a mall all by my lonesome for several hours, and loved every minute of it! Haha. (Don't snicker... it's quite a big thing for me.)

I thought it would be scary... but it wasn't. I became intimately acquainted with said mall's layout, its bookstores, and enjoyed a hearty lunch while people-watching.

Thankfully, not that many "shameful" moments. Though I still think I need to work on my recitation skills. A lot of times I miss out on scoring pogi points with the prof.when he asks a question, and I THINK I know the answer but I decide to err on the side of caution instead of blurting it straight out. Then I get to find out that I was right after all. Sayang. I'm scared of making mistakes. Overly so. I must be more outgoing this 2008.

Oh yes, I DID get a good dose of healthy shame in October. A mirror was held up to me, exposing my flaws and sins. It's "healthy" because, when I look back to that night, I am renewed in my commitment to live a better life, for His sake.

3. Identity vs. Role Confusion: 2007's experiences clarified a lot of things for me, like the fact that I enjoy BOTH performing and teaching and would be perfectly happy doing both, though I feel that teaching would be infinitely more fulfilling in the long run. And I believe that our country needs teachers more than it does performers, in my chosen field.

4. Intimacy vs. Isolation: Early in 2007, there was this boy... well, nothing came out of it (and good thing, too!). I'm only glad that God protected my heart from being bruised too badly.

Isolation isn't such a bad thing. In 2007 I discovered just how much I enjoy being alone. :D Haha. Loner!!!!

Happy New Year everyone!