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Farewell 2014

I know that this round-up is a week late.  How can I let it pass when it has brought me countless memories?

It was a year of trials.  There were times when our household had to survive with one house-help.  It was in Q3 when I found out that the my most-trusted store supervisor was stealing from me.  Business was unstable.  Kids getting sick at the same time, specially when I couldn't be there to care for them.  Javi was physically abused by newly-hired nanny.  There were lots of late night meetings.   Monthly budgets barely covering expenses.  Lessons were learned, tears were shed BUT I have moved on.  I never realized I could overcome all those despite the judgement and opinion of envious individuals (wink, wink).

It was a year of travel.  A summer trip to our favorite shopping destination during summer.  A trip to the World's Cultural Capital and it neighboring countries spear-headed by the ACS took place in Q3.  It came with sight-seeing trips to Montserrate, Sagrada Familia and The Cova in Manresa. There was also a weekend trip to Singapore for the THREE Festival in Q4.  I must not forget that eye-opening trip to Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. I must have been out of the country for a total of 8 weeks.  It was difficult adjusting to my companions but it was fun.  I really am fortunate to be open-minded about things unfamiliar to me.  It made me love my own life even more.  I'm also quite blessed to have a husband and a set of "baby-sitters" (commonly known as Lolo and Lola) who support my decision to travel.

It was year of rekindled friendships.   A couple of those trips brought us closer to friends from decades ago.  We may be living in different continents but we haven't changed much, only for the better.  We are just surrounded by better tasting food as a result of our improved purchasing power.

It was a year of deep faith.  I haven't clung to my Superior Being as much as I did in the past few months.   I just had to raise it up to Him and let Him do the work.  I felt His love and providence just when I needed it most.  I learned to deal with those trials by letting Him fix it for me.  I also learned that I had to do the work and not leave Him with all the work.

Farewell 2014, you've been great to me.  You will be remembered with fondness.

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