2010 in a nutshell.

Dear 2010,

You've been a crazy year. I'm sure this applies to a lot of people. There are many reasons to be thankful for what you've brought about, but at the same time there's also plenty of reasons to be pissed off at you. I've had my fair share of trials and tribulations with you but I can honestly say that I don't blame you. There are many things that I've learned from you. There are many things that I picked up from the pain you've brought about but also many good memories from the smiles you've brought to me.

I started with a trip to Bangkok with my dear radio family, a new adventure for me since I've never been there. I had plenty of kilig moments even if it cost me an arm and a leg to access the internet just emailing about flashes of lightning and talking about turtles. You taught me that sometimes things don't work out for a reason, sometimes people are really in your life for a different purpose.

You revived my ability to write. You taught me that whatever I felt would be better expressed written and that more often that not things that are unwritten should be let out in the open. You taught me that letting it go is as simple as being honest with what you really feel. You taught me that there is much happiness to be had when you see happiness in other people. You taught me the real meaning of being selfless.

Then you gave me new opportunities, you gave me something new yet again. You gave me a TV show to host which I'm amazingly proud to be part of. You gave me new friends and a new challenge, something to build up on and something to improve at.

Then you took me to a cloud, you brought me up so high. Met new friends along the way. You gave me hope, you gave me something to believe in. You inspired me and you reminded me that I can still feel that way about people. You reminded me of what it's like to have faith, to believe in something you can't even see, to fight for something that you truly think is worth it.

Then you brought me back down to the ground teaching me that opening up entirely is something you should be more reserved about. You taught me fear, you reminded me of trauma and you reminded me that life doesn't always work out the way you want it to, no matter how hard you believe in it or no matter how hard you fight for it. You taught me that there are some battles you can't win. You taught me about the ABCs of love and that no matter how painful it can get more often than not you will still give way. You will still learn how to forgive despite how unforgivable the situation may seem. You taught me that love doesn't always have to be a two-way street and that in REAL love you just give way to what the other person wants and it won't always conform to what you need.

But from the ground where you brought me to, you helped me up. You taught me that no matter what, friends will always be there for you. They will stand with you through thick and thin and that they will support you no matter how hopeless you may seem to them. They will always have your back as long as you're in the right path and that they will give you advice even if you don't seem to pay attention to them. You taught me that even when other people consider them as your "competition" friendship will always trump work. You taught me how important friends and family can be.

You let me realize that I have brothers from other mothers. Family that I've never known before and true camaraderie in the guise of laughter and insults.

They say that you should end the year right to start the year right....

At the end of this year, I will spend New Year's eve alone on the helipad of where I live watching the fireworks all by myself because if there's one thing that this year has taught me it's that I should learn how to do things on my own and I should learn to be alone.

At the end of year 2009, I was wishing for one thing. I was wishing for my next great love to come along. I was hoping for her to come around and I was hoping for a companion to go through life with. In the year 2010 life didn't give me what I asked for, instead it deemed that I should get COMPANIONS to go through life with. It may not be what I asked for but it's something of equal importance.

As this year comes to a close I will no longer wish for what I wished for in 2009. I just wish that I have the strength to stand on my own and that I learn to appreciate the things that I already have and the people who are already with me.

With that, I say goodbye to you 2010... I thank you for the lessons you have taught me, the people you've brought into my life and the trials that you've given me. I say goodbye to you with a smile on my face not because I'm glad that you're over, but because I'm glad that you've left me several lessons which I have yet to learn. I will greet 2011 with a big resounding hello and I can only hope that it's as great as you've been to me.

Love, Gino.