Two months past 2010 and it still feels like the year had just started. I am getting used to writing “2010″ on notepads and deposit slips, but somehow it’s taking a while for the “new year” feeling to kick-in. Perhaps Im still feeling the hangover from 2009. Last year, a lot of events and new things happened:

• I quit my Web Development job which I had for three years. It was a tough choice to make, but it turned out to be a turning point.
• I had my first “real” research experience with Dr. YiLu and SSIM Lab at Wayne State. This is where the “bulb” turned on. Doing both research endeavors at the same time was challenging, but was a definitely a blast.
• Learned so much from having too many sleepless nights working on Senior Design. Winning the Design contest was an awesome bonus
• IGVC Competition. It was great to pull-off a 15-minute impromptu presentation in front of experienced engineers. Among other things, driving a 10-ft truck full of expensive equipments, running on  rainy days wearing trash bags while carrying wireless joysticks, and making robots automatically avoid an obstacle course made that event very memorable.
• Finally graduated with my two Engineering Degrees… definitely one of the  highlights for the year.
• Going back to Cebu to visit my girlfriend whom I havent seen for 3 years. To see and touch her (again) was a moment I will treasure forever. The entire seven weeks was unforgettable. Although the plane tickets and travel money was a hard-stretch for a college student, the experience was priceless.
• Getting my first “real” job at Ford. Definitely a big change. I never imagined I would have so much fun working on an  IT rotation (given my engineering background)
• Going back to Cebu (again) to visit my girlfriend for the Holidays.. built memories and experience that were scrap-book / musuem worthy..

There were definitely low points throughout the year, as well. But they became learning experiences — opportunities for growth and of becoming a better person. I would not trade them for anything as well.

I have a lot of things I want to accomplish for 2010. And as I tread through the year, I look forward  to learning many, many more things and encounter more life-changing experiences.

As I get accustomed to writing “2010″ on my notepads and deposit slips, I hope it it turns out to be a year that is,  yet again, worth remembering.

Here we go!

From PhD Comics: Here’s a motivation to do your best, even when the odds are stacked against you..

I have been receiving enormous amounts of Spam from my blog lately. Comments have been temporarily turned off until an anti-spamming solution is found.

Update: Comments are now enabled.

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas! There is no place I’d rather be on Christmas than Cebu. I’m delighted to be here with my pLong pLong