Looking Back and Looking Ahead

I’m blessed to have a wonderful husband who enjoys reading books. I don’t have to purchase a book because I can always borrow his.

Recently, I got hold of one of his books entitled “The Know It All” written by A.J. Jacobs which he recently bought from Caleb’s—a bookstore with big discounts as it is closing shop  in January.

The author is the editor of Esquire Magazine who had this obsession to read every page of the Encyclopedia Britannica, a colossal feat that in his own words would entail him to digest 33,000 pages, 44 million words and 10 billion years of history at that!

Who among us would ever want to spend time to absorb such gargantuan amount of information especially at this time and age when everything can be browse in the internet? Well, that was A.J. Jacobs’ quest! Even his own family members were unconvinced that he could pull off this daunting task and finish the entire volume of the Britannica. After all he was like wishing for the stars and the moon.

But you know what? Jacobs’ book got me into real serious thinking. What about my own quest for 2010? Was I able to achieve it before the current year comes to an end?

At the start of 2010, I really wanted to do something different. Sure, I dabbled a bit in radio work in 2005, taught Nursing Management at University of the Pangasinan in the same year and had a good number of years working in the country’s former top hospital Makati Medical Center and a tertiary government hospital down south a few ages ago. But for 2010, I wanted to commit myself to achieving a goal I haven’t done before.

My 2010 quest was nothing as grand as the impressive exploits of A.J. Jacobs. My quest sprung from the fact that at the end of the year I honestly did not want to answer a friend’s query: “Kamusta ka na Ana?” with the classic response: “Ganoon pa rin! Parehas Lang! Ok lang!”

So, looking back, I guess I had a fruitful year. For one, this article is my 20^th for Mom’s Corner.  Embarking in the field of writing and maintaining this column was not only a viable endeavor but it was something that I discovered I passionately like doing.

As the year ends, my gratitude goes to my better half Butch, Pangasinan’s info chief, who continues to challenge me to explore new possibilities. Truly, he is the wind beneath my wings!

I want to take this time to thank him for encouraging me to pursue this endeavor.

But I tell you, I get jelly legs when my brod-in-laws -- who excel in this writing field – would tell me that they have read my column.

There’s Kuya Jun V. — columnist of an illustrious weekly newspaper in Pangasinan as well as consultant to the Philippine Information Agency -- who told me during the Martinez reunion last October that he reads my column. Thanks Kuya -- you inspire me.

Then there’s Kuya Dante V. -- now Transportation and Communications Undersecretary and formerly CEO of an award-winning PR-Adverstising agency in Makati who gave me sound advices on writing after reading one of my columns.

Also, many thanks to my publisher for being patient with me and for inspiring me through text messaging as I try to beat the deadline every week. One day I want to write as crisp and as flawless as you do, sir Behn!

I also would like to thank many of my co-employees at Dagupan City Hall, some of whom I just met for the first time, who would tell me that they have been reading my column.  I draw strength from their inspiring words. 

And there were other endeavors like for 2010,  I learned how to drive—a skill which made me appreciate the dexterity and quick decision-making prowess of those who cruise the thoroughfares everyday.

To Ma’am Emma Molina of the City Agriculture of Dagupan who urged me to try my hand in emceeing during the daylong symposium on maintaining the cleanliness and the viability of our rivers. A stint which led to another emceeing chore during the oath-taking ceremony for newly-elected barangay officials in November. Thanks for the trust and confidence, Mayor Benjie!

It does pay to have a goal at the beginning of the year. A goal serves as a roadmap. When one embarks on a quest, at the end of the year that quest serves as a measure from which a person can gauge whether he has achieved something worthwhile or he has remained immersed in a humdrum state of existence.

Another year is about to commence. I think my next quest would include simple tasks like learning new recipes, improving my newfound writing craft and getting involved in an organization advocating a social cause.

What about you? What could be your own quest for the year 2011?

You can email me at analouisejv@yahoo.com.