Describe the past few years in a single word.

2013: the Garden Year

That was the year I came back home from metropolitan Manila (after 5 years of staying there) to the provincial city of Legazpi. It was against my will but my parents had it their way. I was doing really well in class and was planning to settle in Manila but my parents told me that I was already skinny and needed to be taken care of. I gave in later on.

2013 eventually became an amazing year and I liken it to a secret garden where you suddenly realize that your hometown how so many beautiful and lovely things that you just can't see and experience elsewhere. Aside from the beautiful beaches and panoramic landscapes, the air is so much fresher than in big cities.

2014: the Jazz Year

While I love Jazz music, 2014 was the most terrible year of my life as it had some of the most unpleasant surprises. The only reason why I liken it to jazz music is the fact that, in the first half of the year, I felt like I was dancing to so many twists and turns to keep my life afloat.

2015: the Hotel Year

2015 was a recovery year to me. Many of the problems I had in 2014 were solved this year. 2015 was my Hotel Year because, from May to November of this year, I stayed in a hotel room and just enjoyed my life out while reviewing for the Bar.

The hotel is found in New Manila, a lovely residential district in the heart of Metropolitan Manila where I met so many friends from various places that I still contact to this day. A lovely year, over all.

2016: the McMansion Year

After recovering in 2015, 2016 ended up to be a much better year in so many aspects. I haven't fully recovered in 2015 so some of the problems stayed up until early 2016. I still have some problems left but they are now at manageable levels unlike in 2014 and 2015.

2016 was the McMansion Year because, on September 18th, we moved onto a new house my mother describes as a mansionette while Ands describes as a "McMansion."

Over all, it was a fine year. Many blessings came including new job (with so many career opportunities and growth) and, of course, a smooth-sailing review period. This year's Christmas had been one of the best if not the best. 🙂

2017: Party Year / Office Year

Depending on what happens this year, 2017 will either be the party year or the office year. Party Year if I pass the Bar or simply the Office Year if I don't make it. However, there's a bigger chance that I'll make it since 2016 had been a smooth-sailing year for me in so many aspects.