My 2017 started a bit rough, but I had a vision that at the end of my 2017, I'd be able to achieve my dreams by graduating nursing and passing the board exam. And now, I can finally say that my goals are now my reality.

I am going to post less photos as of the content of this blog, because I want to express more on writing. The photos will be on the last part.

Welcoming 2017

When we were buying ingredients for our "handa"-(food prepared for special events), I received a text message, that my extended family from my father's side wanted to see me, cause they have a new year's present for me. I became so excited, that after we got home from buying stuff, I directly went to where they are.

When I arrived there, people were busy preparing for the new year and my cousins were all dressed up for the dinner(a pre-new year celebration cause we're going to celebrate new year in our own homes), I was so happy cause I saw my cousins who were now living in Singapore and in the US. I haven't seen them in a long time, cause last year's new years eve, I have to spend it on the next city, which my grand dad is being confined for cardiac failure. But right now, I finally got to see them.

They had "Sinugbang baboy"(grilled pork) prepared for our gathering, some of us even went into the pool while drinking some alcoholic beverages (My favorite is Tanduay rum), so we proceeded to our eating, and after that the gift giving. I got 3 shirts, 1 swear shorts, bunch of chocolates, and even cash. It was indeed a good new year's eve.

Then finally, time to partways with them. I have to celebrate my remaining hours of my 2017 with my mother's side of the family.

When I arrived, my cousins were already lined up to beside the table, and they were eating "Lechon kawali" (a crispy pork, boiled and then deep fried to perfection) it was superbly crispy and delicious. I directly went and dig in with them. Oh, heaven!

After we had a lot of "chikas"(chit chat), I felt dizzy, as if I am having a vertigo. I don't know what happened, so I went to my room, and lie down. I was so nausseated that i forgot to turn on the airconditioning unit.

At 10 pm I woke up, grasping for air(gosh, am I having a sleep apnea?), then I noticed that I am sweating so bad. So I'm kind of scared.

My family were celebrating down stairs, I can hear them singing. And thought, O they are doing the karaoke. I felt a little bit envious cause they are enjoying. But I have to revitalize myself. So I drank a glass of water and, took a bath. I was freshened up, but still a little dizzy, so I have to induced vomiting just to clear out some undigested food inside my stomach.

Again, I decided to go back to sleep, I forgot that 1 hour and 30 minutes from now it's already 2018. So went to sleep, and then suddenly, my mom came inside my room and hugged and kissed me a happy new year, shoot I was so glad my mom remembered me, I almost missed the new year. So I hugged her back, and went outside, in the terrace, to see some firework displays, but I forgot, my city is under martial law, and fireworks are banned. So for the first time in the history of iligan, it was so quiet, a deafening silence was felt, it's as if I'm living in a whole new era.

Nevertheless, our family's new year made it extra special. My neices and nephews went out, ang blowed their "torotots"(whistle horn), and my cousins, they were dancing the whole time, then I turned the music volume to the fullest, we were so happy, that finally a new year has come into our family, and.new hope was formed.

I came to realize, that new years are aint about having firework displays or fancy preparations,but it's about being with your family and welcoming the new year together. It was our love for each other that made the noise, and it was our extravagant laugh that enlightened our celebration. My my, just moments ago I felt like dying, and with just one hug and a kiss, evrything went okay.

New year, 2018, new beginning, the year when it's time for me to earn for myself, and do some soul searching.

I know I was ready for this. I dreamed for this moment. "I am now ready and prepared to face the world". Ahhh, another chapter.

I am excited for the new challenges that I have to beat, and how my God, Jesus Christ will delivet me from it.

Here's question: Are you ready for 2018? Are you ready to take on the world?

Participate in @anomadsoul 's 2017 contest.
Here's the link: https://steemit.com/my2017/@anomadsoul/my-2017-welcoming-the-new-year-contest-250-steem-in-prizes
Thank you @blocktrades

Here's some pictures: