17 things i am grateful for this 2017

Contrary to other posts I see, 2017 was extraordinary. I'm blessed to have plenty of things to be thankful. Here's a list of what made my 2017 extraordinary.

1.) UAAP S80

Training for this season was one of the toughest things I had to go through. I actually almost quit. Ready to leave, I told my dad that I didn't want to continue swimming. But somewhere somehow, I managed to rise up. Preparing for a comeback, literally blood, sweat, and tears were shed. My body was worked, my mind was assessed, my soul was tested, my whole being was pressured. But like they say, no pressure, no diamond. During the actual UAAP, more things were happening. Some bad, some good, some great. Individually, I had one of the best swims of my life however, we were not able to defend our podium, Going back, this season, I finally got out of the 28s and into

the 27s in 50m free with an individual silver. 50m fly was memorable too. I thought that after fighting to get a slot in it, I wouldn't make it into the finals. I cried so much in the cool-down pool, only to find out after a while that I managed to clutch my way in to the 8th place. My friends laughed at my emotionality tapos yinakap na lang yung katangahan ko.

Finding out I got in was probably one of the happiest memories of my 2017. I actually cried tears of joy. My almost gold in 50m back was also very memorable. From prelims down to the finals, this event was a rollercoaster. During prelims, I LITERALLY got fished by the officials when they stopped us using the rope due to technical difficulties with the start

horn. It ended that I had to re-swim the 50back at the end of the prelims which is immediately after my 50 free! When the time came, I was tired and drained, but I pushed through when I saw my team cheering me on. I swam my best 50 back ever and got the first seed. However, I failed to keep my momentum during the finals and got 3rd place instead. Nevertheless, it was a great experience and it inspired me to do better.

2.) La Salle Team

This season, the Taft team, including the CSB swimmers, became closer. Joey, Seb and Nica(See#14) became my closest friends this year. We cheered during NCAA and they cheered during UAAP. The DLSZ swimmers were also more present in my 2017. It was fun training with them in Alabang even if it was just a week. To highlight this stronger bond, through ups and downs, the DLSU Lady Tankers S80 had a great season together. No matter

what the outcome was, we overcame numerous challenges together and ended more united than ever as twelve hearts. I also enjoyed rooming with Anj, Joanne and Carla. Without them easing my nerves, I honestly think that I would not have performed as well as I did. Palakpakan natin ulit yung ilaw ay este yung isa't isa.

3.) Alnair, Maggie, Gummy, Lizzy and Lance

These people have been my constant companions and constant sources of inspiration. Lance who cheers me up in training, Lizzy being my personal radio, Gummy who takes us away from this earth with his out-of this world stories, Maggie being my little sister in the team, and Alnair doing what Alnair does, these people make my college life a million times more magical.

4.) BB Carla

The DLSU Lady Tankers only had one new member, Carla. I'm close with most of the women's team but I didn't have the chance to be with her that much 'cause I didn't train in school this season. When I found out she was my UAAP buddy, I was full of joy 'cause I would get to know her better. I thought I would be able to help her ease into her first UAAP, but it was the other way around. Carla was the breath of fresh air I needed. Maybe it's her charm, or maybe it's her aura, whatever it is, I am extremely thankful that she came into my 2017.

5.) Finally receiving a 100% scholarship from DLSU and Coach Evan.

For two years, my parents have been paying at least 70k for my tuition per year because my scholarship was just 75% (it was 50% during SY2015-2016). Every time I'd get sad about it, they would say that it was fine since we could afford it anyways. However, I still felt like a very heavy burden. Then, when S80 was about to close, I received the best Christmas gift from Coach Evan. He told me my scholarship went up. I was in actual tears. It felt like a whole year's worth of struggle was worth it and I would be helping my parents more.

6.) Feeling the tanker love from unlikely people

In the Green Tankers, we all love each other like family, even if we have our group of friends within the circle; so I told my self that I would do my best to hangout with my other teammates. After the season, I went out and celebrated with the others. However, I got a little (a lot) carried away. Red, Benzi, Maggie, Bea, Matt, Den, and etc, thank you for helping me that night. You guys were heaven sent.

7.) Water Polo Family

Not being officially part of the National Team roster for two years, you would think that the bond between the teammates would be hurt as well. However, these people make me believe na merong forever. I can always count on them to be there to make fun of me or tease me kay Boon or be abays in my parent's wedding!

8.) Rekindled bond with Davao Teammates

In Davao, the swimming community is not as large as Manila's. All the swimmers in Davao grew up together as teammates, oneway or another. Now, most of my friends are already swimming or studying here but even if they've been here since 2015, we hung out more this year and not just during UAAP. We did so much stuff. Like watching movies, eating dinner, or bashing each other 'cause their team won the UAAP Basketball Game 1.

9.) Driver's License

Okay, driver's resibo. But it's still considered as the same thing so I can use it. I'll pass by LTO next year na. Haha! Lol, last year, I got my Student's Permit then this year, I got the driver's receipt, next year naman, I'm getting my card na!

10.) Gained the confidence to post covers online

I'm shy. Really. HAHA! It may be hard to believe but I am. This year, I've been posting covers of me playing the guitar of popular songs while getting funny or good feedback. Recently I've been writing my own songs. I'm still gathering enough confidence to share those original songs but I know I'll get there. Check out my SC account! >>> soundcloud.com/daraclariza

11.) All the solid movies I watched this year.

I am sucha movie enthusiast. I love watching movies. Last year, the movies I was thankful for were Rogue One, Fantastic Beast, and Moana. This year, eto naman.

The Last Jedi: THIS. WAS. A. SOLID. STAR. WARS. MOVIE. okay???????? A lot of people are hating it. Wag niyo na lang panuorin kung ihehate niyo rin naman. I mean, just because you're so loyal to the original, it doesn't mean na kayo lang yung true fans. Ugh. Kainis. Okay, I'm done ranting.

Coco: From it's animation to it's story, Coco was beautifully made. I also enjoyed the Frozen short. Andami niyo 'ring prinoproblema. Eh natutuwa ng yung mga bata. Watched it also with two of my best friends so that was great.

Spirited Away and Up on Poppy Hill: Discovering Miyazaki was one of the greatest things I've done in my life. I can't even describe how much I loved his creations. It almost surpassed my love for Harry Potter. Chihiro's story was non-relatable. I don't even know why I love it so much. But, maybe it was because the story didn't contain any bad guys, or even

if it did, it showed that we all have good and bad in us. Up on Poppy Hill was just kilig. I felt the Luke and Lea moment when they thought they were siblings. I would like to thank my HUMAART prof, Sir Tim, for introducing them to me. Special mentions are Hacksaw Ridge, Stonehearst Asylum, and Bad Genius.

12.) My thesismates

As a transferee, going into school without blockmates, I had a hard time making friends that were more than just acquaintances. This year, I needed those "would-be" friends more than ever. We had to pick the people that we would be groupmates with until we graduate. And I could never thank enough whatever prompted me to sit beside those two guys over there early in the year because they became the brothers I never had. YU-SY is life. Also, midway through the year, Crissa joined our group. She was no less than heaven sent. For so long, you guys were with me through all the late-night thesis making. Thanks for keeping me sane. I love love you guys, kaya natin 'tong mga susunod na terms; hopefully, with less cramming. HAHA!

13.) CDSI Friends

Being LDR with your best friends isn't really the most ideal setting. So whenever I am in Davao or any of them is in Manila, we always make time to hangout. These people are the people I see who I'll still be with even when we're 70. I used to think that whenever I'm homesick, it would be the beaches, the food and the mountains that would satisfy my cravings. Turns out, it's them 'cause no matter how big we become or how great we are in college, I can always count on my high school friends to insult me and keep me grounded.

14.) Nica Cruz

I don't know what good thing I did to deserve a friend like her. A friend who I can trust, who I can lean on, to be there when I need a someone to talk to, and a person who would immediately hate the person I hate. HAHA! Nica was my person this 2017. Whenever something would happen, I couldn't wait to kwento it to Nica. I honestly don't know what my year would be without her.

15.) All my friends are safe from Typhoon Vinta

Exactly on my birthday, just days before Christmas, my home village in Davao was flooded. A lot of my friends live in the same village and were greatly affected. The picture shows our house, which is located in the higher part of the village. Imagine theirs. Luckily, they all came out safe and alive. Some even managed to greet me while waiting to be rescued.

16.) My Family

A lot of things happened for my family this year. My parents got married! (They were already civilly married but they wanted to have church wedding) It was absolutely magical. All of our family and friends went and partied with us. Another thing that happened is that my older sister moved out of our house to live with her long-time boyfriend. From living with her all my life, I would only get to see her once in a while. (JK, she works in our family business so I see her often naman, she doesn't sleep in our house nga lang) I'm very thankful for my family because with all the challenges I faced this year, they were with me. I can always count on my family.

17.) Mistakes turned to lessons

This year, I made more mistakes than the previous one. To name a few, I hid Smirnoff Bottles in my condo for my friend. Ang tanga lang diba? My mom saw it and scolded me. So I lost my condo for a month. I also lost some friends with my actions; lost the trust given to me. and so much more. This year, I will use those learnings to better myself. This year, I will be stronger but kinder, braver but more graceful, humbler but unstoppable. 2017 has been nothing but a rollercoaster. With all the highs and all the lows, I'm ready to take on 2018 with a clear mind and a fighting spirit.