My 2012 Kaleidoscope Diary

2012 was such a great year for me though there were hardships and challenges. It's not easy but at least I am very happy. I will make a summary of the most memorable dates for the year..

10 January
I opened my own Blogspot account.

03 February
Goodbye braces, hello retainers!

18 February
I started training at a free sing/dance/acting workshop along E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave., Quezon City.

24 June
Grand recital... I would never forget my solo performance as Olivia Newton-John and sang one of the theme songs from Grease which is "Hopelessly Devoted To You".

09 September
My bestfriend and I saw each other at Trinoma to celebrate her birthday. I was only the two of us but we were so happy that time. I gave her 5 gifts including a birthday card and a Precious Hearts Romances pocket book. Hope we see each other again soon because I suddenly miss her.

05 October
I turned 23 with a special smile on my face: HIRED!

10 October
First training day as store operations officer.

26 October
I watched Princess Velasco as she launched her latest album "Acoustic Princess II" at Eastwood Open Park. I bought her CD, let her sign it with my name, and took a picture with her .

07 November
Shopping galore at Etude House SM City North EDSA The Block! I splurge PhP 2000 from my training allowance to receive a gift: SHINee Diary!

11 December
My sister, her husband, and her son went home to have a vacation for 16 days.

13 December
The company's Christmas party! It's our branch's night because we won two awards: Best Branch and Best Presentation. Plus our senior stylist 2 grabbed most of the special awards. The memorable moment? I surprised the employees with my solo performance which they knew that I was a shy type of person, but when I was on stage, I was a different person. I performed SNSD's "The Boys" (which I almost perfectly danced the steps for more than a year -- it's my favorite KPop song of 2011!) and Hayley Westenra's "Always With Me."

14 December
It was SHINee's Onew's birthday. But my family celebrated the post birthday of my first nephew at McDonald's Quezon Avenue. In addition, I received my first salary.

21 December
End of the world? Nah! It's the wedding day of my brother! I became a secondary sponsor. It was my first time and I didn't know how I put the veil at the bride's side. But at least the wedding coordinator helped me.

24 December
Christmas rush! Well, I just bought a gift for my sister-in-law at Etude House SM City Manila. At the same time I also bought other products there to receive a gift from my favorite Korean brand. It's Kiss Note!



Also, 2012 was a year of music. All genres make on top, whether it is KPop, OPM, or others. Here are top 10 of my favorite songs from KPop, OPM, and outside Asia that were released this year.

KPOP:

10. Secret "Poison"

Well, I don't like the girl group Secret. But when they released the song "Poison", I'm starting to like them. My bias is Sunhwa. She's really pretty. Their MV was different apart from their previous hits like "Shy Boy".

09. Psy "Gangnam Style"

It's very addictive song. The horse-riding type of dance made history in the world. Even Hollywood stars like Madonna, Britney Spears, and David Hasselhoff did their own Gangnam style. The MV featured 4minute member HyunA.

08. TaeTiSeo "Twinkle"

A sub-unit of Girls Generation which showed the vocal prowess of these three pretty girls Taeyeon, Tiffany, and Seohyun. It's a cute dance, featuring the octopus step. The MV featured the members of EXO.

07. f(x) "Electric Shock"

An electrifying hit from these five talented girls. They're under SM Entertainment label that's why I like them. My biases are Luna and Amber.

06. Big Bang "Fantastic Baby"

I was attracted on TOP's line "Boom Shakalaka". The stylish guys of Big Bang released their latest album called Alive. I suddenly liked TOP in the MV because of his blue hair.

05. CNBlue "Hey You"

"Goodbye darling Hey You, oh my darling Hey You" and "Duruduru durudu blah blah, duruduru durudu no no, once again back again, beautiful beautiful beautiful one day" were the memorable lines that I got addicted to it. Yonghwa is my bias but I was surprised that CNBlue Jonghyun is very close with SHINee Jonghyun.

04. Jessica & Krystal "Butterfly"

It's an adorable song from the drama series "To The Beautiful You" which sung by the Jung sisters from SM Entertainment. I anticipated the Korean version of Hana Kimi which turned out to be the best among its versions from Taiwan and Japan. Other song from this soundtrack that I also like is Stand Up by J-Min.

03. Super Junior "Sexy, Free, and Single"

After Kangin released from military service and before Leeteuk entered the army, Super Junior released their 6th album called Sexy, Free, and Single. Actually this song was as addictive as Mr. Simple.

02. BoA "Only One"

Self-titled and self-composed by the KPop queen which was released last July. I like the song so much though the choreography was so complicated. But when it comes to her MV, I like the drama version more than the dance version.

01. SHINee "Sherlock"

"Oh I'm curious yeah!" When I heard this line, I sang along with this five shining boys. I turned Shawol after I noticed Jonghyun. Then when To The Beautiful You aired, I suddenly attracted to Minho. Well, I memorized the steps by watching the MV many times; same with what I did when Girls Generation released their song "The Boys".

OPM:

10. Never The Strangers "Moving Closer"

Theme song from a toothpaste commercial. When I hear this song, I want to feel how to be in love with that special someone.

09. Sarah Geronimo, Gary Valenciano and Somedaydream "Tuloy"

Theme song from a soda beverage company. The collaboration of this country's Popstar Princess, Mr. Pure Energy, and phenomenal rookie artist of 2011 was awesome.

08. Gloc-9 feat. Ebe Dancel "Sirena"

An inspirational song for third sex. All must treat each other equally, whatever your gender is.

07. Christian Bautista and Angeline Quinto "In Love With You"

A nice remake popularized by two of the top singers of recent generation. I thought this song was from a movie or a drama series, but it's not.

06. Martin Nievera and Vina Morales "After All"

Theme song from a drama series A Beautiful Affair starring Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz. Their chemistry on-screen was already a decade though they're not lovers in real life. Though I'm not a Bea-John Lloyd fan, but when I hear a theme song from any of their drama/movie, I easily remember their love team.

05. Erik Santos and Angeline Quinto "Suddenly It's Magic"

Theme song from a movie produced by Star Cinema starring Erich Gonzales and Thai actor Mario Maurer. Their version of a Cunnie Williams original was so fresh.

04. Sarah Geronimo "Anak"

The 2012 Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Asian Artist-Philippines sang a modern pop-rock version of a Freddie Aguilar original that's included in her latest album called Pure OPM Classics.

03. Kamikazee feat. Kyla "Huling Sayaw"

A funny rock band collaborated with RnB princess in a nice track under Kamikazee's recent album Romantico.

02. Sarah Geronimo "Bakit Pa Ba"

One of the Philippines' music royalty released her own version of RnB prince Jay-R original. I like her version.

01. Parokya ni Edgar feat. Frank Magalona and Gloc-9 "Bagsakan"

The original of this song was rapped by master rapper and Frank's father Francis Magalona. I really liked this song and admired the rapping skill of Gloc-9.

OUTSIDE ASIA:

10. B.o.B. feat. Taylor Swift "Both of Us"

Kinda hiphop song, but I just want Taylor's chorus part.

09. Justin Bieber "Boyfriend"

When I watched this music video, I started to like Justin. It's because of his new look and I realized how handsome he is, unlike before during his debut single Baby was released.

08. Carly Rae Jepsen "Call Me Maybe"

The phenomenal song of 2012 before Psy's Gangnam Style. A lot of video parodies made but I would never forget Justin-Selena's (USA) and Anne-Georgina's (Philippines) versions.

07. Demi Lovato "Give Your Heart A Break"

The song was released in early 2012 by this Camp Rock star from her latest album Unbroken. Though I like her first released track from the said album more which is Skyscraper, I idolized her because she survived those controversies.

06. Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa "Payphone"

My favorite song from Maroon 5. The chorus part is very addictive.

05. Taylor Swift "I Knew You Were Trouble"

Included in her recent album Red, though its MV was released in late 2012. I love her songs that she released, including this one.

04. Ke$ha "Die Young"

Sexier Ke$ha with a wild side. I'm very addicted to this song. I like her since she released her debut single TikTok.

03. Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars "Safe and Sound"

Theme song from the blockbuster movie The Hunger Games. Though the music video didn't feature the clips from the movie, but the necklace that Taylor's holding at the middle of the video was a sign that the song was included in that movie soundtrack.

02. Katy Perry "Wide Awake"

My favorite song from Katy Perry. I noticed her fabulous purple hair. The song is very inspirational, indeed.

01. Taylor Swift "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"

A heartbreaking but a happy song. I love the music video and her red lipstick, in relation with her latest album Red.



It's already 2013. I'm hoping this current year would be as good and nice as last year.



(Photo credits used as marked in this article. Click the picture for source.)