Goodbye 2020. Hello 2021.

Australian bushfires. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quit royal family. Kobe Bryant's death. Impeachment of Donald Trump. "Parasite" sweep Oscars. Harvey Weinstein verdict. Stock market crash. Trump. Black Lives Matter protests. Brexit. Kim Jong Un death rumours. Murder hornet arrive in US. Trump and his family. Swarm of Locusts in Africa. Beirut explosion. Trump and GOP. Chadwick Boseman's death. West Coast wildfires. Trump and his cult followers. Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death. Trump tests positive for COVID-19. Eddie Van Halen's death. Joe Biden becomes president-elect. Alex Trebek's death. COVID-19 vaccine finally approved. Philippine typhoons. And more Trump stories.

Just some of the big stories of the past year, "Year from Hell", as some would call it.

It is probably the worse year in decades but there has to be something good that came out of it. Maybe not globally, but, personally, I think it was a blessing in disguise.

Count our blessings.

Early 2019, after 10 years with my job, I've decided to resign to take care of my health. I travelled back to the Philippines, spent time with old friends and enjoyed the place, the food and the warm weather.

Coming back to Canada, I got accepted in a program under a Provincial Grant and NorQuest College. We were just starting our OJT when the lockdown was announced. It was confusing and daunting to be honest but now that I think of it, that was just what I needed!

During the first months, because I was technically still in school when COVID-19 happened, I was able to get financial assistance from the government like most Canadians. After which, I had to use my small savings. I didn't have that much, just enough for my needs but that was PROVISION.

Not only was I provided for all my needs, but I found much needed REST. How many of us were complaining that we didn't have enough rest? Couldn't get enough vacation to rest? COVID gifted us exactly that!

TIME. Lots of time. To think, to study, practice my music and my cooking/baking! Time for myself. Time to heal. Time with the family. Time to reconnect with friends and relatives even if it was just online. What was once a luxury, time became free! Free for everyone of us to grab.

And just when I was starting to worry about the coming year, having no work with small earnings from selling homemade Pastillas and Filipino dishes, I finally got a request for an interview! Like on cue, December 23, I had a phone interview. December 24, I got a job offer! Just before Christmas!

If that was not a blessing! I don't know what!

Of course, I cried. It was a cry of gratitude. Relief. Joy.

God is good. His timing is always perfect. He's awesome that way.

Last year was a difficult year for most of us but there's always something to thank about, right? We just have to find it, look for it. Nothing can be that bad. And nothing can stay bad...

So, goodbye 2020. And say hello to 2021! 😊