New Year's Resolution for 2013

I didn't know you have to pay for the picture until I was 100 meters away.

Hats down to this guy, he laughed off the horse's kick.

My horse, Black Beauty

2012 may be a total bitch, but for 2013, things are looking up as my year began with me riding a black horse that almost killed me. We were supposed to gallop in the white sand beach as the sun rose out of the east horizon with our hairs whipping in the air and the clear blue waters splashed in the background. That was the plan. We got there on the 31st in the afternoon, but the horses were out and the owner said that the horses are more relaxed in the morning when they're refreshed and had their rest. With the British owner of the stable agreeing that we go there by 6am of January 1, 2013...me and my brothers left for the Horse Stable at 5:30am. With the rain pouring in the night on the 31st, the streets were flooded, but we arrived around 5:30am anyway. We sat and waited and waited...and around 6:30, the very drunk caretaker who promised he won't be drinking came in with red eyes and a zigzag walk. He kicked the other caretaker who will be our guide to wake up from the floor. They were both a mess but I wasn't about to give up on that perfect shot of me riding a black galloping horse on the beach with the hair and all!

I was giddy to know that the black horse was awake. His name is Black Beauty. Right before riding him, I brushed his mane all around...he seemed nice. The moment I rode him, he kicked the intoxicated caretaker on the stomach...how painful if was, I couldn't tell because he simply laughed and slapped the horse after the kick. As we were about to leave, Black Beauty went almost berserk. I said an awful lot of bad words that moment. Riding him was one of the scariest thrill and the scariest horse ride of my life. Ever. I couldn't control him, he wouldn't budge, and he was not afraid of threatening me to fall off his back. We passed cliffs with a drunk guide and a very grumpy horse. My only prayer? I don't die on new year's day.

So, under very bad conditions and rising tides, we didn't make it out on the beach. I wasn't very disappointed, I was more relieved that I get to mount off the horse sooner than planned. At least riding a black horse named Black Beauty is off my bucket list...the beach on a horse thing is still pending though.

And since I made it through the first day alive, I've come to reflect on what I want this year to happen in my life:

1. Feel Younger

I went home from Boracay with a terrible body pain. For crying out loud! I'm feeling far older than my age! So, I need to gain back the vitality I once had when I was...well I can't really recall when I felt younger than my designated age, but this year is a good start.

2. Reach a 6-digit Savings Account

This was actually last year's one and only New Year's resolution...didn't even make it half-way. This year, I'm more positive about making it happen. Swear!

3. Well...two resolutions is all I could handle. So for my third resolution, it's actually to make my two resolutions happen. At least I'm being realistic about it because I couldn't even fulfill that one single resolution I made last year.