2012 was quite a busy year. I was able to go to Europe, start a new and exciting job, and meet a lot of wonderful people. Before the end of the year, I was even able to sneak in one last trip abroad, and, get this, conquer my not-so-little fear of scary rides by riding a roller coaster (albeit one without loops). This year, I want to top those feats, and make 2013 my best year yet.

For starters, I need to prioritize some of last year’s unrealized goals. I also need to take a good look at some of my old but destructive habits and make a sincere effort to change them. So far, I think I’ve been able to make progress, but unless I put my resolutions in writing, I’ll never move all the way forward. So, to fully commit to my 2013 New Year’s resolutions, I present to you this list:  

Like many teenaged girls with a taste for fashion, drama, and kilig-inducing moments, I got swept into the Gossip Girl craze when the show first hit television screens in 2007. A TV series about the scandalous lives of affluent, well-dressed teens in New York City? Sounds like an obsession waiting to happen. Naturally, I became hooked.

While attempting to balance my studies and social life, I waited with bated breath for each episode's new developments. Would Chuck and Blair finally make their relationship public? What would Jenny do next? What's Serena hiding from her friends? Those were just some of the things running through my head as I watched those early episodes.

Unfortunately, while I absolutely adored the first season, I found myself losing interest in the plotline during season 2. Finally, Bart Bass's supposed death did it for me—I couldn't take the drama anymore, so I stopped watching altogether. But while I lost track of who was sleeping with whom in the Upper East Side, I managed to keep an eye on what our favorite (anti) heroines were wearing. With fictional wardrobes any style-hungry woman would die to get her hands on, there was no denying that Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen are two of the TV world's best dressed characters. In Gossip Girl's five-year broadcast, these two made our stylish hearts ache week after drama-filled week.

We’ve all heard stories of how a friend of a friend was mugged in a cab, jeep, or bus, but can those stories prepare us for when we actually find ourselves in the same situation? In my experience, not really, not when you’re already right smack in the middle of it.

On December 3, 2012, I found myself in a most distressing situation: inside a cab with two men declaring a hold-up. I had been on my way home that night and was supposed to take a bus when, out of the blue, I decided to hail a cab instead. Since I was already along EDSA anyway, I thought it might be easier to get one right there instead of waiting in line at a taxi stand. That was mistake number one.

I flagged down a cab, gave my directions, and climbed in the back seat despite it being so dark inside. That was mistake number two. As the driver sped along EDSA, I noticed a cockroach creeping toward me. After a surprised yelp, I politely told the driver that there was a cockroach inside the cab. By this time, I was already quite distressed, and a part of me just wanted to get out and hail another cab. After silently debating with myself, I decided to just endure the rest of the ride. That was mistake number three.

A few minutes later, another man jumped out from the passenger seat and I screamed. I stopped when they told me that they only wanted cash and that I wouldn’t be hurt if I complied. By then, the accomplice had already transferred over to the back to sit next to me. He took my mobile phone and my bag and told me to close my eyes.

As he rummaged through my things, I tried to think of a plan. None of the options I had in mind seemed feasible from my end, and I could tell that they were trying to distract me by threatening to kill me and by asking lots of disturbing questions. After maybe 30 to 45 minutes, they dropped me off at a bank in Fairview. Of course, the second guy accompanied me to it, and I was made to withdraw a bit of cash. Shortly after, it was all over.

This incident has been reported to the police, and it is unlikely that I'll forget about it soon. Being trapped inside that cab is possibly one of the most terrifying and surreal moments I’ve had in my life, and I’m grateful to still be alive. Every day, I pray that these men get caught, so they wouldn’t be able to victimize anyone again. Until that day comes, however, I’ve compiled a few things to watch out for when riding a cab:

The holiday season is upon us, and I'm giddier than ever. There's something about bright lights, colorful decorations, and upbeat Christmas songs that instantly lift up my spirits. Christmas has always been a big deal for me, and I'm determined to even make it more special this year. After all, this year marks my first Christmas as a wife, so I'm hell-bent on thinking of ways to make it even more memorable for me and my husband.

A couple of nights ago, I told my husband that we should have a Christmas tradition, although I really have no idea what should it be. In fact, while I'm all for making the holidays memorable, I'm still mulling over on what should we do for the holidays.

I do have a vague idea of things that we could do for the holidays, and here are the top five things in my to-do list (which I have yet to discuss with my husband). How about you, what are your plans with your man this Christmas? Do leave a comment below!

(Screencap from Serendipity courtesy of Miramax Home Entertainment)