New Year Savings Challenge

A new year has come. A new beginning for me and my so called blog. I haven’t been as active as I was due to mommy and wife duties. For a year I have set my focus mostly on my son, my husband and my work. Now that my son has turned a year old, I would like to try and get back to how life was, pre-baby. I have decided to try and setup this new blog with hopes that it would be easier to manage. I have a list of to-do’s for this year and to start off, I would like to share with you the challenge that I joined in – The 52 Weeks Challenge. This was initiated by the founder of N@W, otherwise known as Newly Weds at Work, in our Facebook group and as I would like to develop the discipline of saving money, I decided to join the Team 50. There are several teams formed – Team 50s, 20s, 30s, Reverse 50s, 20s and 30s, etc. – and members of the group are given the opportunity to decided which team they would like to join. I joined the Team 50s because I would like to maximize what I can save until end of the year. Just the other day I shared this activity to my husband and asked him if he would like to join. I thought it would be fun if both of us would do the challenge and just today, he decided to get on board. He has prepared our Excel sheet where we log in our weekly contribution and to see how much we have saved up. We have always been transparent with regards to our money/salary/spending.

The challenge starts with the participant saving/keeping an amount of 50 (or an equivalent currency depending on the participant how he/she would like to do it). This amount would increase every week with an increment of 50. So, for the second week, deposit/savings would be 100. This increment shall continue until the 52nd week. Same rule applies to Team 30s, 20s, etc.

Source

The Reverse 50s – which my husband decided to do – will start from the highest amount to be saved for the first week. So for this week, he’ll have to save Qr. 2,600. This amount will then decrease every week with an increment of 50 per week.

We’ve agreed to keep our savings separate to make it more fun. Fun in his vocabulary means that he would be teasing me if I forget to save my due amount or if he were able to save more than I. He would be keeping his savings in a separate bank account and I would be keeping it in a piggy bank (just because I think piggy banks are cute and childish and fun).

Have you got any challenges to take on this year?

New Year Savings Challenge

A new year has come. A new beginning for me and my so called blog. I haven’t been as active as I was due to mommy and wife duties. For a year I have set my focus mostly on my son, my husband and my work. Now that my son has turned a year old, I would like to try and get back to how life was, pre-baby. I have decided to try and setup this new blog with hopes that it would be easier to manage. I have a list of to-do’s for this year and to start off, I would like to share with you the challenge that I joined in – The 52 Weeks Challenge. This was initiated by the founder of N@W, otherwise known as Newly Weds at Work, in our Facebook group and as I would like to develop the discipline of saving money, I decided to join the Team 50. There are several teams formed – Team 50s, 20s, 30s, Reverse 50s, 20s and 30s, etc. – and members of the group are given the opportunity to decided which team they would like to join. I joined the Team 50s because I would like to maximize what I can save until end of the year. Just the other day I shared this activity to my husband and asked him if he would like to join. I thought it would be fun if both of us would do the challenge and just today, he decided to get on board. He has prepared our Excel sheet where we log in our weekly contribution and to see how much we have saved up. We have always been transparent with regards to our money/salary/spending.

The challenge starts with the participant saving/keeping an amount of 50 (or an equivalent currency depending on the participant how he/she would like to do it). This amount would increase every week with an increment of 50. So, for the second week, deposit/savings would be 100. This increment shall continue until the 52nd week. Same rule applies to Team 30s, 20s, etc.

Source

The Reverse 50s – which my husband decided to do – will start from the highest amount to be saved for the first week. So for this week, he’ll have to save Qr. 2,600. This amount will then decrease every week with an increment of 50 per week.

We’ve agreed to keep our savings separate to make it more fun. Fun in his vocabulary means that he would be teasing me if I forget to save my due amount or if he were able to save more than I. He would be keeping his savings in a separate bank account and I would be keeping it in a piggy bank (just because I think piggy banks are cute and childish and fun).

Have you got any challenges to take on this year?

In Memory Of

Today is my maternal grandfather’s birthday. He would have been 98 years old today. He passed away back in 1998; December 21st to be exact. It was the saddest Christmas ever. The other day, I was recalling the number of times we went home for Christmas when I was young and that was the only time I remember. He had hypertension and experienced 2 strokes. The second was the worst. We were bound to go home when he was hospitalized but we didn’t reach there on time. My mom was devastated. So was I. My parents were both OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) so I grew up with my grandparents. I was my grandpa’s princess. He was my protector.

Today is also my uncle’s birthday. He would have been 61 years old today. He’s my dad’s older brother. I remember calling my cousin when I found out about his death. My cousin was based in New Zealand back then. I didn’t know he was not yet informed and my call served as an alarm for him. I remember him crying hysterically and me saying sorry for unintentionally delivering the bad news. He passed away 2 years ago, exactly on his birthday, due to liver cirrhosis.

I offer prayers to this two men on this day. May their spirits be at peace.

Moved!

Finally! I’ve been asking Laviel to fix my blog site since last year and just last week, he was able to fullfil my request! I’ve been asking him for months and he was able to do it in only a couple of days. I have purchased a redirect upgrade from WordPress.com to automatically direct my very few readers to my new site and hopefully gain back my followers. Hihi! I’ll activate the upgrade in a week’s time but for now, you can click on the image below to visit my new site and click on the follow button, perhaps? Hihi!

Hoping to see followers on my new site soon! 😉

“I am just the same as anyone who has learned to listen to his heart: someone who stands amazed before the mystery of life, who is open to miracles, who feels happy and enthusiastic about what he or she does.” –By The River Piedra I Sat Down And Wept, Paulo Coelho

Transformations

“The world is being created and destroyed in this very moment. Whoever you met will reappear, whoever you lost will return. Don’t betray the grace that was bestowed on you. Understand what is going on inside you and you will understand what is going on inside everyone else” -Aleph by Paulo Coelho

 

Aim For The Stars: 2013 Goals

“First develop a strategy that utilizes everything around you. The best way to prepare for a challenge is to cultivate the ability to call upon an infinite variety of responses.” -an excerpt from the book Aleph by Paulo Coelho

I have been racking my brains out trying to convince myself these past months to set some goals for 2013 and actually make them happen. I need some change, I need some improvements and starting a new year would be the best time for me to begin. Luckily, while thinking about the goals I’d like to attain this year, I read this post from a fellow blogger on how to set one’s goal. Pretty helpful for someone like me who doesn’t know how to maintain resolutions they’ve set for themselves every darn year.  So let’s see what I’ve come up with this time.

Selecting goals

I brainstormed the major items on the top of my mind that I’d like to improve this year. I came up with these:

1. Exercise regularly and live healthy – because I’m not getting any younger and I want to be healthy if Laviel and I would decide to TTC. 
2. Lessen shopping and expenses – because I think I really have to control my spending. Seriously.
3. Stop accumulating garbage/junk and other unnecessary stuff – because I have there’s just too many things!
4. Get more organized – because of too many unnecessary stuff/junk, it’s a mess here. Don’t even try to imagine.
5. Stop being late and be more punctual – because time is running! Hahaha!
6. Buy a new phone (?) – because Santa forgot me again this year! Hahaha! Now this is just for fun.

According to the article:

“Only choose four if you really found four goals that excite you; one lukewarm goal could boycott three perfect ones by using up your energy and willpower. And: Only one of your goals should involve a habit change..”

So out of my list, I choose: 1, 2, 4 and 5. Goals 3 and 4 are the same, anyway.

Motivation

Now how do I get motivated? I have to think positive and be optimistic. I must try my very best to resist any urge to procrastinate on my goals. The author of the article/blog post suggests listing down the Pros and Cons of each goal:

Goal #1: Exercise regularly and live healthy.

Pros: I get to lose weight, wear pretty clothes, look better, live longer, conceive sooner, fewer worries about getting sick.

Cons: I have to eat vegetables I don’t really eat, I have to make an effort, I have to work hard for this, I have to push myself.

Photo source: Google

Goal #2: Lessen my shopping and expenses.

Pros: I get to lessen unnecessary stuff, save more money, have more money for more sensible things, be able to save up for a bigger project.

Cons: I can’t really think of any cons.

Photo source: Google

Photo source: Google

Goal #3: Get more organized.

Pros: There’d be more space in the room, easier to find things, pleasant view for the eyes.

Cons: I need to have more storage boxes or cabinets therefore more cost, throw away things I might need in the future, might forget where I placed things.

Photo source: Google

Goal #4: Stop being late and be more punctual.

Pros: Early in-early out, good reputation, looks good on record.

Cons: Sleep early-wake up early, move faster.

Photo source: Google

Let’s get the ball rolling

We have passed the predicted doomsday last December 21st 2012. Yay! Everyone was happy, some even celebrated I think. We survived the end of the world that never even started. But lo and behold, I just found out that there’s a gigantic meteor aimed at hitting earth about 3 months from now. Holy crap. With all hopes and prayers that the meteor changes direction (not actually back up because I don’t think that’s even possible), I really have to get things started. Today’s the 2nd day of 2013 and I haven’t started on my goals. I know it will take all my efforts to even begin one but I have to push myself. If the world will end (again) in 3 months time, I want to be able to say I did something and I made a change for myself and my lifestyle.

Related articles:

Writing Challenge: New Year’s Resolution (Doompocalypse Redux)

Goal Setting 101: How To Formulate New Year’s Resolutions

Adiós, 2012 – Aloha, 2013

An hour to go and 2012 is over and we welcome 2013. We don’t really have a special celebration here in Doha, especially now that we no longer have a New Year holiday. But it’s still exciting to end a great year and start a greater one. So before 2012 ends, I’d like to back track on the events that happened in my life.

January

• No holiday for us but I took 1 day leave. 
• Celebrated Mom’s birthday on the 9th with a dinner at Arirang (a Korean resto).
• Our office relocated at the new headquarters and the company gave us complimentary Godiva chocolates.
• Shopped during the annual Doha Trade Fair at the Qatar Exhibition Center.
• Participated in our company’s Fire Warden orientation.
• Clouds came down so low making the visibility in within the city almost down to zero.
• Watched a movie with friends.
• Celebrated Madel’s birthday.
• Went at the Qatar Motorshow. Had my picture taken with Bangs Garcia at the motorshow who happens to be in the country to shoot their new TV series.
• Punched the wall.
• Started with my DIY fabric flowers for the wedding with the help of my Mom.
• Inquired with Ysabela Florist for styling our wedding reception.

February

• Held the first DIY session with friends here at home. 
• Finalized my dress design and informed my couturier.
• Started on my DIY monogram project which became very stressful for me. Hahaha!
• Spoke to a fellow Girl Talk forum bride also based here in Doha.
• More wedding DIYs.
• Went to the annual Food Festival with friends.
• Slowly started my diet in hopes of losing a bit of weight.
• Attended the Ash Wednesday mass with Dona.
• Had skin rashes due to extreme dryness.

March

• More DIYs for the wedding.
• Went to Dubai for a 5-day training course. Spent time with my cousins, Don and Philip. Cooked pork adobo and pork sinigang (on different occasions) for the first time. Met with Girl Talk friends based in Dubai. 
• Went to Singapore after Dubai. Finally visited Sentosa Island with Laviel. Met with friends from college and Girl Talk friends based in Singapore. Scouted for wedding rings.
• Flew back to the Philippines with Laviel for another week-long vacation. Attended the wedding of Dad’s colleague at the same venue we booked. Went to Quiapo to buy stuff for the wedding. More wedding related errands and appointments. Finally saw a glimpse of my wedding gown. Changed hair color.

April

• Dad’s birthday.
• Went back to Doha after 3 weeks of being out of the country and out of office.
• Had wedding dreams: bridal gown finished, DIYs undone, friend’s surprise bridal shower..
• Bought more stuff for the wedding.
• More DIYs for the wedding, more experimental DIYs.
• Tried Casa del Gelato for the first time with Jemi.
• Got a new phone.
• Attended EDW and MGS family day with Mom.
• Participated in the company’s Fire Evacuation Drill as a fire warden.
• Finalized our wedding monogram! Yey!

May

• Wedding DIY, DIY, DIY. Addicted?
• Finally was able to join Weddings At Work Yahoo! Group. Thanks to sis Anna Lynne!
• Tried Magnum ice cream for the first time.
• Got goodies from London courtesy of Ella.
• Participated in company’s CSR program.
• Exercised with Mom. Whew!
• Experienced the Pearl Lounge’s beach party with Jem and Dona.
• Celebrated Mom and Dad’s 30th wedding anniversary at a restaurant in Villagio which I forgot the name.
• A huge fire happened in Villagio killing a number of children and adults. Devastating.

June

• Held the 2nd DIY session with friends at Farh’s place.
• Laviel bought our wedding rings! Wee! 😀
• More wedding DIYs. More stuff bought for the wedding.
• Some wedding documents were done.
• Laviel went home during the first week of June and took care of wedding errands. Found out we were a Chancery case as per the church. Wedding requirements got more complicated. Laviel got his suit.
• Finalized wedding invitation layout.
• Received the designs for the secondary sponsors’ dresses and Maids of Honor dresses.
• Had dinner at Red Lobster for the first time with friends.
• Received our VIP wedding invitation for distribution to VIPs here at Doha.

July

• My birth month! Supposed to watch a movie with friends but instead they surprised me with a bouquet of flowers and showered me with loose petals at the parking lot. Hahaha! Celebrated with office mates as well. 
• Had my first surprise bridal shower courtesy of my colleagues from work. Fun night!
• More wedding DIYs.
• Got my first Coach bag.
• Had my second surprise bridal shower courtesy of my high school buddies. Pyjama party! Yay! Awesome!

August

• Flew back home for the wedding. We had 1 month to go and still lots to do. 
• Saw my finished gown! Yay! First fitting done.
• Met with our coordinator almost everyday. Had food tasting with the caterer, finalized the details. Paid almost everything in full.
• Had our engagement photo shoot with BlacktieProject at Balai Indang in Cavite.
• Finalized all dresses for the entourage.
• Got stranded at Cavite house for 2 days because of Habagat rains. Terrible, terrible flood. Appointments got cancelled as if we took 10 steps back in our progress. Depressing. Although we got to find our something old and something borrowed during that time. Yay!
• Mom and Dad came home for the wedding.
• More details were finalized. More fees got settled.
• Had our Pre-cana seminar and Canonical interview on the same day. Done with all requirements for the church. Yay!
• Met with Girl Talk friends.
• Went to Singapore with Laviel for 3 days for short vacation and relaxation. Finally got to visit Universal Studios!
• Went to Bangkok, Thailand with Mom for 3 days. Visited Wat Po and other temples. Shopping, wee! Enjoyed Thai food especially Tom Yum!
• Had my third bridal dinner with college buddies. Imagine receiving scandalous and funny gifts in a coffee shop! Hahaha!
• FELL DOWN THE STAIRS! Huhuhu..
• More wedding props and DIYs finalized.
• Got our guest book album from Nice Print.

September

• Finalized everything about the wedding. 
• Confessed on the night before the wedding.
• The BIG DAY. Best day ever! So much happiness!
• Had a haircut! Finally!
• Went to Koh Samui, Thailand for our honeymoon. Did not expect it would be an adventure honeymoon, though. Hahaha!
• Had 2 family outings.
• Went back to being in LDR.
• Got our Same Day Edit from BlacktieProject after many follow ups.
• BlacktieProject posted some of our wedding photos on their Facebook page a week after the wedding, though.

October

• Supported and guided Ella through her heartbreak.
• Started a blogging challenge… Which I haven’t completed as of this writing. Hahaha!
• Tried Papparoti Cafe for the first time.
• Got a pink wig for Halloween which I never got to use.
• Exported media from Multiply account. Too damn much!
• Flew home to the Philippines for 1 week during Eid holidays. Laviel went home as well.
• Got our Marriage Certificate from the church and certified copies from the Quezon City municipality.
• Got the cds of our prenup, same day edit, and raw wedding photos from BlacktieProject. Got our raw wedding videos as well.
• Had my curls again and changed hair color.
• Experienced Seafood Island for the first time with the Dela Cruz family.
• Visited our lot at Town and Country Executive Village. Still there.
• Shopped at Greenhills. Visited Papa at the cemetery.
• Had gel polished on my fingernails and toenails.

November

• Back to Doha. Again.
• Saw an online feature of the BlacktieProject with our prenup photos. Hihi.
• Got a new bag from the company for the 5 years celebration of no Lost Time Incident of our group.
• Drove with Ella and her siblings to Al-Khor to visit Anja and Kynah.
• Started reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close novel.
• Mom received her 15th year certificate from the company. Attended the lunch event as her guest. Wonderful food.
• Dyed my hair by myself. For a more reddish color.
• Joined the W@W CCX activity. Got my gift from my buddy.
• Tried Kafe Ole for the first time with friends.
• Attended and coordinated the SSG family fun day at the Diplomatic Club. Had glitter body art and henna painting.

December

• Finished reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close novel.
• Watched the Avengers. Finally. Watched the Five Year Engagement. Pretty nice movie.
• Laviel resigned from work and went home.
• Started processing Laviel’s visit visa to Qatar.
• Bought my mini cupcake maker. Yay! Baked cupcakes from scratch. Needs improvement.
• Bought Mom and Dad a new laptop for Christmas.
• Waited for Santa Clause but did not come.
• Laviel’s birth month! Happy birthday!
• Papa’s 14th death anniversary
• Surprised Jemi with a cake. Had exchange gifts with colleagues from office and high school friends.
• Sent out my gift for my CCX buddy.
• Missed Kach’s wedding! Huhu, couldn’t come home.
• Girl Talk friend, Joycie and Rainier’s wedding done! Yay!
• Broke.

2012 has been amazing. It was a very exciting year for me with all the wedding preparations and the wedding itself. After the wedding I kind of had a depressing period where I couldn’t think of any goal or anything to do at all. But now that the year is ending, I’m pretty much back to being excited. Laviel will be here in January and we’ll finally be together as husband and wife. This is my something to look forward to. If 2012 was happy and exciting, we’ll make 2013 even more so. Though 2012 wasn’t all perfect, I’m still thankful for all the experiences and challenges. I am proud to have passed the year still standing strong. Scrap the Mayan calendar that indicated  the world would be ending this year. We’re past the deadline and we’ll be surviving more calendars.

For 2013, I wish for good health and a much more successful year in terms of career, family life and financial status for me and my loved ones. It excites me to think of the surprises 2013 has in store for me.

Weekly Photo Challenge: My 2012 in Pictures

 

Dinner date with Jae, Sweet, Kach and Angge. (Mar.’12)

Shopping with Mom at Platinum Mall, Bangkok, Thailand. (Aug.’12)

DIY table names for the wedding.

With the cutest kid at the Diabetic camp. (Feb.’12)

The pages of our wedding invitations.

Working out to get in shape.

My first bridal shower by SSG ladies. (Jul.’12)

Photo op with the “ladies”. Had fun watching their show! (Sept.’12)

The first time I saw my wedding gown. (Aug.’12)

Dinner with my best friend at TGIF. (Sept.’12)

Dinner at Padis Point Sumulong with Laviel. (Mar.’12)

With my pink hair. Hihi. (Oct.’12)

Posing with the SSG Olympic trophy. (Dec.’12)

First time to try Magnum ice cream.

Birthday celebration at Crepaway. (Jul.’12)

Bride alone photo shoot with friends. (Feb.’12)

DIY session part 1.

Approved tourist visa for my Dubai training. (Mar.’12)

Major shopping at Victorias Secret during sale. Hahaha!

First coffee date with the girls after the wedding. (Oct.’12)

Magnet collection on my fridge.

DIY felt fabric flowers.

Chinatown, Singapore. (Mar.’12)

Outside Cafe Ole. (Nov.’12)

Cooking pork adobo at Dubai. (Mar.’12)

DIY chocolates from Jemi.

Dad posing with our life size standee. (Sept.’12)

Mommy serious at DIY-ing. Hihi.

First visit at Mt. Carmel church. (Mar’12)

Playing with David. (Sept.’12)

Anniversary lunch with Mom and Dad. (May’12)

Getting better at DIY-ing the boutonnieres.

Bride alone photo shoot with friends. (Feb.’12)

Cold drinks at Starbuck Sta. Lucia with Jemi. (Sept.’12)

Big book of stuff for the Qatar National Day. (Dec.’12)

Bought my new toy. (Apr.’12)

Church with Jemi and Dona. (Jan.’12)

Late lunch somewhere at Koh Samui. (Sept.’12)

First fitting of my Mom. (Aug.’12)

My 3rd Bridal dinner with college buddies. (Aug.’12)

Meet up with Girl Talk 2012 Brides at Dubai. (Mar.’12)

DIY hair fabric flower hair clip.

The day we tried 4US Cafe.

My experience at the Boracay night club, Dubai. (Mar.’12)

Samsung wireless speakers. (Sept.’12)

Island hopping at Koh Samui. (Sept.’12)

The day I met Emmylou.

The day I collected my gown at the shop. (Sept.’12)

The Samui airport. (Sept.’12)

Daddy helping out with my DIY.

The day we got married. “You may now kiss the bride.” (Sept.’12)

Singapore, Chinatown bus stop. (Mar.’12)

Burger meal at the Pearl Lounge beach party.

We got stuck at home after the “Habagat” rains. (Aug.’12)

With Mom at Wat Po. (Mar.’12)

Our wedding invitations.

DIY crepe paper streamers for the wedding.

Madel’s 26th bday celebration at TGIF. (Jan. ’12)

At Lingam Shrine with Mom. (Aug.’12)

DIY lace fabric flowers.

Mom receiving her 15th year certificate from RG. (Dec.’12)

After showering on our wedding day. (Sept.’12)

My simple Christmas decor at the office. (Dec.’12)

Elephant trekking with Laviel at Koh Samui. (Sept.’12)

Special chocolates from Jemi.

Surprise flowers for my bday from my sweet friends. (Jul.’12)

Fire evacuation drill for the whole building.

Eating while Skype-ing with Laviel. (Mar.’12)

Coffee date after eating at the food festival.

DIY felt fabric flowers for the wedding

My visit at Singapore. (Mar.’12)

First order from E-bay! (Nov.’12)

Shopping with Mom and Dad.

Read and finished the book in less than 1 month. (Nov.’12)

Night out with Behringer guys. (Mar.’12)

Cloudy morning. (Dec.’12)

My hotel room in Dubai. (Mar.’12)

At Royale Gazebo with Kredz. Grand food tasting of Eloquente Caterer and meeting with Amaranthus. (Mar.’12)

Trying out Lenotre cafe.

Bouquet of flowers from RG family. (Sept.’12)

DIY session part 2.

Attended a wedding at Atrium with Laviel. (Mar’12)

The Atrium. (Aug.’12)

Silhouette photo by the BlacktieProject. (Aug.’12)

DIY nail polish.

DIY nail polish.

Mama’s 90th bday. (Sept.’12)

Double celebration: my birthday and tita Judith’s. (Jul.’12)

DIY wedding invitations.

Tita Judith’s bday celebration at the office. (Jul.’12)

From our CCX W@Wie buddy. (Nov.’12)

Chillis dinner with the gang.

Finally got our wedding invitations! (Jul.’12)

Working out to get in shape for the wedding.

At Cafe Ole, Holiday Villa with the gang. (Nov.’12)

Food festival at the Qatar Exhibition Center. (Feb.’12)

CSR activity at the Diabetic camp. (Feb.’12)

Living alone in Dubai. (Mar.’12)

Crazy friends showered me with loose petals at the parking lot! Hahaha! (Jul.’12)

Lobster meal from Red Lobster.

Experimenting with doilies for the wedding.

First time to cook pork sinigang at Dubai. (Mar.’12)

First time to try Gelato with Jemi.

Before releasing the doves. (Sept.’12)

Enjoying the band at a Koh Samui bar and resto. (Sept.’12)

Christmas gift from Jemi. (Dec.’12)

First fitting of my mother-in-law. (Aug.’12)

Glitter body art from SSG family fun day. (Nov.’12)

Lunch date with Jec, Kye, and Omi. (Mar.’12)

Henna painting during EDW-MGS family fun day. (Mar.’12)

Buboy falling asleep in this position. Haha! (Oct.’12)

Meet up with the college buddes at Singapore. (Mar.’12)

With my Lav. (Mar.’12)

London shirt from my best friend, Ella.

At Grandfather-Grandmother rocks in Koh Samui, Thailand with Lav during our honeymoon adventure. (Sept.’12)

Bride alone photo shoot with friends. (Feb.’12)

Lunch at King Bee Chinese restaurant with Mom and Dad. (Aug.’12)

Scouting for wedding rings.

Bangkok in the morning. (Aug.’12)

Our villa at Sandalwood resort, Koh Samui. (Sept.’12)

Tito Al and Tita Amy’s farewell lunch at Ponderosa. (Jul.’12)

A wedding gift from Jama and Burnz. (Sept.’12)

Meet up with Girl Talk 2012 Brides at Singapore. (Mar.’12)

Picture with my life size standee self. (Sept.’12)

DIY nail art with dotting tools.

SSG friends showered me papel confetti during my first bridal shower. (Jul.’12)

DIY fabric flowers for the wedding. (May’12)

Working out again.

At Sentosa with Lav. (Mar.’12)

Temple hopping at Koh Samui, Thailand with Laviel. (Sept.’12)

With the ladies during dinner at Singapore. (Mar.’12)

Family picture after wedding outing. (Sept.’12)

First night dinner at Koh Samui island, Thailand with Laviel. Honeymoon adventure. (Sept.’12)

Independent in Dubai. (Mar.’12)

First time to cook pork adobo at Dubai. (Mar.’12)

Laviel’s experience with the “ladies” after their show at Koh Samui. (Sept.’12)

Bday gift from Mom and Dad. (Jul.’12)

DIY Planter box for the wedding.

Having fun with the kiddos (Aug.’12)

Night out with Behringer people at Cuscaded, Singapore. (Mar.’12)

Scouting for Dad’s suit for the wedding. (June.’12)

My second bridal shower courtesy of my high school buddies! (Jul.’12)

Coffee night with the girls (Jul.’12)

Mom and Mama. Mama with her dress for the wedding. (Sept.’12)

Dinner at Noodle House with the girls.

First time to try out Red Lobster with the girls.

The night I decided to go red. (Oct.’12)

At the Reclining Buddha temple at Bangkok, Thailand with Mom. (Aug.’12)

DIY boutonnieres for the wedding.

At Boracay night club with May, Philip and Don. (Mar.’12)

Lav right hand driving at Koh Samui. (Sept.’12)

On our flight back to Bangkok. See you again Koh Samui. (Sept.’12)

Mom’s bday dinner at Arirang. (Jan.’12)

The day we went up the 49th(?) floor of our building.

Our Christmas exchange gift. (Dec.’12)

Light of Love visit with Kredz and Laviel. (Aug.’12)

Engagement photo session with BlacktieProject at Balai Indang. (Aug.’12)

Bride alone photo shoot with friends. (Feb.’12)

At 4US cafe with the girls.

First time to fit my wedding gown. (Aug.’12)

FInally watched the Star Wars movies!

Ash Wednesday with Dona. (May’12)

At Wat Po, Bangkok, Thailand. (Aug.’12)

At Seafood Island, Alabang Town Center with the dela Cruz family. (Oct.’12)

Waiting for check-in to open at Bangkok airport with Mom. (Aug.’12)

Movie date with the girls.

Visit at L’Aquinum Garden. (Mar.’12)

Day 27: A Physical Feature You Love

I can say I love my legs, but I feel my thighs are too.. Fat? But Laviel loves my legs. Hahaha!

I guess I love my eyes. It’s my favorite facial feature. I love the color of my eyes. I remember back in high school, a senior student used to ask me if I was wearing contact lenses. I always say no because: 1 – I’m not really wearing contact lenses and 2 – I have a pair of eyeglasses hanging on my neck or sitting on my head. Come on. Isn’t it that obvious?

Whenever I apply make up, I enjoy applying mascara and eye liner. Though I am not that good in applying eye shadow on myself. But it’s the feature I enjoy making up. And it’s also one feature that Laviel used to notice commend quite often. Hihi..

I really can’t elaborate more on this topic.