Happy New Year!

It's new year once again.  It's 2018! Our earth has been living for 2,018 years!

I am writing this short post just to let my readers know that I am still alive! 😋😁  It's been quite a while since I have updated this blog.  Even my FB page.  I was quite busy with my work life last 2017.  Really busy.  I never had the chance to update my blog.  I have a few pending and draft write ups but I wasn't able to finish it.  Hopefully this year, I'd get or should I say I will allot a little time to update my blog before it becomes "dead" (they say blogging is dead and vlogging is in)!!!  But whether its dead or not, I will still continue to write, whatever I please and whenever I have time.

Thank you everyone for continuous support on my blog and FB page.  I will still continue to provide information and share experiences whether on travel, beauty, or whatever, here in my blog.

See you in 2018!  Happy New Year!

Change The Way You See Happiness

What makes a person happy?  I'm sure the most common reply that you will hear is that being with their loved ones, family and friends makes them happy.  Or maybe for some, you will hear materialistic responses like chocolates, flowers, shoes, bags among others were the things that will make them happy.  There is nothing wrong with that.  Anything that will make them feel good inside or anybody who can make them smile can be factors that makes a person happy.  But happiness is not limited to the material things that you like nor the people that surrounds and loves you.  There are little things that can bring happiness into your life.  Those things that will make you change the way you see happiness.

I'd like to share some of the few shallow things that makes me happy.  

Sunset - I just love sunsets.  Whenever there's a chance, I try to take a picture of it whether on the streets, on the beach or even when I'm inside the car.  I get a little frustrated when I am not able to capture the beauty of the sunset as seen by my naked eyes.  But nevertheless, I get fascinated on the outcome of my pictures even just using a mobile phone.  This is happiness.

Boracay Sunset

Sunset in Thailand

Sunset in Bolinao, Pangasinan

Capturing sunset in a moving car

Nasugbu, Batangas Sunset

BGC, Taguig Sunset

Sunset in Bantayan Island, Cebu

Capturing sunset again while inside the car

Photography - No, I am not into photography but I love taking pictures!  I do not have plans of making or shifting a career out of photography though.  I do, however, do a little research on how to take nice shot or what cameras (or even mobile phones) can best suite my personality and love for photography.  I took mostly nature shots and night shots. I know my pictures are just basic but when I get some compliments on it, it already makes me feel happy.  This is happiness.

Tinuy-an Falls

Siquijor

Apo Island

Malaysia

Enchanted River

Event in Circuit Makati

Nemo in Moalboal, Cebu

Batangas restaurant

Instax taken in Mactan, Cebu

My cute niece

Artwork in a restaurant in Boracay

Golden fields in Mariveles, Bataan

Fireworks show

Fireworks show

Kabiang Tunnel

Instax capture of our wedding

BGC street at night

Boracay Sail

Blogging - Eversince high school, I already love to write.  I even tried to take up Journalism in college but I ended up in an Engineering course.  My passion for writing has not ended until I put up this blog last January 2011 just to share to the world my thoughts and experiences mostly about my travels.  It really makes me happy when people find my blog useful.  This is happiness.

You see, there are really more than just family, friends, love ones, and material things that can make a person happy.  With our fast-paced and stressful life to some, one can discover various things that can change the way they see happiness.  Even the smallest things can change the way you see everything.  Just like Huawei's new mobile phone, the Huawei P9.  With its cool camera features, it will feel like you have a camera with a smartphone attached.  This will change the way you see mobile photography.  Huawei P9's camera is co-engineered with Leica, one of the world's most respected names in the photography industry.  It has dual lenses at the back where one lens shoots exclusively black and white while when both lenses are used, a DSLR-style shallow depth of field can be produced.  This can definitely change the way you see mobile photography.  It is a mobile phone but with features similar to DSLR when taking photos.  With its 2 lens camera, you can set the depth of field of your shots which has the same effect as changing aperture of a DSLR.  Result, photos will be high quality and users will be able to take amazing monochrome, slo-mo, colored, light painting photos among others.

Living in this world could take you to a lot of challenges and experiences.  But seeing life in a different perspective can make living worth it, so enjoy every bit of it.  Live life to the fullest!

My 2012: A Review On The Year That Was

Looking back to the year 2012, I can say it was fulfilling and exciting than the year 2011.  But if I categorized each event of my life, there are pros and cons to the year 2012 as compared to my 2011.


Beach Trips
Since I love the beach, I see to it that I get to visit at least one beach per year.  But that's too little.  It is seldom that I only get to the beach once per year.  The most beach trip I had was I think year 2010.  That's where I get to visit Ilocos, Coron, Puerto Princesa, Davao and Camarines Norte (Calaguas Island) for the first time.  For 2011, I get to visit the beaches in Quezon (Dampalitan Beach, Borawan; unfinished blog) and Zambales (Magalawa Island) plus I get to trek again in Mt. Romelo where we visited the Buruwisan Falls.  It was also the same year where I traveled solo in Davao, mostly work related but I get to visit some parks and malls.  Last year, I only visited two new beaches: in Bolinao, Pangasinan and in Lobo, Batangas.  The rest of my beach trips were just revisits.  I get to visit Davao again on my own, this time I stayed longer and had a relaxing vacation (unfinished blog).  It was unusual for me to visit a beach twice in a year.  Last year, I get to visit Anvaya Cove in Bataan, Samal Island in Davao and Boracay Island twice.

Other Travels
2011 was when I first get to travel outside of the Philippines.  I get to visit Taiwan and Hong Kong for the first time.  Last year, I revisited Hong Kong with my family and also get a side trip to Macau (unfinished blog).  But it was the same year when I traveled almost every month, whether it be like a 2-hour drive away from Manila or a 2-hour air travel from Manila.

This 2013, I hope to visit Singapore or Thailand.  I plan to have at least one international trip per year.  For the beach trip, I'm hoping to visit El Nido, Surigao and revisit Calaguas Island and Cebu beaches.

Work
I was promoted in 2011.  The same year, work loads were a lot compared to 2012 since I was still part of the event committee for our group where we organized team building, christmas party and vendor's night.  In 2012, my work were more challenging and I get to travel out of town (Subic and Davao) because of my work.  Since our company is continuously growing, I'm expecting more work loads this 2013.  I'm hoping that I'll continue to do better and excel even more in my line of work.

Family
There's no other wonderful time spent than with your family.  2012 was such a blessing to my family since we get to be complete during the holidays.  It was the first time my brother spent Christmas and New Year with us after 6 years.  Although his job gave him at least 2 months vacation in the Philippines, there's always a slim chance for him in spending Christmas holidays in the Philippines.  Last 2011, my sister gets to stay here in the Philippines for good.  But my other sister then got a job opportunity to work abroad in year 2010 so she wasn't able to join us during 2011 Christmas season.  Thus, our family were incomplete then.  Last year, my other sister resigned from her work abroad and decided to stay here instead.  She came back last November while my brother came home last October.

Love
In 2011, I can say that I'm not 100% ready to commit yet.  Although I'm dating, I haven't found someone whom I think will be my match.  But last year, I found him.  That time, I know I'm ready for commitment.  We've been together now for 7 months.  Hopefully our relationship will last.  Because of this, I'm happier now on the matters of the heart than last 2011.

Friends
Last 2011, one of my best friends went to California and stayed there for good.  Good thing, we're still keeping in touch.  The same year, a few of my friends got married.  In 2012, additional friends got married.  And those friends who got married in 2011 already become parents.  I had additional 2 goddaughters last year.  Funny thing is that both have the same birthdays! So I don't know how I'll split by body to attend their birthdays in case both celebrated it at the same date.

In the year 2012, I also get to meet more new friends.  I tried to acquaint with few bloggers but I haven't meet them personally.  Other new friends were mainly my boyfriend's friends.  I get to meet and bond with them thrice last year.    

Health, Beauty and Fashioin
Just like in the previous years, I'm still the same shopaholic!  But last year, I get to spend mostly on sale items.  With that, I get to save more in 2012 than in 2011.  In terms of my health, luckily I don't have that much sickness in 2012 than in 2011.  I also tried eating healthy last year but I know I wasn't really successful on that.  In terms of beauty, I noticed that I seldom apply make up and buy make up products in 2012 as compared to 2011.  Maybe because I tend to focus on eliminating pimples last year, which I believe was somehow successful. 

This 2013, I'm hoping to eat more healthy foods, exercise regularly (meaning going back to the gym to eliminate fats on my tummy!) and keep my skin healthy and pimple free.

Passion
I'm passionate about writing.  I started blogging last 2011.  I've got a total of 65 blogs for the year 2011 while only 45 total blogs for the  year 2012.  I admit that I seldom write blogs last year.  My average was just 1 blog per month.  I become busy most especially when I already have a love life *teehee*  My free time was spent with him since we only get to see on weekends.  Also, my writing jobs were less last year than in year 2011.  I no longer get to apply for writing jobs last year.  I'm hoping that this year, I still continue writing and updating my blog.  Most especially when I know that my blog can somehow help people get tips and information.  I hope I can write anything blog-worthy at least 1 every week or 2-3 blogs per month. 

Overall, I'm still happy and content with my 2012 even if some events were better in 2011 than in 2012.  Just like in the previous years, I'm grateful for a wonderful 2012, most especially my family is complete and I had a love of my life.  Life is more meaningful if spent with people you love.  Those were great blessings I've received which were abundant and beyond happiness.  I hope it will still be the same for 2013 or even better.

Thank you for being part of my 2012.  Thank you also for your time to visit and read my blogs.  I hope you continue to do so this year and in the coming years.  Cheers for the 2013!

The Blogger In Me

I missed blogging.  This month has been a very busy month for me that I am always tired when I get home from work.  Before, I still get the chance to blog after office.  Now, it seems like I am only able to write on weekends.  Except now.  I just feel like writing.

I don't really consider myself as a blogger.  Well, I'm not really sure what does a blogger mean.  But I'm pretty sure I love to write.  I know I can speak well of my mind through writing.  Besides, many complimented me that I type fast with little errors.  That's why having a keyboard is still an important part of my blogging.  I tried blogging through mobile and it's kinda difficult.

Anyway, I don't actually know what will be the content of this blog.  I'm not even sure if the title fits it.  I'm just sad that I haven't been blogging, even quality and interesting blogs for my followers and readers to read.  It seems like I seldom go out nowadays which can enable me to share experiences on that free time.  I think that's the problem, I don't have that much of free time.  Sometimes, I would want to quit my day job and concentrate on writing.  My passion.  But with so much responsibilities, I don't think I'm ready for that.  That's why for now, writing is just my part time job.

I envy those bloggers who have that luxury of time, writing more than one blog in a day.  I envy those bloggers who get special invites to prestigious, if not, worthy events that is of an interest to the blogger.  In turn, they will blog about the event, a way of advertising.  I envy those bloggers who are sponsored to blog about their travels, photography, etc.  I envy those bloggers who get to meet fellow bloggers which can eventually lead to friendship.  And finally, I envy those bloggers who are able to generate income through blogging.

That's the blogger in me.  I'm not saying that I'm an envious blogger.  All I'm saying is that, this is what I perceive a blogger should be.  Not really should but that's what bloggers do.  And that's what I wanted to do.  I want to participate in events and write about it.  I want to gain more friends/bloggers so I could learn from them or even exchange blogging experiences.  And of course, it will be a plus if I can earn through blogging.  I remember when I was still young, I wanted to become a journalist.  I know journalist interviews people, go to general activities, events, situations, etc. and write a report about it.  I guess that's also what a blogger do nowadays.  That is what I want.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     I know I can also do all of these if I have time.  Hopefully soon.  I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my followers, commenters and readers from all over the world.  In my 11 months of blogging, I now have 7k+ visitors and counting.  Thank you.  It may not be a huge number to be proud of but its enough for me to know that indeed, people still find time to browse and visit my blog.  Thank you!