How are you doing?

It feels like a lifetime since I last wrote a blog entry and I truly, honestly miss it. I miss the times when this online diary consumes every bit of my being. I will go to this blog, read past entries, and just be in awe of the memories I have through the years. 

Blogging is a huge part of my life. It contributed to where and who I am today. As I welcome 2023, I’d love to take another chance at this. To blog just like before, be happy, and share what I can share. 

Through it all, thank you for being with me and thank you for 1 million pageviews!

And since I’ve been missing in action last year I thought it’d be great to share with you the events of my life as the very first blog for 2023. Let’s take a walk down the memory late, month by month, highlighting the noteworthy events of 2022.

January 2022

January was a big month for me. I spent 10 full days of approved personal time off to visit my parents and sister in our province, Eastern Samar. The last time I was in our province was 2018 and I was with my whole family. This time, it was only me and my eldest sister. And what makes the trip extra special is that it was a long road trip. 

As I mentioned in my 2021 Mid-Year Life Update, my parents and youngest sister moved out of the house to live in our province. It’s been months since I last saw them so it was indeed a great moment.

Moana moments at Sulangan Beach, Guian Eastern Samar

Had a coffee at Borongan Bay

Family photo at our farm

Calicoan Beach, Guian Eastern Samar

Sunset at Guian, Eastern Samar

February 2022

Date with Nica

Nica has always been a constant companion of mine and I treasure the time where we get together over coffee, a meal, and a lot of life updates. This was our first time meeting for 2022. 

Got my Delonghi Espresso Machine

In December 2021, I attended a Thanksgiving blog and media event. I won one of the games and the prize was a Delonghi espresso machine. As someone who loves coffee this is one of the greatest things ever! I was able to claim it the first week of February and it was awesome.

Camping trip with the siblings

For the very first time I experienced day trip camping. My sisters and I went to Serenity Farm San Miguel By D Studio in San Miguel, Bulacan. 

We arrived at around 8am, set up a car camp, roamed around the place, slept a little, ate lunch, had coffee in the afternoon, and went home. As much as we wanted to go for an overnight stay, I had a paid webinar I needed to attend. It was a great experience all in all and something I wish we can repeat. 

March 2022

The month started with me meeting my Coffee Monday Barkada. The Coffee Monday Barkada is a friendship built from my previous job. We were hanging out over coffee every Monday and it’s there that our friendship grew. 

We met in BGC, had lunch in Tim Ho Wan and coffee as well. Of course it was filled with life updates because aside from Nica, I haven’t seen the others in years. 

My Niece’s Baptismal and First Birthday

March was quite eventful starting with the arrival of parents back in Manila. We had a lot of celebrations in the family for March with my Niece’s first birthday, my parent’s wedding anniversary, and my brother and nephew’s birthdays. 

Before March ended we also had a new fur baby in the family! Yay! My eldest sister adopted a new fur bundle of joy. 

April 2022

Spontaneous Pampanga trip

I always love our spontaneous Pampanga trips. Grateful for my sister’s car and the provision to do impulsive road trips to the City of Pampanga. We had lunch at Aling Lucing’s Sisig, a must visit whenever you’re in the area. 

Years ago my eldest sister and I also went to Pampanga. Click here for my 2D1N Pampanga and Hot Air Balloon experience. 

In June I celebrated Father’s Day with my siblings. Since my father is staying in the province we had to video call him instead to do proper greeting. Writing this I can’t help but miss my Papa.

July 2022

Date and Ikea Trip with Friends

Went on a lunch date and IKEA window shopping with my friends from my previous work. We ate at Manam and went straight to IKEA to roam around. It was a great day.

Quezon Memorial Circle

It was my first time in Quezon Memorial Circle and what made it extra amazing was the dogs were with me. I didn’t know Quezon Memorial Circle was that good. The huge open space is perfect for bonding with the dogs and there’s the great steak place where we had dinner.

Last day at work

July also meant my last day at work. Leaving a job I’ve been in for the last five years was definitely hard but necessary. I said yes to an opportunity that is once in a lifetime and something I never even thought would happen. 

August 2022

Wais sa Buhay with Chinkee Tan Interview

August started a bit special as I had a rare opportunity to get interviewed by Chinkee Tan for a segment in Wais sa Buhay. It was streamed live on Pilipino Star Ngayon and The Philippine Star’s Facebook Page. Super grateful for the opportunity. 

Embraced being a Fur Tita

It was the first time that I was left with the dogs and I love it! I think it was the first time that I fully embraced my role as a Fur Tita. I never knew I could love dogs so much but my eldest sister’s dogs are just so adorable. 

These moments are just A-MAZ-ING

September 2022

Getting my Kindle

I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of months but I do love to have a Kindle. I shared about my plan with my eldest sister and was surprised she gave her Kindle to me. It may have passed me down but the Kindle still works well and it did help me read more books.

Date with Nica and Buying my dream bag

Yay for another date with Nica. We had a much needed life update date at Shang-rila, the first time we went there as a venue for our dates. We ate at Gino’s Pizza and had coffee at Starbucks. Nica also went with me as I bought my dream bag - a Longchamp Le Pliage. 

My very first Longchamp! Milestone!

Date with my cousin Shan and nail spa experience

The week after I got on another date and this time with my cousin Shan to celebrate her birthday. We met at Alabang Town Center, had a late lunch in Nanbantei of Tokyo, bonded over at a nail salon, and had coffee at Bungalow Cafe in Molito. I am lucky to have Shan as my cousin, she’s been my rock since day 1. 

Eating at Nanbentei of Tokyo! Yummy meal!

That's me and my cousin Shan!

Yay for manicure and pedicure!

October 2022

World Savings Day Financial Talk 

Got an opportunity to do a financial talk for Cebuana Lhuillier’s World Savings Day celebration. For the first time since 2020 it was a face to face event which made it more amazing. I got to speak with bloggers and teach them how to restart your finances. 

November 2022

Birthday at Sinagtala Farm Resort

I celebrated my birthday with a road trip to Sinagtala Farm Resort in Bataan. I was with my eldest sister and of course the dogs. We were there for an overnight trip and maximized the time by going a little early. 

We head on first at Tsokolate de Batirol ni Nanay Dory and had suman sa latik and tsokolate de batirol. After that we went straight to Sinagtala Farm Resort to have an early check in. We went to a nearby market to buy some supplies and had lunch in a Japanese restaurant on the way. Day 1 ended with us just relaxing in the place and getting settled in. 

The next day we went for an early walk around the vicinity. Sinagtala is a huge farm resort and there are plenty of activities you can do. We walked the dogs around and swam in the pool. After that we had to prepare for our trip back home. 

Once we were home my sister surprised me with a mini cake and I blew out a candle and made a wish.

Hello from Sinagtala

Early walk with the dogs at Sinagtala Farm Resort

At Barangay Tala

Happy 29th to me!

Boracay Trip

I also had my very first trip to Boracay. I went with my colleagues to celebrate Thanksgiving together. I was surprised at how amazing Boracay is. I had a great 4 days and 3 nights experience, free from work. We stayed at Station 3 and booked a hotel stay with free breakfast.

Hello, Boracay! Happy to meet you!

Tried the famous Boracay hair brading

Another Moana moment, this time in Boracay.

Solo date steak experience

When I went back from Boracay I was craving for some steak! That time my sister was still on her work trip abroad so I ended up spending a post-birthday celebration and went on a solo date at Stoned Steak Tomas Morato. I super love the experience. I am grateful how I can now afford to satisfy my cravings. 

Stoned Steak for the win!

December 2022

Got invited to Spotify Creator Day Manila

December started with a bang as I got invited to attend Spotify Creator Day Manila. It was a by invitation event for Spotify podcasters and those soon to be podcasters. I used to attend blogger events before and the experience will always be surreal. This time I was seated together with Hasna of Pinoy Big Brother! I also met Joyce Pring and couples Jim Bacarro and Saab Magalona. They were the main speakers during the event. 

Listen to my podcast here.

Super grateful for this opportunity to be part of Spotify Creator Day

Thank you to Spotify Philippines for having me!

Christmas gifts for myself - another Longchamp and Sony XM4

I had an early Christmas gift and ended up getting another Longchamp Le Pliage in the size small and color black. It was super pretty! I also bought a Sony WH-1000XM4 noise canceling headphone. 

Wearing the Sony XM4 while bonding with the dogs

My second Longchamp Le Pliage!!!

Super Show 9 Concert Experience

Met with Nica yet again as we watched Super Junior’s concert together! The concert was originally set to happen in August but one of the members sadly lost his dad the day before the event. With that it was postponed to a later date which happened on December 17. 

I love Super Junior and they are just the OG boy group to stan through the years. My bias is Ryeowook and I can’t help but admire his voice so much. I definitely had a great time watching the concert. 

Me and Nica getting our coffee fix right after the concert

Super Junior!!!!!

Celebrating New Year in San Juan Beach, La Union

For the first time ever we celebrated New Year away in Manila. We booked an Airbnb for 3 days, 2 nights and had fun together. I was with my sisters, my brother in law, and my niece during this trip. It was my first time in La Union and we even saw Wil Dasovich while we were walking on the beach front. 

Enjoying sunset in San Juan Beach La Union

Inside Baluarte Watch Tower

Getting my vitamin sea at San Juan Beach, La Union

Overall

2022 was indeed the year of transformation. I never thought I'd be able to achieve the very things I achieved in 2022. I am grateful to God for all the blessings.