I know I am a couple of weeks behind. But, please allow me to do my annual round-up.
It was all about new beginnings, new experiences and new opportunities.
I didn't realize it but 2013 was still filled with trips with family and friends. It didn't feel like it towards the latter half.
In the first quarter, there was Hokkaido, the center of the Japanese Winter Festival. I was happy to experience snow once again. After 10 years, I remembered how pretty but inconvenient it could be. It was en route to Hokkaido that I experienced being disembarked at the snowy tarmac of Busan, with no warning. Walking in the snow was fun. Slipping on ice wasn't. Dressing up in layers, donning snow boots, drying skin, being driven in a taxi slipping on ice weren't my ideas of fun. I was glad to see that the THREE in Hokkaido trip reflect things we've started in TATLO. It just affirmed that we did something right.
Then there was our US trip. We didn't bring that much money for shopping but Sting's concert and our self-made Geek tour made all the difference in this trip. We also made it a point to visit Vic's relatives in Chicago, something we haven't done in our previous visits.
With the kids, we explored Singapore once again. We stayed at the Marina Bay Sands for the first time and went around Lego Land despite my swollen ankle.
For the summer, my parents wanted my kids to experience rural life. We went back to visit my mother's hometown in Antique. Our days were pretty simple. It started with trips to the beach. Some afternoons were spent tree planting and playing with farm animals in the backyard. It was survivable despite the heat. Thank God for satellite cable TV, 3G and iPads.
In April of the past year, we officially opened my first business venture. It was a huge risk considering the amount we invested on this. There were numerous opportunities to learn from and a lot of hair-pulling instances. But, with a lot of guidance and prayers, we were able to survive 2013. Thanks to a group of hard-working and supportive staff, I am able to balance home and work life. It is still an unending effort to adjust to people's varying backgrounds and personalities.
Since the business is still in its initial stages, there were lots of belt-cinching and money-pinching moments. I don't want to remember those unplanned expenses that we had to sacrifice for. It was most difficult for me because I was the one who was controlling the budget and our savings. Galit ako sa mundo nung mga panahon na yon.
Christmas breakfast was usually at Circles. This time, we decided on skipping breakfast and just meeting for mass then lunch at Solaire. Solaire's Fresh is all about presentation. It was disappointing. Nabitin kami ni Vic so a few weeks later, we were at Spiral for an advance anniversary date.
After 7 years, we spent New Year's Eve here in the Philippines. It was my children's first memory of NYE celebration in Manila. We didn't buy fireworks but they had their own noise makers. We watched various displays from my parents' balcony while wearing masks. It's a good thing that the coughing didn't progress to asthma.
All in all, it was an emotional ride. I am not sure if I can blame it all on pregnancy hormones. I acknowledge that it was His way to enable me to help others in need of employment, influence others' work habits, to learn new things and to get a new perspective on things I would have viewed differently. Most importantly, 2013 was a testament of God's providence. I regret nothing.
I pray that 2014 would be as fruitful with coming of Baby #4.
It was all about new beginnings, new experiences and new opportunities.
I didn't realize it but 2013 was still filled with trips with family and friends. It didn't feel like it towards the latter half.
In the first quarter, there was Hokkaido, the center of the Japanese Winter Festival. I was happy to experience snow once again. After 10 years, I remembered how pretty but inconvenient it could be. It was en route to Hokkaido that I experienced being disembarked at the snowy tarmac of Busan, with no warning. Walking in the snow was fun. Slipping on ice wasn't. Dressing up in layers, donning snow boots, drying skin, being driven in a taxi slipping on ice weren't my ideas of fun. I was glad to see that the THREE in Hokkaido trip reflect things we've started in TATLO. It just affirmed that we did something right.
Then there was our US trip. We didn't bring that much money for shopping but Sting's concert and our self-made Geek tour made all the difference in this trip. We also made it a point to visit Vic's relatives in Chicago, something we haven't done in our previous visits.
With the kids, we explored Singapore once again. We stayed at the Marina Bay Sands for the first time and went around Lego Land despite my swollen ankle.
For the summer, my parents wanted my kids to experience rural life. We went back to visit my mother's hometown in Antique. Our days were pretty simple. It started with trips to the beach. Some afternoons were spent tree planting and playing with farm animals in the backyard. It was survivable despite the heat. Thank God for satellite cable TV, 3G and iPads.
In April of the past year, we officially opened my first business venture. It was a huge risk considering the amount we invested on this. There were numerous opportunities to learn from and a lot of hair-pulling instances. But, with a lot of guidance and prayers, we were able to survive 2013. Thanks to a group of hard-working and supportive staff, I am able to balance home and work life. It is still an unending effort to adjust to people's varying backgrounds and personalities.
Since the business is still in its initial stages, there were lots of belt-cinching and money-pinching moments. I don't want to remember those unplanned expenses that we had to sacrifice for. It was most difficult for me because I was the one who was controlling the budget and our savings. Galit ako sa mundo nung mga panahon na yon.
Christmas breakfast was usually at Circles. This time, we decided on skipping breakfast and just meeting for mass then lunch at Solaire. Solaire's Fresh is all about presentation. It was disappointing. Nabitin kami ni Vic so a few weeks later, we were at Spiral for an advance anniversary date.
After 7 years, we spent New Year's Eve here in the Philippines. It was my children's first memory of NYE celebration in Manila. We didn't buy fireworks but they had their own noise makers. We watched various displays from my parents' balcony while wearing masks. It's a good thing that the coughing didn't progress to asthma.
All in all, it was an emotional ride. I am not sure if I can blame it all on pregnancy hormones. I acknowledge that it was His way to enable me to help others in need of employment, influence others' work habits, to learn new things and to get a new perspective on things I would have viewed differently. Most importantly, 2013 was a testament of God's providence. I regret nothing.
I pray that 2014 would be as fruitful with coming of Baby #4.
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