Ochi In The City

, by Ochi Bernadas

ochi bernadas

I Got Stripes

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, by Ochi Bernadas

Dyun Depasupil

Food Diary : Persian King Kabab

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, by Ochi Bernadas

2015

New Essentials x SB 2015 Planner Giveaway

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, by Ochi Bernadas

new year 2015

2014 was an extremely difficult year for me. I had to deal with a lot of changes on different aspects of my life. Anyone who reads this blog knows that if there is something I'm allergic to, other than an ugly pair of Crocs, it's change. I don't know if my aversion to change stems from the fact that I love routines and I hate having to start over because that requires a lot of energy and I'm a lazy person or if I'm just one of those people who's not open to such things. Either way, big boss at my new work always tells me that it is unavoidable and the only way to deal with it is to keep moving forward. I knew that, but I think I have to be reminded several times before I actually start doing something about it. This year though, I think that may have to change.

For 2015, I don't want to make promises or resolutions or whatever you want to call those inspirational bullshit. This year, I want to focus more on getting the things that I need and the things that I want. I intend to be have a higher EQ, God knows how unstable and low my EQ is especially when I see things that sparkle, well, among other things. I also want to travel more and spend quality time with the people I love the most. People who are always there when the going gets tough, people who are always there when I feel like giving up on life and people who are always there despite seeing how destructive I become when pushed against the wall. Damn, I really have a tendency to be overly dramatic, hahaha! That I must also change this year! Less drama, less problems! More money, more travels. Yay! With that, let me show you a sneak peak of my New Year. Well, more like what we wore for New Year, haha. These photos were taken on the same spot where we had our Christmas photos, so, not much of a change. I decided to include the fist GIF because I love how it starts with my birth year. I don't think it signifies anything, I just think it's really pretty. PS, I still have those pesky red dots on my face.

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, by Ochi Bernadas

christmas 2014

Merry Christmas Saint Nick

In the past few weeks, all I wanted was to curl like a ball of fur in my bed and wake up to the smell of breakfast. A quick smoke and a sip of coffee after, ah, perfect morning. But, that's next to impossible. I was in the hospital for over a week due to a swollen liver and Gastritis. I had to give up sour, spicy and fibrous food. Also, coffee and alcohol. The doctor also recommended that I stop smoking, what would my life be without my unselfish companion? I gave up everything, except for my smokes. I've always believed that if your time on earth is done, then so it is. And it's just one exemption anyway, I followed everything else, lol. I decided to listen to the doctor (well, most of what she said) for the first time so it won't be as painful since it's the holidays and I don't want to be in pain while having my holiday photo taken.

Anyhoo, Christmas for me is all about being thankful for everything. I may not believe in a single, powerful being anymore, but I sure still believe that there's still good in this world--and for the most part, that's what I'm thankful for. 2014 has been the most difficult year of my entire existence. Earlier this year, my existential crisis started to consume me, and when I was finally over it, something new came up. I thought I was winging it, until all the bad things started happening at the same time. With that, I'm so thankful for my friends and family. I've always been the type of person who's very social, but I keep all my problems to myself. Right now, I'm still trying to understand that it's okay to tell people you're not okay. It's also okay to tell them why. I've dealt with a lot of changes this year, something I'm not very fond of. I'll talk about it on my next post, for now, I want to thank everyone who helped me get through this year. For the select people I've trusted, thank you. Thank you for not breaking my trust and thank you for putting up with me. I know I'm a handful, thank you for always being there when the drama starts pouring in.

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, by Ochi Bernadas

breakfast

Food Diary : CBTL Breakfast

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, by Ochi Bernadas

black and white photo challenge

5-Day B/W Photo Challenge

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, by Ochi Bernadas

Asian Style Noodles

Kitchen Chronicles : Asian Style Noodles

7 comments

, by Ochi Bernadas

bacon

Bits + Pieces

I'm so thankful I finally had the time to update this blog! I was't extremely busy, my priority was on other things--at least for the past few weeks. We're still trying to fix things here and there while getting used to living in a condo. It's not high-maintenance or anything like that, just redecorations and buying more stuff so it finally looks like a house and not a shoe box. I don't think I've even had enough time for myself enough to gather my thoughts after our El Nido trip. I'm still hung over, y'know.

So anyway, I've been forcing myself to finally edit all of my backlogged photos from earlier this year. I had to slow down a bit with all the cooking, blogging and editing upon moving in to the new place because there's just so much to do. Right when we thought we've finally settled in, there's always something that needs our attention and I hate that feeling. I wanted to fix everything first before finally getting back to regular programming. I was able to squeeze a post here and there but they weren't really well though of. I promise my next posts will all be worthwhile! Well, as if this one isn't, hahaha! Here's what's up!

Bibi bought me some nice shoes! I think I've mentioned several times in this blog that I'm not brand-conscious. As long as something looks nice and sturdy, I'll take it. But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate branded one, just like this lovely pair. Even if I'm not fond of sneakers, I really love the color combination!

The sister has been travelling everywhere for work and I'm so envious. She says that it's exhausting especially when she has to ride a plane several times a week--it's true when they say you don't know what you have until it's gone. Ha! This is a Merlion shaped chocolate from Singapore. More travels = more treats for me!

I'm slowly starting to cook again. Just the basics that don't require a lot of effort. For this one, I had a crap load of bacon and a little side salad of lettuce, tomatoes, garlic, pepper, salt and lemon!

I don't know what's been up with me but my craving are extreme. And it's a cycle, so it doesn't help. After I eat something sweet, I'll crave for something salty and it goes on. And in case you're wondering, no, I'm not pregnant. :D

Over the course of my mini hiatus, several typhoons and LPAs have since plagued the Philippines. This is one of those days. I don't remember exactly what happened but I now I didn't go to work because it was a jungle out there. A lot of people were stuck in heavy traffic due to the floods. I want to air my frustration but...

As I was saying, I'm going back to cooking finally because our kitchen is all set up! I still have a few more things to buy to complete my lair but the basics are there. I cooked this a few weeks ago because I was missing the island life and all the seafood we had in El Nido. I tried as much as I can to replicate the one that we there and surprisingly, mine tasted better. I'm not even bragging, haha! And can I just say, seafood here in the metro is depressingly expensive. I miss the reasonable prices in my hometown.

I think I've mentioned several times that I love my current company! Another plus is that with their help, I was able to get both my parents their own health cards! Yay! I know it's a teenee-tiny thing but I'm so proud of having accomplished just that. I have to pay a certain premium but it's discounted. Another yay!

This is one of those nights where we're too lazy to go out so we try to make something out of whatever we have on hand. I cooked Champorado and improvised Vietnamese Spring Rolls. Improvised because we didn't have rice paper and shrimp, so I just made peanut sauce and combined whatever vegetable I can find in the fridge. I also used lumpia wrapper instead of the usual rice paper, good thing it worked!

That's a photo of my work laptop! I don't think I've ever enjoyed work as much. Yes, there are days where I don't feel like getting out of bed or wanting to go home earlier than the usual but I would always want my laptop with me so I can work from wherever I am. I get burn out of the environment, read being stuck in my cube but not the work I find this odd, really odd but quite fulfilling. I hope this doesn't wear out anytime soon.