I've talked about change on this blog more than I can imagine. I like talking about stuff I'm not very comfortable with, it takes away the nerves and all the irrelevant shit that comes with facing one's fears. In line with welcoming the new month, I also plan to implement minor changes in my life. Baby steps! For one, I vow (naks!) to update this blog's content as often as I can! I have a ton of backlogged entries on my recent travels, recipes and whatnots that I haven't gotten into yet. Starting next month, no procrastinating! That goes for work, too. I've already started several projects to give me a good head start for the year, and they're doing great, if I do say so myself. I just hope I get to sustain this level of positive energy, as I'm not a very optimistic person, all throughout the year. 

Since I was hospitalized last year, I also had to make drastic changes on my diet and my sleeping habits. Can you believe I'm a morning person now? I've been eating three times a day and I also make sure that I drink lots of water, ack! I hate water because it's boring. But what can I do, I'm supposed to take in 8 glasses a day, huhu. I also want to take more photos of myself so if I ever become ugly one day because of all the smoking and binge drinking, I get to look at old photos and show them to friends as proof that I was once pretty, lol. PS, I'm going easy on the ciggies, too. The drinking? Maybe next year. 

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. 

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. 

 

A dear friend tagged me on Facebook last week to do this challenge. It seemed pretty fun so, why the hell not? The premise of the challenge is to post one black and white photo for five days and tag someone each time you do so. I have to apologize for the quality of the photos, though. I just grabbed them off of Facebook and imported them to Blogger so, pardon the quality! Despite the quality, I reckon this set will be a good addition to my new blog design. I messed up my html code a few days back while trying to add a fancy gadget to my blog, and I ended up redoing everything! I decided to stick to a minimalist design so it's easier to rebuild from the ground up if I ever decide to mess up with my template again, lol. 

If you're reading this, I nominate you to do the challenge! It's quite simple, really. I like how it brought me back to memory lane and made me scour through tons of photos I almost forgot about. Reminds me that I have to have them printed out because sometimes, a digital copy just won't do. 

I got an email from Man Crates a few days ago asking me if I was willing to create a post on my do or die essentials, or simply put, the things that I can't live without. Things would've been easy If I had an empty bag I can stuff with things, the catch is, I can only have 5 things with me. I know this is hypothetical and all, but guys, I take shit like this seriously. Mancrates, why did you have to torture me like that? UGH. If you're wondering, by the way, Mancrates is a company that builds gifts for men wrapped in awesome crates--and they come with crow bars, too! I bet it couldn't get more manly than that.

I also decided to work on a new category for the blog--Five Faves. Since Man Crates only asked for 5 things, I thought, this would be perfect to kick off the new category. I picked the top 5 essentials that popped right on top of my head when I read the question. So please, don't judge. Well, it's a blog for crying out loud so judge all you want. I can block your comment anyway, loljk! Here's my list!

Ola, loves! The weekend is almost over, I'd usually curse and complain about how the weekend is so short and how Monday is always around the corner--but not this time. I only have a 3-day work week because I'm going to Iloilo with the boyfran and some friends from work. Weeeeeh! I've also had this outfit post on queue for some time now and haven't really had the chance to pair it with a good segue, sooooo, I guess this is where the segue parts comes in. Lol. 

Something summer-y, in time for our trip on Wednesday. Yaaaaay!

Ola! I've been a bit quiet these past few days because--wait for it, I attended my sister's graduation! Lol. It's something that the whole family looks forward too. It's sad that my Dad and youngest sister weren't able to attend because of complicated circumstances I choose not to discuss.  

Anyhoo, let me give you a little background about my sister. We haven't always been in good terms, we were in fact the opposite. When we were kids, we'd strangle each other to death over the death of a Barbie Doll. If someone wants to plot revenge, the best way to do it is by beheading the other person's doll. That went on 'til college. I'd complain how chaotic my life was when I had to share a room with her. We'd wear each others clothes then if we see each other in school it'd be peace, but the wrath gets unleashed at home. 

When I started working, I started maturing, fortunately. I saw the world on a different perspective and so did she. I guess we're okay now. Not the best of friends, but sisters--forever! <3