I would really say that blogging was not my top priority for 2016 and I missed a lot of opportunities to post all the amazing adventure that I did for that year. I did not have the time to create a 2016 montage video too to show you how my 2016 did fare just like what I did for 2015 but let’s see how can I summarize my 2016 for this post as I feel I need to at least share with you the highlights of my 2016 before I start my 2017 blogging journey (I do have high hopes that this is possible.)
January 2016
I started my year right with a concert with one of the best Japanese rock band concert- One Ok ROck! You got it right! I went to Manila to attend the concert which I prepared for the last 5 months of 2015 with my dear Jrock-anime lover-ViK! We had a blast even we stayed for just 2D2N as we were also able to visit Manila Ocean Park, a day before the concert.
The concert was epic and Ryota was so hot with his shirt off, I mean he really did start without a shirt off till the end of the concert. It was the craziest concert I had attended in which I found myself dancing-jumping and rocking for two straight hours. Talking about my adrenaline-insulin junkie self.
March 2016
A great friend of mine got married!
Samal Escapade with my siblings and other relatives
June 2016
I had undergone a major dental surgery that almost drained my savings and whatever left of me financially. I do have a medical insurance but too bad it only covers basic dental services so I ended up paying for a whole lot of chunk with the medical bills -parents also contributed big time (Thank you Ma and Pa).
I also started to re-allocate and rebudget my finances for some adulting responsibilities (whatever left after the surgery)and I realized that adulting takes a lot of toll financially (kidding!). Traveling will not be as often as 2015 yet I decided to look at the brighter side of it and took it as an opportunity to try backpacking on a shoestring budget.
July 2016
Birthmonth and Baby Shower 🙂
I prepared a baby shower for my sister. 🙂
Random Staycation 🙂
August 2016
For the whole month of August, I attended the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Programme in which I was among the 50 DRR Youth Leaders from 10 ASEAN Countries representing my beloved Philippines(host country). The program highlighted the participation and engagement of youth especially on issues concerning the ASEAN especially on Disaster Risk Reduction. If you are free, please also read my blog post about my whole experience.
I am grateful to be part of this programme in which I have gained new friends and new experiences and I was just half way for my 2016.
September 2016
This was a bittersweet month.
Last September 2, 2016, my sister gave birth to my beautiful niece, Iona.
Later that night, my beloved city of Davao experienced one of the challenging situation ever-a bomb exploded in the downtown area.I was really concerned especially that we were in the hospital at that time and I heard the code white announcement. I pray for the soul and continued healing of all the victims and their families.
I also booked a trip that I do really look forward for 2017. (Soon!)
I was also able to went back to my hometown to visit my grandmother in the hospital and able to visit the popular Sibungan museum which is just less than 300 meters from the hospital. Three days after, my grandmother died.
October 2016
One phrase- OCTOBER BEACH FEAST! plus Maguindanao
- Dahican Beach, Mati, Davao oriental
2. Boracay Island
3. Baler, Aurora
4. Maguindanao
I also attended the wedding of my colleague 🙂
This is the first time that I attended a 4 AM wedding ceremony (most of the pictures are taken during the reception). I wok up at 2 AM just to do my hair and make-up and has to travel to the wedding venue. I dozed off during the ceremony though even I had a caffeine fix before the wedding. I dropped by to a 7/11 store to buy some coffee with the wedding outfit and make-up hahaha.
Some realizations that i have especially being in an age bracket that is considered marrying age is to invest into a basic dress that is considered the motif of the year. I did it last 2015 and 2016 which become handy to me. In an average, I do attend 2-3 weddings in a year and most of them have stuck with the motif so I saved big time with the dress. I only utilized one dress for a year but have become creative with accessories, shoes, hairstyle and make-up. 🙂
November 2016
D’Leonor Hotel, Davao City
December 2016
Holiday Season with various gatherings, celebration and reunions! (Too many photos!)
Overall, my 2o16 has provided me a lot of opportunities to learn, unlearn and relearn about myself. Things were quite challenging and I had a lot of bumps along the way but you know things just do fall on their right places at the right time. Some aspects of my life may not be where I wanted it to be but 2016 has taught me to be patient and savor every moment of it. I’m just happy with all the new friends, experiences and lessons that I have gained from 2016. I wish you all the best!
Hello 2017!
P.S. I have decided to take some time off from my personal blog as I need to work on my niche first so I will be back here in the meantime. I promise for at least one post per month and hopefully a weekly routine. Let’s hope ❤
-as if I care about your opinion...- 