My Year in Numbers

I'm happy there's instagram. It makes the job of going back the past year really easy.  I only had to go through my ig posts to see where I've been and what happened to my life the past year. That's totally cool, right?

That's exactly what i did and even I am surprised that last year seemed uneventful. To be honest, I found it a bit hard to pick out momentous occassions. I may even be brave and say that at one point, my life came to a standstill. Am I imagining it or is it that enjoyment for me has taken on a totally different meaning than what I used to. Color me mature but I must have really mellowed down. Ha ha go figure.

Anyhoo, here's a roundup of my 2013 in numbers. They're not in order of importance. I'm just writing at random, so count away!!

10 (ten)

This year, Earl and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. Has it really been that long? What can I say, I've been blessed with the most awesome man for a husband. He's my best friend, buddy, confidant, encourager, comforter, my greatest gift. Because of him, I am even more certain the Lord loves me. How else could this kind of a man find me and love me like he does. I know love because God loved me first and I know love because I'm living my own epic romance.

Thank You Lord for 10 beautiful years of wedded bliss. Earl and I pray that in Your mercy, You keep turning water into wine for us like in the first wedding of Cana.

17 (Seventeen)

That's the total number of people who graced my 35th birthday which I jointedly celebrated with the hansam June Vincent. I'm so blessed with the most awesome friends in the whole universe. Thank You Lord.

1 (One)

If I have to pick out one extremely happy, totally rockin' memory for 2013, this trip to Honkong and Macau would be it. I have every single lucid detail imprinted in my mind. By far the most epic, monumental six (6) days of 2013 for us.

  I wrote about this here : 

http://iamsugarandspice.blogspot.com/2013/03/travel-diary-hk-macau-awesomeness-our-6.html

122 (One Hundred Twenty-Two)

I finished 122 books in 2013. What can I say, I'm a voracious reader. I have a love affair with books that I don't have any intention of breaking. I had to make a list, sorta like an inventory of those I've read coz one time I read something halfway through and realized I was done with it (obviously, it's forgettable or I wouldn't have committed that blunder haha). Thus, the list. 

Next on this blog is my Top 10 reads for 2013. Watch out for it!! (Clue: photo above haha)

3 (Three)

I've been to three mini-reunions with my DB buddies. It's always explosive and fun. We're a bunch of whacked out dudes, so you can just imagine. 

First Photo: Ayala Meet-up sometime July

Second Photo: Salay's Bday, Lighthouse Resto, August 30, 2013

Third Photo: Open Mic, September 2013

We'll have to top the count this year guys. Please.

2 (two)

We've been hit by two devastating events for 2013, the Bohol quake and the killer typhoon Yolanda. There are no words to describe the heartbreak I felt for our brothers and sisters affected by these calamities. You'd think after all these we'll be knocked down on our knees with no strength left to rise. No sir. Propelled by our faith in the God whose love is unchanging, we held on as a people and a nation. We prayed more, gave more & hoped more. Help poured in like rain. With God's grace, we're slowly rising on our feet. We are being rebuilt and restored. There is hope in humanity and an even bigger FAITH that God who sees will pull us through. We just have to believe.

Yolanda also gave me and my group of friends the chance to be nameless individuals who went out & gave what little we have to help out. We went out to bring hope and received enourmous freedom and joy in return. That was one experience i'll carry with me forever. The same one that showed there truly is no measure to the joy of giving.

4 (Four)

I made a pact with 4 people last year -  to meet on a regular basis, catch up and touch base and never lose the bond we have with each other. Boy we're we faithful. Oh and guess how many times we went out last year? Five. Yes, we're promise-keepers like that.

March 2013, Cafe Laguna

Mine & June's bday celeb, Joven's Grill, May 31, 2013

Manggahan, October 2013

Radisson, November 30, 2013

Mandarin Hotel, December 2013

Next schedule, Post Valentine's date 

And the BIGGEST EVENT, JUNE's graduation party (hay salamat, manlibre si binsen, yayyyyy)

Lookin' forward to the next one loves.

3 (three)

Last year I was honored and blessed to have met and work with 3 remarkably amazing women that I really admire big time. They are advanced in years but still at the top of their game. While other women their age are content spending their retirement money going on vacation and simply staying at home (nothing wrong, in fact I may be doing the same when I reach my prime, IF the Lord allows hehe) they spend their hours managing their people, thinking up strategies to better their respective units and work at putting UV on top. They are the most hardworking, passionate, big-hearted women at their prime. Apart from my Mom, they're my role models career wise. I could only hope i'll be half as good as them when I reach that age.

Dr. Zosima Panares, Dean of the Graduate School

Dr. Nerissa Lopez, Dean of the College of Education

Rosemarie Espanol, CPA, Senior Finance Officer and Dean of the College of BA 

The past year I've been to one explosive concert (PlanetShakers), been to Oslob twice (still at the top of my go-to vacation places in Cebu), went home to my hometown twice (these were some of my most relaxed, quiet and restful travels of all time, of course I'd grab a chance to be with my family each time) and towards the end of the year, achieved my goal of losing weight (yayyyy, 11 pounds down is a good number, right?)

In brief 2013 was a year I was faced with a lot of life changing choices. I've never been in so much crossroads that left me fearful, anxious, panicky but also excited and hopeful. I was so used to having the Lord choose for me. So when I felt I had to make a conscious choice without His direction, I panicked. I can't seem to hear His voice & that is a really scary thing for me. But the Lord is good all the time. He was there, all along. My prayer is always that I be in the center of His will where it's safest. And even if at times it felt like I made wrong turns, He was there. And He worked it out unto good each time. This doesn't give me the push to be careless in my choices but to rest in the knowledge that I am a child of the living God, therefore I can punch fear in the face because I am taken care of and loved no matter what. I'm a lot braver now, enough to embrace ambiguity and not have to make a choice just for the sake of having one. But when I have to, I'm brave enough to face whatever the consequences head on.

To end my roundup of the past year, let me just put in the 3 most important life lessons 2013 gave me:

1. What doesn't kill you, really does make you stronger. And what a sap I am that while writing this, there are tears in my eyes. It's been common knowledge that I left a place of safety & comfort. I've been there for long and loved every minute of it till the last days. But when it's time to leave, you'll know. And i did, so I left. After that was madness and confusion. I can't seem to find home. I was in search of something I can't point my finger to. The fact that I didn't know what I want is what frustrates me to no end. So I started with something I do not want and took it from there. That journey of confusion, self-loathing, disappointment and despair led me to where I am now. I thought for sure all the madness will kill me inside. Wrong. I've never felt more alive, more capable and stronger. I relish all the bawl-my-eyes-out moments I've had with the Lord in that quiet place in search for answers - because that's where I found "The Answer". It's the Lord. It's always been Him.

2. Remember the choices I wrote about earlier, well second most important lesson of my life is that WHEN FACED WITH THE DILEMMA OF choosing between safety&security over passion&creativity, I'LL CHOOSE THE LATTER EACH TIME. What a relief once I learned that about myself. Modesty put aside, there were offers of a sure and steady career in companies that are really up there and stable but I found the courage to turn it down coz it didn't offer up much in the way of passion and creativity. My logical self would want to grab it but the larger part of me that operated on instinct begs to be heard. That's when I knew. Maybe that was how the Lord was teaching me how to choose. To listen to my heart coz that's where He writes His will. I know it's the right one coz the moment I made the choice, there's peace

3. Lastly, I'm surprised to find out how I stick to my guns. So the third most important lesson I've had the past year is really one of self-discovery. I know now that no matter how and what people's opinion of my choices are, i'll stick to my guns. Not for the sake of being stubborn or making a point but that I have established that this is actually my life. Mine. My life, my choice. It's between God and me. Period. So I've learned to tune out people's opinion of the choices I make but keep my ears and heart open to godly friends who have  my best interests at heart. Them, I make accountable for me. That's so they'll pray for me. They don't have a choice. We carry each other's burdens. We're loving that way.

I thank You Lord for 2013 - the good, the bad and the in-betweens. Thank You for surprising me with a tremendous amount of learning experiences that made me come out stronger, bolder and braver.

My future is uncertain but You O God have and hold it in Your hand. So I give to You my fears, anxieties and worries. Have Your unhindered way in me. Lord it over my 2014. Bless Earl and I with Your presence, protection and provision In Jesus name, Amen.

Book Review: Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover

Oh my freakin goodness, this one literally gave me all the feels from start to finish. It's an easy 448 page-turner that was so hard to put down. Daniel, oh Daniel was the ultimate crazy, hilarious, too-funny-to-be-hot-but-still-hot-anyway book hero to fall in love with. And Six was certainly something. They fell in love inside a dark maintenance closet, purposely lost each other when they decided to part ways & found each other without even meaning to. Their connection was so palpable they can't resist even if they wanted to. And their crazy banters are too good to not be translated into film, really. See, all the feels I tell you. I give this one 5-swoon worthy stars!! Plus, there's a jarring twist right before it ends that almost made me go down on my book-high, but the again, this is COLLEEN HOOVER we're talking about. The one who spawned Dean Holder couldn't be wrong. She gave Daniel and Six an ending that's not really explosive but a settling one, you know what I mean? One that's just right and perfect for them both. Ms Hoover did it again. I just hope she keeps writing :)

Book Review: Ruin by Rachel Van Dyken

If I wasn't running low on new releases, I wouldn't have given this book a chance. The cover doesn't necessarily scream "best seller" and the teaser did not in any way give a clue how much of a goodread this is but I tell you, I haven't had too many pages highlighted in a really long time than now. 

Here are some of the epic lines:

"You may not see every single piece of the puzzle that creates your life - you may not see every move the grand chess player makes, but know  He is in complete control of the game board. Sometimes certain pieces are moved or knocked over to make room for new ones. Maybe it's not in the perfection of life that things make sense, but in the chaos"

See, there's an element of faith and miracle in the midst of a love story that was built up in a rather perfect pace. Kiersten seems like a real person with relatable issues. Wesley Michels is just heartbreakingly gorgeous and his story is..., well, i couldn't say it without spoiling it for future readers. Suffice it to say that he became one of my favorite book boyfriends of 2013 and Rachel Van Dyken one of my best loved indie writers. I'm giving it a 4.5! My fellow book junkies, I'm telling you, go check this book out - and be prepared to shed a tear.., and laugh and be hopeful and fall in love all over again with your partners!

Plus I know there's a story there about Gabe. There's got to be. Or the author wouldn't describe him as a muscled version of Adam Levine. I'm 99% sure it's to keep the readers clamoring for his own story. I know coz I do. When she publishes it, i'll be first on the line. 

Camo, Animal prints and Jean Shirt

These are what I'm obsessing about these days. I used to think animal prints are too tacky, but I'm starting to really fall in love with the print when it's in little unassuming accents like a scarf or shoes or a pouch. That's why one stressful day, this purchase happened!!

I'm not alone in my Camo fetish. These days, Phoebe & Maviv - my HR babies are on a hunt for the perfect camo jacket and pants. So we try whatever we find at the mall & even in sidewalks and night markets where I found these oh-so-lovely  ripped camo skinnies ohhhlala

And this jacket is actually something I just tried on but never actually bought haha

Haha. 

A jean shirt is actually a wardrobe staple. It's so versatile I can use it anytime anywhere and instantly feel fab! I have it in all kinds of fabric but my favorite is this one from Forever 21. They're the softest & I wear them almost every time I get it from the laundry ❤❤

The one from F21

Another favorite. Pretend you don't see my bulging tummy. I was just done gobbling an entire waffle with ice cream, okay?? Be forgiving of me. Haha

Alrighty, so what's on your wish list sugar & spice girls?? 

Serendipitous encounter with Ms. Thirstythought herself

I just came down from a high. You see tonight, I got to meet a style icon who has been an inspiration to me writing my blog and my tentative venture to fashion retail – the awesomeness that is KRYZ UY. She was with her boyfriend and she had no make-up on but she was tremendously pretty and sexy – prettier than when she’s fully made up, methinks. I was with Earl and Nika and we were to meet the rest of the gang at La Vie Parisienne but we arrived ahead of them and literally stopped at our tracks when we opened the door and we saw her! I was glued to where I stood and just trembled like crazy. It was funny in a non-funny kind of way. I think she kind of noticed us staring at her and I couldn’t even be shy about it. She doesn’t seem annoyed that I was literally gawking at her like some lame psycho. I was actually just mustering my courage to walk up to her and have a photo with her which I did, to Earl’s dismay (yeah, he’s shy that way). I said “Hi Ms. Kryz, can I have a photo taken with you, if that’s okay? I follow your blog and I massively admire your work, and it’s amazing to meet you this close, so please??? And she goes, sure, but please ayaw i-post ha bati kayo kog nawng.” I think at that point I must have muttered some coherent response that I can’t seem to remember now. I thanked her and she said you’re welcome and went back to buying some stuff with the boyf. God she must’ve been weirded-out by yours truly but I think she gets that all the time from her followers all over the country. She was soooo nice and her freckles look sexy on her bare face and she sounds soooo sweet when she talks. Yeah, that’s me gushing like a real fangirl. Well that’s what I am, so I think it’s perfectly fine. 

Okay, fangirling aside, La Parisienne is an awesome chill-out place that sells macaroons that are insanely good.  They have an excellent wine collection and an open air table setting perfect for some wine and quiet conversations.  People talk in hushed tones and we wanted to go with the flow but seeing as we were with Mayet, that became really next to impossible. So as expected, our table was the noisiest, rowdiest there was and when you’re having fun, you sort of don’t care.

I’m coming back to that place. And I hope to get a round two of Kryz. And more macaroons. Yep, definitely that.

Sweet Escape

I don't feel like writing these days. Most times, it honestly feels like I'm just going through the motions. No highs. Not really an all time low though most days it just feels like I'm missing that vital part of myself that felt like there was a ball of energy inside of me that's just ready to burst. The kind that propelled me to write, start a business, be productive at work, travel & explore and well, now that I've enumerated those, LIVE! Yeah, coz these days are filled with drudgery, monotony and just, well, boredom, for lack of a better word. Being a creature of habit, I resort to my age old therapy that's sure to revive my bored soul 1. Retreat 2. Pray 3. Unwind. These are what brought me to Oslob with my besties who are as gung-ho as any friends could be. Armed with just our wallets and bikinis, we laid in our beach mats under the shade of the trees soaking in the sea breeze being soothed by the sound of the waves gently lapping by the shore. It doesn't take long to wake up to God spoken truths being whispered in my heart. It just took a baby's gentle cry and her mom's ready arm rocking her to calmness. I am God's child. He'll take care of me. That's all the truth I need.

Friendship, Food & Fun (Mayet's Day)

Seven years of being friends with her and you'd know she makes a big deal out of celebrating birthdays. I'm sure she'll say it's just the birthday blues but she sure did kill my buzz when I told her of my & gang's plan to cook for her and she went "Okay, just don't let it be a celebration of my birthday, let's just get together & make it a friendship day!" Duh! Like we don't do it all the freakin time!! I was completely tempted to rant at her like I always do but it's her birthday, so I patronized her.

Came THE day :) After stressing how to do seafood pasta the first time, which, by the way, became a fun adventure given as all 3 of us jun, nika and myself NEVER COOK - we actually as in totally nailed it!!! It was THAT good! And yes, i'll go as far as be cocky about this cause anybody who knows me knows I SUCK AT COOKING BIG TIME! Cmon guys, you have to admit my nachos rocked as well!! Hahaha

That aside, let me just say that that was truly a night of Fs - FRIENDSHIP, FOOD & FUN (yikes, major cheeseballs hahaha.) Mayet is as usual in a crisis - not wanting it to be her bday celeb and yet getting confrontational with Nika asking her to her face why she hasn't greeted her - precisely why we love her & why every tapok that she's there will always end up into a belly-aching-head-thrown-back-feet-stomping laughfest. The kind where my neighbors hate me for being incredibly LOUD at such a late hour.

Mayet, Gang, Jun, Nika, Richard, Mich & Yana - I love you guys and I'll cook for you all over again if only to laugh that hard. And i'll sure save some for the neighbors this time:)