A New Beginning

The New Year is a chance to forget the old and begin anew. It's a time to change and learn from mistakes and past experiences. A time to explore and try new things.
New Year is one of my favorite celebrations not because I get to dress up, party and eat all night because honestly I don't do any of that. I actually celebrate New Year at home watching New Year Celebration parties on television and drinking red wine with my parents as the clock hits 12 midnight.

So why do I love New Year? It's because it gives me hope that something better can come to my life and it holds a future full of surprises.

Since the New Year is a time for new things,I have prepared my New Year's Resolution for 2012. It's a list of new things I want to try and achieve.

1.  Live a Healthier Lifestyle.

Actually I have already started by going on a 7 Day General Motor's Diet. A way to cleanse myself from everything I have eaten during the Holidays. Hopefully this could jumpstart better eating habits. I plan to start walking around the oval track after work, and I have decided to at least walk home from work 3x a week.
I'm not in it to be thin because I actually very happy being a plus size. It's more of wanting to be healthier since I am not getting any younger.

2.  Win the Biggest Loser Contest at my workplace.

You got me! I also want to live a healthier lifestyle because I want to win a contest we started at work last Dec 16 which will go on until March 16, 2012.
Of course cash awaits the one who will win, but aside from the cash, I got into this because it's easier to get healthy when you're surrounded by people who have the same goal. When you are busy with piles of paperwork, it just gets more difficult to stand up and take time to exercise. Hopefully, with 13 people in this contest, I can be motivated to get myself out of my desk and in the oval track.

3. Get Out of the Singles' Valentine's Day Group

2011

2010

2009

This may sound really funny, but my friends and I started a Singles' Valentine's Day Group because we wanted to celebrate just like everyone else during this very commercialized day. I think we have been doing it for about 5 or 6 years. It has been really fun. We usually eat dinner together and watch a movie or drink coffee after.  Believe it or not, I have been going with almost the same people every year. What's actually funny is that every member hopes to be out of the group by the next year, so instead of saying, "See you next year", it's more of, "Hopefully next year, I'm not part of this group anymore".
In my workplace a lot of us are still single. Being single is not that horrible because you have all your time for yourself and you can stay focused on what really matters to you, however, at one point in your life everyone wishes for something different or for someone to sway her off her feet
So if I have one favorite resolution...I think this would be it! To do everything I can to get out of this group. Kidding aside, I love my friends who have been celebrating Valentine's each year with me. They are my true and closest friends, and I have been having a blast with them...but I wish that every single one of us finds that someone who will make us happy.

4. Open a Personal Saving's Account

I know I should have done this a long time ago since I have been working for 8 years already... but I think I never had the courage to have one. I must let you in on a secret. I really had this fear of putting my money in the bank because from time to time, I'd here of banks that would close, and people being left without anything, so I decided to just keep my money or ask someone else ( a trusted friend of course) to keep my money for me, but I think I now know better. I need to save for my future ahead so that when I'm grey and old, I wouldn't have to worry, and I can enjoy the fruits of my labor.
So yes!!!! I have finally gathered courage to open an account this 2012.

5. Spend my Summer in Korea and Bellarocca Island in Marinduque

South Korea

Bellarocca Island

Korea has always been a dream of mine and I'm very excited to announce that I'll be going this summer. Aside from Korea, I'll also be going to the Luxury Island, Bellarocca which is called the Greece of the Philippines.

I love to Travel and I make it a point to visit a new place every summer. I have been to countries like France, Israel, London, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and China and I just can't wait to go to more countries in the future. God has truly blessed me with the opportunity to travel and explore the world : )

6. Cut down on Retail Therapy

I love to shop for clothes, shoes and accesoories! They are all my weaknesses, but this year, I promise to make wiser choices when I buy, except of course, when items are on SALE or when Erzullie, the best plus size brand, releases new fierce items. I don't think I'll be able to stop myself from buying great finds.

7.  Do Better at WORK

I believe I am a workaholic and perfectionist... It has its disadvantages like staying really late in the office or not having enough energy to do anything else but sleep once I get home, but the I love my work, and I want keep doing my best and improving myself. So for 2012 my promise would be to do even better without forgetting to put a balance in my life.

8.  Clean Up and Organize

I must admit that I love this cabinet and wish I could fix all my things this way. This 2012, I promise to let go of things I have not worn or used so that I can get/ buy new stuff haha. 

Honestly, I cannot open myself to new things if I keep holding on to the old ones, so to be able to reinvent myself, I have promised to let go and free myself from anything holding me back.

I will give more to charity and to anyone in need.

9. Try something new or adventurous

Well, it doesn't have to be as adventurous as the picture above. May be sport a new hairstyle or learn a new hobby. I haven't really thought of this in detail yet, but I promise to do something different this 2012.

10. Pamper myself

Because I'm always so busy, sometimes I forget the most important thing in my life and that's me. 

I promise to give myself more time by putting a balance in everything I have to do. 

How will I enjoy life when I don't even have time to enjoy me : )

This year I will not forget to treat myself for a spa, massage or even just good make up.

This year "I" will be the priority.  

2012 brings hope, but for some, it brings fear because of all the talk about the END of the World. Whether those rumors are true, one things is for sure... don't waste your time thinking of what if's or how the world will end.

Enjoy life while you still have it. Live every day as if it is your last so that when that end comes (we certainly don't know when that is) we can say that we have lived life to the fullest without regrets.

Happy New Year Fierce Ladies, until next time

XoXo

Andrea

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

picture by niagaraparks.com

I must admit that 2011 was not all fireworks for me especially if I compare it to 2010. However, I must say that I am still very lucky and have a lot of things to thank God for this year.

As we begin the year end countdown and prepare for the year to come, let me do a count down of my own.

My 2011 Billboard Top Ten

Top 10: Wedding of two good friends.

I was happy to be part of the wedding of my two good friends. One got married in August, and the other just one just this December.

Top 9: My happy and healthy Family, and alot of TRUE friends

As a family, we go through struggles and difficulties together, which always makes things easier : ) This is the reason why we can get through anything that comes our way. We also spend as much quality time together as we possibly can even if we are all busy with work and school. We have dinners, watch movies and even shop together. I am truly blessed with a great family, whom I can depend on 24/7.

 Our 2011 Christmas Photo

 Celebrating my Mother's Birthday

Having Family Time at Happy Lemon 

(together with us is the boyfriend of my sister and girlfriend of my brother)

... and a lot of TRUE friends who are there for me no matter what : ) and who support me all the way

Top 8:  Getting Rid of My Car

Having my own car was always my ultimate dream. However because I rushed into getting a secondhand car, and didn't have an expert with me when I got it... my dream became a nightmare. After 8 months of keeping up with the repairs, I decided to sell it : ) It was honestly the worst investment I made in my life, and have learned so much from it. On the bright side, it had the best sound system ever and the cutest hello kitty car accessories.
 I also discovered that I had a lot of great loving friends who helped me when I needed them for car advice.

Top 7 :  Getting my Finances back on track. 

Yes!!! After selling my car, everything went back to how it was suppose to be : ) I actually felt my car was bad luck, but now that it is gone, my money is actually starting to go where I want it to... like having fun, bringing my family out or on great fashion finds.
Now, I'm ready to save again and spend on myself and my family.

Top 6: Trip to Boracay, Laiya and Cebu

I was lucky enough to spend my summer in 3 amazing places with great friends.

In Boracay with my Summer Vacation Group

In La Luz Beach Resort, Laiya Batangas, where both the beach and food are amazing. Of course, the company was awesome too.

In Cebu for a Seminar -Since our trip was actually work related, I had time to discover and learn a lot of new relevant things while having lots of fun and meeting new friends : )

Top 5: Taylor Swift's Concert In Manila

Even if my sister and I had to line up for about 6 hours in Araneta Coliseum to get good seats, it was seriously all worth it! Taylor Swift is a total performer, and I got my money's worth. I don't regret having to stand in line just to see her perform.

Top 4:  Reunion with my Grade School Classmates

More people actually committed to going to this reunion, but only a few actually came. Anyway, it was still great to see my former classmates and friends. The last time I saw them was 15 years ago. Hopefully, next time, we get more people to come.

Top 3:  Four Day Silent Retreat in Batangas

At first, I thought I would not survive being quiet for four days...but I DID, and it wasn't that hard!!! I discovered a lot about my life. Thanks to my great group and Spiritual Director. This was a time for me to sit down, pray and talk to God. I thank God for this opportunity to get away from my very busy life.

Top 2:  My Surprise Birthday Party and Buying my First Expensive Bag (As Birthday Gift To Myself)

My office mates, mostly in pink, surprised me on my 28th birthday

I don't like spending too much on myself, but I just couldn't resist this Coach bag and the offer I got from my friend

Top 1: Being Part of the Erzullie Family

Having them as part of my life really completed and made a difference this 2011. : )

 As 2011 comes to a close, I thank God for all the blessings he has given me. May 2012 be as bright or even brighter, not just for me but for everyone I love and care about.

Until next time, Fierce Ladies

xoxo

Andrea

BGs' Christmas Dinner

  Boracay 2010

Last April 2010, my friends and I went to Boracay for the summer, and since then we have been calling our group, BG (Bora Girls)

It was because of this summer trip that we really got to know each other better, and started hanging out together more often

And so much has happened after that trip to Boracay...

we started going to the malls together, shop and have dinner at least once or twice a week, watch movies and even share make up and fashion tips : )

Even with our busy schedules, we always try to make time to meet up and catch up on things.

We became more than a summer group, we became sisters... and this year wouldn't be as great if not for my BG group.

Last year, we had our Christmas Dinner at Resorts World, but this year, we decided to keep it a bit more simple. 

We decided to have dinner in Red Kimono in The Fort Strip. For our starters, check out some of the dishes we ordered:

Salmon maki with cream cheese

California Maki

and my favorite...Tuna Salad

While enjoying our starters, we decided to have our exchange gifts. I received Starbucks Gift Certificates, which was part of my BG Wish List

After our exchange gifts, our main course arrived:

Shrimp Tempura

Chicken Terriyaki

Pork Tonkatsu

We actually also ordered Fillet Cream Dory, but since it took quite some time before it was served, we didn't get a chance to take a picture of it.

Company was awesome, Food was great, and I think what made this Christmas Dinner extra special was the fact that we were all dressed up. Check out my Fierce outfit:

In this picture, I'm wearing a :

Black shirt- SM Department Store

Violet Skirt- Erzullie

Belt- Forever 21

Shoes- Brash, Payless

Bag- Louis Vuitton

Bangle- Divisoria

Here are some pictures with the Bora Girls:

Picture below was taken at Bo's Coffee where we stayed after dinner

With my friend, Karina : )

Karina is wearing a  floral dress from Forever 21

My 3 BG Sisters in their Fierce Outfits

Note:

Christmas is not about the gifts I'll receive or the parties I'll attend... It's about spending time with people I care and love and making them happy : )

Until Next Time, Fierce Ladies

XoXo

Andrea