Monday, December 31, 2018

2018 Where Did you Go? 2019 Ready or Not... Here We Come!

This year, I was the year I finally stopped blogging. But like any OC-pretending-to-be-organized person, I thought, I will just write a short post, to give my blog closure... so here goes...

What better way than to write my annual Year End Post, though I must say 2018 has been a bit different. I just blinked and it was over. How did that happen, right????

I had to look back on last year's post, you can read it here, because I remember that this time last year, my professional life was in limbo. There was a lot of talk about me moving to Thailand, but in my company, no contract, no move, so I wasn't really, really sure it would happen, though clearly, my last photo in that post was already a big hint.

Fast forward 12 months after.

1. I now live in Bangkok. 9 months done. 9 months to go. At least that's the plan.
April 1 2018. We arrived in our new home carrying 100 Kg of essentials.
20 or so soft  toys included.

Sofia's favorite part of our new home is the pool.

Mine is the balcony, but I realized, I only like it when I don't have to clean it.


2. Despite all the yummy food in Thailand, and believe me, every day is a feast, I managed to more or less (+/-1Kg) maintain my weight and my 80% vegetarian lifestyle.
Dec 2019 Christmas Brunch with Karl and Ralph (missing Jay)
Payat pa din ako! Woohoo!!!

3. I realized there is an Introvert in me, which makes me an Ambivert.   If you know me, this will come as a surprise, because I used to be very much of an extrovert, but the last few years have made me enjoy my own company and yes, the peace and quiet that goes with it too.
I actually like staying home. I even started meditating.

4. I have lived abroad 3 times in my life. Paris, Singapore and now Bangkok.
But this is the first time I actually used my kitchen. I can really cook now.
Though - my cleaning is still passable at best, and my laundry still gets done in Manila if I accumulate more than 1 wash load in 2-3 weeks.
I not only cook (mostly veggies though).

I make yummy bread too.


5. I finally partnered with Seek the Uniq on my passion project, and I am hoping to grow our business in the years to come.
Go to SeektheUniq.com Look for shoes, sort by Bestsellers.
The Wanderlust Athinas Sandals is number 2!!! 


What's in store for 2019? No resolutions, let's talk goals instead.

1. I need to see more of Thailand. 1 New Place a month.
I need to see more than Ayutthaya

Talad Khlong Mayon (the floating market) and
provinces where I only see stores!


2. I have a new role. It will be challenging, but I look forward to making a difference.

Looking forward to working with this Team.
Flashback to the first time I had lunch with them in May 2018.

3.  I need a real honest to goodness vacation. See 2018 - no real vacation.
I need to go somewhere with the risk of freezing to death. I hope I get a chance to do this between new role, and next role after that.
Long weekends at the beach (La Union, Bali, La Union) are great,
but they don't really count.

4. And maybe, just maybe, I'm not that ready to say goodbye to this blog yet. just saying.