Bring it on, 2014!

Is it really January 15^th already?  December 2013 took over me like a demanding diva and, late as it is (and haggard as I am), I welcome 2014 brimming with hope for new beginnings and more bountiful blessings.

I am naturally a “list” person.  I love making lists and goal-setting lists are no exception.  Just before 2013 ended, I treated myself to some “me” time and had brunch at Pi Breakfast and Pies where I discovered renewed belief in our (Hon-some and mine) dreams as I listed down goals for the year.

Huevos Rancheros, Key Lime Pie, and Coffee at Pi Breakfast and Pies

Now, I’m not going to be one of those bloggers that will bombard you with goal samples, although I have to admit, reading other people’s goals (and beautifully illustrated ones at that) further fuel my drive, determination, and discipline to stick to the plan.

Therefore, I am simply going to sum up all my goals for this year into one thematic statement:  Become a better version of myself.

Better diet and food intake

Better health

Better finances

Better body

Better crafter

Better sewer

Better blogger

Better cook

Better teacher

Better wife

A better spiritual life

Better daughter

Better sister

A better me. J

In a nutshell (as if the theme wasn’t encompassing enough), 2014 will be a year of listening to my heart, pursuing my dreams, and going out of my comfort zone and taking risks.

Bring it on, 2014!

The One About New Year 2012 (What We Ate)

What we devoured with much gusto in the City of Pines...

Army Navy's Starving Sailor, Freedom Fries, and Tortilla Soup

A Korean feast at the Korean Meat Shop and Restaurant

We asked for 6 orders of pork and beef.  Then after cooking the meat, we sort of ate it shawarma-style by filling a lettuce leaf with the meat...

salad...which had a lovely hint of sesame oil

and kimchi.

Hon-some ordered rice but he refused to eat it after discovering it was black rice.  I was only too happy to eat it for him. :)

Brewed coffee, French apple pie, and chocolate lemon tart at the Hillstation Cafe in Casa Vallejo

Crispy pata at Barrio Fiesta (because it was 50% off!)

We ransacked The Manor's gift package.

Dived into The Manor's breakfast buffet...

Congee

Tuna and potato salad, Caprese salad (but they used local tomatoes), and salad greens which I partnered with crispy bacon

 

Vegetables, corned beef, garlic rice, and more bacon

A croissant and an egg white omelette.  I always asko for egg white omelettes whenever I eat in a buffet.  At home, I don't dare waste a good egg yolk.

 A waffle with very little maple syrup and loads of butter cream!  Still, it was lacking something...

Bacon!!!

Now I'm starting the new year dealing with this glutton guilt.

For stuff we did in Baguio, click here.

The One About New Year 2012 (What We Did)

For the third straight year, my family and I spent our New Year celebration in Baguio.  Hon-some was in tow this time.  Here's an account of the things we did:

We stayed at The Manor in Camp John Hay:

Checked out Casa Vallejo (Hill Station Cafe and Mt. Cloud Bookshop, too):

 

 I don't normally like ladders, but I'd climb one if it leads to books.

I still dream about this piece of furniture.

 

 Couldn't resist leaving without a few purchases. :)

Had "alone" time "together" at Starbucks:

Listened to a harpist:

Joined the New Year celebration:

With that, happy new year!  Cheers to a blockbuster 2012!

The One About the 2011 Printable Posters

In just a couple of hours, we shall be bidding 2010 adieu and welcoming a new year. I hope 2010 has been kind to you; it sure has been to me.

I am celebrating New Year here in Baguio. The wonderful weather is perfect for sipping a tall Peppermint Mocha. It literally is a holiday in a cup. We are staying here at The Manor and everyone is in a holiday mood from the log cabin ambience to the gingerbread delights at the bakeshop to the wonderful albeit faint smell of pine trees.

I managed to make some printable posters with some words to live by for 2011. Hopefully, one or two will tug at your heartstrings and make an effort to live it out in the new year.

Just click on each poster if you want to print them. Happy New Year everyone! :)

The One about My New Year at The Manor

To welcome 2010, my family and I headed to cool Baguio. After about 7 hours of a butt-numbing ride, we were welcomed warmly at The Manor. I loved it there...

The weather was cool, the scent of pine trees was heavenly, and the warmth of the log cabin-esque environment was really nice.

I consider myself a foodie traveller so I was really excited to try the breakfast buffet at the Le Chef. And it did not disappoint! I went back to the buffet 7 times! Seven times!

Round 1: Egg noodle soup

Round 2: Assorted cold cuts, maki, and a salad mix celery, cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese

Round 3: Garlic rice, garlic sausages, potato wedges, breakfast sausages, aubergine casserole

Round 4: Egg omelette, crispy bacon

Round 5: Waffles with whipped cream and honey

Round 6: Yogurt with peaches

Round 7: Watermelon and mangoes (Where are the mangoes? You see, I was enjoying my breakfast too much that I only remembered to take a picture of my last plate when I had gobbled up all the mangoes!)

I love the New Year Countdown Party at The Manor. The live band plays funky music then everybody just gets together at the stroke of midnight to wish each other a New Year. We position ourselves right under the fireworks and it's like stars are all around you.

Having been in Baguio several times, my family and I just decided to stay most of the time at The Manor, soaking up all its goodness, and occassionally leaving the hotel for meals outside. Other than that, it was fun lazying around the hotel, taking hot showers, watching holiday movies, soaking up the sights in the garden, and devouring their divine cheesecake!

I always say that the true test of a good cheesecake is in its plain form -- no toppings whatsoever. And The Manor's cheesecake has passed my test with flying colors!