The One About the 32nd

I just turned 32. :)  Normally, I'd take a leave off from work on my birthday and spend it alone and do anything I want.  This year, I did away with that and showed up at my usual weekday routine.  And I'm glad I did.  My grade-level partner and other teachers and all 26 second graders of ours pulled off the sweetest surprise...

Felt the love. :)

I guess too much celebration of the introvert in me has made me forget how nice it was to be surrounded by people on my actual birthday.  I'm thankful to be reminded of it. :)

And as anyone else knows, birthdays are equal to pig-outs!  In the past, I would prepare a spread for my and Hon-some's families but early on this year, I decided all that birthday cooking made me too tired and took away the fun in the celebration.  So this year, I decided to just take everyone out.  First off, Hon-some and I had lunch at Yabu where I was treated to a free birthday meal by the restaurant.  Yes, free! :)

Then it was Casa Verde where we had potato skins and the Cebu-famed baby back ribs with my family.  I missed the ribs...and the P128 price tag it used to come with.  The ribs were still good, though, and still amazingly fall-off-the-bone.

As much as I enjoyed the day (and ended it responding to all text and FB greetings), I welcomed the following day (a school holiday) as an ode to my usual birthday routine.  I had "me" time and had breakfast at Pi Breakfast and Pies.  And then took a stroll in the mall and treated myself to an item or two.  Or three (haha!).  And then I willed myself to do nothing upon arriving home and opted to catch up with Season 2 epsisodes of Once Upon A Time before taking a nap (saaarraaaaappp...).  I juiced some fruits and veggies and just before the day ended, I sewed because my fingers got itchy.

Skillet Fritata at Pi Breakfast and Pies

'Twas a lovely birthday.  The loveliest I've had in years. :)

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!