Happy 1st day of the New Year!
2013 was kind to me. No earth-shattering, pivotal personal life events...it was a smooth sailing, easy 12-month cruise to life. And I am NOT complaining! I give praises and prayers of gratitude to GOD for HIS tremendous blessings...
Just like what I try to do every year, I do a reckoning of what I am truly grateful for in 2013:
1. We were blessed with a new angel in the family - Aling maliit brought so much joy and (too much) jump, jump, jump to our lives...
2. Celebrating my 42nd birthday. Celebrating it with the family at home is a bonus!
3. I survived spelunking in Sagada, had a close encounter with the Philippine eagle, revisited the charms of Bohol, said hello to Daragang Magayon, sand boarded in Paoay...memories made more memorable as they were shared with loved ones! :) It's more fun in the Philippines indeed!! :)
4. Experienced awesome new places and did exciting new adventures - joined the crowd for the Carnevale di Venezia, fascinated by the rich heritage of Ayuttaya, had that insanely relaxing Turkish bath in Antalya, perplexed by the mysterious King Ludwig II of Bavaria, swam (and spent a fortune) in the emerald blue waters of Maldives, enchanted by the artistry of the gardens of Keukenhof, took a camel ride in the deserts of Dubai, feasted on crickets in Vientiane, admired the unit cell of the iron crystal of the Atomium in Brussels, was a Turkish Kathun and a Korean princess for 5 minutes, took a sip of the traditional Mojiko beer, feasted on traditional Macedonian cuisine, spent a day in Phnom Penh, was fairly disappointed with the flowers of Nokonoshima, trekked the castle of Cesky Krumlov....
New experiences all but spelunking in Sagada still tops my list of exciting (and once in a lifetime) adventure!! By the way, at least 10 UNESCO Heritage Sites were added to my list this year...cool!!
5. Aside from the usual age-related complaints (mine included :)), generally, good health in the family - health is wealth, indeed!
6. Receiving lovely bunches of flowers after long, tiring missions. Thank you loves!!
7. Spending a few memorable days with old friends and meeting wonderful (and powerful!) individuals who share our vision to serve in the littlest way we can.
8. Around USD 26M new projects approved! An opportunity to make a small difference to protect human health and the environment from the ill-effects of persistent organic pollutants
9. A new place to rest a weary body and spirit.
last and definitely, not the least..
10. William B. Centeno and 15 years! <3
For 2014, I will not even attempt to make a bucket list. I will enjoy the gift of a new year by these wise words:
2013 was kind to me. No earth-shattering, pivotal personal life events...it was a smooth sailing, easy 12-month cruise to life. And I am NOT complaining! I give praises and prayers of gratitude to GOD for HIS tremendous blessings...
Just like what I try to do every year, I do a reckoning of what I am truly grateful for in 2013:
1. We were blessed with a new angel in the family - Aling maliit brought so much joy and (too much) jump, jump, jump to our lives...
2. Celebrating my 42nd birthday. Celebrating it with the family at home is a bonus!
New experiences all but spelunking in Sagada still tops my list of exciting (and once in a lifetime) adventure!! By the way, at least 10 UNESCO Heritage Sites were added to my list this year...cool!!
5. Aside from the usual age-related complaints (mine included :)), generally, good health in the family - health is wealth, indeed!
6. Receiving lovely bunches of flowers after long, tiring missions. Thank you loves!!
7. Spending a few memorable days with old friends and meeting wonderful (and powerful!) individuals who share our vision to serve in the littlest way we can.
8. Around USD 26M new projects approved! An opportunity to make a small difference to protect human health and the environment from the ill-effects of persistent organic pollutants
9. A new place to rest a weary body and spirit.
last and definitely, not the least..
10. William B. Centeno and 15 years! <3
*****
For 2014, I will not even attempt to make a bucket list. I will enjoy the gift of a new year by these wise words:
