2017 Timeline

Photo: Google

I started sharing annual look backs in 2012. Time flies and it has given me so much love and joy, and a few shots of heartaches.  2017 has been a year of growth, well, at least for me.  It wasn't just physical growth, although there was plenty of that- haha! Hello bigger tummy and bigger flab! There was also a lot of new, uncharted emotional territory. I know it's a crazy ride. I tried hard enough to deal with my emotions.

Embracing singlehood at the age of 30ish has been both terrifying and enlightening. It gave me some of my deepest fears and self-awareness. I consider myself fortunate to have met someone who has brought me nothing but pure joy. Anyways, this post isn’t about that topic, let’s get going.

Here's to 2017, one of the most wonderful year.

January: Started the year with high school friends (mini reunion) then I participated in Color Manila, my first ever fun run. It's thrilling, exhausting, and a little messy!

CWT Ph also joined Australia Day. :)

Selfie after the 10k Run (Yabang!) 

New Year Dinner with high school besties 

TS-Au

February:  I didn't have a Valentine's date, but I had a great time with my colleagues and friends. I traveled to Batangas to see an old friend. A few short trips with friends in Bulacan and Clark.

Cell group

March: In preparation for my best friend's wedding, I began a diet plan and 'fitness' activity this month. And, on the contrary, we went on a lot of food trips.

CWT also participated in the Isla Verde 1M light project.

Korean Food Trip

Boat Ride to Isla Verde

April: A quick family trip to Tagaytay and Nuvali. This is also our first long drive together. We traveled to Pangasinan for Holy Week. It’s worth remembering.

Enchanted Cave

May:  Prepared a surprise SPArty for my best friend couple of weeks before her big day!

SPArty

June: Another long trip! Hello, Bicol and Baguio. Lots of precious memories to keep.

Caramoan Island

@The Manor

July:  Cozy days with Bob. Food trip and occasional run. ☺☺

August: My birthday bash.

September: Long, sleepless nights with occasional shots of depressions. ☹☹ Stress-eating

u

October: Bob's birthday. Reunion with College friends and classmates. 1st Karada Experience.

Getting ready for my AP+BT session

November: Eats outs. Seventh Time Down Concert. My nephew’s 1st birthday! 

Revival  Concert

December: A festive date night, a very merry holiday season, and a big, bottomless love that just keeps growing.

What a year... Cheers to (almost) 2018! 

Ash B. ❤❤❤

Real love.

Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits. 1 Corinthians 13:7 ERV

I'm learning so much about true love, and even though I probably wouldn't have asked for this journey, with all of its tears and heartbreak, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

The Bible teaches us that love is patient and kind. It is not self-centered or easily angered. It "bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things."

True love began with our Father, who gave us the best gift of all - His Son. We can follow Christ's example by attempting to show His love to others.

Ash B. ❤❤❤

posted from Bloggeroid

Hello, Christmas!

[photo: Google]

Hey, Hola! Hello. It's been a while since I wrote something here, I mean, really write.

For a while, all of my free time was spent catching up on sleep, watching Korean dramas, stress-eating, and seeing old chums- but I'm never quite caught up, and maybe I never will be? Maybe I was never?

It's almost December! Yes, Christmas is approaching! The air becomes crisp, and the streets and parks are lit up. People are getting busier by the day, malls are on sale, and the Christmas spirit has put a spring in everyone's step. And that first breath of fresh air you get when you step outside in the morning, it gives you the oomph! The days spent inside, reading books and sipping coffee at your bedside table. The raindrops became music to our ears and occasionally made us daydream!

I looooove Christmas. It's my favorite holiday of all time! This was the time of year when I felt like a kid again. I don't know about you, but I simply enjoy the scent of gift wrappers! And I keep thinking: Christmas truly is magical!

Merry Christmas, lovelies!

❤❤❤

Ash

Pride.

Prepare to be humbled. Not because we’re bad and deserve to be punished, but because God is good and wants what is best for us. Always.

Pride comes to us all. We’re standing on a pedestal of our own making one minute and then sweeping up what’s left of it the next. The problem with pride is the “I” in the middle.

God promises His people, “I will break down your stubborn pride” (Lev 26:19) and “put an end to the arrogance of the haughty” (Isa 13:11).

He certainly is doing this for me. He has shown me places of pride of which I was unaware. Thank You God.

Ash B. ❤❤❤

posted from Bloggeroid

Chaotic Mind

I don't know about you, but my life hasn't turned out the way I expected. It's strange that almost every year, during the 'ber months,' I feel depressed. Some of you may argue that this isn't a big deal, that it's all about mind over matter, and that it will all be over soon. I'm sure it will, but when and how?

Despite my cheerful outward appearance, I am sad and lonely. Nobody cares about me. It's strange that I cry my eyes out almost every night!

I've asked God for help and for someone to console me in some way to help me get through it. He gave it to me, but we're both going through a rough patch. And I'm now feeling depleted. I'm attempting to remain strong, but I know I'm not. I'm in a lot of pain and want to give up. I know that avoiding people is the only way to avoid this pain. These days, I'm completely exhausted and in desperate need of words of encouragement and prayers.

❤❤❤

Ash

posted from Bloggeroid

Let our scars fall in love.

We’re all seeking that special person who is right for us. But if you’ve been through enough relationships, you begin to suspect there’s no right person, just different flavors of wrong. Why is this? Because you yourself are wrong in some way, and you seek out partners who are wrong in some complementary way.

But it takes a lot of living to grow fully into your own wrongness. And it isn’t until you finally run up against your deepest demons, your unsolvable problems—the ones that make you truly who you are—that we’re ready to find a lifelong mate. Only then do you finally know what you’re looking for. You’re looking for the wrong person.

But not just any wrong person: the right wrong person—someone you lovingly gaze upon and think, “This is the problem I want to have.”

I will find that special person who is wrong for me in just the right way.

Let our scars fall in love.

- Galway Kinnell (A repost)

Trust God

Things may happen that you just don't understand. Trust that He is with you, and His plan is far greater than anything you can imagine.

Trust God and be brave, even if you don’t feel self-assured. It is so hard to let things go and not try to control everything. Place your worries, plans, and fears at the feet of Jesus. He's got you.

God knows your heart. If all you can manage is to be quiet and still before the Lord, it's ok. Even when words fail, He hears.

Be still and know He is God. You may be running on empty or running your race well but either way, you can be still in Him.

Maybe you need to take a break and refill. It's okay to have moments when you feel like you've had enough. Rest & let God refresh you.

Ash B. ❤❤❤

posted from Bloggeroid

Birthday Bash at Raffles Makati

Celebrating my birthday at Raffles Makati is such a remarkable experience. Using my Famous Agent’s points, I booked a night’s stay for free. Lucky to have this kinds of perks, don’t you agree?

Upon check in, a plate of fruits and a couple of an ice cold mixed berry juice, welcomed us – then I got my birthday cake few mins later.

The HUGE bathroom! 

Thank you, Bobby for this. 

Raffles Makati is a luxury hotel featuring boutique full-service suites, private residence suites, and is connected to the Fairmont Makati property. I booked a Junior Suite with twin beds. The room is tastefully styled with a touch of old-world classic charm with a modern touch. The beds are undeniably comfy and the bathroom is stunning! 

Raffles Pool Area

Raffles guest has access to book Fairmont and Raffles amenities. Love their pool as it’s not as crowded as Fairmont’s, but both pool’s great! Had our breakfast buffet at the Spectrum. As usual, the food’s sumptuous and the ambiance is warm and nice.

It was indeed a happy birthday. Thank you, Raffles.

Cheers! 

Ash B. ❤❤❤

My Best Friend's Wedding

Sub Title:  [Maid of honor Speech]

**Disclaimer:**
I am such a cry baby, especially on weddings, so I decided to write down my speech to make sure I wont forget a thing on this special day. I gave the printed copy to Jackie. 

When Jackie asked me to be her maid of honor, I had mixed emotions because standing up in front of a large crowd makes me nervous, but it is a great honor to be her maid of honor.

I met her 7 years ago, but we felt like we'd been friends since kindergarten! Jackie has one of the most genuine, compassionate hearts I've ever met. She's bubbly, hilarious, and more like a sister than a friend. We've been there for each other during some of our toughest moments. We've shed many tears, but we've also laughed a lot more. We've shared food, sleepovers, out-of-town trips, every secret we've ever had, watched movies together, held hands on ice skating rinks, and cried over trivial matters over the years, and I'm a better person for knowing her. We are inseparable during our People Support days. We talked about life, we laughed together, and we laughed at each other! It's always a good time when I'm with her. She exudes a cheerful spirit that is contagious. There are times when we don't need to say anything to understand each other; a simple smile or nod suffices. 

She taught me that we can be an incredible person with a huge heart and still laugh at things that we shouldn't. And she is correct; it is what makes you human. And fun. We talk a lot about change in certain aspects of our lives—at work, in love, and in our most recent look. She's one of those people who makes me happy. I learned a lot from her, and my two favorites are:

When you find The One, be willing to compromise. Love is always worth it.

 Wear PINK!

After Jackie and Aris met, I knew there was something there. She appeared to be happier than I had ever seen her, and I thank you, Aris, for seeing the goodness in her soul. Thank you for showing her so much love and compassion. I'm at ease knowing that you'll look after my best friend. It's reassuring to know that someone could and would stand beside her. I know I didn't lose my best friend; rather, I gained another wonderful friend.

I am not yet married, but I believe that to have a marriage that is full of simple, everyday joy, you must make an effort to be kind and grateful. Make each other laugh, and don't forget to do little things for each other just because. Learn to be curious, to keep asking questions, and you'll discover new ways to love and understand the person who pours your coffee every morning. Invest in the smallest details because they can contain the most magic.

Make the most of both your time together and your time apart. You fell in love with someone who had their own life, and while nothing is more special than the life you're creating together, it's also crucially important that you continue to grow as a person. Bringing your best self to the table is a gift you can give to someone you care about. Treat yourself well.

Of course, there is work. Accept it as part of the work of honoring a decision. Love may not be a choice in and of itself, but committing to that love is, and it comes with great responsibility. When you have eternal love, it is your responsibility to be patient, thoughtful, and to live each day as part of a team.

Above all, have fun, embrace adventure, and keep respect at the top of your priority list. Maintain the same standard for yourself as you would for your other half–nothing more, nothing less. You’re not always going to be perfect, and it’s not always going to be easy, but if you stay present and you embrace change and you don’t hog all the covers–literally or figuratively–then you’re far more likely to live out the love you promised each other when you said “I do.”

My final piece of advice is to never forget why you're all together today and how far you've come. It's no longer about your individual pasts, but about your future life together. Accept, celebrate, and unconditionally love one another.

Let us all raise a glass to the newlyweds. The first step is to get together; staying together is progress; and working together is success. I hope you remember that love is not about staring at each other, but about gazing in the same direction together.

xx

Ash

Home is what I felt.

I love how you sheepishly beam whenever I catch you staring at me. 

You fix your gaze on my face as if it's the last time you'll see me.

I like the way you look at me, as if I were made of stardust and moonlight. 

The kind of gaze that lingers and seeps into the soul.

I want you to keep staring at me, so you won’t forget my not so pretty face.

I want you to keep staring at me so I can remember every mark on your face - your mole, your fine lines, your brown eyes.

I want you to keep staring at me so I can kiss you passionately.

Then...

I will love you when the sunrise feels hopelessly vanished and the sunset lost its magic.

I will love you when it seems there's nothing left but emptiness and darkness.

I will love you on cold summer nights when you crave warmth and a tight hug.

I will love you and kiss you until the morning light.

I will hold you close and calm your fears. I will shower you with soft and sweet kisses.

I will love you while the world offers us boundless uncertainty and copious hope.

I will love you for the man you are, what you will become, and even the little boy within you.

I will love you with everything I know how to love.

Because…

When I look at you, I see my fate intertwined with yours.

Home is what I felt.

 ❤❤❤

Ash

posted from Bloggeroid

Thank You!

I was dusting and clearing the cobwebs of my scarred heart, when I met you. It was an ordinary Tuesday evening. We smiled while looking at each other’s eyes and I blushed when we caught ourselves mutually staring at one another.  I remember how we found ourselves sustaining an unending jabber, talking about anything and everything. I will always remember how you look at me.

Please stare at me until I fall, madly, genuinely, in love with you. I will cheerfully and freely swim inside your thoughts, your psyche, and your heart. I will drift, leap, float, dive, anywhere for you; no matter how shallow or deep your river will be. I will gladly drown in the ocean of your love, until I can secure and anchor you back to the safety of my shoreline.

With all the love that you’re showing, let me thank you for making my heart so happy and blessed. Thank you for noticing a golden sunrise in my sunset. And for allowing me to find the soothing glow of a purplish dusk when I get sunburned from too much light.

Thank you for blessing my squall with your calmness.   Thank you for believing that I can still bring purple rain to my otherwise greying soul. Thank you for seeing the goodness of my soul.

❤❤❤

Ash

posted from Bloggeroid

Corner Tree Café - review

We had a quick dinner at the corner Tree café. This hidden gem offers top notch healthy food made with love at prices fit for your ‘budgetarian’ wallet.

I absolutely love the café's atmosphere: it's intimate, cozy, calming, and sweet. The dimly lit interiors create the ideal dreamy romantic mood. A great place to go on a date or if you just want to relax and get away from the busy streets of Makati while eating healthy, organic, gluten-free meals.

It's also a great place for friends to hang out and work on their laptops. Food that is healthy, chemical-free, and delicious is a huge plus. They serve vegetarian versions of popular meat dishes, and the food is delicious enough that you won't miss the meat!

What we ate

Guilt Free

Vegetable Thai Curry

My review is based on a 100% transparent hands-on/tasting experience and personal views.  We may not always be on the same page, but thanks for dropping by!

Ash B. ❤❤❤