Wednesday, January 21, 2015
The Happy List
1. The approval of my visa
2. Starting a new adventure in Sydney
3. Balikbayan box from my sister has arrived last Sunday
4. Bonding with my family and friends
5. Cooking healthy meals and sharing them with my mom
6. Making fresh and yummy smoothies
7. Working out in the morning
8. Shedding unwanted fats, especially in my problem areas
9. Tons of nuts, muesli, chocolates, snacks shared with my family
10. Supportive people around me, helping me out every step of the way
11. Sticking to my healthy and fitness lifestyle for 2 months now
12. Thoughtful friends
14. Cooking holiday ham with my mom
15. S & R dates with my momma
16. Gaining confidence and loving myself more
17. Exploring and traveling new places
Credits: Camie Juan
Bucket List: Australian Edition
I'm already off to a good start this year! My visa was finally approved and I'm leaving next month! It took us months to collate all of the visa requirements, not to mention the expensive costs, but finally, all of our hard work paid off! Truth be told, there was a slight chance that my visa won't be approved since we had a problem with a certain requirement. I was already bracing myself for the worst and I was praying to God for help. Thankfully, my mother, grandmother and aunty were able to come up with a solution. And on January 5th at 2PM I received the great news via email, I felt overjoyed and I even shed a few tears of joy. I'm deeply grateful and blessed for my loving family! So now, all I have to do is make the necessary travel arrangements, shop for winter clothes and prepare my things. It feels SO good to finally be here. I chose to move out of my comfort zone in pursuit of bigger and brighter things.
To celebrate this, I've decided to create an Australian mini bucket list! I'll be posting photos that I took personally over here. :)
1. Take the Bondi to Coogee walk
2. Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge
3. Scuba dive in Great Barrier Reef
4. Hug a Koala and meet a Kangaroo
5. Witness the New Year fireworks at the Sydney Opera House
6. Participate in a Free Sydney Walking Tours
7. Go on a wine tour in one of Australia's wine areas
8. Wander Melbourne's laneways
9. Indulge in the famous coffee culture
10. Sunset cruise on the harbour
11. Walk through Hyde Park
12. Witness Vivid Sydney
13. Explore the Rocks District
14. Go to the Observatory Hill
15. Participate in a fun run
“Life hands us opportunities at every turn to get over ourselves, to get outside ourselves, to wake up from our own bad dreams and realize that really lovely things are happening all the time.” Shauna Niequist
To celebrate this, I've decided to create an Australian mini bucket list! I'll be posting photos that I took personally over here. :)
1. Take the Bondi to Coogee walk
2. Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge
3. Scuba dive in Great Barrier Reef
4. Hug a Koala and meet a Kangaroo
5. Witness the New Year fireworks at the Sydney Opera House
6. Participate in a Free Sydney Walking Tours
7. Go on a wine tour in one of Australia's wine areas
8. Wander Melbourne's laneways
9. Indulge in the famous coffee culture
10. Sunset cruise on the harbour
11. Walk through Hyde Park
12. Witness Vivid Sydney
13. Explore the Rocks District
14. Go to the Observatory Hill
15. Participate in a fun run
“Life hands us opportunities at every turn to get over ourselves, to get outside ourselves, to wake up from our own bad dreams and realize that really lovely things are happening all the time.” Shauna Niequist
Life Lately
I made this post similar to Lauryn's,
which is I think is a more personal take on the popular Sunday
Currently link-up. Here's a look at what I've been up to lately.
Reading: The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama & Howard Cutler. I discovered this book from a good friend of mine who happened to carry it inside her bag during our reunion a few years ago. The title was stuck in my head until now, so I decided to read the book and find out what it's all about. Its a book about the philosophy and way of life of Buddhism and even if you aren't practicing the religion, it is a nice read about contentment, positivity, gratefulness and how to become an overall happier person. It was actually written by Howard Cutler, an American psychiatrist, who posed questions to the Dalai Lama and together they explore the different facets of life.
Listening: I mostly listen to R&B, hip hop, and pop music to accompany me while working out. I just browse through Spotify's workout songs and blast them on my speakers. It keeps you pumped up and motivated!
Listening: I mostly listen to R&B, hip hop, and pop music to accompany me while working out. I just browse through Spotify's workout songs and blast them on my speakers. It keeps you pumped up and motivated!
Photographing: I love taking photos of the yummy foods that my mom and I are cooking. I also take the time to plate my healthy meals so I can snap a good photo. It serves as an inspiration to me so that I'll be motivated to continue this healthy lifestyle.
Writing: A list of things that I need to bring with me to Sydney so I won't forget. Also, a shopping list like my winter clothes, shoes, bags, etc.
Watching: I haven't been watching movies or TV shows that much lately. The only movie I saw this month was 21 Jump Street, a comedy movie starring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill. I'm going to watch the second part with my mom soon.
Using: Kayla Itsines' Bikini Body Workout Guide for 2 months now! That's a record for me right there cause I usually stick to a workout routine for only a month in the past. You only need 30 minutes a day to complete Kayla's routine, very sustainable if you ask me and it's like having a personal trainer right in front of you. I can honestly say that this is one of the best things I've done in my life.
Learning: To take care and love myself more. I used to be so hard and critical of myself, to a point that I get so stressed out and depressed. And ever since I made the decision to eat healthier and exercise every week, I noticed my stress levels are down and the fats are melting away! :D
Reminiscing: About my carefree days when I was younger, when life was so much easier. But now its time to put my big girl shoes on and face the real world! It's truly a bittersweet feeling.
Thinking: About the blessings I've received this year, the biggest of which is the approval of my visa, the positive things in my life, my lovely family and friends, my big move to Australia.
Reflecting Upon: My Australian dream and career path. This journey has definitely molded me to become a better person. I took a detour in my career path last year, but now I'm back to where I started. I believe God is directing me to the right path. :)
Friday, January 9, 2015
Five On Friday
Monday 1-5-15
Finally my student visa was approved! I can finally breathe! I have a few weeks left to prepare and say my farewells to family and friends. I'm so excited to start this new chapter of my life.
T W O
Qantas Airlines booked
I'm already booked on February 7th, I chose a flight with a strop over at the Changi Airport, Singapore as the ticket was a lot cheaper. I'll be setting foot on two different countries, yay! I'm coming AUSTRALIA! The wanderlust bug has bitten!
T H R E E
I'm on a health kick!
I'm so proud of myself for sticking to my fitness routine until now. My clothes fit better, and my stamina has increased! No more bloated and sluggish feeling! I hope I can continue this when I go to Australia next month. This is my favorite post workout smoothie - banana dates!
F O U R
Oh She Glows cookbook
I finally have this vegan cookbook(my first ever) by Angela Liddon. I'm not really looking into going vegan, I just want to get inspired to cook healthier and this is just what I needed!
F I V E
Sunday Mass with my sister
The day before my visa was approved, my sister and I went to mass at SM Megamall. I asked God for help regarding my visa and the next day my prayer was answered. Its amazing how God gives you the things you need at the RIGHT time, His time. Praise God!
Monday, January 5, 2015
2015 Goals List
MY WORD OF THE YEAR:
POSSIBLE
LIFE GOALS
- Move out of my comfort zone
- Move to Australia
- Take risks and opportunities that come my way
- Learn to be more patient and grateful
- Live happier and have a more positive outlook in life
- Become less sensitive with what other people say
- Meet new trustworthy friends
- Learn, grow and become independent
- Build my career
HEALTH GOALS
- Achieve my ideal weight 120 lbs. and maintain it
- Finish Kayla Itsines' Bikini Body Guide 12-week workout
- Stay motivated with my healthy eating and fitness habits
- Give up sweets, sodas and processed foods
- Have one cheat meal, ONCE a week
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