A late happy new year, everyone!
I've been on a blogging hiatus for the past month, as I've been quite busy taking care of myself and giving my full attention to the people and furbabies that matter. The last few weeks of my 2013 were spent in reflective meditation, staying indoors and just learning to appreciate living in the now and seeing all the little things that make up my day. I have so much to be thankful for, as I've been blessed with so much last year, I really have no complaints no matter how many challenges I was made to overcome. I recently realized that once you view challenges as a vehicle towards success instead of a roadblock to your goal, life - and the roadblock - becomes a lot more easier to get through.
I've had a rollercoaster 2013 and loved every minute of it that the months just whizzed by, and here I am now, starting the first month of the new year, giddy with excitement for the months to come, and looking forward to all the new experiences, people I'll be meeting, and places I'll be discovering this 2014.
As for Mucking Around Manila, I'm changing things up a bit and adding a few more topics that pique my interest. I hope you guys stick around to support it! Here's what I've got lined up:
1. Mucking Around Outside Manila
Mucking Around Manila started as a lifestyle blog, but so far it's been skewed more towards food blogging than anything else, with a few tech and beauty posts here and there. This year will see a lot more travel posts, starting with a few trips in Manila, a couple of out of town trips, and two or three trips out of the country. I admit I can be quite lazy when it comes to taking pictures and would rather just snap a few photos on my phone than spend hours of r&r time looking for the best angle and lighting for that idyllic shot by the pool, by the beach, at the market, etc.
2. Hotel Hopping
Whether it be in the city, at a far flung province, or in another country, everyone enjoys checking into a hotel for a night of rest and relaxation. I've always been fascinated by the suite life and I love getting lost in the maze of halls, discovering the gym, the spa, and the pool, enjoying the sumptuous breakfast and dinner buffets, and chatting with the staff, trying to pry out all the little secrets about the hotel in question. Oh, and let's not forget about the bathrooms! I usually come prepared with bath salts and soaps from Lush, always ready for a good soak in a huge bathtub before burrowing into the warmth of the bed, sandwiched between the marshmallow-y sheets and thick duvet.
3. Getting on the Health Wagon
I had been meaning to sprinkle a few posts about taking care of yourself last year, but for some odd reason, never got to doing it. So I promise, this year I mean to tackle health issues at least twice a month, since I had been going through my own battles for most of last year.
4. Get Off That Hiney!
I was such a slug last year! All I did was work, sleep, eat, repeat. I'm doing away with that this year and making the most of all the fun activities one can do in and around Manila. I'm crossing my fingers that this is the year I revive my yoga practice, try out CrossFit (kill me now), take wakeboarding a little more seriously (practice in Nuvali, show off in CamSur!), head over to La Union for surfing lessons, and maybe take a scuba class or three.
5. New Age of Aquarius
The Philippines is a very spiritual nation by nature, and I have always been drawn to the spiritual (not the religious). I want to delve into everything from palmistry, to spirit card readings, angel readings, reiki healings, and ayurvedic practices, rediscover Buddhism and Kabbalah (they're under 'New Age' at bookstores, weirdly enough) and see what resonates with me and what doesn't. It should be a very interesting, third eye-opening ride!
6. Muck Around Over Dinner
How does my treating you to dinner sound? I've been wanting to get to know the people who read this humble little blog of mine, and since most of what you guys have read last year is of food, an intimate dinner seems appropriate. This is still in the works, but hey, if anyone wants to pop by for a bite to eat on a Thursday night, I'd love to have you!
7. Muck Around Manila with Me!
This is somewhat in the works, but I'll be starting a few intimate tours in and around Manila by March. So tell your balikbayan friends or relatives, friends who plan on visiting the Philippines, or expats who have been around for a while but haven't ventured into the belly of the beast that is Manila yet, to muck around with me! I promise it won't be your ordinary tour.
So, when mucking around Manila this year, I hope ya'll keep checking the blog for what to see, eat, and do in and around the Metro. I'm looking forward to getting lost in this wonderful city, taking in all the sights, smells (no matter how smelly!), and sounds of this beautiful country, and I welcome everyone who wants to join me on my journey!
Just mucking around Manila,
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