2012 Holidays, Travel Escapades and 2013 Travel Bucket List

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

That's what my living room looked like on Christmas Eve. Too bad I wasn't able to enjoy this much since I spent very little time at home. I was busy working the entire holiday season. Plus I was too sick. =( 

It was really disappointing because I get sick only once a year and it had to be on Christmas. Aside from choosing to stay miserably sober on Christmas parties, I had to work all the time which just made me feel ten times worse. The highlight of my Christmas was opening my Christmas presents under the tree two days after Christmas because that's when I had the time. Most of the gifts came from myself, which was pathetic by the way. 

Anyways, I had my share of fun times before I got sick. I went to Chicago with three of my girlfriends to celebrate Katrina's birthday. 

And partied with the Karoo girls in Jonathan's surprise birthday party.

I was feeling a little bit better on New Year's Eve so I hosted a mini pre-NYE party at my house.

All dolled up and ready to party!

This was the one and only decent picture that night. I didn't bring a camera in WETT because I forgot my camera the last time after too many shots.

It's now 2013 and I'm looking forward to a better and a more productive year. I set a lot of big goals this year and I hope and pray that I'll be able to make it happen. 

One of the many things I'm looking forward to is traveling. Unlike most people my age, My biggest expense is not mortgage, not car payments nor shoes and bags. My biggest expense goes to my travel fund. 

I've been to a lot of places in 2012 and I'm so thankful for it. I've been to New Orleans during the Mardi Gras festival. I had more fun in Bourbon street than in Vegas. True story. 

I also went to Niagara Falls and New York City. It cost me a fortune but its totally worth it. 

And just before Thanksgiving, I went to Florida. (I'll share a more detailed account on my upcoming posts)

mojitos, Ocean Drive, South Beach and palm trees. A piece of heaven on earth. =)

with a quick stopover in St. Louis Missouri 

midnight walk in downtown (which is not advisable by the way)

and Nashville Tennessee.

almost bought a pair. Seriously. It's too tempting. 

This year, I have two ambitious trips on my travel list. First one would be a western road trip that looks like this.

  

I am going to need a lot of time and moolah for this trip. But I am determined to make this thing happen. I have delayed this trip so many times. This year, it'll be a dream fulfilled. I'll check out all the National Parks along the way. Live young, wild and free in Vegas. Drive along the Pacific Coast Highway 1. Eat all I can in San Francisco. Explore Seattle. I have this big smile on my face while typing this. I'm so excited! 6,000 miles of pure fun!

Next destination on my list is a long shot. I want to spend my next Christmas in Manila. Yes. That's right. I pray for this everyday. I miss this city so much I'm dying to visit. I miss my family, my friends, the Christmas traditions and the weather. Oh Manila! 

I miss you everyday.

So there. My travel plans for 2013. I will have more travel post coming soon. I think that's what I'll be doing while waiting for this gruesome winter to pass. 

Do you have any travel plans yet for 2013? 

2010 Random thoughts turned fulfilled dreams

This was originally published in my Facebook account on the last day of 2010. I totally forgot that I wrote this one. I read it again today and realized that my life is not so bad after all. Now I'd like to post it here.

"Whew. How time flies. It's almost 2011. Alas! 2010 is over. The past year has been really crazy. It was a rough roller coaster ride with so many loops and turns that I almost didn't find my way back to sanity. My faith and personal relationships were put to test. I screwed up so many times but of course like any other storm, it eventually ended. And as expected, I emerged victorious. (ok. I was just exaggerating. I almost quit. seriously.) Despite all the shitty things in 2010. There's a lot to be thankful for. I'm grateful for the fact that I'm still alive and my whole family is healthy and happy. I eat sumptuous meals for free. I'm surrounded with people who makes me laugh. I have friends whom I haven't spoken with for a long time now but I know that we're still friends and will be friends forever. I was able to go back to school, and my grades has been good so far. I have traveled to a number of awesome places. Las Vegas, Orlando, Miami, Key West, Door County and New York City. I don't know how I did that. I didn't seem to have a lot of money to afford these places but I did. I have the most awesome boyfriend in the planet. I met different kinds of people from all walks of life which makes my life more interesting each day. The list could just go on and on.

 My list for 2011 is not even halfway done There's one thing I'm sure of. I want to travel more.

First on my list:

HAWAII

I want a 10 day trip to explore at least two of the Islands. Oahu and Maui.

SAN FRANCISCO AND LA

A five day trip would be awesome. 3 days in SFO and then a road trip to LA. Fun! =)

DULUTH, MINNESOTA

Kt used to brag about Duluth all the time. I want to see it too. Valentines Day? =)

 CHICAGO

Last time I was here, we were short with time so I didn't really get a chance to enjoy the place. I want to go back. Sears Tower, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Filipino Store, theater show, Ed Debevics and a lot more.

***

I also want to read more. I used to read a lot. I would usually finish 2-3 books per week. In 2010, I read three books. Three books in twelve months! I have been always preoccupied with too much stuff that I didn't have time to read books. Next year, I wanted to go back to my old hobby.

My idea of a perfect day would be to lie on the couch for hours with coffee sitting next to me while reading a good fat book. It would be more ideal if its raining outside. Ahh! That would be lovely.

***

This was quite a long optimistic post. Anyway, fast forward to November 2011. I was able to go to two out of four places listed here. Not bad right?

The trip to Hawaii was amazing and it was exactly how I dreamed it would be, a 10 day fun filled adventure! This Hawaii trip is the highlight of my entire existence year. I need to do separate post on this.

sunset in Maui

I also went to Chicago with Peter for our anniversary. It was my first time to really enjoy the city. I know it is lame since I live in Wisconsin and its just three hours away. I should go there more often. I need to do a separate post for Chicago too.

Sears Tower

For 2012, I have already set some goals. First, I need to go to San Francisco and LA. Instead of a five day trip, it'll be a three week road trip. It would be fun if I'll be able to stop in Bryce Canyon, Zion, Page, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite and Santa Barbara.  Yes, I dream big. Dreaming is tax free so why not! I still don't know how I'm going to fund this trip but I strongly believe that it's gonna push through. Yeah! Optimism is the key. =)

I don't care so much about Duluth now. Instead I want to attend the Mardi Gras Festival in New Orleans. It'll be my birthday gift to myself. It will be a perfect timing because the Mardi Gras parade will run from February 5th till the 22nd, and my birthday is on the 26th. Sakto!



Photo credit: escapenormal.com



And if my original plans push through, I will be going back to Manila on October of 2012. But before that, I need to make a quick stop over in the shopping capital of Asia. Hong Kong!

Photo credit: businessweek.com

And then off to Manila.

Photo credit: uniglobethetraveltimes.com

Manila City Hall

Oh Manila! I miss you with all my heart. You'll always be my favorite city no matter what.

I'm trying to calculate the cost of each trips that I want to do in 2012. How many internal organs to I have to sell for these? Hmm.. Yay! I believe that dreams do come true so I dream big. Now, I need tons of prayers  and three full time jobs. =)