One month down in 2025!

What they always say about January, it's the longest month of the year. True enough I had my share of events on the first month of the year. I checked my phone and uploaded a few that made the past weeks. 

Pancakes and this overlooking breakfast place in Binondo.  

• February 09, 2025

Life Lately in a Photo Dump

One month down in 2025!

What they always say about January, it's the longest month of the year. True enough I had my share of events on the first month of the year. I checked my phone and uploaded a few that made the past weeks. 

Pancakes and this overlooking breakfast place in Binondo.  

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Scared is what you're feeling. Brave is what you're doing. – Emma Donoghue 

After September 2021, I have always struggled celebrating Christmas and New Year. I appreciate the festive atmosphere around as the holiday approaches. But at home, it has always been different since my mother passed away. Looking back, we have survived four holidays together: me, Dad and my older brother. There are so much to be grateful for. In the end, I close my eyes and end the day with a contented heart. Having a safe and comfortable home, a stable job, food for everyone and more importantly, good health, these are more than enough blessings. 

• January 25, 2025

Breathe

Scared is what you're feeling. Brave is what you're doing. – Emma Donoghue 

After September 2021, I have always struggled celebrating Christmas and New Year. I appreciate the festive atmosphere around as the holiday approaches. But at home, it has always been different since my mother passed away. Looking back, we have survived four holidays together: me, Dad and my older brother. There are so much to be grateful for. In the end, I close my eyes and end the day with a contented heart. Having a safe and comfortable home, a stable job, food for everyone and more importantly, good health, these are more than enough blessings. 

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In a few weeks, another year is about to end. Save the classic lines: looking back, time flies, so much has changed...

I'm tempted to use those overused phrases. As always, I don't know where and how to start. My projects for 2024 ended last week. It's one of the rare times when I can spend weekends without thinking about deadlines. We still have work to do. But I feel relieved that the core projects are over. See you again next year, for another batch of patience testing and mental health gaming episodes. 

• November 24, 2024

That Happiness

In a few weeks, another year is about to end. Save the classic lines: looking back, time flies, so much has changed...

I'm tempted to use those overused phrases. As always, I don't know where and how to start. My projects for 2024 ended last week. It's one of the rare times when I can spend weekends without thinking about deadlines. We still have work to do. But I feel relieved that the core projects are over. See you again next year, for another batch of patience testing and mental health gaming episodes. 

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We were not suppose to take the Halong Bay trip. This was the reason why we chose the more expensive small group tour in Ninh Binh.  I initially followed the recommendation of a friend to skip the touristy places in Vietnam. On the way back to Hanoi from Ninh Binh, we made the last minute decision to book a trip to Halong Bay. Armed with a great internet connection (Thank you Shopee for the affordable and reliable Vietnam sim), I booked a trip via Klook. We took the small group tour in a Limousine bus in Hanoi with buffet lunch for Php 2,282.25 per head. If you have more time and patience, you can look for coupon codes from vloggers and influencers from Tiktok. Another option is taking the standard bus, with a price difference of around Php 300. In our case, we chose the small group tour for that much needed comfort and convenience. 

• October 20, 2024
• places

Halong Bay : The Last Minute Trip from Klook

We were not suppose to take the Halong Bay trip. This was the reason why we chose the more expensive small group tour in Ninh Binh.  I initially followed the recommendation of a friend to skip the touristy places in Vietnam. On the way back to Hanoi from Ninh Binh, we made the last minute decision to book a trip to Halong Bay. Armed with a great internet connection (Thank you Shopee for the affordable and reliable Vietnam sim), I booked a trip via Klook. We took the small group tour in a Limousine bus in Hanoi with buffet lunch for Php 2,282.25 per head. If you have more time and patience, you can look for coupon codes from vloggers and influencers from Tiktok. Another option is taking the standard bus, with a price difference of around Php 300. In our case, we chose the small group tour for that much needed comfort and convenience. 

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When in Vietnam, Halong Bay has always been identified as the leading destination. Social media leads often mention Sappa, Hoi An and Phu Quoc. Ninh Binh is not a popular choice. Days before our trip, the workplace's travel agency offered optional tours in Ninh Binh or Halong Bay. While everyone chose Halong Bay, we went with Ninh Binh. There were only two of us who signed up and in the end, the tour operator cancelled the trip. It turned out for the better because I scored cheaper tours from Klook. The workplace's travel agency offered the trip for around Php 4,000 in a large group tour. I found this deal from Klook, which costed less than Php 4,000 and best about it, we had a very comfortable luxury van to ourselves. 

I highly recommend availing the small group tour for Ninh Binh since the entire trip entailed hiking, walking and a boat tour. 

• September 29, 2024
• places

Discovering Ninh Binh, Vietnam

When in Vietnam, Halong Bay has always been identified as the leading destination. Social media leads often mention Sappa, Hoi An and Phu Quoc. Ninh Binh is not a popular choice. Days before our trip, the workplace's travel agency offered optional tours in Ninh Binh or Halong Bay. While everyone chose Halong Bay, we went with Ninh Binh. There were only two of us who signed up and in the end, the tour operator cancelled the trip. It turned out for the better because I scored cheaper tours from Klook. The workplace's travel agency offered the trip for around Php 4,000 in a large group tour. I found this deal from Klook, which costed less than Php 4,000 and best about it, we had a very comfortable luxury van to ourselves. 

I highly recommend availing the small group tour for Ninh Binh since the entire trip entailed hiking, walking and a boat tour. 

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A few months ago, I had the opportunity to visit Vietnam. The trip was originally planned before COVID happened. I never thought it would still push through. But with the hardwork and perseverance of some people at the workplace, it finally happened. 

We had an early morning flight to Hanoi. Arriving early meant we had the entire day to explore Hanoi. 

• September 20, 2024
• places

Hanoi, Vietnam

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to visit Vietnam. The trip was originally planned before COVID happened. I never thought it would still push through. But with the hardwork and perseverance of some people at the workplace, it finally happened. 

We had an early morning flight to Hanoi. Arriving early meant we had the entire day to explore Hanoi. 

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It wasn't a planned purchase. But as always, the bag caught my attention. It looks like the Goyard St. Louis tote bag. While I still cannot afford a Goyard, other similar bags can work for now. Christy Ng is a Malaysian brand that offers shoes and bags. I discovered the brand through ad placements from my Facebook account. After a few clicks and social media algorithm, all those local Instagram based sellers appeared in my suggestions.  

• September 09, 2024
• bags

Christy Ng Russo Monogram Tote : A Review

It wasn't a planned purchase. But as always, the bag caught my attention. It looks like the Goyard St. Louis tote bag. While I still cannot afford a Goyard, other similar bags can work for now. Christy Ng is a Malaysian brand that offers shoes and bags. I discovered the brand through ad placements from my Facebook account. After a few clicks and social media algorithm, all those local Instagram based sellers appeared in my suggestions.  

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