Ready to Tackle 2014!

So it's a new year again. A fresh start for everyone. Have you listed down your resolutions? Well, I've personally stopped listing down mine a long time ago. But what I do is draft a plan for the year. Last year was a grand one that was put t a halt because I had to make a big room for a major change at work.

For 2014, I still am making plans. But nothing grand. I do not want to be overwhelmed this time. Just one project every quarter.

Q1 - Herb Garden Project. I've been keeping a Pinterest board for that project since the beginning of 2013. I hope to finally start that this weekend.

Q2 - Baking lessons. Tibs bought me a gas oven as a 2013 parting gift (also to commemorate all of the hardwork I've put in 2013. I plan to learn how to bake in Q2 in preparation for the kid's birthday as I want to make a homemade birthday cake for her this time.

Q3 - DIY Party for Maia's 6th birthday. I plan to do more crafts this quarter, improve on my artistic skills since I'm not really very creative. I'm one of those moms who really thank God for Pinterest. I want to do more DIYs this year. I want my little girl to feel I've put in more effort this time to make her birthday party more special.

Q4 - Home improvements. I plan to repaint our house this year. The last time we had our house repainted was Oct 2008 when I gave birth to Maia. I think it's high time we have it repainted. I've been planning to repaint it with teal. But the 3 of us will take a vote. We'll see how that goes.

That's how rough my plans are for 2014. Not filled with details but I'm just happy I got to list them down. I need to be constantly reminded so I'm posting them here.

How about you, have you drafted a list? My friend Toni's goals for 2014 are very inspiring. Go check it out here.

2013: In Retrospect - Career Defining Moment

I welcomed 2013 with a steady mindset. I didn't foresee anything exciting for the year but I looked forward to it with a fresh outlook. Just as how I've always viewed the new year as new beginnings.

But before the first quarter was over, I found my plate filled with totally unexpected new challenges. I was offered something that would eventually rock my world. Something that eventually forced me to put my mothering career aside and instead focus on my other love...that is mentoring. I couldn't complain. It came at the right timing. I had extra time in my hands anyways and the kid was not dependent on me anymore.

Suffice to say, it has been one heck of a rollercoaster ride since. For someone who totally abhors rollercoasters, this rollercoaster I'm riding has not stopped yet. And I don't think it's stopping anytime soon. Some days, it actually feels dizzying. But then again, I really couldn't complain. I am extremely blessed to be given this opportunity and the best way to show my gratitude I believe is for me to make good use of this blessing by providing the people I am mentoring the proper guidance and ensure we are all heading at the right direction.

My 2013 was also defined by travels. I planned for a lot of things mostly rooted to improving my home in 2013 but none of them were realized. Most of our weekends in 2013 were spent unpacking and then repacking our bags. But yes, I couldn't complain. Travels are great sources of learning and I am very grateful we had the chance to do that for our daughter.

Lots of lessons were learned in 2013 - career, relationships, roles. I learned the real meaning of priorities. I made the effort to be more prayerful and I discovered that prayers indeed work. YES. THEY. DO. and YES. THEY. WORK.

2013 was a huge year for me. And I am extremely grateful to everyone who made it the YEAR that it was for me. 

Next Attraction: A Better Me In 2012

Like probably majority of people who make resolutions, I was never good at keeping them. I don't even get past January and I break them. But every time a year comes to a close, I always feel giddy. It's probably the anticipation of what new things, new opportunities, new challenges the coming year could bring that makes me feel that way.

This year I didn't make any resolutions again. But vowed one thing - 2012 will definitely end with a better ME. Since I became a mother and a wife, my world mostly evolved around keeping the hubby, the kid and the house. I gave the least priority to me. But now that the kid is growing up and is soon stepping into the world of preschoolers, I realized it's probably the best time for me to now focus on ME. After all, if the ME is happy everything else should follow. 

So for starters, I've started doing three things that I think would be easiest for me to sustain. They are:

1 - Finding a skincare regimen that is easy to do and easy on the pocket. Last year, I can give myself a five already since I've learned to moisturize already. But this year, I wanted to trump that one and up the scale a few points more. I promised to exfoliate, tone and put sunblock as well. And Human Heart Nature is going to help me make that happen. I've now stocked up and is so far successful for the last 3 days. I just need to make a habit out of this (it takes 21 days right?) and I'll be breezing through this like a pro. Here's what I've been doing so far:

Day

Wash using Celeteque facial wash and apply Myra VitaGlow Tinted Facial Moisturizer before I leave for work. I only use the moisturizer sparingly though because my face tends to get very oily. When I don't leave the house, I apply a drop of Human Heart Nature's Sunflower Oil instead. (I'm replacing this soon with Human Heart Nature's Day Fluid. Just waiting for them to restock)

Night

Wash with Celeteque facial wash again, tone using Human Heart Nature's Hydrating Toner and apply Human Heart Nature's 100% Natural Moisturizing Night Cream with Plant Collagen. 

I've been using Human Heart Nature products for almost 2 years now and I really like them (well mostly because they're all natural and budget-friendly). They don't feel harsh at all and I'm really loving how the night cream makes my skin feel hydrated. I exfoliate at least 3x a week using Celeteque exfoliating wash (the one with the beads). I am optimistic that I could turn this one into a habit. I have soft, glowing skin clipped on my vision board for added inspiration. Hehe.

currently loving these products. they're all natural and very budget-friendly!

2 - Read and ACTUALLY finish at least one book every month (my friend Raizza has been doing this and I think it's a great idea). 

I used to really love reading. But that has since taken the back seat. This year, I'm rekindling that passion for reading to influence my daughter and to keep her interested in books. I don't want to pressure her into reading really but I'm hoping that when she sees me enjoying it, she might just think it's really something good to do :) Right now I've started reading One Day by David Nicholls. I initially planned on reading this before I saw the movie but I didn't make the time last year. 

I cried buckets in the movie. and I'm probably going to cry more reading this book

3 - Minimize hours spent on computer games and blog more often instead. 

I've been most successful with this one. I hope though that I get to sustain this the most since I do tend to be easily addicted once I start with a certain game. So what I try do right now is just to totally avoid clicking whatever request I get in Facebook most especially since that's where I usually spend most gaming hours in.

So there, three little tiny steps at a time and I sure am on my way to a better me in 2012. Wish me luck!