While we are all on isolation, each one of us has our own stories to share, both serious and funny on virtual communication during this period of social distancing. What I appreciate the most are private group chats and private messages. You see, I grew up under the generation of fax machines and analog telephones. I feel grateful that in this time and age, technology allows us to obtain information while keeping in touch with family and friends living far away.  

Nobody's perfect.  We do not live a zero-waste lifestyle yet.  It takes time and a conscious effort to adjust.  The most important thing to ask is why we want to do it.

Why do I want to reduce waste at home?

Since having moved to the countryside, we started improving ways our family manages household waste because our garbage truck passes only once a week, so we had to find ways to avoid a pile up of smelly garbage. 

Outdoor Yoga at Archery Asia

What?!?  It's already Thursday?  Oh dear, 2020 feels like someone just pulled up from behind, kicked us several times by the b*ms while docking behind left unseen.  With catastrophic events unfolding and stirring up a sense  of anxiety and confusion everywhere, it's a challenge to see the silver lining lately.

The only thing I could hold on to is faith and hope for whatever optimism we have left be preserved. 

Life is volatile. To savor time  honed into what we value most in life  and being present is the best way to honor ourselves and those precious to us.  

Who's up for a weekend in the mountains, surrounded by vegetable farms, a natural stream, and pine trees?  No internet in a secluded solar-powered cabin.

Amidst the never-ending Christmas parties, the year-end break calls for a much-needed vacation away from technology to reflect on the lessons 2019 taught us and what we look forward to in 2020.

The blame for lack of posts here goes to administrative errands, travel, household duties, and motherhood apart from our adjustment to living in a new place.  I will be honest, many at times I thought of pulling the plug on Travel Gourmande, because finding 3 things that I like about the Philippines started becoming difficult.  To the point where my article cascades to a rant.  Such as, Don't get me started on the ridiculous Christmas decorations that I saw in August kind of example. 

Dreaming of unleashing your inner Katniss?  Imagine shooting various targets even faux animals in nature. It is quiet as you aim. You take a deep breath and then as you release the arrow, you watch it hit your target, or not :)

Exhaustion evaporated as soon as the calm breeze swept over me.  A positive energy immediately transcended every fiber of my being into a state of peace.  Time stood still and the only sound one could hear were those of leaves and branches that danced in the gentle wind.  The green mountainscape that surrounded the monastery was soothing to behold. 

While the bus was crammed with grumpy stressed out passengers, a friend witnessed this scene  on his way home while looking out of the bus' window.  The rain has brought puddles and the ramps have transformed into mini waterfalls.  Kids  laid on the pavement  and played snow angels under the rain.

It was 2AM.  The trip that often takes 3 hours to get here to this side of the city only took us an hour and a half from where we live. The roads were empty.  Our sleepiness vanished as soon as we laid eyes on the International Airport of Mactan.  

Hands down, best seafood meal ever!  Ooh that spicy sauce!  My friend, Romina took me to Redtail Shrimps & More  in Cagayan de Oro for lunch.

Les Maisons d'Itac is a high-end Bed and Breakfast situated deep within the remote fishing village of Barangay Sta. Cruz in Ronda.

It was originally a private vacation home. Beach villas were originally built for the owner's visiting guests, which was then later converted into a resort. The hotel is in fact named after their dog, Itac, whom you will have a chance to meet walking around like a boss. :)

Remember when I wrote about Which Food to Send in a Care Package some time ago?

I was at the airport waiting for my flight while I typed this. Bath & Body Works loomed to my left which brought me back to good old days when I hoarded products from this brand as presents for family and friends. I perused and felt nostalgic. I was tempted to purchase their liquid hand wash which was found scattered throughout our previous overseas home for many years, but its equivalent Philippine price is hefty for our current household budget, so I walked away. Which Items to Send in a box to the Philippines?

Did I just go to France on a whim? Nope, this interestingly designed coffee shop is none other than La Vie Parisienne in Lahug, Cebu.  What I like about the Philippines is the abundance of places to spend time in.

Happy Chinese New Year to those celebrating it!  Yay, Year of the Pig eh?  It has been more than a week since I have taken a vacation from Facebook and Instagram.  I am presently enjoying the silence. 

A friend asked me how I'm able to accomplish my tasks every day working from home.  Of course, I can't speak for everyone. Each one has their own way of getting things done. Besides, my workload now cannot be compared with how it was back in the Middle East.  My old ex-pat self would have scoffed at the present me, "Pfff..what work are you talking about ?"   

I feel life is a tad slower in the Philippines. Stressful as it may seem but a "bahala na" attitude still lingers in the air everywhere I go. It's both good and bad. It depends on how we take it.  I suppose, we spend more time stuck in traffic jams or waiting in a queue for a ride home and I couldn't help thinking, this is actually causing more stress than the actual work in the office. Much as we can complain about it, it is in fact beyond our control until we decide to pack our bags and go somewhere else. 

Do you remember when I posted 30 Days of Positive Thinking Challenge last year?  

Here's what happened.

There was a major shift in my life since I completed this challenge, not only for 30 Days but I kept at it for 3 months before 2018 ended. 

T'is the season to consume lots of coffee so we could stamp our way to claim the 2019 Journal at the coffee shop you fancy.  If you have an extra journal, please feel free to throw some my way and I'd be ecstatic. (Ha! You must be thinking, the nerve of this girl!)  

Oh well, that's one of my intentions for next year. I intend to speak my mind more - in real life that is. You see, I tend to reveal more of myself here on the blog and only to a select few, in person.

Look up.  Since that moment a coconut fell an inch away from my head, I tend to look up and make sure I'm away from these trees when the sh...err.. smoothie hits the fan.   Oh well, I love coconuts and the first thing I'm grateful for is saying goodbye to cans of coconut milk/cream from the supermarket. I now have access to freshly grated coconut and coconut water.