10 Things I am Thankful for this #Stronger2014

Ilang oras na lang 2015 na!  And at this time of the year, I can't help but look back and reflect on what happened in the last year and look forward for the next.

I could say it's been a good 2015.  During this time last year, I forged the personal battle cry of #Stronger2014.  Coming from a bloody but victorious 2013 (#Win2013), I just felt I ought to be stronger this year.  And I think I was able to accomplish that through the help of our boss up there, family, true friends and dependable colleagues.

So let me thank them one by one.

foydi's Catch 38 - Brown Christmas

Like many of you, Christmas is also the most wonderful time of the year for me.  The moment the calendar hits the 1st of September, I can't help but get excited with the coming of the holiday season. I bet you've heard many times that the Philippines has the longest Christmas season or celebration in the world as we start it at the on-set of the ber months (September 1) up to the second week of January the following year (the week of 3 Kings celebration).

But what I particularly like about our Christmas celebration is that we were able to put  local color to something that is shared by the west.  So just like US army jeeps turned into the festive Philippine jeepney, western outfits turned into elegant but cool Barong Tagalog and Baro’t Saya, and ceremonial feasts of saints transformed to colorful fiestas, we were able to tweak White Christmas to Brown Christmas!

Treasure Find 37 - Why I prefer HILOT than other massage treatments

I must admit, I'm a massage addict.  Well, it's probably because of the regular stress I get from work, blogging and a lot of other things.  But don't get me wrong, I know stress is part and parcel of our lives.  That's why my remedy for it is a regular massage.

Before my hilot therapy session :)

I usually have a backpain because of the laptop and all the gadgets I carry.  If you'll comment why bring it regularly as if it's the solution to the problem, then I would say it's not.  As someone who's in the digital practice, my gadgets are my tools.  So I can't leave them behind.

Treasure Find 36 - Feast Time!

Hi folks! I know I left you hanging because foydi's Treasure Hunt was in hybernation last year. There's no excuse and all I want to do now is catch up. :)

But for the curious ones, here's a snapshot of what happened last year: http://digitista.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-places-tadified-in-2013.html

Ok, let me start this post with a question given to me by a friend: "What's your biggest blessing last year, 2013?"

I immediately responded but ran out of words when I was zeroing in to my point, in to what I really want to say. In my mind, 2013 like 2012, was a roller coaster ride.  But unlike 2012 where there were fixed wins like a new job, great travels and a swan song, 2013 was a stable up and down (ironic right?!).  In 2013, I did have good travels, but so as bad ones.  I made a mark at work but it was also the first time I was strongly challenged by office politics. I made new friends but lost some as well.  Clan bond is slowly getting back but the blacksheeps are still there.  So what exactly was the biggest blessing in 2013? It couldn't be a zero!

Yes, it couldn't be a zero because I realized that my biggest blessing in 2013 is something life changing, something that really matters.  That is the FEAST. That is the Makati Feast.

Treasure Find 35 -- Cash and Coins to Welcome the New Year!

Treasure Find  35:

Another thing we do before the new year arrives is do a general cleaning of our house and our room, to as what other folks believe, make more room for the entry of financial blessings! :)

That's not my motivation though.  I just want to start 2013 year with a new, clean and fresh outlook.  So come December 29 (after 12 mn!)  and upon waking up on December 30, I cleaned and re-arranged the fixtures in my room.  It was a tiring time because I have plenty of stuffs to fix.  

Treasure Find 34 -- From New World in 2012 to Win 2013

Treasure Find 34:

It's a few hours before the clock hits 12 mn and we welcome the new year.  It's the time of the year (during alone time of course) when people get to reflect on how the past year has been.

For 2012, my battle cry was New World in 2012 (from Get Even in 2011, Golden 2010, Shine in 2009 and 2008 will be Great). I can't remember though what's in my mind then but all I know is I want to conquer "new worlds" in 2012; go beyond limits and explore new grounds. It's a bold goal I guess but I'd rather do it now than wait for the time that I might be unable to do new things anymore. And hence, it shaped the year that was. And I realized "New World" can mean many things.

Treasure Find 33 -- Going OA is a lot OK!

BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:

Yes, you read it right.  Going OA is a lot OK!  But before you get confused, it's a different OA I'm referring to.  It's not over acting but Organic Farming or Organic Agriculture!

Why did I say that?  Well for someone who is in constant search and struggle for healthy eating and hunt for our country's rarest treasures, OA is something that really opened my eyes.

Congratulations to Melandria for Winning the Pasalubong from Treasure Find 25!

First and foremost, foydi's Treasure Hunt would like to express its apology for the delay of the announcement of the winner due to some technical glitches.  But now, it can be revealed, the winner of the Pasalubong from Treasure Find 25 is Melandria Romero from Naga City!  :) 

Photo c/o Melandria's Facebook Page

Melandria won these souvenir shirts from Batanes! :)

Congratulations Melandria!  foydi's Treasure Hunt will contact you on how to get your prize!  :) 

Treasure Find 25 -- Pasalubong (and you can get some from foydi's Treasure Hunt!)

Treasure Find 32 -- There's More in Ivana's Honesty Store

BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:

Honesty Store.  At first, it sounds strange to me.  But when I saw it on TV,  heard it on radio and read it on newspapers, it fired up my soul to pursue my life long dream of going to Batanes and search for that wonderful place. 

And when I finally made it to this heavenly place, I made sure that visiting the "legendary" Honesty Store will be part of the itinerary!  So right after my journey to Sabtang Island, we went to Radiwan, Ivana where the said store was located.  And finally, I found the Honesty Store!

The Honesty Store / Coffee Shop is owned by Ms. Elena Gabilo.  The difference of this store with the rest of the sari-sari stores in the Philippines is that the customers can buy from the store without the storekeeper / owner.  The customer just needs to serve himself, either prepare his own coffee, buy goods and put his money in a box.  In fact, he can even make a change himself.  He just needs to write down on a notebook what he bought from the store.