Day dreamer and Believer: Family

Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts

Heeeyyyy guys! After several attempts of blogging something personal here, I FINALLY DID IT! Waaaahh goosebumps hahaha! This is my first entry this year so you gotta brace yourself because this will be lengthy. I miss you my blog! I missed you, missdream-girl!!! My 17 year old self is very happy!

January 2022 started with very high hopes for me! Board exam theoretical phase finally happened. We thought it's going to be a smooth start until Omicron happened too which resulted to another round of practical phase cancellation. For those of you who didn't know, I took up Dentistry in my college years and after 2 years of delay because of the pandemic I was able to finally take my exam!

Fast forward to February, I was still able to take orders for Valentine's (I bake and started my own home based pastry business last July 2021) in between reviews. I want to continue saving up while still reviewing.

BOARDS JOURNEY

It went by fast then here came March. It was the month of roller coaster of experiences and emotions. I got into an accident 3 days before board exam. It wasn't a smooth journey but all thanks to my friends who helped me get through the toughest days of my practicals.

Btw, let me just tell you how CRAZY & DIFFICULT THAT BOARD EXAM WAS!!! It was so difficult that I always talk to somebody and ask him/her to tell me and assure me na "Please, tell me I'll pass the boards, diba! Diba. you think I will pass naman! Diba you know I did my best! Diba you saw me how hard I pushed myself." Hahaha! My brothers told me that they never entertained any idea of me failing the exam. I didn't cried before nor during the exam days but I cried the day before they posted the results! I was never confident but I knew I had an edge because I studied and I prayed religiously for that license.

Then came March 17, I didn't know it was the day. It was I think 10pm already, I was half asleep when my brothers opened the door and shouted, "CONGRATULATIONS DRA. SHAIRA MANALO!!!" It was the most surreal moment for me! I didn't cried but I shouted happily instead because FINALLYYYYY, IT HAPPENED ALREADY! MY DREAM IS FINALLY A REALITY!

How did my life changed this 2022? Physically, I don't think there has been a lot (I still didn't lose weight though haha) but now that I am a licensed dentist already I gained more self confidence and became more independent. I instantly felt the responsibilities of adulthood the first time I held my first day salary on my hands. Ganon pala ang feeling na officially working ka na! You have the power over your money and you'll decide whether you'll spend it wisely for your needs or spoil yourself with your wants. Bills started to pile up and investments showed up. So far, I can happily say that I'm investing my salary in myself when I started studying Orthodontics and Oral Surgery.

As for my work as a dentist, I work in 3 clinics. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays I work in my tita's clinic. I'm lucky I am able to handle my own patients here and slowly establish my own practice. Most of my patients here are prostho patients. On Tuesdays and Saturdays I work in Top A Dental Clinic. My practice here is Ortho. On Sundays I work in Winning Smile Dental Clinic. I handle general cases here but recently I noticed that I handle more pediatric patients in this clinic. I'm happy with the warm welcome that I have received from these 3 clinics. They're all generous, thoughtful and kind and they let me experience all my firsts in my dental practice. I'm almost 7 months now in practice (not that long though) and I feel really happy and blessed. :)

Update with fam? Well, I guess everyone got busier! My youngest brother is already in his 3rd year college and my eldest brother is already graduating from college. My mom is still busy at work and our Casa Elberta. My mom and I invested in a beach house last year and we named it after her name. We let people rent in on holidays, during the summer or anytime they wish to relax and spend some quiet time with the view of the sea.

When I started working I promised myself to always give part of my salary to my brothers and my mom even if it's not that much. I also promised myself to at least provide my brothers' baon so I can help lessen my mom's monthly expenses. I want to spoil them and give them whatever I receive and work hard for. I can't wait for next year! Hopefully we'll push through with our travel together! (fingers crossed) :)

Love life update? We're still fond of going on food trips on dates. Haha! Kidding aside, we only get a chance to date for 3 hours a week ever since I started working. It only happens every time he fetch me after work on Sundays or sometimes we both take a leave from work. I realized when I started working na there are really times when you can't communicate or talk for a whole day and it's okay. Iba nga pala pag working! Hindi mo na minsan namamalayan ang oras. Our 5th anniversary is getting closer!!! 4 years went by fast but we surely ticked off most of our goals together. Hihi. I can't wait for what's in store in the coming years but I'm most excited for an upcoming trip early next year with him.

Hint: We're going to the City of Gold!! To more adventures together, my love!

Foods and Travels? Well, I get to explore more food corners, cafes and restaurants this year than during the pandemic season. I missed the feeling of going out with friends, family or with Pau to try out food recos. I am also hyped by tiktok to try the ones near our place. Well, my favorite is still Yumi's Kitchen. Super satisfying and the foods are superb!

For travels naman, I probably have a beach entry every month ever since I passed the boards. I haven't been to somewhere farther, no plane rides yet ever since 2020 (Supposedly I have one early next month for my birthday but it got cancelled due to personal reasons even if I have purchased my ticket already) but I'm crossing my fingers that next year would be the start of my international travel diaries. I can wait for it naman. It's just a few months away!

I'm happy to be back in blogging and give an update here! I hope I can do more in the next posts. Let's stay connected!

Leave your blogs below so I can have a good read too in my spare time ;)

xoxo,

Heeyyyy MAYYY! Sorry for being MIA again as festivities and celebrations occupied my days during the past weeks. I know I promised this blog post last month but because it turned out to be a backlog I decided to publish it instead on a perfect timing such as Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all the beautiful moms out there. :) This post is dedicated to the woman I look up to and I am most proud of, to the woman I love and care for the most-- my mama.

First of all, Congratulations Mama! I am proud of you everyday-- from your small achievements to big ones. I am really thankful because you raised me in to a woman I am most thankful now. You never hindered me in achieving my big big dreams and instead supported me in every step to reach it even if it almost left you nothing. You are an all-in mom and words cannot express how thankful I am to be the first child to give you the priceless smile when I came out of this world. Being a mom to 3 children was never easy when all you thought of was the best for us three-- to live a happy and comfortable life. I know your dreams went on hold while fulfilling and working for ours. Being the eldest among the 3, now it's my turn to help you build your dreams and make them come in to reality.

This is the facade of my mom's beach house in the little town of Pagkilatan. This is her dream, her ultimate dream actually. It is still raw and unfinished but this view brings the biggest smile to her face ever since it was built. My mom's dream is to have a house of her own in a beautiful place where she can live comfortably and peacefully as she gets older. She would always tell me even if I was still a kid back then, "Gusto ko na ng sariling bahay. Hindi counted ang apartment ha.". Growing up it became my goal as well. I will help my mom as soon as I finish college in building her dream house. Graduation came but pandemic as well. I thought I will be able to save up for that house already but plans went a little messed up. I was really tested but God has never forsaken me. He lifted me up and showed me the path. He lead me to Shai Bakes. As a way of taking advantage of this waiting game I'm working my ass off to be of help to my mom's expenses in our house. Little by little, day by day I know we're getting there.

Our beach house is designed by my cousin, Architect Arlyssa Bustillo. She's really good and I highly recommend her. :)

This is the only picture that I have now of our room. It wasn't painted yet here but the 2 rooms downstairs are almost fully done now. We have a total of 4 rooms for each one of us. I want to give you room tours soon but our rooms are still empty! Hahaha. We only have one bed for each 2 rooms in the first floor and that's it. I'll saved up for the furniture probably after I helped with the continuous construction of the second floor.

I decided to put this world map photo wall from Sweden on the first room aka Aerolle's room. I love that it's overlooking from the street view.

Here's the floor detail of our 2 bathrooms in the 1st floor. Isn't it really cute? I picked our tiles!

Excuse my morning face hahaha! This house is where I feel relaxed the most. I forget all the stress from baking. I am able to complete 8-10 hours of sleep and I never skipped a meal here. Ang sarap gumising dito everyday promise.

This is the view from the balcony on the second floor-- Sikar Beach, Isla Verde & the wide seaside view of Pagkilatan

It is in our mini kitchen where I spend most of my time when we are there. I love cooking so much and I love organizing our kitchen utensils and mini pantry too. We still don't have storage area for these but I'm already saving up for it.

I also picked the counter tiles to match our house's interior. Isn't the print so cute?? :)

We added some accent floor tiles too on our living area. I don't know what's the real theme of this house but we're slowly transforming it into a half modern mediterranean half morrocan inspired home.

Hi neighbor! We're located next to Sikar Beach Resort!

See, I just love taking selfies and spending my quiet and stress free weekends here. Haha! I hope I can invite you soon when this pandemic is all over.

Meet our 2 months old baby Houston. He's half spitz half siberian husky. How I wish he looks as calm and relaxed as in the pictures. He tends to be wild at times.

These are the only pictures that I can show you for now. Some parts of our house are still under construction while some parts that I wasn't able to update here were already done. I'll post an update here once we start with our room's interior and once our stairs are done. I can't wait for you to see it! :)

Congratulations mama! I always got your back! Through thick and thin, I'm always here. I love you & Happy Mother's Day!

UPDATE

Beach View

Our dining area

Fully painted rooms on the first floor

xoxo,

I don’t have that much expectations in Macau because of the blogs I’ve read about it. Most say that a day tour from Hongkong will already do because of the country’s small land area while others say that there’s not much to see in Macau. All of those ideas have changed when we started exploring Macau. There’s actually so much to see, so much to try and so much to do. For me, I’d recommend staying in Macau for a total of 4 days to fully appreciate and live what it feels like to be in the Vegas of Asia.

Let me share to you our itinerary for our second day. We usually eat our hotel breakfast at around 8:30 am. After every breakfast we go back to our room to do personal things and change our clothes. We start our tour at 10 am. It’s not late though and I think it’s the perfect time to explore the city. By the way, we went there on the second week of January. The weather was so fine and perfect for roaming around. It’s like a spring cold and long sleeves and jackets are the main outfit of choice. Our first stop for that day was at Lotus Square. It’s the iconic “plaza” of Macau where the big lotus (their national flower) is the main attraction.

Across it is the famous Sands Hotel. Just an added information, hotels in Macau are considered tourist spots! They have the best luxurious hotels in the world.

Next to it is the famous “Macau’s Fisherman’s Wharf”. It’s the most instagrammable place in the country and we spent most of our time here. Macau was a Portuguese colony thousands of years ago and there were no questions and doubt why the place’s architecture and design are inspired by different famous European countries.

There’s the Colosseum of Rome, colorful houses of Lisbon and Amsterdam, streets of London and the like. There’s actually so much to see- opened restaurants, boutiques, stalls, picture taking spots, a wharf etc. I’m pretty sure this was one of the highlight of my second day.

After we explored the Wharf we went to Venetian. It’s a must place to visit when you’re in Macau because of its iconic structures inspired by the romantic streets and canals of Venice. Hindi pa rin maka get over ang mama ko na painting yung clouds kase mukha talagang totoo! It’s similar to that one in Vegas (its sister property) and one of the reasons why Macau is noted to be the Little Vegas of Asia. We had our lunch in Venetian Hotel and I must say that it’s pricey but the large servings were worth it.

Connecting to Venetian is the highlight of my Macau trip, Parisian. I have a separate post for it because of the amount of pictures that I took there. Let’s skip it first here so you’ll have something to look forward to on my next post.

After Parisian we walked in to another spot which is City of Dreams. There was a live display of the most iconic automobiles during that time- those that were used in international movies, the most expensive ones, the top of the lines, and the ones owned by hollywood artists. Paulo enjoyed it as much as we all did because he loves cars and motorcycles.

Connecting to City of Dreams is the famous Morpheus building of one of the best architect, Zaha Hadid. The whole place looks so futuristic- from the ceiling, the elevators, everything. Para akong nasa loob ng spaceship. It’s just so modern and grand!

Our last stop for that day was Wynn Palace. Out of all the hotels that we went to, it’s the most traditional and luxurious for me. Almost everything I saw is made of gold. They even offer free skycab ride to explore the hotel. They also have the biggest fountain show in Macau. You better not miss this beautiful iconic place when you visit the country. :)