It's my birthday week y'all! Time flies. It seems only yesterday when I was reflecting on my past birthday. And here we are again. Will I write another reflection? Another lesson learned? Will I post about my plans? Will I share my wishes? Don't think so. I'll just post about my life so far this 2016.
This year has been kind of slow...and fast at the same time. I know that sounds crazy, but that's how my life is. Crazy.
(Click individual photos to view in full size)
Life So Far This 2016
Beef's back in the menu!
I started eating beef again. I've shared here before that my sister and I are planning to open a cafe restaurant and burger, nachos and other dish with beef is in the menu. So we started trying out burgers and other food in cafes and restaurants near our area to see what we can do to top them. After years of not eating beef (by choice), 2016 is the year I've reconciled with this juicy meat. I don't enjoy it as much as other people do, but that's something notable I did this year.
Cutting ties
I started unfriending people on my FB list. You remember back in the days when FB started, we accept invites from people we barely know and see, just as long as they're familiar faces and names? I did that. And now when I see my feed and I'm like, "Who are these people?" I don't hesitate clicking that Unfriend button. Because I'm sharing my life with people who don't really care or who may care but only so for them to have something to talk about. It came to a point when it became clear to me that when it comes to friendship, quality over quantity is better.I stopped or at least avoided speaking to people who LOVE to talk down on me. Like, wow, do I really have the time and energy for this crap? Not anymore. And I don't have to endure your emotional punches just because we're related by blood. Who's with me?
Expanded dating market
This single is ready to mingle. I've realized though that with the nature of my job, I don't get enough time and "exposure". So this year...I joined a dating site. Yep, I finally did it. Maybe it's not a major thing for some, but if you know me, this is so out of character. I have to talk to myself several times into doing it. And hey, it's not as bad as I thought it will be.More time with family
Removing unnecessary people from your life gives you more room and time for the people who matter most. So this year, moving back to my hometown gave me more time to bond with my family, and our dogs. Whether it's just us chilling playing Uno or going for some island hopping, I enjoy every moment with the fam.
More travels
Traveling is so addicting. Once you start, there's no stopping. But this is one thing I'd be happy to be addicted to. Life so far this 2016 has been about a lot of traveling. As for my 2016 goals, I wrote I will visit 5 new places. I didn't. I exceeded that number!
These photos don't do justice to the beauty of the Philippine beaches. You should come visit someday. :)
With my birthday coming, I have to remind myself not to fret. Not all my goals have been achieved but at least most of them have. And some things take time. Right?
I've got to be firm with my goals but flexible with the process. Maybe I need to adjust my target date for it. Maybe I need to change strategy to achieve it. You too.
Wherever you are, I wish you'll always be grateful for what you have with what's happening in your life so far this 2016.
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50 comments
I think it is good that you learned that people in your family and true friends are much more important than people that you barely know... I hope you have a very happy birthday and I wish you lots of traveling in 2017... It's always a good thing to widen your circle to learn of others... Oh, don't worry too much about completing things at certain times in your life... Just live and enjoy each day xox
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and positive thoughts, full of light (Lux) of course. Somehow, I'm not surprised you are a December kid. I admire your determination and happy inquiry into existence. A little later this month, I celebrate a birthday too --from the other side of the age spectrum-- and will not neglect you in my celebration toast. Here's to you, happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteAwesome goals! I the beef one is very interesting! I also admire the travelling one.
ReplyDelete7% Solution
Awesome, happy birthday and travel more!!!!
ReplyDeleteHmm that beef dish looks delicious!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thequinoxfashion.com/
How true on cutting down on friends on social media, and adding any Tom, Dick and Harry, and Elizabeth, Jane and Mary. That also is included bloggers seem more interested in publicising their blog instead of being friends.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to your plans - the dating site and cafe plans.
Seems like an awesome year! :) Have even better 2017!
ReplyDeleteOhhhhh, Lux, I LOVE your list! So positive! Sounds like you've been doing a lot of soul searching. Your pictures are gorgeous. May God bless your new restaurant and dating adventures!!
ReplyDeleteP.S. My mother's been to the Philippines--back in 1984 on a mission trip She adored it!
Love,
Julie
♪♪Happy Birthday to you,♪♪
ReplyDelete♪♪Happy Birthday to you,♪♪
♪♪Happy Birthday Dear Lux,♪♪
♪♪Happy Birthday to you.♪♪
Happy Birthday, Lux! Accomplishing your goals gives such a glow, of satisfaction, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI love being near most of my family too!
Living Prov. 31
Happy Birthday Dear! Wish you all the best
ReplyDeletexx
;)
ReplyDeleteMinha vida também é louca. Bom, feliz aniversário!
Ótima segunda!
Beijo! ^^
Your sister makes the best tacos. Traveling is always a great idea. Happy birthday week.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fashionablyidu.com/
Happiest of birthday wishes going your way. I absolutely agree with you regarding FB - I've been ruthless culling my friends list too!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Lux! It looks like you're having a great year!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, and can't wait to see what you have in store for all of us in the coming year!
ReplyDeleteShauna
www.lipglossandlace.net
Happy happy birthday and oh wow, I so love the photos you shared in this post!
ReplyDeleteI like the more travel bit! That is definitely a good thing. Sending you best wishes for your birthday!
ReplyDeleteHello, happy birthday to you! Love the photos. Wonderful collection! Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Seems you've been travelling a lot this year! I like unfriending people at Facebook too :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!!
ReplyDeleteKisses
TruccatiConEva
Happy birthday in advance, Lux.
ReplyDeleteYou seem happy and yet searching too. Keep dreaming, keep inspiring! ♥
Lovely photos, of food and cute puppies and travelling... :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, we shouldn't waste our time and energy with people that make us feel bad.
Happy birthday!
Hi Lux! Happy Birthday! It sure sounds like you've had a wonderful year, those photos of your vacation were beautiful. I love the idea of thinning out the people on your FB feed that don't really care or comment, that's really healthy.
ReplyDeleteI love to play Uno!
I've had two nieces find mates on dating sites, so I wish you every blessing on finding a good person to spend time with, who will make you feel as beautiful as you truly are.
Blessings,
Ceil
You've really done and achieved a lot this year. Plenty of changes, but they all sound like they are building to a better YOU which is the most important thing. So keep it up :D
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday lovely! It looks as though you have had a stunning year going by your photos. I can totally relate to your clearing out your friend list - both on FB and in life to an extent. It's something that I have definitely done as I've got a bit older. I think you start to see things differently and realise that we choose to let people into our lives, and so it's our right to be selective and to only choose the ones that make us happy. Here's to another fantastic year for you. Thanks for linking up with #DreamTeam x
ReplyDeleteBelated happy birthday dear :D
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Beautiful post dear!
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Your year has been full! It's great to see all God does in other's to remind us to look for the things He does for us!
ReplyDeleteYour travels are amazing, by the way....and those nachos would be great RIGHT NOW! Lol!
Oh happy birthday, dear Lux! I just loved all your photos ... especially the one with those pups scooped up in your arms.
ReplyDeleteYou've shared alot of wisdom here, too. Thanks for sharing your learnings with us all ...
Oh my goodness I want to also edit my FB 'freinds'
ReplyDeletelike you, I look through my feed wondering who half of them even are! Thanks for sharing your year with us.
#DreamTeam
Happy birthday Lux! I am glad that you're celebrating your special day with this interesting blog post.
ReplyDeleteI did some of the things in your list like unfriending people in Facebook. There some FB "friends" whom I didn't talk with in real life. I realized that if don't share personal things with them in real life then I shouldn't share personal things with them in FB.
My adventures this year was few. My priority is my babies so I decided to not travel to places far away from our home.
A huge happy birthday week to you Lux and I love love love your post, looking back at 2016 and the things you're doing. Awesome stuff. And I think 2017 will be even more incredible. That you and your sister are going to open a burger place - wow. Would love to visit.
ReplyDeleteAw HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUX!! I just love that you are stripping down the weight of things you don't need and people you don't know to focus on the quality of your life and spending time with those you love, traveling - and eating MEAT! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are beautiful, and those pictures make me SMILE.
Happy birthday! :)
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you and happy birthday! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Lux! May it be the beginning of a blessing-filled year!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I enjoyed looking at your pictures, thanks for sharing them. Encouraging to see how you are making time for the things that are most important to you. I think I need to do that myself :)
ReplyDelete"I've got to be firm with my goals but flexible with the process." That is such good advice! It was fun reading about your activities this year and how you are making room for you and your goals. Blessings to you, Lux! I'm your neighbor at #FiveMinuteFriday.
ReplyDeleteSounds like 2016 was quite a year...and Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteFor what it may be worth, I met Barbara on a Catholic Singles site...
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/12/your-dying-spouse-243-counting-it-all.html
Oh, and I somehow did not realize that you were from the Philippines. Jesus Villamor is one of my lifelong heroes, and I just found a copy of his autobiography, "They Never Surrendered".
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week-end!
Gil Zetbase
http://gilzetbase.com/
God bless you on your birthday!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've had a busy year and been enjoying it to the fullest. Hope you had a great birthday. Thanks for sharing on #FridayFrivolity
ReplyDeleteAn awesome post Luz. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story. Our youngest daughter met her husband through a Christian dating service. Go girl.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday beautiful friend! You've accomplished so many wonderful things this year and I pray God continues to richly bless you!
ReplyDeleteDear Lux, Happy belated Birthday! Wow, you have had a wonderful year. I so agree with you about FB. I need to do the same thing. If a person will let it, FB can become a big waste of time. It still has a few redeeming qualities, so can't let go of it altogether. Since I am late on wishing you a Happy Birthday, maybe I can be one of the firsts to wish you a very Happy Holiday season! When are you coming to Seattle? :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Lux, wow it's really good to visit your blog again! Thanks for sharing the positivity!
ReplyDeleteI've also cut so many ties and detached myself from a lot of things this year. I've shut down all my social media accounts except for my blog, where I continue to write once in a while when I feel like writing.
So for you, well done! Happy birthday!
P. S. - Those little puppies are really cute babies.
Happy Belated Lux! Happy New Year and Merry Christmas! Hope this new year brings you even more love, joy, and manifested dreams. Sorry for the lack of comments. I haven't been on here much. Still always sending people to your site because you've done great things with it so far!
ReplyDelete