2016 in review

I flew to the Philippines in December 2015 and started the new year there. It is always a good idea to fly back and to see my family and friends during the holiday season. No matter how much I complain about traffic, pollution, etc, it was always worth it because of my family and friends.

Tried the granny/silver hair. Craziest hair I've ever had. However, a few months later, my hair turned into blonde. I think I wrote a separate entry about this and some tips... Ay, wait, on draft pa pala siya! Will publish it soon.

We flew to Iloilo for New Year. It was my first time to see my Lola again after years of living in the US. The last time I saw her was on Lolo's funeral in 2009. It was also nice to get away from the city for a while.

Ah, these people. Solid throughout the years. I always say na palpak man ako sa love life, with my friends, I'm damn sure I got it right. :)

#ProudAte #StageSister Haha!
(And I no longer have to write my friends' names as 'emergency contact'!)

Last year were concerts. This year are musical plays.

(From top to bottom) The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady (First time to watch in Sydney Opera House, yay!), Aladdin, The Nutcracker (First ballet that I've seen) and Ghost. Aladdin and Ghost currently share the top spot in my favourites.

The first wedding that I attended for this year.

2016 was a celebration of love. One of my closest girlfriends got married!  

And of course, when the squad is present, expect crazy. We don't just turn up. We arrive and bring the fun. HAHA!

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. CHAR!!! Thank you, Chai, for asking me to be your bridesmaid. :)

Allow me to show you how sexy the back of my dress was! (Yes, designed by yours truly!)

And for asking me to express my creativity through designing some of your entourage's dresses as well!

I just inquired about their ad and told them I was interested. I didn't expect they would contact me for an interview! It was 12 days of bliss. I looked forward to those Wednesdays for three months. It was physically tiring but I loved it! I learned a lot about the behind the scenes and met different people as well.

#JanaEats

I only wanted to share four favourites but it was so hard to pick which ones to share!

Because if I'm not filling my closet, I'm filling my tummy. My friends and I love to eat so we tried various local restaurants/food stalls here in Sydney.

(From top to bottom) Timbah (A low-key but trendy wine bar that has to-die-for tapas!), Doughnut Time (Unique flavours, yum!), Mentmore and Morley (They offer healthy but not boring food choices.), Hunter and Barrel (OMG. Meat heaven! If eating as a group, order the Hunter's AND King's feast.), Local Mbassy (That shakshuka!!!), Sydney Fish Market (Seafood!), Pasticerria Papa (Their cheesecakes are spot on. Personally, I like cheesecakes that are not too creamy and not too cheesy/with just the right amount of cheese. So if you like your cheesecake the same way that I do, Pasticerria Papa is the perfect place to go to. I recently discovered Pattisson's Patisserie and their cheesecakes are good as well.) and Passionflower (Unique Asian ice cream flavours. First time that I tried a black sesame ice cream.)

Cue #BDAY song

Since I moved here in Sydney, I only celebrated my birthdays with my friends. It was nice to celebrate it this time with my family.

Thanks, Dae, for making birthday cupcakes for me. Thanks, Clare, for the ice cream cake. Thanks, Dr. Nixon, Tricia, and Nards for my flowers. :)

#JanaGoesTo

My parents and my other brother flew here for our birthday (mine and my brother's, whose birthday is three days after mine) and for a vacation as well.

It was my parents' first time here in Sydney so the tourist spots are mandatory. We did the walking tour (which I enjoyed, despite the fact that I've been living here for three years. Haha! I learned new things and learning is always a good thing, isn't it?).

We went to the Blue Mountains, Featherdale Wildlife Park, and Canberra. I brought them to some of my favourite local restaurants.

Classic, y'all.
For some clips, click on the following: 1 and 2.

OMG. NEED I SAY MORE?

Some clips HERE, THERE and EVERYWHERE.

The grand finale of this year.

There were too much love, tears and happiness on that day. My friends and I felt like it was also our wedding day. We've known each other since we were 13/14 years old. We grew up with these two. We've known them even before and when they became a couple back in high school. 

It's not everyday that you hear a love story such as this one. How they nurtured their relationship and love for each other was inspiring; how they made it work since day one was amazing.  

Congratulations, Keng and Liana, on your new adventure! I am so happy for you, guys! Keep the love alive and the fire burning. May God bless your relationship and your soon-to-be family.

(And don't get me started on the after-party! My goodness! Hahaha!)

Kindly excuse my Christmas-inspired belly. Lol!

Since I flew to the Philippines twice this year, I thought of spending the holidays here. For a change (and to give my bank account and my passport a break! Haha!)

... And a few shitty stuff in between.

Lol!

So how was yours?