gratefulness list

GOODBYE 2021, HELLO 2022

January 4, 2022 by Little Miss Honey

As a tradition, I always look back at the year that was before embarking into the new year. I thought 2021 was just an okay year. Covid cases may have lessened, more freedom to roam about but there were still restrictions of course. I thought 2021 was just like a “mediocre” year – not too bad, not too amazing. But looking back at it now, I realised I have so many things to be grateful for 2021.

Gratefulness List of 2021

1. Experienced Wahiba Sands and Desert Camping

For J’s birthday, we celebrated his birthday in the beautiful magnificent Wahiba Sands. We slept in a warm tent like bedouins at the Wahiba Bedouin Rustic Camp, played in the dunes and had bonfire at night. We are had a wonderful experience there and we are glad we got to experience that once in a lifetime.

2. Staycations

For this year, we have been doing lots of staycations as our way of celebrating birthdays and as our own way of travelling since travelling is still challenging because of Covid. Here are the hotels we stayed at this year:

pool Intercontinental Hotel Muscat — Intercontinental Hotel for Howell’s Birthday

Hilton Garden Inn — Hilton Inn for Zeke’s Birthday

Sifawy Boutique Hotel — Sifawy Boutique Resort at Jebel Sifah for Naj’s Birthday

Bidiyah Oasis for bonding with Filipino friends

Swiss-Belinn Muscat — Swiss- Belinn for my birthday

We also went back to Sifawy Boutique Hotel in late November. We had our Christmas in Grand Hyatt and tried their sumptuous Christmas Eve buffet. For New Year, we spent it at Royal Tulip Hotel. I will be reviewing that hotel soon

3. Courage to stand-up for myself

This year, I learned to stand up for myself and I am glad I did. It made me feel strong and powerful. I usually let things slide to avoid conflict and maintain peace. I learned that I should never allow people to disrespect me and I should learn to fight for myself. I did and I reap good benefits. I gained respect in return and people now know that they shouldn’t mess with me flippantly.

4. Friendships

I am grateful for the friendships I have gained and nurtured this year. I glad I was able to have meet-ups with my two doctors friends who are working in far hospitals of Oman.

I also have wonderful friends in my work place. They are Indian doctors and I was honoured to be invited in one of their festival celebration in their home. I got to experienced the unique celebration of Onam, a traditional Keralite festival of India.

5. Paying off debts

One of the accomplishment and what I am really grateful for this 2021 was that we finally paid off our debts in our credit cards in Singapore and Oman. It is such a liberating feeling to be out of debt. We finally closed our credit card account in Singapore. Paying off our credit card debt allowed us to start invest in a property in the Philippines which we are really excited about.

6. Wonderful oppurtunity

I was given an unexpected offer this year which is so hard to say no to after thinking of all the pros and cons. It is not actualised yet but inshallah by 2022, it will be a reality and I will share more about it.

7. Acne-free

I been struggling with acne since I got here in Oman. Maybe it is the stress from moving to a new country, the harsh climate and lack of availability of the usual skincare & make-up products I used in Singapore that lead to my skin issues here. But I am so happy I discovered Sae Skincare. My skin finally cleared up and I am very happy to say that I am now acne-free. I also slowly discovered makeup products here that works for me.

8. Work fulfillment

This year, I realised that I loved my chosen specialisation: Family Medicine. I love its versatility and its opportunity to connect with patients holistically. I feel like I have gained skills and improved my management as doctor working here. I became more confident in handling obgyne cases, delivering babies, doing antenatal check ups, managing emergency cases, and doing minor surgeries. I feel honoured that my colleagues and coworkers trust me and feels relieved & happy when they know I will be working with them on that day.

9. Peace

In the middle of 2021, I got really busy in building my brand in Instagram. I gained traction, gained new followers, made new Instagram friends in Oman and even started in creating good quality reels (short videos with music) in Instagram. But I realised I been too caught up with social media even with posting in Facebook so I took a pause. I reassessed my priorities and realised that I should stop chasing likes & followers in social media. It was too draining already. So I decided to unpublish my Facebook Page, stop posting in my Instagram and Instagram stories. I would still post occasionally in my personal Facebook since I am using it as sort of an album for memories. But I try to keep the posting to a minimum and I now hold my privacy sacred. Result of this was peace. I am glad I did it. I still will be keeping my blog of course because it is my source of refuge & it brings me joy writing here. But there is no more pressure to promote it. If someone stumble into my blog, I will happily welcome them in my little space.

10. Passed BLS and ACLS course

I am happy that I passed the Basic Life Support Course last July and the Advance Cardiac Life Support Course just this December. The ACLS particularly is a tough course and I am glad I passed it. These certification will aid me in my job as a doctor here.

I am excited for 2022. For 2022, my theme is Homecoming. It is coming back to the source, to the original, to where I am suppose to be. Coming back to God, to what is essential, to my profession, to my loves….. This is the year we will be coming home to the Philippines by the end of this year if the situation permits. Let us all pray for a wonderful 2022. May this Covid leave us already and we can live our lives to the fullest.

GOODBYE 2020, HELLO 2021

January 7, 2021 by Little Miss Honey

Wow, what can I say about year 2020. It surprised every single person inhabiting this earth in unimaginable magnitude that I have no words. It shook all of us at our very core and so many changes were happening, we couldn’t barely keep up. The year started with bad news after bad news. There was volcano eruption. There were bushfires in Australia. There were talks of impending war. Then of course, Covid 19 came in and nothing became the same again.

It was hard year for everyone. It tested us. It challenged us. I gave us some serious thinking of what truly matters in our lives. It also allowed us a pause button in our crazy hectic lives. It was coincidental that my word for 2020 was Zen and the year definitely gave me that – a zen-like state to dig deeper inwardly. I feel guilty that I didn’t suffer much of the repercussions of what pandemic caused everyone. I feel very grateful yet feeling undeserving that I still have work amidst the increasing unemployment due to the pandemic and have my family beside me & not separated from them while some are far from their loved-ones without knowing when they will see each other again. My heart aches for those who are losing jobs & businesses and friends who are suffering from homesickness being away from their families. Mental health are crashing down and on & then, we feel the wave of homelessness, anxiety, fear, loneliness and sadness. Yet, I felt somehow we showed our resiliency that we can survived all that and we can look forward for a better new year.

I always do a gratefulness list for the year that past as I look back at the things that happened for the last year. In spite of the pandemic, it is best to look at the silver lining and create a heart of gratitude for all the things that we have been blessed.

Gratefulness List of 2020:

New hospital with good work system with an amazingly efficient & wonderful leader & boss

I mentioned in my last year’s gratefulness lists that a month before the 2019 ended, I was informed I will be transferred to a new hospital. I had my apprehensions in transferring to a new work environment because my previous one was a wonderful health center with great workmates & nice patients. But I was glad I was transferred to a slightly bigger healthcare institution with more doctors whom I learned from with a great work system in place and an amazing boss who kept the place in tiptop shape in spite the demanding patients and workload. It challenged my skills as doctors and I am happy to be learning everyday.

2. Having a renewed purpose

There were few things that I have let go before the year ended in 2019. But in early January of 2020, my family and I had several discussions about life plans. We seriously considered it so we decided to make plans. I felt a new sense of excitement of what is to come as long as it coincide with God’s plan for us.

3. J passing the driving test and getting our family vehicle

Passing the driver license here in Oman is not a joke. Even experienced drivers fail several times in the driver license test here in Oman. They need to pass the Drum Test and Road Test before they can get their driver license. J passed the Drum Test in 2 tries and the Road Test after 5 tries. We were so happy because having a vehicle of your own here in Oman is a necessity due to the lack of public transport especially in the interior areas.

On the very day J passed his driving license test, we automatically called the car dealer that we will be getting the car we are interested in. We got our beloved Ushr, our grey Toyota Rush after a few days. Our life in Oman got really easy and more comfortable once we got Ushr.

4. Daycation at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort for Howell’s Birthday

Covid 19 has not ruled it doom & gloom over Oman yet at that time so we were able to have this nice relaxing celebration for Howell’s 4th birthday by getting Day Passes at Shangri-La. ( Read about it here.) It was lovely day. We may one of these day try to do staycation there too.

5. Still earning in spite of Covid and not separated from my family during pandemic

I lumped these two points together because both are related to Covid 19. Like I mentioned earlier, I am so grateful that I still get to keep my job, even with all its risks while others are losing theirs and I have met family beside me while others are indefinitely separated from theirs. I thank God so much for these and I pray for those who has lost their jobs & businesses and those who are aching to be with their loved-ones that the pandemic will end soon so they can be reunited with them.

6. Transferred to a nice villa walking distance to work

Living 30 minutes away from my workplace can be taxing for the whole family. Having no helper, we have to take the kids whenever I go to work and they would fetch me again when I get off work. Sometimes if I am on morning shift, they have to wake up at the break of dawn to tag along with their sleepy eyes to bring me to work and if I have evening duty, they have to fetch me late at night. It disrupts their nap time, sleeping time and even meal times. I was apprehensive to try for driver license and been postponing try to get one. I hate driving and I am too scaredy-cat to drive.

On May, we were happy we were informed that a nice villa was available for rent near my workplace. We liked it and decided to transfer. We were happy with the decision. I don’t need to get a driver license. I can just walk to work and I don’t need to disturb my family.

We are also happy that we got a wonderful Filipino community in the area and the kids are happy to have Titas in the neighborhood that they can visit and spoils them with sweet treats & presents on special occasions. We didn’t feel as isolated as we were in our previous place which was very far from everyone.

7. Online courses, classes and workshops

Due to the pandemic, there was a surge of online classes and courses offered. I was happy to learn about Coursera and EdX that offer great courses and classes online for free. (You will only pay if you want to get a certificate for the course you took.)

I also was happy to do Leslie Ludy’s online workshop. Leslie Ludy is a Christian author and speaker who inspired women of all walks of life to become closer to God. She has helped strengthen my faith with God during the trying times of the pandemic.

8. My sweet boys

My boys are growing up so fast. They are the sweetest little boys. I am amazed at how caring and loving they are growing up to be. They are so funny too. I enjoy their amusing conversations they have with each other & with me and their incredible imagination & innovative ideas. They come up so many wonderful block creations, ideas for new games to keep them busy & entertained and interesting hypothesis on certain thing, it make me laugh so hard until my belly ache. I am blessed to be a mommy to these adorable little men.

9. New friendships

New places always means new friendships. I am grateful to have gained new friends who will accompany me in this adventure here in Oman. I am beyond blessed that I have people who are willing to help me & my family as we navigate this new life in Oman.

10. Visit to Ras Al Hadd Beach

When the lockdown ease up, establishments were slowly opening and public beaches were opened. We drove to Sur and had fun day at Ras Al Hadd Kite Beach. It was a nice change from being always coop inside the house. It was wonderful to enjoy the nature and explore some parts of Oman that we haven’t been to yet.

11. Birthday staycation at Jebel Sifah

For my birthday, we got lucky to have found a lovely unit to rent at Jebel Sifah at a very good affordable price. It was lovely way to celebrate my birthday with a relaxing staycation at a luxurious apartment unit with nearby pools, beaches, playground for kids, a bar/restaurant and a wonderful marina view.

My kids loved our stay there so much they said, “Mommy, let us go back to this hotel house again, okay?”

12. Christmas in Muscat

This is our 2nd time celebrating Christmas in Muscat at our go-to accommodation in Somerset Panorama Serviced Apartment. The kids hanged their Christmas socks in the unit’s tall lighting stand and found it full of Santa’s sweet treats with a wrapped gifts beside it in the morning of Christmas. We went around Muscat and was happy to discover new places to go to during our stay.

I am looking forward to what 2021 will bring. I am optimistic that it is going to a good one. It will make up for the shortcomings of 2020. I know that we came out of 2020, strong, resilient, more centred and with more purpose. 2021 will be a great year. We owe it to ourselves to make it a great year. Let us do this!

GOODBYE 2017, HELLO 2018

January 11, 2018 by Little Miss Honey 1,351 Comments

You might felt a bit of silence in my blogging activities for the past few months of 2017. I have taken it slowly purposefully plus I have a very good reason to – because I found out I was pregnant (again!) late of last year. I also had been so hectic with work and I started to take a break from too much social media activities. My soul yearned for a less-distracting, digital-purging peace and concentrated on what truly matters: quality time for my family, finding my inner happiness and what truly matters. My soul yearns to spend more time outdoors and less on my gadget. I started embracing the concept of minimalism taking cue from Marie Kondo, learning the Danish art of hygge an devoting my time to family by being present & putting away my demanding smartphone that beeps every second with seemingly urgent notifications.

When the old year-end or a new year starts, I would often list down what I am grateful for the past year as my way to say thank you for all the blessings I have received last year as well as a way to welcome the new year with a grateful heart. It is also a great way to look back on the year that was to reflect and to document what have transpired for my future reference or perhaps my kids would love to read it someday too.

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2017, I have to admit wasn’t an easy year for me. It was year of change which challenged my weak spirit. But I am still here, slightly shaken but hoping for a better new year. My 2017 gotten a little better when I learned that our family is welcoming soon another bundle of joy and my soul was overflowing with sunshine.

My 2017 Gratefulness List:

1. Memorable winter vacation in Seoul, Korea to celebrate J’s birthday. Korea is currently our favorite Asian country we have visited.

2. Cool staycation D’Resorts with a whole day of Wild Wild Wet fun for Fynn’s birthday.

3. Visited Singapore Zoo for first time for Naj’s birthday

4. A trip to Malacca, Malaysia with blog collaboration with The Strait Hotel & Suites

5. Weight loss was achieved by following vegetarian diet inspired by my favorite YouTubers, High Carb Hannah, Nikki Vegan, Ellen Fisher, etc. My target weight was 45 kg. I have reached 47kg before I gotten pregnant. I think that is not too bad because before I can’t even go down to 50kg at all.

6. A nice homecoming to our hometown in the Philippines – Iloilo City. It was short but wonderful trip just to see our improving city and spend time with our family & friends.

7. My friendship with 2 Filipino doctors in Singapore. We all work in the same company in different branches but we always meet up every month to catch up. I value my friendship with them because we have been each others’ source of support and laughter in our daily struggles of living abroad.

8. Renewal of my Philippine Medical License. There has been a new law in renewal of Philippine medical license so I thought I would have a hard time renewing it. I am glad that I got on the same day I processed it.

9. Appreciation of my husband’s strength and faithfulness. I have seen my husband in a clearer light and I am glad I have him as a partner in this crazy world of couplehood and parenthood.

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10. My two sweet boys. Of course, they have to be on this list. They have given so much joy and laughter in our lives. They are the purpose of our being. They are growing up to be such loving, wise and funny young men.

11. A wonderful addition to our family: Baby #3! We are ecstatic!

12. An appreciation of being trained as a Family Medicine physician. I learned that I have indeed picked the right specialisation.

13. A new adventure that waits for us in 2018. I can’t wait! Please do pray for us.

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14. My parents came to visit us in Singapore. It was a wonderful week spending quality time with my parents. They get to bond with their two apos. We didn’t go for lots of touristy spots. Instead, we spend most time chatting, eating some Singaporean dishes and playtime with Naj & Fynn. Papa also got showcase his excellent culinary skills for the holidays and during our dinners. J benefitted being his cooking assistant and Papa handed down his Tom Yam recipe.

15. Managed to control our finances wisely by the end of the year. I learned to stick to our budget, followed a few tricks to spend less & save more and paid 95% of our outstanding debt.

16. Embrace the beauty of Minimalism and Hygge.

Wow! 16 items! It seems like my 2017 wasn’t as bad as I thought it was after all. But I am hoping for a better 2018.

2018 is a year for minimalism and focusing on the essentials. To better days ahead, to better opportunities and the adventure waiting for us soon! Cheers 2018! I welcome you with excited arms and peaceful resolve. I am here for you. I am ready.