New Year | witsandnuts

Tag: New Year
- Greetings from the rice fields!
  
  Posted at 11:19 am by witsandnuts, on December 31, 2013
  
  I took this video few days ago when we visited my gradeschool. I remember when I did cut classes (I hardly recall if that was during 1st or 2nd grade) and joined my fellow adventurous yet nice classmates in going to the rice fields near the school. You know what happened next. I got my share of penalty but it makes me happy and proud whenever I remember this one amongst the many unorthodox things I did in life.
  
  Here’s a quick entry for all those who are dear to me (including those who never fail to visit my blog(s) despite the irregularity of my updates). I promised myself that I’d write something worthwhile before the end of 2013. But net connection is quite unstable nowadays probably because of the season. Hence, I thought that I’d post this video which may sum up my state right now = peaceful, grateful, happy, reconnected with everything that one will ever need in life.
  
  I’m more than happy that I’m able to spend the Christmas (and New Year sooooo soon) again in the Philippines after 2 years. I’m wishing everyone a happier and more meaningful new year!
  
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  Posted in Philippines | 0 Comments | Tagged christmas, Laguna, New Year
- The red box and my 2013
  
  Posted at 1:07 pm by witsandnuts, on January 1, 2013
  
  Few weeks ago I read about “starting 2013 off with an empty jar and filling it with notes about good things that happen”. But I thought of making use of the gift box I received (let us support re-using and re-cycling whenever we can!) instead of a jar. I know that random note-jotting is not a breaking concept, it is the thought of another medium of counting my blessings, focusing on good things, re-kindling the old school/re-claiming a nice handwriting (ehem) through scribbling on post-its, tissue paper or any paper and dropping it in the box that excites me.
  
  And the quote further says that ” On new year’s eve, empty the ~~jar~~ box and see what awesome stuff happened that year”.
  
  It looks like that I am not the only one who is excited about this idea and/ or the use of red box.
  
  Happy 2013 everyone!
  
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  Posted in Life | 0 Comments | Tagged New Year
- Countdown to New Year with Coldplay Live in Abu Dhabi
  
  Posted at 7:15 pm by witsandnuts, on January 1, 2012
  
  It is my second time to celebrate new year away from home. The eve and today were spent with dear ones, cooking for them and well, it has been spiced up differently because I had a new year countdown with Coldplay. They have been here in 2009 but I was not able to catch them. I guess this is one of the blessings in disguise (no, I am not sourgraping heehee) of not being granted a leave this time due to work commitments.
  
  Unlike the Formula 1 after-race concerts which were consistently staged at Yas Arena, last night’s concert was held at the Corniche Breakwater. I think it is due to the event being highlighted, the Volvo Ocean Race, which is happening in Abu Dhabi Corniche. While I am more at home in Yas Arena, the presence of the group in any venue may probably outweigh other preferences and considerations. It was reported that this British band was paid US$ 1.5 million for this performance and was a personal choice of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
  
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  Posted in Music, UAE | 0 Comments | Tagged Abu Dhabi, Coldplay, Concerts, New Year, Panasonic DMC-LX5
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- About witsandnuts
  
  Marhaba! That's "hello" in Arabic. I am an expatriate based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). I started writing about my adventures and misadventures few months before arriving here at winter of 2008. I have 2 cats and a dog who live harmoniously together. I am also surrounded by kindhearted, crazy, funny and indescribable humans! I was a dormant blogger for almost 3 years because of countless reasonable justifications like watching football, postgraduate studies, sleeping, traveling, caring for the world, and more! :) I am just so happy that I am back! It is never too late to catch up with the people and things we really care about. Feel free to look around.
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  13 January 2020 Timelapse shot with an iPhone 7+ (pre-sunset, actual sunset, post-sunset). 🌅 . . . I have started practising a bit of Stoicism (branch of philosophy) since August of 2019. I liked its effect on my well being. Therefore, while I am quite far to being a real Stoic and I do not intend to perfect it, I joined the 21-Day New Year, New You Challenge. It is the 13th day... Well, I am proud to say that I have failed in majority of the challenges, so far. 😅 I like that some of those challenges seem easy, unreasonable and may trigger a “what the F”🙈... but whenever I fail, I do not feel upset but more encouraged to try again. In the process, I happily learn, know myself more, become better in many aspects, and more at peace. One of the challenges is to constantly watch the sunrise and sunset. I thought it is plain and straightforward, particularly that I like watching the sunrise (more than) and sunset. Hence, my IG bio says ‘Waiting for the sunrise’. Watching the sunrise is also more accessible to me because I usually do it at the parking area near the office or when I walk Clover (our furmily member) on weekends. So, I thought I would challenge myself more in finding quality time to watch the sunset. I tried something new. Without proper planning (out of character), I drove somewhere wherein there is a reflection pool to ‘experience’ today’s sunset. I was there 40 minutes before sunset. I was truly present and witnessed all of it — the ripples, changing colors, until the bottom of the sun reached the horizon. Wow, it felt symbolic and cosmical at the same time. I realized that this challenge taught a great practice — of renewal and rejuvenation. One day has finished and I look forward to witnessing the sun’s reappearance tomorrow, with gratitude and hope.
  
  “It feels like Christmas everyday because you are here.” #blessed #grateful #Jsjourney #abudhabi #christmasbreak2019
  
  Exactly a month ago, as we were sitting on this bench. 🕰 . . J: Mama, is there any shop you want to check or would you like to buy something from here? . . Me: No. I don’t feel the need to buy anything. I am quite happy about what I have... . . J: Is there anything specific you want to do while we are here? . . Me: Hhhm... I just want to sit and enjoy the moment. . . J: Wow. . . Me: Wait, I just want to take *this photo*, so I’ll have comparative photos in the same spot, of the times we visited Covent Garden together. #Jsjourney #conversationswithJ #lateupload
  
  The day we said “see you again”, “don’t cry too much”, and many other things, culminated with the warmest embrace of the century. #Jsjourney #blessed #graceatwork
  
  J: Mama, it’s amazing! Well, this and that (blah, blah)... What kind of magic did you do? Me: I prayed. I ALWAYS pray for you. Remember the book, ‘The Power of A Praying Parent’? #Jsjourney #thedaybeforemyreturnflight #blessed #grateful #graceatwork
  
  She’s a wild grass, she’ll survive anywhere. Very proud, I am. #Jsjourney #blessed #graceatwork
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