Top 10 Series: 10 Things I Can Never Give Up

1. Coffee
I tried and failed and tried and failed and tried again and failed again. Sounds like my mar----- … never mind.

You can call me Mrs. Walker or Mrs. Macallan or the famous grouse mama...lol

2. Alcohol
A non-negotiable. Nope, NOT an alcoholic (My last drink was about 3 weeks ago. Does counting make me one?) but I refuse to give up my occasional wine night and scotch binge.

3. Running

As long as I can, I will. Bust that Achilles heel! No. Just kidding. I love you, my faulty Achilles tendon. Don’t give up on me just yet.

Malaysia dive trip with Hannah

Clean Up 2014

Turtles!!! Malaysia :)

4. Diving

Dry spell will soon end. Celebrating my first monthsary from LASIK surgery on the 12^th. No more prescription diving mask! Yay! Oh wait. That means I need to get a new mask then. *face palm*

Mish and the choco calories

5. Sweets

I can portion my meal servings but not my desserts. Sorry. This mommy will just have to work harder and run longer for those abs. Chocolate croissants, turtle pie, why can’t I quit you?

Mommy's cupcake tower of love for P's 1st birthday

6. Cooking

Cooking (and baking) is an art, an expression of love, of passion. I create art (the kind that truly nourishes) only for those that I love. So that makes me an artist with a select list of patrons, with a kitchen for a studio, a wooden spoon for a brush and who earns in calories. 

cobblestone streets...love love love

Literally above the clouds!

My beach baby

That 'lost-but-happy' feeling when in a foreign country -- priceless

I miss traveling with Diana -- the lomo cam

Lovin' the semi-organized chaos of Vietnam

Siem Reap baby!

Cambodia... *sigh*

Oh the things you'd see when you travel!

7. Travel

                “Take vacations.

                 Go to as many places as you can.

                 You can always make money.

                 You can’t always make memories.”

I saw this on facebook and went… AMEN!

8. Work

Vacations won’t be as fun if they’re guilt-free. Kidding. Well… half-meant.

I don’t think I can ever stop working. Sure, sleeping in is fun…for the first week and a half. Then boredom hits. Working gives me a sense of order, direction and purpose. I need it. Keeps me sharp PLUS it pays for travel…oh and Paco's education, and food and the other stuff you need so you won’t die.

Sol and Izza, love that we always celebrate our birthdays together

Cwayzee funny Bunny -- Amishoo

Han and Lui

with the Spotify goddess and breaky buddy, Gretch

my loves...Sol and Eric

Malou and Han

9. Friends

I have 3 BFFs -- one in Manila (Mish), 

BFF and main reason why I don't have abs...loll

one in Jakarta (Rhia aka Sissy) 

P with her favourite Ninang Pretty (Sissy)

and the other in Vancouver (Ysa). 

Ysa with her godson. Miss you so much! See you in 2016!

*Thank you, Viber!* They are the sisters I never had. 
I have a handful of close friends too (their pictures are in my blog). I love them. Love them to bits! They keep me grounded and sane (pound me in the head until the nonsense oozes out of my nose and I start to make sense again). They know all my quirks, my flaws, my weaknesses and are very familiar with the crazy drama-filled life I’m trying to fix – and yet, they love me anyway. I’d be lost without them. Thank you, God.

I miss your baby smell

first field trip

the day we met Iron Man at the ToyCon

my favourite kiss

first horse ride...okay it was just a pony but P doesn't know that so shhh

Ayala Christmas Light Show

Our guilt-free indulgence...fish feeding in Greenbelt

His 3rd birthday at Circles

10. Motherhood

P, you will grow up and eventually stop kissing me on the lips. Piggy back rides will no longer be your preferred mode of transportation. Lipstick marks on your hands and cheeks will soon be uncool. In time, my magical kisses won’t work on your booboos. You’ll be too heavy to sit on my lap. You’ll read on your own at bedtime. Tickle torture will lose its appeal. You’ll soon realize how silly our Hi5 dances are. Sigh. Just thinking about how much I’ll miss doing those things with you breaks my heart. But grown up or not, you can not stop me from being your mother. No one can. My hands will readily be emptied if you need to hold them. Hugs will forever be tight and free. My tears are yours for when you’re too grown up to cry. Our bedtime prayer will always be said even after you’ve moved out. I will always, ALWAYS love you. You will forever be my Pacquito and I will ALWAYS be your mommy.