“Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” John 16:20
Since 2018, we faced so many challenges and heartaches. We lost 7 family members from 2018 to 2021 and I could not describe in words how painful it was. Aside from that, we were physically, emotionally, and financially stressed because of hospital and funeral expenses. But I am thankful for God’s provision and strength in these challenging times.
And because of what happened over the past few years, there are times that I felt nervous and scared as I welcome the brand new year. I am so paranoid na baka may magkasakit na naman or baka may mawala na naman.
So when the year 2022 came, I don’t have any plans and I don’t know exactly where I’m headed, but of course, I am excited to begin my journey. I just try to live my life one day at a time and enjoy the present because I know that the future is uncertain.
“Never let the sadness of your past and the fear of your future ruin the happiness of your present”
Why 2022 is the best year?
1. Even though we and our family got sick, it is not something serious so nakahinga na kami sa hospital expenses.
2. After losing some family members in the past, mafifeel mo sa reunions or special occasions na pakonti na ng pakonti kami but I’m thankful we are complete in year 2022.
3. Year 2022 is the year when I was able to spend more time with my mom. We were not able to see her for the longest time because of COVID-19 but last year, we had the opportunity to stay in Norway for 3 months and my mom also had a vacation in the Philippines for almost 3 months. Ito na yung pinakamatagal na nakasama ko mother ko since I was six year old.
4. I was able to spend time with my friends. Hindi na virtual get-together.
5. I am so happy that we can eat out, pwede na kasi ang bata sa restaurant. Ang tagal din namin hindi nakapagfood trip kasi hindi pwede bata before. And because of this, I gained a lot of pounds.
6. My son is still on blended learning so we can still travel even on weekdays.
7. I experienced Northern Lights during our vacation in Norway, not once but twice.
8. Lastly, I have no idea that the year 2022 would be a revenge travel year for our family. We did not plan this because of the global pandemic so I was really surprised when I was making my year-end video, every month pala kami may travel. Finally, nakalipad na rin kami, we’ve been to Norway, Cebu and Vietnam. It is one for the books.
Sharing our travel memories…
January
Acuaverde Beach Resort is our first getaway in year 2022. This is a big achievement for us because we’ve been meaning to go to the beach and after so many tries, we finally made it. We stayed here for 3 days and 2 nights and we really enjoyed our trip because the resort was not crowded and we had a nice view from our room.
February
We spent our 16th Wedding Anniversary in Chateau Hestia and we’re so happy that we don’t need antigen tests anymore as long as we are fully vaccinated.
March
For the past two years, I’ve been meaning to travel again so when the opportunity came, I immediately grab it. Even though my husband could not join our trip because he is so busy with work, he still convinced me to travel so I can spend time with my mom. It’s been three years since the last time we’ve seen each other. My son is still in online classes so we were able to stay in Norway for 3 months.
I’m so proud of my son because, despite the time difference, he still attended his online classes and walang late or absent. And because we are awake at midnight, we were able to experience Northern Lights.
It was still winter season in Norway so we were able to experience skiing, and snow sledding and of course, we even built snowman. We did not waste our time, namasyal na kami agad even if it means revisiting the places that we’ve been to. We went to Garten, Uthaug, Vallersund, Opphaug and Brekstad.
April
Every time we go to Norway, I always look forward to our fishing adventure.
We also had a chance to visit Stugudalen during Holy Week.
May
We revisited Trondheim, celebrated Mother’s Day kahit hindi Mother’s Day sa Norway, we celebrated 17th of May, hiked Synnørsfjellet and went to Fevag, Rissa, Hasselvika, Storfosna and Kråvåg.
June
Vacation is over so we traveled back to the Philippines just in time for my husband’s birthday. We started our trip at Radisson Blu Hotel Trondheim and arrived at Sheraton Manila Club, for my husband’s birthday celebration.
July
We unplugged at Lilom Resort, this was supposed to be our Father’s Day celebration but we got sick so we postponed our trip.
August
It is my birthday month so I celebrated my birthday at The Henry Resort Taramindu Laiya and Marriott Cafe.
September
October is my son’s birthday month but we celebrated it in advance so we went to Sheraton Mactan for a birthday staycation.
October
My mom was back in the Philippines so we had a family outing at 88 Spa and Resort.
November
My mom stayed in our house for three weeks so pinasyal namin siya. We had breakfast at Taza Fresh Table, we visited Caleruega and Sonya’s Garden and we had a staycation at Solana Resort.
December
December is a busy month not because of the holiday season but because of our travel trips too. For my mom’s despedida, we had Breakfast at Balay Dako, well, despedida na for us since hindi kami makakasama sa family outing since nasa Vietnam pa kami.
Speaking of Vietnam, we are fortunate to travel to Da Nang, Vietnam. It was not on my bucket list but I am thankful that we were able to visit this place. Sheraton Da Nang is the most picturesque hotel or resort that I have visited so far.
We had a Day Trip at Old Grove Farmstead too.
For our Christmas tradition, we had Breakfast at The Farmer’s Table Tagaytay
2022 has been the best year for our family and how I wish that we will have more travel trips this year 2023. But since we have a different goal and we need to save more for it so tipid-tipid muna.
“Life is strange, beautiful, and terrifying… and I am thankful for every minute of it that I have had. I am thankful for every minute yet to come.” – Benjamin W. Bass
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