My 2016 Highlights

2016 has been a wild ride in many levels! On a personal level, I am overwhelmed with how generous this year has been to me. I'll be sharing some of the wonderful things that happened to me this 2016-- all after the break!

Osaka: Universal Studios Japan

I was so excited to go to Universal Studios Japan for two major reasons: one, I can finally visit a Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and; two, we can already say that we have been to all Universal Studios theme parks across the globe!  (It's a feat that's easier to achieve than Disney, but a wonderful milestone nonetheless) Out of all the Universal Studios parks, I can't exactly pinpoint a favorite; but I can definitely say that USJ has something special about it.

Osaka: Ichiran Ramen

The name may or may not ring a bell, but you've surely heard of it before. This specific Japanese chain has become viral for being "a ramen store perfect for introverts", as they say. As a self-confessed ramen junkie and introvert, allow me to share my thoughts on Ichiran Ramen-- all below the break.

Streets of Seattle

To be honest, I had a completely different write-up for this post; but it's been so long ago (more than a year!) that it felt more appropriate to put in something fresh. The funny thing is, I just took this Buzzfeed quiz on "Which Hipster US City Should You Live in Based on Your Starbucks Order?" and wanna know my result? You guessed it, Seattle! The birthplace of Starbucks, no less.

Seattle 2015: Space Needle

Ah, a classic Seattle landmark-- the Space Needle. It's the futuristic-looking tower in the title sequence of Grey's Anatomy, as well as some other films or TV series supposedly set in the city of Seattle. If you're a Windows interface user (like I am), you may even recognize it from one of the default wallpaper choices. It should come as no surprise though since Microsoft founder Bill Gates was actually born in Seattle, WA.

Seattle 2015: Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market has got to be one of the most iconic marketplaces in the world. Besides being home to the original Starbucks coffee shop (which you can read about in the second half of a previous post), it also boasts a bountiful selection of undoubtedly fresh seafood and other produce. While we didn't exactly get to buy anything, it was interesting getting to experience the market for ourselves.

A Nod to the Neckerchief

I'm sure we can all agree that the Japanese are one of the most stylish people in the world. And the truth is, they don't even have to try! For the most part, I managed to fit in with the crowd while putting my own spin on the latest trends.

I Finally Graduated!

Last June 18, Saturday, I was part of 700+ Lasallians who marched at the Philippine International Convention Center. That momentous day marked the official end of college, and the beginning of a new chapter in our lives.

Sufree Tea Party

Challenge me to cut down on savory meals, and I can probably do it. Ask me to stay away from sweets, and we may have a problem. I'm a self-confessed "sweet tooth". Thinking of all the sugar makes me feel guilty sometimes, and that's essentially why I'm glad to have discovered Sufree, an all-natural sweetener.

Cold Shoulder

I have lived in a tropical country my whole life, but I don't think I'll ever get used to the blazing summer heat. But it's been starting to rain lately, hasn't it? Personally though, I'm not sure whether I prefer that or not. Either way, I'm totally loving the off-shoulder/ cold shoulder trend.

Of Sirens and Coffee

Kickstarting another photodiary (broken down into four parts) with how most people begin their own mornings-- with coffee. Admittedly, I am not a coffee person. Nevertheless, that didn't make me immune to the captivating magic of the Starbucks siren, nor did it make me any less excited about visiting two of Starbucks's landmarks in Seattle-- their first ever store, and their roastery.

Vlog: 2015 US Shopping Haul

Surprise, surprise! I have finally decided to give vlogging a try. To kick things off, I proudly present to you guys not just one, but TWO videos wherein I share all the stuff that I bought during our USA trip back in August last year. Find out more below the break!

Cruise 2015: Visiting Victoria

It's funny how the port-of-call which I was initially least interested in ended up being my top favorite, and I'm talking about Victoria, British Columbia. Just like Ketchikan, it was a city perfect for walking around. It was also peaceful; but unlike the other, the place exuded a certain elegance.

Cruise 2015: What a Ketch-ikan

Our cruise's second to the last port of call was Ketchikan, Alaska. While there were excursions offered in the place, we chose to do without any of them and instead discover the city for ourselves. Plus, the excursion choices didn't appeal to us as if they were worth spending over anyway haha!

La Vie En Rose

Sometimes it's all about the small details. Rose-tinted sunglasses, a light rose top, and a rose-shaped ring too; the pun game sure is strong. But really, it (la vie en rose) is about seeing things in a positive light. Just like how I've been telling myself: just a few more weeks, and I'll finally be free! After all, with the increasingly unbearable heat, it's hard to deny that summer's already here.

Cruise 2015: Crossing to Canada

From Skagway, we crossed over the Canadian border to Yukon. This was our second excursion for the day, with the first one being an all-in Alaskan experience, as I shared in Part 1 of my Skagway story.

Relax, Unwind, Unplug

Cruise 2015: Seeing Skagway

Another stop in our Alaska cruise was Skagway. We had almost a whole day to spend in the place, so we managed to sign up for two excursions. The first one allowed us to indulge in what I would like to dub as an "authentic" Alaskan experience.

Cruise 2015: A Journey through Juneau

I've always thought that Alaska's capital was Fairbanks, Anchorage, or any of its famous cities. Apparently not, because the correct answer is Juneau (a place which I, I confess, have never heard of before). I just discovered the truth when I began looking up things about Alaska for our summer cruise. Last August 2015, we got to explore Juneau and some other cities of AK.

Lollapalooza 2015

If you've been following me on Instagram (if not, it's never too late!) you already know that I've had one heck of a summer vacation last 2015 when I spent three weeks in America. One of the highlights of my stay there was going to Lollapalooza, a 3-day music festival held during summertime in Chicago, IL. To share how amazing my FIRST music fest experience was, I decided to make a magazine out of it. See the rest of the pages under the break!

Rose Quartz and Serenity

What better way to kick off 2016 that with an outfit in this year's colors? Yes friends, I really am wearing an ensemble in color-- and in pastels, too! I don't know about you, but I'm really loving Pantone's 2016 color of the year: rose quartz and serenity.