Happy new year, everyone! :)
It's our first time to celebrate the new year away from home. Ever since I can remember, we have always stayed in on New Year's Eve to do our annual family tradition:
- Our mom and titas prepare a feast of our favorite scrumptious dishes
- As we wait, we write what we've been grateful for for the past year, and write what we ask from God for the coming year
- Gather to pray as a family
- Eat eat eat
- Wait for the clock to strike 12
- Kiss everybody and make lots of noise
- Jump as high as we can (to get even more taller! HAHA)
- Our tito breaks his piggy bank to throw and roll the coins (which he had saved up during the entire year) all over our living room, as the entire family get on all fours to hoard as much coins as we can!
- Set off fireworks (safe ones)
- Burn the letters that we wrote (see #2)
- Go to bed.
But for 2013, it was different. My mom decided it was time for a change, so she booked us rooms at The Remington Hotel.
Turns out, everyone decided to spend the new year's out. There were a lot of people at the hotel, which resulted to poor service and lots of waiting.
After having dinner (which consisted of turkey, stuffing, cold cuts, cheese, fruits, and wine), we all got dressed up and headed to Resorts World for a different New Year's Eve celebration! :)
Our mom chose to stay in Bar 360 at the casino, because there were too many people at the plaza where the countdown happened.
Danah with our lola, who's looking fresh as ever at 62!
With my gorgeous momma! Excited as we watched bands perform live while waiting for another brand new year!
The loves of my life
The Company was the band to perform last, and they lead the countdown to 2013! The primary countdown happened at the plaza as hosted by DJ Toni Tony, but there was live simulcast at Bar 360.
What I wore:
Sparkly Deep-V top Una Rosa | Pumps Payless
I decided to ditch accessories with this outfit because the top's sparkle and shine was enough. Didn't want to look like a Christmas tree on NYE (or ever, for that matter)!
Danah's outfit
Dress Dorothy Perkins | Shoes Marks & Spencer | Bag Gucci
After our parental units went back to our room to sleep at around 1 am, Danah and I went back to Bar 360 for more drinks! :) This is one of the strongest in the bar list: The Flaming Spade. It's a flaming shot which consists of Kahlua, Baileys, and Absinthe! It was really good! :)
Spent the first few hours of January 1 drinking shots, singing along with the live band (in our seats--we weren't that drunk), and laughing with my crazy sister :)
The flaming shot turned me into a bossy poser: "Danah, kunan mo ko!" HAHA
Giant tree at The Remington Hotel
Truth is, Danah and I couldn't be more excited for 2013. I have faith and I have claimed that this year will be the BIGGEST YET TO COME for our blog and our advocacy. I've actually started a "reality journal" wherein I write all my dreams for The Plump Pinay for 2013, and with strong and unwavering faith, believe for it all to materialize (in His perfect time, of course). I'm just really excited and passionate like never before. I know 2012 wasn't really a strong year for us, but we've definitely learned and grown from it. I've come to realize that no matter what distracts you from your true purpose in life, no matter how much you wander away from the path of what you're really meant to do, if that's where your passion and heart is, that's the exact place where you'll end up in to finish the work set uniquely for you.
I know in my heart and soul that God's purpose for us on this earth is to empower women--not just the plus size, but every woman struggling to love herself. We will keep blogging, posting, and tweeting until every single woman on this planet believes with ALL of her entire being that she is worthy, beautiful, and capable. :)
Our hope is for your 2013 to be magical and fun--full of love, laughter, and lessons. May you conquer your fears and start loving yourself more. Dare yourself every once in a while, 'cos you'll never know how you'll surprise yourself until you do something outside of your comfort zone.
Live it up, be bold, be better, and most of all, be YOU.
Happy new year, everyone! :)
-S