Oh, 2016!!! If I could hug you and kiss you, I would! You were a b*tch to many but you were good to me. It wasn’t exactly flawless but I will go so far as to say that this has been one of my best years yet. Grateful is an understatement.
It is now 2017, but I wanted to look back on the eventful, action-packed, colorful, and rewarding year that had just passed.
Allow me to share the things I did in 2016:
1. TURNED 8 YEARS OLD
Well, finally! It’s not every year that February 29 decides to show up in the calendar, so of course I celebrated in style! And, yes, of course there was drinking!
and
2. QUIT
In December 2015, I handed in my resignation letter to my boss, effective January 2016. BEST DECISION OF MY LIFE!!! Of course, at that time, I didn’t know that. I was scared. When people asked me “So what are you going to do now?” I tried to look nonchalant and confident as I told them all of my exciting plans for life outside of the office cubicle, but deep down inside, the real answer to that question was “I don’t know!”
But I quit anyway. The fancy title, the high salary, the bragging rights for working with the biggest names in fashion, the work perks, the benefits (e.g., Employee sales where I can buy Zara trench coats for 300 Pesos! Whuuut?!) – I said goodbye to all of that in exchange for one thing: FREEDOOOM!
In 2016, I learned that there is really so much more to life than work, and have finally accepted that no job is ever worth compromising your health and happiness for. I learned that you need to REALLY listen – listen to your body because it will tell you when you’ve had enough, and listen to your heart because it will ask you if you are really being true to it. Quitting is seen by many as a sign of weakness, but on the contrary, it is actually a brave move.
Fast forward to now, the last day of the year. I have absolutely no regrets. I just know that if I did not take risks, I might not have experienced all the great things that happened to me this year.
(I do miss the employee sales though!)
3. TRY
2016 was the year of trying for me, particularly in terms of work. My husband was the one who encouraged and really pushed me to leave my soulless day job and pursue hosting full-time. He was 100% sure that I would make it, and would tell me “You’re actually good at this.” He was so convinced. I wasn’t. He could think of a hundred reasons why I would succeed, and I had a hundred excuses to put it off. Most of those excuses were grounded on one thing: FEAR. What if I don’t get any gigs? What if no one wants to hire me? What if I suck? What will I do if I don’t earn? How can I pay the bills?
And then Mike said one thing that made me get up and take action: “You’re not getting any younger. If you don’t do this now, you may never get another chance to do this again.”
Ouch! Did he just call me “old”?! (If he’s reading this, he’ll say: “I didn’t call you old, I just said you’re not getting any younger!”) It’s true though. That really jolted me.
A good host friend (hi, Lia!) told me that she decided to take the plunge from working full-time to doing freelance “because I felt it was time. You know in your heart when it’s time for you to move on.” I knew then that it was time for me. It was a “now or never” thing.
To take the pressure off from me, Mike urged me to “just try.” TRY. I like that word. It’s not overly ambitious. It’s hopeful but not overconfident and assuming. It was like saying “I will do my best, but if things don’t go as planned, it’s okay.” So that’s what I did. I tried hosting. I tried doing voice overs. I tried acting. Well, what do you know?! I thought I wouldn’t get any work but I ended up hosting 67 events in 2016 including events for celebrities and prestigious multinational companies, doing voice overs for big brands, acting for a Youtube video, and dubbing for an international movie (though I can’t talk about that yet because I signed a confidentiality agreement)… all because of one simple decision to TRY. I didn’t write this to brag but to show you that sometimes, all you really have to do is say “yes” to opportunities, give it your best shot without any expectations, and let life surprise you!
I hosted kiddie parties…
… adult parties…
… corporate events…
… and weddings.
I also did voice-overs…
…and a bit of acting!
So try lang ng try! 🙂
4. SHOW UP
Here’s another simple thing I did this year that opened so many doors for me. Speaking of that movie I dubbed for, let me tell you a story. I saw an ad for open auditions for voice actors, which I attended. I have done voice acting for short TV and online commercials before, but never for a full-length movie, which, I found out, was an entirely different animal. To really nail it, you must have a lot of experience in it, which I didn’t have. Not surprisingly, I didn’t get the part. The director gave me (as well as the other hopefuls who didn’t make it) the usual “you have potential but you need more training” spiel and said “But don’t feel bad, okay?” I didn’t, because like I said, I expected that.
What I didn’t expect was to get a text a few weeks later, congratulating me, saying that I got the part and was asked to come back to do the full recording. Wait… what?! When I got to the studio, the director told me, “The client listened to all the voice files, including the voices of the veteran voice actors, but for some reason, they liked yours the best.”
So, ladies and gentlemen, it pays to just show up… because you never know, right? Sometimes, you think you’re not good enough, but someone else will think otherwise!
This is just one example of how great things happened because I decided to get up, get dressed, and show up, no matter how I felt at that time. In showing up in various situations, I also learned new things, made new friends, and wa-hey! I even won a cool prize! (I showed up to a blogger event one day despite feeling lazy, and to cut the long story short, I won a 3D/2N stay in a hotel in Palawan just by posting a photo on Instagram!)
5. ACCEPT REJECTIONS
I often post about my work-related triumphs (not to brag but just to share my happiness. And also for marketing) but I don’t post much about my rejections. What for? And besides, who does that? “Hey, guys! Guess what? I got turned down by a client today! #stillblessed.”
But I DO have my fair share of rejections. I don’t always seal the deal. Sometimes – in fact, lots of times – someone else gets chosen over me. And that’s okay. I don’t sulk in one corner when a potential client tells me, “Sorry, but we decided to get someone else.” I just say “thank you” and move on. I have learned to relax. This year, I learned that rejections:
- … are a part of life, just like success
- … don’t mean failure
- … keep you grounded (so you don’t feel like you’re #1 all the time, because you’re not), and
- … help you reassess if there is anything that you can change or improve
6. TRAVEL
If there is one thing I love more than hosting and entertaining, it’s traveling, and I feel really thankful that I got to do that this year, not once, but twice! I know that might not be much for a lot of people, especially to the jet-setters out there (how to be you po? :p) but to us, traveling twice is a privilege! Mike and I went to Bali for our honeymoon, then to Hanoi for our first wedding anniversary. We went white water rafting, visited incredible temples and water palaces, patted a venomous sea snake, drank cat poop coffee, ate street food (including frogs!), cruised through Halong Bay, kayaked with a view of limestone karsts, and more! 2016 was one hell of an adventure!
You know that saying “Traveling is the only thing you buy that makes you richer?” AMEN!!! Yes, we spent (hard-earned) money on our trips but I don’t regret it. The memories we made are still fresh in our minds and hearts until today. We still laugh and reminisce about the good times we had in those trips. We’ll have plenty of stories to share to our future kids! Not only did we see new places, but we also learned so many new things about these places and had a first-hand experience of their amazing culture. In our travels, we met so many wonderful people who have made an indelible mark in our lives (shout out to our Balinese tour guide Made, our family at the Kayon Resort, and the people who made our Vietnam trip more unforgettable such as Huyen and the staff of Dragon Legend and Meracus Hotel 2!). I’d also like to think that Mike and I also enriched other people’s lives through our travels, as we supported businesses and helped other people plan their travels through our recommendations.
My wish for 2017, 2018, 2019, and the years after that is for us to travel more and have more Puff and Fluff Adventures!
7. CONNECT
It’s all too easy to keep tabs on people through Facebook and Instagram, but I’m glad that this year, I connected and reconnected with people. It’s been fun making “chika chika” (as Mike would call it) with people in the flesh! I’m glad that I was there to witness people’s milestones – weddings, birthdays, childbirth (not the actual childbirth — eww! –but just after they’ve been cleaned up and stitched up and the baby is ready for “viewing.” Haha!), baptisms, engagements, etc. One of my goals for 2017 is to be more fully present. That means spending less time on social media and spending time with people more. It’s healthy for the heart and soul!
(After you read this post, go offline and go talk to your family or friends!)
8. EMPOWER
What is the most accurate antonym of “compete”? I’m not really sure, but the word I can think of at the moment is “empower.”
There are so many event hosts in the country! But instead of wasting time, effort, and energy in trying to outdo them, pull them down so that I could be on top, or steal their strategies, I just support them and do my own thing. I don’t compete with them. Believe it or not, my fellow hosts are not threats. They are my friends. Heck, we even recommend one another to clients when we couldn’t accept the job anymore! Though we are all in the same industry, doing the exact same thing, we are all different people with unique strengths and styles, which we have all learned to accept, admire, and respect. Yes, there are plenty of us hosts, but there are also plenty of people who need our expertise, and we know that there will always be opportunities for all of us, so instead of being selfish, we empower one another. We are happy for the success of one another. This is why I would always, ALWAYS choose community over competition.
9. IGNORE THE NUMBERS
Age, weight, waistline, number of social media followers, number of post likes and comments — I have learned to look at these numbers as that: JUST NUMBERS! I did not let them define me, limit me, affect my mood, dwindle my confidence, and measure my success.
Besides, I hate numbers. I’m kind of terrible at Math. So bad, I once hummed and sang (with feelings and all) “Christmas is on December 23!” Wahaha! Tanga!
10. LOVE
This year, Mike and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary! Woot! Time really flies!
I really enjoyed our first year as husband and wife. Even though we have been living together for almost two years, we still found things about each other that surprised us (in a good way, of course). I didn’t think it was possible for us to love each other more as time passes, but we have and we do. My cousin asked me “Did anything change after you got married?” Well, we’re a bit fatter now. Haha! But they say that gaining weight is a sign that you are happy in your relationship. (What a load of bull!) Seriously though, everything is still pretty much the same. We’re still as sweet to each other as before. But I guess some things did change. We fight less now. When we do fight, we fix it faster. We’ve become better at compromising. So yay for us!
#RelationshipGoals – that’s what some of my friends have said about me and Mike. Our relationship is not perfect, but it’s happy! And I think what makes it happy is that even though we’re married now, we still give each other plenty of space. My best friend observed that Mike lets me be me and do my own thing, and I do the same for him. Not only that, but we also support each other. So I guess we’re doing pretty okay with this whole marriage thing.
One year of marriage down, a lifetime to go!
This is how we started 2016:
And here’s how we ended it:
And while we’re still on the topic of LOVE, I also fell in love over and over again with our guinea pig, Booboo-8!
Thank you, 2016, for being good to me, for teaching me to live a life of purpose, for inciting me use my gifts for good, for giving me a chance to see more of the world, for giving me 366 happy days with the man I love, and really just for wowing me, for surprising me with unexpected blessings, and for being a million times better than what I thought you would be!
You accomplished a lot in 2016, good job! It’s inspiring how you quit your corporate life, found something that you love to do ( and you’re awesome at it ), and actually felt fulfilled. Not everyone gets that shot and I’m happy that the universe conspired to make things happen for you. But of course, all of these would not have happened if you also didn’t take action. I wish you more opportunities in 2017 & I’ll take note that should I ever need a host in one of my events, I’ll make sure to get in touch with you. Happy New Year, Nadine.
RUSS recently posted…I will never forget the good times, 2016
Wow, good for you, It’s tough to leave behind what is comfortable and start something knew and unknown, I love reading your blog and excited for your accomplishments! oh and Happy 8th Birthday!
Jimmy and Tina recently posted…Two-Time Liebster Award Winner – Is That Even Possible
Wow, number 2 is very inspirational! It’s so courageous that you made that decision. Well done. I love it that you just tried and said yes to opportunities. That’s so cool. Accept rejections is a good one. It’s hard. But you’re right. Travel and connect are so great as well. I love connecting!
Carola recently posted…Our top articles of 2016!
Wow, you really owned an amazing 2016. Happy 8th birthday by the way. I’m as well born in February, but not on 29th. You resigned from your corporate Job and you went venturing on the other side of the world, but you’ve nailed it and that’s really a big accomplishment already. What I also love about your year 2016 is you’ve tried many things in life, it’s like the saying goes”you will never know unless you try”. What makes me so happy is to finally find LOVE in the end. Happy New Year to you and to your family.
Thelittlelai: Beyond limits recently posted…An Open Letter to my EX: How I close my 2016 with FORGIVENESS and PEACE.
Hahaha 2016 is a little heck of a bitch to me but surely it is still worth it. Lovely that you have travelled alot this year. For me, i missed a lot of fun but will surely get back in track this 2017. More power to you!
You are such an inspiring woman with many talents. 2016 was such an amazing year and it is also true for you! You have many achievements. More power this 2017 and will add your name in the list of recommended hosts when I know someone whos in need of one.
It’s a good post and a great way to remember the things you did. With this, now you can build upon a successful 2016 and have a more spectacular new year. On social networks, I agree. Ignore the numbers. It can be a good basis, but it’s not everything. Anyway, I wish you all the best and may the new year be truly spectacular for you.
I thought I had an awesome 2016 but yours was amazing. I’m just happy I met you that one afternoon and I love that we have this whole community thing going on. I hope we can all keep on pushing forward each other to be better
looks like a positively delightful trip! i am not a world traveler, only having been to ireland and scntoald.you are so lucky to be able to explore like you do….and that your husband loves going along.i enjoyed the photos and narrative…
Wow! I missed my radio and hosting jobs when I read your story. It was 3 years since I left it because I felt I am not happy anymore after 20 years of being in the media here in our province. Like you, I like the freedom that freelancing gives and the opportunities that come my way. You inspired me to become MORE this 2017….and learn MORE….More power and happy 8th birthday!
Eleanor Llabore recently posted…HELLO 2017- “I Am Ready For You”
You sure did a lot of things in 2016 and I am so jealous of it! I love people who are open-minded and have a positive stand towards life in their everyday routine! I wish you 2017 to be twice as better for you and your husband!
Wow, wow, and wow!!! This post is so inspiring and motivating! I live your attitude about lufe, lessons and of course 2016! I am happy you had an amazing year and I am wishing you many more travels in 2017. Happy New Year!
What a fun read! You have been through many wonderful things last 2016! I hope you’ll have more gigs and travels this 2017. I just wish I could watch you host an event soon or even teach me how not to be shy speaking in front of a crowd 🙂
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