2015 Goals

This post is way overdue but then I thought its never to late to share my thoughts and goals with you guys for this year. My 2015 started off really good, compared to how I started my 2014. There were so many issues and such back then and I was fixing it through out the whole year. Although I may have given up on some but its never too late to try again.
Anyways, my 2014 ended with a bang and I gotta say, I've been blessed in so many ways.
In 2014, I started university and currently taking up bachelors in international travel and tourism majoring in hospitality and I must say, so far so good. Im happy with what im doing and I cant wait to graduate and get a job in line of my degree. I still can't believe that Im off to my second year already! It has been a mixture of ups and downs but im looking forward to whats ahead of me. In 2014, I was also blessed to have given the opportunity to have two jobs, considering that I am also in Uni then and it all worked out pretty good. And to have my family support me all the way, from picking me up after work and also dropping me off and lending me the car when I do finish late at work. Also, I am proud to say that I am in a stable relationship with my Boyfriend and without him, I dont know how I'll be able to control my life sometimes. Although, I went downhill with fitness, Im satisfied enough to have learnt so much about health. It opened my eyes to what Im consuming and Im thankful for the people that inspired me to keep going.

My goals for 2015 are simple. They may sound cliche but these are the things that I need to work on the most.

1. Rekindle my faith.

"A thousand times I fail, still Your mercy remains." I go by these lyrics cuz its just on point. This has got to be the very first one on my list. I haven't been embracing my faith as much and I do feel bad about it. Im definitely working on this goal this year. 

2. Go back to fitness

Left photo: 2012 Right photo: early 2014

Believe it or not, I lost a total of 10 kgs ever since I started gyming and eating clean. But I lost all motivation towards the end of 2014. I really looking forward to going back to fitness. Slowly getting there. 

3. Keep up a B average for 2nd year in University

I actually did pretty good in uni for my first year even though I struggled to fit in, I struggle to adjust, I did better than I expected. Now, I just need keep doing what Im doing and oush myself harder. This semester, Im not really familiar with any of my subjects but I just need to pull myself out and do what I can do. 

4. Travel

Yesssss! Me and my girlfriends have been planning to go to Australia this year to visit one of our closest friends who is currently in Melbourne! and from there, we'll go to Gold Coast! I've always love the idea of travelling with a group of friends! Im looking forward to all my future travel endeavours! And with this on my list, Philippines is also in my list. The last time that I was in the Philippines was back in 2012. I'd really like to visit the homeland anytime soon. And with travelling on my 2015 goals, I really do need to step up my game in terms of saving money. 

5. Discover New Zealand.

My family migrated in New Zealand back in 2007. Its been 8 years since then and I do want to explore New Zealand more. I can pretty much say I grew up in New Zealand. I was only 11 back then. Though it was a tough move as we found it hard to adjust, culture wise. I want to discover New Zealand in so many ways. New Zealand has so many beautiful places that I have yet to discover. And im hoping to do so with my boyfriend. 

6. Read more books
I've got a lot of books in my room and I've only read a few of them. Some unfinished. I still think that reading is better than watching, though I do watch a few TV series every now and then but im not committed. Sometimes I watch a few episodes and wont continue to watch the rest. Same goes for reading. I read a few chapters and then I neglect the book. I need to read more books this year.

7. Be minimalist
There are some things that I need to change this year and that includes being minimalist. Things such as alcohol or clubs dont amuse me anymore. Also, I need to put my phone down a lot now and less social media. Hence the new facebook where I have less friends so less interaction.

Thats all for now :)

First week of exams

Hey guys,
So this week is the first official exam week for me. This year has gone by really fast and in a few weeks, I've officially finish my first year in university. For those of you who are not aware of what im currently studying, I am doing a bachelors in international tourism management. I love doing what Im doing an I look forward to getting a job within the airline industry in the future. I always think about travelling to different places, whether it may be domestic or international. If you do ask me though, I havent really traveled much but I am looking forward to going to Australia next year. Currently have two jobs to save up for that much awaited trip. Though, its really hard to find someone to travel with you. Every else is so busy with uni or work or sometimes, its financial problems. And thats why I did tourism. To study and explore different places and different cultures and to experience an authentic and unique places from different part of the world.

Anyways, heres my outfit for today.

Outfit details:

Top from Artwork, PH

Blue leggings from Valleygirl

Denim Jacket from Hongkong

Shoes from Novo

Chokers from Lovisa

Special thanks to Shanelle from Servilles Hair Academy for doing my hair :)

Hope everyone's having a good day and I apologise once again for crappy photos :)

Love lots,

Spring is here

Hello readers!
SPRING IS FINALLY HERE IN NEW ZEALAND!
Now, dont get me wrong. I love the sun and the nice breeze but the bees put me off. I dont like bees at all. I've always been scared of bees and now that its spring season, its inevitable to encounter one everyday. Despite the bees though, I love spring! The flowers are blooming and there are more sun  and i love it!
My closet will need more colours now that its spring. Last season, I toned down my closet colour to just monochrome colours/shade. I barely had any colours apart from my hoodies that I wear to the gym. Most of the days, I would wear black, white or grey. I love how spring has a milder temperature. Its not too hot or its not too cold and I can go out without a cardigan or a hoodie. I can't wait to visit the park for some beautiful cherry blossoms.

Today is one of those beautiful spring day. Its nice and hot but not too hot. Today was also a good day to take photos so I dragged my boyfriend with me so he could take the photos and we went to a reserve near my old house. Here's my own example of spring fashion. I love this dress but its my sister's dress that she wore once last year. So here's what I wore today when I went driving around with my mum and when me and my boyfriend drove around places.

Outfit details: Dress from Valley Girl

Shoes from Rubi Shoes

Photography by Christopher.

I personally LOVE this combination and the shoes are hella comfy to walk with and it just looks good with this dress. And also because it gives me an extra 3 inches. 

P.S YES. thank you again to my boyfriend for being my "photographer". He was even telling me what to do and stuff. hihi :3 

Love lots,

Top 10 places to visit while in the Philippines

It is so hard to find a topic and even how to start this blog post as this is my first attempt on doing such thing. I decided to do my top 10 bucket list of places to visit in my home country, The Philippines. I lived in the Philippines for 11 years. I was born there and my family migrated in New Zealand 11 years after I was born. Within such period of time, my family didn't do a lot of travelling within the country back then as my dad used to work abroad. The only time that we would go out of town is when we go for mini family trips and when we visit our relatives from different parts of the northern region. In all honesty, I've only been to places such as Quezon Province (my mum's province), Baguio, Tagaytay and Laguna.

 As a child, traveling for me isn't such a big deal. But now that I'm in University, taking up a degree in tourism, I appreciate the beauty of the Philippines now and I'm having such thirst to travel the whole country and discover more of what my country has to offer. Its not always gonna be cities and buildings for me. It's more about the nature and the history of my beloved country as I put together my top 10 places to go to when I get given the chance to travel and witness its natural beauty. 

Here is my top 10 must go to places in the Philippines

10. Manila Cathedral

9. Banaue Rice Terraces

8. Vigan City

7. Mayon Volcano, Albay

6. Chocolate Hills, Bohol

5. Plantation Bay Resort, Cebu

4. Tinago Falls, Iligan City

3. Boracay

2. Coron Island, Palawan

1. El Nido, Palawan

Disclaimer: I do NOT own any of the photos. Photos are taken from Pinterest under 'Philippines'. All credits to their rightful owner for providing such beautiful photos to showcase the beauty of these places.

So there you have it. My top 10 must go to places in the Philippines. I am hoping that one day I will be given the chance to see these places with my own eyes and capture its natural beauty. One day.

Love lots, 

Nina. ♥