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Loved and Wanderlust
Loved and Wanderlust
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auckland sky tower
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Life Lately // Summer in Auckland

  • Dec 31, 2017
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  • 5 minute read
  • Melai
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The first day of the year, yo guys!

It’s few hours past midnight and 2018 has officially started. Well, at least in this part of the world. New Zealand is probably the first pictures you’ll see online to welcome the New Year. We’re two hours ahead of Sydney, Australia, five hours ahead of the Philippines and Singapore, and almost a day early of United States. Can you imagine that? The different time zones and seasons still amazes me.

Fresh start, new goals, hopes, and possibilities. Are you excited for what 2018 will bring? I AM!

auckland sky tower
Happy 2018!

December, the last stretch of the year, has always been a festive month for me. With my birthday, our wedding anniversary, Christmas and New Year’s Eve all packed conveniently in this month, there’s something for us to celebrate almost every week.

Here’s a quick recap of what happened offline. I’m using Instagram photos because I’m too lazy to edit in Lightroom right now. It’s the New Year guys. :)

Day trip to Coromandel

A week before my birthday, we went on a day trip to Coromandel – about 2.5 hours’ drive north of Auckland. It was an endless view of green fields and hundreds of binging sheep and cows. We climbed Mount Paku Summit and hiked down Cathedral Cove. Both were not an easy feat but the end destinations are stunning!

This is Middle Earth. New Zealand, you are every bit amazing. ?? ? #RealMiddleEarth #goodforyoursoul

A post shared by Melai | Loved & Wanderlust (@melaidoodles) on Dec 2, 2017 at 1:20am PST

Into the Narnia universe. ✨ A really loooong walk (45-min one way) to get to this massive limestone arch, and trust me, it’s not a walk in the park (or shore in this case). The hike down the cove is steep in some places but thankfully, gorgeous views are everywhere. – This photo doesn’t justify the actual color of the water because of the lighting. Check it out in my next post. ? #RealMiddleEarth #goodforyoursoul

A post shared by Melai | Loved & Wanderlust (@melaidoodles) on Nov 29, 2017 at 4:17pm PST

Celebrating a birthday for a girl who doesn’t really celebrate. ? #introvert – I admit I had birthday blues. Thinking about big questions like what on earth am I here for (kidding!). I’d be lying if I say I had life already figured out, because honestly I sometimes still doubt where I’m supposed to be at this point, and wonder what I should do. But I’ve come to accept that it’s how we grow. ? Thankful for this confirmation, “Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there”. {MSG 1 Corinthians 7:17} I may have worries but I still am very grateful for all the blessings and love coming my way (sometimes it feels selfish to ask God for anything more). Every experience cultivates us when we allow it to. And it’s nice to be reminded that in times of trouble, it’s not happening ‘to’ us. It’s happening ‘for’ us.. ?? – PS. Yes, I’ve reached that age when I better stop counting after this one. Happy Monday, friends! ? #goodforyoursoul

A post shared by Melai | Loved & Wanderlust (@melaidoodles) on Dec 3, 2017 at 5:07pm PST

Birthday Brunch Date @ Mondays

On my birthday, we had a brunch date celebration at Monday’s because the day happened to be on Monday! Pun intended. :)

I had eggs benedict with plant-based hollandaise and ruby latte. Ge had strawberry waffles with salted caramel and hot chocolate. All are fresh, seasonal and free of additives. Yeah guys, healthy food. So not me. :P

Mondays at @mondayswholefoods. ? #aucklandeats #aucklandfoodies #brunchdate

A post shared by Melai | Loved & Wanderlust (@melaidoodles) on Dec 3, 2017 at 11:40pm PST

Anniversary Getaway to Devonport

We strolled around Devonport to celebrate our wedding anniversary. It was only 10 minutes from Auckland Central via ferry. The Victorian bayside village is lovely and filled with historic buildings turned into restaurants and shops.

We hiked the North Head Summit and Mount Victoria for gorgeous harbor views of Auckland CBD and Rangitoto Island. This is when I really appreciate the uneven and elevated nature of Auckland ground. Yay!

“I didn’t fall in love with you. I walked into love with you, with my eyes wide open, choosing to take every step along the way. I do believe in faith and destiny, but I also believe we are only fated to do the things we’d choose anyway. And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality… I’d find you and I’d choose you.” ? – Exactly how I feel about us. To more years together my love. ??

A post shared by Melai | Loved & Wanderlust (@melaidoodles) on Dec 14, 2017 at 3:53am PST

The historic Bank of New Zealand, now turned into an English pub. An innovative way to breathe new life into an old building while preserving a historic landmark.? #adaptivereuse

A post shared by Melai | Loved & Wanderlust (@melaidoodles) on Jan 14, 2018 at 4:08pm PST

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. ✨ – Excited for what the new year will bring. Hope you are too! ??? On another note, it really is summer here in the South! 23^C weather but feels like 32^. I blame the clear skies and unpolluted air. ??

A post shared by Melai | Loved & Wanderlust (@melaidoodles) on Dec 26, 2017 at 4:01pm PST

Christmas and New Year in the City

Christmas and New Year here in Auckland were the quietest thing ever! Haha! The Christmas markets and events are rather scattered around the nearby towns so it’s hard to get by without a car. The city is almost empty; people are probably somewhere overseas enjoying their summer holidays.

We waited and watched the Sky City fireworks to welcome the New Year and it was over in five minutes! There’s no wow factor (at least in my opinion) and onlookers were silent the whole time. In both the Philippines and Singapore, the new year is celebrated with loud music, long fireworks display and a lot of screaming and jumping. Here’s it’s all about intimate family time. :)

Jesus is the gift that perfectly fits every heart, and it is with His love that all celebration starts. ? Grateful. Because He came! ?? Merry Christmas to all! ?

A post shared by Melai | Loved & Wanderlust (@melaidoodles) on Dec 24, 2017 at 3:39am PST

2017 has been a year of crazy life changes and toughing it out emotionally for me. It was filled with so many overwhelming feelings, ups, and downs, lots of tears, love, longing and personal growth. A whirlwind of so many things I honestly don’t know what to make out of. I realized that the good and the bad in life really does coexist – it always comes in both ways. No matter how good things are, there’s always something bad to work on. And no matter how bad things are, there is always something good to thank God for.

That said, I’m generally an optimistic person and prefer looking at a glass always full (half with liquid, half with air or even when it’s empty, it’s still filled with air). The past year was by no means easy, but I won’t invalidate the fact that I was still incredibly blessed with lots of other things.

Happy New Year guys! I’m grateful for every one of you. xoxo

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Melai

Melai is a twenty-something Filipina expat living in Singapore who is passionate about traveling, experiencing new things and witnessing God’s work first-hand. ♥

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