August was a busy month. I did not have time to blog and if you look at my list of blog topics to write about, I have 12 items pending on my list. However, I promised myself that no matter how busy I am I should have at least one blog post a month and that would be the gratitude list.
A busy August meant I was productive. I thank God for the opportunities that came along my way. I thank the people who allowed me to be part of the projects, trips and gatherings for this month.
Let me run down the things I am thankful for for August.
1. Dinuguan. This Filipino food is one of my comfort foods. My late mother cooked a mean dinuguan and the person she taught how to cook visited so we took advantage of her being around and asked her to cook diniguan. Sorry I do not have a picture. It was that good that I forgot about everything. 😉
2. Meeting that went well. There was so much preparations I needed before the trip and I did not know if I was doing it right. Â The meeting gave me a clearer picture of what needs to be done.
3. Report submitted as promised. I had a trip the next day but I was still doing the report for another client. It was crunch time for me since I still need to pack for a week-long trip. Â In times like this, you just need to focus. It is not a good time to panic. You just have to do it and you will be surprised that things can get done.
4. Escaped Manila traffic. I arrived Manila during the day when there was an 8-car collision and every Manila-based friend lamented on  Facebook being stuck for at least three hours on the road. I traveled light so using the MRT was a breeze. What I did not escape from was the heavy downpour in the afternoon on the way to a meeting. Thank God, my boss fetched me near the MRT station.
5. Tim Ho Wan. My friend raved about  this 1 Michellin star restaurant that I just have to try. The pork buns are divine.
6. Visiting Myanmar. As of January 2014, Filipino tourists are allowed to entered Myanmar visa-free for 14 days. This is the view from my hotel room.
7. Stress-free day. I thought we had so much to do today but I did not experience the stress associated with it. I do not know about those in the streets. Myanmar is slowly developing and does traffic follow development?
8. Shwedagon. Myanmar is known for its political struggles, gems and pagodas. We visited the mother of all pagodas in Yangon, the Shwedagon. I walked barefoot in the rain (with umbrella, of course) to tour its vast complex. More stories about Myanmar in a future blog post.
9. Bogyoke. This is Yangon’s shopping area. I was able to buy souvenirs here. Oh my! Gems are also sold here. Those gems are beautiful. I do not wear jewelry but I love art so I saw intricate art when I looked at those pieces of  jewelry.
10. Yummy dinner. We had a lovely Chinese dinner courtesy of my boss.
11. Home bound. We went home thankful for all the experiences in Yangon. We are humbled by the strength and resilience of Burmese people.
12. Home sweet home. This greeted me home. Frozen durian tasted like creamy custard. Yummy.
13. Kare-kare. Lani cooked a mean kare-kare.
14. Viber. I now have Viber so I can regularly get in touch with some friends this way.
15. Â Time. We did some prep work for the following day’s activity.
16. Generous friends. My friends shared their blessings with some orphans.
17. Road trip. There are 86 barangays in Butuan City and I have never been to each one of the them. My friends and I took a trip to one of those barangays. This is Tungao, Butuan City.
18. Fiesta. There was another reason to gather with friends.
19. Energy. There was a trip coming up and I needed to allot time to do errands before I leave
20. Perseverance. I had a deadline and I did not sleep the whole night. Maybe, I had some catnaps but I was up all night. I was glad I was able to finish the task.
21. Trip. It was the start of the annual trip with friends.
22. Â Breakfast. After a plane ride and a long 11-hour bus trip, we arrived at Tuguegarao City. Our first goal was to eat Pansit Batil Patong. Their serving was huge. I was not able to finish my meal.
23. Palaui. The reason we wanted to go to Cagayan Valley was to visit Palaui Island. Beautiful place.
24. Â Fun food. I saw this on my friend’s Facebook. I could not resist ordering the pair for myself.
25.Catching up with friends. I had one day to spare in Manila. Â I used the time to meet with my friends.
26. Â Home. I am always thankful that I got the opportunity to travel. It made me appreciate the world around us and the little place I call home. Home is the place I am most comfortable.
27. Â Firefighters. There was a fire in one department store in city. The place burned down. Thank God no one was hurt and only that place burned down .
28. Art. I miss doing art so I settled for a quick digital art to allow my right brain for some exercise.
29. Surprises from nature. I saw this metallic bugs in a shrub near our house. Â I found them interesting and pretty.
30. Movie time with Tita. It has been awhile since we last watched videos together. This was our setup.
31. New place. My friend invited us to their fiesta. We grabbed the opportunity to do so. This is Lawigan, Tubay, Agusan del Norte.
Thank you, God, for a wonderful August. September is my birthday month and I thank my BCBlogger friends for the early greetings. I will find time to catch up with you guys!
Bigla akong nagcrave for dinuguan. I will cook this on weekends.
I just noticed that even there is a traffic jam in Myanmar, the vehicles are still lined unlike the traffic here in Manila. Sala-salabat ang traffic.
Happy Birthday by the way.
Oo nga no?
Thanks for the birthday greetings.
You had a very fulfilling month of August. Great captures of the bug.
Advance Happy Birthday sis. As usual, you had a blessed month. My August is a busy month too. I have yet to blog about the rest of my trip. Anyway, I wish all the best for you and I know you are living your life to the fullest already. Stay happy.
Thanks, Mommy Maye!
These are great things to be thankful about. Reading your list made me reflect on the month that was… Happy birthday!
Thanks, Ida!
Happy Birthday. By the end of September, I will start my this type of post like yours. I want to pause on my very busy life and look back on what blessings I receive for the day. 🙂
Thanks! Looking forward to reading your post.
Namiss ko dinuguan kasi fave ko yan. Me handa ka bang dinuguan kahapon? Happy Birthday ~~~
Walang dinuguan. Wala yung tagaluto. 😀 Thanks, Belle!
Wow! Lots of fun travel and great food. I have not tasted frozen durian. Is it really good?
Also, belated Happy Birthday. More blessings to come.
Thanks, Chin chin. Frozen durian tastes like super creamy ice cream!
We have so many things to be thankful for. The fact you are busy with work is good. Look always for the positive. However, I just have to say the Tim Ho Wan food is not really any better than other good Chinese restaurant. 🙂
The pork buns were good.
I have yet to try Tim Ho Wan buns. Wow, the view at Lawigan is so heavenly!
It’s been a productive month for you. Myanmar would be a place I’d love to visit.
Great picture. xxx Foods seem very yumie.
Wow… that was quite a bit that was achieved in August! Good for you… may your birthday month be awesome as well.
I’m so going to make the time to go and try out the Tim sum at Tin Ho wan. I have yet to eat there since it open here in Singapore and now they are into their 4th shop here.
I like how you are grateful of little things which many of us take for granted! May September be a great month for you too!
Your August is the bomb. I hope ny month could be as busy and lively as yours!
A lot to be thankful on August talaga. I’ve seen your awesome pictures, lovely visit to other country, delicious food and great company with friends and family. Super missed ko na talaga ang Dinuguan.:) Invite me to have some Sis:)
I think it is a fantastic idea to do a gratitude post!! It truly reminds us of being thankful more and complaining less! 🙂
It’s always good to make a list of those things we are thankful for; good job.
We could all do with a little unstressing! Nicley done
Too much for August but you’re blessed with these things in life. Share to others if you have much.
Your list is great! It consists of everything – from food, travel, arts, work to your social life. Hope to read your list for next month! 🙂
Lovely post with nice photos. I luuurrrve durians (the Malaysian durian season is now over *sob*)
It’s always a good sign when you’re busy. I love that pig and panda bun! Where did you get those?
Hi, do you live in the Philippines? Those are available st Chowking.
You had an awesome month. You got to travel, eat great food, hang out with friends and family and write. Perfect!
great post and great photos. i want to try the fun food
I love your photos, especially the Myanmar and the beaches! They look so beautiful and relaxing. Oh ya… are those 2 cute little buns?
I love that you do a gratitude list each month, it is a brilliant idea! We are all so busy, rushing around that taking time to stop and reflect is important. thanks for the lesson 😉
Being grateful can make your day good. What a month. I love how the kare kare was made.
I wanted to do the same thing on my next post. Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂
Happy Birthday! More travels, more food cravings, and happy people!
Thanks, Marie!
Happy Birthday and~ The pink piggy and panda buns looks so cute!
Hi Kat! You’re August was superb with the all the travels you have. I envy you for having all those opportunities.. 🙂
Thanks, Janz! I made my August sound a little bit bearable. It was fun but I was also glad it was over.
What a blessed month for you aside from your birth month.
BY the way, I was able to buy the Piggy Pao last week and Matt enjoyed it as a reward for having a “super-star” in school.
Oh, i saw that photo. He is so cute.
A very fruitful August you have here sis. Always count your blessings then. BTW, I do love dinuguan specially if it is the Ilokano recipe.
August is been good to us as well. It’s always a blessing having a good and healthy family. All the photos you posted is really great. I love all the food that you posted. Thanks for sharing Sis:)
I really miss having road trips especially the unplanned ones. Now, everything has to be planned, huhu but I’m still glad that we are able to do this despite my limited mobility. Ang blessed mo, Kat!
This is such a really nice thanks post. I have a lot to be thankful and it reminds how grateful I am to be surrounded with great family and friends. Thanks for sharing this inspiring blog post Sis:)
I envy your travel escapades sis!
We were almost in Palaui but I think it was a blassing in disguise that we didn’t push through dahil umulan!