How was 2010 for you? This year has been one of the most memorable ones I’ve ever had!
I am tremendously blessed to experience a year filled with food, love, travel, and wonderful times with family and friends.
I was able to write a lot more this year, and read even more. I ate a lot, cooked a lot, worked out a lot! I met so many new people, developed new friendships, and really expanded my little blog’s horizons.
Here are some of my most memorable moments this year:
- I went home to the Philippines to spend time with my family
my wonderful family: Monica, Patty, and our parents
- I visited Singapore for the first time
it was truly a food lover’s paradise
- I went to foodie events, like Chef Louie Night, Mystery Meet, and Boston Brunchers. It was great meeting fellow bloggers, and I even arranged a small dinner at Mistral as well.
- I attended food fests too, like Bastille Day in Harvard Square, the Maine Lobster Festival, Boston’s 1st Annual Food Truck Festival, and the Boston Local Food Festival
great weather at the Boston Local Food Fest
- I went to Italy! I visited Milan, Venice, and Tuscany
I ate gelato every day (okay, sometimes twice a day) in Italy
I loved our whole trip but my favorite was Tuscany
- Working out became a regular, indispensable part of my life (hey, I can’t keep a food blog without burning all the calories!). I did a lot of running, Core Fusion (I’m now a convert) and my beloved bikram yoga. I wrote an article with Tips on How to Survive and Love Hot Yoga and it went viral, garnering over 700 Facebook shares within days (woohoo)
I interviewed my favorite bikram instructor Brad from the Harvard Square studio (photo by Jeffrey Pike)
- My best friend Lora came to visit me – so much fun!
that’s us in front of Hotel Chocolat – we went to three chocolate stores on her first day in Boston
we discovered the homemade black pasta (squid ink) with ground squid at the Daily Catch in the North End – yum!
- I was able to explore beautiful New England (went to the Cape multiple times, plus Maine, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Vermont), as well as New York and New Jersey
with my friends at Nantucket Vineyards
sirloin burger stuffed with braised beef and foie gras (yup) at DB Bistro Moderne in NY
chocolate counter at LA Burdick
- I went through jars of nut butters and baked dozens of peanut butter cookies
Dark Chocolate Cookies with Espresso Salt
it was so worth all the hype
- My recipe was published in a book!
check out page 502 of One Big Table by Molly O’Neill
- And, on a more shallow note, I choppped off 8 inches from my hair 
new year, new hair
In addition to this, I also started writing for the Examiner, TalkingWriting and was featured on other sites like Ketchup Diaries,Travel Wine Dine, Boston Brunchers, and one day I even made the front page of Boston.com!
Looking back, I realize that I went through a lot of changes this year which made me grow stronger, healthier, and happier. And I went through some difficult times too – including heartbreak, death of a dear family member (my Lolo passed away shortly after I reminisced about one of his birthday celebrations), and having another extreme allergic reaction, which resulted in a scary visit to Urgent Care (I jinxed myself after bragging that I’ve only been to the ER once!). But everything that happened to me this year only contributed to my personal growth, and made me become more appreciative and compassionate.
This year also made me less uptight; I realized that no matter how much I plan, life will throw curveballs and the best I can do is enjoy it as much as I can. Now I say, “Life is short, I should take each opportunity to show my love to friends and family!” or “Life is short, I’m going to travel!” or “Life is short, who cares if I go broke…” (hehe) and my favorite: “Life is short, eat dessert first!” 
To my family, friends, co-workers, classmates, workout buddies, fellow bloggers, and blog readers, THANK YOU so much for all the support and encouragement. My little blog brings me so much happiness, and you guys make each day brighter, shinier, and all around better (you’re kinda like butter).
I wish you all a New Year filled with good food, good health, good luck, and love! And chocolate. Always chocolate. xoxo
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, that’s a lot for a year! Can’t wait to read about your 2011 as it unfolds.
Sounds like it has been a fabulous year! I really enjoyed meeting you and having dinner with you at Mistral and hope we see each other a lot more in 2011!
Yea, I’d say this constitutes as the best year ever! You did so much. I am so glad we had the chance to meet and spend some time getting to know each other. I love the dinner you planned at Mistral (clearly you saw my best of 2010 eats!!!) and I think we should get together again soon!!
Wow, you really have accomplished so much in one year!! It looks like you had a blast, too:-) I also went to Italy this year and fell in love with Tuscany. What an amazing place to eat and drink.
What a fun year! I learned to relax more this year too. I hope we get to meet in 2011!
You’re so cute. Love all the photos and reminiscing. Btw, I’ve totally been to that exact Food Republic in Singapore. I have the same picture!!
Congrats on an amazing year! I love that you explored and seized so many excited opportunities to learn and grow. Enjoy 2011!
And your hair is great! You look lovely
Ohhh that mac and cheese! I want some right now. . .
You have had a very full year. I am so glad that I met you, and I seriously hope there are lots more get togethers in 2011. Happy New Year and all the best to you!
What a great year! I agree, life is too short to not eat dessert first or, in my case, eat chocolate in the morning
That’s so cool! I wanna go back to Singapore!
Melissa, yes, we will definitely meet! Sooner rather than later, I hope
What an incredible, exciting year for you! So incredible to read of such amazing successes, travels, and fun. I wish you all the best for a fantastic 2011 with even more fun and adventure! It’s a pleasure to meet you, albeit late in the year. Keep up the great work!
Cheers to a new year!
congratulations! so exciting on all your trips and writing success — and omg, i’m drooling over that burger massively! hope 2011 is even better!!!
Happy New Year, Ate Bianca! : ) so happy to see your wonderful year in pictures and words! I miss you everyday! And you forgot one awesome thing about 2010: you spent its first few days with me over there in Boston! : ) talk to you soon! Mmmwah!
Awwww! Bianx I got goose bumps after reading this! Looks like you accomplished a lot in 2010. I am so proud of you! I miss you to death and love it that you are enjoying life to the fullest! I really wish to travel somewhere exotic and fun with you soon. Reading your blog made me miss you and Boston more. Here’s to an exciting 2011 filled with travel, shopping, food, workouts and lotsa love!
Wow! What an exciting year you had. I love all the new writing opportunities. And any year that includes a chocolate tour is a winner!
I NEED to try that mac and cheese! I hope 2011 is the year we get to meet
Happy New Year!!!
I enjoy reading your blog as much as you enjoy writing it! You had a very big year, especially with all your travels! I know 2011 will be even more amazing!
What a great post! And a great year it looks like!
Those cookies are ginormous! Happy New Year!
Congrats on a great year! Looks like lots of fun adventures. I have never been to Boston but I hope to visit within the next year.
What an AWESOME and exciting year for you! I get giddy just reading about it! Very inspiring.
I just got back from southeast asia and am seriously bummed that I didn’t make it to Singapore, especially when it was so “close.” Next time!!
What a great year you’ve had (except for Lolo’s passing)…so many adventures in 2010 and you will probably have a lot more this year. I look forward to reading about your journey. Thanks for reading my blog
I enjoy reading yours, especially the chocolate posts.