Jan 1 , 2023

When I reflect on last year, the one thing I am most proud of is that I have managed a more or leas excercise regime for a whole year- probably dor the first time in my life. No matter that I may have squandered any benefits from the massive and unhealthy meals I have been gorging on for the last 2 weeks- culminating in the monstrosity that was yesterday at the Mesclun Restaurant 31st Night Buffet. This was a spread to remember- They had these shrimp tempura with big shrimp..something you dont see everyday on a buffet. It was delcious..and unlimited. Also there was the very best lechon I had thus far tasted in the country. Just the previous night we went to a date night to a restaurant called Embers in Greenbelt- and I had ordered a beef short rib. Delicious as it was , I was uncomfortable the entire night. It felt like my body could bot process a hunk of meat anymore. I had not been consuming beef very much- and even other red meats were only consumed minimally. The body may have forgotten the playbook for digesting these. After tossing and turning for most of the night , I subjected myself to another gastronomic event- hey it was the last day of the year. Anyway, this was an anomaly I think I woof soon recover from- the main thing is that I could do some swimming and also some strength training towards the end of the year on a more or leas regular basis. This was one of my goals for 2022. The other, which I absolutely blew, was my intention of journaling daily. So this year I will try again- even if I miss a day I will enter something back dated so that there is something for everyday. Aside of the big meal, it was a bitter sweet day as I felt a distinct loss of the yule tide spirit in anticipation of the family’s departure on the 2nd. Post dinner we headed back to the room- and P and I started watching an old bond movie ( Quantum of Solace )- which put us both to sleep by 11.30 , thus not ushering in the new year after many years! I recall a similar 31st night with the family and wine in a hotel room in Cairo- I think it was 2017. 2018 new year eve was at Sooz’s - which had led to an imbroglio with Shetty that lasted a few months in to 2019. 2019 was at Shetty’s home with Manz- where there was a lot of dancing by yours truly and I had additionally received accolades for my curated spotify list for dance numbers. Manz stole it for his parties in bangalore later. 2020  I cannot remember what we did- possibly again at Sooz’s….in the midst of Covid but there had been a bit of a let off in December. 2021 was at ours with the UAQ group- so With Shetty and without Sooz.
And here in Manila- for 2022. 

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