To kick off the celebrations, we started the day by buying all the things needed for our small New Year's Eve feast. We went grocery shopping and bought ingredients for our media noche dishes. The traditional Filipino dishes are typically served at midnight on New Year's Eve and consists of a variety of foods such as ham, lechon, queso de bola, and fruit salad.
We also made sure to purchase some fireworks that would light up the sky but won't explode. We wanted to keep it safe and fun for everyone.
After our shopping trip, we decided to visit our families and relatives before the new year's eve. We wanted to spend some quality time with them and share the joy and excitement of the upcoming new year.
Before heading back to our home to prepare for the celebration, we decided to take a short break and enjoy ourselves at Mandani Bay. The premises were beautifully lit up and it was the perfect place to take a break from traveling all day.
We took a few photos in the area, marveling at the beautiful lightings. We saw several other people there as well, taking a break and enjoying the sights and lights of the place.
It was a nice change of pace and gave us a chance to relax and recharge before continuing with our celebrations at home. We took in all the vibrant atmosphere of Mandani Bay, soaking up the relaxing environment and enjoying each other's company.
Preparation
After our short break at Mandani Bay, we headed back home to continue preparing for the celebration. We decided to make a simple yet delicious "no-bake" baked mac and cheese for dinner and sliced some ham to go with it.
As a newly married couple, we always try to be practical when it comes to celebrating occasions. We don't have a big budget to work with, so we always try to find ways to celebrate without spending too much money.
In addition to the food, we also opened a bottle of sparkling red wine to toast to the new year. It was the perfect touch to our intimate celebration at home.
As we sat down to enjoy our dinner, despite the simplicity of our celebration, it was a night to remember and one that will always hold a special moment in our mind and heart.
On the Eve
After finishing our dinner, we patiently waited for the first seconds of the new year to arrive. As we counted down the final hours of 2022, we couldn't help but feel excited and hopeful for the year ahead.
To mark the occasion, we decided to take a few New Year's photos as a couple. We wore matching outfits in the color of the new year, magenta, and snapped a few pictures to commemorate the moment.
As someone who isn't used to these kinds of traditions, I have to admit that I really enjoyed the sense of connection and community that comes with celebrating the new year. It was a special moment that I will always remember and one that I am grateful to have shared with my wife.
New Year
As the final seconds of 2022 ticked away, my wife and I made our way to the highest floor of our condo. We wanted to get a good view of the fireworks display that would be happening across the city.
We set up our cameras and waited with excitement as the first moments of 2023 arrived. As the clock struck midnight, we were treated to a stunning display of fireworks from across Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapulapu. It was a sight to behold.
We also lit up the fireworks that we had bought, adding to the spectacular display of lights that filled the sky. As we watched the different lights from different places, all with the common goal of welcoming in the new year, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with the situation.
It was a truly heartwarming moment, filled with excitement to uncertainties and happiness at the same time. As we embraced each other and watched the fireworks, I knew that this was a moment that I would always cherish and hold dear.
If you happen to have read this part, I hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed welcoming the new year. Thank you for your time.
All photos are taken/owned by the author.
What is HIVE?
If you want to know more about Hive, visit some links below.
- What is HIVE and how does it work?
- Where does the value of HIVE (the token) come from?
- Where does the money on your posts come from on Hive?
- What are the different ways to earn HIVE?