Happy New Year 2018! With Friends and Family on the Island

Happy New Year 2018 from the Philippines!

New Years Eve was fun and memorable, but what we do on New Year's Day is just as important. 

Obviously, we slept in today after a night of celebrating. But after waking up we began visiting nearby friends. Our first stop was the local fishing village to thank our friends their for providing us with delicious, fresh fish. 

On the way home, we passed the local police and greeted them warmly and thanked them for their service. 

Before walking up our driveway, I was waved over to the home of our Barangay Captain's home - a barangay Captain is like a chieftain of multiple villages and is a very wise and important person. His family welcomed us into their home, and we shared a meal, drinks and cheerful conversation. We really have a great Barangay Captain in Hinagoman, and we are glad to call him and his family our friends. 

Before leaving their home, we promise that Rose and I will visit them again tomorrow to discuss sponsoring contests in the January fiesta - Bakla Boxing and a comical beauty pageant. By the way - if you are interested in being a judge in our barangay (village) beauty contest, send us a message and we are sure we can get you a seat on the panel).

New Year Resolutions
Getting home, Rose continues to practice her guitar skills. Learning to play the guitar is one of her 2018 New Year resolutions. I on the other hand spend time in the gym. Getting a minimum 300 repetitions per workout (and working out 5 times per week) is one of my New Year resolutions.

Here in the Philippines, Family comes 1st. 
Rose's parents are visiting us from the jungles of Leyte. Spending quality time with them is paramount because we rarely get a chance to spend time visiting with them. This evening we are bonding with rum & coke to help enhance our vocal aspirations. No matter how much rum & coke I drink... I still sound like a quacking duck. Rose, April and my in-laws sound awesome! I don't know what is in their DNA, but they can really sing with spirit, emotion and heart. Luckily I only had to quack through one Barry Manilow song before they took the mic from me. From then on, I got to enjoy a concert with songs from the 80s & 90s. A perfect way to enjoy the end of an evening of the birth of a New Year.

What did I learn from today?

• Sleeping in with the person you Love is truly a spectacular experience and feeling. Cherish the one you Love and let them know it.
• Good Food helps us live healthier and longer lives. Letting them know that I appreciate their hard work is only a simple gesture, but people appreciate being appreciated.
• Sharing time with neighbors and friends over a meal is a sign of genuine caring. I am beginning to understand & appreciate the gesture in a deeper way.
• Learn and grow - playing an instrument, being active, singing your favorite songs. We are never going to be perfect, but we only Live Once. So choose to LIVE a Life that will make you more than already are. Be more.
• Family. We only have one. Let them know that you love them and appreciate them. Let them know today because tomorrow you may not have the chance. 

Happy New Year to all of our family, friends and followers. We wish you Happiness, Health, Good Fortune, and continued success in all you do.

 Happy New Year!
Greg, Rose & April

PS - If you want to donate to a good cause, let us know and 100% of your donations will go toward the people who work tirelessly for our community
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This article is written by Greg Pasden. American Expat in the Philippines and International Best Selling Author of 'Like Winning The Lottery'