Here it is again! 😀

It’s my Firsts for 2013. The better story of this project that spans a lifetime can be found over here. But in a nutshell, these are the things that I experienced for the very first time, whether good, bad or ugly.

This is the stuff life is made of. 😀

  • Painted a set, c/o Theater 151.
  • Learned a Javanese dance.
  • Performed outdoors under moonlight.
  • Had a picnic in UP.

nilavariel_2013firsts_01

Photo c/o Debbie Afuang.

  • Discovered this lovely little café. It’s now a favorite haunt of mine. 😀

nilavariel_2013firsts_02

This is Magnum Opus in BF Homes, Paranaque. Photo c/o Patton Lucas. 

  • Of course, that led to this…

nilavariel_2013firsts_03

The first Whovian Philippines meet-up I attended, in a Clara-inspired dress. 😀 Photo c/o Regina Layug-Rosero.

  • Attended a poetry night at Mystic Brew.
  • Achievement Unlocked! Centerstage!  Did a solo variation on the CCP Main Theater stage. (Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux, female variation) It was an audition, but still. First time! 😛
  • Saw Vin Diesel for the premiere of The Fast & The Furious 6.
  • Spent my birthday on top of a ferris wheel, on the edge of a mountain.

nilavariel_2013firsts_04

Sky Ranch, Tagaytay. I call this my Birthday Ferris Wheel. 😀 My hunny, of course, ever the culprit. Photo c/o Patton Lucas.

  • Accomplished the following costumes…

nilavariel_2013firsts_05

Jim Lee Psylocke, completed (left). Weeping Angel (top right). Tauriel (bottom right). Photos c/o Patton Lucas, Dianne Singson, and Sionee Lagman, respectively.

  • Visited the Mind Museum.
  • Achievement Unlocked! You won’t feel a thing… Experienced my first surgery: a wisdom tooth extraction.
  • Performed in Giselle.

nilavariel_2013firsts_06

Corps de ballet. Photo c/o Victor Ursabia. 

  • Contributed for Juice.ph. 
  • Achievement Unlocked! Volcano-ception! Climbed Taal Volcano.
  • Achievement Unlocked! Shared the spotlight! Took a bow onstage next to one of my idols, Edna Vida-Froilan, during a tribute for my uncle, Tony Fabella. 🙂
  • Beach outing with the geeks – Pundaquit and Anawangin, Zambales

nilavariel_2013firsts_07

  • Achievement Unlocked! Surf’s Up! Learned how to surf!

nilavariel_2013firsts_08

  • Enjoyed a staycation at Acacia Hotel.
  • Joined Outbreak Missions twice. 😀

nilavariel_2013firsts_09

We were trying to be a movie poster. 😛 Photo c/o the Official Outbreak Manila Facebook page.

  • Did some online work through freelancing sites.
  • Attended the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Party!
  • Participated in a costumed fundraiser for survivors of Yolanda.

nilavariel_2013firsts_10

Photo c/o Patricia Vega.

  • Rode a ro-ro!
  • Saw the purple mountains and cotton candy skies of Don Salvador.

nilavariel_2013firsts_11

Photo c/o Bianca Cueva. 

  • Achievement Unlocked! I speak whale! Made some really huge friends in this family beach outing. Also, my first time in Cebu!

nilavariel_2013firsts_12

  • Tried out go-karting! (I drive like a turtle.)
  • New books including 100 Bullets by Brian Azzarello, the new titles in the X-Men series (UXF, AvX, All New…), Small Gods by Terry Pratchett.
  • Gave Christmas goodies to 38 random strangers.

And most importantly…

  • Achievement Unlocked! United we stand… Christmas together with the cousins again, for the first time in a loooooong while. 😀

nilavariel_2013firsts_14

I thought that I’d fall short with my list this year, but it turns out there are more achievements on here than on 2012’s! And thus, I end 2013 and start 2014 feeling optimistic, happy, loved, blessed, alive, adventurous, fearless. 😀
Happy 2014, everyone!