Sadly, not much.

Unlike in previous years, I wasn't able to draw as much because I was so busy being an adult. It is sad to think how now I have all the tools and materials to draw, paint, sculpt, and make videos, but inspiration and creativity seem to have passed-or perhaps I'm just generally tired that I would rather sleep or do mindless stuff than create 😕 I don't like this version of myself.

Before I excessively wallow, let me share the very limited drawings I did in the year of our lord 2024 & 2025:

Sad.

4. Modern Bride

Originally, I planned to draw 3 wedding gown designs that I would love to wear for my wedding; however, life happened, so the world only got this. I couldn't recall what my inspiration for the dress was, but for the shoes... OMAYGADDD! Ever since I've laid my eyes on those pretty heart cut-out Mary Jane shoes from A.Bocca, it's been etched in my mind daily-it's my Roman Empire hahaha! But like almost all the fashion items that I wish for, they are pricey 😓

Would I go again and have this haircut? No, thank you.

5. Begin Again

Still obsessing over Taylor Swift's Red album, particularly with the song Begin Again. Aside from the songs, I love her aesthetic at that time, her outfits were chic and wearable (maybe not the ringleader costume tho.) I guess when I drew this, I had her 2012 era in mind.

6. Perfect Night

*Cue Le Sserafim's Perfect night*

If you're like me who only plays Overwatch, Sims, and Animal Crossing, you would've understood the reference 😜 But for those who don't, the quick background to this is: Overwatch had a collaboration with the KPOP girl group, Le Sserafim to create a theme song and then new skins for the ladies of Overwatch, heavily inspired by KPOP. Although this drawing has nothing to do with it, I just remembered how in love I was with D.Va's hair from her skin from this collab! At some point, I even considered dying it this way lol!

2025

1. Mischief

For some reason, I got bored with clothes with plain fabrics, and with that I went ham with the dots on this one hahaha! Though, one thing I will never be tired of: baby doll dresses!

Also, I have a silver pair of Mary Jane shoes I got from Zara, similar to the girl's shoe 👅

2. Valentine's Girl

Like I said, I got bored with plain fabrics, and with that I patched up hearts on the garments hahaha!

3. Weary Traveler

When I drew this, I was badly missing Tokyo! At that time, we still have no concrete plans of going to Japan that year, so I envisioned myself strolling the streets of Omotesando with this artwork to satisfy my yearning for a trip to Japan.

I guess I manifested too hard, we eventually had our trip in September 💞

4. At the paddocks

This one is fun! I remember drawing this after watching F1 the movie (LOL) and eventually got fixated over the fashion of the F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends (WAGS haha lol!) I guess this is a "what would I wear if I were Carlos Sainz's partner?" hahahaha! But kidding aside, if I have the resources and body, I bet my style would be very mod, 60's, and a little bit edgy from time to time.

5. Matador

I didn't even color this hahahah! What the heck, Nicole?!?

6. Africaaaaa

Funny story: last June 2024, Ken had the opportunity to go to Tanzania to shoot for an NFL player's vlog. One of the highlights of the trip was observing the wildlife in those open-air trucks. While fully focused on taking videos, Ken's phone slipped out of his pocket and fell in the fields of the Serengeti. Despite many efforts to track it (checked in the find my iPhone via MacBook, the phone is still in the Serengeti, unmoved), unfortunately the place is just too big to actually find it! 

So, whenever Ken hears Toto's Africa, he remembers the place... and his phone. RIP iPhone 14! You are missed.

7. Easy (to fall in love)

Raise your hand if you also got enthralled by Olivia Dean's music in 2025! 👋 Her songs feel like the perfect soundtrack to moments in your life where you are falling for someone or just want to feel *kilig* in your bones! I am not claiming that the girl I drew is her, far from it, but I can imagine a woman in love would have worn something girly yet light like this one 💕

2024 and 2025 were both very busy years in my book. I've experienced big changes in both life and career, and I got too caught up on it that I wasn't able to make time for my hobbies and create cute stuff that I am proud of. 

I would like to clear the air, I am no expert when it comes to anything culinary. At best, I can cook a knock-out Lasagna, but aside from that my culinary skills is average-and so is my taste. For a change in our itinerary, I recommended to the group that we try out this Italian restaurant that uses way too many veggies... How Healthy

Similar to our experience dining at Meriken Hayoba in Kobe, I made sure to book at least a week in advance via their instagram profile HERE just in case there's a bee line of people on the night we plan to have our dinner here. BUT WAIT, what is En Boca anyway?

"EMBOCA KYOTO is a restaurant that serves creative Italian cuisine using a wood-fired oven in an atmospheric space converted from a Kyoto machiya (traditional townhouse). As a popular restaurant originating from Matsumoto, Shinshu, it has earned high praise for its creative cuisine that makes the most of local vegetables and seasonal ingredients."

As I have mentioned, they use a LOT of vegetables in their cuisines, perfect for vegetarians, or those who simply want to manage their cholesterol levels. They have 2 branches, one in Nagano and one in Kyoto- the one that we visited. Their menu is a mix of course meals and ala carte, but since we aren't quite sure what to order, we opt to try the 6-meal course offering instead pero sa totoo lang tamad lang kami mag research.

Their specialty are pizzas ... with veggies

1st Course: Salad

A classic garden salad with a vinaigrette dressing and some strips of cold cuts ... for protein, I guess? Haha! It was fresh, light, and a perfect introduction to this gastronomic adventure NAKS!

2nd Course: Another Salad?

... or perhaps this is an apperitif? I'm not sure what category this one falls, but let me describe this dish: It's a platter of roasted veggies, with salt on the side for taste- it's as simple as that 💁 However, I appreciated this dish because the veggies do taste good because it's fresh, and roasted without causing so much burnt bits.

3rd Course: FISH!

FINALLY, SOME PROTEIN!!!

Understandably, it's tiny but I felt bitin or wanted more of it 😕 The fish is well seasoned, and that sprinkling of powder is miso which make it even more flavorful - NAKS!

4th Course: Soup

This one is creamy, tasty, and ... cold 😐 I understand that we had this during one of the hottest day of that summer season, but cold soup is not registering to me as an actual dish but instead, a dessert. Like most of the offerings, it was made of vegetables, and I remember it doesn't have any hint or taste of meat so I doubt they used Chicken or Pork stock. I didn't enjoy this one.

At least, Ken did.

5th Course: Pizzaaaa!

Their pizzas are big enough for 2, so if you want to try different flavors you can actually do half and half with this. The cheese mushroom pizza was DIVINE, really cheesy but not to the point that it feels too heavy. It was a different story for the bottom one, I don't even remember what it exactly it was, but I HATED IT hahaha! It tasted so weird, I think it had mint or something that doesn't really feel complementary to the whole pizza.

IT COMES WITH DRINKS!

With the Trinidads

You can choose between hot tea and an iced tea, both drinks weren't sweet FYI.

HAPPY ENDING: DESSERTS

IDK why Ken's ice cream even have a nest hahaha!

And the best Matcha dessert goes to this tiny Ganache masterpiece! Sweet, creamy, and a little bit of bitterness, I still have dreams about this dessert 😭😭😭

VERDICT???

Considering that we paid roughly Php 2-3,000 for a 6 course meal, I think it's a good deal since the food is nice, the staff are very accommodating whenever we have questions about the dishes, and I genuinely enjoyed it- except for the soup, I hated that 😖

Love Always,

Nicole