From our home to your home

A Blessed Christmas 

and a 

Prosperous New Year!

Let's remember to share our blessings, be it our love or our time or material things because whatever "goodness" little or small we give, better things always find their way to us. "

A Brand New Beginning

This was our department Christmas Party. Aside from the foodies, the highlight was of course our simple gift giving. To add color to the exchange gift each was tasked to say a few words on two things: 1) your wish for yourself; 2) your wish for P&GA.

I have observed that several of the staff touched on "peace", "harmony" and "intrigues".Honestly, I never expected that these were the thoughts that linger in our group. I had a different state of mind that moment evidenced by my different wish. I said, "my wish is for P&GA to be a strong group in the Company where employees would recognize our importance and not just as "utusan". Parang ang layo ko sa mga sinabi nila (kamot sa ulo!). So I was really surprised that at the back of the happy faces of these young and free spirited people, there were silent wishes  like those playing in their minds. 

While doing my routine walk this afternoon, I decided to "rewind" what transpired during that "party". I tried to challenge my own thoughts about it. Like, why I gave a different wish from them or why I was not "in sync" with their wishes for the department..I would admit that I could feel that some of them were "obviously" not comfortable with me due to issues that took place some years ago. 

As I began my reflection, I realized that probably the reason why I said a different piece was because I was already way past through those issues. I was healed. I may not have totally  buried into oblivion the hatred, betrayal, aches, bitterness, failed friendship etc. but definitely I have managed to rise above it. I suffered the consequences, I learned the lessons but along the way I also received the blessings of forgiveness, the grace of letting go and the courage of starting again.I was also the recipient of unconditional love of my family and my true friends. It was indeed a major journey, hard but comforting, long but inspiring. 

I would never wish on anyone to undergo what I went through, but I will never regret that it became part of my life. It brought a lot of changes and realizations. it screened out my circle of friends; it reorganized my life, my values, my choices. In other words, it gave me a more examined life. 

I would like to say sorry if i became part of the "discomfort" in this department. I am glad that they are open to start a new beginning.

There are reasons why conflicts happen. But I am glad there are people who are willing to welcome peace. Although, it doesn't happen overnight and harmony doesn't fall from heavens, its already a blessing that we were able to tip the starting point.

With your open minds and hearts I am confident that P&GA personnel would be able to hurdle successfully other challenges in this Company.  

Merry Christmas! Good Luck to us all.

look at this!

I know and I have a very strong feeling that this is a gift carefully chosen. 

Maraming salamat  Marlo!

I will surely use this.

Inside is a little surpise. A passage from Aleph book

"The world is being created and destroyed in this very moment. Whoever you met will reappear, whoever you lost will return. Don't betray the grace that was bestowed on you. Understand what is going on inside you and you will understand what is going on inside everyone else".

time off from work

after three years, I was able to attend a seminar in Manila. I had an agenda already aside from being able to have a break from Ilijan. I wanted to have lunch/dinner with my long long time friend Annie. And also I wanted to check on Jalels and cheer her up coz she was sick for almost two weeks.

I stayed two nights in the hotel. my first time to avail of this privilege. I'm scared to stay in a hotel alone esp.if its high rise.

my number 1 in the list to pack?

always with this.

No. 2 : Chocolates.

My other agenda was running. I miss the gym. day and night. night and day.

just what i wanted every morning. coffee and papers and quiet time.

and the bonus?

from Annie. Saya!

Sweet Surprise from across the miles

Last week, my brother sent a package through courier. Inside was "padala" from Canada by my HS classmate and close close friend until now. in HS we were not in the same barkada. she was with the "mabait"  and i was with the "ma gimik". but time changed and we became mag kumare, "magkapitbahay" in Laguna etc. Now she is in Canada, starting to live the life that she wanted with her whole family. 

So touched evelyn kiding. :) hugs...hugs... hugs...
You really know my weakness... :)

the two eyeliner pencils and the make up remover are kept in the cabinet for the meantime.

Take Care girl!

Every year happiness

every year this is highly anticipated by the three. kahit paulit ulit sa Palms Country Club, they don't mind. In my case, I love going back there again and again and again. if only for their sumptuous foods.varied. pasta, roast turkey, lots of sweets, meat dishes, pizza, salads...
sorry, i didn't take photos. it's me. i lack the guts.

i could see that the stage decorations cost a lot. and the party itself looks expensive (really!)

we have been attending this party since 2007 and until now it continues to excites us.

before Ala Kim became popular (via PGT), he became a guest magician in this party years ago. Anjo volunteered to be one of his "talents" on stage. Ala kim kept on calling Anjo "Annika". :) Anjo never had the chance to correct Ala Kim but it stuck in her mind since then.
This year to our suprise, Tito Shy (the most expensive event host, they say) also called Anjo  "Annika". And Anjo was like, "Mama?! Annika again?"
Coincidence? Mystical? Who is Annika, by the way? But this time, Anjo was able to correct Tito Shy. :)

Last year, D won a golden chest of Godiva chocolates.
This year, he was again lucky to bring home this basket of goodies. aw!

we were early birds, so we caught this bear. :) and brought it home.
"Ma, it's is not bear. its gingerbread man!". 

kids souvenirs are from Animaland.

"Mama, JR is here" (JR is my officemate's dog who stayed with us overnight. my kids loved him to bits too)

These animals (from animaland) need to be stuffed. They come with their own birth certificate too.

Kids didn't pay attention to the foods, only when they got home they suddenly felt hungry. At least they got lots of stuff from the booths. :) 

Till next year!

Little Joys

Last Saturday, my aunt (a nun) asked me to accompany her to S&R. She showed me her membership card (hehehe). It was a gift, according to her. She wont shop because nuns don't have money.  She said she just wanted to see the Alabang branch because she is currently based in Cebu. So off we went. Merrily.

I grabbed the chance to buy Christmas giveaways for the teachers ( a tradition my kids would always look forward during Christmas season), for our neighbors and some for my officemates. It's only once a year and it shouldn't matter at all to be thoughtful to those who have been nice to us. 

I'm posting three samples that I am giving away.

officemate's kid.

good that this is gender"less". can be given to anyone.

obviously for female.I love the warmth of the packaging. I am too old school, I know.

I have also ordered cupcakes from an officemate for my other giveaways in the office. her cupcakes come in lovely packaging.

It slipped my mind to take photos of the giveaways for the teachers and our neighbors. I will next time.

I am relieved that I have accomplished more than 50% of my Christmas tradition. Thank you for this opportunity to give back even in a very simple way.Thank you also for giving me the resources to continue our tradition.

Little joys

I am planning to start my regular "little joys" journal every week. My intention is to constantly remind myself that happiness doesn't have to come in big packages. I also want to be always reminded to be grateful for being alive, for being able to do what I wanted to do alone or with my loved ones.

So starting today, I will count my blessings.


My officemate Rico gave these to me upon his return from a seminar in Baguio. Super love.

This was in Sta. Rosa, just across Nuvali. We brought the kids to see this awesome Christmas Tree and House of Santa. Nice.
Happiness din na makita the bagets were in awe seeing this giant and marvelous Christmas tree.
Pictyur dito, piktyur doon.

If there is one fastfood that hubby and I love it"s Wendy's. Bacon mushroomelt, Coke zero and later on DQ ice cream (sorry Frosty). Da best!

We went to a bazaar (read: high end bazaar) in Alabang yesterday. We got Sarah her Christmas outfit. Happy na naman si bebe. We brought so much joy also to the bagets!

Finally, I got to replace our old but super loved red plate chargers. Buti na lang malapit na ang Pasko, i had the reason to buy a replacement. Gourdo's has nice plate chargers, of various colors. Now they have the "Christmasy" plate and plate chargers.

Whenever I am in Gourdo's I feel that I am in a different world. Parang high ang feeling ko. hahaha. exaggerated ba? Lumalabas ang pag ka Martha Stewart pag nasa Gourdo's ako.

Pag Good Day coffee Good day talaga! available na din sa Puregold. dati sa S&R at Shopwise ko lang ito nabibili. Thank you Puregold!

The ultimate happiness was finding a refilled Bien Etre in Zonta Bazaar.
I asked many times the ingleserang tindera if they had the big bottle pero wala na daw. huhuhu. Single pa ako nun magsimulang  maghanap ng Bien etre. So you could imagine how happy I was upon finding this. Eureka! ang dating.Although sad ako dahil wala nang malaki, pero super super happy rin dahil meron akong 2 bottles.
Hindi ba talaga namang Happiness in a Bottle ito?

till next week.
Writing this "little joys" is now one of my motivations to be happy and grateful even in the minutest things that come along. Siguro effort sa unang bahagi until later on maging mindset ko na ito. Pag laging happy, healthy for the mind, healthy for the body. When there is always gratitude in your heart, blessings are easy to come :)

Another Year

Tomorrow I will be on leave because I am celebrating my 39th birthday. Life is not short, life is fast. Don't you think so? I will be 40 next year but I don't feel like I have aged that much. naks! Maybe age is really just a number.

I'm never big on celebrating my birthday.Although, when we were in grade school, my mother would always prepare a simple chiffon cake that she made, pancit and (dirty) ice cream.I don't remember anymore if there were visitors. But those moments now form part of my happy childhood. Thank you Mame! (Mommy).

In my own family now, we are not into big celebrations. Birthdays, anniversaries and other milestones are usually quiet, simple and just us. So tomorrow, I plan to just be home. In the afternoon, hubby and I will go to Xavier School to get application for my highschooler next year. See, really life is running fast. Soon, I will have a tweener. How is that?

So nothing really special tomorrow.. I have already received my gift - my dream ballet shoes from Naturalizer. Mababaw ano?

                                                         

But birthdays wont be complete without making a wish. :)

I only have one, and it sums up everything, I guess.

"May the kind of life that I have now continue as long as I live."

God Bless Everyone!!!

For sale din?

hindi po sya binebenta. naipon na sya sa office. feeling ko extension ng bahay ang admin. kulang na lang magdala ako ng shoe rack. actually, namana ko lang naman ito kay alelie at sa Budget Officer sa Makati Office.

all "occasions" present except pang ulan at pang sports.

Postscript

A postscript to my blog "Lucky and Lovely"

It is my birthday month and I am getting "little surprises" already.

as i have mentioned, this is pearl is from Ms. Pearl.:) thanks again po.

last Monday, Mai called up to ask if we could meet in the evening. You see, Mai is my only social life in Batangas City - family and social life combined. she gave me this! so sweet. she knows my weakness - kakuriputan at asa sa bigay. hehehehe. thank you. love you cuzin.

this one belongs to eyen, unused and still sealed. but when i got home last Monday i saw this on top of my drawer. his sister gave it to me (although I had to insist that i pay). alam din yata na may pag ka vain ako at mahilig mag kulapol sa mukha ng kung ano ano. thank you sis.

there are no little things as long as they come from the heart.

Thank you.

lucky and lovely

when i came home last Friday, i received a lovely gift from a friend (hubby's  officemate based in Palawan).

it's a pearl necklace.

 but i had to exert little effort to "organize" the necklace.

I had to open the oyster to get that cute little pearl actually inside the oyster.

i had to take out the pearl from that oyster (wala na un pearl kasi na excite ako masyado, late na ng marealize ko to take photo) and made a wish. wow! it was magical to me!
and to think it was a gift.

thank you po.

my comfort food etc

one of my comfort foods is ice cream - this flavor and vanilla almond.

i crave on these two when I am tired, alone and busted (whatever that means).

I've had this for three weeks already. no one dares touch this. it's mine, everyone knows. if it's cookies and cream then its for everybody. :)
what about you? what do you love eating when you are blue?

fruits naman are for Anjo.
she knows that she gets sick easily so she has learned to love fruits. she has a paranoid Mama who wants blood sample immediately when someone in the family has fever.
Anjo already felt the excruciating pain of injection, many times. she tells me that every year she goes to the hospital for blood extraction to check what her illness is. so Anjo doesn't eat what are bawal to her: chips and  coke.
This is her and Papa's one week supply of fruits.

                                          (aside from being a fruit lover, anjo loves dog too.)

Abi loves spaghetti. he claims "the old spaghetti house" is the best for him. ouch! but he eats my spaghetti with gusto. he even helps.

last sunday was sooo delicioso. neighbor Mariel gave us turon. hmmnnnnn.yummy! my mission next Saturday is to teach my angels how to make turon with cheese.

no wonder i am so fat nowadays. all i wanted to do is eat, eat and eat. Oh God! Please help me.Christmas is near and i'm sure i would look so "lechon" on photos. Oppsssss, we still have a wedding on December 1. Is a lace dress still possible? I dont think so. :(
well, well, well...

sarah & jr

it was supposedly an arranged "marriage".

but you see, even if they were just dogs, we humans could not force "something" that simply was not meant to be.

Months ago, my officemate and i agreed to be in laws by arranging their union.

but look! it didn't work.

it was obvious!

i guess just like what happened to other people, these two were better off as friends and not lovers.

JR was playful being single

and our Sarah was happier without a roomie.

JR became so stressed after spending (sleepless, maybe) night with Sarah. sobrang nakakaawa his breathing. Me and my children alternately carried him but still he was panting. So we decided to bring him home instead. :(
Oh JR!

big na

"there are times when i still get surprised;  I look at them and realize that they are no longer babies."