Yearender 2010

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
- I got married! I also got sick and hospitalized during our honeymoon *loser* and then went on medical leave for two weeks, I think. Wehehe.


2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more?
- I don't have New Year's resolutions. I just like making year-end reports like this one! 


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?  
- Our good friend Rosas gave birth to her first baby, Gabby. Cannot wait to see you, baby Gabby! ♥


4. Did anyone close to you die?  
- No, thank you, Lord.


5. What countries did you visit? 
- Singapore again! 


6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? 
- A job that I will really love and enjoy doing. Something that will really get me revved up everyday. Of course this job has to pay well, too!
- More wifey moments. Right now I really don't feel like a wife to my hubby because of our long-distance relationship. 
- More money saved up for the rainy days.
- More travel. 
- More photos. 
- More bonding time with our families.
- More exercise.


7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
- Jan 9 - our first anniversary
- July 24 - my surprise bridal shower
- Aug 6 - our wedding day
- Oct 16 - Maximus' first birthday


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
- Marriage.


9. What was your biggest failure?
- I was quiet and boring this year.


10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
- Unfortunately, yes. I had dengue right after our honeymoon.


11. What was the best thing you bought?
- Best thing I bought for myself is a new techie phone! And concert tix to see Gin Blossoms. Glad I was able to see them live before they retire.


12. Whose behavior merited celebration? 
- Parents, family and friends. And Maximus!


13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? 
- Avee's ex-boyfriend appalled me!


14. Where did most of your money go? 
- Bills, bills, bills. Wedding preps. Max's vet visits. Max's accessories and food. Stuff for the house. Pieces of clothing and girly stuff.


15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? 
- My wedding! 


16. What song will always remind you of 2010? 
- Pyramid, Nothin' On You, California Gurls, Your Love Is My Drug.


17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? 
- Loads happier!


18. What do you wish you'd done more of? 
- Exercise, cook, read new books, go out with friends, save money.


19. What do you wish you'd done less of? 
- Facebook.


20. How did you spend Christmas? 
- Noche Buena with officemates. Christmas lunch with the family. Another Christmas lunch with my sister's future in-laws.


22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
- Yes, and with the same guy. ♥


23. How many one-night stands? 
- No one-night stands.


24. What were your favorite TV programs? 
- Grey's Anatomy, Supernatural, Glee, Pretty Little Liars, The Walking Dead, The Dog Whisperer


25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? 
- No.


26. What was/were the best book(s) you read?
- Eat Pray Love.


27. What was your greatest musical discovery? 
- Goldfrapp.


28. What did you want and got? 
- Someone to spend the rest of my life with.


29. What was/were your favorite film/s of this year? 
- Despicable Me, Scott Pilgrim vs The World


30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
- Pizza dinner with bestie, Ann and Bunsoy. Ü 


31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 
- A relationship that is not long distance. 


32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? 
- Feminine, comfy and sexy.


33. What/who kept you sane? 
- Babykoy and Maximus! ♥


34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? 
- No one.


35. What political issue stirred you the most? 
- The Luneta Grandstand hostage fiasco.


36. Who did you miss? 
- Babykoy, of course. And my old officemates in Makati.


37. Who was the best new person you met? 
- My batch mates in training and my team here in Santa Rosa.


38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010? 
- The best is always yet to come! ♥

Happy New Year, everybody! ♥

Year of Rabbits and Goats

Wow, I can't believe we're ending a whole decade in just a few days! 

I'm excited because a new year means a fresh new start. Clean slate. There are so many things I want to accomplish next year, and hopefully I get to do them one by one! 

I'm also sad because another year has ended and I'll be a year older again in a few weeks. My thirties, please slow down!  

Anyway, I was browsing through some Chinese horoscope websites just for the heck of it and learned that 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit. I don't believe in horoscopes, but it's fun reading them, especially if you like what they say! Teehee.

Google told me that I was born in the Year of the Goat. Chinese astrologers say that Goats are graceful and optimistic, kind and easygoing. (True that!) They can also be petulant and discontented, likely to throw in the towel at the beginning of a problem. (Well, sometimes, yeah.) They can be charming without revealing their true feelings. (Eyng?) They are also very talented and imaginative and can turn their hands to most creative pursuits. (I should be raking in the big bucks now!)

Here goes my fortune for next year:

The Year of the Rabbit starts off brilliantly for those Goats seeking employment or wanting a career change. By networking and keeping his ear to the ground, some exciting possibilities will come up. March, April and September are well-starred for work advancement and positive changes. (Ayayayayayay! Crossing my fingers now!)

The past couple of years have been challenging for the Goat and 2011 will be much more upbeat, positive and happy. There will be many chances over the year to make new friends and attend social outings – just what the Goat needs. The support and friendship of others will be very important to her this year and give her the encouragement and confidence she needs. (Cheers to more friends!)

The single Goat will find 2011 an excellent and thrilling year for romance and those who already have a partner may be thinking of taking it to a more serious level. February, August and September will most likely present opportunities for romantic encounters, but the whole year will bring happy social occasions. (Cheers to happy love! Taking it to the next level? You mean parenthood? Teehee!)

The Goat must look after her own health this year, ensuring that she is getting enough rest and relaxation. It’s going to be a busy year, in the nicest possible way, but it could also be a bit draining on her vitality. (Check!)

Financially, things are looking much brighter than in previous years and many Goats will have fun buying bits and pieces for their home or taking short trips. (Oh I love this part right here! Haha!) 

Find out what's in store for you next year here! 

My Christmas Weekend

Now it can be said: I've gained 3 lbs this holiday season. Waaaaah. 

I've been avoiding my weighing scale like the plague the past couple of days. I knew what I would see there, I just didn't want to see. Teehee. Curiosity eventually won out and I stepped on to the damn scale with bated breath yesterday. 

Ta-da! Three clicks to right of the digit 5. Good job, pasta, chicken, leche flan, chicken galantina, adobong pusit, chocolate cake etc!

But I'm not complaining. I know I can shed those unwanted pounds in two weeks, just in time for Ann's wedding. I can fit in that gown, by hook or by crook. Cough, cough. 

It was a truly fun Christmas this year. I've had three Christmases, actually. So that's one pound gained for each Christmas party, is that it? Haha!

I spent my Noche Buena with this wacky group of people during Christmas Eve. I was able to go home around 1am but was too full to eat Noche Buena again. So I just said a silent prayer of gratitude to the Lord for a wonderful year and just hit the sack. I needed my strength for the full-scale holiday feasting that would happen in the next two days. Haha.

I could never get my brother to smile properly for the camera. Here he is again with his usual silly face. He is a really silly boy! 

This is me with my sister Ann, who's feeling the full pressure of her upcoming wedding. Just barely a month left and you'll be a single lady no more. I will miss you when you leave home! 

These are my folks, a.k.a. the best parents in the world. That man on the left is the only person to blame why we've been gaining so much weight. That woman on the left is where we got our sense of humor from. Hehe. 

This is the De Los Santos clan when they went to visit our family for the traditional 'pamamanhikan' last Sunday. We were just so delighted to have such happy noise and such happy people in the house. 

Meet the future heartbreakers of the Philippines.

Such good-looking kids.

They're all Artie's nephews.

Nieces were at the other table.

Maximus was the star of the show. 

All the kids loved him.

He was so friendly to everybody, 

licking and playing with anybody who would come to him. 

That's my boy! 

♥

Happy Holidays, everybody!

Christmas Blues

I'm feeling mixed emotions about my Christmas this year. I know it's gonna be happy for me and my family, but Babykoy won't be coming home to celebrate the holidays with me. He'll be flying home in January to attend my sister's wedding and spend a few days vacation here.

We've talked, argued and agreed about it months before, but it's still sad to think that our first Christmas together as a married couple will not happen this year. 

I thought this year I get to plan the holidays for the both of us. It's our first Christmas together, so it has to be great, because it will be the start of our future family's holiday tradition. But I have to put them on hold for now and save the grand plans for 2011. 

I'm still entitled to a full-scale moping and sulking, aren't I?

No, I'll stop whining right here. I'm happy that I have my family, Max and my good friends here with me. I'm happy that I now have a mother-in-law, a father-in-law, a grandmother-in-law and two great brothers-in-law. 

Most of all, I am happy that I have Babykoy. 

Don't worry, baby. This is the last Christmas that we will spend apart. Next year it will be wonderful!

It has been a very magical year filled with wonderful blessings, and forever I will be grateful. Thank you, Jesus, for all the blessings that you have given me and my family. Happy, happy birthday!

And to all of you my dear bloggie friends, a very Merry Christmas! ♥

Note To Self

Homecoming

*Reposting and sharing this nice read to friends. Enjoy!

While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in Portland, Oregon, I had one of those life-changing experiences that you hear other people talk about, the kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly.

This one occurred a mere two feet away from me. Straining to locate my friend among the passengers deplaning through the jet way, I noticed a man coming toward me carrying two light bags. He stopped right next to me to greet his family.

First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other's face, I heard the father say, "It's so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!"

His son smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly, "Me, too, Dad!"

Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten)and while cupping his son's face in his hands said, "You're already quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!" They too hugged a most loving, tender hug.

While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was squirming excitedly in her mother's arms, never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father.

The man said, "Hi, baby girl!" as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment.

After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, "I've saved the best for last," and proceeded to give his wife the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing. He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed, "I love you so much!" They stared at each other's eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands. For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their kids that they couldn't possibly be.

I puzzled about it for a moment then realized how totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arm's length away from me. I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear my own voice nervously ask, "Wow! How long have you two been married?"

"Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those," he replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife's face.

"Well, then, how long have you been away?" I asked.

The man finally turned and looked at me, still beaming his joyous smile.

"Two whole days!"

Two days? I was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, I had assumed he'd been gone for at least several weeks, if not months. I know my expression betrayed me, I said almost offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace (and to get back to searching for my friend), "I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!"

The man suddenly stopped smiling. He looked me straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned right into my soul, he told me something that left me a different person. He told me, "Don't hope, friend ... decide!"

Then he flashed me his wonderful smile again, shook my hand and said, "God bless!" With that, he and his family turned and strode away together. I was still watching that exceptional man and his special family walk just out of sight when my friend came up to me and asked, "What'cha looking at?"

Without hesitating, and with a curious sense of certainty, I replied, "My future!"

♥

Last Day: Bloggie Challenge

What, day thirty already? We're finished? Wow, that was quick! I didn't even notice the days go by! It's really true what people say. When you're having too much fun, it's over too soon. When you're dreading doing something, the days stretch to what seems like forever. 

For the last day of our 30-day bloggie challenge, I'm supposed to post a photo of myself today and three good things that happened to me in the last 30 days.

This is one of me with my fabulous mom taken just hours ago when we went to have pizza. Can you guess how young she is? If your answer is late forties or early fifties, she will love you forever. Hee!

My three good things: 

- Gin Blossoms live

- Tickets to Singapore!

- Moolah for the mommah and the poppah!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, and hopefully, more good things in the coming days.

♥

Bloggie Challenge: Day Twenty Nine

Something you could never get tired of doing. 

But of course, that's a given.
♥

Bloggie Challenge: Day Twenty Eight

Your favorite movie.

Now this is a bit tricky, because when you're a huge movie fan like I am, it's impossible to just have one favorite movie. It's like asking which among your twelve children is your most favorite. It's just wrong! 

So I decided to pick my top four most favorite ever according to genre. 

Favorite romantic comedy: 

When Harry Met Sally

Killer screenplay. Killer actors. Killer soundtrack. Killer quote right here:

"I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

Favorite romantic movie:

Love Actually

Love Actually is what He's Just Not That Into You or Valentine's Day is miserably not. It's the only ensemble rom-com movie that actually worked. How could it not when you've got fantastic English actors, love and love blunders, and yes, Christmas! ♥

Favorite drama:

The Shawshank Redemption

If you haven't seen this movie yet, you can come out of your cave now and borrow the DVD. It's so good. Tears-and-happiness-and-goosebumps kind of good. That's all I can say. 

 Favorite epic/action movie:

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

I was completely blown away by this movie franchise. I love this movie so much I wish there was a real Middle Earth so I could have my own cottage by The Shires. Thank you, Mr. Peter Jackson. 

Bloggie Challenge: Day Twenty Seven

A picture of you last year and now, 

and how you've changed since then.

This is me with Max when he was just a little pup, taken around this time last year. I just got him when we had this picture taken. It was his very first day at home. Oh my, we all just fell in love with him. Just look at that adorable face. I miss holding him in my arms, carrying him around the house, because now he's almost as heavy as me. 

See how big he's gotten? This is the grown-up Max, photo taken over a week ago. He's still the adorable dog, only heftier and a lot more playful. Nothing has changed: I'm everyday falling in love with him. 


I can't believe it. Time really just flew by. In the first photo, I was still a single lady. The next photo shows a happily married woman (with a really ill at ease dog, haha). 


It's been a very magical year! Thank you for all the blessings of love and happiness. Here's to more, more, more in the coming year! ♥

Bloggie Challenge: Day Twenty Six

A photo of somewhere you've been to.

I've been to a lot of places, 

but Singapore is one of the most memorable.

Mainly because that is where the love of my life is.

And that is where we spent some of our happiest moments together.

Be flying off this January again.

See you soon, Singapore!

♥