My 2009 Year Ender

Year 2009 has been a good year for me. Not only that i got most of my "must have" gadgets this year, but also because there's really a lot to be thankful for. Most are answered prayers. Some are blessing in disguise. However, there are also some enigmatic things and events that I still can't grasp it's meaning or significance in my life.

I believe I'm a better person now. With all the challenges i have surpassed, decisions i made, the path i chose to take, emotions i tend to keep. All of this contributed to what i am now. Stronger. Better. But this is not the end. Next year is another year. There are still dreams to pursue. Plans to fulfill. and a mission to accomplish.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that have been part of my 365 days. To friends who listened to me, walked with me, laughed with me, shared their life with me and cried with me. To my family who have been very supportive and caring. To my husband who stood by me. To my daughter who gave joy to my life. And most of all, to our Creator who have been there, as always, when i needed Him most.

Let's always count our blessing. and be thankful for what we have. There's always reasons and things to learn from everything.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Happy Birthday Bro!

As most people say, Christmas is only for kids and kids at heart. Children are excited to open their gift just before Christmas eve. The smiles on their faces are priceless. Most families were also reunited during this season. Delightful meals were also served on the dinning table.

Noche Buena is translated as "a Good Night". It's not actually all about food. It's not all about the gifts. This is a night of celebration of baby Jesus' birth. So what if you only have sardines for dinner? so what if you can't afford to buy a gift for your love ones. As long as you are grateful with what you have. As long as you showed them you love them, that's a best Christmas gift they will ever receive.

This is a season of love and forgiveness. A season of giving and sharing. A season of thanksgiving. So let's make everyday a Christmas day!!!

Happy Birthday baby Jesus! Thanks for everything!

By the way, can we not use the term "Xmas"? Should always be "Christmas" so we do not lose the real meaning of it.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Last Minute Shopper

I am one of those last-minute Christmas shopper this year. I had no time to go to Greenhills or 168 or Divi or even St. Francis Square. Good thing there are one-stop-shop malls these days. so you really won't have to go to different places. Although they are a little bit pricey than the mentioned places above, rest assured you have a good quality of items or if not you can return it within 7 days as long as you still have the receipt.

I also learned my lesson few years ago... to have a list of names so you won't forget anyone. It also saves you time. You can plan ahead what items you should buy. Most toy stores offer free gift wrapping for toys bought from them. But you must be very patient and should expect long lines. Since most people, including me, will grab the free gift wrapping services which saves us lots of wrapper and effort.

One sad thing is that, although i am a Prestige cardholder, i was not able to use their exclusive gift wrapping service. You will have to pick it up after few hours and they can only entertain a maximum of 3 gifts per cardholder. So not good a thing for someone who is in a rush, like me.

Although I had a breeze shopping, I made sure that the gifts are still appropriate for them.

My Wishlist

Dear Santa,

I hope you can read my post. Here's my wishlist for this year. You can leave it under our Christmas tree. But not on Christmas eve ha kasi we're still up by midnight. Don't worry about those baby fats you gained this year because we don't have a chimney. You could always sneak into our living room. I promise I won't peek or install a hidden camera. hihihi!

Eniweis, here my list:

1. Laptop
2. Belle de jour
3. White Wallet
4. Kenzo perfume
5. PSP (piano white) [I changed my mind, silver nalang para same color ng celfone ko]
6. Kenzo mousturizing body gel [I bought Puree Body Lotion from Body Shop instead]
7. Condo unit [saka na lang! hehehe]
8. New Fibrella umbrella (preferably with UV protection)
9. Cabinet
10. New chip for our Magic Sing with "Way back into Love"

Thanks,
Chique

Happy First Monthsary

This is my third 1st monthsary in a company. Twing first month lang naman ako nag ba blog and the rest is history. hehehe. As I celebrate my monthsary, there are few other celebrations happening today that I am aware of, namely:

 

1) Astafunding office blessing - Officiated by Father James Chacko of Don Bosco Parish. Just a week ago, we moved to our new office. A nice and cozy ambiance where we will spend most of your day [I mean night] in a week.

 

2) The Feast of St. Francis Xavier commemorates the death of St. Francis Xavier, patron saint of Goa. Since Fr. Chacko is from India, he mentioned about this feast is celebrated every Dec. 3 and it's happening now in Goa, India.

 

3) It's Merwin's birthday today. One of my teammate in Content-Creations working on Fttw project. I have only met him once.

 

4) It's also Ed's birthday today. One of the pioneer member of WorkForce/Astafunding-Manila team.

 

 

Happy Celebration peeps! :D

Our Christmas Tree

Every Christmas, back in my parent's house, my mom always decorate our Christmas tree. [I never knew it was fun pala. hehehe] As early as September, she finds time to setup the christmas lights and decorations. You would really feel it's almost Christmas time.

This Yuletide season, in our humble home, I bought our very own Christmas tree. I was excited with the idea of decorating it. [I wish I could share the moment with Andrea. hehehe] I felt the christmas rush when shopping for this tree and its ornament. Some items were already out of stock. I'm glad they still have a 6ft tall tree. Choosing ornaments is really challenging for a first time like me. I tried to grab some ideas from the christmas trees around the mall, hoping I could mix and match the colors. I chose the green, red and gold combination. Ribbons and Christmas balls and lights.

With the help of my mother-in-law, our two helpers, we've come up with this!

Tada!!!

Officially In Love

Even before Mannix and I met, I know there was something special going on between us. As I said before, we talked on the phone until morning. What do we talk about? My past relationship! That time, I just broke up three months ago with my first boyfriend of two years. So it was really hard for me to forget everything. I confided in him why it did not work out. He was there to cheer me up and tell me that I deserve better. He consoled me and assured me that he will always be there for me. But he's not courting me yet! Ok?!

We don't go out often because of my work load. Sometimes, we meet on weekend. Sometimes, he goes to our house to fix our computer [trying to impress me]. Most of the time, we chat and talked over the phone.

He never really courted me. [Or maybe] I changed the topic when he was about to say it! hahaha! [I'm such a spoiler!] I was really hoping he would ask me but he did not! There was a point that I thought "maybe, he's really not into me". So I decided to match him up with one of my best friend Ailene! We talked on a 3-way phone. Sometimes I just listen to their conversation [mostly "kulitan"]. Until there was a time when we were talking about her and he uttered something like "bakit kasi kelangan i blind date pa sa iba?” Sounds to me like "Hindi ba pwedeng ikaw na lang?" [hahaha! uyy! ang cheesy!]

When he told me about his feelings and how much he cared, I don't really know what to say. He never asked me a question so how can I give him my answer? But I can't help it! So I asked him if he knew the Ilocano phrase "Ayayatinka". [I tought ndi nya alam eh! hehe!] And that's it!

There was just a funny thing about October 31. We were supposed to meet before that but due to a typhoon it was postponed. We still talk over the phone though. It was the day I finally said I love him. During our conversation that night, it came to me that not all months have day 31 so how can we celebrate our monthsary?

So I made an appeal if we could make our official date on the 29th! hahaha!

Boy meets Girl

I've always wanted to write about how Mannix and I really met. But whenever i read my archive of our chats since August 2000, i can't help but reminisce the old times and feelings. And Yes! You read it right! We met online when Yahoo! Messenger was still on Beta and message archive was not yet a feature. But i did manage to save our cheesy conversations! hahaha!

It was on my first job when I used this messenger. It was the primary means of communication in the office. So my colleague, Denver, created me one with my full name spelled out! I was addicted to it that my job was affected. [My former boss could testify on that!] But what can I do? They kept on popping up! hahaha!

On the first day of August 2000, this guy popped and asked for my A/S/L. I usually asked where and how did he find my id. He said, my name was on the search result and he was intrigued with my full name! So from then on, he was my regular chatmate. He asked for my landline and we talked on the fone... for hours! Sometimes, even until it was already time to get up and go to work!

After two months of "bolahan", we decided to see each other. It was friday the 13th of October, we agreed to meet at SM Southmall. But I was surprised he was outside the office. I pretended I didn't noticed him [in short, pakipot!] and ride a jeepney to SM. He followed me on the jeepney but hesitated to call my attention! Stalker!!! hahaha

We finally met in SM Southmall food court and had dinner in Sizzling plate. :D

Bohol Getaway - Day 2-3

Mannix and I woke up as early as 4:30 am to prepare for the Sea Tour. Sabi kasi nung contact namin 5:30 dapat nasa dagat na kami para maabutan namin yung mga dolphins. Kaso late na nagising mga kasama namin and we have to eat breakfast pa.

A banca named San Agustin picked us up at the shoreline by 6:00am. And a 30-minute boat ride near Pamilacan Island where school of the dolphins usually appear. Since we are late, lots of banca were already there chasing and hoping to see dolphins too. We took these little chance to see a dolphin. So we chase around with almost 15 other bancas. We were not disappointed naman kasi we still saw these playful jokers of the sea.

Nakakatuwa! They went jumping and spinning up in the air! [I just wish i had my 55-200mm lens para mas malapitan yung kuha ko] These are the nearest shots i could take!



After the Dolphin watching, we went to Balicasag island. Sabi kasi nila masarap mag lunch dito kasi they served fresh fish and seafood (syempre cooked di ba! hehehe). And you can also do snorkling around the island kasi it was preserved by the marines. I tried to peek what's beneath but did not last long. I freak out under water kasi. hihihi. kahit pa anong assurance ng mga nag aasist sa amin na don't worry. di bale, na enjoy ko din naman kahit papano. :D

After that, we had an early lunch. So far so good. We had adobong pusit, fish na kinilaw, sinigang and ihaw ata yung isa. Then we went to Virgin Island to take pictures and bask the beautiful landscape. We also buried Nelson, Bea and Mannix under the sand. There are some crabs ata underneath kasi may kumakagat daw sa kanila. hehehe.

Then we go around the island and went back to the Dumaluan Hotel.



We had a chance to enjoy the pool and the beach since October is an off-peak season that's why it is not crowded. We relished the peaceful and relaxing ambiance. We really had fun! Hoping we could still extend our vacation here. But we have to set our feet back to reality!

It's a good thing that Bohol had a good weather condition during our stay even when typhoon Ramil is around the Philippine area of responsibility already.

But overall rating. Super sulit ang aming Anniversary Getaway!!!

Two thumbs up for Bohol!

Bohol Getaway - Day 1

I wanted to surprise Mannix with this something for our 7th Wedding Anniversary! So my sister Ghe and I planned a 3d2n vacation/trip to Bohol for almost a month ago. Actually she did all the researched and itinerary hehehe. I was so busy kasi during my last month in OSI. My boss wanted to get most of my time while i'm still in the team.

To cut the story short, natuloy kami kahit madami aberya. Like, umalis yaya ni Andrea, kakadaan lang ni Ondoy. Isa pang pahabol na aberya muntik kami maiwan ng flight namin dahil sa nawawalang tripod! wew! Buti mabait yung checkin counter at sinamahan nya kami para i bypass ang tripod namin kasi ndi na na weigh. [super takbo naman kami]

We arrived at Tagbilaran airport as scheduled. Deretso na agad kami for the Day tour. Tour guide namin ni kuya Kevin.

1. Blood Compact Site. A significant event in Bohol when a Spanish explorer named Miguel López de Legazpi made a peace pact with the native chieftains, Datu Sikatuna which was signified with a blood compact. This event is celebrated every year during the Sandugo Festival.

2. Baclayon church was one of the oldest church in the Philippines and was also made famous because of the image of St. Pio that marked on its wall.

3. Tarsier encounter. A tarsier is one of the smallest known primate. This endangered species is often tagged as "The world's smallest monkey". However, it is not a monkey. Some scientists consider tarsiers to be a taxonomic suborder among the primates. [Read more]

Bawal ang may flash pag nag take ng pictures.

4. Cruise on Loboc River while having lunch. This is a buffet lunch of different Philippine delicacies like pakbet, adobong pusit, pancit bami, puto't kutsinta, and fresh fruits like water melon, pineapple, green mango with bagoong and many more. While eating and listening to the music played by the band on board, the boat will slowly take you along the river to enjoy the beautiful green landscape and feel the fresh air. It was really relaxing. Along the way, the boat will stop at one of the nipa hut where singing natives in pink will entertain everyone with their song and dance.

5. Man-made Mahogany forrest. Kuya Kevin said it was created to prevent landslide in Bilar. He also said the cutting these trees are prohibited. Even when a tree died they just let it dry and leave it as is and preserved.

6. Chocolate Hills. The most famous tourist attraction in Bohol.

You will have to climb the 214 steps to see the beautiful landscape.

7. Hanging Bridge. A bridge made with steel cables and bamboo flooring which connects two barangays. [We didn't had the guts to cross the bridge. We are scared to death! hahaha]

8. Butterfly Sanctuary.

After our day tour, we checked in at Dumaluan Hotel in Panglao. A nice and cozy Jr. Suite room made me snug early in bed after dinner at the beach front. hehehe.