A Blissful Wife .... And Mother ....: December 2005

'Twas A Year of Roller Coaster Ride

To cap off the year, I contemplated and asked myself how this year treated me. The windmill of my mind began to flow, and started generating past experiences of ups and downs, metaphorical of having a coaster ride.

Allow me to share events which highlighted our 2005 and made this year sui generis from the preceding years.

JANUARY
-- We came home from Bangkok, Thailand after more than two years of enjoying life the Thai ways. My husband's telecoms project there was already through. We were really sad then, coz Bangkok means a lot to me and my husband. This was where we started our family, born our son, and celebrated my son's first birthday. Until now, we've been missing Bangkok, and hoping to be back there in the near future.
-- Before we go back from Bangkok to Manila, we applied for tourist visa in US Embassy in Bangkok. My husband already had a H1 visa, and he wanted us to also have it in case there was an urgent need for him to work in the USA. However, luck was not in our hands, and the application was sadly denied. Hubby felt bad, but it was okay for me coz I know Jett and I will be having one in the future. At least, I had the experience (hehe)
-- Jett got hospitalized for the first time of his toddler life, three days after we arrived from Bangkok. He had a bronchitis, and needed to be confined in Makati Medical Center for two days. I was so worried that time, coz he never been brought to the hospital for sickness in Bangkok. Little that we know, that bronchitis, primary complex, and asthma are common sick problem here in Manila. It was a sad knowledge.

FEBRUARY
-- After much untoward incidents, we finally had the chance to celebrate Jett's 1st birthday of life at this month. The gala was long overdue since Jett's birthday is December. We chose Networld Hotel Manila in Roxas Blvd. for the occasion. Shrek was his favorite 3D cartoon character during those times, so it was a Shrek themed party. Jett's first birthday was a big league for me, coz we really spent time and money for this. As a result, it was really remarkable.

MARCH
-- We bought a brand new red Toyota Vios 1.3J in Toyota Balintawak at this month. We purchased the lowest grade, and we upgraded the accessories and add-ons in Banaue. There was a need for us to buy a car since we're travelling a lot. I love this car so much, I even gave her a name, "JANAY". Janay is now 9-month-old, and I am also a 9-month-old driver.

MAY
-- Honey flew-away to Bangladesh for work. It was the very first time we slept separately for more than a month. It was a happening of different emotions. Happy that more earnings mean more savings, and in blue, that it was a must for him to leave us for a while and missed the milestones Jett went through because of work. For now, I'm starting to get used to it. But I'm still hoping that his next projects, will qualify us to come with him.

AUGUST
-- I have to include this, coz I'm happy to have at this month the 24/7 unlimited access to internet thru SMART WI-FI. Because of this service, we save money in making IDD calls, but instead hubby and I use voice chat through YM plus the video. It also re-opened the door of blogging for me. I was one of the pioneer clients who grabbed SMART's wireless offer instantly.

OCTOBER
-- I considered this month the boldest month for me. Phases swayed in different courses. Jett was once again confined this time in St. Lukes, because of high-fever for days caused by viral infection. He stayed in the hospital for 3 days. Honey rushed home from Bangladesh to check personally if everybody is okay.
-- Another first, I spent my 24th birthday inside the hospital room with Jett and maid. Honey got home on the night of my birthday.
-- We bought a 171 sqm corner lot in Greenwoods Executive Village in Pasig. Very nice in location, near schools, hospitals, and shopping malls.

NOVEMBER
-- Tatay Dodong passed away from liver, blood, and lung infections. It was the lowest month of my year.
-- I learned that my helper, who did not come back from a day off, stole my clothes and bracelet. I had to spend my time to file a case against her, but apparently, I did not recover the accesory. The case is now stagnant because of an internal problem.

DECEMBER
-- Jett commemorate his 2nd birthday at the exact day of the year he was freed from my womb, on the 24th of December. The party was held in Jollibee 10th ave Caloocan City. One ride away from our Caloocan's house, almost all the kids from my hubby's side were able to attend the party.
-- We graced our first Christmas here in Manila as threesome. It was really a blessed holiday coz we got to spent it with our relatives. I had missed two christmas in Manila, and hubby missed four.

For the year 2006, I am hoping and praying that new doors and windows will open up for us to strengthen our bonds and widen our relationship as a family, parents, and individuals. WELCOME 2006!!!

Pyro Experience!

Once again, Pasay City was on fire! On fire because of its first ever Word Pyro Olympics held here. As I recall, last year, there was also a pyro exhibition done in the said place as a test-run for this years' event. The World Pyro Olympics is an annual international competition amongst the most prestigious fireworks companies in the world. Nine international participants will showcase the best of classical pyrotechnic displays.

Upon learning that the mega-event will last only until Friday night (we're going home to Marilao Friday afternoon), we packed our cameras, and made our way to Baywalk. We supposed to go to Macapagal highway near the Mall of Asia to have a closer view of the activities, but the traffick hindered us, so we decided to have our dinner in Baywalk, and see the fireworks in person, along the bay, from afar. We came late, therefore, we only saw the last country participant of the night, which was South Africa.

Definitely, the greatest fireworks performance I have ever seen. I wish I could see the grand event tonight.

Happy Birthday to my sassy friend, Yen!

Our First Christmas in Manila as a Family!

kit from DSP website

Happy 2nd Year of Life Jett!!! We love you!

Click on the Image to enlarge the picture

Jett had more or less 70 guests of adults and kids. The party started at 12noon, but most of the visitors came 30 minutes later (filipino time though!). The kids enjoyed the games, and adults enjoyed the food, who doesn't love Jollibee chickenjoy anyway? Jett was not afraid to the mascots of Jollibee and Mr. Yum. He danced with Jollibee, and kept on hugging bee and playing with him. He really loves Jollibee eversince.

I wanna thank everyone who shared their time in this special day of our son. Definitely, one of the most memorable event in our family life. Million thanks!

Title: Corkboard KitCreated by Meryl Bartho © 2005 Meryl Bartho

Yule Hopping

It was an occupied night last night. We went to Greenhills not to shop, but to have photo opportunities to their Christmas landmark which is usually compared to COD Manila before. Ive never been to COD, so it was my first time to watch holiday characters in costume operated by a machine that move according to their stories. There are also tiangges offered only during this time of the year in extended hours till midnight, but the items are half more than the price in Tutuban.

Afterwhich, we went to Adworks to pick-up Jett's souvenirs. Since we were in Pasig, we took the chance to visit our lot in Greenwoods, though it was already late. We ate our drive-thru Jollibee food inside the car in front of our lot, hehe. At least, we had a view of what it would be like to live in that place at night, and I could say, it was so quiet and tranquil.

Our last stop of the night, was Policarpio in Mandaluyong. I am very familiar in this place, coz I grew up in Mandaluyong, Policarpio is walking distance from our house. The last time I went here was 4 years ago. The prominent well-lit houses are more catchy this time. Plus, the small entrepreuners of food and christmas stuffs that mushroomed the place, add to its blissful ambiance. We tasted their bibingka and putobumbong, that we missed eating for years, and they are delightful. Policarpio street is block for vehicles, so If you have a car, you will park in side-streets. Need not worry on evil elements, coz baranggay tanods and police officials are securing the place.

It was indeed, a long night.

Seasons of Joy©2005 by Digital Scrapbook Place, LLCCreated by Valeri Brumfield
Extra Magic Add-On-PackCreated by Suzanne C. Walker, © Suzanne C. Walker

Christmas Rush!

We tried to complete our checklist tonight by going to Tutuban Night Market. It was enjoyable for me and Honey, that was the first time we visited a night market here in Manila, not to mention it was in a scary and crowdy place like Divisoria. We arrived earlier, so the stalls were up yet. The bazaar usually starts at 8pm. While waiting, we shopped for few gifts inside Tutuban Mall, there were lots of shoppers also in their christmas rush. When it was time for us to finally shop in the night market, we realized that we should have just waited to buy in the night bargain itself, coz we learned that the prices were really dropped-off in comparison inside the Mall. We bought gifts for our titos and titas, and toys for inaanaks and pamangkins. I also bought few inexpensive shirts in very cute designs, and a yellow bolero as a selection for Jett's birthday. It was really fun. It was a pioneer experience for Honey to go to this place, and after 2 years, I'm glad I was here again, price-haggling.

Our Family Christmas Card 2K5

Four days before HIS birthday, I doubled my time to wrap up our first ever Christmas Picturecard. Honey just arrived from Bangladesh last Monday, so we rushed to the mall yesterday to shop for Jett's santa clothing, Honey's red polo, and me? I bought mine, a week earlier, hehe. I'm still half-done with my Christmas Checklist, yet Jett's birthday and Christmas day is so very near. Our schedule is quite tight. Can't believe I'm starting to cram!

Feeling Lucky?!

Mary Ann's Make Believe Page KitCreated by Jamie Rousselle

Jetts' 2nd Year Invites

I needed to send the invitations more than a week in advance so that the guests will be able to accommodate and sneak-in our invitation to their sked since Jett's birthday is a congested day. Well, I hope our friends are gonna be able to make it. The preparations are almost done, only the souvenirs are left unfinished. Hopefully, early next week, Adworks will finally advise me to pick-up the items, so I'll get through with the birthday preparations, and proceed with my much things-to-do lists for Christmas. My gosh, I just realized, I only have few days left!

Happy Birthday to my Mother-In-Law!

plopper by DSP
Birthday TitlesBy Tina Chambers

Field Day On-Track!

CONGRATULATIONS to GRADE III-B for winning the 1st runner-up dancing award

Presenting, the Presents!

Gift-wrapping has been a pre-Christmas favored activity for me. I always have fun covering the gifts notwithstanding how fancy nor cheap the items or the wrappers are, what's significant is, you remember them on this season of gift-giving.

You Deserve to Win Nene!

I have been a follower of PBB 111 days ago, though you beat UMA my bet who placed 4th, and I texted and voted for him (oh yeah, I did!), I know you earned to be called the BIG WINNER. You have proven yourself to all the televiewers, and the overwhelming 554,906 votes or 48.9% of the total votes cast, only showed how much people fought and believed on you. What I like about you? Walang masamang tinapay sayo, you can make something out of nothing. You easily get along with the housemates, without pretentions, very elastic in character, and you do the tasks first before you complain. A true leader quality.

She took home six million Pesos worth of prizes. Aside from the one million peso cash prize from ABS-CBN, Nene also received a house and lot from St. Monique Valais and a brand new Nissan Frontier Titanium III. She also got an Ink For Less business franchise and a Promac appliance showcase. For sure, this Christmas will be very merry for Big Winner Nene. Enjoy your new life Nene! Good luck!

Finally, Our Holiday Tree!

It took me a day to finally dressed-up our four-year-old christmas tree. We had to clean the pieces and the adornments first from its box. And, I needed to wait till the next morning to go to the mall and buy the most important things, the star on top of the tree, and the hooks for the hanging decors. My most favorite fraction? The hanging scraps, especially Mr. Modern-Santa swaying the rope and challenging his endurance. I am a hanging-decor-aficionado, loving those swings moved by the air in unpredictable directions. Im so very excited celebrating the Holiday. Compared with the previous years?Now indeed, will be a different, and very special Christmas for us!

Congratulations Patricia!

Diva Page KitCreated by Amanda Behrmann

Divisoria - shoppers best friend!

Shopping was so much fun and easy, I did not mind Jett came along, good thing I bring lots of manpower to do the running after Jett (Mama, cousin, niece, and helper went with me), while others are taking turns to do shopping. 168 Shopping Mall is the sanctuary for bargain hunters like me, but if you are looking for chic and budget-wise clothes, the selections are very minimal, otherwise souvenir items that are good for family christmas gifts are very much affordable and impressive in style in this place. I also bought here toys that will be used for Jett's birthday giveaways in markdown prices (they lessen P10 off the price if you buy in bulk). Bags are cheaper compared to Greenhills shopping mall, so I took the chance to buy a pair of bag and wallet. We were satisfied yet with what we purchased, so we transferred to Tutuban Shopping Mall, just a block away from 168 Mall. I love shopping for clothes here, very much in trend and in widest selections. We also bought in sidewalk christmas wrappers for the gifts in very cheap price. I did not find Santa christmas decor here, that I was hoping to buy in discounted price compared to SM. Well, I just bought santa in SM yesterday.

My Christmas gift lists are unpolished still, so we will definitely be back in Divisoria to complete my record. By next time, Honey will be my accomplice so I will enjoy shopping more, I always want to bring him in such places, coz he is not use to those, hehe. I wanna go to midnight market outside Tutuban Mall for our next off, I've been a frequent buyer in that night bazaar since I was spouseless, and I'm thrilled coz after two years of being away, I am going there again.

The downside? Well, if you plan to go to 168 Shopping Mall, and you have a car, ready your P100 for the parking fee. Parking are very limited, and if you will arrive the place by noon or later, most probably you will find unofficial parking spaces along the side streets which will cost you a hundred bucks. Unlike in Tutuban, there are ample parking slots, well secured, for only P40. If it is possible, bring someone to drive for you or who will take charge to find where to park, so you can get-off the car and start shopping.

Nevertheless, Divisoria is close to my heart especially at this time of the year. Definitely, a shopaholics' best friend!

BG from DSP
Filmstrip from escrapper

Christmas in the air ...

We passed through Ortigas Ave. in Greenhills last Sunday night, and I felt happy and excited upon seeing this very Christmas view of lanterns for sale along a busy road. It made me realized more that Christmas is really few nights away, and I am missing my husband so much. Nah, I don't have to wait long coz he will be coming home before Christmas, yehey!!! Let me greet you in advance guys to have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Coz I'm sure we will be having one, it is our first Christmas here in Manila as a family.

Hello Girlfriend!

It has been a long time since I had a chitchat with an old time friend. And I am more than happy to have an afternoon-catching-up-delight with my college girlfriend Richelle, I miss exchanging chicka with this hard-working girl that she is. Take it easy girl!!! Hope our out of town trek will be possible next year!

Girlfriends Page Kit Created by Lauren Bavin

Happy 2nd Birthday Jian!

My photo gadget ran out of batteries even before the party started, that is why I have very few smiles and frowns to share with you during Jian's birthday celebration. Cheers!!!

Happy Birthday Patrish!!!

Anticipation Page KitCreated by Jamie Rousselle

Looking Back ...

I was looking for a particular picture in my hard disk and I came out to this from a trash folder. Funny, because the original picture was already compiled on a cd. I do not fail to smile seeing Jett's roly-poly days.