happy holidays

New Year's Day is also mama's birthday. I bought a turtle pie for her.


What's left of the pie 30mins later.


Lexi's bug friend on her stroller.


shot! shot! shot!


leftover ham from Christmas.


papa's flowers for mama.


NO HANGOVER!

'tis the season for christmas parties

the Annual Circles Dinner with my UPM (college) friends:



christmas get-together with alej's buddies and their girlfriends:

I was eating late lunch this afternoon until I heard on tv that people are already singing Christmas carols. CHRISTMAS CAROLS! Oh yeah, it's October! And we're in the Philippines where Christmas is the most important of all "Ber" holidays. Nevermind about Halloween, All Saints Day, and Thanksgiving (we don't celebrate that here anyway), Christmas is the most celebrated holiday over this side of the world.

I'm probably one of the biggest fans of Christmas. I love the happy Christmas spirit that's contagious like it's a disease (the good kind!)-- everyone's happy, everyone's sentimental, everyone's family oriented, everyone's pigging out, everyone's giving out gifts even if they're almost flat broke from splurging on them and the list goes on. There are occasional Scrooges who will ruin the Holiday spirit for being a party pooper.

I used to be frustrated because as I grew older I noticed how enthusiasm for Christmas has dwindled. Some think that Christmas is just a formality to acknowledge the birth of Jesus Christ or that they have to put on a nice face and pretend to enjoy the festivities. It's not for me, it's more than that. I am my happiest when Christmas draws near because the preparation, the Christmas decors, the chilly air, and midnight mass on Christmas eve itself...they all give me a different kind of feeling that warms me in the inside. But as I grew older I also realized how I had every reason to be sad-- my family and I are always separated from each other on Christmas holidays. It's sad when we're away from each other on a holiday when everyone's supposed to be together. But such is our life, we make the most out of it by talking to each other on the phone or at least having them with us in spirit as we enjoy our Noche Buena. And my family has expanded as well including friends, new family (from my sister's new husband), and from Alej's family too.

Last year my fellow orphan friends and I celebrated Christmas together until New Year. We were together for a week! "Orphans" because their parents/families are out of the country too so we stuck together like glue to make our Christmas less sad than it already was. They stayed a few days and Cara's place and then back to my place. We had fun!

These photos were from the day after Christmas when we had dinner at Hugo's.






My frustration for people's loss of enthusiasm and being away from my parents for Christmas made me sad until I heard this line from E.R. It goes something like this: "Don't look for the spirit of Christmas from anybody else, IT'S IN YOU." So I will spread the Holiday cheer as best as I can. And yes, BE ANNOYED.

And hopefully next Christmas, my family and I will be together again.

Happy Holidays!

Can't Stop Christmas

My father and I email each other regularly. In one of our emails, I mentioned how I don't feel that it's Christmas yet. It's the same over there in Brazil, he said. The common denominator of our sad Christmas feeling is that we're not together as a family for Christmas. They're over there SO FAR FAR FAR AWAY and well, Christmas isn't really "merry" without your loved ones around.

It's a sad Christmas for us but then I remembered Martin Nievera's song, "Can't Stop Christmas", which happens to be my most favorite Christmas song ever because of how realistic the message the lyrics send out. We can't stop Christmas no matter how crappy our situation is. No matter how far away our loved ones are, no matter how many misfortunes have hit us, no matter how sad our dispositions are...WE JUST CAN'T STOP CHRISTMAS.

Like I said before, Christmas isn't entirely about PEOPLE. It's about the birth of Jesus anyway. And wherever we are right now, I think we should be able to make the most out of what we have. In my family's case, we should be thankful that we're together and even if my parents are far away we should be thankful that we're together as a family and that we have a whole lot of love that can be felt even from a million miles away.

It's cheesey but maybe we can have them in our hearts this Christmas and there's the beauty of the internet to share pictures with, chat, or call for long conversations...CHRISTMAS SHOULD BE IN OUR HEART and that's how we're going to spend it. THERE SHOULD BE NO ROOM FOR MELANCHOLY. JUST PURE JOY AND GRATITUDE BECAUSE WE HAVE THE GIFT OF HAVING EACH OTHER AS A FAMILY.

Enjoy the song!


This is my most favorite Christmas song ever.

Note: Papa, this is the song I emailed you about. :)

Can' t Stop the rain from falling
Each time the sky decides to cry
Can't stop the sun form shining
til the day turns into light

All over the world
They try to steal our joy
But our spirit can't be broken
Every man and woman, girl or boy

Refrain:
Can't stop the joy
Can't stop the reason
Christmas lives inside of us
from season to season

Can't stop the pain
of all the hatred in the world
There'll be no hate; no war
In god we'll trust
And peace on earth
Cause you can't stop Christmas....

There's a feeling we share
Didn't know it
it always was there
For united we will stand
Brother to brother hand in hand

With one song, one dream, one prayer
Let your voice be heard
For his blessings surrounds us
All across the world

Refrain:
Can't stop the joy
Can't stop the reason
Christmas lives inside of us
from season to season

Can't stop the pain
of all the hatred in the world
There'll be no hate; no war
In god we'll trust
And peace on earth
Cause you can't stop Christmas....

Bridge:
Reach out for those in need
For the magic of Christmas
Is to give and to believe!

Christmas Blues

I caught the Christmas blues lately. I don't even know if there is such a thing but if there's a "birthday blues" then there must be Christmas blues. Maybe it's because I miss my parents and we're not going to be together again for the holidays. And there are lot of other things inside my head. Many have pointed out that I think too much, stress too much, and worry over things that don't need to be worried over. But this is me. I'm too emotional sometimes and it just sucks. I wish I were born with a button that I could push when I want my brain to shut down for a while to give me a little down time before it gets running again.

It's just eight days more then it's Christmas day already. I still haven't gone Christmas shopping. Boohoo. But I'm looking forward to the Christmas dinner I'm planning with my high school (Abu Dhabi) friends. I miss them. How odd, I just saw them less than two weeks ago. Ah well. I'm also sad that I missed the Christmas dinner with my college friends. I haven't been going to the dinner get-togethers lately with them that's why I'm really looking forward to hanging out with my UP friends.

Maybe Christmas is the time to be nostalgic. If it happens to normal people, then you probably know that I'm going to be extra nostalgic and emotional because I am a basket case like that. Last night I was watching World's Most Amazing Videos on AXN and you know what? I cried. I cried over a boat exploding and no one even died or got hurt seriously. Advertisements make my lips quiver and movies with sappy storylines make me teary-eyed like that sequel to Dr. Dolittle. I remember one time I got teary-eyed while talking to Mitchie about the documentary on Discovery Channel about the Olympics! Sheesh.

I was probably dropped on the head when I was a baby or my mother watched too many drama movies. I don't know, is there an explanation why a person is too emotional?

On a lighter note, I had a good night's sleep yesterday. Nyum nyum. I think it pays to be tired after a long day because the following days you'll crash onto the pillow and be knocked out in minutes. I was too tired yesterday to even lift a finger. But I'm fine now. Refreshed and ready to face the week. A lot more nostalgic, yes but still happy, nevertheless.

I don't know why but I feel like blurting this out...TO MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS, AND EVERYBODY ELSE... I LOVE YOU ALL. =)

Keeping Time

As I write, Alej is on the road to Manila. YEYYY! It's about time! I've missed him so much, really.

How was your Christmas? Mine was well spent even if some unexpected things happened. It's all good now. Today I went with Papa to the dentist (she happens to be ate's ortho too). I had to wake up at 8am in the morning. Actually, my father woke me up. I didn't want to go but I had to hand the dentist her copy of the third season of Grey's Anatomy that I copied for her from the computer to CDs. After that in the afternoon Papa, ate, and I went to the mall to pay the bills. We had dinner at Wendy's (TRIVIA: my favorite burger fastfood joint!). I love love love Wendy's! So when Papa asked if we really wanted to eat burgers for dinner ate and I said "Oh, yes!". It isn't Papa's thing to eat junkfood for meals. He likes eating rice.

Oh, my four watches' batteries died so we had to get them replaced too. I don't collect watches it's just that I didn't even know that I have five watches already. The first three are from Papa and Mama-- they bought them for me when I was in high school and all of them are Fossil because we're into brand loyalty (HAHA) like Colgate (we've never used any other toothpaste EVER!!). And then the fourth Esprit one is from Mama. The fifth one is still a Fossil from Alej. He gave it to me on my twenty-first birthday. Currently, I have a knack for chunky watches-- ones with leather straps on them. The white leather ones are nice to look at. Wearing a watch and keeping time has been a thing for me since I started caring abou time. So when I leave the house in a hurry and forget to wear a watch, I feel like I'm naked or something.

When I was younger my watches were the Disney kind and lateron my family had another Swatch loyalty. Tito Lynn would give us Swatch watches as Christmas/birthday gifts and when a family friend went to Switzerland, my parents ordered one for each of us back in Myanmar. Except mine (a maroon one with roman numerals on them) was stolen during a Girl Scout overnight camp back during JASMS days. And I still know who stole it I just didn't have enough guts to fight for what I knew when I was in fifth grade. I felt like I was going to be the one in trouble instead of the one who stole it because I was already in trouble with my mother.

I also had a favorite faux leather Minnie Mouse watch. Mama bought it in a department store in Yangon. I loved that watch because Minnie's hands were the hands of the watch. It was pretty and shiney.

Ahh well. I miss my Swatch watches. I don't remember if Mama was able to keep our old Swatch watches. :/

So anyway, we went home right after because the mall was packed with post-Christmas shoppers. There were a lot of happy faces (particularly those with NOKIA paper bags). Tra-la-la. It's after Christmas and everyone's rich except me. Heeh. :)

I'm looking forward to the Pyrolympics. I don't know when I'm going. I'm also looking forward to a new camera in Feb. *giddy*

A lot of surprises and life turning events await for me in 2007. My only wish is that everything will work out just fine and... everyone's going to be happy. :)

Lastly, I heard this song on the radio this morning. And I love it. I love JoJo. I'm a fan because she's so talented and her songs are catchy and soulful. :)

This Time (JoJo) -- this song makes me want to dance!

I'm on a [natural] high

I realize that I am in my better hypnogogic self while caffeine induced. And I am as happy as a bug because my thoughts are shooting here and there inside my head. If only I could do cartwheels I would have done it. Whether it's psychological or it's the endorphin I'm still happyyyyy! :)

Gail's Recipe for Natural High:
1 large cup large coffee (iced/ice-blended/hot)
2 dashes cinnamon powder
2 packets brown sugar
and iPOD Mini (or whatever music player of choice)

Note: Caffeine may come in the form of tea as long as it's not decaf (duh). Peppermint, Lipton regular, or green tea are great variations. Lipton tastes good with a splash of low fat milk and three teaspoonfuls of sugar.

I forgot to buy cinnamon powder at the supermarket today. Papa, ate, and I went to the mall again despite my hatred for the holiday crowd in malls/supermarkets. We went grocery shopping and had lunch at Teriyaki Boy. I finally satisfied my craving for gyoza! Going to Tito Lynn's and Tito Jon's blogs make me crave for FOOD *wails*. Oh, I also found a cute denim skirt at Mango but I don't think I have the heart to spend P4000 on a denim skirt. Maybe if I'm richer by a few thousands or if it goes on sale.

I'm moping a wee bit because my sister went out and she brought my baby iPOD with her. Wahhh! I can go through a day without my celphone but not without my iPOD because music means a lot to me. I know it's annoying whenever I have my earphones cranked up to the highest notch but that's how I feel the music, you know. I don't get why my sister asked for my permission to bring my Mini and not listen when I said she couldn't bring it. Oh well! May it be my Christmas deed for the season-- letting go. Besides, she's getting her own soon and she won't bother me with her ipod borrowing anymore. Okay, I'm greedy. :P

Where are the "chat night" people? I'm referring to my relatives, of course. It's either they finished early or they didn't chat at all. :/

I have a Christmas soundtrack for this year. I've uploaded it on my Multiply. I'll just upload it on Rapidshare so I can share it with you guys. Maybe tonight or tomorrow. :)

Lost awaits! Later, kids!

Beware of the Holiday Rush

I just got home from the nearby mall. OHMYDEARNESS! SAVE YOURSELVES! Don't go to the malls! This evening there were a lot of people! They seem to have a lot of money to spend for the holidays especially the kids! The toy section and baby stuff section were crowded too. Horrible, horrible! I'd avoid the mall for a couple of days at least after the Holidays are over because it's really stressful. Then again, shopping IS shopping.

It's amazing how money seems to flow into the wallet easily during the Holidays. Or may Alej is right. The wallet he gave me is good luck and my old one was jinxed. Papa has been generous lately and not just once but twice! (parang Bear Brand lang!):D Whee! And my boss has been generous too-- granting me a 13th month pay. From my part time job here at home, it's really generous of him to pay me that much. Awesome! So of course when we hit the mall or bazaars, I can't resist from buying stuff. Last week when I met with my Abu Dhabi high school friends at SM MOA, Jane and I splurged on a bag at Terranova because it was on sale (we bought different kinds, of course). It's funny how we were staring at the bags we liked and after contemplating for a good five minutes we set the bags of choice on the counter and let the cashier punch in the codes. HAYAYAY. I shall consider it a Christmas gift for myself. Of course, that AND the new pair of wedges, tweed pants, blouses, newsboy hat, and celphone pouch. Kill me now, I am a slave of petty consumerism.

The get-together with high school classmates was really fun. AS IN REALLY FUN. We see each other a few times a year and the last get-together we had was the most fun.

From my phone:




Photo knicked from Jane. Thanks, dear!

Kirby and Josh joined us too. Also Cara, Darwin's girlfriend and Mark's little brother (he's not so little anymore hehe).

Lastly, look what greeted me when I opened my mail!!!! :D:D:D



A pro account for my Flickr! YEYYY! Thanks, TITO JON! and Tito LYNN Me ♥s YOU guys!!! :)

Speaking of thoughtfulness, these cupcakes are from Sam and Reggie:



Receiving cookies or any baked goodies for Christmas is one of the most thoughtful gestures ever. That's why I wanted to bake brownies this year and give it away but I'm not sure that's going to happen.

These are frosted cupcakes from Sam and Reggie. As a thank you note, I texted Sam and Reggie by saying:

"Thanks for reminding me that Christmas isn't just about the material gifts received. It's also about the food!"

I was joking, of course. I mean, it's half-meant because who could say no to good food especially baked goodies for a sweet tooth like me? But the best part of receiving is the thought that comes with each gift. It doesn't have to be extravagant. As long as the person who receives is happy, then that should be enough. In my case, I was happy because the box of mini cupcakes I received last Saturday was my first Christmas gift for this year. :)

Oh, cupcakes and 13th month pay (even if I'm just partime) made my day. That's more shopping money (for gifts and for self) for me!

I'm tired. I'm going to wrap my father's Christmas gifts to his friends and then I'm hitting the sack. Good night folks! Have a happy Christmas. :)

My Grown-Up Christmas List

I know I won't get them but it's still fun to make up a list. :)

• Kikay Swiss Army knife in green (cos it has a pillbox, tweezer, nail file, etc. in it among many others!)




• 1GB designer USB pendants in Tropical!
(for my Grey's Anatomy and Lost downloads to spare my poor laptop from more misery!)



• a Pro Account for my Flickr!


• cakes, chocolates, or cookies

I noticed how two out of three are gadgets. I am a gadget girl, aren't I? sigh

Yun lang. HAHA! :P I already got a wallet replacement. It looks very grungey and it's Mango. Alej gave me his gift in advance because he left for the province last night (yes, I do miss him lots). I also gave mine in advance. Three t-shirts. We went to Glorietta the night before he left so he could get fitted and I won't have to worry about returning shirts of the wrong size.

My sister and I also went to Tiendesitas last Sunday after the lunch thing at Capitol Hills in Pasig. We did a little shopping of our own there. Partly for gifts and partly for ourselves. I love Tiendesitas. I don't know why. :) About the lunch thing, Ambassador Tirona hosted a reunion/Christmas party for everyone she worked with in her previous posts-- Kenya, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam. So it was sort of a reunion for Myanmar people there and I get to see the little kids again. Only, they're not kids anymore. The once "babies" are now in college! WOW!

It was a long day and we left Tiendesitas with a dent in our wallets but shopping makes every girl happy so we were happy. My father and his officemate waited for my sister and I at the foodcourt. I think it was so cool of Papa to wait for us for almost two hours while we did our shopping. :D

I'm off! House awaits upstairs.