Thoughts For The Coming New Year

Before I even begin to look forward to 2009, let me just say that 2008 has been the best year of my life so far. My  childhood dream of having enough (love, material wealth, health & other simple blessings) has officially commenced and come into fruition. Although, looking back into my early and late 20’s, this has more or less  been the tune I’ve been singing and I am so very thankful for that. The past year has just solidified everything I ever wanted (venturing into new things and exploring the option of becoming a housewife and a mother ). It has also paved the way for me to look deeper into myself and realize what’s really important — my family.  It took a long while for me to realize this. I have been the type to run away from familial obligations and responsibilities brought about by some emotional ghosts in my past but I have begun the process of my personal healing, all thanks to my family who has always tried to understand me the best way they know how (Popsy, Peter, Mommy, Daddy, Aba&Chris, Mac&Smeerf) And of course, to my handsome baby nephew, DM, who has awakened this long overdue maternal instinct in me. I am not one to really like kids. But with DM, there’s a chance that I might just consider having one of my own in the near future. That’s a start, right? Let’s just wait and see…

Anyway, as we approach the coming new year, I’d like to ask if there is any one word you’d like to hold on to as your anchor? Mine would be DETERMINATION. This means… 1. firmness of purpose and 2. a fixed intention or resolution. And I’m not just talking about quitting my vices and being real.  I’m talking about this deep desire in me to make new dreams and make them all come true. My old childhood dreams have already been given to me (you know, things of vanity like nice high paying job, money in the bank, house&lot, car, personal travels, lotsa friends, a busy social schedule, lotsa expensive toys, clothes, shoes, etc.). Now, I want stuff that matter more. So this coming year, I will be trimming down my life to the basics… recognize what is  real and important to me and my family and be able to honor that. I won’t go into details yet  (or maybe I won’t ever… don’t wanna jinx it.). All I know is that they will be fruitful and they may be all I ever really wanted, for real.

Cheers to 2009! Happy New Year, everyone!

Seldom Do We Celebrate Birthdays

Yep, in our family, it’s never been a tradition to celebrate birthdays. After my 4th one, the next birthday celeb I had was when I was 25 years old and I was lucky enough to celebrate the next five ones after that with a bang. But anyway, this holiday season, it so happened that my sister got home from Cebu, meaning, our family is complete this year. She insisted that we go rent  a private villa in Laguna to celebrate my Dad’s 55th birthday on Dec. 29 so that’s what we did. Happy Birthday, Daddy!!! I’d like to think of it as not only a celebration of his 55th year on earth, but more like a celebration of family togetherness especially since we have two additional ones this year — Smeerf (my brother’s wife) and DM (my uber cute nephew). I hope what my Dad said isn’t true … that my Mom is jealous coz we never get to celebrate her birthday this way. Awwww… So let me make a mental note here that come June 9, we should do something similar if the weather cooperates at that time of the year. 

3 Angels Private Villa

So anyway, almost every resort in the Mt. Makling area got booked for the holiday season. My sister was lucky enough to have found 3 Angels, a big house overlooking the Laguna Bay, with 3 big bedrooms, lots of bathrooms, a balcony, a hot spring swimming pool, lots of nooks and crannies to dine at, a rec room with 2 videoke machines, foosball, table pool table, mahjong & sungka sets, keyboards and wi-fi. It’s quite a nice place to vacay with the whole family.

Better Late Than Never

My family dropped by our house at around 5:30 PM. We just made sure that everyting we needed for the family party was all prepared. Then we headed to Calamba, Laguna, with our map to guide us. Luckily, the southbound lane along SLEX was not traffic at all. And with just one stopover at 7-11 for ice, we arrived at the private villa at around 6:30 PM. 

Seize The Night!

 
(more…)

Goodbye Xaymaca…and to getting drunk.

Dec 27, 2008, Brownman Revival played one last time at Xaymaca. We’ve been hearing rumors that it was closing down and finally, last Saturday, it was confirmed. In a way, the event was very timely because I am also saying goodbye to some things in my life especially now that 2009 is just around the corner. One of the things I wanna say goodbye to is drinking… well, not drinking alcohol per se, but to getting drunk. I think the last two parties I went to this holiday season (this and this) were enough to last me a lifetime. Also, I am not getting any younger so I might as well start taking control of my health especially that of my liver’s. ^_^

So last Saturday, I went to Xaymaca and partied with my friends and my favorite band, with  a heavy heart (because I will truly miss this place) and with only a little bit of alcohol in my system (around 1/4 of a glass of San Mig Pale Pilsen). Knowing me, that amount is nothing. Even if I finished the entire bottle, it would’nt really do anything for me. I’ve never really been a beer drinker.  I like the hard stuff. Though I am happy now that the urge to get drunk in social situations is no longer there, I am also a bit sad coz  I realized that partying without being tipsy is hardly any fun at all, especially at a very happening place like Xaymaca. There was no buzz… no alcohol thrill… so things seemed a bit dry and dull (including me, actually). Maybe, it just takes getting used to. I dunno. 

I am thankful for the wild company I had though — Koryn and Michelle who were working the dance floor with their reggae dance moves. I could’ve been that way too. I could’ve even kissed Dino again on stage without a care in the world.  But I am saying goodbye to that.  I just want to be my most true self — sober, introvert and happy being on my own (with the occasional adult bonding sessions with close friends, of course).
(more…)

Christmas With My Family

My family arrived at our house on Dec. 24, way past lunch. Peter and I just woke up by then. Our helper was on holiday break and it so happened that we haven’t prepared anything yet. Thanks goodness Brooklyn Pizza (which right now is my favorite pizza), delivered in our area. Although it took an hour for them to bring over our White Pizza (the one with Mozzarella, Parmesan and Ricotta Cheese) and Deluxe (the one with everything on it — Italian Sausage, Ham, Pepperoni, Bacon, Black Olives, Green Peppers, Onions and Mushrooms), the taste was worth the wait. Yummy! We definitely needed all the calories we can take to prepare a nice noche buena meal for the whole family. 

Mac & Daddy grilling pork and fish…

  Our simple Noche Buena…

My Dad and brother barbecued pork and Tilapya while Peter did two kinds of pasta dishes (Tuna Alfredo and Stewed Tomatoes & Olives) and prepared the glazed ham. As for me, I cooked rice and made fruit salad which were the easiest things to do. I’m not really much of a cook so forgive me. Teehee. ^_^

DM with his Lolo and Lola…

L: Abba, my sister; R: with Smeerf, Mac’s wife

Anyway, we had fun.  I just got a bit worried about my mom  who wasn’t feeling well that time. We almost rushed her to the hospital. But she’s okay now. Thank God! Then my Dad got super drunk. He reminded me of myself  every time I’d get wasted. It made me realize how Peter must have had a hard time taking care of me during those instances coz I definitely had quite a challenging moment there taking care of my Dad. Thus, I vowed to never get drunk again. Wish me luck! Hehehe. 

Good times with DM…

(more…)

TMB Christmas Party

 “Ooppsss…nawala sa frame siina Coco, Tintin, Ade & Yel…Sorry…^_^” 

I learned about this party when Lauren told me about it during the Red Ribbon Bloggers’ Event two weeks ago. Apparently, she already told Peter about it but due to my hubby’s busy schedule, he forgot to tell me. Of course, I wanted to go! Thank God we only had a few things planned last Saturday, most of which were not even done because Peter gets pretty tired from his work at the end of every week. But for TMB, we’d always find the time to go. ^_^

Pre-Drunken Moments:

Ade, Yel, Tahn, Me

Lauren, Yel, Tahn, Me, Helga, Luis

R: Helga & Phoebe with their gifts…

Lovers (L) & Friends (R)

 L: Phoebe opening her gift; R: Lauren & I

“Nice tatoo on your shoulder, Anne! Mikey, ang cute moh!”

 R-L: Jayvee, Rico, Mikey, Phoebe, Anne

What can I say? It was ultra fantastic! The food was delicioso, drinks were abused (by me, Helga and Mikey, that is), the kris kringle system has been hacked (which I loved!) coz as it turned out, my crush Bim got me, I got my other crush Luis, Luis got Peter… It’s a one big circle of awkward. Hahaha! All in the spirit of fun and Christmas!

 
(more…)