The Annual Yearend Post

So, it has become like an annual tradition for me to make my yearend post. It's more like a yearend gratitude post and my hopes for the coming year. In 2008, I was huffing and puffing my way through pregnancy and was about to pop during the last month of the year. Then early this year, we had one addition to the family and we call her Izabella, Zabbie, Zaab, Zabitoy or Baby LoveLove. To say that she's a ray of sunshine is an understatement. She's such a PRECIOUS GIFT from up above.

Going back to my yearend post...

2009 will always be one of those years that will be remembered the most. It is my favorite year - I turned 30 - a bit wiser, tougher and perhaps bolder in facing life's surprises. Despite the financial difficulties my family faced this year and my going through the slice of the knife (C-section), I glowed in the love of my husband, my children, my parents, my siblings and my friends. I gained new friends this year and hope to nurture the friendship in the years to come. I may have the BEST and the WORST of the year but I still feel lucky to receive such wonderful blessings in various shapes and sizes. Amidst all the UGLY things that happened in the world, in the country and around us, we have every reason to be thankful that we survived the year and that we continue to to hope for nothing but the best in 2010.

My family will continue to journey towards another year, another shot at life, another chance to improve and we continue to bring with us a bagful of hope, love and prayer in our hearts.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Christmas Wishlist

I hate coming up with a Christmas Wishlist most especially now that the world is in an economic meltdown with more people getting poorer than richer. Having a wishlist makes me frustrated as well coz more often it's always impossible to get the items on my list. But then, it's fun having a wishlist too. It's like chasing an elusive dream and the feeling is indescribable once you get to grasp that dream.

Anyway, here's my wishlist this Christmas:

photo swiped from www.itechnews.net

1. Netbook (Dell Mini or HP Mini in Pink) - When hubby brought our PC to his new office, I was dying to get myself a netbook for my blogging, facebook, PAS correspondence and all. I intend to get this in January but changed my mind just last night when hubby made me choose which is important: netbook or tiled floor? Duh, can I have both?

2. Videoke/Karaoke or Magic Sing - This is off my list as we finally have our cheap kick-ass
videoke/midi dvd player with 38,000 songs. It's not a magic sing though but it's good enough to put into practice our vocal chords.

3. Rice Cooker - Our two rice cookers just died on us before we moved to our new home last year and we never get the chance to replace them. We've been cooking rice in an ordinary cooking pot.

4. A new and rebonded hairdo - Well, I'm now sporting a new hairstyle with side-swept bangs to boot but it's not rebonded. Hubby gave a budget for rebond but I decided to use the money for a noble cause like zabbie's milk.

photo swiped from www.sharplily.com

5. Ballet Flats in silver, gold and black - Aside from it being comfy, it is also cute to look at. I also feel like a school girl again wearing them. I wanted to have them in three colors but I only got one so far.

So sorry for the short list - I'm low maintenance like that. It still boils down to being contented with what I have. I am happy with what I have and I rarely want anything these days except for an ukay shopping spree. Oooppps, I'll take back my word. But really, I have priorities and one of them is my children's needs. Whatever gifts I receive this Chrismas, I will remain grateful and pleased.

IRIE - A Party in Paradise

The company party last Saturday was a huge success. That coming from our GM himself. Despite some minor glitches with the transportation, we were still able to gather quite a great deal of people in attendance. Our venue was superb - totally matched our theme which is carribean. The camwhoring was endless as we have in-house amateur and professional photogs. I didn't even take that much picture using my camera.

Below pictures are courtesy of our colleague, Gerry Bates. I can't help but post them here...his pictures are amazing!

I salute the committee for doing another good job. But wait, I am part of the committee! Well, it's always been wonderful working with the same people who actually has the same creative juices like you do. Hats off...till next year, guys!

2009 Christmas Party with ex-GS family...

I know my posts are a bit scattered --- guess with too much things going on in your head, one gets to be disoriented. This post was supposed to go first before the previous one but then I was overly excited about cowgirls and boots and all those Western brouhahaha...see I'm digressing again.

Anyway, back to this post... I had a blast last Friday with my ex-GS family at Mactan Isla Resort Hotel. It was also Herbelle's birthday so it was a double celebration. Although we miss some personalities during this night, we had fun taking pictures of ourselves around this resort. We also had our "white elephant" exchanging gifts. I don't know why they call it as such. I received the biggest gift courtesy of JPL. The gift was filled with old and new stuff (our theme) mostly kitchen and housewares.

Again...let the photos speak for itself.

the girls camwhoring to the max

the reception area

getting cozy with this super cozy chair...i wanted to bring it home


in attendance

These boots are made for walking...

Last Saturday was our PAS Christmas Party cum Induction of 2010 Officers and New Members. The theme for the night was go Western in fashion and with passion. I'm not sure of the latter but with "fashion"...hell yeah! It's cool seeing people donning in their cowgirl and Indian (only one though) get-up with matching boots and all those Western set-up courtesy of Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. Here's sharing some random pictures of that fun-filled night.

that's me trying to ride the wooden horse hehehe

with gorgeous cowgirls in the house

these boots are made for walking and flaunting


my favorite photo of the night

more photo overload in my facebook account...

Let’s get these parties started…

Unconsciously, I started singing to the tune of “deck the halls of boughs of holly fa la la la la la la la la la” off-key as I decorate my little tree at home. Undeniably, the busiest season of the year is here once again to invade our wallets and bank accounts. I started to do some little shopping and gasp in disbelief how my little shopping turned to a big spree. So, I promised myself to limit my gift-giving this year to just family and closest friends. Swear!

However, I won’t limit myself to party, party and more party. I have two parties to attend to over the weekend. One is the annual gathering of XGothongians – the Magdalo Group. This will be held at Mactan Isla Resort courtesy of Herbelle. After work, I have to rush to A. S. Fortuna where Anabelle will pick me up on the way to the resort.

Come Saturday is also the Christmas Party, Awards Night and Induction of New Officers of the Philippine Association of Secretaries and Admin Professionals. The party’s theme is Western so I will be donning my cowboy attire which I have been overly stressing about the past days. I will also take my oath as Vice President – Elect for 2010. Definitely, 2010 will be a busy year for me.

Next Saturday is the company Christmas Party at Maribago Bluewaters. I am grateful that I’m simply part of the core committee and no longer spearheading the event this year. I took care of the venue which I’m glad was already settled as early as October. I learned my lesson well last year when almost all good venues were already booked as early as September. We’re having a Carribean theme this year and I haven’t had the slightest idea what to wear. Well, I have my Sunday to search through heaps of clothes at Ukay-ukay stores. Sssshhh

There are two more parties that I will be attending in the coming weeks prior to Christmas Day and I am sure that the holiday binge will be up to a maximum level. And I can see myself ballooning before we hit the new year. Teehee!

Pictures to these parties will follow…