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Thank You 2012...

Our New Year celebration was spent at my parents'. We arrived around lunch and spent the rest of the day bonding, preparing for our New Year's dinner. As we wave goodbye to a good year, we also welcomed a colorful one. One of the highlights everytime we celebrate New Years at my parents' is the display of fireworks that we don't even need to light our own because they're everywhere.

I've always look at fireworks as a symbol of luck, abundance and the fact that it is colorful, I interpret it as something pleasant---  I connect it as something positive that will make a person prosper.

2012 was too good that it's impossible to end the world just like that. It was full with adventures.  Part of that are the risks my husband and I took to improve our family life and to grow and be at our best as parents. With our second child around, life has given us a greater view on what it is all about.

I'm glad that we didn't go through anything that may have become harmful to our family. 2012 was all about giving and making sacrifices.

With those sacrifices, we ended the year with a big bang. I say BIG, something wonderful took place before the year came to an end. As much as I want to share it now, I've decided to wait until everything is all set, perfect for viewing ;D I sure got the most expensive gift ever ;D  I can say that yes, we have reached our main goal as we bid farewell to 2012 thankful and as we say hello to another year in full blast!

Our Christmas Story 2012

Instead of making individual posts of our activities from our Christmas and New Years celebration, let me sum up everything through this entry. 

  

Our whole celebration from the recent holidays was fun.  All fell into place, everything was amazing that I have to consider 2012 as the best year for me and my family. Let's start with the events we spent with our relatives and friends.

The People

With the previous years, we weren't able to gather everyone to celebrate the holidays with us. Maybe few of our friends and since my husband's family and relatives are all in America, a visit from one of them is a big blessing. 2012 became began by arranging a Christmas get together with my husband's only cousin who's here in the Philippines, Perry and his family. We had pot luck, enjoyed some wine and of course, exchange of gifts.

 

Then, on Christmas Eve, we visited Tito Mel, my husband's uncle, the younger brother of my late father- in-law. It's our first Christmas with Tito Mel, so every minute, every second and every hour spent with him is special. Tito Mel is like a dad to me and my husband.

 

On Christmas Day, my cousin Soqui,  I call her Ate Che joined our celebration. It has been a year since our last bonding time. It was nice to be with her again and as always, every moment with Ate Che is filled with laughter. Love you big sis!

 

After Christmas, we were able to spend some quality time with our close friends. The evening began with dinner, a long and meaningful conversation about life, family and faith, a quick food photo op I did for Ricky and Janel's food business, more wine and a fun game of Taboo.

The Feast
 

The Holidays is also about the feast we share with our loved ones. With our potlucks, my husband and I brought Pancit Malabon, Lechon Kawali and Roasted Chicken in most of the gatherings we attended. How I wish I was able to cook, but with the short period of time and of course we all end up exhausted, I had to skip and buy food instead.

For our Noche Buena, I prepared simple dishes (it's the picture on the upper left of the collage). My husband and Frankie requested for some Spaghetti with meat sauce and grilled liempo. Then I added some slices from the holiday ham we bought, our favorite Decadent Brownies from S&R and fruit salad for dessert. When it comes to preparing food on ocassions such as Christmas, I rely so much on what my family wants so we can all enjoy our food and at the same time, reward myself with their happy faces as they feast on their favorites.

On Christmas Day, we had a small celebration for Mikee's birthday. We cooked some Homemade Embutido, Breaded Chicken Cutlets, Filipino Style Spaghetti, some pastries and  Mikee's cake c/o his Lolo and Lola.

That evening, we  were joined by our relatives from my mother's side. Of course we feasted on more food. We cooked Penne Chicken Pasta, Homemade Embutido, Lechon Kawali & Tofu, 3 Mushrooms & Kangkong, Macaroni Salad, Fruit Salad and a cake this time for Jesus.

The Presents

Christmas will never be complete if we don't give and receive gifts. Most of the stuff we got are for our entertainment pleasures. As for me, I got an additional gift--- a nice set from the Marley Jammin Collection. I first saw and heard about it on The Ellen Show and that was back in 2011. When they've finally released it here, I know I'll get to own one, and my husband bought it for me as a Christmas present.

We also received some games to enjoy (in another post). My 2 little boys got so much, everything is piled up on top of the shelf. To our family and friends,  thank you...
 

0o0o

In Thanksgiving

 

As for me and my family... we will always be grateful for all the blessings that comes our way each day. From the simple dish we eat everyday, the moment my husband arrives to work and at home safely, for my children's milestones, a hug from our pet Beagle Emo, the smiles and hellos we receive... All these makes us feel as if we are in celebration everyday.

God is Great!

Amazing Flicks- Fantastic Year- Ender

2012 has been a year for a bunch of good movies. Aside from summer, December is also a much-awaited month for awesome flicks. For December 2012, I had 3 on my list. It's such a big deal, because it's my first time to have 3 movies I looked forward to as a year- ender.

 

1. Rurouni Kenshin/ Samurai X

I am a very big fan... I used to watch the cartoon series on a local channel. Aside from the awesome fight scenes, the cartoon had a little twist of humor in it. Well, it was made for the kids. When I met my husband, he lent me a copy of the anime movie... (Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal and Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection) The story was far better than the cartoon series and it was nice to be able to watch and embrace the meaning of Kenshin's story. The people he met along his journey... same people who loved him and who took care of him. It was an emotional thing for me... It actually made me cry.

So when I saw the preview of the live- action film, I got very excited and immediately bought tickets. It was exclusive for SM Cinemas and shown for a limited period of time.

 

Here's my say about the movie. I love it! It's like watching the anime but in a live -action setting. From how Kenshin draws his Sakabatō ( a reverse-blade sword), the speed and moves... as if the anime was literally brought to life. Takeru Satoh gave justice to his role as Rurouni Kenshin.

 

You know what's crazy? My husband and I took our baby with us. We're very short of time with work and in preparation for the holidays, so we had no choice but to bring our little one. It was amazing how Mikee slept through the whole movie. I guess, some time- off with a good movie was meant to be given to us.

 

2. The Hobbit- An Unexpected Journey

Ahhh... yes it's actually one of the most awaited flick for 2012. Again beating some time, especially with  the holidays coming, we had no choice but to take our baby with us. And again, he slept almost entire movie.

 

I am sure glad that Peter Jackson connected this movie with the Lord of The Rings. I once watched the animated film, I enjoyed it. But it is different and more exciting when The Hobbit was brought to the big screen. Finally, I get to grasp the story of the Dwarves. The Hobbit is an adventurous film.  I can't wait for part 2 and 3. I know that it is going to be more colorful with more characters, adventures and even misadventures.  There's not a dull moment in The Hobbit, I didn't even notice the time.

The soundtrack is amazing too. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Special Edition) for $17.99 on iTunes. Most of the songs sound so cool and relaxing... my children would go to sleep listening to it. Of course, my favorite Misty Mountains.

Lastly, I prayed that Les Miserables is going to be released before Christmas. You know what, I've been reading bad reviews about the whole live singing thing... But hell with that, there will always be haters. I love the whole idea when the actors sang live for the movie. The preview alone gave me goosebumps. Anne Hathaway, you're the best! and it's really nice that Anne looked up to our very own Ms. Lea Salonga.

Unfortunately, Les Miserables is scheduled to be shown here in the Philippines January 2013 giving way for the MMFF 2012 movies. Few more days of waiting...

By the way, I am really sorry for not touching so much on reviewing the movies. It's best to see these flicks for yourself and see why I'm liking them so much :D Anyway, I'm still happy that I was able to watch 2 from my list of movies for December 2012.

It's Mikee's 1st Birthday!

Happy, happy Birthday to our little munchkin!

 

The moment you came out of this world 122111, we knew that 122112 is not going to be "the end". But  it is going to be a day filled with life and more love. We can't wait for Christmas as we celebrate your 1st year with the birth of our Christ The Savior.

Christmas Rush

It's that time of the month when I have to finish everything before hitting the eve of Christmas. Apparently, my son's school decided to stretch the number of school days for this month making December 21 as their last day before going on vacation. That gives me 2 days to finalize things such as gifts, food for our pot luck both with families and friends and even materials needed for wrapping gifts and printing greeting cards. A discount toner would come in handy.

Hopefully, this is going to be the last update I'm going to make simply thinking that everything is all set for the Holidays. In addition, we considered giving away wine and chocolates.

This was very sudden. Good thing my husband knew the pressure getting everything labeled, he  included paper bags for each. We have already given out some and these are the stuff left for us.

Preparing for the Holidays can be tiresome and exhausting at times... but it sure is fun and worth it just thinking about the happy faces of those close to hearts.