Happy Reunion. Arrived Mla. 10am Dec 28. I was excited to see my old friends again. You know how they always say the best friends you'll have in life are the ones you went to high school with. I know I got some good friends in my high school buds. :) Dropped by Megamall late morning and early afternoon, browsed thru Book Wagon (for my babies) and the Stitches & Things (for me). Then off we went to attend mass with my mom, aunt, and sister. It was the celebration of Holy Family, so I wish each and every family peace and love always....Went to Powerbooks as I still had time before dinner with friends. How I wish I can buy all those interesting books! Did buy some for the children :) Dinner was good. We gorged on pasta. Almost everyone was there - Ros, Jho, Carol, Ellie, Wins, Ayleen, Minnie, and Crispin. Chatted without end and tried to catch up with each others' lives.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Spent Christmas eve at our aunt's house. Ricky's cousin Biboy had finally come home to visit after 16 years in the States. Can you imagine not seeing your child for 16 years?!?! His brother's family (Abet and Ellen) came from Iligan to join the family reunion. We joined them and my mother-in-law and Ricky had a good time catching up with each other's news and happenings. Aevryl and Rance got to know a few more cousins. They enjoyed to petting Auntie Tata's dog. We had bbq pork chop, fish, and squid *lips smacking* along with veggies and noodles. The children also got pasalubon gifts :)
Christmas Day.....after a refreshing sleep, the kids were able to tackle their Christmas presents from us... a stenciling kit for Aevryl (she always likes to draw and color) and a big truck for Rance (all he wants to do is drive Vroomm....vroomm...) Ricky surprised me with a Body Shop kit full with "essentials" for a lady. Ashamed to say...I still have to get a gift for Ricky :( Guess I just ran out of ideas....Been meaning to give him a bracelet but I was waiting for an opportunity to get him to shop with me in Ayala. We've been doing most of our shopping in SM. We'll just have to wait and see.....

Aaarrrgggghhh......!!!!! I'm really having a hard time redesigning my template..... maybe I should have stuck with the old one....hhmmm...can you believe i was able to post one template that covered my tag board and links????HHHEEELLLPP!!! Linnorias, when we get together next year...promise me you'll help me restore my "Comment" from Haloscan... and resize the tagboard.... PLEEAASEE....

At last, my daughter's exams are finished. So far, I've also finished my sub-con job with Bayantel (more to come next year...) ahem...ahem...I'm going to busy myself with my Mla. accounts. Try to update their books till Nov and hopefully finalize their financial statements by Feb of next year. I also have to get my things together for my visit to Manila next week. I'm really looking forward to the visit - to be with my family and friends. However, I just have this little nagging feeling about leaving the kids. It's the first time I've spent time away from them. Yes, I haven't been away from home for more than five years! Well, there was that three-day trip to Hong Kong Ricky and I took while Aevryl was still a few months' old. After that, nil. Maybe it's time to energize and refresh myself by spending some time by myself...some time away from the kids.

Christmas is coming!!! And all I can think of is how am I supposed to get my act together???? I've sent greeting cards to family and friends living in foreign countries (this task is usually my priority - considering the term snail mail is really applicable here :). Then there are family and friends living in Manila and other provinces. Some I have to greet via email and text. Some I have to send cards to. I'm also excited I'll be going to Manila for a few days. But that would mean pasalubong!!! To family, relatives, friends and colleagues!!!! Plus visits to Ricky's side and my side of the family, and hopefully get-togethers with friends. Then I'm also searching for a Maris - who's supposed to be in Cebu but I have no way to search for her, because all I have is her address in Indonesia!!! Help!!!

A four year old was at the pediatrician for a check up. As the doctor looked down her ears with an otoscope, he asked, "Do you think I'll find Big Bird in here?" The little girl stayed silent. Next, the doctor took a tongue depressor and looked down her throat. He asked, "Do you think I'll find the Cookie Monster down there" Again, the little girl was silent. Then the doctor put a stethoscope to her chest. As he listened to her heart beat, he asked, "Do you think I'll hear Barney in there?" "Oh, no!" the little girl replied. "Jesus is in my heart. Barney's on my underpants.

Had dinner with a few of Ricky's friends (Gina, Shirley, Ayeen, and Jocelyn) last Saturday. It was very casual all-girl affair (except for my hubby :) though). They caught up with each others' lives including the lives of their classmates, a bit of gossip here and there included. Me, I did most of the listening, and enjoyed the night as much as they.
My daughter Bea had her big dance number yesterday at their Christmas Fair. She didn't like to practice her moves at home nor did she want to show us a sample of what her teachers taught her. She didn't have stage fright and remembered her routine. I'm proud of her! She has grown up... and I sort of miss the baby and toddler years.....
She's currently doing good in school and I hope she keeps it up. Thank God for my two adorable chidren!

A List To Live By

The most destructive habit................... Worry
The greatest joy .......................Giving
The greatest loss.............................Self-respect
The most satisfying work..................Helping Others
The ugliest personality trait................Selfishness
The most endangered species............. Dedicated Leaders
Our greatest natural resource................Our Youth & Our Elderly
The greatest "shot in the arm".................Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome.......... Fear
The most effective sleeping pill.............Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease..........Excuses
The most powerful force in life...............Love
The most dangerous outcast............A Gossip
The worlds most incredible computer........The Brain
The worst thing to be without.................Hope
The deadliest weapon.................The Tongue
The two most power-filled words........... "I can"
The greatest asset.........................Faith
The most worthless emotion.................Self-pity
The most beautiful attire.................................. A Smile
The most prized possession..............................Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication......... Prayer
The most contagious spirit............................ Enthusiasm
Our greatest teacher .................................Experience
To the world, YOU may be one person; but to one person, you may be the world!!

God gives hope to those who dream, gives miracles to those who believe. He never lets down those who trust and He never leaves those who walk with Him.

May we never let the things we don't have or can't have or shouldn't have, spoil our enjoyment of all that we have.