Saturday, December 31, 2005
Happy New Year!
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850
Happy New Year!
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850
Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Here comes 2006!
I cant believe that 2005 is coming to an end. Around this time last year, I was enjoying the holiday season in Manila after not spending the holidays for several years in the Philippines. We were also busy preparing for the wedding and the wedding related events -- bridal showers, slumber parties, Christmas gatherings, fittings and supplier meetings. We were doubly busy not only with the usual hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we were also full of excitement and anticipation as the wedding date gets closer.
And yet now, we are 3 days away from 2006! The wedding has become a vivid memory and the we are now anticipating our first wedding anniversary in less than 2 months time.
Patrick and I will have a quiet celebration at home, just the two of us. We will usher in 2006 with whatever I decide to whip up and we will most likely just be watching the TV specials where they will drop the ball in Times Square, NY or the fireworks display and the pre-New Year's concerts as well.
My family celebrates New Year with a big feast just like most Filipino families, we dont use firecrackers or fireworks but we always make noise by banging pots and pants, ringing bells, playing music at full blast and my mom always make sure she has 12 round-shaped fruits at the dining table (to represent prosperity for 12 months of the new year). We also turn the lights on in every room of the house and we all scream Happy New Year as the clock strikes midnight hugging and kissing everyone around us. The celebration doesnt stop there. My mom would throw coins and some paper bills and we would all try to grab as much money as we can for the sake of fun. We would then play games (yep... the young and the old would have to participate) and dance the night away with some ballroom music that the oldies love! :-) We then eat and eat some more until we are all exhausted and sleepy. Normally, that would be around 3 or 4 am. There are times when the young ones would stay up till the break of dawn just hanging out and having fun.
Patrick's family doesnt really plan or do anything for New Year's. So its normally just the two of us sharing a drink or two, eating simple meals that I make. It was a good thing that Patrick got to experience how Pinoys welcome the new year. I told him that compared to the many New Year celebrations in the past, the one he experienced was a lot quieter, calmer and less foggy (read: smoke and pollution from firecrackers and people burning tires or what have you).
I thank God for 2005 because it was a year of beautiful beginnings, cherished memories, precious moments and a lot of love and support from family, friends and even strangers. It was a year of strengthened and blossoming friendships. And I hope and pray that 2006 will be a year of wonderful things, good health, more love and victory for the good and the righteous.
Well, here comes 2006! So from Patrick and myself, here's wishing A Blessed New Year to one and all!
======================================================
Thank you, Mrs. Streeter for the wonderful Hello Kitty gifts!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Photo credits: www.sanriotown.com
And yet now, we are 3 days away from 2006! The wedding has become a vivid memory and the we are now anticipating our first wedding anniversary in less than 2 months time.
Patrick and I will have a quiet celebration at home, just the two of us. We will usher in 2006 with whatever I decide to whip up and we will most likely just be watching the TV specials where they will drop the ball in Times Square, NY or the fireworks display and the pre-New Year's concerts as well.
My family celebrates New Year with a big feast just like most Filipino families, we dont use firecrackers or fireworks but we always make noise by banging pots and pants, ringing bells, playing music at full blast and my mom always make sure she has 12 round-shaped fruits at the dining table (to represent prosperity for 12 months of the new year). We also turn the lights on in every room of the house and we all scream Happy New Year as the clock strikes midnight hugging and kissing everyone around us. The celebration doesnt stop there. My mom would throw coins and some paper bills and we would all try to grab as much money as we can for the sake of fun. We would then play games (yep... the young and the old would have to participate) and dance the night away with some ballroom music that the oldies love! :-) We then eat and eat some more until we are all exhausted and sleepy. Normally, that would be around 3 or 4 am. There are times when the young ones would stay up till the break of dawn just hanging out and having fun.
Patrick's family doesnt really plan or do anything for New Year's. So its normally just the two of us sharing a drink or two, eating simple meals that I make. It was a good thing that Patrick got to experience how Pinoys welcome the new year. I told him that compared to the many New Year celebrations in the past, the one he experienced was a lot quieter, calmer and less foggy (read: smoke and pollution from firecrackers and people burning tires or what have you).
I thank God for 2005 because it was a year of beautiful beginnings, cherished memories, precious moments and a lot of love and support from family, friends and even strangers. It was a year of strengthened and blossoming friendships. And I hope and pray that 2006 will be a year of wonderful things, good health, more love and victory for the good and the righteous.
Well, here comes 2006! So from Patrick and myself, here's wishing A Blessed New Year to one and all!
======================================================
Thank you, Mrs. Streeter for the wonderful Hello Kitty gifts!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Photo credits: www.sanriotown.com
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Happy Birthday, Jesus!
Happy Birthday, Jesus!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Photo credits: www.preciousmoments.com
Friday, December 23, 2005
Merry Christmas!
Its Christmas! After weeks of preparing for the most celebrated time of the year, its finally here. Christmas is 2 days away and I know that everyone is in full gear with their preparations -- cooking, baking and gift giving.
I will be busy with my baking marathon today. Im waiting for Patrick to finish up with work so that we can do the grocery shopping for the get together on Saturday and Sunday with his family.
We have a simple get together on Saturday and Im bringing blueberry muffins for that. On Sunday, we have the big Christmas feast with Patrick's family again and Im in charge of the pumpkin pie and the dessert platter as well as salad. I wanted to help Ruth prepare for the feast and since Im the only daughter-in-law who will be around, I offered to prepare some of the food needed for the feast.
Anyway, all the gifts are wrapped, all the cards have been sent, the packages shipped and so from our home to yours, we wish you and your loved ones a very very Merry Christmas!
========================================================
Thank you to everyone who sent us presents, cards and greetings! We appreciate the thought. Racks, thanks for your help. Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary to Bernard & Clarice, Matt & Eileen, Rey & Abie. Happy Birthday Julie, Lani, Tin & Vidal!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Photo credits: www.sanriotown.com
Friday, December 09, 2005
The Chronicles of Narnia
Patrick and I saw The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe today. Its based on the novel by C.S. Lewis, one of Patrick's favorite authors. It was a truly amazing and heart touching movie. Its wholesome and can be seen by the entire family. It also very "Christian" as it reflected the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus to save us, His people from sin and wickedness.
I cry easily so it wasnt a surprise when I was crying during the movie but I know that the movie is really something that warms the heart when I saw a glimpse of Patrick crying several times over the course of the film. He said they did a good job is making the novel into a film. Ive read though that C.S. Lewis never liked the idea of his novels being made into a movie and that if it were ever to be made into a film, he prefer that it be in cartoons or animated form.
We havent see a lot of movies lately but this was definitely worth seeing. Im sure its going to do well in the blockbuster race for movies shown this holiday season.