Saturday, December 29, 2007

Woeful Saturday

Spent the day mostly curled up in bed. Watched five movies - three of them cartoons and fell asleep in the middle of the last one. I got the cramps real bad, i had to call in sick for work. Arrgh! The wonders of womanhood.

The year is almost over. It seems like time flies! Or so it seems when one is mature enough to know the importance of time. I remember when i was a kid i couldn't wait to grow up, but it felt like forever to gain my freedom and independence. Oh, how i long to be young again... Now, with two jobs, a husband, my family and a home to keep neat, 24 hours is not enough. I am not complaining, i am simply realizing how important it is to live life today and not always yearn for tomorrow.

I guess i feel like this after seeing my mother-in-law slowly losing her memory. She's old. And that's my worst fear. We spent Christmas Eve with her at her apartment. My brother-in-law and his family was there too. So the place was a little crowded. Marie was busy in the kitchen and Rick was helping her while the rest of the group was in the living room playing a catch phrase game. We were a little noisy, but we didn't think that would bother her. Then suddenly, Marie, asked who made the rolls, the food and she couldn't remember why everyone was there. It went on for a couple hours, same questions and no recollection of the day whatsoever. It was sad. Everybody was nervous. We ate and opened the presents. Then she was fine. She didn't know what happened to her. The doctor said she must have been overwhelmed by the day's events. The stress in preparing the food and the noise. She lives alone and so it's always quiet at her place. But she seems fine now (thank God!). Hopefully it stays that way.

The weather wasn't the greatest either. Snowstorm during the weekend and more snow Christmas Day! Driving was terrible! A two and a half hour drive took five hours! Horrible! But it wasn't that bad. It was still fun. I am finally comfortable around my in-laws. They don't ask me specific questions about the Philippines anymore, like traditions and food. Which i am glad because i don't really know what to say. For me, each family has it's own tradition, their own way of celebrating. So i am always careful with my answers. I don't want to give the wrong impression! *-* I got a lot of Christmas presents from them. They were all nice! Thank you! And then i got more when we came home. Thank you, Richard, everything was wonderful! Good shopper!

Life. It's full of surprises.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Friday, December 14, 2007

Holiday Hullabaloo


Christmas is fast approaching. Lights adorn boring houses in the neighborhood and made it look more interesting. It seems like year after year people add a little bit more lights outside their house. We didn't do much light decor this year. It's not because we don't want to, it's because we can't! Last summer we had new soffit and fascia installed but not the rain gutter(that's where you hang the lights). We didn't wanna ruin the new soffit by pounding nails just so we can hang some lights, so we opted not to put up lights on the roof instead. There's a couple of lighted Christmas tree outside and some lighted ornaments on the window. That's it. But inside, we have a medium sized - real tree and a bunch of lights all over the house. We wrapped the pillar in the basement with lights, some more lights in the bookcase and a wreath on the big window in the living room. I think our house looks so bright and beautiful! Snow came early this year so it is definitely a white Christmas!

There are no presents under the Christmas tree yet. I already have quite a few here at home waiting to be wrapped, but i always forget to buy a tape! Although, I think i am doing pretty good this year, almost done with Christmas shopping-two more to go, Christmas greeting card is ready to go and i already picked out my outfit for church on Christmas Day! Great! Now i don't feel rushed. Last year, i didn't have the cards out until the twenties! I felt terrible! Anyway, I have a theme for Christmas this year - everything is in red and gold. From the lights and bulbs on the tree, to the Christmas wrapper I'll use and even on what to wear for Christmas eve dinner and to church the following day. A little over the top? Nah... just want to try something different, something new.

I am just so excited about the holidays! I can't wait to come home and open my presents, (although i don't see one yet, but i know they'll come), eat a lovely dinner and visit with family. This is the time of year too when i miss my family back in the PI the most. We celebrate differently there, more food and more family. Although i think it's different now that the kids are all grown up. Maybe they'd rather be out somewhere with friends. But i know one thing that'll never change - my Papa and Mama busy preparing for the noche buena. Papa will do all the cooking and Mama just cleaning up after him (she's a killer cook-literally!). Sometimes i feel like i hardly know my siblings anymore. I feel sad about it, but helpless. Life's journey has taken me far from them. But they will always be close to my heart.


Have a great Christmas everyone!

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Shopping and Bus Rides

I had my first public bus ride in the country last Thursday. Having the luxury of owning a car does wonders to a person. But for me, driving in a big city is a no-no. Scares the hell out of me! So i decided to take the bus and go shopping while Rick had his colonoscopy done. It was an adventure for me because i don't know which bus to take, where it'll stop and how much to pay. But i was brave enough to ask for directions. I'm not a guy anyway! *wink* I had to walk four blocks to get to the bus stop. It would have been fine if only the temperature was not blistering cold! I was practically shivering while waiting for the bus. But, it was worth it. I told Rick i'll do it again next time he's got a longer appointment.

Was planning of shopping "til i drop" but decided against it. I might get nice stuff for Christmas. I already had an early Christmas present. Rick bought me a diamond ring! Whoopee! Yah, we went crazy day after thanksgiving, we went shopping at 5am just to get a really good deal on a flat screen TV, which we got, plus the ring! hehehe...

Speaking of thanksgiving, Rick made us thanksgiving dinner. The whole works, turkey, stuffing(the best i've ever had!), cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and some sparking white drink. We had fun. We ate too much. Which we regret after a couple hours... The part i didn't like was eating leftovers for three days. I swear i smelled like turkey by then!

Shopping, food, and fun - just a few to be thankful for.