Hello 2013!

Drum roll please, welcome to the 550th blog post!

Hello there blog!  Happy New Year!  I know I've been neglecting you these past few months. A lot happened and I wanted to share them all with you, it’s just that there is so little time, so little left of me to write.  But that doesn't mean I forgotten you.  I know you understand like you always do.  All that matters is that I am writing to you now, I know I am forgiven.  I always have this urge to write to you after a day of struggle, a day of joy or a day when I long to have the friend who listens/read.

For my birthday I went to Hong Kong with W and my parents.  It was a birthday worth for the books, something I will always remember.  It was a blessed day/s that thanking God for another year of life is not enough.  That vacation brought me happiness of the heart.  Seeing them all happy was the best birthday gift.  I will truly treasure the blessings God gave during those days, His generosity and faithfulness truly inspired me.  It was the best birthday.

October was truly memorable too. Oct 17… I will never forget it.  During that time we still didn't know but it was the day that would change our lives, the day that would make W & I the happiest married couple on earth.  It was also the day that made us the loneliest.  But it was the day that made us closer, made us thank God for the opportunity and made our love grew deeper.

Nov 23 was the day our beautiful news was confirmed.  Nov 24 started bloody doomsday.  Dec 7 confirmed that we lost our sac.  The next days that followed were the saddest days.  But we didn't blame anyone not even ourselves.  It was the following days that made us stronger and the days that brought us hope.  Try and try until you succeed.  Sounds cliche but it was the truth.

The sadness we felt slowly drifted away.  We had a great Christmas celebration and New Year with our families.  Christmas was with mine, New Year was with the in-laws.  We couldn't be any happier for the love, support and gifts we have received.  I personally felt the grace of God, He truly made my heart swell with love.

As 2013 approach, W & I are filled with hope for the better years to come.

I have the job that keeps me sane, it brought me sorrows, discontentment and a feeling of being mistreated most of the time but I am grateful.  The Lord gave me a strong heart so that I can shield myself from the words that pierced it.

2013 is a year of friends too.  I am thankful for the loves of my life. 

I am glad and have thanked the Lord for my bestsie’s blessings.  I am so happy for sweetie and her family.  Their Daddy would be very proud.  I know this by heart because I am so proud of them 4, how much more if their Daddy is alive?  Massive heart attack because his veins swelled with pride.  They are the living proof that good karma exists.  Goodness and hard work is equals to great success.

And for good ol friend J, he really needs a break.  The Lord made him this successful because He knows he can handle it.  So J, stop the breakdown and just praise Him.  You’re happiness is the next gift God will bless you with.  I know this because you’re a strong fellow.  You are blessed, you are loved.  You are great, keep that in mind.  Don’t sweat the small stuff.  Be open to the possibilities, be patient and remember that looking will just keep you exhausted.  It’s a verb and will just keep you moving without direction.  Stay calm and keep still.  It will come to you.  Forces like that are inevitable.  The Lord is still writing your love story.

I opened my 2013 to 2 movies that are worth my money and time.  Pi reminds me of Job.  They both have superb faith.  The Lord, is what I call my God.  It can be Allah to some, Christ to the others or a lot of other different names.   But the Supreme Being that guides us all is always listening.  We cannot see Him but we feel His presence.  Life of Pi teaches us Faith, Courage and Hope.  Three things that could give us a better 2013, things that could make 2013 our best year so far.

1800s France is no different from Millennium Philippines.  A lot of people are still suffering.  Misfortune still happens to good people.  But because God sees all of us equally, we should be reminded that our fortune may not be in this earth life but in the life beyond it.

This is a long entry my blog.  I really wanted to make it up to you. 

Today is spaghetti day of the month.  Well you know why.  Happy happy W!  I love you!     

Happy Chinese New Year!

The last 3 days feels more like a HM compared to the holiday we spent in SG and Langkawi. Maybe because of the scenery and the relax atmosphere in our hometown. I am so glad I went home to my hubby this Chinese New Year.

I miss going home here. When I was in college I would go home the minute the last exam for the term is done. I would queue in bus stations and take “chance passenger” status just to be home. And during enrolment I would be stuck with new classmates because I was a late enrolee, no more spot is available from my old block. I would stretch my vacation every opportunity I have. It was during those long breaks that Warren and I would talk, chat for countless hours (as friends) because he’s on vacation too. He’ll drop by our house every afternoon after his work from his Dad’s warehouse – the very same warehouse I am in today while writing this blog entry.

I miss my parents of course, on the first morning I was here I was almost in tears (okay I admit I cried not “almost”), things are different in this side of town compared to the usual mornings I am accustomed to. But W did his best to make me feel at home. The whole household as a matter of fact, MIL & FIL are so nice. I like it here. If not for my parents & career in Manila I would settle here in a heartbeat. Hubby would need not persuade me to stay put.

The point of this entry? None. Just want to share the holiday cheers, Kung Hei Fat Choi everyone. Home is where the heart is, and wherever you are you know where your real home is. I am just glad I’m happy where I am right this very moment.

I Miss You

I really do.

I miss blabbing and musing about all things under the sun.

You see I am getting hitched in less than 80 days so my time is pretty devoted to preparations. We started early and I thought by this time I'll be chillaxing, watching my favorite tv shows but boy I am so wrong. Although everything is under control and I have never been a bridezilla yet, just thinking about things that still needs to be done stresses me. Maybe I really need to start practicing the mantra " let go and let God".

My birthday month was pretty awesome, I just want to share it with you because you know I always have birthday jitters every year - the price for growing old. But it was different this year, because of my busy schedule I didn't have the time to mope and think about how old and senseless the new year of my life would be. Well that's typical drama queen me but this year was really fun. People Tells me all the time that this is the last birthday I'll celebrate being single.

My sister and my nephew Johann travelled all the way from Bicol to spend a few days here. My best friend travelled a few thousand miles (yep from Singapore) to spend my birthday week with me. My closest friends and dear loved ones were all here. My Panget was here too and gave me the thing that I really wanted (he bought me the SLR cam I wanted which surprised me because he said we'll buy it next year).

I am so blessed, last night I was able to contemplate upon realizing it's the last quarter of the year already. 2012 is already waving at me. 2011 has been so far nice to me. He stayed true to his part of the bargain. Before this year started I asked that he be friendlier and nicer to me unlike the other years and he did, 2011 was really my year. I know it was not perfect, I had a lot of silent angst about my career and work life but God is good I'll be blessed because I know I have worked hard everyday for the company. Money is tight but the drought too shall pass. I am thankful that my parents are fine, their health are not perfect but okay. I am blessed, I believe and I have it in my heart because God is with me.

So there I updated you, I really miss talking to you but be assured that you are never forgotten. I am hoping to write more next year. I intend to travel more and try new exciting things next year so you an I will have a lot of stories to discuss. Please don't be sad okay, I am just here. Bear with me for the time being and let me enjoy my being a princess soon.

I gotta go now my blog, will write more soon. I really miss you and don't go anywhere okay. I'll write more soon.

Love,
Anne

Hello 2010!!!

please be nicer and kinder to us all!

Happy New Year eveyone!

Hello 2009

2008 and I had a pretty nice though tough relationship together. I am not praying for 09 to be kinder but I am hoping and wishing that this time 09 and I will be a little more friendlier to each other.

As 08 bid farewell I am very thankful for a lot of things... the things maybe too many to mention but I am deeply grateful especially to Him above.

Enjoy & give 2009 a warm welcome everyone, let's all pray it'll be a little bit understanding and will give us lotsa cuddles for the next 365 days.

God bless everyone, easy on the sweets & cholesterol laden foodies. Although it's just 1 day... sweat it all out on Jan 2.

Chona's Glamorous at 30 Party

Belated Happy Birthday Chona my friend!

Here are some of the photos from Chona's birthday bash last Saturday at Center Stage TM, QC.

Saree, me & Vina

Ziella, Vina at ako uli

si Gene lang kulang complete sana ang college 'kada: Faye, me, Gaux, Redj, Saree, Ziella, Vina, Chona & Gabs

me, Saree and Gaux with the bday girl

with Vina

with Saree and Mommy Redj

PS: It was my first time driving in EDSA and around QC... traffic was really bad that day however I survived...

et al

This is Michaela Faye Lat Valdoria, cute nya noh? Kamukha ni Mommy Pen. Congrats Pen & Marlon!!!

Kita ba yung guhit? Kagagawan yan ni Sylar aka the Jelly Fish

I baked this brownie last weekend hehehe success naman, crisp on the outside tapos moist inside. Yummy din in fairness.

Gracias, Salamat, Thanks

Sa lahat ng nakaalala sa akin nung Sabado.
Sa mga bumati bago mag Sabado.
Sa mga bumati nung Linggo, Lunes at sa mga humabol pa sa araw na ito ng Martes.
Sa mga nagbigay ng regalo bago at pagkatapos ng Sabado.
Sa mga nangakong magbibigaw daw ng regalo (hintayin ko na lang hanggang Pasko).
Sa aking pamilya na nanlibre nung Sabado.
Sa aking mga kaibigang nang sorpresa ng tangahalian noong nakaraang Biyernes (Dines, Jeng, Rovs, Jen at Dayday).

Sa mga nakalimot bumati (hindi ako galit hehehe, pwede pa kayong humabol hanggang next year).
Sa mga nanalangin at humiling (sa Itaas) ng magandang mga biyaya para sa akin at sa king pamilya.

MABUHAY KAYONG LAHAT!!!

PS: Setyembre a-beinte po ang araw na makasaysayan.

Greetings

Congratulations are well deserved by my good friends Jeng & Udeng!!! Hurray!!! Love you both.

Hi, thanks & see yah to my good friend Marco who’s in town for my birthday.

Congratulations too to my friend Julius aka Lord J (hwahaha) for the successful book launch of Life in Progress 2 and for the sold out LiP book 1. Thanks at sa wakas eh nasa acknowledgement na ako (ako nga ba yun???) dahil kasama naman kame sa pinagkakakitaan mo!!! Bili na kayo ng LiP2, it's hilarious. Available in all National Bookstores (free plugging pa).

Yan muna, I’ll write an update soon. Happy Tuesday!

Jeng's Shower Party

Held at Vivere Suites last August 1, the girls with the party's main girl Jeng enjoyed an evening (until the next day) full of fun, jokes, games, food and booze.

Jen & Dinah's gowns (fashion contest)

Gowns made of tissue paper

The winning creation, modeled by Jen (gawa yan ng team namin!)

Interpretative Dance ni Dianne!!!

Dianne & Dinah Dancing

MTV ni Naynay

Cheer ng mga Losers!

The winning team!!!

Pen's Shower Party

Hehehe sobrang late... nawala kase memory card and now I found it na!

Sobrang luma na talaga last December pa pano. Long hair pa ko hehehe.

The Year That Was

(written Jan 3, 2008)
First of all Happy Birthday to my dear Tita Eden and to my good friend Marco. The great ones are born every 3rd of January – apart from those born on the best day which is Sept 20 (hehehe).

(di na ito news because it ended yesterday) My friends are going crazy over Cebu Pacific’s Piso fare which started today and will last until Jan 6 so if you guys are planning to take a vacation anywhere in the Phils by Jan 22 up to March 31 take advantage of their promo. O ayan CebPac, free plugging.

*************

I’ve read my friend’s recap of 2007 in their blogs and I am planning to do one myself (inggitera)but then the thought I always have about this year is that I didn’t feel it cause it just passed me by. It flew real fast that all I can think about in the future whenever 2007 is mentioned is that I got a surprise 28th birthday party from my good friends and that I went to Bora with my lovely bestfriend (where we had the last day on earth feeling). That’s the highlight I think of my 2007.

2007 really didn’t linger… but I am thankful that 1 year went by, I feel loved, I am blessed and almost there to being genuinely happy. Not that I am miserable the past year, I was not and in fact I was and am okay. I usually compare the entry I had the previous year whenever I have the urge to rant and be depressed on my blog and luckily I can say that I was chirpier in 2007 than 2006. I have my parents at home with me most of the time. I have the company of my pamangkins. And I have the bestest friends anyone could wish for, so in conclusion I had a pretty decent 2007 and thank God for everything.

I don’t make resolutions for I often break them all before the end of each January (that fast). I don’t even plan, majority of them weren’t executed and if they are they were unsuccessful. So what’s my point here? Wala lang, I just want to wish for a great new year, a happier one – an exciting one.

So I skip making resolutions and planning every year… what do I do best? I dream, after all I’m a sleepwalker (not a somnambulist). I wish for things to happen and I pray. And I hope too, for the best.

Happy Christmas

to all!!!

Many thanks to all my relatives, family & friends for the greetings and for the wonderful gifts. God bless all of you.

Pen & Marlon

December 8, 2007 - Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion and at the same time the happy union of my dear friend Penny and the lucky guy Marlon. I witnessed their love story and I know they're both happy to be together. Best Wishes Baby Penny and Congratulations Marlon... Papa Marlon, welcome to our big big family! Here are some pictures from the Saturday wedding celeb...

Pen and Marlon at the altar of St. Peregrine CathedralOur ex-MLAers (& some not so ex) family: Ate Lileth, Cheryl, Jenny, Jeng, Udeng, Joel, moi, Dines, Mommy Grace, Tracy and TinaNakikipag pabilugan ako ng mukha kay fafa Udengat the Reception (Cipriano Garden): ang nagmamadaling sumiksik na si ako, Dines, Jeng, Jenny, Ms. Edna & Papa Fred, Cheryl, Mommy Grace, Tracy, Ate Lileth and Tinathe Bride and her Maidwith Jookay... last shot with the couple before mag-uwian'til next year for Jen's wedding (hehehe napagkaisahan si Jenny - unanimous decision na sya ang bouquet owner hehehe at ang lucky guy??? Teenager na cousin ni Pen :D)

MILO 31st National Marathon

with Dines & Tito Frank, madaling araw pa lang asa venue na kame kahit pa naambon.
halata bang isang oras at kalahati lang itinulog namin ni Dines?
isa sa cause ng delay namin (hehehe) pictur-an
The race started after Mayor Lim's speech

Victorious Dinah, lining up for her certificate.

with Dines & Tina

Photo Op: Dines, Tina & Che (watch out sa Phil. Star baka lumabas kame hehehe)

Thanks to dear Tina for inviting me, Dines, Che & Tito Frank. Thanks din sa freebies.

Finished the race in 54 minutes & 49 seconds, kasama chika at lakad at picture-picture… eh pano na lang kung kinarir namin ni Dines? Super fun! I felt like I’ve accomplished something, no sweat pala 5K ;) . Next year 10K na.

Kodak Moments

Pictures from the Surprise Birthday Party...

The gifts... the cupcakes (Jenny's labor of love), the wand & the tiara... all for the princess

The girl couldn't ask for more... 1 na lang, the one in a boxI'm really old - dameng sparklers to blow. Pasaway pa yung iba namatay na sisindi pa uli!!!Isang kumpas lang ito ng wand at patay na kayong lahat... kala nyo maiisahan nyo kong mga sparklers kayo!!!

Friends at the party... di magkamayaw sa pagpopose.

More pictures soon...

Surprise Birthday Party

I am so blessed! I am, really. Last Friday my work friends collaborated with my college Jologs friends for a best surprise party ever. The event was planned 3 weeks in advance, I didn’t have a clue until my old pictures came running into my own hands. I have guessed that my work friends are cooking up something special for me, it might be a scrap book or a photo montage but to my delight, it was a video presentation complete with Princess theme and video messages from people close to me but are not able to be with me on that party.

Flowers I got from Ses and from my best friend Luchie (thanks to Richard for bringing it over at the party)

Conspiracy surrounded me the whole week, my Ma was involved, and Pen’s Mom was also dragged. Thursday afternoon Ziella asked me to accompany her to Makati the next day. I said yes provided my colds get better, Jen even gave me a cup of ginger tea na talaga namang pang alis ng sipon hehehe para gumaling ako. Friday arrived, Rovs asked me if I want to go to Festival Mall. Instead of going with her to Festival I invited her to just go with me & Ziella, according to Ziella we’ll be meeting Gabs there. And Saree informed me that there is a mallwide 70% off sale in Landmark, san ka pa? So the Makati excursion on a Friday evening is really tempting. What made it so much more inviting is that another friend Jeng is going there… di kame magcocommute! Super plantsado yung plan. So off we go to Makati, Rovs & Ziella & I roamed around Glorietta. Gabs was late daw sabi ni Zie, buti na lang it was really sale, I busied myself browsing through stuff that looks good. After an hour of just circling around Glorietta and Landmark Ziella said that we are to meet Gabs at Max’s Glorietta 2. So we went to Max’s, I went to sit with Rovs at the waiting area while Zie look for Gabs & ate Auds (Ziella said that Gabs was late because she’s with ate Auds). Ziella called us andun daw si Gabs, nagtaka pa ko kase sa function room complete with curtains. Zie went in first, the next thing I know she was screaming, nasilip ko yung room dameng tao but the only person I got a glimpse was Gaux – sabi ko kamukha ni Margaux, I haven’t seen Gaux in 7 years so I was pretty sure that the reason Zie screamed was because nagkamali sya ng pasok dun sa room. I immediately went to the side of the door – nagtago ako mahirap nang mapahiya. Then I felt Rovs was kinda pushing me to enter the room. There it was the planned surprise bday party. With poppers and party hats and streamers. The next thing I know they were giving me a scepter and placing a tiara on my head.

GUILTY! Persons responsible for the successful party - Udeng, Jeng, Pen, Rovs, Tina, Dines, Jo & Jenny

My parents, niece & nephew were even there, sinundo sila ni Dines, grabe effort talaga and I know that a lot of it were the doings of my sisters Jenny (slave na nga nya ako eh, different story), Jeng, Dines, Saree & Ziella. Everybody did their part – si Pen taga collect ng pictures ko (mga luma at neneng pix ko) from my Mama. Although nabuking ko nga yung pictures because Pen’s messenger brought it sa office, eh nasa pantry si Jen ako ang nagreceive, di naka envelope pagtingin ko I was shocked to see my pictures. Sobrang nagtampo si Jenny ayaw kumausap ng kahit sino hehehe. The next day okay naman na. Bloopers galore lang talaga. Inabot sa akin nung messenger because kamukha ko yung nasa picture – tawang tawa talaga kame.

with my Jologs hermanas (& my Ma)

The video presentation they did was really great (I’ll post it the soonest it’s converted). Naantig talaga ako. Thanks to Kuya Berns, Myra, Marco & Prof. Jerome for the video messages. Thanks to Tita Kimmy for the letter. To my Jologs friends… Saree, Vina, Gabs, Zie, Chona (& fafa Ronald) Faye, Olive, Margaux (sobrang nice to see you again friend) and Mommy Redj… maraming salamat!!! To Randz, Tina & Moises, thanks for coming and most of all for the gifts. To Udeng, Jeng, Dines, Rovs, Pen, Jo and Jenny… mahal ko talaga kayo, thanks. To my family (Ma, Pop, Jude & Meng), to my cousin Richard and to my betsy Luchie (who called overseas hehehe phone patch!).

wacky pose of Jologs (Faye, Mommy Redj, Zie, Vina, Gaux, Chona, Saree & Moi - feeling Princess)
Sa mga di nakarating, knowing that you all would like to come to the party but wasn’t able to do so because of important appointments & other unavoidable factors maraming salamat pa rin. It means a lot to me.
with Joel - ang late ever!
The night was concluded with a cup of coffee at UCC. Thanks talaga mga friends ko, sobrang saya ng week before my birthday. I really felt like a princess that night... kahit pa basahan look ako that day (get up na ikinataas ng kilay ni Jenny umaga pa lang).

with Mommy Redj, Faye & Margaux (at talagang hawak ko pa ang cupcake na gawa ni Jenny)
I don’t want to say “unfortunately” cos’ it’s not, it was in fact a real nice blessing that I am now a slave – forever slave – ni Jenny. NAHANAPAN NYA AKO NG CANDY CANDY DVD! Complete 115 episodes. I love you master! Galing talaga ng sister ko.

More pictures + the video soon.

Malou & Iggy

Moi & Jas with Malou & Iggy at their wedding (May 2007) - (stole this from Malou's friendster photo page hehehe - ang negra ko, skin color courtesy of summer remnants)

Oh Baby Baby It's A Wild World

I read this news on the net about the first bill iPhone users received and it’s crazy. Talk about a 300 pages phone bill. People might think whoa, that’s a lot of activity that’s a lot of money but would you believe that the bill costs $270+ only? Talk about uprooting all the trees available for their very detailed billing.

Counting machines that are defective – made in the Philippines? Yes oh my oh my. These are the counting machines that registered more than 18,000 blank votes in Florida last 2006. We should all still be feeling overjoyed after the World Boxing Cup championship. Now it’s raining heavily on our parade. Bwisit!

Mixed emotions… a lot of things to be happy, sappy & sadly about. Pension plan for the retired & injured athletes – way to go Darlene. Quentin feeling Pinoy and smiling over Flood Fiction. Josh Hartnet and his golden heart and now he’s so far away. Books & more books – thanks Marco in advance.

Sale Sale sale!!! Powerbooks til Aug 31, National Bookstore til Sept 15 and International Bookfair by the end of this month. Oh & did I mention Palawan???

Almost the weekend, enjoy and don’t get soaked (if ever it’s a wet weekend).

Hugs...

and Congratulations to my cousin 'Atty.' Revolette "Babes" Labitag and to my good friend 'Atty.' Maria Lourdes Barrios for passing the most recent bar exams. God bless, I am so proud of you both :)

For the complete list of the bar passers click www.supremecourt.gov.ph/bar2006.htm