Dear 2014

Happy New Year!

Hello 2014, I hope we can be good friends.  It was sad to see 2013 go because 2013 was extra nice to me & my family personally.  Although 2013 was harsh to my country, 2013 opened our eyes to the truth – that we cannot win when nature is angry but made us realize that we are not alone.

I am so excited to having wonderful moments with you, 2014.  You don’t know me well so I hope you’ll take time to know me, not to judge quickly because you’ll find out that I, along with the rest of the world, only want to be good friends with you.  We do not mean any harm and our apologies if we didn't satisfy your expectation of us.  I hope & pray that your kindness will prevail.

Love,

Anne and the rest of this big world

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!     

Advance Happy Birthday Baby!

Tomorrow is my husband's birthday and I am so glad I was able to take a leave from work (well not actually I'll be on mobile mode) and spend the day with him.

Since we're here in the province we'll celebrate the day with family & friends. It is the first time that they'll have a some sort of celebration because in the words of my hubby "birthdays are just another normal day in our family". I am so looking forward for tomorrow because his birthday, another ordinary day according to him, will be celebrated. Later this afternoon my Mom-in-law, Warren & I will head to town and buy stuff for the celebration. Small preparations were already being made by the yayas as early as today. It's like a mini fiesta! 5 kilos of spaghetti, is it too much or what?

I'll take pictures, I just hope my phone cam won't let me down. I wasn't able to bring the SLR because I decided to travel lite.

I love looking forward to little wonderful things, makes me excited. Lately I realized that small things make me happier than the grandest ones. What they said about great things comes in small packaging is true and are often for free like seeing your family happy. A shared meal with them and the happy exchanges. I am so missing my family too in Manila but I'll be seeing them in a few days.

I cannot say that I am loving the rural life because I still have 2 years to enjoy my urban everyday existence but I won't lie and say that I am not excited. I just pray I won't get bored and won't miss my folks badly.

From birthday to long term married life. Here's an early cheers for my wonderful husband. I love you baby!

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

The Year of the Rabbit

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

As we prepare for the Chinese New Year, it won’t hurt to follow a few Chinese traditions that could bring prosperity, good luck and happiness to us and to our families. It worked for our Chinese brothers and sisters so why don’t we try it and see for ourselves. Here are some tips that you can try at home:

ON FEB. 2, fill your dining table with fruits, particularly pineapple, pomelo, orange, apple, banana, grapes and dragon fruit, to attract money, harmony and prosperity. And, who doesn’t want that? Five means harvest and luck in Chinese.

Don’t forget to put two pieces of ang pao on the table so you can have better luck in the Year of the Metal Rabbit. Add more candies like macapuno on table because they mean “home sweet home.”

It would be auspicious also to have watermelon and lotus seeds on the table which signify money and luck, respectively, in Chinese.

Have your rice bin filled up during the Chinese New Year and place on top more lucky stuff like Chinese lettuce, Chinese celery, spring onions, carrots with leaves and lotus root. The lotus root implies harmonious relationship between husband and wife.

Add kiat kiat or mini ponkans on top of the rice bin overnight with P168 inside the rice bin. Don’t use coins. Use paper notes. Then, place one piece of ang pao on top of them all. (And how can we produce an exact P168 without using coins? The answer varies, you can add old P2 bills or write a check hehehe – Anne)

It is also advised to wear new underwear (hehe) and a new pair of slippers. Then you take a bath to remove all the bad luck of 2010. Even if you’re lucky in 2010 you still need to do it for the Year of the Rabbit. Use the new items you purchased :)

It is also advised that families go to Makati because Makati is the Philippine’s business district and because money is concentrated in that area.

The Year of the Metal Rabbit is generally a better year than the Tiger (last year). It promises a romantic year for everybody. Business will bloom, specifically in trading, mining (gold), real estate, hotel business.

Lucky colors of the Metal Rabbit, white, sky blue, gold, red, peach, silver, green, orange, pink and violet.

Love life in general is good for everyone except those under the rat sign (those under the rat signs, don’t feel sad… these are just guide – Anne).

Lucky signs this year: Rabbit, Horse, Goat, Dragon, Rat and Ox.

These advises were from the renowned Hong Kong-based geomancer Joseph Chau, feng shui consultant of Mandarin Oriental, Manila.

So there you go boys and girls, all the best this New Year. I bet all my single friends (whom majority are born on the year of the Goat, will be happy this year for it was advised in almost all sites that romance will blossom for all single ladies born with our sign, a few lucky ones will even get married this year (huwahaha!). Take care and happy year of the Rabbit!!!

wish wish

4 more days to go so I guess it's just okay to post my wishes now lovies, correct?

Nah, I just want to share that I want this and the other book. Will try my luck at the International Book fair tomorrow night :)

I SEE YOU

I am inside the ICU waiting room, I’ve been here for two days already, tonight would be the 3^rd night I’ll be camping here. The first two nights was with my baby but tonight it will just be Will & me minus W. I am anxiously waiting for the neurologist to arrive, we’ve been eagerly waiting for the lumbar tap results. Although Meng is already stable, chattering like her old self, eating and sitting down already we still don’t know the real reason for her seizures and what should be done in order to cure it. We want answers and we’ve been waiting for days now. I know I need to be patient because I can see that my niece is being given the best care possible. But since we’re the party waiting we can’t help but get fidgety. Fingers crossed all the time, I pray that the diagnosis is not too serious.

In less than 15 days I’ll be entering a new age bracket, I’ll be a member of the 31 and above batch. I’ve been trying to take off my mind from the diagnosis that we’re waiting for that is why I decided to read posts & forums and blogs. I came across an article of what you should have known by the time you’re 30. Although I find the list incomplete I have reacted to each one of them so I’m posting them here and giving reasons to things “By 30, you should know”:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself. – I may sound bias but I am proud to say that I am in that state at the moment. I love the in love feeling I am right now, cheesy as it may sound I am blessed that I am madly in love with my baby but I am not obsessed with being in love. I know I don’t make any sense but trust me I am very much enjoying the roses and the thorns.

2. How you feel about having kids. – yes I want one or two but not a lot. I am sure of this that my baby and I actually have to compromise and agree that we would welcome a honeymoon baby (hahaha, did I actually gave this information out?)

3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship. – already did with my first job, yes to this too twice and yes.

4. When to try harder and when to walk away. Yes, in all aspect there is in life

5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next. – hahaha, yes J

6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town. – Lacierda? I know he’s the Press Sec (Clinton for US), Lola Mani? They have a lot sa malls :p

7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to. – I guess I do know how to.

8. How to take control of your own birthday. – Yes, except when friends throw you a surprise one, you can’t stop them.

9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents. Check, but you can definitely improve it.

10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over. – Yes and you can’t help but smile when you remember how crazy it was and cry when you remember how far you’ve accomplished for yourself.

11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love. – Absolutely.

12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long. – Yes, everything has a prize and for every bad decisions you make you will have to pay for it in the end.

13. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally. –Oh yes, 30 years is a long year when spend with different kind of people.

14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault. – But there are times when you can’t help but feel sorry.

15. Why they say life begins at 30. – hahaha, the best days of my life happened while I was 30 so yes yes yes J

Happy birthday to me soon. I look forward to seeing my bestfriend soon too. And my baby, he’ll be back 2 weeks from now.

Cloudy Singapore

yes, I am blogging from cloudy Singapore.

Day 2 of my visit to my bestfriend who's having a big three oh celebration tomorrow. While she's at work and another friend Sophie hitting the zzz's soon I'll be left here roaming the cyberzone with Luchie's still hot from the store MacBook Pro.

SG as always is still the same old busy city, no difference at all from the SG I've been to 3 years ago. The only difference now is that the people seems to be more busier than before. I have never been to NY but I always imagine that it is an exaggerated version of SG.

So here I am tapping the keyboards of Chie's baby, battling the thought of going around Orchard Rd by myself. My first day here already made a big impact on my savings account. Armani was on sale, I couldn't find the courage to stop myself from purchasing a blouse. Cotton Co is also on sale, I loaded up on summer attires not just for myself but for my Jologs friend. And since Rhei is having her big three and 1 up day on Monday, I found her the perfect gift (Rhei if your reading this, yes I did found you a nice gift).

Spending the day indoors seems like a plan since we're going out tonight.

So boys and girls, wag po akong tularan... I am a shopaholic in the making... nahawa ata ako kay Luchie.

Before I say bye bye... let me give the bestest friend in the world the biggest hug, the biggest kiss and the biggest bday greeting. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCHIE!!! I love you sweetie! bestfriends for Life!

Vday Thoughts

Am I suppose to love (or even like for that matter) vday this year cos I am already in a relationship? I have been – for the longest time – an anti-vday advocate. Not just because I was single all those times but because I hate the commercialism that surrounded this day that was supposed to be a grand gesture of honoring St. Valentines.

I am still anti-vday not because I am obligated to give W something, I would still stick to my idealism (hehehe an excuse), that I won’t be part of those who succumbs to Hallmark or gift stores for inventing this holiday. So if in case baby you’re reading this, you’re not getting anything okay?

But wholeheartedly, I am going to greet everyone an advance Happy Vday. Enjoy this day… don’t let this holiday slip without telling your loved ones the way you feel about them. It’s your choice if you want something wrapped to go along with your I Love Yous. Take care boys & girls!

Hello 2010!!!

please be nicer and kinder to us all!

Happy New Year eveyone!

Merry Christmas

to all of you! May you and your families be blessed this season of Love & Joy!

Chaos on FB hehehe, yes my dear friends it's confirmed.

The change in status is for real :)

Enjoy the holidays!

Dina(h) and Dino

Belated happy birthday Dines and happy birthday (today) to Dinercs.

God bless you both :)

photo taken at Omakase (advance celeb dinner for Dinah's day)

Hello 2010

You might think that I am probably very excited for 2009 to end and for 2010 to arrive. I am not and I don’t feel any indifference as well. Let’s just say that I expect 2010 to be here any moment now the same way 6 months of 2009 passed without me noticing it. It was that fast that I didn’t have the time to think analyze and plan at all.

Time flies when you’re having fun so they say and in my opinion time runaway from me. Time is always in a rush and is running all the time. Oh well we can’t do anything about its phase.. but we can always make it worthwhile.

Enjoy the week everyone!

PS: Happy Birthday Dines!!!

Luchie's Birthday

Last week was my bestfriend Luchie’s birthday celeb. Tuesday was the dinner at her place in Marikina where Mark & I had the privileged of enjoying a sumptuous meal prepared by Luchie & her family. Wednesday was the spa treat from Luchie. Sophie, myself and Luchie had a very relaxing afternoon that started with a very heavy meal (buffet at Wensha). Friday was Luchie’s actual nth birthday.Belated HB again sweetie, I hope you’re having a blast being young, pretty and all that. Love yah!

NOBLESSE OBLIGE

I got this really cool award from Daei it is called Noblesse Oblige. I am copying what this citation is all about from Daei’s entry but for the full story here’s the link.

This Award is presented to bloggers who display consistency in any one or a combination of these conditions:

1. The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs.

2. The Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage and offers solutions.

3. There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture and Sciences and Beliefs.

4. The Blog is refreshing and creative.

5. The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.

The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following steps:

1. Create a Post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award.

2. The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post.

3. Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or older Post to support.

4. The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions.

5. The Blogger must display the Award at any location at the Blog.

I started blogging when? Hmmm 3 or 4 years ago? I started this because I was really angry at that time, I need an outlet and oh you know how people say that internet is a powerful tool and you have to use it responsibly? Yeah I was one of those pathetic individuals who took advantage hehehe and I’m glad I did. This piece of page swimming and circling the cyber world became a friend to me. I met other fellow bloggers here and I believe I have received intelligent, interesting (chismax chismax!!!), juicy (chismx pa din!!!), entertaining and helpful information that made me the person that I am today.

My angry “Daria” like way of looking at the world was transformed as my blogging days goes by. There were times when all crazy stuff are written here, when it seems like it is just one of the stupid tabloid sounding (looking) portal or when all that was featured here were a lot of very shallow musings of a bitch. But there are times too when a little sense and care about the world were forcefully plastered to this page.

And the pictures hehehe they’re nice right? The videos, everything stolen from the internet... poems, song lyrics, movie reviews, book reviews – everything! They are pretty awesome sometimes.

With this award, I am thinking of giving my space a name... not just sleepwalker cos’ that’s me but a name that I could use when I’m feeling pathetic and very loser-ly. Like if people will ask what I’m gonna do on a Friday night and of course being the dateless person that I am I’ll just say “I think I’m just gonna go hang out with Abby (read: Anne’s Blog but they don’t know it hahaha)”. Who’s Abby? And I’ll say “Oh you don’t know her, I’ll introduce her to you one of these days”. Hah!... How sad can it be? Hahaha. Or to be more “mysterious” the name should be of a male... Ty (for Tylenol – eases one from a headache), CJ (Cool Journal? Hmmm? Or Sammy (something mine).

I am running out of oxygen in my head so sorry for these craps. I really do sound like a loser, I admit and I surrender!

But hey this poor loser received a NOBLESSE OBLIGE! Beat that!

And I have the authority to throw it back at Daei (thanks dearie for still reading my blog and for bearing with it). The same goes to Monique – thanks for the support hehehe. To Mark Ganter (write a piece about this – puro ka pictures eh!), to Gracious (I think you’re busy, I miss your Bsss, Books, Bags and Broadway info), to Rosey (finally an update!!!) and to everyone in my blogroll. That’s my gratitude speech (of course you have to have one when you receive an award right?).

Para ‘to sa Bayan! Ok that was unnecessary hehehe... God Bless us all!

Christmas Photos with...

Mark, Luchie & Yong....
Our annual Christmas dinner this time di sa Makati, Eastwood naman because Mark still need to go to his work kahit super late na call(center) boy sya in short.
Yong was late but it was okay dahil sinagot nya ang dinner :p

with Yong

di man lang sinentro ni Mark yung tree (with my bestfriend Luchie)

uzi

friends for 16 years!!!

with Mark

Christmas Dinner with the Jologs

It’s the time of the year, sunod sunod na mga get togethers and parties. My Christmas month kicked-off with dinner and clubbing with my college ‘kada. Who said there’s a global economic crisis? Gifts galore that night. Here are some of the pictures:

L-R: Vines, Saree, me, Mommy Redj, Faye, Ziella, Gabs, Gaux & Chona

dameng gifts noh?

well this year we promised we'll open each gifts on Christmas Eve

Flower Collection models! Hehehe paper bags lang yan courtesy of Margaux

Thanks my girls for a fun night! Looking forward to our summer adventure.