Home sweet home for Christmas

It was a grand old reunion again for the family. Mom, dad, thirteen children, four in-laws, and eight grandchildren (should have been nine, but Magno wasn't allowed to come home by his school, boo!) were home for Christmas.

Here are some photos from our Christmas Eve celebration.

* There are more photos but I don't want to place them all here. You may check out my multiply site instead: http://beaguidote.multiply.com/photos/album/15/2007_Christmas . *

I hope everyone had a merry Christmas! Happy New Year Everyone! Cheers!

Mom with some of the grandchildren: Martina, Lyza, Yogie, Bookie and Fiona.

Jay and I had a color-coordinated Christmas :)

Dad humored us by putting on some antlers while giving out our Christmas presents.

Mack and Me. She's expecting another little girl by March next year!

Reindeer Bea and Bookie. Those darn things kept falling off!

More reindeer. Who's the fairest of us all? :)

Me and my honey, who is inexplicably hiding behind my antlers.

Christmas Dinner with my EU friends

Here are some photos from the Christmas Dinner with my EU friends.

The new Greenbelt is so nice, isn't it?

Fish Out of Water

I was Andrea's date for the night as Macky was busy :)

Engaged couple number one: Sandro and Sheng. Where's baby Sachi?

Engaged couple number two: Albert and Tanya -- ten years and counting 'til forever.

Engaged person number three: Parej was flying solo that night but he and Pam are sure to get hitched next year!

Engaged couple number four: I will miss Janice and RJ when they move to Japan :(

That's me with Jay. Just happy to be together :)

Me again. Thanks to Sandro for the photos!

The week before Christmas

I watched Avenue Q last Tuesday, and as expected, I enjoyed it a lot. The storyline was great, the cast was perfect, and those puppets were just downright funny :)

What I didn't expect was Rachel Alejandro's performance. I mean, I know she's this popular singer and all, but I've never really heard or seen her in theater. But man, she's good! I think I am now a fan.

I'm so glad I didn't miss the show. I almost did! I lost my wallet just the day before and the tickets were in it. But thanks to Rica and her cousin, that didn't matter too much. Jay and I were still able to get in. Thanks Rix!

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Speaking of my wallet, it seems that some guys found it. But now they don't seem to want to give it back. WTF??? I mean, they were the first to get in touch with my brother. And now suddenly they don't want to talk to me? What is wrong with these people??? Argh!

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But lost, and now captive, wallet aside, my week has been great. Meeting up with friends, shopping, wrapping presents, all great.

Dinner with college friends was quiet and intimate. It was a good time to celebrate. We were just ten, and the four couples present just all got engaged, to be married next year! Whew!

Dinner with high school friends was loud and fun. We all hadn't seen each other in years! It was great seeing everyone. We all had a good laugh about times past. I hope we'll be able to keep in touch and get together every so often.

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*sigh. I can't wait for Christmas! We're driving south late tonight, and this time tomorrow I should be home. Home sweet home. Yipee yay!

She's so lucky, she's a star...

La la la.

I feel lucky today.

Just as I stepped out of the cab this morning, the song My Heart Will Go On started to play on the radio. Whew! Talk about a narrow escape. I haven't heard that song in years but I am still so sick of it.

Although I will cop to liking it at one point -- probably one of the most deranged moments of my life, hahaha.

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Yesterday I was reading Jane's blog. Her latest topic was Gabriel Marquez' One Hundred Years of Solitude -- how she had gotten a copy of that book only because it was the "in" read at that time, and that she hasn't been able to go beyond five pages of that book, and has no more plans of going further.

I had to laugh out loud with her experience with that book. Maybe because I've read it (and actually liked it, although it really took me quite some time to finish it), or maybe because I can relate to having been influenced by the people around me and just going with the flow.

Now here I shall insert my second excuse for having liked that song from Titanic -- I was just going with the flow! :P

And back to Jane's blog. I think that aside from describing her unsuccessful attempt to read that novel, what she really wanted to say was how important it is to trust your own opinion and not let others make it for you. I agree wholeheartedly. Err, don't worry, I'm not going to expound on that. I agree, that's all. :)

I guess I'm just bringing this up because it's always delight to read her blog. She's one of the funniest and frankest people I know. Jane, if you ever read this, we miss you! (*hint, we'd love to see you at the EU dinner on Monday!)

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Today I learned that my blog has now two fans. Yipee! There's my brother Dohep who just read my entire blog today. Then there's Karen who declared herself a fan of my blog a long time ago. Thanks you two! You make me feel like a star! Hahaha.

Oo, mababaw kaligayan ko.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Oooh. Brrr. I'm just loving the cold weather and feeling the Christmas vibe!

Walked home to Jay's place from Rockwell last night. The combination of cool breeze and bright sparkling lights just makes me happy. Warm, content, peaceful. HAPPY.

Can't wait to do my Christmas shopping -- scheduled for next week, yey!

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I'm also set to watch Avenue Q next week. Heard it's really funny. Can't wait. It's going to be one busy week for me!

Also next week, EU Christmas get together at the new Greenbelt, we're trying out Fish Out of Water. Hope it's good. But I'm more excited to meet up with everyone. So many things are happening to everyone! We have a new baby in the block, there's saying goodbye and good luck to Deux, and then several engagements to announce and weddings to plan. I'm sure there's more. Another year gone. Aaahh, we're growing up!

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We're driving home to Legaspi on the 22nd -- Mario, Chona, Jay and I. It'll be another of those long, long drives but I'm excited. It's always good to go home.

We have a new addition to the already huge family this year (baby Alfonso!) and another one on the way (c/o Mack). Ever expanding brood! Maybe I should contribute as well? Hahaha. Kidding. (My Europe plans are way more important!)

*sigh. I can't wait to see everyone! Especially my little nephews and nieces! I'm excited to give them these delightful lighted lollipops I found in Toy Kingdom, hehehe :)

We will be missing one person though. Magno is studying in Singapore and he's not allowed to come home for Christmas, boo. But he will be spending the holidays with Karen and her flatmates. That should keep him from missing home too much. I hope! Thanks again Kar!

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Today I am sending my application for a Master's Degree in Euroculture off to the Netherlands. Finally, finally. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Thanks to those who helped me: Enrico, Dopey and Mom for helping me with my personal statement; Tuesday for answering all my questions; Karen who should be going to Europe next year as well; Janice, Andrea, and Sarah for encouraging me to do this; Ms. Gracie for the great reference letter; and Jay for getting my papers notarized for one, but more importantly for understanding that I have to do this. Accepted or not, I'll be always grateful for the support!