My First US Christmas

Christmas has just been over. My first taste of Christmas in the States was good but not as fun if I had spent it in the Philippines. Nothing beats the Paskong Pinoy which is much more colorful and festive. I missed listening to children singing carols at our house in exchange of a peso or two, looking at those brightly lit colorful Christmas lanterns or parol hanging almost everywhere, the noise of firecrackers and fireworks that normally becomes a roar at new year's eve, the Christmas songs you can hear on radio as early as September, the series of Christmas parties in the office, my family and relatives who I see only during holidays, and of course how can I forget the food...glorious food. Ang walang kamatayang spaghetti, pansit, biko, buko and fruit salad, maja, litson at marami pang iba. Naku ayan...I'm beginning to drool na.

Like I said my first Christmas in the States was good but celebrated differently. I guess it's just one of those changes in my life when I chose to live away from my country that I must learn to happily accept.

We had a party in our house on the 24th. It was almost like everyone came for the noche buena and that made me feel like home a little bit. The next day, a quiet Christmas dinner was shared by just the four of us --Dean, me and the kids. Sans the party noise, it was a perfect moment for us to reflect on the real essence of Christmas. It's all about Jesus. GOD gave us His only son, the most precious gift of all and it's for us to accept Him as our Lord and Savior or not.

Here are some Christmas pictures I wanna share...

Our Christmas tree and the tons of presents underneath and around it. The tree was simply adorned with garlands, lights, ornaments and the Christmas cards we received from friends and relatives.

Dec 24 - We had karaoke which was enjoyed by everybody who wanted to monopolize all the singing but Scott, Andrew, Marielle, Abby and Racheal managed to share the mike.

The very thing everyone especially the kids was waiting for -- the unwrapping of presents.

Marielle got what she wished for, a password journal.

Dec 25 - our Christmas dinner. I made deviled eggs, baked chicken, beef roast, biko and cassava cake.

Marc, Dean and Marielle.

Marc and yours trulili, Au.

And since it's 6 hours before the NEW YEAR 2006 as I'm about to publish this post, please join me in my countdown ... 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 ...

May you all have a blessed one!

Christmas Rush

Exactly 4 days before Christmas as of this writing. I'm pretty sure everyone's busy preparing
for the big day. Some may have started wrapping up presents for their loved ones or shopping late like us and getting caught in the Christmas rush.

We hit the mall last Saturday and seeing it packed for the first time was a big surprise to me. Suddenly I felt like I was in Ayala Mall which is constantly, and I mean everyday/night, full of people. Pinoys just love to go malling whether they're there to shop, dine, stroll around or go "eye-balling" with their textmates. The malls seem to be one of Filipinos' favorite hang-outs. Mababaw talaga ang kaligayan ng mga Pinoy. Kahit walang pera basta makapasyal lang at makapagpalamig sa mga air-conditioned malls ay okay na. I admit I used to be a fixture particularly in Glorietta movie theatres where I would watch a movie every weekend! Those days are gone, sniff...sniff...sniff.

Anyway, I started gift-wrapping today and finished twenty of them. I think I'm down to 15 more. Believe me, this job is not fun at all. Dean believes Christmas is for children so we bought tons of presents for Marielle and Marc. Now that the kids see their presents underneath the tree they cant wait for Christmas to come so they can open them up.

We went to the mall one last time today to buy more gift items. I finally got Dean something -- a king size nice and warm blanket. I think I know what he got for me ... but I'm not telling :) Then just as we were coming out the mall we saw this "Photo-opp with Santa" thing. Since Dean wants my kids' first Christmas in the States truly memorable he let them have a picture with Santa. Too bad I didnt get the chance to ask him how his trip was from the North Pole.

Before I go may I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Remember JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON. God bless you all!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Photos Talking

Wow, it's been over a month since my last post. Moving in our new house has taken so much of my time and energy that I could hardly get online and update my blog. I cant believe that until today I'm still busy unpacking and trying to get things in order. This task is taking forever! I get frustrated just by looking at those boxes and the mess while figuring out which things go to where. Grrrrrr! My only consolation is seeing things coming together though slowly. I know that soon enough our house will be nicer and homier.

Lately I've been getting emails from concerned people asking why I've never updated my blog for ages now. So I decided to really make time to do this. A lot of things happened since I last tinkered with my blog. I want to write them all down and make at least 5 or 6 chapters but I doubt if my readers have enough time for that. So..."if a picture paints a thousand words then why "...dont I just post some photos here and let them tell you how I've been or what I've been up to for the last many days.


My first Thanksgiving in USA. I didnt make the turkey but at least I helped by taking out the turkey juices which they used to make the gravy.







Dean and Rachel -- they were the people behind the delectable turkey that everyone feasted on during dinner. I tried to take a photo of the cooked turkey but Dean hurriedly cut it up.








Marielle joined the Christmas kiddie pageant. She didnt win but she got a tiara which was enough to put a smile on her face.











I did Marielle's hair and make-up. We couldnt just waste 30 dollars to have it done in a beauty salon. I did a pretty good job though, dont you think?










November 25, 2005 - One day after Thanksgiving Day Dean got the saddest news of his life from his sister in Corning, NY. His mom, Mary Shepard, 84 yrs. old passed away. Two weeks before that she fell off her bed and broke her hip. She underwent a hip surgery which went well but other health complications happened. I've always loved this photo of hers. You can easily say she was so beautiful in her budding years.








No one really knows when GOD would take our lives back. I'm just happy that I got to meet and know my late mom-in-law when we visited with her last September. This was taken at Denny's in Corning, NY.







At the cemetery with Dean's sisters, Bev and Pat and other members of the family.











The cemetery looks even more depressing on winter time. Dean and I went there one last time to see his parents' tombstones before heading back to Rochester.








We had the chance to see Larry and Tess again, this time at Outback in Rochester, NY. Babyback ribs for the Tippetts and steaks for the Shepards.









Tess and I saying cheese despite the freezing cold.










Our last day in NY. I was happy to witness a snowfall before going back home in the sunshine state of Florida.








Got more pics for you in my next post. Advance Merry Christmas to you all!