garden of my life

Yesterday I turned a year older, age: forty something ($?). Thanks to all who greeted me thru email, text and call. It surely is heartwarming to be remembered. But like the past years, I opted to made no fuss about it and spend the day like an ordinary day. I was just at home doing my daily chores. But hub insisted when he called that I and my son dine in a restaurant of our choice. So when my son got home from school, off we went to Dencio’s. And we filled-up our stomach with these;

After the early dinner, we shopped for my son’s slippers and something for the living room. After which, we attended the 6:30-7:30 p.m. mass at our Parish. And just before we went home we bought a black forest cake to cap our little celebration.

Happy? Not quite. But I am grateful for everything. And I trust things will turn out just fine for my family and E clan in God’s perfect time. So I wish myself one more time…Happy Birthday!

I so love chocolates I can finish a big bar of it in a few minutes, the same goes with my son. In other words, matakaw kami sa chocolates, hehe. So when I learned yesterday that my neighbor would be shopping at Duty free, I requested her to buy some for us- may bayad, of course. Here I want to share it with you folks, have a bite. By the way, hubby said it would be his Valentines’ gift for us already (hehehe, ang daya! pero pwede na). Thanks a lot . Happy Valentine’s day to you. Though we are miles apart, you are always here in our hearts. Your son and I would like to tell you that we love you and we are thankful for all the things you have done for us. God bless us always.

How was your holidays? Sure, most of you were so busy then and have had a wonderful Christmas/new year celebration with your loved ones/family. Ours though was not grand. In fact, on Christmas eve I did not prepare anything at all except for the buko salad which I made a day earlier. Why? because my son requested me to just bought a bucket meal from KFC as our noche buena. And since I was still then under the spell of Christmas blues, and was not in the mood for cooking, I agreed. Yes, for the past three Christmases that hubby is away due to work, our celebration for the holidays is not that so elaborate. And though I know that the focus of the celebration is not us but the LORD, I can not help but be emotional on Christmas eve. Celebrating Christmas apart from our loved ones is no fun. Indeed, the sacrifices we have to endure to fulfill our simple dreams…

As for the new year, I got to prepare the foods that my son requested . I also bought a black forest cake as our dessert . And to keep the tradition, I bought 12 kinds of fruits for prosperity here are some; I made some effort to keep the ‘atmosphere’ festive for my son, to start the year right. It was good that hubby was at their main office so we were able to chat an hour before we bid 2008 goodbye. Somehow, it made the three of us happy as we able to talk and greet each other on new year’s eve. Thanks God for He made it possible.

So that was it, our simple celebration. And with a GRATEFUL and HOPEFUL hearts, my family WELCOME 2009.

A blessed Christmas to everyone. May the spirit of the season fill our hearts with true gladness. Count not what is missing, but rather appreciate and value what God has given us. Let us give thanks by sharing in our own little way. I’m sending you these flowers from my  little garden to your home for peace, love and prosperity. Merry Christmas!

Dec 16, marks the first day of simbang gabi and I was happy I was able to attend the mass with sis. The church was jampacked with church goers, it’s just good that we came earlier cause there were still a vacant pew. After the mass, we hoped to buy some puto-bumbong or bibingka but ended up eating pancakes at Jbee instead. Paano naman kasi, sa dami nang namili naubusan na yong nagtitinda. Sorry to us, better luck next time. Here’s the pic of simbang gabi in our parish:

And speaking of simbang gabi, few more days and it’s Christmas. So I would like to greet you in advance a very Merry Christmas. God bless everyone.

On December 8, my hometown

and the place where I am settled now will be celebrating its fiesta in honor of our dear patron Immaculate Conception. Three of my siblings went home already to attend the celebration as well as to visit my parents and other siblings. And thinking of fiesta, I can’t help but recall my younger days, the parades, the “rita-rita’ of the local band, the “baile” , my friends in the province and the seemed endless piles of dishes I got to wash/clean (waaa… hugasan na walang humpay sa dami ng bisita) during fiesta. Feeling nostalgic ang drama, hehe.

Anyway, my cousin/friend texted me awhile ago asking if am I gonna be home to attend the celebration. Nice sana. But with my responsibilities, it is not possible. I am not complaining though cause God is good and I know someday soon, I and my family could soon visit my hometown and attend the town fiesta celebration again. So like the previous (20 ?) years. I will celebrate the occassion by attending the mass here in my current addy instead.

So for now, let me just greet my townmates a happy fiesta . May God bless us and our beloved hometown. Mama Mary , the Immaculate Conception, please keep us always under your mantle protection.

Happy Fiesta!