Last blog for 2009 - looking back this year..

Happy New Year to all!!

In less than an hour, we will be heading towards another new year, 2010. For most people they usually celebrated it with a big bang, but for some a simple get together would be enough. Obviously right now, I'm home since I was able to blog but I'm looking forward to taking shots of the fireworks & Blue Moon later (if they can be seen from here). Time is running fast and I should keep my courage up in facing another year like the way I did this year. Life may have its own ups and downs and every now and then we encountered some bumps in life but what's there to worry about if God has always given us challenges we can handle, right? So whatever hurdles they may be, face it with your head up high.

Enough said, looking back to the things that happened this year 2009. For the first half of the year, I together with some of my friends have been busy preparing for our board exam. Work + Review Classes definitely is not easy! We have to budget time and money for it, I have go on leave for 2 months to stay in Manila for the drafting class and the exam itself. It's a good thing that I have Jufang and some friends (who's taking the exam), laptop & internet connection plus the malls & churches, 2 months wasn't that long. :) Well the sad part is that when I got home, my account is zero balance. Another hard part was the one month long wait for the result, trust me, as the days goes by you'll think of anything negative about it and blame yourself and so on. But friends always reminded me to think positive and that they're sure I did good, lucky for me they were right! I did it! I'm now a Registered and Licensed Architect, not only me but also Jufang and our friends who took it. Some were uncertain when hearing that the two of us (couple) took it at the same time because according to them when a couple take the board exam together, the other one will always fail. Consider the curse broken since it didn't happen to us on our first take. 

Positive things have been out for me, after the result we got our evaluation in the office. Mine wasn't very high but it's good enough to bring me to my position, I was promoted to Office Manager & Team Leader in our office. Feels great because I know my salary will be adjusted but it comes with a really BIG responsibility, though I love working under pressure I'm not always conditioned to do that since I have some health issues. So for next year, I really need to work better and let them see that they didn't make the wrong choice. ^^, By the way, because of my work I'd get to travel also this year.

As I'm keeping my faith in God strong, I'm keeping my ties strong with my family and friends. Due to board exam, work, financial matters and conflict in schedule, I wasn't able to have time for it that much but at least I tried to make the most of what I got this year. And I'm happy about it, that way I won't have to think and regret the time lost. I also had the courage to buy myself my dream camera (another swipe of the card!), Canon Powershot SX10 IS, call it a gift to myself after passing the board exam. :) Photography will be one thing I will be focusing on next year, I wanted it to be more than a hobby to me. 

Health Conscious? not much for the first half but when we went to Manila we started with the gym & swimming, had oatmeal and cereal too. Then it stopped when we got back around July, luckily with some encouragement by friends & Jufang, this last 2 months of the year we started jogging, back to cereal & oatmeal and I started with the half rice lunch & only fruits for dinner. I need to check my weight later if everything was according to plan.. hehe excuses because it's the holidays will not be entertained! It's a good start and I should continue it next year so I could trim down my weight and slim down.

Another hobby is my Havaianas Collection,  this year I got 42 pairs which is lesser compared to the 60 pairs I got last year. yipee!! But even if I add some pairs that haven't arrived, last year was still way more, I couldn't imagine that's how much I have bought. Anyway, I'm happy with it and hopefully next year there will be more limited edition pairs especially the new world cup series and I plan to buy some more of the bag collection they launched late this year. Shopping has always been a part of me so people should get used to it.. lol 

To sum it all up, I have really been blessed this year. :) I pray we will still have more blessings next year because my life has been good, oh not just good but my life has really been great this year! My relationships with the people, career, health, love, some of my questions have been answered this year also. I'm really thankful for everything that happened this year, whether positive or negative it will surely mold me into a better person. Next year I should be listing down things that happened to me every month to make it sound more interesting and detailed. By the way it's still raining here as my entry will come to an end (It has been raining for hours even before I started blogging), I think that this is one of the first blessing from above to welcome the new year. 

For those who thought things didn't go there way this year, always keep in mind that

there will always be a brighter tomorrow!

So thanks to all who have been with me!

It will be another long year ahead so I bid adieu to 2009 and come on 2010, bring it on! 

Let the year of the tiger begin!

Again, Happy New Year! ^^

Tis the Season to be Jolly!! - gifts, gifts, and more gifts.

Well, the title says it all. Tis the season to be merry and generous because this is the time when we all gather to celebrate Christmas and New Year, and aside from that gift giving is one thing that we always look forward to. I may call myself a hypocrite if I would say that I love give but not receive, of course we love to receive gifts. I could imagine my eyes dazzle with excitement when I know I have a gift, it's true, it makes us happy especially when it comes as a surprise.

Since 2007, we have been celebrating our company's Christmas party in Manila. So for 3 consecutive years I have brought with me cash & cards (must have!), expectations, gifts, presentation preparation, have I mentioned cash?? oh yeah, stated first and I mean lots of it plus a huge bag cause you never know what you might spot going around town. I always go there with my bag half empty then come home with a filled bag and an excess of few hand carried items. Shopaholic - find me guilty! Shopping gives me the pleasure to enjoy every single thing that catches my sight because it would strengthen the way I contemplate on the things I wanted to buy, meaning after all those "more than a minute of staring and consulting if I'm gonna a buy or not" develops my sense of logical thinking - slowly it will mature more. :D

Okay, I'm almost getting off-topic now so back to what I'm trying to say.. Gift giving is really part of our culture despite the fact that we're still facing economic crisis, I really see a lot of people doing early and last minute Christmas shopping. (I also do last minute shopping! hehe) For my own reason, giving gifts makes me feel good because I know it will put a smile on a person's face and makes him/her happy. Not only that but that's one way for me to show them how I truly appreciate them and what they did for me. As much as I wanted to elaborate more, I think this entry is already getting lengthy so I need to stop now. So enough of the chit chat, below are my gifts to family, to my friends, and to myself.. :)

 Gift Bags for everyone

From Left to Right: Aya & Shiela, Mommy, Wally, Uncles & Aunts

Center: Daddy

Dad's Gifts

Mom's Gifts

 

Aya & Shiela's Gifts

Wally's Gifts

Pina's Gifts

 

 Jufang's Gifts

 Food Goodies

Thanks to Aya & Shiela for the Brownies

Thanks to Coco & family for the Pizzarelli

Thanks to Lovely for the Almond & Chocolate Goodies

Thanks to Cris for the De Luxe Chicharon

Thanks to Me :) for the White Wine & Starbucks Frap & Iced Tea

 

Pre-Xmas Gifts to myself

Havaianas Kids Lucky Bug & Tiny Stars

Thanks to Sis Joriza

Gifts I got in Manila (Tvap)

Thanks to SMV - Rudy Project Watch (by far the most expensive I got this year)

Thanks to Tvap for the Jacket - Loyalty Awardee

Thanks to Tvap - Robinsons & SM GCs

Thanks to Monyeen - VS Body Mist

 All the Gifts that I got.

Thanks to the following who have given me these:

Dad - Chuck Taylor Sneakers & Purple Super Girl Tshirt

Mom - Black Teddy

Aya & Shiela - Red Blouse

Jufang - Brown Tshirt

Tvap & SMV - Jacket, Watch

Monyeen - Body Mist

Jen W. - Yellow Bangle

Cristy - Wine Clock

Kimberly - Lesportsac Bag

Me - remaining items which were not mentioned.

(Result of being a shopaholic)

 

 I love my new Chucks!! :)

I'm officially collecting NBA Jerseys

 

Forgot to take a shot of this with the others..
My very own Rayban

To sum it all up, I think I got the most.. hehe This is really the only time that I splurge around and end up with an empty wallet but I don't mind since I know money will find its way back and people whom I'm giving them to also deserves it. So til the next holidays, expect another set of gifts to be posted *hopefully I can give them way better by then.

Christmas Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad

Merry Christmas everyone!! :D

It's that time of the year when I'm excited to prepare a meal for my family. There are times when we dine out and there are times we spend the 25th of December at home, but this time we're celebrating it at home. So me and my mom decided to prepare a simple salad based on the recipe she got from Lady's Choice, we both decided but I do all the work :( but it's ok since it's the holidays. For those who wanted to try the recipe, I will be listing it below.

The recipe:

Ingredients:

700 mL Lady's Choice Mayonnaise

1-1/2 packs Knorr Royal Elbow Macaroni 200g

1-1/2 cups ham, sliced

1-1/2 cups cheese, cubed

3/4 cup tomato, sliced

1/3 cup spring onions, chopped

1-1/2 tbsp lemon or calamansi juice

1-1/2 tsp. sugar

My additional ingredient:

1 apple, sliced and diced

Procedure:

1.  Cook pasta according to packaging directions; drain and rinse with cold water until completely cool.

2. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients with Lady's Choice Mayonnaise except pasta.

 
Sugar, Calamansi and Mayonnaise

All the other ingredients on top..

 

Mixing all of them together

Then add pasta and toss to coat. Season, if desired, with salt and ground black pepper.

Serve chilled or at room temperature.

To update pic of the salad being served, it's currently being chilled inside the ref. It took me around 2 hours and 30 minutes to prepare this, have to divide the macaroni into two to fit our cooking pot then have to do all the slicing of the other ingredients. It was another fun experience, try it and enjoy! :)

Mau's Christmas Wishlist

Lists here and there are all I need right now, many things to do with so little time. This has been long due since Christmas is only 2 days away and I have been preoccupied with important matters. Anyway, this will apply not only for Christmas but also for times when anyone who will be generous enough to give gifts without having any occasion. :D

First off, the things I have been wanting to have but couldn't afford to get yet! Hopefully one by one I will be able to have even if it will reach next year.

1. Nike Monica Standard Quilted Club Women's Bag

 2. Sony Ericsson Satio (IDOU)

3. Nissin DI-466 Power Zoom Speedlite Flash for Canon Powershot SX10 IS

4. Short Course for Canon Powershot SX10 IS Photography Book

5. Pink Suzuki Swift

6. Abercrombie Sweater Sylvia 

 

7. Balenciaga First Officier

8. Bushnell Sky Tour 70mm Refractor Telescope

9. Havaianas Bag

 10. 32 GB Apple Ipod Touch

For now, the items listed above are my top 10. :D I do hope Santa will be able to read my list and send me these.. hehe They're easy to find I think, while stocks last.. 

21 Days before X'mas! - Mau2x's Things to do

Due to being so focused at work, I totally lose track of the days remaining before xmas.. My mind and body both are not functioning too well this past few weeks; been tired lately that's why I need to give in more time to rest. But before that I need to make a list of things to do before and after xmas, probably also the time during the break.

Things to do:
1. Attend the Mason Xmas Party on the 12th - not done! attended a different party
2. Attend Architecture Week Forum & UAP Xmas Party on the 12th - done!
3. Attend family's bdays on the 12th, 14th, 15th, 19th - bdays celebrated on other days! done!
4. Attend Tvap Xmas Party - to verify location and date - done!

5. Must clean closet and other things not used - to give as gifts to others who need it - partly done!
6. Continue jogging and walking during break - 1 week more to go and haven't done this!
7. At least make my entry for the streaming seoul contest - deadline dec. 31, 2009 - don't feel like making.. :(
8. Take shots of all my havies for my album 
9. Clear pending payments when all orders arrived
10. Claim my package at the post office - done!

11. Buy gifts for family and friends - done!
12. Treat family to lunch/dinner on New Year's Eve
13. Have a haircut at bench fix - done! love my new hair!!
14. Finish all work to be done before office takes it xmas break - impossible since we're already on break!
15. Buy gift for myself - see my wishlist!
16. Watch tv series that I got from Manila - slowly series by series
17. To go to church to attend mass
18. Write more blogs! - currently trying to!
19. Go back to Unionbank to process replacement of my eon card - have to wait 2-3 weeks for my new card.. :(

20. Have a stress-free break 

... to be continued

I'm sure there are some things that I forgot to mention here but I will surely update my list from time to time. Next in line will be my wishlist, watch out for it! =) ciao!