They say there’s no Christmas celebration as grand and as looong as that of those celebrated in the Philippines.  Here’s what I miss most of Christmas in Pinas:

1.  Christmas spirit is already felt as early as “ber” months

2.  The endless Christmas parties.  There are post Christmas parties even on January

3.  The lechon

4.  The Christmas presentation of our church every Dec. 24th evening ofwhich I was usually part of

5.  Our ‘Friendships”  Christmas party

6.  Giving gifts  – I really love giving gifts, more than receiving, in fact.  I just love  hunting for the best gifts you can afford (hehe). 

7.  Christmas carolings (even if sometimes I get tired of it when the carolers frequent our house night after night)

8.  Receiving and opening gifts.  Heaven!

9.  Mom’s homemade spaghetti and lumpia

10.  Dad’s Granddaddy’s Fried Chicken

I could go on and on, but know what I miss most about Christmas?  It’s the freedom of being able to greet people with ”Merry Christmas”  without being restricted to just “Happy Holidays!” just to be sure you don’t offend them. Yes, when I was still in the Philippines I never thought about this.  For me Christmas is Christmas.  Christmas is celebrated because of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.   That’s why it warms my heart whenever I receive Christmas cards from people with the words “Merry Christmas”  on them.   It just means this person still believes in Christmas.

Last Friday, our department held a meeting to discuss our upcoming Christmas party, and I was very sad when somebody said “Christmas Party” and another person corrected her for saying it and saying it should be “Holiday Party”.  Yes,  that’s how it is here in the US.  US is no longer what it used to be.  It is no  longer a nation of Christians.  I don’t know the statistics, but to be honest, I see very few Christians here.  Ok, I know I should have said something, but I am actually a newbie here, I just got promoted and it’s just my third week in this new department.  It was the first time I atteded their meeting and I barely knew these people.  So, I just sat there in silence while they discuss the details. 

After the meeting, I pondered about what happened at my desk.  I was holding back my tears because I felt so sad and so sorry for Jesus.  He is the reason why Christmas is being celebrated.  Now, people use his birthday and turned it into a holiday they prefer, leaving him, the real birthday celebrant out of the picture.  Christmas tree is now renamed as “Holiday Tree”.  Everyone is into respecting all beliefs. 

I remembered the Bible predicted that there will be godlessness in the last days.  People will do whatever is right in their own eyes.  Drugs, sex, gay marriages, divorce, etc.   No wonder America is going downhill.  I think the glory is no longer in America today.  US has lost it’s very foundation.  It’s sad to see this nation falling apart.  God is no longer the God in US.   My fear is that one day, God will turn His back from US the way He did with Sodom and Gomorrah.

I’ve been looking for an eyeliner that can compare to my favorite MAC Technakohl, and I found a cheaper version that does not cost an arm and a leg, but definitely delivers.  It’s Maybelline Unstoppable.  It costs around $6 and it doesn’t smudge, is rich in texture, waterproof and glides on easily too.  It’s definitely a thumbs up for me. 

Speaking of thumbs up, Here’s another thumbs up product for me.  During my last visit to the doctor, she told me to always wear lotion with at least SPF 15 daily.  I have no problem with my face since there are tons of moisturizers or even foundations/powder out there that comes with SPF 15 or more.  Body lotions with SPF  15 or more are scarce.  In the Philippines, I think they have quite a few with SPF and whitening ingredients combined.  Here in US, I recently came across with Aveeno Lotion with SPF 15.  I have been using the original Aveeno lotion for more than a year now, and it was a pleasant surprise to see they’ve come up with one containing SPF 15.  It has a different consistency than the origInal Aveeno though, perhaps due to it’s added SPF ingredient.  My husband still prefers the original one without SPF, but I told him we have to have the SPF. We have to protect ourselves from the damaging properties of the sun such as age spots and worse, skin cancer. 

Another of my latest discovery is Secret Extra Clinical Strength.  With this, underarm wetness is now a thing of the past.  I swear by it.

Stay tuned for more of my latest beauty discoveries.

Today is my last day here in Facilities.  By Monday, Oct. 6, I wil be transferring to Human Resources Dept.  I passed the exam for a step higher than my current position, so this is a promotion for me.  I thank the Lord for this opportunity He’s given me.  This promotion was totally unexpected.  I had actually forgotten about this exam I took.  I thought thel ist had already expired, but I just received a call one day for this position, and it took me by surprise.  Indeed, the Lord works in mysterious ways. 

It’s sad to leave my colleagues here in Facilities.  They were like my second family ‘coz when I was pregnant until I gave birth, they were very supportive of me.  I will still be seeing them though.  They are just five floors aways from me.  I will have to adjust to new people again.  I pray that God will give me strength and wisdom in my new position.  It’s a totally new world for me there since i will be dealing with HR stuff and less on financials which i’m used to doing.  THat’s life.  We have to learn to get out of our comfort zones if we want to succeed.

Today, my sister Marj turns a year older and wiser.  This year has been full of challenges for her in most aspects of her life.  She’s made mistakes, picked up pieces from her life, learned new things, traveled to new places, set new goals, lost a friend, made some new ones, kept a few good ones.  It has been another year of journey for her.  Allow me to cheer her up on her birthday not by usual testimonials (I already made her one in her friendshter account, anyway), but by relishing excerpts of our memories together as sisters.  I’m not sure if she remembers all of these, but to me these were some of our bonding moments.

- we used to check out our encyclopedias when we were little and checks out the dogs, the fruits, the flowers, and we compete on who chooses the best dogs, fruits or flowers first

- remember the “witch”  book kept in our cabinet?  (it was actually “anay”)

- having buloy play super mario, pacman, donkeykong and 1942 and teach us secrets to our nintendo family computer

- playing battle city, and i would do most of the hiding while you go and attack the enemies (hehe)

- watching me act with my imaginary loveteam “ian veneracion”  haha!

- marj attempting to say tagalog to our new neighbors, saying “plinge” instead of “pahingi”

- one of our dolls was named “pipi”

- popeye game and watch

- rambo, bambi, prince and rafraf

- prince peeing in your face bwahahaha

- pink rubber shoes i bought you form hongkong (wasn’t it cute?)

- the best shoes i ever gave you and the most expensive one too – Benetton shoes – bought it during our class
  field trip to Manila.  At that time it costs around $1,700.  I was so proud of my purchase.  you wore it a lot during
  your college days

- hmmm…harold and jan-jan?  our childhood crushes

- mom and I accompanied you to NEC on your first day and you cried when we were leaving. 

- at an NEC interview,  I prayed with you before your interview

- you let me borrow your pink korean jacket with fur, purple turtleneck shirt and hat which I used for the Christmas show in church. 
  Boy, was i proud!

- “I want you, you and you to vote for me and my party….”  ahem!  I’m guilty of this

- I composed you a jingle which you taught to your classmates which won in that contest you participated in

- Ryan’s poopoo which you covered with tissue paper till we find a parking spot

- Coming To America, Never-Ending Story, Inday Bote were some of our favorite films

- Sweet Valeey High and Babysitter’s Club – Karen’s Haircut – we both loved these books

- our identical Giordano wallets from Auntie Jesse (yours in burgundy red, mine in khaki – i liked mine better =p)

- you cried on your way to Nice’s car before we parted ways, a day before I left for US

- the daring blouse you chose as a gift for your birthday, the day before i left for US

- Santa Monica, Bubba Gump, Universal Studios, Hollywood

- Angging Diding, Klemy (Mimi) our unforgettable helpers hahaha

- “Because of the gravity of the earth” – Angging’s favorite expression

- the kanebo foundation you gave me as pasalubong from japan

- spaghetti, Granddaddy’s fried chicken, fruit salad, blueberry cheesecake, lechon, etc during New Year’s Eve

- our love for 60’s and 80’s music

- Hershey’s Symphony – yum!  Godiva choclate and See’s candies.  You asked a lot of samples at the counter – pirdi
  nato ang See’s sa kadamo mo nga sample haha

- Going to Tagum for vacation and watching betamax tapes with our cousins in their waterbed

And the list goes on…perhaps you can add to my list, birthday girl. 

To Marj, Happy Birthday! “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps. 37:4).
Miss you and love you!

Disappointments.  I’ve had a string of them these past few weeks.  Disappointments in the workplace, home, etc.  I’ve recently experienced disappointment in our workplace.  I’ve witnessed unethical practices which made me feel both angry and sad.  In the past, I thought if you pass the exams, work hard, you’ll do well.  But, I now realized there’s a lot more to that.  Sometimes you pass the exam, your exam ranking makes you reachable for the position, but the position has already been promised to someone who is not reachable for the position yet.  What’s worse, is the sneaky tactics people do behind the scenes such as requesting you to make yourself unavailable for the position, so they could promote this other person whose ranking in the exam is lower than you and is not yet reachable for the position.  I just felt sad that God allows people like these to succeed.

Another disappointment is our plan to buy our own house.  We have been actively searching for a house, but couldn’t seem to close a good deal, or even find a suitable one.  I feel disappointed each time I find a house I like, and negotiations for it would fail to materialize.  We’ve prayed about this, and perhaps it is really not God’s will yet for us to own a house yet.

I pondered over these two major disappointments I have had these past few weeks, and I remembered God’s word which says: “Why so downcast o my soul, put your hope in God.”  Yes, why should I let these things affect me?  God is in control no matter what.  I realized that instead of thinking ill of those  who got their promotion at other people’s expense, I should just thank God that I still have a job despite the bad economy.  I realized there are so many people out there who lost their jobs,
and it would be selfish to gripe over failed promotions.  God sees everything.  He is in control.  Maybe it’s not yet time. Maybe He has better plans.  Whatever the reason, I am grateful for the blessing of having a good job.

I also realized that there’s no hurry to buying a home.  My husband and I prayed about this, and if things do not materialize, we should be prepared to accept that it is not God’s will yet.  My husband is not as anxious of this as I am. He believes home prices will continue to go down.  I realized he’s right.  There was this house we offered for $350,000, and all we asked was an $8,000 discount for the repairs needed in the house.  We got so frustrated because the other agent was giving us the run-around and the deal went pffft from there.  Now, we saw the same house being sold and the price went down from $350,000 to $320,000.  In just one month, the price went down to $30,000!  Now, we’re having our last laugh. God knows best. 

I thought to myself over the weekend and realized that instead of being sad of not owning a home yet, I should just be thankful that I’m not among those facing home foreclosures or facing mortgage woes caused by  this recent housing slump in US. 

I feel much better now.  I realized it’s all about giving thanks to our Jehovah-Jireh, our Great Provider.  I may not understand why, but one thing I am sure of…God is in control.

I am bored.  Yes, I am bored with my lipcolor.  I need change.  I’ve been living in my tinted lip balms and lip glosses for the last several  years. I feel it’s time to update my look. I mentioned in my past blogs that I am not a lipstick person.  My daily lipwear choice would either be my Kiehl’s tinted lip balm or my Lancome juicy tubes lip glosses.  However, while browsing thru most fashion magazines for fall season, I realized it’s about time to rediscover lipstick. 

I read from various fashion magazines that a nice lipstick in a flattering shade can instantly bring oomph to your look.  I’ve alwaysbeen a fan of neutral shades.  I have always relied on shades of  pink, coral and berry-pink for my everyday lipwear.  Occasionally, I would go for a richer and bolder shade, but the most I would ever venture is brown-red hues.  You will never catch me wearing bright red
lipstick.  I don’t think I could put it off.  Up to this day, no matter how tempting it is, I have yet to find courage to actually usea bright red lipstick. 

Last Friday, I finally decided to get myself a brand new lipstick in a shade I’ve never tried on before.  I was mulling over MAC Viva Glam VI or Del Rio.  Both are in the brown-red hue category.  Viva Glam is more lustrous in texture, while Del Rio is richer in shade and a cross between satin and matte-like feel.  Since I wanted a shade that will add instant drama to my boring look, I decided to get
the Del Rio shade. I would have wanted to check out more lipstick shades and other make up lines, but it’s impossible to do that with my baby in tow.  Ryan was getting restless and was attempting to touch the make up counters and anything he can get his hands on.  So, I quickly paid for the lipstcik and headed home. 

The following day, I needed to do an errand, and there’s no time to fix my face.  I didn’t want to go out like someone who just stepped out of the shower and headed straight to the door.  Good thing I have my new Mac Del Rio lipstick.  Its flattering rich brown-red shade was enough to polish my whole look.  I didn’t have time to do the other make up stuff and my MAC lipstick saved the day.  You can go barefaced wearing only this lipstick and you’ll look like you’re fully made up.  What they say in those magazines are definitely true that a bold lipstick can instantly add drama and confidence
to your look.

We were classmates in college.  We did not become instant friends.  We used to be part of different barkadas during the first semester of our freshman year.  Then, we both became members of Masskara Theater Enesemble.  We hit it off right away.  It was also there that we became friends with Tricia.  That’s how our “friendships” group started.  There were actually more than ten of us in our group. As with any other group, each one had her own “BFF (best friend forever)” in the group.  For me, that was “Lynn”. 

We had a lot in common.  We were both diligent in our studies, we both love to eat, laugh, indulge in showbiz gossips, we both love acting, we love to sing, the list goes on.  We were inseparable in college and even when we were already working.  She was my partner in crime.  We are both kikay, so our weekends would be spent watching movies, window shopping, dining out at Shakey’, Chowking, KFC, etc.  Sometimes we go to the salon together to have our nails done.  There was never a dull moment with her. I remembered she used to sleep over at my house, and we would have this korean drama series marathon.  We would watch korean series till the wee hours of the morning. 

She is one person who really values friendship.  She’s loyal and dependable.  She’s been through a lot in life and being with her keeps me grounded.  What I love about her is she can still find humor even in her most trying situations.  She may look shy and silent, but actually she’s the complete opposite when she’s with people she’s comfortable with.  Her personality is more low-key though.  That’s why she was the perfect complement for me and another good friend of ours, Noreen.  As Lynn would constantly remind me of a comment she got from a former theater co-member,  she’s what you would call a perfect supporting actress.  That’s how she is in real life.  She’s a supportive friend, cousin, daughter, niece rolled into one.  She fits the role to a T. 

We would comfort each other in our aches and pains.  We would laugh together at our silliness.  From college crushes, college heartaches, adult life heartaches, disappointments, opportunities, and in almost everything, we were there for each other.  I was her shoulder to cry on during those heartbreaks.  She was my ever supportive friend when it comes to my lovelife.  I need not elaborate, but I made her promise not to tell anyone at that time about my “lovelife” until I was ready and decided.   As corny as it may sound, she was the wind beneath my wings.

I can never forget our trip to Manila together.  I’m glad we did it, ‘coz it turned out to be our last because months after I had to leave for the US.  Even when I left for US, we never stopped communicating.  I always prayed for her the same way I would pray for my sister.  I always prayed  for her happiness.  I’m so happy to hear that she is finally pursuing her dreams in Canada.  She’s leaving soon, and I’m writing this as a send off to a person as warm and wonderful as her. 

To my friend, Lynn, may this be a beautiful new journey for you.  May God be with you as you unfold a new chapter in  your life.  May you be filled with courage and strength as you face new challenges in life.  May you find joy and blessing in every opportunity that comes your way.  I miss you, friend, but hey, we’ll see each other soon, if not in Canada, then here in California.

I am not really a bag fanatic. I mean, my friends would find that hard to believe because I did own a lot when I was  still in Bacolod.  Truth is, I seldom buy bags.  Believe me, most of my bags were either hand-me-downs from my cousin, gifts from friends, a few I bought for myself, but I’ve never spent more than 1,500 pesos for a bag alone.  I always thought why spend several thousands on a designer bag, when it’s so much fun having a lot of non-expensive ones to match your outfit?

My cousin, Kathy was among those addicted to signature bags, well not just bags, but anything signature.  For her everything has to be branded.  Back in Bacolod, she exposed me to various labels I’ve probably heard of, but never really cared about.  For a time, she was crazy about Coach bags which I thought was super-duper expensive.  I couldn’t imagine buying a 10,000 pesos bag!  Last I heard, she got herself a Louis Vuitton.

In the past I used to wonder why people would spend on a signature bag.  I see people here in the workplace wearing Coach handbags.  I see a lot of Asians going crazy over Louis vuitton and Gucci.  Whenever i go the mall, I never check out bags that much.  I never even go inside the Coach boutique.  I’ve never been inside a Louis Vuitton or Gucci store because I’m intimidated.  I can just imagine the store reps looking down on me the way they did to Julia Roberts’character in Pretty  Woman.  
 

Before I left for US, I held a garage sale for my friends.  I sold most of my clothes, shoes and bags because I wouldn’t be able to bring them all to US with me.  It was sad for me to see some of my nice bags go.  Some had been with me for several years, they still look brand new because I don’t use them on a daily basis. Those unsold, my mom probably gave it to others.  I just brought two bags with me when I migrated to US.  One is my Girbaud black bag and the other is my XOXO beige and pink bag. 

Over the course of three years, I’ve accumulated a few bags that are “branded”, but not in the designer league such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Burberry, Coach, etc.  I’m just talking about bags that are branded such as Gap, Old NAvy, Mossimo, Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren etc.  I was happy with these bags I had.  Although, I noticed that after I gave birth, I no longer had the time and energy to switch bags to match my outfit and mood. I looked at my old Girbaud and XOXO bags and couldn’t believe I used these bags before.  They have become too small that I can’t seem to fit anything anymore.  I guess, I carry more stuff now than I did when I was not yet a mom.  My favorite Banana Republic bag fits all my stuff, so it became my offical office and weekend bag.  I didn’t care if it was brown and that I am wearing black shoes and black slacks at the office most of the time.  I just didn’t care because the time I would normally spend changing bags have been consumed by changing diapers.

I realized I needed to buy an everyday black office bag. I needed a not so expensive one because it will only be for daily office use, anyway.  No one will really notice it ‘coz once I get to the office, I stash it in my drawer and wear it when it’s time to go home again.  I bought a Mossimo black bag that is just perfect.  I decided my brown Banana Republic bag will just have to be used during weekends until…

I have a confession to make.  I’m guilty.  Yes, guilty of breaking my silent vow in the past that I would never splurge on an expensive designer bag.  It all started when Daniel’s cousin was here for a visit.  She’s crazy about designer bags too.  She’s got herself an LV, a Burberry, Coach and her latest splurge on her most recent visit was a Gucci Pelham bag which costs $1,445!  My husband acconmpanied her to the BeverlyCenter to check out designer bags.  We were actually amused that she is this crazy about designer bags.  I used to toy with the idea of buying a Coach bag for myself or have my husband buy it for me as a gift.  My husband’s cousin was coaxing my husband to buy me one.  I don’t know what happened but suddenly my husband became open to the idea of buying me an expensive bag.  He said i can have one as a gift for our third wedding anniversary and my birthday.  We initially agreed on a Coach bag which costs around $300.  I guess due to his exposure to his cousin’s bag shopping, he told me if i promise him I will not buy bags for a long time, he’ll agree on a Burberry, Louis Vuitton or Gucci.  I thought about it and said why not?  I am no longer fond of switching bags to match my outfit anyway.  Now, that I’m a mother, my concern is less on fashion, more on practicality. A classic bag would be perfect for me.  My husband said everybody here in the workplace owns a Coach. it’s best to just go with either Burberry, LV or Gucci.  After weeks of researching and thinking about it,  I decided to get myself a Gucci D gold large hobo in classic sand/ebony color.  I’m embarrased to say it costs $780 tax-included.  My husband also decided to buy himself a Gucci wallet which costs around $280.  My husband is actually a miser when it comes to these. He’s never owned an expensive wallet before.  He’s just contented with his $10 wallets from Ross and he uses them till it’s retirable.  He said he’s gonna use this Gucci wallet for ten years (!)  He probably thought it’s nice to reward himself too.

If you think I’m going to make this a habit. Don’t worry I won’t.  They said once you’ve bought an expensive one, you’ll never wanna look back.  It’s either designer or nothing.  I don’t think that’ll be my case though.  For one, I’m not rich to do that. If I were Paris Hilton I would, but I’m not. Second, I’m sure my husband won’t approve it. Third, it would only make me guilty.  It’s hard to justify too much high fashion.  I’m planning to use this bag for a loooong time.  It’s not actually just the bag I’m happy about.  It’s the wonderful feeling that my husband bought me one, the miser that he is.

I received a forwarded email about Barrack Obama and I was very sad by what I read.
I don’t know if this is true or just black propaganda against him, but it really bothered me.  If this were true, and if he wins in the upcoming election then US is really going down the drain. It’s hard to believe that US was once founded by Christians. Now, it seems as Chrisitanity is all but a memory or history to them.  I could only pray that God will continue to protect US and preserve Christianity in our nation. Below is the forwarded email I received. 

Prayer request from: Dr.  John Tisdale
 
Dear Friends,
 
As I was listening to a news program last night, I watched in horror as Barack Obama made the statement
with pride.  .We are no longer a Christian nation; we are now a nation of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists.
 
As with so many other statements I’ve heard him (and his wife) make, I never thought I’d see the day that I’d hear
something like that from a presidential candidate in this nation.  To think our forefathers fought and died for the
right for our nation to be a Christian nation–and to have this man say with pride that we are no longer that.
 
How far this nation has come from what our founding fathers intended it to be.
 
I hope that each of you will do what I’m doing now–send your concerns, written simply and sincerely, to the Christians
on your email list.  With God’s help, and He is still in control of this nation and all else, we can show this man and the world in November that we are, indeed, still a Christian nation!
 
Please pray for our nation!