'tis the season to be crafty

The Grinch is on hiatus for this Christmas season. Instead, I turned myself a bit crafty by personally wrapping gifts and making handmade tags/cards for friends and loved ones. I got this inspiration from my ever perky office buddy Mansy, who is such a wonderful artist/crafter as well! :)

Feliz Navidad

Wanna be a Secret Santa? Pick a name and make his/her Christmas wish come true :)

The Games/Secret Santa Masters! hahaha

I so love how happy I look here. *wink*

The Proformation Glee Club?

Pinoy Henyo is so much fun! :)

"The Christmas sleigh is crashing", last five people!

The winter creatures and the Mexican lady

The Mexican lady and the Polar bear! hahaha

More costumes and props, more fun! :)

Cheers to more margaritas!!!

"I so love margarita"

I don't remember how many times I mentioned this at the party. ;)

 

avec Rica and the choco bill ;)

When feeling a bit tipsy, hug your office buddy ;)

Credits to Jed for the photos :)

wonder:
How do you measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee?
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife?
In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes

How do you measure a year in the life?
How about love? Measure in love
Seasons of love.

beachy day

Travelling with the family is one of my ultimate dreams for this year. Luckily and happily, with the help of my big sister, I was able to pull together my mom, my dad, my big sister, little brother and our forever Nanay Tita. It took us a couple of months to research and prepare for the trip and finally, a few days before dad's birthday, we all flew to the southwest of the Philippines to enjoy the sun, the beach and most of all each other's company. :)

An hour flight away from the metro, Puerto Princesa has its unique way of inviting tourists to come see its beauty. It is where the famous Subterranean River National Park is located, which recently has become one of the new 7 wonders of nature. Yehey! :)

Further, it has a lot of beautiful white sand beaches and wonderful people as well.



One of the beautiful white sand beaches, could be yellow sand too *wink*



With Nanay Tita, who helped mom in taking care of us when we were very little. This trip is one of the many ways we (my sibs and I) could thank her for all the things she has done for us.



My little big brother has his own way of enjoying the trip. He used to do fishing and catching frogs when he was very young, so I think he was trying to relive his fishing experience on the island. He got his own DIY fishing gear -- himself. hahaha

Mom and big sis, on the other hand, enjoyed snorkeling so much that they wanted to spend all day long feeding the little fishes underwater. It was actually mom's first snorkeling experience, thanks to my big sis. She was very patient motivating mom to try it and she did it successfully. My mother conquered her fears and started to love snorkeling the moment she could breathe comfortably with the snorkeling gear. I do hope her heart condition is suitable for diving, maybe we could try it together next year. :)

     

What mom saw underwater. :)

  

My mom and my big sis, the snorkeling buddies :)

Mom and dad in their fancy snapshot :)



Daddy the frame trick spoiler! hahaha
This trip was dad's pre-birthday celeb. Hope he liked it ;)

Avec ma sœur. We both love travelling and we were able to share our passion with the people we love. :)



It wasn't the best time of the month (bio speaking).
Nevertheless, seeing everybody having fun made everything worth it.



The real family tree ;)

wonder:

wander: Honda Bay

Pandan Island, Starfish Island, Lu-Li Island 

quick dinner fix

My inspiration for preparing a quick and light dinner for high school buddies:

For breakfast, eat like a king.

For lunch, eat like a duke.

And for dinner, eat like a poor man.

--Yves, my French student

my mom's elegant centerpiece: candle and marbles

impromptu canapé:
cracker plus cucumber slice plus salmon with mayo plus parsley on top :)

my default spring rolls. hahaha

High school buddies I rarely see (as I do not often come home and spend time with them): Steven and Romeo. They liked the dinner I prepared for them. *je suis heureuse*

Also,mom's garden never fails to make our guests feel relaxed and comfy. :)

 

après le travail

Finding time to hang out with colleagues over the weekend is a bit difficult. This idea could be challenged though especially when you have that strong will to make "the chill time" happen.

Hence, despite our busy weekends (?), I had the chance to hang out with two of my friends at work and do some cardio workout A.K.A. running-jogging-walking in the University of the Philippines (my undergraduate university). Running-jogging-walking around the 2.2 kilometer-academic oval is something seriously tiring but definitely fun. :)  

Ready to pose or workout?

So, what came next after this weekend meetup?

A couple of weeks later, we had an impromptu chill time but scheduled it after work instead. We headed to a bar near our workplace and had some cocktail drinks. Despite my love for cocktail drinks, the one I tried that night was a BIG THUMBS DOWN. We ordered mango martinis but the taste was a big disappointment. Nevertheless, the conversation with my office buddies was very interesting, made me get to know them more.

Looking forward to more chill time, hopefully with more friends at work. :)

avec Jed et Timmy



We should have ordered Timmy's drink instead





power up!

You can't climb alone, you musn't.

wander: POWER UP CENTRO ATLETICO

25 West Road Corner North Road Cubao Quezon City

offtopic

Haven't got enough sleep --must be my cousin's surprise visit as he is leaving the country soon for work. Instead of feeling touched and sentimental about it because he took a bit of his time to see me before he takes off, I felt something distinctive but I couldn't find the exact emotion to describe it.

I have maintained my hermit persona until now. While talking to him, I felt like I was brought back to the ugly picture of our family tree and how I have tried to prevent myself from even peeking at it.

I must substitute this feeling soon.
I prefer to be distant, more distant.

This is how I escape and I prefer to keep it this way.

we are infinite

Charlie: I don't know if I will have the time to write anymore letters because I might be too busy trying to participate. So if this does end up being the last letter I just want you to know that I was in a bad place before I started high school and you helped me. Even if you didn't know what I was talking about or know someone who has gone through it, you made me not feel alone. Because I know there are people who say all these things don't happen. And there are people who forget what it's like to be 16 when they turn 17. I know these will all be stories someday. And our pictures will become old photographs. We'll all become somebody's mom or dad. But right now these moments are not stories. This is happening, I am here and I am looking at her. And she is so beautiful. I can see it. This one moment when you know you're not a sad story. You are alive, and you stand up and see the lights on the buildings and everything that makes you wonder. And you're listening to that song and that drive with the people you love most in this world...

- The Perks of Being a Wallflower

how wonderful life is...

If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Or a girl who makes potions in a travelling show

I know it's not much but it's the best I can do
My gift is my song and this one's for you

                                - Your Song, Elton John

the dome, the cheesecake and the sunset date

the popular dome I didn't get to see the first time



jumpshot: more fun! :)





just chilling, no drinking! :)

 

The best cheesecake I've tried so far, thanks Olives resto! :) The tiramisu tastes good as well.

Janie et moi, on a sunset date! hahaha

ran out of photoshoot pose, kaya eto na lang muna ;)