Sick!

It's been over a week since I caught this cold. It's irritating because I get to stop doing the things that I used to do like going outside doing my walk or visiting my friends. I thought I was tough but two days before Christmas I remember my husband telling me to go outside the house dress for the weather meaning I shouldn't be going out with my flip lops and shirt.

It started when we clean the yard, blew the leaves and burned them. That whole afternoon till the early evening was spent clearing out our yard. Then the next day my voice started to get hoarse and by christmas time I couldn't talk. I was complaning to my husband that I couldn't loose my voice on Christmas day because there's gonna be a "karaoke" at this filipino party that we've been invited to. That's a worst feeling, doing the things you love best and yet you can't do it. Also, can you imagine dreading the phone calls because it's I can't talk. I've never been this sick with cold than this time.

I hate it, actually for the last two days I felt alot better but then I ventured outside this morning to go to the grocery and when I got home it all started back again. I cough incessantly and I felt like a useless crap. I hope before the year ends in 4 hrs tonight I could leave this cough and toss all my cough medicine with the old year. I hope to start the year with a clean slate of health..... Happy New Year everyone!

My First Christmas!

Generally I noticed that filipinos and americans celebrate christmas the same way. Big family dinner on the 24th or what we call noche buena back home but what's evident tho' is the overflowing of food at my mother-in-law's table. It was just too much, I've never seen so many food in my life than this christmas. I think I've gained 10 lbs in one night.

Also, I noticed that in my husband's family it's all about the kids and what they want. It's the same back home Christmas is for kids. I remember Colton asking her mama to bake cookies for Santa and to prepare an apple and carrot for Prancer I don't know why he specifically want to feed that raindeer. Haley even told me she got a letter from Santa and it's so funny how the kids get to talk about it. They're eyes all lit up with excitement. I just love stories about kids and Santa I hope some people won't spoil the "magic" behind Santa and let the memories lingers until kids are old enough to discover the truth about it. Isn't it Santa and the kids story fascinating?

And to think that children here are alot luckier yet they do not appreciate what they got. I overheard one kid yesterday who said "is this the only thing Santa gave me" and it was a WII. My heart sank the kids have no idea of what they got I think the kids back home are alot appreciative and happy for anything that is given to them. I remember my nephews and nieces don't ask for anything if you give them a simple toy they'll think that they got everything.

Back to my first Christmas, my husband had a Christmas breakfast with his kids and their families. We had biscuits, ham, tenderloin, sausage, bacon, coffee, orange juice, bread, name it we got it. It was a happy reunion though we always see each other almost everyday it was a different happy occasion.

Christmas evening we went to our filipino-american party and as usual there are alot of food and my favorite "lechon" (roasted pig). At the party as we're eating we got to be seated beside this annoying older filipina lady who keeps talking about herself, her family her wealth. One time she talked about how she spent $20k when she went back to the philippines last year for three weeks. She was also talking about the house that she's buying for $500k I tired to pay her no attention but as she talk about something her voice gets louder. She didn't notice that we're all having a good time eating while she talks incessantly about herself. This filipino Dr. sometimes acknowledge her while the rest of us ate with gusto. We left the party early and while driving home my husband talked about that old lady and we both wonder how she got all the money she's talking about she doesn't seems to have all the money from her look (my bad) hehehehe

Now that Christmas is over my first white christmas has not materialized, it was cold and I was sick at least my fist Christmas experienced is beyond christmas presents I was happy but it could be happier with my family back home. Belated Christmas greetings everyone!

Charice Pempengco!

I was bitten by this Charice Pempengco bug (this filipina you-tube sensation)I want to share everyone her much talk about anticipated performace at the Ellen DeGeneres Show today. Found this at the show's website! Watch it!

http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2007/12/charice_pempengco_i_am_telling.php


An hour later here's the actual performance floating at you-tube!

Christmas Home Away from Home!

As usual as the days gets closer to the holidays and the chaos of the commercialize christmas brings I really feel the longing of spending the holidays back to my home country the Philippines. It's tough especially if your favorite holiday of all time is like mine christmas but with the popularity of you tube somehow lessen the homesickness and makes you real closer to home. I love this commercial!

Christmas Songs!

Right after Halloween we've already started hearing Christmas Carols over the airwaves. Middle of November our State has already dedicated a FM station that play Christmas songs only. Earlier tonight coming home from our usual dinner date my husband said he never thought that Christmas Songs could sustain a station for the whole day with little repeats of the songs. I have to agree I find it amusing that day in and day out the station carries all Christmas songs non-stop.

My husband's all time favorites are Christmas Shoe, I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas and Mary did you Know in that order. Have to agree with him he was the one who introduced me to these songs and I immediately fell in love with them. The first time I heard the song Christmas Shoes it brought me to tears it was soo sad while the song I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas is soooo cute and funny. The kind of song that will make you feel the happiness that goes with the season. And the song Mary did you know said it all, that the essence of Christmas is the birth of our Lord Jesus.

Please find time to listen to the songs. Have a blessed Christmas, Jesus is so
sweet!

Also, some friends requested for the lyrics of the song "I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas" so here it is...

Words and Music by John Rox
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?
He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue
Just bring him through the front door,
that's the easy thing to do

I can see me now on Christmas morning,
creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
when I open up my eyes
to see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me too

Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then
Teacher says a hippo is a vegeterian.
(Short Music Interlude)
There's lots of room for him in our two-car garage
I'd feed him there and wash him there and give him his massage

I can see me now on Christmas morning,
creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
when I open up my eyes
to see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles or rhinoceroseses
I only like hippopotamuseses
And hippopotamuses like me too!

No Birthday Surprise

It's not yet my birthday but my husband planned a dinner three days earlier than my actual big day. This is because he's working sunday which is my real birthday. The trouble with my husband and me is that we can't keep a secret from each other so any move to surprise me I'll definitely learn about it before hand since I open his emails and he does the same with mine.

He bought me a winter coat as birthday presents but before he could even manage to pull a surprise I already found it out because I read it on his email to make the matter worst I was the one who got the package when it was delivered so he wasn't even able to wrap it moreso, see his birthday present before me so I kinda killed the element of surprise. And as a matter of fact I wore it the night we went out for dinner.

Anyway, my birthday dinner was a great night. He took me to this upscale restaurant and partook of the most sumptous seafood specialty the resto offered. I was overwhelmed with happiness. The night was enchanting I couldn't ask for more.

My birthday this year has been extra special for me. I married the best husband in the world as cliche as it may sound to others, it's the truth. I never imagine a five year tumultuous long distance relationship with my husband would end up like this. No regrets, he surpassed all my expectations of him. He's given me more that I can ask for. I've been so blessed.