Little Butterfly

Theme: TOY RECEIVED ON CHRISTMAS

"Little Butterfly" Wand

Well, there's nothing little about Mia's new butterfly wand that she got this Christmas. The wand is big in colors as it lights up in three different ways. It is also quite big for a "butterfly" eh? And lastly, it was given by our relatives with big hearts. So why little butterfly? Because this wand sings the I'm Your Little Butterfly song which goes like this:

Ayayay I'm your little butterfly green black and blue make the colours in the sky...

Ayayay I'm your little butterfly green black and blue make the colours in the sky...

(Repeat...)

If you would notice, there are still unopened presents under our tree... that's because we just got back from our sweet shopping holiday!

Jose and I decided to just let Mia open the rest of her presents on New Year's eve and our little angel did not mind at all. Well, she probably felt she opened enough gifts last Wednesday night as I fondly said, "Grabe si Mia, ang tindi mamasko! Isang bahay lang pinuntahan jackpot na jackpot na siya!" Hahaha! I consider our family very lucky to have relatives here. We might not be neighbors but the fact that we can get together to celebrate is indeed a huge blessing.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and meaningful Christmas and like most bloggers, I bet no one has really bloghopped as much. Anyway, I promise to tell you about our little shopping trip and hang around your sites next year! God bless us all!

For more toys received on Christmas, please go here.

Happy 2009!!!

From the Golosinos

Merry Christmas and may peace be with us all. Have a fantastic week!

Ride On!

Theme: FAVORITE TOY UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Quad Buddy

One of Mia's 1st Birthday Gifts

All right, Mia does not have any favorite toy that I can recall. As far as she's concerned, all her toys are special. She never clinged to a specific toy for comfort or anything like that. Since a "favorite" is usually tagged as something that's ranked as no. 1 and Mia's only toy that has the no. 1 literally on it is her ride-on; a present for her 1st birthday, I thought this has to be my entry for the week's theme.

Come to think of it, the main reason Jose got it amongst all others (that's way cheaper than the "Quad") was the no. 1 sticker in the front plate. He said it was just the perfect gift for his one year old daughter... with blind eyes and deaf ears, I agreed with him. We were not able to use the cradle that went with it because it would never "rock" on carpets. The parent handle could not support the whole bulky thing thus, another let down on that feature... or maybe because I only tried pushing it on carpets. We lived in a couple of flats for a year and a half so, no "outdoors" for us to test then. Oh well.

I would often tell my twin sister that if they are planning to buy my niece a ride-on, the simplest would be the best as it would only do one purpose - to be a ride-on. But I have to say that there is nothing cheap on the material used for this Quad Buddy. (Dapat lang!) The robust make and edges of it were nicely done. In fact, it still is as good from the time we got it... I'm talking about the main ride-on, ride-on okay?

There you have it. Mia's no. 1 toy but I can't brand it as the favorite. :D Kulit ba?

To see other toy hunters' favorite toy and their Christmas trees, check out their links here.

Four more days to go and we're off to Slough! Woohoo!

Mommy Duty Calls: Ang Pag-suporta kay Mia...

Anong nangyari sa Christmas Party?

Excited kami!

Picture-picture muna...

Syempre bago lahat! Haha!

Ngumiti ako ng ngumiti na parang aso. Natatawa ako sa sarili ko dahil ako lang ang magulang na sumeryoso sa okasyon na ito. May imbitasyon silang ipinamigay at may tick box kung makakapunta ang magulang o hindi. Syempre pa, pupunta ako. Hindi ko akalain na sa 15 na bata sa klase ni Mia, ako lang ang magulang na makakapunta.

At bukod kay Father Christmas (school administration) na regalo, si Mia lang ang may ipinamahaging giveaways. Pero nakakakuha naman siya ng limang Christmas cards. Para duon pala ang listahan ng pangalan na hiningi ng Nanay na narinigan ko nuon. Oh well, nakakuha ako ng halik at papuri mula sa mga guro ng anak ko pero sa susunod, hindi na ko magiging OA. Hahaha! There’s always a first time ika nga.

Pasalamat na rin ako at kahit paano ay nakuhanan ko ng litrato si Mia. Hindi kasi hinihikayat ang pagdala ng camera sa okasyon kung saan maraming bata. Pero bakit ba, ako nga lang ang nagpaunlak sa kanila! Pero nagpaalam naman ako na si Mia lang talaga ang kukuhanan ko, sinabi nila na wala naman problema pero gusto ko na lang maging responsableng magulang. Dahil kung ako rin, kung walang pahintulot sa kung anumang patungkol sa anak ko, gusto ko na irespeto rin ako. Kaya ayun, sa tuwing nakikita ko si Mia na malayo sa ibang bata, tsaka ko lang siya kinukuhanan. At kung may mga bata sa paligid niya, malayo na lang ang kuha ko o di kaya ay zinoozoom ko sa kanya.

Ang pinakagusto kong guro ni Mia. Gumagawa sila ng korona.

Ang tangos ng ilong (ng guro) noh? Hehe!

Kahit pa ako lang ang magulang na dumalo, nakita ko naman ang suporta ng mga ibang magulang sa ambag nilang pagkain. Pang tatlong buwan na supply ng pagkain ata ang nakita ko. Tumulong kasi ako sa pag-ayos ng ihahain sa mga bata kaya nakapasok ako sa kanilang pantry. Sa kontribusiyon namin ni Mia na chocolate chip cookies, Scottish butter cookies at milk chocolate and white chocolate rings mula sa M&S (healthy masyado noh?), ang mga rings lang ang ihinain sa mga bata dahil sa tingin ng playleader ay sapat na ang sweets sa selection ng mga pagkain. Natatawa ako kasi sa lahat ng pagkain na inalok ko sa mga bata (carrots, cucumber, cheese sandwich, pizza, cheese, fairy cakes, chips) ang chocolate rings namin ni Mia ang tanging nasimot. Si Mia ay hindi kinain ang sa kanya (habang ang ibang bata ay nakadalawa o nakatatlo) dahil sa totoo lang, hindi masyadong mahilig si Mia sa matamis (sana hanggang tumanda siya) kaya naman ako ang kumain. Hehehe! Masarap naman pala talaga. Thank you M&S! Kaya isa na naman itong tukso na hindi ko malalayuan. Naku po!

Dig in!

Iniisip ko na ok lang at ito lang naman ang tanging Christmas party na madadaluhan namin ni Mia rito. Kahit paano, ibinigay ko naman ang lahat ng aking makakaya sa okasyon na ito. Kung hindi ko pa nababanggit, talagang mahilig ako sa mga bata at pangarap ko talagang maging guro ng mga chikitings. Kaya naman sulit talaga ang pagpunta ko habang kinakawayan ako lahat ng mga ke-cucute na bata. Akala siguro nila asawa ako ni Santa sa laki ko. Hohoho!

Ang dami ko rin palang nakain na keso! Ang sarap e. Hindi ako mahilig sa keso nila rito (mature, extra mature, extra extra mature...) pero yung ihinain kina Mia ay talagang nagustuhan ko. Nakakainis hindi ko naitanong kung saan binili. Hehe! Basta ang alam ko next year, hindi na ko maki-keso.

Ang masarap na keso at ang blockbuster chocolate rings.

Pinroblema ko rin pala ang isusuot ni Mia kasi ang sabi, “Dress at your best for we are not going to use paints on your party.” Kaya pinag-dress ko si Mia. (Si Jose pumili niyan! Pasalubong niya mula Chicago. Hehe!) Akala ko mahuhuli siya kasi simple lang ang suot niya. Inisip ko baka fully lined o layered with net ang idadamit ng mga girls, e wala naman ganun si Mia. Hehe! Tapos, mayroon isang batang babae na binihisan ng mala-snowman. Ang cute-cute pero in a way naawa ako kasi siya lang yung ganun na naka-costume. Lapit siya ng lapit sa akin at pinapatanggal yung suot niya kasi sobrang laki raw at nakakatihan na siya. Kaya ayun sayang lang din kasi pinalitan din siya ng damit ng playleader.

Ang aming Prinsesa.

Sana maka-attend naman ako ng Christmas party gaya ng nakasanayan ko sa Pilipinas...

Pero masaya talaga ako dahil kitang-kita ko sa mga mata ni Mia kung gaano rin siya kasaya at ka-proud na nanduon ako. Hiniling pa nga niya na sana laging Christmas party para lagi nila akong kasama.

Nakakatuwa talaga ang anak ko dahil habang ang ibang mga bata ay dagliang binuksan ang regalo nila, si Mia ay yakap-yakap ang sa kanya at nang nakauwi kami, nilagay niya ito sa ilalim ng Christmas tree at sinabing, “Mom, I will open all my presents on Christmas day. Ok?” Pero ang Christmas cards na natanggap niya ay paulit-ulit niyang tinitignan na akala mo ay naiintindihan na niya ang nakasulat.

Alin, alin, alin, ang naiba? Ang regalo mula kay "Father Christmas"

Hay! Ang sarap talagang maging praning na Nanay! :D

2008 Christmas Tree Blog Parade

I have read Bluepanjeet's Christmas Tree Blog Parade through Ate Pinky of SSS: Tales From the Kingdom and I thought it's a brilliant idea just like Joy's Toy Hunt. I obviously want to be a part of fun tags like this.

Bluep, if you'd like to know the whole story about our Christmas tree, please click here. Otherwise, I'll just put some information under each picture.

I really hope that for 2008, you'd get double if not triple the number of participants compared to what you got last year.

Happy Holidays!

Fairy Lights On

I always see a Christmas tree as the "tree of life." Well, that's what was taught in Catholic schools all right? But our Christmas tree definitely projects the true meaning of life to me as narrated here. It defines the blessed truth that the breath that we take is more than enough to be thankful for.

Fairy Lights Off

This is our first ever Christmas tree. I decided to stay with the red and gold theme because red is my husband's favorite color and gold looks very glam for this season.

Tree Topper

Our tree topper is an angel holding a star. I can't decide whether to put an angel or a star that's why when I saw it online, I had to buy it right away.

Zoomed In

The ornaments included consist mainly of baubles with sizes small, medium and large. The unique ones are placed in front although the back part is still as adorned. When decorating a tree, I always follow the rule that small pieces stay on top while the bigger goes to bottom. We have a 6ft. tree, ornaments are around 150 and the fairy lights are 240 in total.

So there go my entries. To all fabulous bloggers in my blog lists and fellow toy hunters, please consider being tagged. I know, the closer we get to Jesus' birthday, the busier we become. But I assure you this is worth anyone's time. :D

My 2008 Christmas Tree Blog Parade tag history: Bluepanjeet - Saudi Sexpat Stories - Twinkie Calls - YOU! (put your link here)

Berry Burberry Bear

Theme: CHRISTMAS TOY / DECOR

Berry

Tell me if Berry is not Christmas-y.

Plaids are in this season.

Berry was given by Mia's Ninang Twinkle...

And Berry's Red Vest is like a pamaskong baro.

A Berry much loved bear

If I had a hard time looking for a Christmas toy last week, as soon as I saw Berry, I knew he has to be the one for this week.

Again, for more appropriate toy or decor please go here.

Happy toy hunting!

Golosinos in UK # 3

Kids nowadays have access to almost anything. Especially to a generation where hi-speed internet connection is a must-have just like landlines, everything is literally just within their fingertips - encyclopedias, e-books, podcast...

But books, I say like snail mails are still more special. You can hold them, move them to a distance that you like and smell them if you fancy!

Libraries in this country are like mushrooms. They are everywhere. And each can pass as a national library! I have seen enough libraries in our two and a half years of stay here that's why I made that assumption. :D For card registration, you just have to bring a valid ID, proof of address or passport and you would be entitled to borrow 15 books per visit. The books can be renewed up to three times online or over the phone. The libraries also have an extensive selection of VHS tapes, VCDs, DVDs and audio books which could be rented for a very small amount.

Mia is very lucky that her "addiction" with books can be supported by this country. With each visit, she could take home 45 different reads!

I blogged about this because I remembered that we've had our third renewal therefore we need to bring these books back by tomorrow or else we'll have to pay 50p a book per day.

Mia knows all these by heart!

Mommy Duty Calls: Christmas Shopping

A lot has been going on this week and the most anticipated part was having my period. Finally, after 2 months and 3 days, the red flag is up. Yes it has been that long that I used my last pregnancy test kit a couple of nights ago. You see, since I had c-section and I'm obese, on top of religion, our ob-gyne strictly advised not to do family planning in any other way but the natural way. No pills, no whatsoever. This way is only advisable to wives who have regular monthly periods. Otherwise, "the plan" will not work; that's why I thought this could be it! If Mia would become an Ate we hope the earliest would be around 2010 (when we'll go balik bayan) so that I could give birth in the Philippines. Now, I would really have to work out on losing a little weight just so my menstrual cycle would go back to normal. Sa panahon ng pasko at bagong taon? Good luck sa akin!

I am done with Christmas shopping (that includes my gift to you, Hun!) and I have meticulously wrapped everything. I am also done with Mia's Christmas goodie bags for her classmates and gifts for her teachers. Hindi dapat ako mamimigay pero nung narinig ko ang mga Nanay sa paligid ko na hinihingi listahan ng pangalan ng mga bata sa klase nila Mia, nakihingi na rin ako. Ganun pala yun, keber lang dapat ako e. Pero ganun pala kapag ayaw mong mahuli ang anak mo. Kahit paano, makiki-sali ka.

Crabtree & Evelyn-ish na ba? (Sayang din GBP2 kung sa kanila rin ako bibili e!)

I can't find a sturdy gift wrap that would hold the goodies other than plastic so I thought I'd have it personalized (by me, of course!) And look at the finished product. Pwede na ba?

15 Goodie Bags while battling dysmenorrhea! I'm a terrific Mom! Haha!

(Front) Mia's picture was included, that way they would know who she is. And the smiley face adds a personal touch to the personalized wrap. Hehe!



Back



The basic goodies (Not in picture are hair clips and Santa Claus Krisps that I just got last night and too bad they are all in the bags.) And basic yan kasi dinoble-doble ko ang candy canes at coins para maubos. : )

Alam ko na pagtatawanan niyo lang ang giveaway na ito compared sa mga giveaways sa Pilipinas. But I guess, sa bansang ito, it's really the thought that counts... I hope. Hehe! And speaking of Pilipinas, my twin sister pm'd me that a balikbayan box came today and it was from us daw! Surprise, surprise! Na-surprise rin ako kasi akala ko sa week pa ng pasko ang dating. Kainis! Napaaga! Haha!

This week has really been good. Full of hopes, great news, and finished tasks. Sana magtuloy-tuloy na ang ganitong mood sa aming bahay. It's been a while... God is good. He always is.

Pooh and Lumpy Got Cold

Theme: CHRISTMAS TOYS / DECORS

Pooh and Lumpy

I thought I would not be able to join this week’s hunt. You see, the only Christmas-y thing that we have is our first Christmas tree. (We have to build on these items…) But when I saw Pooh Bear and Lumpy, I thought they would make perfect toys for this week especially with the hats and the scarves that they are both sporting. Their colors are also ideal for this season. Hope they’d pass the theme. : )

Pooh and Lumpy are Hannah’s cousins. (Mia got them all in one day that’s why they are related. Hehehe!) Ninong Biboy won them for Mia when he played games at Thorpe Park two years ago. You know how tricky it is to get plush toys from Theme Parks more with the larger stuffed ones. But Ninong Biboy and Tita Ja have perfect hand-eye coordination. If they could only win twice/thrice from one booth, Mia could have brought home all the Hundred Acre Wood characters!

Heffalump, Winnie the Pooh, Mia and Cuddly Bear

Lolo Ben, Ninong Biboy, Mia, Me and Jose

Tita Ja with Hannah, Tita Belle and her Shark (Tita Ja won this too!)

Now, I’ll just have to worry about next week’s entry. I guess I’ve got to search and dig deeper from Mia’s toy boxes. What with toys that she had since birth, I bet there should be something from there... Please don’t get me wrong. I really enjoy Toy Hunt that’s why I am dead serious about all these. :D

For more Christmas toys or decors that are more appropriate, please go here.

PS. I just read that Joy is giving away a Bratz doll if you’d join this week’s theme. So what are you waitng for? Come and win the hunt!

Who Got More Dazed?

Wow! I'm officially longing for the Twilight read again. Now, I can't tell which among the four is my favorite. The excitement of Christmas is as much as my giddy-ness that its movie adaptation will be shown here very soon. The last movie that Jose and I have seen on the big screen was Sex and the City. I know it is not as lovey-dovey as Twilight but if he survived (and actually vey much enjoyed) our last movie date, I can't wait for us to go together on this one.

Jose's show of support with the craziness that I gained with these books is so obvious that he got me the latest book of Ms. Meyer. Of course, it is in paperback just like all of my "matched black books." The Host paperback is not available here yet. He got mine all the way from Budapest during his last week there. I did not ask for it. He got me good once more! (Ang asawa ko talaga, my lover and my best man indeed. Kaya relate na relate ako kay Bella e. Haha!) Maybe he was also dazzled with how much I got engrossed with Edward, Bella and Jacob that he thought this stretch would be as interesting. Honestly, I really hope that it would be.

Are you as beautiful?

So goodbye for now Nessie... 'til I read about you again. : )

Our First Christmas Tree

What’s in a Christmas tree? Why does it bring so much joy to Filipinos be it the rich or poor, the old or young, those in the Philippines or overseas…

We are neither rich nor poor, neither old nor young but we are living overseas. And that’s the Christmas tree story that I want to share.

Upon entering John Lewis sometime in November while we were looking for Mia’s clothes for preschool, when our little family was under the clouds thus trying to look on the brighter side of things; thinking about the economic turmoil that this country is facing and the redundancy getting to our nerves that we can almost taste… Jose’s spirit was uplifted as he literally dragged me for about a mile. And as we reached the end of the store he beamed, “Kapag hindi ako nakasama… bibilhin natin ‘to.” He was referring to a 6ft. pre-lit Christmas tree not to mention, it is £150. Just the tree, no ornaments included.

Of course I did not get in the way. I thought, “Kung hindi ka makakasama… Let’s cross the bridge when we get there”.

Weeks flew by and the tell day came. You would not believe how many times I’ve prayed the Memorare. I was almost on my knees as I read books to our little girl. Those who are included will receive either a call or an email while those who get to keep their posts will receive a confirmation email four days after. The situation is not for the fainthearted. If you have families to extend help abroad, a child with so much promise, and a dream to give tangible blessings to those who most need it, you would dare to be brave and to hope more.

I was on a Christmas tree hunt as soon as Jose did not get the tell day email. I thought we were just waiting for formality and I swear I would never let him buy the £150 plain green tree! Ok, it’s pre-lit, just the same − I. Would. Never.

Subsequently, during the hunt, almost all high street stores decided to tease people. M&S was the chief promoter of the “20% off everything. One day only.” craze. Jose, not knowing that I would never be fooled by his John Lewis tree told me that I am off limits to go on that day. He said these types of crazy sales are good targets of trouble. Hay! I thought he knew me better. I was once a crazy sale person who would shop ‘til I literally drop. (I didn’t say I buy, all right?) But when I discovered the power of online shopping, going to malls is just a way of breathing fresh air, strolling while people watching and probably exercising my heavy bottom.

So it doesn’t hurt to go to the M&S website right? And there it was… the one day sale also applied online. And as a valued online customer, I have an extra 15% off on top of the 20%. I had to give it to M&S Christmas Shop. They were having a 3 for 2 deal, and the 20% markdown applies to everything!

Let’s do the math shall we? All discounts validated, the £110 Christmas tree package that I put together would only cost £38. Orders over £30 gets free shipping. I was ecstatic! My twin sister even said that my tree came out cheaper than those sold in Divisoria! Haha! I pushed it a bit and thought that if Jose is willing to pay £150 for a plain tree, I’m sure he would not mind getting me an anorak after stealing getting a great deal. M&S and John Lewis are somehow at par, ha! Hmmm, maybe I should mention that I got a 5ft tree vs. John Lewis’ 6ft. But who cares? (Maybe everyone but me?) I got our tree topper from there. (Pa-consuelo, kahit tree topper man lang mula sa original na planong pag-bilhan.) The good wife that I am asked permission told him about my recent purchase. He chuckled and could not believe how ahead I was on the game.

Angel with Star Tree Topper

Yes, Jose eventually got the formality email a day after the sale. I was so happy. I was happy that we got a great deal on a quality tree, happy that we would have our first ever Christmas tree as a family and beyond happy that all these were possible because he was off the hook. Yeah, yeah, God is great. Yeah, yeah God is good. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah…

A week passed. I got my anorak. It was a perfect fit, so warm and comfy. All ornaments were in. The baubles were fantastic. But where in the world is our tree? I emailed M&S customer care. I could not believe that they wanted me to cancel. The stock would not come until the 2nd week of December. I even called to try my luck in begging, but they gave the same “solution.” Oh no! What am I going to do? I don’t want to send my anorak back!

No tree in there! Hehe!

Well, I should not have worried in the first place. I am an expert in online BARGAIN shopping. Yes, I got the same quality tree, if not better from a different supplier. And it was 6ft. nothing less. Therefore, not having the M&S tree was definitely a blessing in disguise.

Now where’s the little drama in all these?

It’s the season to be jolly… Falalalalalalalala.

We were ever so excited about the Christmas tree right? I waited for a week so Jose could be with us for this supposedly family activity. Since we were so engrossed with our short weekend together, with my back therapy on Saturdays and all, we had to delay. We had to chill.

Jose’s in a new project. It is based in UK. That’s really good. Pero kailangan niya pa rin lumayo sa amin. Ang usapan, apat na araw sa trabaho at ang Biyernes ay trabaho sa bahay. Ang role na ibinigay sa kanya ay hindi tugma sa level niya. Isang hakbang ito paitaas mula sa kung ano siya ngayon sa kanilang kompanya. Ang sabi sa kanya ng pinakamataas na executive ay kaya na niyang gampanan ang puwesto na iyon dahil sa mga nagawa niya sa dalawang proyekto bago ito, talaga naman daw naging maganda ang performance niya. Kailangan na raw umalis ni Jose sa kanyang nakasanayan. Paghahanda na raw ito para sa susunod na hakbang niya paitaas.

Very promising isn’t it?

Unang araw ni Jose sa proyekto, nilagnat siya. Inatake siya ng allergic rhinitis at pinasok ng lamig ang kanyang katawan. Pinainom siya ng GP ng dalawang tabletas ng paracetamol at pinaligo siya ng 10 minuto sa maligamgam na tubig. Awa ng Diyos, bumaba ang lagnat niya. Mag-isa lang si Jose sa hotel habang nangyari ito at madaling araw pa.

Sobrang taas ng expectations ng mga tao sa kanya. Umabot na sa punto kung saan nagparinig na siya na hindi niya kakayanin. Paano ba naman, sa isangdaang porsyento ng proyekto, sampung porsyento lang ang alam niya. At alam ito ng mga kataas-taasang executive. In short, gusto ata nila tumalon ng building ang asawa ko sa hirap ng pinapagawa nila.

Aaminin ko, ito ang pinakamalungkot na naranas at nakita kong “Jose” mula ng kami’y nagsama. Ang lahat ng pwede kong ibigay ay ibibigay ko, mawala lang siya sa estado niyang iyon. Antagal namin ipinagdasal na sana ay hindi siya makasama sa mga mawawalan ng trabaho. Ilang beses ko nasambit ang “Thy will be done.” Kaya naniniwala ako na hindi ibinigay ng nasa Itaas ang pagkakataong ito para hindi malampasan ni Jose. Kung ganun man, lagi akong nandito para sa kanya. Umuwi man kami na apaw sa utang para mabayaran ang mortgage ng bahay, alam ko na “love conquers all.” Naks!

I thought this was all that we had to endure.

Apparently, Mia got into a fight. No, she was not the victim. As I came to fetch her, one of the teachers called me and tried to explain that Mia is very upset because they wanted her to say sorry for what she’s done. She said that Mia tried to strangle a girl for she wanted to get the toy mouse. She made clear that these things are just normal. Some kids bite, some kids shout, some kids hit or push. Maybe it was Mia’s way to show frustration. She said, we also have to consider that Mia doesn’t have any other kids or siblings “to practice” sharing with but her classmates at preschool. Maybe she sensed that I would not be able to take the matter as optimistic as she sounded. (I was close to fainting!) She tried to re-assure that the “chitchat” was about me not getting mad at them for making Mia say sorry so the other kids will see that what she did was unacceptable. Yes. I agreed that Mia deserved the embarrassment. I was also embarrassed with the way the situation was handled. They were so cool about it and I was worried sick about the girl who got the worst of my daughter. They said that we have to work together as Mia goes through the sharing bit.

On the way home, Mia slept in her buggy for she got tired from crying. Then I started crying myself. I thought I failed somewhere. I felt so sad for dealing with all of it by myself. My husband was out there working at pits for the best and our daughter here does not have anyone but me. No pinsan, no kinakapatid, no kalaro, no one but me. Why would she do that? Why would my daughter do such an act? Then I stopped in the middle of the -3°C cold green field, hands placed in mouth. Was it because she has seen Kill Bill 2 for almost 10 minutes? So, this is why I share this experience to you. TV does something to the little ones. NEVER EVER DRIFT to these types of scene or movie with your toddlers around. So yeah, now I know where to pick up the lesson. I am not sure if it has something to do with what Mia did that day but maybe I needed to see that mistake for a little Mommy and Daddy spanking.

For two weekends, the brand new first ever Christmas tree was chucked.

Jose and I never felt so much need from each other. Maybe this is what the holiday season brings to Filipino expats huh? We have surrendered everything to Him. We know that we are so blessed that Jose got to keep his job. Sa ngayon, kahit paano mas kinakaya na raw niya. Ipagpatuloy lang daw namin ang pagdadasal at alam niya na malalampasan namin ang pagsubok na ito. Inisip ko na magandang may ganitong katangian ang asawa ko. Marunong siya magpakumbaba. Marunong siya matakot. Marunong siya magsabi ng totoo. Ito ang katangian ng isang tao na patuloy pang magtatagumpay dahil marunong siyang magmalasakit, marunong siyang lumaban ng walang natatapakan… para sa ikabubuti ng kanyang anak, asawa at aming mga pamilya sa Pilipinas.

(I hate doing “Lego” works; that is Jose’s job you know!) But I still put up the tree all on my own. I thought that probably it will help ease out the stress that poured non-stop. Besides, we could not put it to waste. Not with the effort that I have made to get it. I just hope Mia and I did justice in decorating it. After all, even if Jose was not physically present; every leaf that I shook, every fairy light that I set in place and every ornament that I adorned it with, Jose was never out of my mind. Mia would even say all the time that her Daddy would be so surprised and would become happy when he sees our tree. Would that qualify as a “family activity” nevertheless?

From left to right: Our tree with fairy lights off, Our tree with fairly lights on but living room lights off, Our tree with all lights on and Mia, Our first Christmas tree.

Indeed, Christmas trees bring joy to every Filipino. It brings families together no matter the situation and the distance. Up until now, I can’t help but stare at our tree for a few seconds as I make a big smile and feel proud with what we have done. It also helps me to think that amongst all the adversaries that happened (Mumbai was attacked, Zimbabweans in fear with cholera scare…) we are still here, breathing in front of the “tree of life.” We are still here waiting to celebrate our Lord’s birthday, warm and sound. What more is there to ask, truly?

Closer Look

So that’s it for us. What about you? What’s your Christmas tree story?

Our Christmas tree's Angel

Our Angel

Season’s greetings our dear kababayans. :D