holidays 2021 (part 2) + january birthdays

Random holiday fotos: L-R: Christmas Eve at St. Gregory Parish Church, Kris Kringle at Bilbao Estate, rewarding our favorite J&T rider during the 12.12 budol, Salo-Salo during our E-family reunion, surprising SAM with my DIY charcuterie tray during her birthday, Christmas Eve at home prepping gifts, kids queueing for Papa Nopes money gift & welcoming ze husband’s 50 something birthday ♥

True that the Christmas spirit makes everyone kinder, happier and forgiving. Everyone is invested in sharing and being grateful and looking forward to happy times with family and friends. I don’t know with you but Christmas time is such a different story from the daily routine, and happiness, happiness is a state of mind. So, to each his own. Christmas time is my favorite time of the year.

Dec 31. Very different from the previous years because kitchen was busy with orders left and right. And, I was able to start cooking our Media Noche by 6pm already. I remember the past years were normally spent to an early run at the supermarket, there were even times we drive to Divisoria as early as 4am just to get good deals and fresh fruits, and fireworks too. A run to Nuvali for boxes of cakes. Basically, the routine is to finish all errands before lunch time. But this year, I baked mostly to cater orders for NYE. Not complaining tho but it’s a lesson learned, I should put a limit to it because I ended up too exhausted for the NY dinner. Pictures won’t lie. 😛

Our modest Media Noche wasn’t bad at all. We had baked (and grilled) pork belly, baked salmon, shrimps (halabos), baked macaroni, California maki (handmade by ati SAM), salads and sides, bread station, fruits, pastries and cake (from Swedish Café) and my DIY charcuterie board.

I can tell that it wasn’t the usual NYE spread because we’re used to overflowing food, overcrowded table 😛 as we welcome the new year.

pjs not from Shopee, Shein yarn 😀

We didn’t even have fireworks to lit because everyone at the household was busy with deliveries. Coincidentally, the neighbors do not set off fireworks too this year. Maybe there’s really a shortage of fireworks or people were just too pennywise this time. Anyhow, we were supposed to wear our Christmas pajamas last Christmas Day (for the family pictorial) but everyone looks flat and I rewarded myself sleep that time after a baking shift last Dec 24. So, to make the outfit count everyone made a quick outfit change.

And it’s the New Year, hello 2022! Almost two years now battling this pandemic and a lot has happened, there’s plenty of life lessons and there’s too many more to pick up and make better. I stop making new year’s resolution or something of its kind because it’s frustrates me if things didn’t go or happen as planned. I’d rather work with short-term plans now, those that are feasible and easy to pull off. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. Whether it’s work or play, I find fulfillment in finishing any given task right away. I worry about tomorrow in fact. It’s one of my biggest lesson before the first lockdown in March 2020. I find the company’s decision makers very lax that time, the urgency was not emphasized and the “we can’t do anything now” response was so lame, very lame as a matter of fact. And it’s sad that until now some lessons were not learned. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Sigh!

So, for me I want to do it now. 

“Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” —Benjamin Franklin

Jan 01. First day of the year was spent eating and sleeping, then repeat. We didn’t go anywhere or did anything significant. Blame the cold weather for making me extremely lazy. But, I wish the cold temp last longer because it follows a happier state of mind.

and why do i look 20lbs heavier here 😛

Jan 02. It’s the annual gathering of my maternal family, the E-family Get-Together. For the second time, my cousin hosted the event at his farm house he named Bilbao Estate. It was a very entertaining day.

Almost everyone made it except those based overseas who didn’t make it home again this year. Food was potluck, there were games and dances, and booze. Truly, it was a fun-filled day which everyone enjoyed. Saving all these flashes to my memory box. See you all next year in Tierra Vista!

And then, we had our birthdays. Sam on the 10^th and ze husband on the 13^th. Since his birthday fell on a work day, his initially plan was to celebrate it at the work place with his colleagues but he chose to drive home, it was very unexpected but it was a happy case for me because it means I will welcome my birthday with ze husband at home. Yee!

Always a happy birthday, dadi. I ♥ you when I’m happy 😛

 

clips which ze husband sent me during his post birthday celebration at the work place.

For my birthday lunch, I didn’t cook any because I’m supposed to rest, I ordered some food for the family only because I wasn’t expecting anyone in the first place (but initially I really planned to order a whole lechon 😛 ). Ever since the surge of Omicron I discourage gathering and visitors again. Nag-iingat lang talaga because it’s hard to get sick. I ordered bilao of pansit (neighborhood), puto (neighborhood also), bibingka (Claire’s), bbq (Rolando’s) and asked Nanay to cook my favorite dinuguan (pork blood stew). We always have cow’s blood in stock because dinuguan is everyone’s favorite at home (except ng cook 😛 ). Nanay bought crispy pata also. Just before we ate lunch two delivery riders arrived. Both riders handed me a box of cake from Contis and some food trays. It’s from my staff and the other one my boss. Can’t thank all enough for the thoughtfulness, I feel so blessed and grateful. ♥

For my staff, I booked McDelivery straight right into their doorsteps because I want them to be part of my little celebration. 

I was really decided to spend my birthday silently, little did I know that some of my HS best friends were coming. So, while I impose the no visitor policy how can you say no and deny them when they came with pancit and cake. Vi and Alma came minus Mayora because she was isolating. I feel sad knowing that she was the one who even planned everything. 

Birthday was such a jolly one. I can’t wait to celebrate the 49^th 😛

Super thank you to everyone who sent their birthday wishes. ♥

Lord, thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for your constant providence and guidance. Thank you for blessing me a wonderful husband who makes life easier. Thank you for my family’s well-being. Thank you for my bois. Thank you for providing my needs more than I could ever have imagined. I know it’s not always easy but thank you for always letting me see things from a different perspective. Bless me, Oh Lord!

And for ze husband’s gift reveal. Well, this is it!

This was the item he lovingly wrapped because I was demanding a gift on Christmas Day 😛 but wait, 

He actually gave me a jet set travel wallet and a crossbody bag (na pang-harabas) even days before Christmas Day. I couldn’t ask for a better life. ♥

 

 

P.S. Random thoughts to wonder about:

For you, Imaginary conversations really equate to bitterness.

To myself, Living well is my best revenge. ♥

 

holidays 2021 (part 1)

I started December with a busy work schedule, deadlines were really deadly and there were too many issues to settle. It was overwhelming to the point that I was already feeling sick about it —adrenaline fatigue they call.

How busy me? During the last day of November, I even threw a little party for my bois to celebrate their 3^rd birthdays.

think I overdo the party food? 😛

I invited a very few relatives (those with family dogs only) because Covid remains a scare for me and despite government reports of declining numbers there’s this in me that I don’t want to believe and be complacent.

By 1^st week of December and right after the 13^th month pay, I braved the city once more for another little gathering with my staffs. We held a mini get-together to observe the holidays, pull off the old Kris Kringle and had dinner buffet at Guevarra’s.

It was so much fun sitting down with everyone like the pre-pandemic years. We ended the night joyfully in the hope that we could do it once again.

Thank you for all your very thoughtful gifts ♥. (some of the gifts were part of the sack I picked at the office before Christmas) 

If you have plans of dining at Guevarra’s here’s a handful of tips:

• Call ahead to reserve a seat, if you’re a group of 6-8 best seats are those near the buffet (left side of the buffet setting). It’s somehow isolated from the rest of the diners.
• Pay the 50% reservation fee to secure the slot, be sure to have your payment acknowledge.
• Arrive at least 15-30 minutes ahead of your scheduled time, also for you to score a good parking slot.
• Be ready with your vaccination card, it’s required.
• At the buffet, better start first at the meat section to avoid the queue. It also takes time for them to replenish. My favorite is the Angus Beef Tapa.
• Other sections are passable IMO. For dessert, try the bibingka & puto bumbong.

 

On the second week of December, I attended the department’s virtual Christmas party. It was a bore because I hardly knew most of the attendees from other teams. I mean I totally have no interaction with them because we don’t work with them internally and coincidentally we just have the same big boss. Introvert problems but I miss the company-wide Christmas party.

And then, the kitchen got too busy so I have to double time from my crucial corporate job. It was an overwhelming experience and can’t thank enough my family and friends for supporting our small business. While baking one time, my Nanay commented how the oven became so functional after years of it being completely still because I was too afraid to ignite it.

We have included our house favorites pasta to our menu and our signature dishes which were always requested during family events.

Order na kayo! 😀

I’m thankful for the work-from-home arrangements because I can multitask, tho at times the house routines (dusting, scrubbing, sweeping, etc.) still gets me annoyed from time to time even the cooking part, to the point that takeout became frequent.

We heard mass on Christmas eve but we don’t stay late for the Noche Buena. We don’t really do the traditional Christmas dinner, instead we feast early on Christmas morning for breakfast. Christmas ham, cheese, breads, cheese and more cheese.

Christmas breakfast. Forest ham & cheddar cheese from Rustan’s deli. Sourdough from Aficionadough (one of my favorite bakeshop). Not in photo, potato salad.

Christmas lunch. Grilled porkchop, corn & carrots, macaroni salad & fiesta ham

Christmas dinner. Crispy pata & silky carbonara.

The husband was so thoughtful with his gift this year, super effort na effort sa pagbabalot yarn 😛 nahulaan nyo ba kung ano? Gift reveal sa part 2. Hehehe

Two days after Christmas we had another celebration at home to celebrate the Feast of St. John the Evangelist. We didn’t really prepare big, just enough for my maternal circle who always comes in troupe. And also, we’re trying to limit the people because it’s still pandemic after all.

And while all these are happening, I’m worrying about the quarter end, year end close. I’m worried about the numbers, I’m worried about the quota and deadlines. On the 29^th which was our last working day for year 2021, all ends well despite some draw back. Grateful for the 2-day company holiday, Christmas Bonus and the wfh set-up.

So, on the 30^th, I treated myself well. I was able to do some retail therapy and went home happily with my comfort buys. We visited S&R first to buy all the necessities for the NYE —fruits, cheese, chips, chocolates, etc.

Then headed right after at IKEA. Excited like a little girl visiting Toy Kingdom!

I wanted to buy a lot of items (like this EKTORP in Blekinge White) but considering an upcoming project at home I need to tighten my budget and take home the basics only (for now).

To be continued because I need to step out for my booster shot. Thank you, LGU.

P.S. This post was pre-maturely posted last Jan 14, during my birthday because I forgot I put it as a scheduled post in the hope that I will be able to finish it on time. Hehehe. Anyway, I had a happy birthday because too many cakes, too many foods (thank you to everyone who was so thoughtful to send food trays and bilao) and the husband was home to celebrate with me. ♥

 

savoring life intensely (my life in fotos)

Closing another quarter today, and hell ya my life has never been this exhausting. I dunno know but the inclement weather is taking a toll on me and I’m tired, badly tired that my body complains —pimple here, pimple there, dry hair, more grey hair, legs tingling and painful heels to complete the class. Sigh!

Growing old in this time is really something very fast, likewise perishing into ashes once the virus hits you bad. So, living in this quarantine era shouldn’t be miserable (like yours). Seriously tho, whenever I feel anxious, I am reminded about the thousand and one reasons why I still need to get out of bed every morning and make each day count.

​This post is basically ​just ​how I spent my​ life the past months​ (in fotos for now).

my family started to celebrate the little things & even small wins during Sunday lunches. don’t judge 😛

btw, these are my bois

my favorite is Dakasi, next is Tiger Sugar & last is Chatime. Daily Dose is a local player that somehow fared well.

just a quick family lunch at BOB before ECQ last August

and then, ECQ happened so we stay put

not really a plantita but i have a good collection of “it” plants. i have rubber tree also.

oki, to make it clear i’m not leaving my present employer becos the only deal i can accept is if ADB will offer me bigtime 😛 les say my working arrangement right now will be a permanent set-up which i will need to embrace for the rest of it. 

amen to everything, Lord! ♥