More pics from the Baby Shower....

Above are some candid pics....

Booties & Onesies Galore

Ching & I definitely got a kick out of that second to last pic of me taking notes on the gifts. The perplexed look is too hilarious! And of course, unwrapping gifts is the best part. The first couple of pics show happiness achieved from a very long day. Thanks to my itinerary for keeping me on schedule!

Ching's "surprise" Baby Shower

I tried to surprise Mrs. Ching Banzuelo for her baby shower however time has proved this to be a difficult feat. My brother's been trying to do it for years and has been unsuccessful in that regard.

Nonetheless, we all had fun! The games, prizes, food, etc....man, it was kind of exhausting! It was my very first party planning event and people thought I did an excellent job, so all that hard work paid off. My friend Kim says I'm next and I said 'Yeah, right. Maybe in a few years' (lol). My nephew Devin is a handful already and then with Dylan Kai coming??? I'm so excited for his arrival!!!

The food above is as follows: Pancit, Menudo, Palabok, Eggrolls, fruit platter, brownies, bibingka, chicken with capers, string beans, sweet & sour fish....DAMN WE ATE SO GOOD!!!

More pics to come.....

Christmas Day

Just a couple of pics from XMAS DAY. The family, including My LOVE, went to afternoon mass and opened presents late Christmas Eve. I got the best present of all. Quality time with my family, friends, and s.m.i.m.l. (special man in my life). And then there's the list: Ipod Touch, camera, beautiful dress, sweaters, and body care.

We had breakfast and lunch at my mom's and dinner at My LOVE's place. It was by far one of the best Christmases ever. The day after was my brother's birthday and I indulged in some after holiday sales. My sisters, brother-in-law & I went to Leesburg Outlets and I bought a few things. Prior to that, I got up at about 6:30 am and headed to the mall for some early shopping. We had dinner at Tyson's Buffet and the food wasn't all that great. But really what do you expect from an overpriced & basic buffet "restaurant"?

I AM SSOOO READY FOR THE NEW YEAR......

Maligayang Pasko - Merry Christmas!!!

First, let me explain where the title stems from since it's quite obvious what it means. The Filipinos of the World use such greeting amongst their fellow countrymen or non-countrymen. Christmas in the Philippines usually consist of round-shaped fruits such as oranges, family gatherings with some pancit (lo mein), bibingka (sweet sticky rice) and it can not be complete without a colorful lantern or parol.

The most significant part of Christmas is the evening/midnight mass. It starts about 8 days before Christmas. Every night the mass is about an hour and everyone clearly becomes very cheerful and festive. It's a wonderful time of the year, indeed.

I'd like to wish everyone a very, very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Buon Natale! Afishapa! Melkam Yelidet Beaal! Feliz Natal! Feliz Navidad!

Spend it with those you love the most and presents or not, just be thankful for all that you have.

What do you call "home"?

Ancestral Home
Originally uploaded by paul-borromeo

When you hear the word "home", initially what comes to mind? Is it the scent of your mom's homemade pie? Is it the unusual looking drapery, kitchen table, or carpeting from your dad's "big project of the month"?

Well, my definition of home is an old box filled with memorabilia. From when I first began as a poet at the age of 14 to pictures of awkward teenage years. I can move from place to place at any given time, but it will always be my most-prized possession that will bring me back home.

Share your thoughts....

Whew!

Sorry for the lack of posts lately but what a hectic week it has been! School, work, etc....damn!

I must admit it feels great to have completed my Christmas shopping last month. Just like everyone else, I've had to do some budget cuts. No extravagant gifts this year. And I did mine early, so I could relish on the Thanksgiving and non-holiday sales. Most stores have really good sales prior to the holidays which is why I thought this year I will have it all done by November. Mission accomplished!

This year, I'm less about the gifts and more about quality time with family, friends, and that special man in my life.

I've heard this so many times, but "you tend to simplify your life as you get older". This is very true. Of course, the holidays and birthdays still excite me. However I now have several different reasons as to why.

When I was 3 - 12 years old all I could think about was the material things. Everyone did. I wanted to make sure I got the barbie doll or some cute clothes or whatever the most coveted toy was that year. And when I didn't get it, I became dissapointed. However as the years went by, things became...well just things.

What matters the most to me now is to spend time with my loved ones. As you get older you get less & less gifts anyway, so if you're not over it yet well now is time. You tend to cut off your "friend" list as well; you know eventually some people just become associates or slowly vanish.

To all, enjoy the holidays with those closest to your heart. You're never really certain about tomorrow.....

Hi, My name is___ and I'm a _____

Well, I'd like to begin the day with a little soul cleansing:

Hi, My name is Ivy and I'm a shopaholic. How do I deal with a sudden urge to rack up on those perfect-fitting jeans or bangin' pumps that I don't need? I'm open to treatment without medication. I've never liked medicine however I'm aware of its benefits. For women it's mostly a little bit of retail therapy or spas / nail salons. For men, it's cars & electronics.

Back to my problem, when something fits me satisfactorily, I HAVE TO GET IT! The most recent shopping excursion confirmed my addiction. Lord & Taylor had some really nice dresses and a great sale to go along with it. So, I ended up getting 4 dresses all under $150! But why do I feel so bad, you ask? Well, because 1) I just bought some Miss Sixty sandals in the wintertime! and 2) Where the hell am I going to wear all those dresses?

Of course, certain events that have yet to occur come to mind. I tell myself that I'll have the dress for all occasions: upcoming galas or company dinners, someones upcoming wedding, or when I go on a boat cruise (like the Odyssey, something that requires a nice dress). Given, I know where the good sales are. And I have a budget, but the question is: Do I really need it?

I've been told that I have a distorted understanding between "want" and "need". The persuasion ensues upon a great find: Well, it's a damn good sale and I may "want" it, but it can possibly turn into something I'll "need" later on. Is that sufficient reasoning? Do you do this as well?

I'm getting better with budgeting though and haven't bought a thing except for what I "need". I'm having withdrawals because of all the holiday sales, but you know what? It's all a matter of mind games, but if I do see an eclectic blouse with a tempting price tag, I promise to think it through 10 times before I buy it.

UPDATE: Not too long after this post, I found this article from Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/27/AR2008112702345.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter....glad to know it ain't just me!

Damn you.....

Have you ever been irked just by someones presence? The mere sight or sound of them makes you feel ill or highly irritated to the point of....well you catch my drift.

These are some things that get on my nerves: 1) Asking a question you seem to want an answer to and when suggestions are provided, you keep it moving like you heard nothing. OK, so you asked for my opinion because...?, 2) When someone talks to you even though they see that you're on the phone. So, I suppose what you have to say is more important than my conversation? Hell no, it isn't! Whatever you're saying right now is not going to register anyway, so just wait your damn turn, and 3) Back handed compliments. Example, "Hey, you look tired today"....um, do you mean I look like shit? Because we all have our bad days and you just caught me in one? I suppose you're completely blindsided about the fact that upon a greeting, the common & courteous way to do so is to ask someone how they are doing....

I'm sure you all can name some and I can go on all day too. But I just wanted to point out the fact that, given we are all different in our own ways, one should do a common sense check regularly. That way, even if you make an obtuse remark, you can reason it later.....

Well, well....

I'm suddenly feeling overload on ALL THINGS....from work to my upcoming exam, etc. I'd like to take a mental break, but unfortunately that isn't doable. What to do....

Well, it's been quite a challenging past few weeks. Without going into details, which I do very often, it's been a cross between tumultuous and uncontrollable state of elation. I'm usually great with words - scratching the chin ensues - but it's all that and more. There's absolutely no way to describe, in a word, how I feel at this very moment. The most precise description would be: EUPHORIC...Aaahhhhh

Birthday Love

Hey Everyone! Effective today, family & friends alike will get some birthday love on my very own blog. And today we start with....

Yes, Mr.Ghai Johnson....HAPPY BIRTHDAY GHAISER!!!

Poetry Session

MY L.O.V.E.

I'm subjected to great sadness
With 16 miles in between us
Leaves me with thoughts of winter's solstice
Nothing else could convince
That feeling otherwise

The excitement that overwhelms me when we meet
It's simply your tender touch or the way you greet
When we embrace and I stand still on my feet
Feelin' light as air; can't be beat

My LIFE you have changed
My OVERFLOWING passion exposed
My VIGOROUS and undying love for you unscathed
My EXCEPTIONAL source of strength & voice of reason
I will love you, always
In any given day, time, or season

Writer's Block...Could it Be?

It's the 2nd of December and currently 12:52 am .... for some reason that is all that has come across my mind. It's safe to say I'm taking a mental break lol ....