Let Us Start REJOICING...

...a King will be born soooooon

"The Manger"

source: Simpsons Christmas Stories

Happy Holidays!!!!!

The Nearness of You

Seven days to go and it's Christmas time!!! *yipee* The sad thing is I haven't purchased anything (yet). *boohoo* If I have mentioned before that I won't be doing any shopping, I lied. We will try on the last minute; me & Hubi. Now that the cramps are rare, hopefully, the plan would push through and there would be no other place to go but the mass mall on top of the hill. Once I'm already Up There, that is. =) 'Though I'm not as sure whether we'd be able to find any likeable gift. Ah, bahala na! As we all know, it's the thought and food that counts. =)

I haven't felt the spirit here even if in my heart I know that it's nearly Xmas. *sigh* Not any sign in our neighborhood; only at the CBD & the shopping malls are the symbols ubiquitous & slightly exaggerated. A few days more & I shall be enveloped by the Ghost of Baguio Christmas a.k.a. malamig na malamig na hamog at ulap na hamog. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again..and again, not to mention, the food!food!food! =)

To everyone, Merry Christmas in advance and a Prosperous New Year too!!!!!

A few ways to say "Merry Christmas" ala United Colors of Benetton

source: Google

Filipino/ Tagalog [Philippines]

"Regalo ko po" *kidding* "Maligayang Pasko"

Arabic
"Milad Majid" OR "Milad Saeed"

Argentine
"Feliz Navidad"

Bohemian
"Vesele Vanoce"

Brazilian Portuguese
"Feliz Natal"

Cambodian
"Soursdey Noel"

Chinese
[Mandarin]
"Sheng Dankuai Le"

Chinese [Cantonese]
"Sing Daan Faai Lok"

Dutch
"Vrolijk Kerstfeest"

English
[American]
"Merry Christmas"

English [Australian]
"'Ave a bonza Chrissy, Mate"

English [UK]
"Happy Christmas"

Finnish
"Hauskaa Joulua"

French
"Joyeux Noël"

German
"Froehliche Weihnachten"

Greek
"Kala Christouyenna"

Hawaiian
"Mele Kalikimaka"

Hebrew
"Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova"

Hindi
"Shub Badadin"

India
"Tamil Nadu - Christmas Vaazthukkal"

Indonesian
"Selamat Hari Natal"

Iraqi
"Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah"

Irish
"Nollaig Shona Duit"

Italian
"Buon Natale"

Japanese
"Meri Kurisumasu"

Korean
"Sung Tan Jul Chuk Ha"

Malay
"Selamat Hari Natal dan Tahun Baru"

Peru
"Felices Fiestas" OR "Feliz Navidad"

Spanish
"Feliz Navidad"

Thai
"Suksan Christmas"

Vietnamese
"Chuc Mung Giang Sinh"

Shameful Insanity

Missis: "Class, what is the reason for the postponement of the ASEAN Summit in Cebu?"

The students were turbulent when suddenly the smallest in class, Thumbelina, stood up and horned in: "Teacher, Teacher, it's because of this strong typhoon expected to hit the country that could ...blah...blah...blah, hence the need to flee...blah...blah...blah"

Missis: "Very well, indeed!"

There was silence for a few minutes, then a loud shout filled the air:

Thumbelina: "Teacher, Teacher, errrrr....can I change my answer?
The truth is..."


*International Rating: POOR Credibility

(..tsk tsk..)

Lucky 9

Despite the discomfort I've been experiencing, we're, indeed, very grateful for having been blessed with our little precious. A Christmas gift in advance for both sides.

I'm at my 9th week & Bunny has obviously G-R-O-W-N ...from 7mm to 26mm.
The head is much differentiated now from the body & the heartbeat is more distinct.
Lucky Bunny! =)

Happy Ever After

Another day of "tale rolling". I have skipped this habit for quite sometime & only today had I the chance to browse through the list of stories again. Of course, from my fave Brothers Grimm.

Incidentally, my cousin just tied the knot 2 days ago & the tale seems appropriate although a little late ;p Congratulations, TinTin!!!

Byzantine Bouquet by Marc Simmons

Phew! The 5th among us who got married this year. I founded the legion & soon the followers came pouring in *hehe*

So here it is:

BRIDES ON THEIR TRIAL

There was once a young shepherd who wished much to marry, and was acquainted with three sisters who were all equally pretty, so that it was difficult to him to make a choice, and he could not decide to give the preference to any one of them. Then he asked his mother for advice, and she said, “Invite all three, and set some cheese before them, and watch how they eat it.”

The youth did so; the first, however, swallowed the cheese with the rind on; the second hastily cut the rind off the cheese, but she cut it so quickly that she left much good cheese with it, and threw that away also; the third peeled the rind off carefully, and cut neither too much nor too little.

The shepherd told all this to his mother, who said, “Take the third for thy wife.” This he did, and lived contentedly and happily with her.

• my other personally picked tales

Aside from these tales, I'm starting to like the Aesop's Fables now. So what's next? The Nursery Rhymes??

..hmm, mukhang tumatanda nako nang paurong =)

Inhale...Exhale...

The symptoms are getting serious and I'm starting to dislike them. I survived 3 days symptomless. I thought I was getting by when suddenly things got worst. Sabi na kasing wag batiin..

It's the evemorning sickness that kills. Good thing I am already at home by the time the feeling bursts. I have no appetite at night but still I force food inside my mouth so that Bunny can absorb something from me even if after 10 minutes, I evacuate the morsels out up to the point of throwing up nothing but sound.

I have no specific cravings yet; only yesterday: Star Cafe's saucy Pancit Canton loaded with lotsa Baguio veggies + pork + liver + madami pang sahog =)

Since it doesn't come handy, Bunny was deprived. *sigh* So, I resorted to a bland and bare pancit bihon + luncheon meat + sunny-side up. Weird combination, ey? Well, it sure does taste good with pickled chilli except yesterday. Scoopfuls of the chilli & a squeeze of lime can't do any trick. I had to share 3/4 of the meal with the litter bin. I had no choice. =) Sorry, but I'm not in any way related to Asyong Aksaya *wink*

I guess I will have to bear everything. I'm not even halfway & I think I wanna give up already. Ok, ok, I admit, I am a sore loser =)

There's no more turning back 'though, I have to keep the white flag down whether I like it....
....or else.

Boiling Point

I'm truly saddened by the Nth tragedy being faced by the P.I., previously the ferry mishap & now the mudslide in Albay. I just don't know if news are exaggerated by the media, however, just by looking at the clips, it is, indeed, a sorrowful sight.

There is melancholy in the air but it appears to have passed the one seated Up There. Oooops! I couldn't see her! ..more seat cushion please. There...much clearer. Thumbelina, oh, Thumbelina! Sorry, I can't help but despise Her. Di na kasi sya nakakatuwa!

And now, she ordered a Commission to look over Mayon "to stop the further devastation of adjacent towns and cities from lahar and mud flows and determine whether any of these population centers should be abandoned"

Hello? You should have done that on Day 1 when Mayon started to erupt or days before the volcano showed signs of possible eruption. Darna, too late the hero! On the otherhand, IF this was implemented earlier, I guess, the effect of the calamity would still be the same. Residents are stubborn to listen. I understand that it's so hard to leave behind our "riches", but it pays to listen (sometimes) to semi-semi-credible politicians/leaders. Makinig na lang kayo para walang sisihan..

And then, some more, She orders the release of a billion bucks for the victims. Wow! I didn't know that we still have that much. How many percent would go to the recipients? Will it rest for a while on the hands of the middle men & tira tira na lang para sa mga nasalanta? It's the truth & I am so unhappy. *sigh*

I know people would be more content if the mudslide/mudflow/flood whatever detoured & gushed towards The House instead. Only a quarter of the place is buried and Thumbelina is already out of sight. *harharhar*

I was still browsing through the net & saw another story much to my dismay. It read: "First Gentleman stable after angioplasty" Why, oh, Why? I know I am bad. Well... wouldn't you agree? =) It just goes to show that mahirap mamatay ang masasamang damo. OOPS! As I used to say, "Walang personalan, blog-bloggan lang." *honk*honk*

I have to release the fury or else Bunny might come out full of rage and anger. =)

Whatever fate the P.I. would have, whether we like ot or not, we have to love it. Let just all be positive. There's still hope...

...maybe if Thumbelina is ousted but that won't happen. How many attemptssss have We made? Except under the circumstances that the alipores and galamay are completely inactivated then can we succeed. Otherwise, Her kingdom reigns.

Boohoo...*tissue please*

"It's the thought that counts"

22 days to go before Christmas and obviously everyone is busy shopping presents for their loved ones. Some who are not used to the habit are forced to because of company parties where each has to participate in exchange gifts. It has been customary. Besides, who doesn't want to receive gifts anyway? We all need to pacify the kid in us, hungry for fun & surprises.

I guess, it would be totally different for me this year. As much as I would want to sweep all the showcase windows, I cannot. I need to isolate myself from all these people rushing about; prevent myself from rubbing elbows with the busy bees whilst carrying bags & bags of goodies. Shoo, stress, don't bother me! I am not fussy, but I am a crowd hater, not to say, "the risky condition." Just like the weather, it directly affects my temper. Hot/Crowded = 100 degC
For now, it's better to heed the doctor's advice than to regret later on. At least I can strongly attest that I did do my part to nourish the pregnancy. *knock on wood*

Btw, I prefer to shop alone. There are many things on my Xmas list now and all I can do is stare at them. Yes, there's internet shopping but I have this attitude that I must have a look at the product first with my bare eyes & hands before I purchase it. Then can I be contented. Hello? Looks can be deceiving. =)

So definitely, I would have to pass up the chance this time. Sacrifice Eileen!! Perhaps, wishing & greeting all the people close to me would already suffice. I'm sure they would understand. Pakilista na lang po muna! Again, I'm not used to it. Hmmm...I guess a small keychain is enough. Hey, it's the most common pasalubong of Pinoys you know *hehehe...kidding* We'll see, we'll see. When I have set my foot back home, things might change. Chocolate crinkles lang ang katapat...o walis o peanut brittle! *wink*

Finding gifts for our folks or in-laws has always been troublesome. It seems to be the hardest part. *sigh* This time 'though, there won't be any problem. And to think, I didn't even do any window shopping prior. I have found a present & it will be this simple:

Eileen, on the eve of Christmas:

"Maligayang pasko po! (habang nagmamano). Eto po ang regalo namin sa inyo...(while pointing at Bunny)

See? soooo simple. Looks like my pregnancy is such a good timing.

Aba! wais ata si Lumen! ;p

source: stencilstyle.com

To quote one petition from this Sunday's Prayer for the Faithful:

"May this Advent Season not be a time
for mindless consumerism, but a time for re-creation of human
hearts..."

This one so struck me for there are a superficial few who tend to forget what Christmas is all about. You, yes you...do you really know what we are celebrating for?

Anyways, enjoy the Holidays people. See you when I see you, Fwends!!!