Surviving Christmas

This is probably one of the saddest Christmas of my life. Tapioca working on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. No nannies around. No home cooked meals. No Noche Buena. No kids around. They were at my brothers’. Me all alone at home sick and feeling miserable.

I’m just glad I survived. I hibernated. I took all the rest I could and took all the meds I needed. I don't want to be sick until New Year’s. That’s gonna be really sad.

I looked at my social media feed and saw all those wonderful photos of friends and families all complete for the holidays. I can’t help but wonder. I asked myself “Do I feel jealous? Am I getting green with envy?” Hmmm maybe. Not. I have to double check. But seriously I wasn’t. In fact I was inspired.

Instead of sulking and being bitter and miserable I chose otherwise. I took all those happy photos as inspiration for our next Christmas. As a matter of fact, I already jotted down notes and made plans on how we will celebrate Christmas next year.

Because of this experience, I’ve learned something and realized that this quote is oh so true:

Happiness is a state of mind.

Happiness is a choice.

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Our Christmas Tree is Up

I finally decided to put up our Christmas tree last night. Unlike the past years, I somehow felt indifferent. It's like I wasn’t excited. Like I did not feel happy at all. It was strange. Setting up the tree has been a tradition that I look forward to. It always makes me happy and excited for the holidays.

However, it was different yesterday.

Munchkin was sick. She was not in the mood and didn’t feel like helping in putting the decors. She missed her class’ Christmas presentation. 

Yesterday was supposed to be the Christmas presentation before the school break. Tapioca didn't allow us to attend because Munchkin was still not feeling well. He said we needed to let her rest so as not to repeat what happened from her last school activity. You can read about it here.

Once again, I felt bad. This is the 2nd time she got sick when they were supposed to have a school program. Last time was during Linggo ng Wika. She was already high with fever but insisted on joining the program.

I was sad and disappointed. I mean, this was supposed to be another first for our Little Munchkin but what can I do? Who would have thought that this would happen again, being sick again before the school presentation? Am I being a bad Mom? Am I not taking care of her well? The stress and anxiety was killing me so I thought maybe putting up the Christmas tree would help.

Going back to my Christmas tree, I find the color theme and the floral decors boring. Or maybe the right words would be sad and depressing? I felt that it didn't spark joy. What do you think? 

I know my Christmas tree is fake and cheap but the decors did not help. It somehow made it look more cheap. It also felt lifeless.  I was so sorry it felt so fake. It just made me feel more sad than I already was.  

I swear, I'm going to get rid of those decors when Christmas is over. I wouldn't even think of recycling them. So sorry Mother Earth.

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Christmas with the Apat na Sikat

It was a pleasant surprise when we got a message from Vanj saying she'll be in town for the holidays. This is one of those rare occasions when the four of us see one another and catch up with each other's lives. No matter how crazy the schedules are, we're able to squeeze in an impromptu gathering. We all met up at Ivy's place. She whipped up a simple meal and I brought a cake. It's like celebrating my birthday all over again!

 

They were requesting for Banapple's cheesecake, however the store was closed. This was the next best thing.

Tapioca once bought this cake for my nephew's birthday (yeah, a pink cake for a guy). The cake was yummy. It was not overly sweet and the sponge cake was not dry. No umay factor, too.

I love that Goldilocks is improving it's cake lineup unlike Red Ribbon. I recently discovered that Red Ribbon has taken out the blueberry cheesecake from the menu. Sigh. First, it was the New York cheesecake. Now the blueberry. What's next Red Ribbon?!?!

. . . Ivy's special carbonara

 buttered toast . . .

Simple yet delish meal prepared by Ivy.

the apat na sikat with Rhian . . .

We got bitin with all the chikahan so after 3 days, we continued the session at home. Unfortunately, Anjee couldn't make it as she had to leave for Ilocos. This time we had an inuman session.

. . . with tanduay ice

Tapioca prepared the pulutan :-)

  chicken with leeks . . .

 pan-seared pork chop with dry rub . . .

 . . . baked potatoes with butter and herbs

 

buttered mushroom . . .

Vanjee commented that the dishes reminded her of China. She said it was exactly the same way Chinese made their dishes. Well, what can I say? Tapioca's cooking is mostly influenced by Chinese.

We drank merrily while eating and watching No Other Woman. The three of us haven't watched it yet.  So glad I got to see it with my girlfriends. I rarely (make that never ever!) watch Pinoy movies especially with Tapioca. He abhors Pinoy films. But with my girlfriends around, he's left with no choice but to make nasty comments about Anne Curtis hahaha!

We really missed each other so much we continued the bonding session the following day. We went to Eastwood and attended the Sunday mass. For lunch, we headed to Food Junction. Vanjee missed Filipino food and I missed my favorite bulalo. Sorry but no more food photos. We were hungry and busy with the kwentuhan and finding out the latest chismax. We did get a souvenir photo at the Eastwood CityWalk with these fake Christmas trees and snow.

. . . vanj and yours truly

Ivy the photographer not included. The girls and I spent lots of time together but I think it still wasn't enough. I was kinda sad when we bid each other farewell. I know they're just an email/sms away but it's never the same when you're with each other's company. 

I can't wait till we see each other again. I miss you already! 

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Making Our Christmas Tradition

We celebrated Christmas at home with just the two of us and our adorable kitties. Tapioca didn't have work so we spent the rest of the day doing what we do best - nothing! This is our first Christmas as husband and wife. I thought it would be great to make our own Christmas tradition by having a family photo. We didn't put up any Christmas decor for fear the cats will destroy them. The only festive spot in the house was this door with the wreath I bought from Bicol (Mochi and Sunday can't reach it haha!). That's where we had our pictorial.

. . . Mr & Mrs Tapioca

with our babies - Mochi & Sunday . . .

I'm loving this spot in the house. I know this is going to be hard to keep so before it goes away, I had a photo op with Mochi :-)

. . . healthy christmas

In lieu of dieting, we had pesto pasta and fresh garden salad with homemade vinaigrette.

Tapioca's gifts to me:

new shoes ! ! !

They were on sale (buy one take one). He really knows how to spoil me *giddy*

new purses ! ! !

My passion with tiny purses is back. When we went shopping, I went crazy with all those cute little purses but I restrained myself. Tapioca allowed me to get two. How nicey? You know he was very generous to me and I feel ashamed I didn't have anything for him. Well, as of the moment I can't afford his dream PC. But I told him one day I will buy it. Until that day come . . . .

Here's more gifts from friends . . .

. . . yummy polvoron from Aldwin & Angela

 

pretty photo frame from dirk & nina . . .

I really love this frame. It's unfortunate though that it can't stay in its place. Mochi knocks the poor thing over twice. Good thing it didn't break.

. . . digital clock from marj

I always wanted to have this digital clock. It serves as a back up alarm clock when our cellphones are dead. I also like the temperature meter. It tells us that our air conditioner is doing its job. Also, we can now see the time when it's night time and all the lights are off. No more scrambling for the phone to check the time. Love it!

immersion blender . . .

Just like the digital clock, I have ticked off another item on my wish list. I can use this to whip up cream, mix homemade salad dressings, puree ingredients for soups and so much more. Can't wait to break this in!

. . . in hot rockin' pink-alush ! ! !

This is the logo/brand for the immersion blender. They're available at the SM Department Store. Aside from immersion blenders, they also have cool kitchen appliances like rice cookers, oven toasters, hand mixers, etc in different colors. If you like to put a pop of color in your kitchen, then this is the brand to look for.

paper shredder . . .

For my home office, the paper shredder. Tapioca got this from a second hand store. Tried shredding a couple of papers and it stopped working so we returned it to the store. Unfortunately, since it was on sale it's the last of its kind. Lesson learned: never buy any electronic equipment from a thrift store even though it has a warranty. For furniture - yes. but electronic equipment? Never again.

. . . sandwich maker

From Tapioca's list, a sandwich maker. It's brand new (thank God!). At first, I didn't think we would have any use for it. I like toasting my bread in the oven toaster or over a hot pan. Then Tapioca introduced me to the wonders of the sandwich maker. Now making grilled cheese sandwiches is easy, convenient and quicker.

It has room for 2 sandwiches. I can make 2 sandwiches in one go. Neat!!!

He also got his dream mouse pad.

razer goliathus gaming mouse pad . . .

So that's it folks, our simple Christmas showered with gifts from loved ones. Thank you generous friends for remembering us! How about you? Did you get what you wish for this Christmas?

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Merry Christmas!!!

This photo was taken during our Baguio trip earlier this year. The pine trees evoke Christmas so I edited it a bit and came up with a holiday photo.

May this season brings you joy, peace, love and abundant blessings. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

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'Tis The Season

It's the time of the year again where everyone's calendar is fully booked with events and parties to attend to. Despite the crowd, the chaos, not to mention the horrible holiday traffic, the celebration must go on. I myself had a fully loaded weekend for December. As much as we'd like to attend every party, there are things that will always get in the way.

For the 2nd year in a row, Tapioca got sick. I don't know but he seems to be at his weakest during this season. It's a good thing though it started a few weeks before Christmas or else we'll be having porridge again (like last year). Then, another relative - my uncle passed away. This is the 2nd time a family relative died in December. You know, times like this when everyone around you started dying, it makes me feel so old. And speaking of being old, I just turned 30!

This is supposed to be the season to be jolly but God wanted me to have a little bit of happiness and a little bit of sadness so I can be more grateful for everything life has come (and will be coming my way). Let us also not forget about the true meaning of Christmas.

Tapioca and Jellybean at the roof deck of One San Miguel Building in Ortigas. Check out the background - city lights, more buildings and Manila's pollution.

With my former team and colleagues. 

Gifts. Bought them all in one go.

We also threw a pre-Christmas party at home. Fun times.

Surprisingly, we're all able to fit in our tiny apartment.

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