My First Snow

I belive everyone's first snow experience is really unforgettable.

Mine was indeed unforgettable. For a person like me who lived in the Philippines all my life, a snow experience is something to look forward to. Mine happened three years ago in Chicago, USA. Me and my husband were visiting some relatives in Chicago then. We have at least five relatives there so we just stay with any of them at any time during our one and a half month stay in Chicago.

One reason why we went up to Chicago (from California) was that I was really hoping to experience snow there. And indeed I had a wonderful first snow experience there.

We were staying at one of my relative's house that time and my husband woke me up early in the morning and told me that it already snowed. At first I thought he was only joking. But when I looked out the window, I saw real snow for the first time. I went outside and had a picture taken beside our car which had thin snow on it. But by around 9 o'clock in the morning, the snow has melted down and I was a little frustrated.

However, a few days later, when me and my husband were touring the popular tourist spots in Chicago: the Navy Pier, the museums and others, and while we were still inside the Science museum, my cousin called me and informed us to stay put because a blizzard is coming up that night. When I looked outside the window, indeed snow has started to pour down.

Me and my husband decided to go outside and drove to the city. I was like crazy.. Even if there was a blizzard, I opened the car window and extended my arm to catch the snow. Later, we can't tell where we were anymore. We got lost in the city. We stopped by a Whole Foods outlet and ate there. When we came out, our car looked like a "halo-halo" with thick white snow on top of it. It was so much fun!

It was past 10 o'clock in the evening and we still can't find our way to the highway going to my cousin's house. We stopped by a gasoline station and asked for directions and finally, we we're on the right road.

My husband was really driving safe and slow. I think our car was cruising the highway at only 5-10 miles per hour. We could even see a few cars on the road-side, that previously met an accident.

Thank God we arrived home safe. My cousin was a little bit worried, considering that it was our first time to drive in the snow.

The next day, I woke up so excited. I went outside the yard and played in the snow like a little kid. It was so much fun. All I was thinking then was "how I wish I am playing in the snow right now, with my own kids".

I hope that my next snow experience will be spent with my own kids around.

Christmas Wishes

Christmas day is only four days away. We always have wishes for Christmas.

My Christmas Wishes

These are wishes for the year 2009:
1. Continued good health to me and my family.
2. Peace and love among family members (they know who).
3. Am-am's passing the Nursing Board and for her to be strong and ready for her future.
4. To be a Doctor in Business Administration very soon.
5. More sales/earnings/additional income/blessings.
6. A pretty house with a beautiful garden.
7. Land titles and investment properties.
8. Settlements
9. Travels abroad
10. New car
11. Rolex watch/Diamonds
12. Revive my community projects

The list could be longer but a dozen is already much.

For my birthday and Christmas gift, I gifted myself an electric Brother sewing machine. I have been looking for a sewing machine like this for many years already and I was lucky to find one at Bohol Quality department store. So, I bought it as soon as I can.

This sewing machine is the kind which is portable. When one wants to use it, it will just be put on a table top and when not used, can just be stored in the cabinet.

With the availability of my sewing machine, I hope to have time to tinker with it and come out with some sewing projects soon.

My Christmas Tree

Christmas is never the same without a Christmas tree. It is one of the Christmas symbols.


The Legend of the First Christmas Tree

The night of the Saviour's birth, all the living creatures, both flora and fauna, came to Bethlehem with gifts. The olive tree brought its fruit and the palm its dates. But the little fir tree had no gift and was so tired it couldn't resist when the big trees pushed it into the background and hid it from view. But then a nearby angel took pity and commanded a cluster of stars to come and rest on its delicate boughs. When the Baby Jesus beheld this lovely lighted tree, He smiled and blessed it, declaring henceforth that fir trees should always be filled with lights at Christmastime to please little children. (from www.morning-glow.com)

My Tree

My Christmas tree was bought about five (5) years ago at more or less P4,000.00 from the local store here in Tagbilaran City. It's an 8-foot tree. At this time, a tree as big as this is now more expensive than what it was priced some years ago.

Some trimmings that are decorated on my tree are recycled ones. Although, I had to buy some more trimmings this year since some of the once I had before are no longer pretty. With the current high prices of items now, I spent more than P3,000.00 for the trimmings and the lights alone.

It's been our tradition that the my children help in putting the trimmings on the tree. And as usual, it is my youngest son who gets the honor of putting the 'star' on top of the tree.

Just turned 43!

Yesterday, December 13, 2008, I started another year in my life, looking forward to a new year of happiness and to enjoy God's blessings.

This is a special birthday celebration for me because this is my first birthday spent with my granddaughter - Babam.

How the day went?

I was still asleep when my husband kissed me and greeted me a happy birthday. When I woke up, the kids greeted me too.

I had to report to work early today. I delivered a welcome address during the Christmas party of the CWTS (Civic Welfare Training Service). Over 2,000 people greeted me a happy birthday by singing a happy birthday song to me. It was touching. Perhaps it was the biggest "birthday party" I have ever had.

Before we left for Panglao Island Nature Resort, I had to drop by Marcela Department Store to buy the rubber float for Babam. I also saw this cute Disney sunglasses for kids and I bought a pink pair for Babam too.

The Outing

We arrived at the Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa at around eleven o'clock in the morning. Entrance fee during weekends is P400 per person. P300 of which is consumable (for food purchases) and P100 of it is chargeable as entrance or for swimming pool use.

We had lunch at the gazebo. I had fish and chips and four seasons drink. My husband and my children ordered their own choices.Food was fairly okay.

The weather that afternoon was good. At least, it was not very sunny. While my kids were enjoying the pool, me and my husband chose to just sit around and I read just the Reader's Digest.

I joined the kids later in the pool. The water felt cold the first time I dipped in the water although later it was okay.

We left the resort at almost 4 p.m. already.

We decided to stay home after the trip. I decided not the attend the Christmas party of our department because the kids were already very tired and I didn't want to go there without them. My husband ordered food from our favorite restaurant (Shang Me Nou) and enjoyed dinner at home with my family.

Although, me and my husband went out a little later after dinner. I had to buy my medications from Mercury Drug Store and my husband has to get new DVDs from his favorite DVD store. Afterwards, we went to Island City Mall (which was having a midnight sale that night) and just browsed stuffs there. I didn't get to find something interesting at my favorite clothes shop (Kamiseta) so, I didn't get to buy anything for me.

Who greeted me?

Arthur, Amam, Badong, Arjo, Babam, more than 2,000 CWTS students, CWTS teachers,Mandie Gloria, Reyna (off-line YM), Mama, Luane, Libya, my office staff, Mercury Drug store clerks, Kamiseta shop clerk, Venice (who called from Hong Kong), Ailyn, everyone at church (today) and many more...

Body Massage

Today, was not a busy day for me. In the morning, I was just working on the website for the local newspaper and after lunch, I took a good nap. When I woke up, me and my husband went to the Tagbilaran City port to pick up my daughter who arrived from Cebu City. She was in Cebu for almost a week for her nursing board exams.

I know my daughter feels tired and soar after that challenge, I treated her to a body massage at Nua Thai Foot and Massage Salon. I accompanied her and also treated myself to an hour-long body massage with oil. Mine was a traditional Thai massage. It was my first time to have that kind of massage since I usually have the Swedish or soft massage type. The one who did the massage on me didn't ask me what type of massage I wanted and I just pressumed it was my usual Swedish.

I like the way the 'bed' is being set-up - think matress on the floor. Their pillow is soft. The lighting inside is soft too. The place is clean inside.

But anyway, it was good enough. A Thai massage is full of pressing, pushing and pulling session, which I found a bit painful in some instances. But it was okay anyway though I found it not to be relaxing.

Although I enjoyed my body massage session at Nua Thai, I still consider the massage routine at Le Spa more relaxing.

Tips:
- when you go for a massage, don't go to the salon wearing make-up.
- it feels good and fresh when you get a good warm bath before going to the massage salon.
- it is advised that you bring your own pajamas if you don't like to wear their service pajamas (although washed and smells fresh, these were being used by other clients too).
- don't bring bulky purses or even your cellphone.
- wear slippers in going to the salon (your Havaiannas won't get lost anyway)
- don't take a bath after a massage session (some say so)

Wishes
- I wish other clients in the salon would observe silence religiously. If they wish to chat with their companion or with the service crew, they just do it in the coffee shop and not inside the massage salon.
- I wish hooks or something decent used to place our clothes will be provided so we won't leave our clothes on the floor.
- I wish they would provide newer and fresher pajamas
- I wish I extended my body massage session to two hours.. hahhahaha

Related post: Spa and massage salons in Bohol