12.31.2004

Thank God that we arrived safely back here in our home sweet home :) While we were out of the country just relaxing and having our family vacation, we did'nt know that when we left, an unfortunate tragedy happened :( I'm sure a lot of people are already aware by now of the Tsunami disaster that hit South Asia. And although we cannot do anything about it, except to offer our donations and our prayers, one of the lessons it taught us is to be grateful for our blessings but most especially to our families. I mean, this disaster came out of nowhere and the next thing that happened, those poor children are now abandoned :(

I've always said this a million times that I am so thankful for my family. That no matter how everything has changed, we as a family has not. We eat together, go to church every sunday and just like our recent vacation, we really make it a point to set a time just for our family every year. And although it is not always perfect, because of misunderstandings, we just have to realize that no matter how busy our lives could get, when you get home, it is still the family who really matters.


-cold, cold, cold
-my mommy dearest :)

And this vacation for us, even if it was just our family, was really a lot of fun :) I always look forward every year our vacation after Christmas, although sadly, it also meant having to miss my High school barkada's Christmas get-together each time. But I just love our trip of 5 days of "family bonding". Because aside from the time that we spend together, it does'nt hurt that it consists also of shopping and eating a lot of food. And when I say a lot, my friends know I really mean a lot. 3 cups of rice every meal and I'm not kidding. I don't know if it was because of the cold weather, or because we walked a lot, but one thing's for sure, I sure gained a lot of pounds :) hehe. :) It also once again established my Dad as someone who is really patient and caring!! :) Imagine, he had to look out for his 3 girls and then my mom, everytime. :) While we were out there having the time of our lives shopping, he was always just outside the store waiting for us so he could carry our shopping bags!! :) And when he did go shopping, it was pasalubong for our cousins and for his brothers. I can't even recall him buying anything for himself!


daddy's girl

I guess, like most of our vacations, this was just like the same because it was fun and I was with my family. Although, this time I was able to see Lionel. haha! :) Although at first I was telling my sister that "i-indian-in ata ako ni Lionel" Grr! To think, he was even the one who told me to synchronize our watches!!! But at least he was true to his word and treated me including my sister to some drinks. ;) hehe. Dapat videoke eh! Joke lng! :) But one thing I must say, wether it be here in Manila or there in HongKong, Lion's voice is really heard. Upon seeing him, he greets me "O baket?" out loud! ..in the Hotel's lobby! haha!


- lobby :)
-with lion's cousin and my sister..

And although I enjoyed our stay there, I just don't like it how the people there have always mistaken us for being Chinese!! Though I have nothing against Chinese, I'm just proud to be a Filipino. I guess, this further proved a point that we do really look Chinese though I swear we do not have Chinese blood. Mukha ba talaga akong Chinese!?! Twice I was approached and was asked in Chinese, and all that I could say was "No! No!" hahahha! :D And not once we were first spoken to in English. And this always happens every year. Sometimes when I pay for something, I don't even bother to understand what the person at the cashier is saying. As long as I know I have enough money, I just smile and accept my change. And when Kar and I attempted to speak in Chinese, we found out from Lionel's cousin, who went with us also, that we were pronouncing it the wrong way!! The sentence??... "Tai gui lei", in English?... "That is too expensive". ahhaha! :) It would have been prefect for bargaining. haha! :D And then there was this word that Kar and I wanted to use if a seller insisted a certain price that we did'nt like, all we had to say was something like "hola-hola" which we thought meant, "No!" but as it turned out, it meant, "Okay". hehe. The only thing we got right and was able to use was "Shi shi" which means Thank You":)

This is one loooong entry so I better cut it now. But just to end this, I am grateful for my Life and I have the Lord to thank for. I just hope that I could be worthy of this all. And that may all people, despite the situation that they are facing, be able to have the courage and faith to stand up once again and find the happiness in their lives. Sometimes you wonder that somehow, someway, by not just wishing, that you could really do that to others..

bic walked away at 1:39 AM