Still A Merry Christmas

Greetings to all!

I regret to have not been able to post a thing or two after 6 days before Christmas. A lot has happened after the storm. The depression it has brought and the stress due to the holiday rush almost got the best of me!

But who says there is no more Christmas?

Although everything was so chaotic, no one has ever stopped Christmas, not even Sendong/Washi.

I just concluded that Christmas can never be stopped even during the worst times.

I'm happy I was able to celebrate it with my family, not to mention that it was my baby's first. :)

Amid all the pain and losses we have experienced, I never thought I'd still get to be so busy wrapping presents for everyone. I never even though that I would still experience the holiday rush. I was bit surprised that many people still went shopping on the 24th for their Christmas celebration.

Being with my family is enough reason to celebrate the joyous day.

6 days and counting down

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Days left before Christmas: 6 days 0 hours 2 minutes and counting down

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

It just sank in.

Our little town was hit by a tropical storm on Saturday, December 17, 2011. A flash flood swept away homes and killed many people who are mostly elderly, children, and babies.

My heart is aching right now because of this tragedy.

Although the area that we live in wasn't affected. But when you see people lose their homes and loved ones, you cannot help but really be emotional about it.

For now, there are more than a hundred dead persons and 200 more are still missing.

Last Friday, there was a forecast on the news regarding tropical storm Sendong/Washi to hit Mindanao (the southern island of the Philippines). The news did not include Iligan City as part of the area which was likely to be hit by the storm. Unfortunately on Saturday evening (around 11 PM) while everyone was fast asleep, the storm crept in and washed away the homes near the rivers.

People in our city are not threatened by rain since we have a mountainous terrain. And, we were never affected by any storm. Our rivers have overflowed but never like this. This is the first time that our city experienced this kind of tragedy.

For now, I could not dare to post any photos that we have taken, nor write about any other details about my experience. I am still too overwhelmed to write everything.

Earlier today, we gave out food, water, and clothing to evacuees.

The auditorium where I attended college was turned into an evacuation site. When I got in, I was not pleased with what I saw. It was very heart-wrenching. There were lots of babies who needed aid.

For now, I do not want to eat in expensive restaurants because all I can think of are those who needed food. Every time I open the faucet, I feel guilty if I waste water because those people in the evacuation sites needed it more.

I know I already did what I can to help yet it still does not take away the sadness caused by this great mishap.

If anyone of you is reading this, I am knocking at your hearts to share your love for my fellow Filipinos who needed help. There are various ways that you can help, and your dollar will go a long way.

Just a note though, your help will not go to my pocket. It will go directly to agencies who are hosting the relief operations.

By the way, here a link from CNN: http://bit.ly/rTUUZ4

If you are willing to help you can check out Iligan Bloggers Society for more information. You can send your donations through Paypal. You can also check out their Facebook page for updates: http://on.fb.me/vbsEzV.

Let's all share our blessings in this season of giving. May you have a merry Christmas.

God bless you and your families.

12 days and counting down

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Days left before Christmas: 12 days 13 hours 35 minutes and counting down

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was too depressed and lazy to post something here for the past couple of days. Also, I wasn't able to work full time again last week, but at least I was able to somewhat do some de-stressing and thinking. Anyway, what will happen will happen and I will accept it with open arms.

On Saturday, I went out with my hubby to buy some stuff for the baby. We found out about a local diaper brand from my cousin-in-law's girlfriend, and we opted to try it out. She said it works better than other popular brands, and costs really cheaper. Imagine, we saved about Php 100 compared to Huggies.

Funny brands: Lampien (diaper), Tisyu (tissue)

Yesterday, we went to church. Finally. Me, my hubby and the baby went to church after a long time. We went to a cafe after, but hesitated because a couple of cars with armed military men and policemen came before us. They look quite scary so we bought ice cream instead and went home.

Today, my baby is 7 months older. Weeee!

Athena at 7 months.

20 days and counting down

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Days left before Christmas: 20 days 6 hours 25 minutes and counting down

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is it!

I am tired.

I can't continue with this kind of lifestyle: I barely sleep; I take care of the baby; I work every time the baby is asleep; I don't go to church on Sudays; I don't go out with friends (not that I'm really concerned with that); I don't get to buy the things I want but I buy my baby's necessities, and yet I don't get to reach my hourly quota.. I do not believe there is something wrong with me.

It is hard when you try to juggle everything not get any support  from people around you.

It's just hard. And, I am fed up.

22 days and counting down

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Days left before Christmas: 22 days 23 hours 20 minutes and counting down

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's past midnight and I am working late again. Good thing there are two cable lines installed in this house: one in the living room and another in the master's bedroom (our room), which help me stay up until around 4 a.m.

Anyway, I was just changing channels while waiting for the baby to fall asleep and for my stomach ache to subside. As usual, I decided to tune into Lifestyle Network (my new favorite channel) where the program {Listed} is currently aired. They were featuring some stuff, and then Isabelo.

The mother's workshop turned into a part of the restaurant.

Isabelo Garden Restaurant is, well, a garden restaurant where according to {Listed} is difficult to find. It is a mother-and-daughter-owned restaurant. The mother is an artist and the daughter is (as they say) an advertising bigwig-turned restaurateur.

Anyway, I so envy the place and their concept. This is the kind of place where I want to dine in. I know my hubby would love this place, as well as my friends. And, this is the kind of business that I'd like to have as well.

OMG! Portia Baluyut is the daughter-owner! I recognize her from Lifestyle Network's Clash of the Tok-en Ones.

Their menu consists of a wide array of dishes, from pasta, pizza, to steak, and more! Yum! My type of food!

Yipeee! They serve one of my favorite dishes!

hmmmnn...pizza!

yummy!!! <3

Unfortunately, I won't be able to visit this place since it is islands away from where I am. They are located in Luzon, somewhere in Marikina. And, as mentioned earlier in this post, their place is hard to find. So, in case you want to give them a visit, I found this map online to help you:

I hope this will help. :)

By the way, don't forget to call before you go there. They strictly do not welcome walk-ins. You can also book online through their website: http://www.isabelogarden.com.

Enjoy dining!

P.s. please don't forget to tell me about your experience!

-----------------------------------

Photos used in this blog entry are not owned by the blog owner. They are borrowed from: http://www.isabelogarden.com, http://yummydatenight.tumblr.com, and http://mibellamaureen.blogspot.com. Copyright infringement is not intended.

23 days and counting down

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Days left before Christmas: 23 days 10 hours 18 minutes and counting down

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

It’s almost a year since our wedding and it’s just now that I checked our wedding presents which are still in their boxes.

Weee! I discovered some wine glasses which I might use later.

I’m thinking spaghetti and wine. Yum!