Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Things to do this September
Today is September 1, 2009. In the Philippines, the start of the
"BER" months used to signify the start of the Christmas Season.
However, due to more financially difficult times, the Christmas
Season now starts at around November or December; depending
on whether it's a good year or a bad year.
Last year, I started preparing for Christmas as early as September.
It was our first Christmas as a couple. Suddenly, I had to learn
how to shop for 2! Of course, I had to make a "career" out of it!
As serendipity would have it, the 2008 Ramadan Season started
on the 1st of September. It was a Legal Holiday and I decided to
grab the chance to check out department stores in Makati.
I can still vividly remember the Christmas displays at Rustan's!
The Christmas decors just lifted my spirits and put me in a
holiday mood.
In the end, I made the right decision as I was on bed rest the
entire month of December. By that time, I was already done
with my shopping and was not stressed out over Christmas
preparations.
Here are a few things I picked up from last year's experience.
Spoiler Warning: this is not for those who enjoy the adrenaline
rush that comes when doing things last minute!
Things to do this September:
1) Start your "Spring Cleaning".
Spring Cleaning is not really a part of Philippine Culture. The
closest thing we have is the tradition of cleaning up the house
before Christmas and/or New Year's.
Starting this early will give you ample time to really assess your
home environment. Something you will not be able to properly
do if you start on December.
Do yourself a favor. Don't just do some cleaning. Go do some
clearing! If it doesn't work, doesn't fit, will never get used, etc
do dispose of it! If it is still in a decent condition, donate it to
family, friends or a charitable institution. Otherwise, throw
it away! Don't unnecessarily burden other people with your
junk!
2) Finalize your Christmas Shopping List.
Last year's Christmas Shopping was a breeze. It didn't feel as
"painful" as previous years. Firstly, my expenses were spread
out over a period of 3 - 4 months. Also, instead of buying things
at regular price, I was able to wait for sale events and bought
things at sale price.
I also had a "tea box" theme for a few relatives and friends. I
found a bazaar stall, with reasonable prices, to buy quite a
number of items from. This worked to my advantage as I was
able to bargain for wholesale prices.
3) Work on THAT SCRAPBOOK.
I have a few scrapbooks that I need to get done before the baby
comes. They're scrapbooks on stuff H and I did together. I'm
sure if I don't get these done within the year, these scrapbooks
will never see the light of day.
Each year has its own fair share of memories. You may want to
work on "documenting" this year's precious moments within
THE YEAR. Trust me, next year, you too will find yourself too
busy with other "more important" things to do. And do count
on next year to have its own share of adventures and
misadventures, wanting to be documented.
Let me know how things work out for you...
I hope these tips will help you experience the Holidays in a
a more enjoyable way!
I love lists... There have been so many that I can't
recall them all...
This is my ode to the humble list...
"BER" months used to signify the start of the Christmas Season.
However, due to more financially difficult times, the Christmas
Season now starts at around November or December; depending
on whether it's a good year or a bad year.
Last year, I started preparing for Christmas as early as September.
It was our first Christmas as a couple. Suddenly, I had to learn
how to shop for 2! Of course, I had to make a "career" out of it!
As serendipity would have it, the 2008 Ramadan Season started
on the 1st of September. It was a Legal Holiday and I decided to
grab the chance to check out department stores in Makati.
I can still vividly remember the Christmas displays at Rustan's!
The Christmas decors just lifted my spirits and put me in a
holiday mood.
In the end, I made the right decision as I was on bed rest the
entire month of December. By that time, I was already done
with my shopping and was not stressed out over Christmas
preparations.
Here are a few things I picked up from last year's experience.
Spoiler Warning: this is not for those who enjoy the adrenaline
rush that comes when doing things last minute!
Things to do this September:
1) Start your "Spring Cleaning".
Spring Cleaning is not really a part of Philippine Culture. The
closest thing we have is the tradition of cleaning up the house
before Christmas and/or New Year's.
Starting this early will give you ample time to really assess your
home environment. Something you will not be able to properly
do if you start on December.
Do yourself a favor. Don't just do some cleaning. Go do some
clearing! If it doesn't work, doesn't fit, will never get used, etc
do dispose of it! If it is still in a decent condition, donate it to
family, friends or a charitable institution. Otherwise, throw
it away! Don't unnecessarily burden other people with your
junk!
2) Finalize your Christmas Shopping List.
Last year's Christmas Shopping was a breeze. It didn't feel as
"painful" as previous years. Firstly, my expenses were spread
out over a period of 3 - 4 months. Also, instead of buying things
at regular price, I was able to wait for sale events and bought
things at sale price.
I also had a "tea box" theme for a few relatives and friends. I
found a bazaar stall, with reasonable prices, to buy quite a
number of items from. This worked to my advantage as I was
able to bargain for wholesale prices.
3) Work on THAT SCRAPBOOK.
I have a few scrapbooks that I need to get done before the baby
comes. They're scrapbooks on stuff H and I did together. I'm
sure if I don't get these done within the year, these scrapbooks
will never see the light of day.
Each year has its own fair share of memories. You may want to
work on "documenting" this year's precious moments within
THE YEAR. Trust me, next year, you too will find yourself too
busy with other "more important" things to do. And do count
on next year to have its own share of adventures and
misadventures, wanting to be documented.
Let me know how things work out for you...
I hope these tips will help you experience the Holidays in a
a more enjoyable way!
I love lists... There have been so many that I can't
recall them all...
This is my ode to the humble list...
Saturday, May 23, 2009
On being an ate
Here's my reply to R's interesting email....
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi R,
This is so funny!
I grew up "OC" so I can't relate to the fishballs, dirty ice cream and
water from the poso bit hahaha... But I did build a tiny playhouse,
ride the bike, play patintero and piko, make mudpies...
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? My family is much bigger
than H's... Anyway, he noticed that it was too quiet in one family
gathering... We decided to check out the kids... Guess what we saw
--> all the kids quietly playing with their PSPs... They were playing
together but using their PSPs... It kinda looked like a parent's dream
come true --- all the parents were busy chit chatting and they didn't
have to worry about their kids running around... Sadly, it seemed like
the most normal thing in the world... Sadly, because it has been said
that the kids of today have poor social skills... Plus, the cousins didn't
get to interact with each other...
But of course, I was ever the "ATE"... Last Christmas, I had some
games for the kids... I couldn't be a proper emcee as I was supposed
to be on bed rest... And my brothers were not exactly the best emcees
hahaha... Plus, we lacked prizes... I forgot that you need a lot --- even
if it's just a token, so long as the kids get a consolation prize... It was
short but fun while it lasted... My aunt was thrilled because they were
balikbayans and they were able to get a nice video of the kids at play...
It ended when the kids had to do their "program" ---> with a cash prize
for singing to the granddads and grandmoms... Eh pera yon di ba hahaha...
And so, it seems that's how it's going to be... If you think it's important,
you will have to do something... Otherwise, the adults will just chitchat
and the kids will just play their PSPs... As for me, I hope to pull off
something better this Christmas... I can't help it, I'll always be ATE
hahaha...
* Ate - the Filipino word for eldest or older sister
This is so funny!
I grew up "OC" so I can't relate to the fishballs, dirty ice cream and
water from the poso bit hahaha... But I did build a tiny playhouse,
ride the bike, play patintero and piko, make mudpies...
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? My family is much bigger
than H's... Anyway, he noticed that it was too quiet in one family
gathering... We decided to check out the kids... Guess what we saw
--> all the kids quietly playing with their PSPs... They were playing
together but using their PSPs... It kinda looked like a parent's dream
come true --- all the parents were busy chit chatting and they didn't
have to worry about their kids running around... Sadly, it seemed like
the most normal thing in the world... Sadly, because it has been said
that the kids of today have poor social skills... Plus, the cousins didn't
get to interact with each other...
But of course, I was ever the "ATE"... Last Christmas, I had some
games for the kids... I couldn't be a proper emcee as I was supposed
to be on bed rest... And my brothers were not exactly the best emcees
hahaha... Plus, we lacked prizes... I forgot that you need a lot --- even
if it's just a token, so long as the kids get a consolation prize... It was
short but fun while it lasted... My aunt was thrilled because they were
balikbayans and they were able to get a nice video of the kids at play...
It ended when the kids had to do their "program" ---> with a cash prize
for singing to the granddads and grandmoms... Eh pera yon di ba hahaha...
And so, it seems that's how it's going to be... If you think it's important,
you will have to do something... Otherwise, the adults will just chitchat
and the kids will just play their PSPs... As for me, I hope to pull off
something better this Christmas... I can't help it, I'll always be ATE
hahaha...
* Ate - the Filipino word for eldest or older sister
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Where to go when you're stuck in bed.
I have now been on bed rest for a week and a half. Ho hum, ho hum. I would love to go out and see the world. Christmas is my favorite time of the year! It would be great to see the malls all dressed up for the season! But nope, I still have to lie down and rest...
Thank goodness there are a lot of pregnancy and baby internet sites out there. One site that I've found useful is Baby Center. It's like a one stop shop for all my pregnancy questions! And no, I am not connected with this site in any way or form :D
I just love their baby calendar! Each week, I get news on what's supposed to be happening to the baby and I, for that particular week's stage of the pregnancy. This week, I am at week 7. By this time, my baby's hands and feet are forming. I, on the other hand, should feel normal that I am experiencing appetite loss. Oh yes, I'm encouraged to take a photo of my tummy now, it will be getting bigger soon...
Baby Center occasionally sends out bulletins as well. This week's bulletin contained a link to questions on stuff that are considered safe/not safe for pregnant women.... Some of the the questions listed were generic: “Is it safe to wear high heels when I'm pregnant?” Some were quite amusing: “Is it safe to get or have a belly button ring when I'm pregnant?” A few were a bit hilarious: “Is it safe to ride the bumper cars at an amusement park when I'm pregnant?”...
Check out the site and you'll see what I mean hahaha...
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