What we got for her?? Mine first— I gave her a Princess Aurora cuddly pillow and 2 sets of princess pork and spoon. A crayon Paydooh set, bouncy ride ball, Doodle, first learning Leap Pad. I just end up keeping the 2 more gifts the Princess tea set and A set of Little pet shop, saving it for her 4th birthday next year INSHALLAH! . My hubby found the missing gift on the garage where I hide them he!he!he!he!

Billy got her: train and a Princess lamp. You should see her when she open and finds out it was a Princess lamp. She SCREECHED so loud!!! And I got it on my video camera—it was hilarious. I am planning to send it to ABC for the Home funniest Video. We played the video a few times last night and were so funny!!! You can notice/hear my laughter on the movie.

For our anniversary— Billy replaced the family room carpet floor with wooden floor. Took him and Jimmy a day to do it. An entertainment set in living room—where we move our TV since we don’t use the living room that much. Got NO TV to watch now when I am cooking in the kitchen—- 3 sets of picture frame for the family room. A DVD movie THE NOTEBOOK! We watched it I cried again…this is my second time of watching this movie-first with my girlfriends at the movie house last year—still makes me cries. Sigh…I love this movie–

I got my Hubby a nice shirt—he wears it to the Christmas Mass. Tools and working knives and after-shave bottles. ! I still owe him a 6 feet step ladder and a compressor…I have to let him pick which one from the store.

What I got for my birthday and Christmas??? From friends first: Hazel got me a lovely shoulder bag. Sokhaley got me a $50.00 Target gift card., Lita got me a Florida spoon rest; Lanie a box of Elizabeth Arden perfume, last year she got me a Burberry perfume just use it once—he!he!he! My Papa Toto got me a 20 inches flat screen monitor for my computer (wish it was a whole NEW set J of computer –) 3 set of PJs,  a massager and a digital camera: Power  Shot Canon A640—10 mega pixels with a detachable flash and lens…for me its fancy and heavy scared to use it. Not ideal for everyday use. All I wanted was another Kodak camera (light would be better) that I can throw in my purse and go. With my new camera means. I have to start all over again—read the instruction and figure it out with the entire detachable lens and flash…OH WELL—I guess I have to deal with it and BE HAPPY of WHAT I GOT! I can’t wait to use it for my Philippines vacation someday he!he!he! This is my 4th camera so far he!he! he! Billy got me my very first camera last 1997 I forgot the brand, then 1999 a Pentax still works, last 2003 my first Digital Kodak camera –(worn out) and this year a Canon.

I was so touched with Bianca Ann—after we got done with all the gift– she hand me this gift bag and kissed me saying Happy Birthday Mama and Merry Christmas!!! Me and Billy look at each other wondering what’s in the gift bag, Billy says he don’t know NO IDEA.  I dig in see what’s inside of the gift bag: IT WAS A BAG OF HER SMALL OLD TOYS— SHE MADE A GIFT BAG FOR ME!!! My precious child— I give her a hugged and kissed for her thoughtfulness. She even stuffed her Papa stockings with my hair clip and her small old toys. Asked her father to check the stockings.

I did receive a lot of text messages, phone calls and voice messages for the miss calls, sent and left me a birthday/Christmas J messages/greetings in my friendster- THANK YOU ALL!!! Knowing that a lot of people (friends and family) loves me and remembers my day—makes me feel GOOD and so LOVED. YOU HAVE MADE my 34^th birthday and 5^th wedding Anniversary a wonderful one! I THANK THE GOD EVERYDAY FOR ALL OF YOUR FRIENDSHIP, KINDNESS AND THOUGHTFULNESS. APPRECIATE— GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Our Christmas…the celebration started on Friday 22^nd of December. Our friend Dan and his wife Terry came over to give Bianca Ann their Christmas gift. Dan in a Santa Claus suit!!! Yes he did and he does indeed looks real. Bianca Ann did not notice a thing.  I thought that was a COOLEST Christmas gift. Santa came over to give his gift in person!!!. A fellow Calbayognon Marcy Cardenas Beam and her 2 girls; Hazel and hubby were here. So I end up cooking tinolang manok with papaya and pechay, paksiw and roasted dried bolinao for Pinoys—and Spaghetti, Salad and garlic for the American— a lot of work and left over

My birthday party went fine…I had 4 families came over.  I made biko, pansit and menudo. Billy did the roast beef and ham. Sokhaley brought a salad and dinner rolls. Hazel her veggies fried lumpia were good.  April (the only white girl among Asian girls—he!he!he!) made a veggies platter and potato salad. Jimmy and his 2 kids JJ and Jason came too. Bianca Ann as usual helped me blow my birthday candle—Billy forgot to get a birthday candle. So I use my old Number 3 from last year and use 4 regular birthday candles. We did karaoke… good thing we moved the TV in our living room so we don’t have to worry our neighbor next door (their master bedroom is close to our family room where we put the TV before. Hazel sings good—but she just keep getting a lower score—here I am singing out of tune and loud –gets higher score for some reason…ha!ha!ha! I do need to fix my magic sing to professional level - had a hard time figuring out– its been awhile since the last time I use it—that would be last July 2006. WE did had a tons of left over (after all the balutan-) again my fridge were full of it! I even put most of the left over on a Ziploc to save space. I went to bed almost 2 am—feeling ko nasa Pinas din ako. We use to stay up till 5 am on Christmas day.

Christmas day! I woke up at 9 am—Billy was cleaning up in the kitchen—wiping off counter tops. I did most of it before I went to bed. Just kissed, greet my hubby a Merry Christmas and Happy anniversary, drink water and went back upstairs to get ready for the 10 o’clock Christmas mass at St. Michael Church.  After the Mass around 11:30 am Billy drove around Snohomish to look for a Place to eat for lunch—ALL were CLOSE!! We just went home and had left over. Thanks GOD!!!

Bianca Ann been bugging to open the Christmas gift by the time we get home from church—keep telling her we need to eat first so we will have energy to open the gift- WE ARE STARVING!!! Oh Santa Papa Toto got her a battery-operated train—she loves it!!  Bianca Ann got a lot of Christmas gifts (let me guess why? ha!ha!ha!) She got one Barbie Doll –(from) 12 dancing princess and a cuddly stuffed cat I guess from same movie too. She called it striper. Her Ninang Lita from Jacksonville,Fl sent it for her. She also got a set of Hello Kitty outfit from her Ninong Brendan in Italy. A check gift from her Ninang Lanie in Maryland. An outfit from her Ninang Sokhaley— a box for painting/drawing from her Auntie Hazel (friendster).  A 12 Dancing princess tea set from Marysa, Maliyah and Darian.

Whew!!! Time does flies huh? I remember when I was only 9 or 10 years old when my siblings use to tease me about having dark skin and my dear mother would comfort to tell me its alright to have dark skin–someday you will be married to an american guy…cause they love dark skin woman. Guess what??? I met and married to an american white guy— and have a beautiful baby with fair skin–he!he!he!

My dear late mother also remind us a few times–me, my Mano Nanding and Jun-Jun to keep ..take care of our birth certificates cause someday we are going to use it to go abroad. And the three of us all did—- Mano Nanding in Qatar left Philippines 2005— Jun-Jun as a Seaman on a tanker he’s been a seaman since 1996 right after college. And me— flew to Bahrain on March 1999.

Its 3 am here–woke up and realize  I will be 34 years old soon in a few hours— WOW! My dear late mother at age 33 she got already 6 kids. I was born when my mother was 32  and Tatang 30 years old–6 kids whoaa–dont ask me how they did it…but we all survive alright– 6 out of 7 went to college. The oldest 3 went ot college in Manila in 1980’s.  Tatang was a fisherman and Mama helps him a lot—  going places where there is a rice harvest and would barter a fish ( cooked and dried) for a "gantang" of rice, or as a hairdresser, dressmaker. They both did a great job in raising their 7 kids. How I wish they are still here to enjoy their grandchildrens….I am sure they are up there smiling-looking over our shoulder  on each of  their kids and grandkids adventure.

When I was still in Philippines I started an Annual Christmas party on Christmas Day with my nieces/nephews, and all the kids neighbor. It was always a great fun to see all those smiling face. We would do an exchange gift ( box of assorted candies and crackers) and they all just so happy with the snacks of Orange juice and mayo sandwhich. And parlor games..oh miss it so bad! I know someday I will be celebrating my birthday again in Pinas someday!!! GOD WILLING!! Inshallah!

Looking back in my 33 years… what a life and what a blessings I got from the Almighty GOD. To my guardian Angel who was with me all the time–during my happiness and lowest moment in my life, who never get tired with me. My friends, my friendster friends who always  put smile in my face when I need one — my family in Philippines, my inspiration! My Papa Toto  love of my life–my partner— my Bianca Ann my pride and my jewel.

Speaking of my Papa Toto we have been partner (I knew him since November 1996) 10 years!! wow!! been together for 7 1/2 years and been married for 5 years. Yes we did got married on Christmas day on my 29th birthday in GUAM. as I always say: LIFE IS GOOD!!! My NInang sa kasal sent us a $100.00 gift certificate for a dinner. Thank you ninang Linda–you are the bomb!

I would like to kiss my 33 years goodbye- thank you for the wonderfilled year– and welcome my 34th birthday with smile and hope that things will be just as great as it has always been—GREAT HEALTH for my family and friends, WISDOM to understand more about LIFE—and HOPE, LOVE and PEACE on EARTH. BE more WISER… ask this through Jesus Christ amen.

For the first time I wil be having a birthday party tonight here in our house—its  kinda of potluck Christmas dinner na rin. You all are invited to EAT MY HOUSE!!! I will be making pansit, deviled egg, menudo (my fave) biko. BIlly will be cooking cooking roast beef and ham. Hazel will be bringing lumpia veggies. April and Sokahely will be coming to with their family. I did not invite that much people/family cause we will be having party again on New Years Eve. Hope it will turn out a great /safe party. Gotta go thought to air out my thoughts here–thank you for reading! YOu have all a WONDERFULL CHRISTMAS!!!

Oh–pahabol! you know one thing of this getting old–your brain is shrinking too!!! I bought a toys–a box of Princess Tea Set from Ross and Box of Little Pet shop from Kohl’s. I forget where I hide them..too much of hiding ha? I had already wrapped all the Christmas gift, its the 2 toys thats been missing and been looking around in a few places NOWHERE to found them. Oh well am sure she is not going to miss it! CIAO for GOOD!! Gonna say hello to my Family in Phils. its already a Christmas there.

The party went  great..kahit na umuulan at walang kuryente. Salamat sa Diyos. With all the bad weather and power outage— some friends and relatives did not make it to the party. They use a generator…

I am proud to say na kahit andito ako sa malayo I was able to help/contribute di lang sa pera pati na rin ideas. I suggest the video and pictorial–and the speeches. I made them! My Mana Nene welcome address and Roadels 18th b-day speech. I email to them–so lucky the internet cafe in Calbayog got generator to print the messages. They both just read the message got no time to memorize no more. I keep calling at the party during the program—but miss both speeches. I will just wait for my DVD copy of the party. So excited to see my family, friends and relatives on the video.

They have 2 litson–usa lang ang naka-on. The litson–nakabalot pa-untouched! So they decided to go to swimming/picnic the next day sa Naga Beach. Wish me and my family was there too–enjoying the warm weather.

Its alright my new found buddy Hazel–had our party too. We had dried fried na tamban/tunsoy and stuffed  maraguso (with ground pork and songtahon noodles ) soup –cambodian style.

Special mention for Gretchen— she really make me laugh when I was feeling so homesick–dying to go to Calbayog for the party. We chatted  (at 1:30 am ) for an hour— exchanging silent giggles on line… cant do loud laugh cause everybody sleeping. She makes me feel good and went to bed with a smile in my face…Thanks Gretchen- appreciate your time and ka-kenkoyan nimo…–

They had finally power yesterday ( midnight here and 5 pm there)  we chatted again with my Mana Nene–watched Roadel opening her gifts through the web cam–dami masyado–mostly photo album!!! mY gift for her is a photo album too from Ross–he!he!he! Which is good — got something to put all her debut  photos.

WASHINGTON:

There is still a lot of people got no power here in Wa. its been a week. And on the news a lot people died from carbon monoxide poisoning–from using the Generator inside the house and charcoal burning. I guess the worst one about the Asian family. They had their Generator running at their garage—next day relatives found them (parents and 2 sons) dead on the floor. The oldest son who stayed in UNiv. of WA. dorm was so devastated with the news.

ITs cold here— and we are having a weather forecast of windstorm again today..heard the strong wind blowing. Better go shopping before it gets worst. We need more flashlights–

Today is my niece Roadel aka SNOVERAH 18th birthday. I was hoping I will be able to watch there activities (make-up, chanign clothes and etc..) through the WEBCAM. Guess what of all the days to have a power outage…they do have no POWER AT ALL!!! Since this morning…

At least I was able to view –see Roadel on her gown through the webcam while they are doing the pictorial at home…see and chat with all the bakla. Bianca Ann sung them a Christmas song—dance a boom tarat dance. When Bianca Ann dance the boom tarat dance they are convinced that she is indeed my child—they could believe she is my child due to my look–he!he!he!

HUWAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH I was looking forward and thinking about it the whole day today—what to do….I just hope the party will turn out OK, FUN and successful.

I do wish we could be there — but I guess I have to keep on dreaming about it…maybe one day—

This is it and thank you for reading..

Whew what a windstorm last night!!! Blustery…  Though our house is 3 years old and you can hear the wind hitting the roof and the sounds it makes, scares me that wind might blow our house us away, especailly we are on the corner area. Reminds me of Calbayog during typhoon. I remember when I use to live in our ancestral house all by myself— as in alone in my bedroom during windy days.  With an old see-through tin roof… when you look up to the roof inside my bedroom you can see twinkling stars during daytime. He!he!he!  Then it leaks rainy days—When the wind blow you could hear the tin roof flapping–making noises—he!he!he! Wakes me up all the time of course.

We did have a power outage last night—just about getting ready to go to bed at 10 pm. We just got done watching Freaky Friday movie…turning all the light off then here comes the darkness inside the house—NO POWER!!! We do have a flashlight—2 tiny flashlights. Use it to see our way going upstairs—did all the bedtime ritual and snuggle on the bed. Bianca Ann thought that was fun…she got a hard time falling asleep too because it was dark —totally dark then you hear the scary noise of wind and a few lightning and thunder! I am so thankful I have my family with me during this kind of weather.

Billy said that the power came back around 6 am—just time for his coffee time…he woke me up with a kiss—he is ready to work. Bianca Ann still asleep thought to post this today—-

I am not sure if we Hazel (my new found friend from friendster) and Bianca Ann were able to go shopping to commissary with the weather today. I hope been inside the house long enough. Time to shop!!!!!!!!!!!! Ha!ha!ha!

Oh we got the ordered prego flooring already —-Billy is going to replace our carpet flooring with a Red oak wooden floor. He is going to do it all by himself this weekend. He just got done last week painting our family room with some red and neutral color— hope the paint/color looks better when the floor is done. This will be our anniversary gift to each other—as he said.

THANKS GOD! I am all done—(I hope) with al the Christmas Cards, and birthday cards—do need to work on 2 anniversaries card for my friend— I am so proud of myself I written and send more than a 100 Christmas card including Philippines this year!!! I feel GOOD!!  Though I have a 2 more friends from friendster would love to send them a card—they did not give me their addresss YET!-hu!hu!hu! Oh I feel so embarrass cause this year my hubby let me do/send the Christmas card for his friends—hardly know some of them. I end up sending 2 cards to them—yaikks…got the address from the Christmas Cards I got them last year and address from Billy’s address book. Asked Billy to call them and apologize this weekend…

Thanks for reading my post today, take care.

Got this tip from PARADE Magazine—comes with my hubby  Sunday Newpaper. I find it interesting and educational–thought to share it with you–my Paparazzi frineds–he!he!he!

10 TIPS to shoot like  a PRO

1) TIGHTEN UP: Dont leave too much space above the head. Frame the subject, not the view. Jcka: Make sense to me…

2) SKIP THE ZOOM : Instead, move closer to the subject.

3) USE HIGH ANGLES : always have the subjects pose chin up. It makes them look better. And try not to shoot from a lower angle, because it gives them the dreaded double chin. Uhumm–will be useful to me with my triple chin… he!he!he!

4) DONT KEEP HITTING THE "DELETE "BUTTON: resist the urge to delete for space just because a shot isn’t perfect. Many great shots are happy mistakes. I am very bad at it…

5) MIND THE LIGHT: shadows and highlights can affect the mood of the subject or location. Pay attention to light at different times of the day.

6) USE THE FLASH: perfect light–overcast, end of the day–is rare, so use the flash inddors, outdoors and whenever you’re within 10 feet of your subject.

7) BUT DONT BE AFRAID OF NATURAL LIGHT:  It can be the most flattering.

TAKE AT LEAST 2 SHOTS : always try the shot a few different ways–once with the flash on, once with off. I do always try to take 2 or more shots without focusing on the flash though..I am learning-

9) BE ENCOURAGING!!!: say things like "WOW!" "Beautiful","Great!", "Amazing!". The louder, the better!!. oh yeah???—

10) KEEP SHOOTING: continue to snap pictures after the posing stops; This is when the magic often happens. I do agree with this. I do got a lot of great pictures with this.

I just hope Santa Claus is reading this… that I do really need a new  KODAK Digital camera! he!he!he! Thanks you all for coming by.

THANKSGIVING DAY:

Mine is a way different compare to Thanksgiving celebration I am use to. I stayed home with Bianca Ann, and Billy to Dorothy/JImmy  house for the Thanksgiving. Yes I was invited but my "TULOS/sapot" kicks in so forget about Thanksgiivng feast…decided to stay home took a nap then went to check the schedule for the Happy Feet movie. Driving on the road on a holiday–way much better cause there was no much car/traffic. We watched the 4 pm schedule–there was no much people on the theater either, I guess there was only 15 chairs occupied. Movie was great and Bianca Ann love it and so do i. Went home had a left over lechon paksiw and rice for dinner. Life is good!!!

BLACK FRIDAY!

My friends/kumare Gina together with Maya And Megan picked me up at 3:15 am for the Black friday shopping spree. We got at the Lynwood/Alderwood Mall around 4 am. Megan was assign to stand on a line in Toys R US. Me, Gina and Maya stayed together and decided stand on a line in Target. While we were in Target—- I saw the schedule on the door says open at 6 am. I asked the very first person on the line what time the store opens??she said at 5 am. Then we checked the Target flyer it says open at 6 am. So we pull out from the line (we could have been the 10th persons on the line) start heading/walkign to the Toy R Us building–by the way it was freezing cold!! and I am all bundle up and cozy. We walk to Megans and stand there ahead of those people who has been standing on the line before us. SO thankful NOBODY complains about us…after 10 minutes the store open –here all those people rushing inside…that was fun!!! Just got some art stuff fro my unica hija. If there was a long line going inside the store–it did not take that much time to make the LONG line for the cashier to pay–he!he!he!

2nd store Target:  We did not move the Gina’s mini van  from the Parking lot of Toy R US, thinking that it would be impossible to get a parking space in Target parking lot. So we all just walk–I guess for  3 miles. The store was already open when we went there…we were just like zooming on different direction of the store. I got a black  dress shoes and gold stocking for Bianca Ann for the Christmas party/day. Got some two boxes of Christmas tree bling-bling. Course the line to the casheir was way long….what we did Megan was way ahead of us find a cashier with only two people on the line ; she called us to come over on her line. Thanks to the cellphone. He!he!he! From the stuff we shop from Target and there was 4 people shopping the minivan is starting to fill up.

SEARS: We did not have a hard time finding  a parking lot  going to Sears we found a good spot just across the main door of Sears. Me and Maya stayed in Sears, Gina and Megan went to the Disney Store. I got 2 blouse for myself (Christmas and Birthday); a nice shirt and tools for my Papa Toto. Feels like my feet were about ot give up on me. Been on my feet for a 8 hours now.

Disney Store: They got a great stuff for kids…. I got Bianca Ann 2 sets of  Princess PJ’s, 3 sets of Spoon and fork, and Princess pillow. The line to the cashier of course was crazy am glad Maya was standing on the line already and just asked me to put my stuff on her basket so we can pay our stuff in one time. Thankful again no ones complain…of my cutting off he!he!he!

Breaktime: 12:30 pm: We decided to go breakfast/brunch at Elmers breakfast. While en route to Elmer’s Breakfast we saw the Mervyns Store with a huge sign BIG CLOSING SALE! We all agreed to stop by at Mervyns after Elmer’s They ordered pancake breakfast— I ordered Grilled Chicken pasta with vegetable ( I had few spoon of cereal at 3 am) The waiter messed up with my order she give me a pasta with pesto instead. I did not complained since I never had a pasta with pesto before. It was yummy then the manager came to apologize for the mess…Oh  my hubby called checked on my status- told him we are still in Washington heading for brunch–he!he!he!

Mervyns: Their sign says 40-70 percent off; while at the store I never see a thing with 70 percent off tag. Most goods are in 40 percent off tag–Marketing!!! I fell in-love with a knee high boots but did not buy it they dont have a black color. I got 5 jeans for Bianca Ann ( she does need new jeans–getting taller) blue sweat pants for my Papa Toto.

When we put all our shopping bags inside the minivan looks like we have been kicked out from the house, or going to evacuate. GIna cant see whats behind the minivan no more…heading back home was a mess..traffic–whew!!! Just glad and thankful I am not driving..he!he!he! Big hand to you Gina. WhiIle stuck on the traffic we have been playing groovy song loud–as in. on a closed window–he!he!he!

Got home at 3: pm… my house were all transform–ready for the Christmas. Papa is the BOMB!!— showed to Billy Gina’s mini van filled with shopping bags/stuff. Bianca Ann was taking nap when I get home, put away all the shopping bags. Change clothes and  straight to my bed to take my nap and rest my poor legs ( I just could see all my varicose veins popping out of my legs –(gigling.). It did not take me that long here comes my princess waking me up to show me all the Christmas stuff and the Christmas tree she helped daddy to decorate….

A friend of my friend (Filipino Mafia :-)) Invited us to attend her hubbys birthday party and same time to watch Pacquiao and Morales 3 fight.

It was cool–their 4 TV’s were tuned to the HBO pay per view. One in garage, Living room, Family room and loft room. Me, my hubby, Dorothy, and Jimmy watched the first 3 fights at the family room. When the Pacquiao fights were about to start lights went off and of course everybody got crazy. What’s going on… then the power came back but the TV in the Garage, Loft room and family room did not work for some reason.

So we —mean all 40 0f us; squeezed in the Living room. My hubby and Jimmy watched the fight from outside—they could not fit inside the living room any more. Just imagine the noise when they introduce Pacquiao—we are all screaming. Then nagkagulo sa labas—there was a fight outside the house!!! A real fistfight!! It was a drunk guest who don’t want to go home with his friend (so happen the drunk guy is a Mexican)… I have to run outside cause I got worried with my hubby. I saw him trying to stop the fight…eh naka-inom na rin siya. Naawat naman nang ibang Pilipino rin… When we get back inside the house one older woman made a comment… Di pa nga tapos ang boksing ni Pacquiao nag aaway na kayo! J

Bianca Ann and other kids got scared with all the screaming we made— during the fight. I am so impressed of Pacquiao—he was into WINNING the fight with Morales. Which he did!!! So proud of him…. and his family and to all the Filipinos! Mabuhay!!!

This is my first time to watch Pacqiao’s fight on Pay per view— it was good and all worth it. Just glad able to watch it for free *wink*—much better to watch it with other Filipinos, that was a heck of fun!! My Mana Nene text me to tuned my TV to HBO to watch the fight from the Chat Cam. They don’t have a cable..too bad I was at the other house. I just called them when Pacquiao wins. I wishI brought the video cam with me to record all the all the fun. Got some picture though of the party getting wild while watching Pacquiao knocking down Morales. I cant wait to watch it to watch the fight again in DVD.