A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

CHRISTMAS PHOTOS

Hope your Christmas was spent happily as well... God bless!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL MY FRIENDS!!

TRADITIONS

Christmas is here. Can you believe it? I feel quite happy that my family is together again this Christmas and we are spending it in this wonderful country. I actually feel quite content. I have always been a simple girl with simple wants and God granting my wish to spend Christmas with my loved ones is already a blessing. I can't ask for anything more I suppose except for my family to be safe always and for good health and of course, to be together permanently.

Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. For me, it holds a lot of significance, a lot of religious importance, a lot of family memories. Back in the Philippines, families will always try to be together on Christmas. I suppose it's like Thanksgiving in the US? Reunions are always a big to-do back home. I remember my paternal grandmother would always prepare lechon and a yummy buffet for everyone while we kids would be so excited over our presents and would run around the 8-ft. plastic Christmas tree. When we moved to our own home (I was around 10 years old then I think), we made our own traditions, and now that I have a family of my own, we have started our own traditions (old and new) as well. I think it is wonderful that we remember our relatives through the traditions we experienced through the years. My grandmother would insist we always have a family pictorial every Christmas. I used to hate those because my mom would dress me up in lace dresses and I would itch like mad. But as I grew older and I would visit my grandparents' home and see our family portraits on the wall (we used to call it the wall of shame) I realized how wonderful it was to see all the families there and to see me, my siblings and my cousins grow every year. And we "borrowed" that tradition (my grandmother passed away a few years ago) and every year at Christmas, whenever we stand before a camera for a family photo, I always remember my Mamang.

Here in Japan, Christmas feels different. Yes, the decors are there but of course, not being a Catholic country, it's still a whole lot different from our usual celebration and revelry back home. But we have started a new tradition without even realizing it. We started collecting Christmas trees. No, not the usual way. We noticed that establishments have really elaborate decors and Christmas trees and we would usually stop and take photos with those uniquely decorated trees. After taking like 20 trees during our various trips here, we realized that we have started a "collection". And voila! A new tradition is born. Looking at our previous stay here, I saw in our 2006-2007 albums that we also did this "tree collection" then. I think it's neat that we have started a new and fun tradition here in Japan. But of course, later, we will still be doing the family photo thing. :)

I can't believe it's finally Christmas!! Can you?

BUSY AGAIN

Things have become so unbelievingly busy these past weeks. Nikki had a bit of fever a few days back but he's all better now, thankfully. He does have a bit of cough right now but other than that, everyone's okay.

We also had to do osouji last week. Osouji is a "spring-cleaning" ritual for the Japanese so we had to make sure that everything in the apartment was spotless. That occupied a LOT of my time. But after the inspection, I can now breathe again. It's great to start blogging again. I wish I could blog everyday but with the chores and our homeschooling, sometimes my schedule gets messed up. Sigh.

.....

My sis gave me a copy of Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. Yup, THE first Twilight book. I know it's for "young readers" but who cares? I finished all the Harry Potter books. Anyway, the story is too cute. I mean, it's the love-at-first-sight, butterflies-in-your-tummy, twinkle-in-your-eyes, first-kiss sort of story. Well, it IS the first time they met after all. I must admit, it can be sappy (Twilight fans will kill me!) but I find the story intriguing just the same. So I suppose I'll just have to wait until I get my hands on the next book. Or borrow from my sister when we get home...

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We finally went to the public library last Saturday. And I now have my very own and very first public library card!! I'm so happy! I've been bugging Ruther to take me to the library for a-g-e-s! But well, he doesn't love the library as much as I do, I guess. I already borrowed 4 books (1 for Nikki and 3 for me) and I'm starting on my first book, Kathy Reichs' Bones to Ashes. In case you didn't know, Kathy Reichs is the author who inspired the tv series Bones (which I absolutely love!). The books are due on the 27th and hopefully I will be able to finish them all before then.

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We're planning to go to a snow resort this month. We haven't seen snow (the thick, covering-everything-in-sight kind) yet so we're currently looking for a nice place to visit and spend a day as a family. I'm both excited and worried. I'm excited because I haven't seen snow yet except for the few reeeally tiny flakes we witnessed falling from the sky last Jan 2007. Other than that, the only snow I experience/d is everytime I defrost the ref. So yeah, I'm excited. But I'm also worried because I don't want to freeze to death! Last night I was wearing 3 layers of clothes and I was indoors, for goodness' sake!! So it's definitely worrisome and I don't know how I'm going to enjoy frolicking in the snow without looking like a stay-puft marshmallow man (as Ruther put it mildly). But who cares. One day of extreme cold is worth seeing all that snow, I'm sure.

Right?

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Oh yeah, I have a new camera!!! Well, it's not brandnew. It's actually Ruther's old Nikon D50 (he has a D60 now) but if you've been following my blog you'll know that I'm a girl of simple joys. So yeah, I'm happy! I tried it out last Saturday when we went to Nogeyama Park and it was fun! Ruther got me a camera bag as well and I feel very cool with my new camera. So I guess from now on, I'll be taking my Nikon for photos and my Canon for videos. Simple yet complicated.

COLD, NAY, FROZEN

Any good DIY tips you could give me on drafty windows? Or on how to keep warm at night?

Last night it was SO freaking cold. I forced the boys to sleep in the loft where it's warmer and they were okay there but Ruther and I felt chilled despite our thick blankets. We could just feel cold air coming into the room! I had to wear socks, was thinking of wearing gloves to bed, was dreaming of an electric blanket, and even had allergies (which I so absolutely hate) so yeah, this cold (and I mean COLD) is starting to bug me a bit. I thought that after experiencing winter last 2006-07, I would know what to expect but my body seems to have temperature regulation problems. And it surely doesn't help when you're all bundled up on your way to the station but when you get in the train or an establishment it's so warm inside. Argh! It's a miracle I haven't gotten sick yet. And all the bundling up doesn't make me feel sexy at all (as if that was my primary intention but who cares, right?) and I really feel like a big female bear in winter. I have to admit though, that I am better prepared this year than last time. Now I have more coats, I have thermal stockings, I have cute wooly caps (really makes me feel fashionable but again, who cares, right?) and of course, couldn't forget the gloves and mufflers. But despite all these, I still feel very cold especially when it hits 7 degrees and below. I could just feel my insides turn into ice. And as I always tell Ruther, it takes me forever to thaw out. So I feel frozen for a looooong time.

Sigh. Of course, the heater in the apartment helps but we can't very well use it the entire night (or day)! That's just out of the question. So I'm hoping for some low-cost ways in keeping warm this winter. Any ideas?

Please?

NIKKI'S SPECIAL DAY

The birthday boy, all ready for a day at Kodomo no Kuni (Children's Land).















Kodomo no Kuni is a wonderful place for kids. Here, kids are free to play, to run, to laugh, to climb, to get dirty, but most importantly, to have fun and be themselves. I think the boys are fortunate to visit a place like this. :)









Wide, spacious and beautiful. We could stay here all day.









Vibrant colors. I love autumn a lot.







Rolling slide. This is one of the boys' favorite play area in the park.








Taking a second ride at the kiddie roller coaster.




Family photo to preserve the moment.

NIKKI IS 7

Yup, my little boy is now seven! I can't believe how fast he's growing. Just a few weeks ago he lost a tooth and now he's a year older! How time flies.

Anyway, Nikki's birthday was last Saturday, November 29. We decided to go to Kodomo no Kuni which is only 3 stations away from our place. Kodomo no Kuni is called Children's Land and I figured, why not let Nikki have a fun day all to himself? Anyway, here are a few facts about the place:

KODOMONOKUNI was founded in commemoration of the Royal Marriage of Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko in 1959 (mounted Emperor and Empress since 1988). It was officially opened on May 5th, a national holiday of the Children's Day, in 1965. KODOMONOKUNI is a type of natural-park of which the main purpose is to contribute to children's sound mind and body. The land covers an area of 976,000 square meters (approx. 240 acres). www.kodomonokuni.org

Access to this "Land" is by special train, one stop from transporation system used by the rest of the country. Kodomo no Kuni, or Children's Land, exists for the delight of children to get them out of their urban environment and into the fantasy land, for many children in this large conurbation, of natural woodlands and obstacle-course like attractions.http://www.merit5.co.jp/citylifenews/familyland/children/children.html

Well, it really was a fun place. Even Ruther and I had fun. Ethan had a blast at the kiddie rides and Nikki enjoyed the playground so much (the rolling slide in particular) that he's been begging to go back there. I promised him we would before we go home and hopefully we could find a day in our busy schedule.

We had the candle-blowing and present-opening after we got home in the evening. Nikki was very happy with his E.V.E. toy (from WALL-E). He wanted a WALL-E but since we couldn't find one for his birthday we figured, he could get it for Christmas instead. Ethan had his share of presents as well so he was quite happy too. Mama called to greet Nikki and so did my sis. My Mom and Dad called a day earlier with a birthday banner and cupcake with candle. They are all so sweet and I miss them all.

I don't know if it's the same in other countries but in the Philippines, 7th birthdays are a big deal. I still don't know why but it's as important as first birthdays. It's like a you-have-to-celebrate birthday, by hook or by crook. But since we're in Japan now I suppose we're off that hook. :D Besides, I still think celebrating with family is more important than having a big expensive party. And again, as long as Nikki was happy and had fun on his special day, I'm happy too. :)

THANKS

This post is dedicated to Amy and Becky, my great friends in cyberspace. I don't know how I manage to get through some difficult things without you guys. Really, from the bottom of my heart, thanks. God bless always!

HEART IN A BLENDER

I am undergoing a personal crisis right now. I don't know if I am going to get over it, I don't know if I could let it go that easily. I just know that right now, I am hurting, I am sad and I am in pain. For the past days I couldn't think straight. Maybe that's why I haven't blogged about Nikki's birthday yet (that will come later, I promise). Last Friday I felt like a zombie but Saturday, I felt like my world was falling around me; falling, crashing, crumbling, being demolished by an invisible hand of fate. I have never ever felt anything like this in my whole life. When I am alone, my sadness overwhelms me and I just feel like crying in a corner. Or maybe just sleep for a thousand years, wake up and things will be okay once more. I know that's the coward's way out but right now I just can't deal with the pain. I'm the kind of person who could take and tolerate any physical pain but emotional pain tears me apart. I'm sorry if I am speaking in riddles but I cannot add anything more to this. It's just too personal and too painful.

Sometimes I ask myself why this happened to me. Sometimes I question the universe and its mysteries. But I mostly wonder if I'm ever going to be okay, if I'm ever going to forget this, if I'm going to be whole again and if tomorrow...

BLACK FRIDAY

I watched Chuck the other day and I have to admit, it was the first time I ever heard of Black Friday. Thanksgiving is of course, not our holiday but I am aware of it and I do have American friends who celebrate Thanksgiving in the Philippines (although I never got to experience one yet). Anyway, while watching Chuck and hearing about this Black Friday, I of course, asked Ruther, "What is that?" The only time I know colors (well the color black specifically) associated with the days of the week is during Holy Week (Black Saturday). Anyway, being curious about it, I just had to Google it. And this is what I got from Wikipedia:

Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, where it is the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season. Because Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States, Black Friday occurs between the 23rd and the 29th of November.

Black Friday is not an official holiday, but many employees have the day off, which increases the number of potential shoppers. Retailers often decorate for the Christmas season weeks beforehand. Many retailers open very early (typically 5 am or even earlier) and offer doorbuster deals and loss leaders to draw people to their stores. Although Black Friday, as the first shopping day after Thanksgiving, has served as the unofficial beginning of the Christmas season at least since the start of the modern Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the term "Black Friday" has been traced back only to the 1960s.

The term "Black Friday" originated in Philadelphia in reference to the heavy traffic on that day. More recently, merchants and the media have used it instead to refer to the beginning of the period in which retailers are in the black (i.e., turning a profit).

The news media frequently refer to Black Friday as the busiest retail shopping day of the year, but this is not always accurate. While it has been one of the busiest days in terms of customer traffic, in terms of actual sales volume, from 1993 through 2001 Black Friday was usually the fifth to tenth busiest day. In 2002 and 2004, however, Black Friday ranked second place, and in 2003 and 2005, Black Friday actually did reach first place. The busiest retail shopping day of the year in the United States (in terms of both sales and customer traffic) usually has been the Saturday before Christmas.

In many cities it is not uncommon to see shoppers lined up hours before stores with big sales open. Once inside, the stores shoppers often rush and grab, as many stores have only a few of the big draw items. On occasion, injuries and even fatalities are reported; in 2008, a worker at a Wal-Mart in Valley Stream, New York was trampled to death by shoppers who broke through the store's glass doors minutes before the store's scheduled opening at 5:00 am; a pregnant mother was hospitalized from injuries in the same human "stampede", though early reports of a resultant miscarriage were determined to be in error. And in Palm Desert, California two people shot each other after arguing over an item in a Toys R Us store.

Electronics and popular toys are often the most sought-after items and may be sharply discounted. Because of the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, many choose to stay home and avoid the hectic shopping experience. The local media often will cover the event, mentioning how early the shoppers began lining up at various stores and providing video of the shoppers standing in line and later leaving with their purchased items. Traditionally Black Friday sales were intended for those shopping for Christmas gifts. For some particularly popular items, some people shop at these sales in order to get deep discounts on items they can then resell, typically online.


Pretty interesting. The injuries and fatalities are a bit worrisome though. I don't recall any special sales in Manila that resulted in injuries or death. But then again, there have been a lot of stampedes that resulted in fatalities so I suppose you can say we've also had our share of wasted deaths. Anyway, I suppose Black Friday is the newest thing I learned this week.

So, how was your Thanksgiving?