More Christmas cheers

Just a few more weeks and Christmas will be upon us! Time does fly, doesn't it? Another year is drawing to a close, yet again.

I got exactly a week before D and I head for Singapore so I've been practically running all over town for last minute errands. It is difficult to maintain two households as I've been shuttling between the condo and our apartment here in Project 8. Making sure every bill has been paid, canceling newspapers/magazine subscriptions, doing laundry, then some packing but I keep changing my mind about what to bring, what not to bring hehehe. I'm tired! It doesn't help that my monthly cramps contributes to my cranky, sleepy state of mind. But still I try to be upbeat about the trip and I'm certainly looking forward to seeing my sister again.

Here's more pictures of the Christmas displays at the malls where I managed to do some Christmas shopping for my immediate family.


Dora the Explorer takes center stage at the Robinson's Galleria branch.






At Trinoma, they have these giant Christmas trees dangling from the ceiling. Actually they look like giant cocoons if you ask me but that's just my cranky, twisted mind talking!





This giant Christmas tree stands prominently at the Landmark entrance of the Trinoma Mall. The one located near the supermarket and food court.

Travel Bug

This morning D and I made hatid my parents to NAIA Terminal 3 for their Singapore trip. They will be staying there for a month. They are pretty excited to see my sister again as well as visit the country we called home for almost 3 years. A few days before their trip, we invaded the malls for some pasalubongs. This gave me the chance to snap those Christmas-y photos. Then at the condo, it was packing time. I tried my darnest best to make sure their luggage doesn't exceed the maximum kgs allowed. It was a bit daunting as my parents wanted to bring most of their personal stuff to make their one month stay as comfy as possible. Even though my sister insisted she could provide most of their needs. It was chaotic to say the least but still quite fun to rebond with my parents and their lovable eccentricities all over again.

This whole paragraph is a prelude to my blog entry to another blog contest which promises fabulous prizes. I discovered the contest thru one of my fave bloggers (Hi Kayni!)

Kumareng Grace is giving away great prizes to her 3 of your favorite places contest.


My three favorite places:
1. Jerusalem, Israel



I consider this pilgrimage as one of my holiest travel destinations. It was in 2000, a few days before the late Pope John Paul II's visit so security was quite tight. But this meant that most if not all of the historical/religious sights were spruced up. The trip was hectic and short but very solemn and a spiritually uplifting experience.

2. Paris, France



Even though I've been to the City of Lights several times now it never ceases to amaze me with its delights. Be it culinary, touristic, historical, architectural and everything else in between. You will never run of things to explore and experience with gusto.

3. Tagaytay, Cavite Philippines



Locally I just can't get enough of this little (now booming city) volcano town. Just a few kms from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila, I always feel an aura of serenity whenever I stare at the Taal volcano. The weather is sublime, the air quite fresh and there are several establishments to cater to every whimsical fancy.

The three places I dream of going to:
1. Cairo, Egypt - to see the majestic pyramids!
2. New York City, USA - to watch as many Broadway (and off Broadway) plays as my budget can accommodate!
3. Sydney, Australia - to see the Grand Opera house and to be able to say I went to the Land Down Under!

"We got it all for you!" part 2

Yesterday I was at the SM mall closest to my heart. The one at Edsa, Ortigas because it is located near my previous residence. It does have everything you need under one wide roof. I was there for my usual First Friday mass sojourn. A monthly 'ritual' I look forward to where I rendezvous with my parents in a familiar haunt. So I took these pictures of its Christmas decors.


It seems these red snowflakes are the common Christmas design theme for the Sy family owned malls.




Their newest wing, the Atrium has a snow village and a festive canopy on the ground floor.



While the department store itself has these simple yet elegant giant Christmas balls for their ornaments.

"We got it all for you!"

That's the slogan of the SM Malls. I truly believe that you can buy (almost) everything you need at their malls.

At THE BLOCK, SM North, they don't have a giant Christmas tree.


Instead their activity center showcases a Christmas village. You have a winter cafe, a toy factory, an elf house among others. In the center on the mounted stage, there is a sleigh where I suppose Santa Claus can entertain kids. But he wasn't around when I took the picture, he's probably still at the North Pole.







While at the main SM North mall and all the way to The Annex, these red balls and giant red snowflakes added to the festive atmosphere.

Oh Christmas Tree

So after I was done with errands at Rockwell, next stop was Glorietta mall.


These bells and Christmas balls adorn the lamp posts located at the center island of Ayala Avenue. They probably are well lighted up during evenings but traffic is horrendous in that part of town and I don't really go out at nights. :D


I didn't want to roll down the windows of the taxi for fear of getting my digicam snatched so it is a bit blurry. I also couldn't get a snapshot of some of the belens on top of the buildings along Ayala Avenue because there wasn't any traffic. hehe


These orange parols were the main Christmas decors inside Glorietta 4.
They were hanging from every nook and cranny of the mall.



This is the Christmas tree near the Ascott Residence (formerly known as Oakwood Suites) entrance to Glorietta 4.


Across the street is the imposing Glorietta 5 Mall which I haven't set foot in.


I just wanted to take a picture of the giant Christmas tree.

It's the most wonderful time of the year

I hereby declare that from this moment onwards, I shall only post happy, positive entries to lift up my spirits. Let's spread some Yuletide cheers! I was in the Makati area for some errands so I took photos of their Christmas decors. These pictures were taken at the Power Plant Mall (Rockwell):


Their giant Christmas tree is a sparkling vision in red. The mall's ceilings were adorned with dangling red wreaths like decors which weren't too overpowering.


I've never associated panda bears with Christmas. But this display proves me wrong!



By the way, some of the larger pieces do move mechanically. At first I didn't notice it because it is quite slow. Then I almost screamed when a large panda twitched! :D


Of course, reindeers are important fixtures this festive season. How else can Santa Claus deliver our gifts?

Stressful Sungit Situations (SSS)

I've been under a lot of stress lately.

My computer has mood swings.

Sometimes it switches on ... other times it doesn't.

I have no idea what is wrong with it.

Money is a bit tight that I cannot afford to get it fixed.

I'm grateful that D lets me use his PC kasi he's at work naman.

But his PC has very basic programs and I miss using mine.

Speaking of repair, another major source of stress is my effort in ttc (trying to conceive).

A recent check up reveals I need (to put it bluntly) to get myself fixed, as well!

But I still need to wait till the next cycle for more conclusive tests.

My doctor seems upbeat so I guess that is a good sign.

But I can't help myself from worrying!

She also told me to lose some weight and exercise more!

Although I like to emphasize that weight gain isn't the major reason for my
infertility, so there!

So I'm hungry most of the time and super sungit in the process, ha!

As I type this post, I can hear my stomach grumble.

My next check-up is scheduled a few days before we travel.

.

All of us are going to Singapore to visit my sister for the holidays.

D & I will be gone for 2 weeks.

I really wanted to stay longer!

Because I really miss having my sister around.

But D's break begins December 19 and classes start Jan. 4, 2010.

I know, I can always extend my stay but I'm married now.

And married women don't leave their husbands to cope on their own.

Even if I know for sure that D can survive by his lonesome self.

So yes I will return to noisy neighbors, leaking sinks and stress myself all over again.

In the meantime I am not yet in the mood to pack.

Nor in the mood to get it on kasi who knows we might get lucky? (daw!)

I'm simply tired, hungry and masungit.

I thought that bringing out the Christmas decor would lift my spirits.

But it doesn't help at all.

Blah!

Dresses

Ever since I got married, I noticed that I've gained weight! I'm not really blaming my husband for being a good cook and feeding me well. I guess I have no one to blame but myself. But the good thing is that I I don't really give a hoot about my weight nowadays because (1) I'm married now (2) I'm at the age where weight gain will permanently attach itself like a leech and (3) I can always use the "preggie" look to my advantage.

So I've adopted a way to hide my unsightly bulges - wear dresses if possible the loose "maternity" variety. But no I don't buy them at the plus size nor maternity section of stores, no way! Some of these dresses have been in my wardrobe for the longest time. Others were hand me downs from my sister (who lost weight while I ballooned!) and the rests I bought with my 'earnings'.


Two little black dresses - the one on the left with the spaghetti strap is a hand me down. While the shiny black velvety type was my standard 'formal' wear for ages.



These 3 dresses are all hand me downs. The aqua dress and the chiffon printed greyish dark pink dress are now getting a bit small for me to squeeze into. *Gasp*



I wore this black dress with embroidery to my 'despedida de soltera' lunch. While the dark blue flowery dress is the very first dress I bought way way back when I was still in university. Yes it is that old but thankfully it still fits!



These two dresses are recent purchases which I bought at Landmark in Trinoma. They have the cutest dresses in the market.



The one on the left is a woolen type dress I inherited from my sister. While the abstract printed purple dress on the right was bought just yesterday! =)