Christmas Hoopla

I know this is late but I promised myself to do this Christmas meme hoopla from Melanie, so here goes.

Rules:

1. List 12 random things about yourself that has to do with Christmas.
2. Please refer to it as a 'hoopla' and not the dreaded 'm'-word
3. You have to specifically tag people when you're done. None of this "if you're reading this, consider yourself tagged" stuff is allowed...then nobody ends up actually doing it. The number of people who you tag is really up to you -- but the more, the merrier to get this 'hoopla' circulating through the blogosphere.
4. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it and I'd like to get as many people involved as possible.
5. If you want to -- please give me, Andrea, some link-love as the 'Hoopla-Creator'. I love new blog-traffic.

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1. When I was younger, I -along with my friends- had tried going around our neighborhood singing Christmas carols. It was then that I inadvertently introduced myself to this running-for-your-life game. Kids vs. askals (stray and seemingly-stray dogs).

2. We always have fake trees at home.

3. I prefer to be the one take the tree down- and put away the rest of our decorations rather than be the one to set them up. By then (the former), I will not have to worry about "presentation."

4. I like shopping gifts in December - despite the traffic, despite the long queues by the counters, despite the fact that I have to squeeze myself in between warm bodies just to get to another section.

5. I like to wrap gifts. I always volunteer to do the gift wrapping because I could make that as my excuse to not do the dishes, miss my date with the iron board, skip the laundry...

6. I love to re-use Christmas gift wrappers - or any gift wrappers, for that matter.

7. Every year, I always wait for December to come. Mmm, very much like a kid. No kidding.


8. I've spent a handful of Christmases working in the office. Yes, Christmas Eve.

9. I have spent more than a handful of Christmases away from home.

10. When I was kid, my father would sing Christmas songs to make me sleep. I just love listening to my father sing Christmas songs - until now.



11. Fireworks, I definitely love but firecrackers give me a nightmare. I am terribly scared of firecrackers - ask my parents.

12. I am sporting a scar on my knees as proof to #12. I will never forget one Christmas Eve, on the way to my cousin's house after hearing mass, when the crash-boom-bang rat-tat-tat-tat-tat got me too scared surprised I literally jumped out of my skin. I fell hard on my knees and in our mad rush, I got dragged (by my cousin) while on my knees.

Now because it's late, I just have to break Rule #3 and not tag anyone. Why do I hear sighs of relief? :-)

A Book Received And More Books to Give

I just received my copy of For Parents Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa A. Rice from Camy Tang. I's actually on my lap now. I've been flipping through the pages and there are interesting issues tackled in the book. Thanks Camy!

Meanwhile, there's a book giveaway at Laced With Grace that you might want to check out. It's up til January 1st so if you're interested, hop on LWG now.

Nise is also giving away "gently read" copies of The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and Death of a Garage Sale Newbie by Sharon Dunn. If you're interested, give her a buzz.

Introducing EarthFrisk's Meta – Social Search Engine

Good news! EarthFrisk.org is introducing an alternative search engine and page ranking system by creating the first Meta – Social Search Engine.

So what’s new with this Search Engine? Apart from providing results –integrated or separate - from Yahoo, MSN, Google and other search engines, EarthFrisk.org has created an improved engine that limits spam down at minimum.

What's interesting, to me, is with this engine, EarthFrisk.org is paving the way to a ranking based on what the community thinks. Yes, it is introducing a new CV rating using a color value (CV) that is dependent on “real responses and comments by your peer.” This means that no one – definitely, not any company, can lower the rating of websites, blogs and people at will. Now I wonder what the Big G will say to that.

Thankful Thursday

Click the picture for more Thankful Thursday participants

I know this is a late post.

But before I slept last night, I'm just amazed at how God has blessed me with so much. What did I do? What have I done to deserve such blessings?

I'm just this tiny, tiny speck of dust before God and yet I know that He loves me. And that is SO much to be thankful of.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Christmas Meme

Found this in Regina's place :

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both

2. Real or artificial Tree? Fake

3. When do you put Christmas tree up? First week of December

4. When do you take the tree down? Mid or last week of January or when not too tired

5. Like egg nog? Sometimes

6. Do you have a nativity scene? This year, none; in the past, yes

7. Favorite gift received as a child? A doll

8. Hardest person to buy for? My father

9. Easiest person to buy for? My son

10. Worst Christmas gift? I have none that I can remember

11. Mail or email a Christmas Card? Mail

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Home Alone

13. Favorite food to eat at Christmas? Everything because I have a voracious appetite Okay if it's just one food then it has to be the ham.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? How's that?

16. Favorite lights? White

17. Favorite Christmas Song? Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer -that's the first thing that came to my mind

18. Travel during Christmas or Stay Home? Stay Home

19. Can you name Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen & Rudolph (I know you knew I cheated!)

20. Angel or Star on Tree top? This year, we have a star.

21. Least favorite thing about this time of year? Traffic

22. Which one person do you really want to see blessed this Christmas and why. Why limit to one? Everyone -all around the globe (especially those reading this. Hehe).

***

Andrea is giving away a copy of the Booples DVD's. If you're interested, check it out.

And Redhotfranchises.com is giving away an Ipod Nano. Just comment in here and you'll have one entry already. Contest ends on New Year's Eve, so go visit them now.

This week's the Carnival of Family Life has long been up and running at AdventuresInJuggling. Thanks Laura!

Also Make It From Scratch is up over at Mrs. Micah's.

What Happened?

I logged in to my PPP account this morning and look what greeted me at this early hour.

Zeroes! Or is it is spelled as zeros? Whatever happened to PPP system this morning? I'm not so concerned with the Have Been Paid but I couldn't say that about the Will Be Paid. E-te-thank you nlang ba 'to? Knowing me, you can just imagine the chill that crept into my veins. I panicked and automatically clicked My Posts.

Boy, I'm just relieved everything's still there. I can deal with the incorrect stats later but I cannot imagine if everything and all of my unpaid posts disappeared through thin air, too.

Thankful Thursday

I am so good at complaining. Sometimes. Okay, out with it - most of the times. I complain about how my back aches after I carry my kid. Or when I stoop low to lift my toddler. Or when I go about the household chores.

Some days, I complain about my seemingly lack of energy. And the torture is everyday, I get to see a kid who has the supply of energy equal to a hundred horses. Boundless, even. I wonder if I can get that from the drugstores.

There are times when I try hard to stifle a vain scream as I frantically rummage through my kikay kit for a cream... or a concealer or something, anything to help me cope with the new indentations on my face that I noticed in my reflection on the mirror.

I frown when my clothes suddenly feels tight and then blame my slower metabolism for the excess flabs.

I am getting old, I always say. I must ruefully admit that, at 30, indeed, I am so good at complaining about getting old. Me, getting old.

But one afternoon of late, on my way home, I heard someone over the airwaves say: Do not resent growing old because many are deprived of this privilege.

Although I did not resent growing old, I did not like it either. (But then the prospect of growing old leaves little to the appeal, ey?) So I felt that was meant for me.

That statement - it showed me the prospect of getting old in a different light and I just could not look at growing old the same way as before.

I'm not dumping out my prevarication tools but I thank God for giving me the chance to age gracefully. It's just great to be alive. And yes, I thank him for those tools, too.

Click the picture for more Thankful Thursday participants

Interesting Video

I was searching for funny videos this afternoon and found some over at Mohamad Zein's Channel. It works pretty much like Youtube – with cool categories, too. You can also download, submit or upload a video.

And here’s one video that I love.


Why Women Rule The World!



And here’s something that I wanted to show my son – not now though. Maybe few years from now.


Easy Graphical Multiplication Trick

The last one can be found under the Best of Producer Rewards 2007.

Wordless Wednesday: All Natural Balls

Bedding

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If you’re concerned of the quality, VisionBedding guarantees that all items are made of excellent quality fabrics which are soft, breathable and durable, and made in the USA.

2007 1st Christmas Tree Blog Parade

Cheh tagged me to show our Christmas tree.

"I have to say this - I'm glad I didn't put up and decorate our tree. But really, it served lazy and not artistic me everyone well that I didn't do the decorating. At least, everyone is spared from my folly. Trust me, I just have the ability to make a Christmas tree that looks like it's lifted from your nightmare."

For more of its story, click here.

############ START COPY HERE ############

This is a first annual 2007 Christmas Tree Blog Parade Meme created and conceptualized by OTWOMD of Bluepanjeet.Net The purpose of this meme is to enliven the Christmas spirit by showing to the world our very own Christmas trees. They say that it is on the Christmas tree that best describes how a person celebrates Christmas. So here are the rules:

Copy the Logo of this meme (Download it on the sidebar and resize it that will best fit your blog or according to your desire) and post it on your entry.

Take a photo of your Christmas tree inside your house. A whole shot is the most appropriate photo. And post it on your entry.

Tell something about your Christmas tree like who decorated it, what are the ornaments and accessories, or what is the theme and meaning of your Christmas tree this year.

You can put any title on your meme but don’t forget to include this “2007 1st Christmas Tree Blog Parade”.

Do the link train history. Put the link of your previous bloggers who tagged you and your own link, Example: Tag History: Bluepanjeet - “you” -

The link train will provide clue on “who tagged who” and at the same time a reference of data for the creator of this meme.

On The feast of Three Kings on January (The official ending of the Christmas Season), Bluepanjeet.Net will launch a mini site that will feature all of the participant’s Christmas trees for 2007 with a link back to their site. That is why it is very vital that you maintain the link history so that your Christmas tree will be included in the Christmas tree blog parade of 2007 and will be a part of history.

So tag now, you only have one week to spread this meme.

List of Participants:

Bluepanjeet Cheh ZAM , Kotsengkuba, Chuvaness,Enelym, Jovi2hottie, Amorfrancis, PinoyAmbisyoso, Reynaelena,Lukaret,TulifFleurs,Stine,Thess,Sardonicnell,
Hip&CoolMom,Thesserie,Kengkay,Vera,and more here!

I'm tagging ZJ, Tiff and anyone who wants to join us.

Christmas Tree Atbp

I have to say this - I'm glad I didn't put up and decorate our tree. But really, it served lazy and not artistic me everyone well that I didn't do the decorating. At least, everyone is spared from my folly. Trust me, I just have the ability to make a Christmas tree that looks like it's lifted from your nightmare.

(outside our main door)

My sister did all the hardwork and I, having no artistic bone in me, actually didn't do anything -well, except one. Okay, make that two. First was to look hands akimbo, nod and say that's beautiful - bossy me. Second, you just have to see down below - just promise not to laugh and pretend not to be appalled.

But there was a time - so long ago, long before blogging came to being- that I was in charge of the tree. It's horrible, my work and I'm glad there's no photo to show how not artistic I am. On the second thought, maybe there's one in our baul. No, no digging.

(Left- outside my room; Right- a favorite plate/decor from my sister)

Actually, in my family, there's a crown and a sash with the title "Miss You-Do-It-This-Time" that are passed around. My mother was the first recipient to these and she held on to them with the dignity and generosity of a mother. Despite budget constraint (I can just imagine), my mother made sure there was a tree in our house every December. Sometimes, there were cards and balls hanging;

sometimes, flowers; other times, fake candies. For quite sometime she did the decorating until the time came when against her better judgment she passed everything to someone whom she thought might be able to do the task -but really could not.

I'm not sure how many years I did that but I was so glad when I had to relinquish the responsibility to my sister. When this sister went to work away from home, she turned over the whole thing to our youngest.

And so our youngest wants to have a verrrry red Christmas tree this year, hence the red balls, red ribbons with gold trimmings and the poinsettias.

So here's our tree - the reflection, anyway. It's taken last week.

I could have been contented with a smaller tree but my mother, who had weathered the years of having the smaller (and smallest) ones with plastic leaves or trees made of sticks and with no leaves at all, like to have this one so... if it makes her happy, then so be it.

So what about my contribution? It's this.

Yes just those balls -old ones from past years which I put in a clump. Horrible? Pretend you didn't see them.

Anyway, here's the picture of our tree this morning. Even the gifts are in red - but that's just sheer luck because we had most of the gifts wrapped for free (one of the malls offered gift-wrapping for free). See the chain at the bottom- it came loose because my son loves to play with it.

Merry Christmas!

For more of these, visit Boo Mama.

Ecommerce Software For Free

Are you setting up an online store? Or are you looking for an ecommerce software that's easy, affordable and secure?

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And that’s not all that they’re giving away for free. There’s also a free store design waiting for you. That’s right, you can tell them the right design for your shopping cart and they’ll customize it for you. So what are you waiting for, try A-shop's shopping cart software now.

Parenting Issue

I was tagged by The New Parent to spill the beans on an important parenting issue - it's whether or not I spare the rod.


I believe in tenderness - tender words and tender touches. I believe in gentle but firm guidance of a parent to a child. I've seen how effective that is to my child.

I try to do that all the time BUT I also have to admit of the times when I mess up. I really am struggling to be a gentle and understanding parent (because I want my kid -or coming kids- to be gentle and understanding parents to their kids, too). I am working on that everyday and everyday, I also find areas for improvement.

I'm tagging no one in particular but if you want to play go ahead, copy and fire away.

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Instructions :

**Start Copying Here**
Tag 5 bloggers
1st - You leave their blog and post link and add to the list below.
2nd - Let the blogger know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment in their blog.

1. Miche does not spare the rod.
2. Jo-N wants to be her children's best friend.
3. The New Parent spares the rod.
4. ZAM struggles very hard to spare the rod.

Traveling, Daydreaming, Booking

Wouldn’t you love to travel? I do. Actually, it’s my dream to be able to backpack and travel around the globe. That is, if time and budget permit.

I would love to visit Vietnam and explore Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Then, there's the UK. And every time I watch episodes of Prison Break3, I am reminded of Panama and I couldn’t help but long for a chance to watch the sunsets of Panama. And then I am, I must confess, fascinated – no, make that obsessed - with the Taj Mahal (you just don’t know how much! but that's another story).

Dream, dream, dream.

I really could daydream now and I just couldn’t help it when I checked Hotel Reservations and found great vacation packages. You can book for flights, hotels, cars and even vacation rentals to a destination of your choice.

Recycle: Tissue Box

We've accumulated lots of empty boxes of these lately - because I've been crying lots. But really it's actually my nose that's been "crying" lots. Icky! I know.

And then Matt discovered the joys of tissue shredding playing.

So anyway, this put me into wondering what I'm going to do with them.

Few maneuvers with a pair of scissors and ...

...I turned one into my son's socks box/dispenser.

As for the rest of the boxes, I'm still trying to figure out what to do with them. :-D.

More Sights in UK

I always think of England as a place where the old and new structures altogether create a distinct charm that is timeless -and priceless (sa lakbit nga pagkasulti, mahal kaayo mobiyahe didto!). So, here are more sights in the UK.

In Newcastle:

Above is the spectacular Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the world's first and only tilting bridge.

With a height of 65ft (more than the height of double decker buses) and width of 175ft (more than the Statue of Liberty’s height), the Angel of the North is an awe-inspiring modern sculpture made of weather-resistant steel containing copper.

Other spots to see are Newcastle Castle, The Quayside, Cathedral of St. Nicholas and other museums and parks. Interested? You could also check the list of Newcastle hotels nearest the spot that appeals to you.

In Cardiff:

Millennium Stadium

Aside from Cardiff Castle, the Millennium Stadium, which is used to house rugby and football games, is a famous landmark in Cardiff with its 72,000-plus seats and sliding roof. The most memorable game held here was a game in 2006 when Wales won the rugby Grand Slam by beating Ireland. The Stadium is also a venue to music concerts of artists such as The U2, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Robbie Williams, The Rolling Stones and Madonna.

Cardiff Castle

Other spots to see are Llandaff Cathedral, The Welsh Regiment Military Museum at Cardiff Castle and numerous beautiful parks and gardens. Interested? You may want to check the list of Cardiff hotels nearest the spot that appeals to you.

In Leeds:

The Chair, a stunning work of art made of decommissioned AK-47 guns by sculptor Kester, can be found in one of the galleries in the Royal Armouries Museum, which is the oldest museum in the UK and one of the oldest museums in the world. This museum displays the British national collection of arms and armor.

Henry Moore Institute

Other must-see museums in Leeds are the Henry Moore Institute which has a wide range of displays, not limited to but mostly sculpture collections; the Armley Mills, formerly one the largest wool mills in the world; and the Thackray Museum, which is one of the UK’s leading museums and tells the story of medicine and its development. (The Having A Baby gallery at Thackray is something I want Matt to see because I know one day I have to tell him what it’s like to be pregnant.) Are you interested? You could check the list of Leeds hotels nearest the spot that appeals to you.

Me = Fuzzy @ The Moment

You do not want to read this. If you’re looking for a sunshine-y post, there’s just none at the moment. Sorry.

Right at this minute, I am toying with the idea of packing my things in my bag and leaving the office. It’s 2:47AM here but so what. I.want.to.go.home. Badly.

My head is spinning. I’m not just feeling well –physically, emotionally and mentally- now. And maybe psychologically, too. ;D

I would like to blame that on the antibiotics I had taken earlier today (and you know how I hate medicines let alone antibiotics). Or to the task I have at hand; I am actually chest-deep with work it’s driving me nuts. Or all of the above.

And where is my shift partner? He is nowhere in sight. Should I activate all our alarm panels and pretend I, in my sleep-deprived and clumsy state accidentally triggered the alarms ? I could use some extra pair of hands -or brain right now. Did I do something wrong, for him to leave me without prior notice. Or did aliens from Mars land in the office while I was unaware and abducted him? I’m…I’m…Irritated (with people from Mars? ;D)– but that could be an understatement.

Why, oh why am I working now? I shouldn’t have come to work.

Should I leave now? Yes? No? I have a hundred and one plausible explanations. And I could come up with more.

Seriously, I am pushing the idea back at the farthest corner of my mind but it just keeps on popping back. It’s a very tempting prospect at this instant, that’s why I’m trying to rationalize things chill and weigh my actions –yes, by blogging. Hah!

The scorecard of the Trooper Me Vs. Tired/Fed-up Me battle says 1 in favor of Tired Me. Didn't I just tell you that for the past 24 hours or more, I only had two hours of sleep. I really am not too happy working graveyard shift - and there are researches that say those working at night have high risk of getting cancer. Tsk... But oh, God I'm not making any sense (but when did I ever?). Forgive me. I'm not even sure if I've constructed my sentences correctly now. How many words did I misspelled.

But tell me all about it tomorrow because my five minutes is up and I have to scoot and decide. Or should I say, decide to scoot?

B

Wordless Wednesday: The Tease In A Teaser Shot

Few Of My Favorite Things

Found this meme @ Melanie's and I thought to give this a go. So, few of my favorite things are:

My family. I always look forward to family outings/gatherings. And love it most when my cousins bring their kids, who join Matt in producing earth-shaking noises laughter.

Hot Choco. And teas. I'm longing for a cup of thick and creamy hot choco now.

CDs. VCDs. Music players. Music, music, music. Gregorian to Evanescence to Kenny Rogers to Josh Groban. *wink*

Slippers. They make my feet prone to sun damage, but...

Soft Tee- like this one from MNG. But being a cheapskate, I don't have brand preferences. If it's cheap and functional, great.


Books. If I have the time, I'd be contented reading all day. Really. I did that one too many times before -long before Matt -then blogging came to this world. I haven't done much of this (book reading) lately; the last one I read was about Fidel Castro and his daughter and that was 5 months ago. Anyway, there's going to be a reading activity in the Blogosphere set on January 10, 2008 that I'm participating in. For more info visit this site.

Internet. Period. ;D