Greetings from My Family...

To Yours!

Saturday 9: My Last Stand of 2009

Welcome to Saturday: 9 . What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Sam's Last Stand of 2009


1. What did you think of 2009?
~~ Challenging (at least for us)!
2. What do you think was the news story of the year?
~~ Pres. Obama...who else?
3. What happened this year that you never want to hear another word about?
~~ A Big Lie made by a relative!
4. What was your favorite song of 2009?
~~ None.
5. What did you accomplish this year?
~~ Nothing much...hope to accomplish one this 2010.
6. Did you learn anything new this year?
~~ Yes, that you cannot please everyone!
7. What are you looking forward to in the new year?
~~ For our lease to be over and move to a new house.
8. What are your plans for New Year's Eve?
~~ Midnight dinner with hubby and son.
9. What's the best thing you ever did on a New Year's Eve?
~~ Watched fireworks and spent quiet time with my family alone.

Happy Birthday, Shy!

Your friendship touches my heart in so many ways and I am grateful for that! I am glad to have found you here on the blogsphere and we became friends :-). You are a friend anybody would want for. Stay the way you are...Tsang for that is what I like most about you! Happy Birthday again, dear...hugs from me!

Many people will walk in

and out of your life,
but only true friends will leave
footprints in your heart.

~Eleanor Roosevelt ~

Filipino Christmas Traditions

Christmas in the Philippines is a mixture of Western and native Filipino traditions. Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, sending Christmas cards, and singing carols have all been inherited from the cultures of the West. However, these have all been adapted to fit the nature and personality of the Filipino people.

Christmas Eve in the Philippines is one of the traditions most families celebrate. It is a night without sleep and a continuous celebration moving right into Christmas Day. As December 24th dawns, the last Mass of Simbang Gabi is attended; then preparation begins for Noche Buena, which is a family feast that takes place after midnight.

The Noche Buena is very much like an open house celebration. Family, friends, relatives, and neighbors drop by to wish every family member "Maligayang Pasko" (Merry Christmas). Food is in abundance, often served in buffet style. Guests or visitors partake of the food prepared by the host family (even though they are already full or bloated!). Among the typical foods prepared in the Philippines during Christmas are: lechon (roasted pig), pancit, barbecue, rice, adobo, cakes (Western and native rice cakes), lumpia, etc. There is also an abundance of San Miguel beer, wine, and liquor, which makes the celebration of Christmas indeed intoxicating!

The streets are well lit and are full of activities. The children run in and out of the house to play, to eat, and to play again. The Christmas Eve gathering provides an opportunity for a reunion of immediate and distant family members. Some families may choose to exchange gifts at this time; others wait until Christmas day.

In general, the center of a family's Christmas gathering is always the Lola, the endearing term used for a family matriarch or grandmother, who is deeply respected, highly revered, and always present. Filipinos remember how their lola had their children form a line and step up to receive a small gift of some coins. The older the child, the more coins he or she receives.

Some families have a talent show during Christmas Eve celebration. Children are asked to perform. One might sing a Christmas song, others might play a musical instrument, or others may recite a poem or do a dance. The celebration continues until about 6 o'clock in the morning. Those who cannot attend Mass the night before will go to the morning Mass on Christmas day.

Christmas day is a popular day for children to visit their uncles, aunts, godmothers, and godfathers. At each home they are presented with a gift, usually candy, money, or a small toy. Food and drinks are also offered at each stop. It is a day of family closeness, and everyone wishes good cheer and glad tidings.

Sunday Stealing: Lola's Holiday Meme

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named Stacy at the blog All Stacy, All the Time. She states that she stole it at Lola's blog Lola's Diner. Lola wrote this herself! We had searched for a holiday meme, but only found two that had already been played by a zillion players. We were thrilled to find not only an original meme, but one much better than the other two. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Cheers to all us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: Lola's Holiday Meme

1. What is your favorite holiday show/animated show?
~~ Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown.
2. What holiday character do you think you're most like?
~~ Santa Claus
3. What holiday character does your spouse think you're most like?
~~ Mrs. Claus
4. Favorite Christmas/holiday song?
~~ It's Christmas All Over the World.
5. Most hated Christmas/holiday song?
~~ Sad Christmas songs
6. If you have an all holiday music radio station when do you start listening to it?
~~ December
7. If you have an all holiday music radio station do you love it or hate it?
~~ Love it
8. Have you ever wrapped yourself as a Christmas present?
~~ Nope!
9. Who is Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer's father?
~~ Donner
10. Do you drive your neighborhood or one near you at night to look at other people's holiday decorations?
~~ Yes, we do!
11. When you see a heavily decorated house do you think, 'oh that's lovely'? Or do you think, 'oh criminy, that looks like Christmas threw up all over their lawn'?
~~ Crimnly
12. Are you counting the days to Christmas with excited anticipation or dread?
~~ Anticipation
13. When was the last time you had your photo taken with Santa? Did you sit on his lap?
~~ Lat year, no I didn't sit on his lap!
14. Do you make a Christmas list for your spouse or significant other or do you rely on them to pick your gift(s) without a clue from you?
~~ I want it to be a surprise, so I let him pick my gift for...if I don't like ie, I can always return it...and he is fine with that.
15. When do you put up your tree?
~~ Day after Thanksgiving.
16. Real or fake?
~~ Fake for now , but would love to have a real one next year.
17. When do you take your tree down?
~~ After three kings.
18. Do you shop the day after Christmas sales? What do you shop for?
~~ Yes, chocolates for my nieces, wrappers and winter clothing.
19. Is your work/office having a holiday party this year? Will you attend?
~~ I don't work, but sure miss parties at work when was still working.
20. Do you have your New Year's Eve Plans set yet?
~~ Yup! Just spend a quiet time with hubby and son home.

I Love Hoilday!

You Love the Holidays More than Anyone

The holidays are a special time for you, and you try to keep the holiday spirit going all year long. You believe that this season is all about giving, and you love the chance to practice generosity. Whether you're making someone smile with the perfect gift or feeding everyone cookies, the holidays always elevate your mood. Just putting on your favorite holiday song always warms your heart. Even if it's July!

How Much Do You Love the Holidays?

Friday Fill Ins

And...here we go!

1. Good times: are times where I spend time with my family.
2. Hello everyone, welcome to my home.
3. Sleigh bells ring are you listening?
4. Small acts of kindness we do means a lot though to us it is little.
5. Once more, you can do better, just keep trying and be patient.
6. Are you sure, this is the end?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping early, tomorrow my plans include laundry in the morning, attend birthday of Jake's classmate in the afternoon and going to a church Multi-cultural Christmas party at night and Sunday, I want to go to church with my family then rest afterward, maybe taking a nap.

Sunday Stealing: The Can't Sleep Meme

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named Catherine Donovan at the blog Marvel Not a Girl. She does not states where she found it. She grabbed it because she couldn't sleep. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!


Cheers to all us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The Can't Sleep Meme

Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed?
~~ No, if it is either my hubby or son.
When is it hard to kiss someone?
~~ When I am angry.
You're trapped in a room with your most recent ex for three days, what do you do?
~~ Nothing...just talked with him.
Does it matter to you if your significant other smokes?
~~ Yup, but fortunately he doesn't!
Have you ever regretted letting someone go?
~~ No, had I not let him go, I wouldn't be married to my wonderful husband :-)!
Where would you go if you were butt naked and locked out of your house?
~~ My next door neighbor to borrow and borrow something to cover it :-)!
Do you want to please everyone?
~~ Who wouldn't? But unfortunately, it would be impossible no matter how much I tried.
Have you ever been called heartless?
~~ Nope!
Someone calls you at 3:00 AM, who do you expect it to be?
~~ Member of my extended family in the Philippines.
Does it matter if your significant other drinks?
~~ Nope, as long as it is not alcoholic beverages.
Could you go the rest of your life without doing drugs?
~~ Yup, if I don't have health problems.
Which is better, amazing eyes or an amazing smile?
~~ Smile...of course!
Do you want to get married and have children one day?
~~ Had you asked me this question 9 years ago, I would say, yes! Am married now with an adorable son.
Are you easy to get along with?
~~ I think, yes :-)!
Do you ever want to go to sleep and not wake up?
~~ No...not ever!
Are you shorter than your Mom?
~~ No, I think we are on the same height.
Describe your life currently in one word:
~~ Happy!
Are you on medication for anything?
~~ Yes, immunosuppressants.
Who would you allow to read your thoughts for one day?
~~ My husband.
Are there things in your life that you will never be able to get over?
~~ Blaming myself from the death of my first child...It wasn't my fault, but I still think It was.
If you woke up naked next to the last person you kissed, what would your reaction be?
~~ Nothing...because he would be my husband.

Here we go...

1. You get what you have been praying for and I am happy for you.
2. You have the right to express what you feel.
3. It's not easy to succeed, it would take time.
4. Spending more than you earn is ridiculous!
5. I feel more safe and secure when hubby is home.
6. I love you pumpkin...goodnight!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to updating my blogs and posting some meme, tomorrow my plans include go window shopping at T.J.Max tomorrow my plans include talk to my mother on the phone.