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Thursday, December 16, 2010

Misa De Gallo in Bangkok (Day 1)

Literally, Misa de Gallo means "rooster's mass" in Spanish. We call it "simbang gabi" in Filipino which means "evening/night worship, nine-day dawn masses, or the nine days". It is a very important Christmas tradition in the Philippines. 16th of December is the start of nine-day mass.

The schedule of English mass here at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Church in Soi 184 Rhumkamhaeng, Minburi, Bangkok is at 5:30-6:00 am only. The holy mass should take an hour, but because the Church has made some considerations to those people who are going to work and school. Our Reverend Father Leo Travis, C.Ss.R. There is a free breakfast after the mass.

I have attended the first time with my family, today. I was surprised that my hubby attended with me, since, he was telling me that he has no religion (in my knowledge and was stated in his profile online).

We were trying to come early but were late for 3 minutes. When we were inside the church, I noticed that there were only 20 people more or less in the church and that included us. The 30 minutes mass was solemn for me, my mind was relaxed and I was able to pray wholeheartedly.

When the church choir sang, the Christmas song "Silent Night", I had goosebumps and I felt very sad because I remember my family and relatives in the Philippines. I missed the way we celebrate Christmas at home.

While we were all singing the song, I heard his sad voice. I glanced at him, I saw him almost crying but he was holding on to his tears... I could feel his sadness, he hasn't been home for long four years! He could only phone his mom and dad in the US. The tears finally fell from his eyes, he immediately wiped them so that nobody would noticed (even me). But, in the corner of my eye I witnessed how emotional he was. I pretended that I didn't know.

The mass had ended by singing a famous Filipino Christmas song "Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit". I miss singing this song very much. When I was a kid, I was always singing this on Christmas caroling.

We were invited to have breakfast with other attendees. My husband refused to eat because he was in a hurry to work. I kissed him goodbye. I was so glad that I could be able to motivate him to go to Church without even arguing or asking him.

Our baby and I was left at the church chitchatting with fellow Filipinos while having breakfast. I made a hot coffee and grabbed two pieces of chiffon cake. I had fun not only because we had some pictorials. But most of all, I had fun because I had attended the day one of nine-day dawn masses, with my family.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Christmas Happenings 2010

Christmas is one of the most special, holy and exciting day of the year. Definitely, more important than my birthday, of course! :) It is great to spend time Christmas in the Philippines with family and friends around. This is my second year celebrating Christmas in Bangkok with my family. I am missing my mom and daughter so much.

5th of December, we attended a Christmas party together (as a family) for the first time and still for the first time this month. Majority of the attendees are Filipinos and other expats, I met them through a social networking site called siampinoy.net.

I was fascinated by eating my fave pancit molo soup, pasta and the fried chicken (drooling again,lol). I do really have an active stomach, which means that I do EAT a loooottt! I could eat twice or thrice as my hubby's eating. Luckily, my body is not as big as mother elephant bwahahahaha maybe too soon.. who knows? hahaha

The exchange gift was also exciting.. but I promise to myself not to open the gift until Christmas (want to surprise myself even more). That's how we do it at home, we open Christmas presents at exactly 12:00 am of December 25th. I was surprised, my hubby believes the same :)

Second week of December, we were invited to attend a Christening cum Christmas party in the neighborhood. Good thing, our Parish Church is situated within our village (4-5 minutes walk). It was so convenient for us because we live nearby our neighbor and the Church.

It took awhile for me to post this blog because I got busy on Christmas preparations for the coming week and onwards. Next week will be Christmas day. A very close friend of mine (my colleague), expressed her interest to visit me on Christmas day. I am thinking of cooking spaghetti and macaroni or potato salad. I'll also ask some friends if they are free, so we will have some sort of small party... just a few friends will do. But, I am not sure if they are on holiday out of Bangkok or still be working on Christmas day, since this is a Buddhist country. Luckily, December 25 falls on Saturday.

My neighbor at first street was inviting me on Christmas day for a party as well. The good thing about living here in my place is that there are many Filipinos nearby and the Church, too.



A photo souvenir from our first Christmas party and this is our first Christmas photo together this year. My daughter was sleeping, then (too bad), I wish I could wake her up. More Christmas party to come this month. Cheers! :)

Monday, December 13, 2010

30 Reasons Why I Couldn't Blog

borrowed image from google search

Sometimes, I found it difficult to blog. But there are those times like these past few weeks that I started non-stop blogging again. I have this kind of activity that when I do some thing this week, I will do it one, two or the whole month just for one single agenda, like blogging, chatting, hanging out with friends, etc.

Below are just some of the reasons why I stop or not blogging. I am not going to blog because I am or I have ............................

1. Busy multi-tasking
2. Baby sitting
3. Out of the country for vacation
4. Feeling lazy and lazy to upload the images
5. Asleep (of course)
6. Making love (smile)
7. Bad internet connection
8. No electricity
9. Not in the mood
10. Taking a shower
11. Doing my laundry
12. Talking on the phone
13. Part time jobs
14. Hanging out with family/friends or by myself
15. I love to do nothing
16. Sick
17. In the hospital
18. Paper work (helping my hubby)
19. Cooking
20. Eating
21. Cleaning the house
22. Driving lessons
23. Swimming
23. Facebooking & Online Games
24. Researching seriouly
25. In the Church
26. Dancing
27. Singing/Videoke
28. Exercise/At the gym
29. Doing my nails
30. Watching TV/DVD/movie

I may not post a blog, but I have drafts sometimes and just feel lazy to post because I haven't uploaded some images to each of my blogs so I have pending blogs that I've started long time ago.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Vientiane, Laos Trip 2010


The Tower at Vientiane, Laos



My Laos trip with my youngest baby (she's a world traveler,lol)was fun. I got a chance to meet new people because I've decided to try other travel agency for a change.

I thought we'll be late for the trip because I had a meeting before my trip and was last minute cancelled so I waited in vain, but it was okay.. again charge to experience.

When I arrived at the meeting place, the tour guide asked me to fill out forms for departure and to submit my passport. Afterwards, I thought it was all okay because I was sitting and waiting for 30 minutes doing nothing, so I went on the bus.

Thirsty minutes after, some passengers were showing their numbers and searching for their seats. It was obviously out of control due to miscommunication. Some passengers (me, included) were already waiting on the bus, only to find out that it wasn't a first come, first serve seat. They failed to announce us that we had to pay first so we could get our seat number and before we take our seat, whew!

Luckily, I was assertive enough to complain because I didn't know, nobody told me so how was I supposed to know that? They should've posted something or gave out leaflets about the process so people (like me) weren't confused. Anyway, it was just before the trip but during and after our trip was really good. Not to mention the food and accomodation.


The market inside the tower, I payed 15 baht for adult entrance. Not so wise though, but it was a good experience :)


Overlooking from the tower


Reclining Buddha

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Sisters: The Reunion

My youngest daughter and I went home last 24th of July to visit my eldest and mom in the Philippines. I've waited for this moment to happen. I was really happy when they finally meet each other.

I took a picture of them and caught their precious moments together. My realization was that I've never thought of my eldest daughter being a responsible sister. The age gap is ten (10) long years. My eldest was born 2000 and the youngest was in 2010.



This is a perfect shot for me :) Loving the way they smile, keeps all my problems away!



We went to the supermarket to buy stuff for my nephew's birthday. They had fun being together and... of course! with ME :)



They are the ones who makes me stronger everyday. I am so happy that I am blessed to have two beautiful girls in my life. Plus, I have a very supportive partner who always there to understand and love me.

My life is 95% complete. The 5 percent thing is that I must be able to have a stable minimal income so as to support my eldest daughter in the Philippines and to save money for my own needs. I hate to expect or assume that my partner will always give me in terms of money. But, it is also good that I have mine. It's not actually being selfish, but I don't actually want to ask for my partner to financially support my eldest kid as I am protecting our relationship. I don't want us to argue about money.

My daughters have different fathers, but I would like them to feel that they are both LOVED equally. My dream, is that ONE DAY soon they will live together with me, sleep together in one room.



I love my daughters so much!!! At last, they've met. But, this won't be the last... :)

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