Girls' Day Out

A close friend of mine called me up last week to know if I am okay and what keeps me busy nowadays after Christmas and New Year. We decided to meet and have our lunch together at The Mall Ramkamhaeng this morning.

I got super excited because it has been a long time since our last meeting. I woke up at 7:45 am today and went to the meeting place an hour earlier. Good thing, we met there earlier than our expected meeting time. We ate lunch at the mall, and then we decided to go to Emporium Mall after our terrific lunch date. I told her that I would like to take pictures of me and us so I could document the event here on my blog. I gave her my Christmas present and she liked it.

When we we’re there at the entrance of the mall, she told me to pose near the snowmen and the Christmas tree. It was really exciting. She could really see the nice spot and shots. She has “eyes” for photography. And I love taking pictures so we make a good pair.



After our photo shots outside and inside the mall, she suggested to watch a movie with me because she would like to see “Couples Retreat” or “Did you hear about the Morgans?” I recommended that she must see Couples Retreat because it is really awesome movie and I’ve already watched it with my sweetheart (of course). I was willing to watch it again but unfortunately, it was not available anymore. That was shown on November last year. I told her to just grab a DVD copy of it. We both agreed to watch the other one and she did not want me to pay for my movie ticket (her treat). I was craving for caramel flavored pop corn and I bought for two (she liked plain).

After the movie, I offered her to eat sundae ice cream at Swenssen’s (my treat) before we go home. We both loved the taste of sundae. I ordered the nutty sundae with strawberry and blue berry cheese flavor. I just loved the taste and would like to come back soon.



I told her that I want to buy stuff for making a baby scrap book. She accompanied me to the stationery shop and I bought four kinds of pink paper with pretty designs, a set of acetate film and a cozy art paper cover. I still need more items to buy but I’d like to go home before the sun sets. I can buy those at the nearest stationery shops in our place. We went to the BTS station after my shopping spree and we parted at past 5:00pm. I really had fun with her.

Christmas Is Around The Corner

Today is December 14, 2009, it is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 17 days remaining until the end of the year. It is nine (9) days more before Christmas. People are busy about buying stuff in preparation of this coming holiday season. Family, relatives and friends will be gathering together to celebrate this once in a year holy event.

I remember when I was still a child, the happiest days of my life were my birthday, Christmas and New year. For obvious and common reasons for children and maybe some adults, too. In our country (Philippines), we are preparing for Christmas and New year as early as September because of the word "ber" (at the end of Septem) which means the coming succeeding months will all end in "ber" and, to us, that sounds pretty much of Christmas as it is celebrated in "DecemBER". We are so excited preparing early because we don't wanna miss something on our list like gift giving, to remind family and relatives to spend Christmas with us, friends to invite, god children (in tagalog-"inaanak"), the Christmas menu that will be served, Christmas decorations, our clothes to wear on that special day, listed activities/itineraries before Christmas, The nine Christmas dawn masses (in tagalog-simbang gabi: a Filipino tradition) and many more. Christmas is just around the corner.

I miss the way of celebrating Christmas with my family and relatives in the Philippines (the traditional way). This is my first Christmas here in Bangkok with my Sweetheart and I know in my heart that I will be happy to spend it with him. But, a part of me is sad because my first child, Nicole is there celebrating it in the Philippines with my maternal aunt. How I really miss her so much. I also misses my mom, sister and brother. There's nothing more that I can do than pray for them and someday we will see each other again.

Giving and exchanging gifts are part of Christmas gathering. Santa Claus is very famous to children. Social gathering is fun, food is great, the weather is cool, so many gifts to open, super cool Christmas carols and songs, too many food on the table... but let us not forget the reason for this very important season. Christmas is not only about Santa Claus, it is not about mere social gathering or tradition, it is not all about giving and receiving gifts... December 25 is THE BIRTH OF OUR DEAR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. We must not forget about HIM. Let's count our blessings and pray. Christmas is about giving unselfish love, forgiveness and asking for forgiveness, it is giving yourself to others by serving and loving others, our neighbors as Christian without even asking any in return.. which I strongly believe is the TRUE MEANING of Christmas.

Have yourself a loving and blessed Christmas!