Christmas Caroling on a rainy week 2015

What better way to celebrate and spread the Christmas spirit than through caroling!When we hear Christmas songs, happiness permeates our hearts for reasons we don't understand.I get the fuzzy feeling and my heart becomes light.So I like to play Christmas songs on the laptop while I work around the house.It is also a privilege for me to join our caroling group for this year's fund raising for the gift-giving project dubbed Himig ko handog ko.I don't have a singing voice though just guts lol.

It was rainy because of the typhoon Nona and Onyok. It was raining the whole week.I only get to join twice during the 5 day run but it was a lot of fun!In spite of the rain and the inconvenience of walking in the puddles it is indeed fulfilling because we are doing it for a purpose,it is not for ourselves.We are doing it to help families have something to share in this season of giving.We also talked with some of the sponsors who felt blessed in the idea of helping someone.

Photos: CTOO Hannie

the park this year is lighted up

having fun

bring your flash lights, umbrella and the Santa hat 

we even sang inside the house!

because it is rainy ,let's eat goto!!!

MLCC Christmas Party 2015

It's that time of the year for numerous Christmas parties so we had to have an early one this year.Companies will have their year end parties and families will have their reunions.

This year our theme is about famous people - Politicians, TV personalities,fictional characters and actresses of course.We listed characters then draw lots.I got the politician part.My costume is so so, not very glamorous to my liking.As expected, we had the Kalye-serye with Lola Tidora and Alden with their dubsmash part which is really funny- because of it's popularity we are not getting tired of it yet.We are just one of those many many Christmas parties with the Kalye serye fever.It is all over and it never fails to bring happiness.I'm saying this because of course I am a fan lol.

Photos:CTOO (credit to original owner of the photo Hannie )

worship team

parade of the stars

we are in character

kids

games

Ate V, Lola Tidora and Krissy

Leadership Provision Lesson

The time to pass on the title has come...I trust you God.

I am currently reading a great book about discipling by G. Ferguson and I wanted to share it immediately to my friend because it is very encouraging and challenging at the same time.I am happy that it is something we can do in the church.It is really hard work and that is why Paul mentioned how he strenuously contended and labored for it.And it is for us to imitate.

1 Corinthians 4:16-17New International Version (NIV)

16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

Colossians 1:27-29New International Version (NIV)

27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

---shows the extent of dedication needed to disciple others

a friend's treat - Calamares... so happy

with my friend @ The Open Tavern 

Fashionising: Loose Top from Hallo Hallo Mall

it was priced at Php 1,315 in Zalora and was on sale for Php 999

got a similar one (if not the same) for Php 121.74

Lazada Online Revolution : Christmas Shopping

Online revolution in online shopping platforms like Lazada, Ensogo, Cash Cash Pinoy, Metro Deals, Zalora and probably many others kept the online shoppers on their toes.Some of the items have limited stocks so they have to be alert!I didn't buy during the 12/12 ,I decided to buy early because I had so many things lined up that week.Anyway, Lazada offered discount vouchers as early as 12/11 maybe even earlier than that.I got 10% off on my items that were already on deep discounts.The only hassle is even if the products were ordered at the same time,they are going to be delivered separately,one by one!This is because they are from different merchants.But what a waste of packaging!Wow,so many plastic,paper and bubble wraps!I like bubble wraps because I pop them every once in a while if I'm stressed,but I'd rather have all the items in one box like how Zalora does it.It's nice when you open the box with all your goodies inside instead of getting the small packages one by one from different couriers having a hard time finding your address!What a real nuisance.

So,it is sad that many plastic packaging adds to environmental waste, so how are the online shops going to address that problem?Should I stop buying online? I shop online because it is more convenient, I get new products, some maybe yet to be released and I don't have to deal with mean sales people.

discounted items 

payment screen 

packaging from online purchases

GEP Seminar and Survey

This was taken after our Admin meeting with other Church Leaders and their core groups.This was in Greenfield District.

it's Christmas time in the city

with my new niece Angel

So my visit to my family every month has continued because I have been constantly going to and from Manila this year!After a few weeks my infant niece has become bigger and heavier to carry!very cute!Me and Jesse stayed at my mom's home and watched Kalye Serye.

Answering survey 

Come Sunday morning we rushed to QC to attend their Sunday Service and we just made it on time!I'm not used to the Manila traffic and long hours of travel just to get to one place.We saw married couples from our batch- Jen&Arnel,Jing&Andy,Tess & Benjie ,even Ruchelle and Alvin.I met Ate Meanne and her sister Ate Lalin and kids.I also met Hilde and her bf Patrick.I even had a short chat with Minky.I'm glad to see people still serving in the ushering ministry after all these years!Right after the Worship service, we ate lunch with Lorna,M-Beth and Mary Ann at GateWay Mall.I haven't been there for years.

fellowship

MLCC with John Luis

After lunch, we headed straight to the venue -AFP Theater Camp Aguinaldo- of the Good Enough Parenting seminar sponsored by HOPE Worldwide Philippines.We answered a survey with about 400 items!And we were advised to use the first thing that comes to mind so we don't have to spend too much time on it.So ,I'm glad I finished it.It was just distracting because the place was hot ,maybe because it was really full of people.

Me and Jesse will be back soon for the Holidays!I hope I can talk to my good friends and even former classmates again.

Christmas Shopping 2015 #ZALORAPH

It's the season for Black Saturday and Cyber Monday deals!I was away last Friday so I just grabbed the Cyber Monday deal at Zalora.I don't have much time to go to the mall to pick gifts for my family and friends so I just have to take this great deal.Most of my shoes came from Zalora and their items are really of good quality.I didn't have problems returning items if it doesn't fit.So far so good, compared to Ensogo where I got the wrong item and have never been able to return or exchange it because of delays. so I gave up.

Zalora is also giving away a Mazda 2 and people can stand a chance to win it with a minimum purchase of 1,500 Php. I got my raffle ticket below!

Shelter, refuge and streams of water in the desert

The Kingdom of Righteousness
See, a king will reign in righteousness
    and rulers will rule with justice.
Each one will be like a shelter from the wind
    and a refuge from the storm,
like streams of water in the desert
    and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.

Isaiah 32:1-2

Everything Jesus taught was designed to create a church in which people would be this faithful and this helpful to one another in real life, as Isaiah describes poetically. ---Discipling by G Ferguson pp31

I just came across this scripture and insight and it is comforting that I can see and experience this -- Blessed are my eyes Mt 13:16-17!!!

However, sometimes I don't experience it and I feel lonely ,but I can rest assured that even if the people are not around, He is with me all the time.

Fashionising: Cut Out Dress Sunday Best

I had to stitch the front cut out to prevent a wardrobe malfunction and to make it modest : ) material is silk and chiffon.

With Wendy and Dianne -taking the pics

 picture from Hallo Hallo Mall

Got it for only Php 42 @ Hallo Hallo Mall

The engagement 2015

Lucena Church had the privilege of witnessing the, what can I call it? steady dating and engagement public announcement? Anyway, it is the first time ever for our young church.Our brother Serf, from another part of the globe - the US ,traveled for many hours to be with his special sister in the Lord. It's his first visit here in Lucena but have been to the country early this year.In the church, even if you have never met the people, you feel that special connection because of the Holy Spirit.It's like family -but not blood related ,it is spirit related.I think he had a bit of an adventure in our province and surrounding cities.During his stay, he went to several places and some of the places where I have joined were Graceland Estates and Country Club, MJD Urban Escape Farms, and Max's Restaurant. love love love Food!!!

Wendy, the special sister, have been my friend and faith partner for just a few months but I first met her when I was still in Quezon City.She has a really magnetic personality, she can talk for hours on end.So here is their picture with me and my husband.

me, Wendy, Serf and hubby

They are engaged !!! MJD Urban Escape Farm

Fashionizing: Korean Style Sunday Best

Outfit from my favorite online store Hallo Hallo Mall with the lowest prices ever!!!!

Hallo Hallo Mall 

got it for only Php 202

Himig ko Handog ko 2014

Christmas is around the corner and to spread good cheer, Himig ko Handog ko 2015 organizers will be singing Christmas carols again.We will sing popular Christmas songs to this year's generous sponsors.Proceeds from the caroling will be spent on buying food packages for the less fortunate people in our neighborhood.A Party and gift giving for the beneficiaries will be held on December 20th at the SB Building.

This activity started year 2012 dubbed Himig ko Handog ko 2012.The idea was to sing Christmas carols to the beneficiaries and instead of giving the carolers money, carolers give food packages.The group have guitars, tambourines and maracas for that fun filled caroling vibe.

Last year's Himig ko Handog ko 2014 was able to give Noche Buena Packages to 10 beneficiaries.This year we plan to give to about 20 families.

Cotton Candy

These days we are filled with Fast Fashion, making our closets full but still sometimes we say "I don't have anything to wear" ,why? because fashion trends change so fast and we might not be able to wear designs from the previous seasons ...previous month!

On top of that, it is not cheap to keep up with the latest fad.Good news is, I have a fashion source that will blow your mind! ha. You probably won't believe what you'll see here.I have been shopping at Hallohallo mall for a few years now and I can say they offer the lowest prices. I even got some items for free.It's like getting free stuff in the mail ,literally!So, my fashion find this time is the Rose Lace sleeve.I think it's pretty because of the Rose lace sleeves,the print in front is so so -it has roses and a cherub. I guess I'm not a fan of cherubs though they look cute, they remind me of cemeteries in a horror movie.

with the church

anong first name ni Kenji? Cotton lol

with friends/sisters

Fashionising:

Got it for Php 46

a very similar top (if not the same :p ) is sold previously at 3, 988, and now Sells for Php1,299 at Zalora Ph

it is priced at Php 350 at www.littleemilyshop.com

Rose Lace Sleeve Top from Hallohallo mall

Picture from littleemilyshop.com

8 Room Design Tricks Interior Decorators Would Never Tell You for Free

8 Room Design Tricks Interior Decorators Would Never Tell You for Free

nth Birthday 2015 in two lovely places

This year ,my younger sister gave birth to a baby girl on the 4th.After going to church, I rushed to Manila  (to think that I'm still recovering from tooth extraction and I read that I had to limit my activities).

She stayed in the delivery room for a day because there wasn't any available rooms yet.Me and mom thought it was better that way because my sister just had a C-Section so there were many tubes connected to her and she won't be able to rest well in the ward with the baby crying a lot.She was finally transferred to the ward in the afternoon while I was having a class in the waiting area with my student.

My mom was frantically moving our things from the waiting area to the room my sister was just assigned to.In the process, she unwittingly took away my wi-fi device so I lost my connection in the middle of my class.The next day, I had to cancel all my other classes because there were so many people in the ward and it was so noisy.I think it is a very busy hospital.

I was awake in the wee hours of the morning to look after the tiny baby. There were chairs in the area so you can sit and watch.Babies were crying their hearts out in the middle of the night.And when one cries ,other's follows suit.I just wished I had brought a book.

3 generations

sleeping soundly

Baby Angel in the cold room

me and mom

birthday dinner 

at church Devo