Quote for the day...

Since I added this feature, I myself am curious as to what will be the words of wisdom posted. This one sounded quite good and though provoking. I copied and pasted it below so that I will be able ot read it once in awhile.


Quote for the day- Dec 30.
Faith is the force of life.

Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)

Another New Year

And it means the season is drawing to a close. Last Sunday, we went to one of the small malls in the area. I noticed that the mall has Christmas trees on the fountain, and they are white. I decided to take a picture through the glass panel from the third floor. It kinda looked cool.

And it also means there will be smoke in the air and ear blowing sounds from the fire crackers. In the Philippines, firecrackers are easily available to anyone. Most of those who enjoy setting them off are usually children below 12. It is easily accessible in the near bye sari-sari store. I can't help but wonder so many things.

1. How is it thay they have money to buy firecrackers when they complain that they do not have enough food on the table?
2. Even if it is something dangerous, the more they are drawn to it.
3. What satisfaction is there from setting off something to blast off the eardrums?
4. Despite the images of people on tv who have been victims of a firecracker gione awry, it seems people would still use them

May be I cannot relate because I was musch to scared to try one. The closest that I got were the lucis and the fountain other than that I leave it to my cousins to set off. I just hope that families would prioritize and buy food or something remotely more useful than firecrackers.

Anyway, no matter what you do for the New Year celebrations, have a blessed, prosperous and happy one! =)

This Year's Christmas

Christmas day is drawing to a close. My family and I decided not to cook all the food at once, but take opportunity of the break to eat hot home cooked meals instead of buying from the nearest restaurant or packing lunch that turns cold by lunch time. Besides, since there are only three people in the household, we end up eating left overs until January. That is how much we cook during the hols. So, people around the house seemed to be tamad, I told them we will just eat what we planned a day at a time. It is more practical that way, and it spreads the cheer to other days too.

Here is hoping that no matter where you are and what you decide to do to celebrate, you are having a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Gifts part 2

It is the thought that counts...

Nothing is as exhillirating as receiving gifts in shiny wrappers and dazzling ribbons. it is even more exciting to open them. Over the years of receiving gifts, I always feel giddy when I receive one. I am a gifts person according to my love language. I feel loved and appreciated by the way people give me gifts. That is how I express myself, too, by buying something, wrapping it and giving it to family and friends.

This year, people all over the world is feeling the pinch of the economy turning in to a slump, I feel happy that friends go out of their way to put you in their Christmas list and set aside money to buy you something. Thank God for the gifts, but I also would like to take time to appreciate the people behind them most specially. It is not the gifts, not even just the thought but the people who take time out and care enough to send me something in this time of economic crisis. I also hope that people who were able to receive presents from me felt that along with it comes my sincerest love and concern. I hope that they know that I tried my best to make sure that it is something that they might at least like or find useful at one point or the other. With every gift comes not only the greetings.

Christmas Gifts part 1

Over the years, we, Filipinos, always make it a point to exchange gifts every Christmas. Be it a part of the Kris Kringle or simply as a tradition done between family and friends who use the season as a reason to organize reunions. Over the years, I usually start my Christmas shopping early to avoid problems like traffic, overcrowded malls, out of stock items, high prices and all the things that go with trying to procrastinate for Christmas gifts. Even if I start early, I still end up with buying stuff in December(that is a matter for another entry, I guess.)

I once asked people why we give gifts to each other when it is not our birthday but Jesus'. Shouldn't we be giving him gifts instead? The various responses that I got was bordering from me being ridiculous or me being disrespectful of tradition. The best answer that I got was something that I was probably looking for. We give gifts to each other because it is like giving gifts to Jesus since we are in his image and likeness. That was the answer I wanted to hear because I was trying to find out if people really know why we are going though everything.

Over the years, I have been giving and receiving gifts from family, friends, and acquaintances. I just hope that we remember one of the reasons why we do exchange gifts. Remember that it always starts in the manger some 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. I know it is cliche, but it is the common truths that we often take for granted.