Water Dragon

As far as I can remember, this is the only time that the Chinese New Year became a holiday from work... So here I am, just now about to go to sleep and it's about to turn 2am already... I let my little boy stay up also, we watched fireworks (on Television, hehehe) and shared a midnight meal of Ham, Barbeque, Sweet and Spicy Roasted Chicken, Herbed Loaf, Queso de Bola, Fruit Salad and Tikoy.  May the year of the water dragon bring all of us good luck!

Kiong Hee Huat Tsai!

Plastic or Paper?

More and more people are getting more aware of the impact of our day to day activities to our environment.  This is more evident in the new ordinances that some of the cities here in the Philippines have put into effect.  Like now, in Las Piñas City, when you go to the malls or groceries, they don't use plastic bags anymore.  Your purchases will be placed in paper bags or you bring your own recyclable bags.  At first, like most new things, it can be quite a hassle, specially if you forgot to bring your own bag and you have to commute carrying all your purchases in brown paper bags without handles.  But once you get used to it, and you think of how in your own little way, you have contributed to helping save our planet, then it definitely is worth the effort!

Temper

As a child (until I was in my early adult years), I have been known to succumb to the occasional temper tantrums.  Although, of course, they were much less often as I grew older.  I am not known for my patience but rather for the lack of it.  When I gave birth to my first child, my son, Adam, my friends and family told me that I was going to have to learn to be more patient and that there always has to be room for compromise.  They were right.  Specially now that Adam is already about to turn 3 years old and I have a newborn to take care of, being a mommy also means being a negotiator, a nurse, a playmate and a teacher.  All the said occupations require a certain amount of patience and understanding.  I cannot just lose my temper.  I cannot just launch into a shouting session or be angry at my kids.  Even as a wife, I have learned to control the sudden surge of emotions that come with not getting things to go the way you plan it.  Life just doesn't work that way.

Fresh

Since we are still at the beginning of 2012, I've decided to start fresh... at home, I have rearranged our bedroom furniture, bought new bedsheets and curtains (that compliment each other) and did a bit of general cleaning.  I even went as far as sorting the clothes in our closets.  I have "thrown out" those that we have not worn for quite some time either because they don't fit us anymore or we have just worn them out.  I still haven't touched our living areas yet since I plan on buying new furniture for that by summer, but there was still some "clean-up energy" left so I decided to rearrange my workplace also.  Of course I wouldn't be able to finish this in one work day because I still have to entertain clients that come to the office and there's just too much paperwork to be organized, but so far, so good!  My office table has been moved to a more favorable position and the sofa that serves as the waiting area for my clients (if I have more than one at a time) has also been placed better.  I'm lucky that I have my own office so that I don't have to take into consideration what my officemate would want instead of my preference.  My other co-workers were just surprised when they entered my office today but the general consensus is that the new arrangement is much more pleasing to the eye as well as more effective and dynamic.

Breakfast

With all the rich food that we have taken in during the holidays, I just lost my appetite for the usual bread and butter or fried rice, eggs and hotdog breakfast.  It's a good thing that my mother-in-law brought us dried fish from Ilocos during her last visit with us.  So here's my breakfast for today!

Eating this, you really have to use your bare hands... it adds to the pleasure of eating "tuyo" dipped in spicy vinegar.  I know one shouldn't eat too much salty foods but when you eat it just once in a while, I don't think it would be that bad.  I just had a craving and had to fulfill it!

2012

We have been blessed with so much this past year, 2011... I have only to pray that 2012 will be filled with as much laughter and happiness as the year that was.  And if there be trials that come our way, may we continue to strive hard to overcome them and remember the knowledge that we would gain from each experience, good or bad.  I pray for prosperity and good health for my family and friends... Happy New Year everyone!