Simbang Gabi- 2nd day

I missed the alarm sounding off. Good thing my friend came to my room and woke me up. I was startled for a bit and I was wondering why I did not hear my alarm clock sound off. Not wasting any precious minutes, I took a shower immediately. As always the water was freaking cold. it took an ounce of willpower just to endure the biting cold water. Minutes later, I was toweling my myself dry and get dressed. At the church, I felt so sleepy, it seems that I can't stay awake. I try to distract myself by just looking at all the different lights on the altar.......

Simbang Gabi- 1st day

I went to bed early last night so I could have enough shuteye before today's ordeal. I set my cellphone's alarm clock and my Winnie the Pooh clock just to be sure. Only my cellphone's alarm sound off. I don't know what's wrong with my other clock. Anyway, just as soon as the clock buzz off, I instantly got out of bed. I cannot afford to linger for any minute longer for fear of falling back asleep . I took a shower and boy, the water was really damn cold. I got goosebumps all over my body as soon as the water hit me. I closed my mouth shut to keep it from rattling...It was really, really cold...Today was the start of the nine day novena before Christmas so that's the reason for my waking up early today. The mass started at 5:00 AM but I was up and about at 2:30 AM, call that overly excited. As usual, the church was filled with people. Those who came in late brought their own foldaway chairs. Well, I always make it a point to complete the nine days. Hopefully this year, I will be able to do so....

...belen...

I happened to go out last night and I was able to see various decorations depicting Christmas. Its mostly lights and more lights. Christmas trees are always there and Santa too. But what caught most of my attention is the nativity scene, whenever you go around the streets or inside the malls, this one bit of Christmas scenery is always present. So I did a a little research about it and here it goes...

A nativity scene may be used to describe any depiction of the Nativity of Jesus in art, but in the sense covered here, also called a crib or manger in the UK and crèche in France (meaning "crib" or "manger" in French), it means a three-dimensional commercial or folk art depiction of the birth or birthplace of Jesus, either sculpted or using two-dimensional (cut-out) figures arranged in a three-dimensional setting. At Christmas time these arrangements are created and displayed in Catholic and Protestant homes, churches and parks. For the Christmas season, two nativity scenes are put on display at the Vatican. The first is put inside the Vatican Basilica. The second, placed in the Piazza San Pietro before the Christmas Tree, was made by Saint Vincent Pallotti. ( Wikipedia)

Here in the Philippines we call this nativity scene as "Belen" from the Spaniards' influence....

...season's greetings...

AJ and me would like to wish every one a very Merry, Merry Christmas...Have a blast guys....

...combo platter...

One of my fave chow at Pizza Hut...

...the WORLD is just awesome...

I like this commercial in the Discovery Channel. The world is totally awesome despite of all the things going on from the different regions. This is the only place we have whether we like it or not...

...my favorite girls..

AJ and Mokang will always be special to me. Though I don't get to see them as often as I want to, I always make it a point to call them every now and then. They take turns talking to me on the phone and they always have something to tell me..from AJ missing school to Mokang's tantrum..Well, they quite make a ruckus everytime we talk and we always end our chat with.."..love you, take care, bye.."

...Christmas i-Wish list...

I'm being a little bit hopeful today and so here's my wish list for this Christmas. I'm hoping Santa will be able to read this post. He has at least a week to look for my presents...

..BONES...

A TV series I've been following since I began watching it. I've watched the three previous seasons already and now I'm waiting for the remaining episodes of Season 4. What got me hook to this show is the lead character's intelligence and her "being so in the moment" when it comes to her job. Though, being in close proximity with dead people, much worse, beyond recognition corpses and bones, is not my cup of tea, I find myself very interested with what the characters are doing when they are in the lab...

..newbie's pics...

Lately, I discover the wonder of capturing anything under the sun thru photography....

...Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince...

This is book 6 of the Harry Potter series. I've just finished reading book 7. I was expecting Half-Blood Prince to be shown last November and I believed it was really scheduled at that time but due to some reasons its release date will be next year. I've read the book a year ago so probably I will read it again to refresh my memory and in time for the movie. I guess it won't take anyone 6 months to read it again not when you're so into it that you can't stop reading and just keep on turning the next pages....

..the CuTtiNg EdGe...

It's been 16 years since I first watched this movie. The other night I watched it again on cable TV and it felt like I was watching it for the first time. Cutting Edge is one of the movies I never get tired of watching over and over again. I watched the sequels but they don't compare to this one...

..fAstFoOd..

Not the typical so-called "fastfood" that we're so familiar with but likewise gaining popularity among the masses. Its easy on the budget that satiates the ever present hunger pangs....

...random shot...

I took this photo early in the morning while I was waiting for the sun to really come up. Too bad that day was somewhat gloomy, the sun didn't really showed up.

Happy Birthday

Today is my sister's 29th birthday. I know she will probably object to my mentioning her age. Her name is Maria Lourdes but we called her "Odong" for as long as I can remember. I don't have any idea where my folks got that nickname for her. I always think that we have this special bond between us though I am three years older. Her exact date of birth- Nov. 12, 1979, mine- Nov. 21, 1976. We get along pretty well. We used to share the same room when we were still living with our parents. We used to fight on some trivial things but we always make up. For now, we only keep in touch through voice chat almost everyday despite the time difference. We swap stories about anything but most specially about our family back home...