Bring me luck, Dragon!

Giving a shot on luck on this year of the Dragon.

I wear them in threes. The more the "merrier".

Mother in the Philippines

Aside from the up and coming turnover of the pharmacy to its new owners,  Mother  is in town.  Her visit this year is my saving grace from that dreadful  "goodbye pharmacy blues" happening in four days. As what I have mentioned here, J. Bond and I took this sudden move in relation to discipline, stability, growth and better opportunities.  Family and friends have said "business IS BUSINESS".  But with me in the picture, the equation evolves to..."business + a HUGE LOAD of EMOTIONS=ROLLER COASTER RIDE". 

Anyway, I think and feel less anxious with Mother around.  My mind and body are literally drifted elsewhere.

Alagad ni Maria, Antipolo

  

   

Transfiguration Church, Angono

Laugh trip lunch at Max's

 A Christmas celebration on Chinese New Year

   

   

 Antonio's, Tagaytay

 

The finale of My Binondo Girl.  Too engrossed!

More to come. Cheers!!!

Ho-Ho-Ho! Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Like what I said here, attendance is a MUST on family gatherings.  Otherwise, prepare for a long battle! 

I skipped my side's annual gathering last Christmas, a bold sacrifice due to an early commitment I made on my better half's side of the family.  The first time ever, but marriage does bring along forks and crossroads.  In this case, two family gatherings that happened on the same day and time, but on opposite sides of Metro Manila. 

In a nutshell, I skipped my side's Christmas gathering. So, a handful copied. An email followed with an enumeration  of relatives who have passed on to the next life. Then culminated with a strong pow-wow statement..."life is short,  let's find time together, it's just once a year.".

And so, we finally met...

to celebrate Christmas... (yes, the decors are still up.)

    

on Chinese New Year!!!

 HO-HO-HO! Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Not a LOBSTER

I thought lobster.  So, I requested for five in various shades.  Think obsession!

Then, J. Bond saw after a lengthy passionate talk about it, and said, "That's a scorpion!  Not a lobster.  Mwahahaha!!!".

Ugh! Fine.  My birthday falls under the zodiac sign Scorpio anyway. 

I delivered!

"Kalbo na ang table mo!" That's what Lourdes said immediately after having caught sight of me by the washroom of Sonya's Garden yesterday.  She had sent a request to deliver more  necklaces mid-December last year.  I did not. Time was too difficult to manage with the simultaneous festivities that happened during the holidays. 

But with a hard kick in the butt, I moved and delivered yesterday.  Finally. 

Yes! More beaded necklaces, bracelets and a few specialty items are now readily available at the Country Store of Sonya's Garden.

Click HERE to see the pieces available.

By Beaded Story in Sonyas Garden 01/15/2012

Finally, I have mastered making slides via Smilebox.  The only concern I have is their limited selection of songs to choose from for background music.  But since I only opt for the "free" button, I have no right  to gag further about this. Lol!  I'm happy and grateful with anything FREE, so I'll live with whatever is available. 

Click on the play button to know what bead works are available at the Country Store of Sonya's Garden beginning January 16, 2012.

This free digital slideshow made with Smilebox

2012 WISHES

I refrain from doing resolutions. I WISH.  NO pressure.  If the wish is destined to come true anyway, I believe it will happen in a poof, but on the right time and at the right place.  Every single thing simply perfect. Yet, of course, it comes with hard work and an unwavering determination too.

So here  are my 2012 wishes in no particular order.

1. Just like my wish in 2011, LIVE HEALTHY.  There is no easy way of getting over and letting go of what happened in 2010, but lesson learned.  I have posted quite a number of hospital photos in previous posts, and I will continue posting so as to serve as a hounding reminder that health is wealth. 

2.  EXPLORE! 

I wish desire for two trips this year.  But INDIA holds the TOP spot of my list.

The reason why I crave for India.

3. Fine, I admit J. Bond hit it right.  He thinks boredom had set in with me and my beads, reason for my lull moments. So this year, By Beaded Story moves forward.  No details yet, but target roll-out is March 2012 and here are my inspirations.

Photo courtesy

I briefly talked about my 2012 By Beaded Story plans here.

Click photo to enlarge.

The nth time I have received the same query via email. 

The last was during this bazaar.

4.  Of course, I still wish for my LUSH LOT.  May this wish come true this year.  But first, more serious biking is needed.   I find it way easier to scout around in a bike than in a car.

5.  That my team may find their true happiness even with our soon-to-come parting ways.  Like what I have repeatedly said, for discipline, for stability, for growth and for better opportunities. 

6.  May Bugsy's hair grow back to the way it was FAST. 

Bugsy on New Year's eve

I arrived home Monday afternoon shocked and deep in thought as to what I should do with the dog I have brought back home from the groomer. Momentarily, I thought  I had the wrong dog.  But a few tests pretty much did the trick.  First, SIT.  Easy. Most dogs know this trick.  Next, PAW.  With Bugsy, he readily gives his paw even without a command.  Place the hand underneath his chest, then hola, he lays his paw on the hand.  Check.  Lastly, scream "CHEEEEEEEESE!".   And like always, he jumped, ran and went crazy. 

Thank God! Bugsy alright. But, oh hair, please grow fast.

6.  Here's a wish that I know will remain unfulfilled this year.  I wish that J. Bond and I may finally have the chance to celebrate our bliss on  the exact day we exchanged I Dos, without any interruption, not in advance, and with no delays.  Really!!!  On our 1st year, I spent the day in panic while J. Bond subjected his left arm to a half day surgery due to his damned evil knievel bike accident. 

Then, a wedding happened which I could not pass up on.  My friend thought of my wedding date as perfect.  So, she followed and assigned me the task of Church commentator. Wise move. 

On my anniversary day while being briefed by the wedding coordinator.

Family gatherings have happened on the same day as well.  Of course,  excuses strictly prohibited.  Otherwise, there will be no end to a very dark tunnel.

And, February is my Mother's preferred month of visit. She is arriving soon.  So, there you go. 

7.  And lastly, J. Bond had asked months ago if I was interested to catch the ongoing local version of The Sound of Music.  I said no. But I am strongly wishing, with fingers crossed, that one day I get the chance to meet the cast and the real VonTrapp family in the flesh.  How's that for a wish, huh? =)

Let's see what happens by the end of this year.  I'm looking forward.