Holidays + People

Its not the presents under the Christmas tree but the people around us that matters.
Just want to share some photos captured in different Christmas - Thanksgiving I've attended, other details and photos to be posted in different posts :)

SG Family
December 11, 2014 our red-green Christmas - Thanksgiving Party

 Super Friends + Friendly Friends
December 12, 2014 The Super Friends joined by Friendly friends - the more the merrier!

 

The Doha Family, The Hausemates 

December 19, 2014 Black / Yellow or Gold Themed Party with the Doha Family.

How about you guys, who are with you during holidays?

Red and Green with SG Family

It will be our first time to have Christmas Party together since our group just started late January of this year. "SG BIN MAHMOUD" is my group or my family within QICM family. Sila ang kasama ko every Thursday night and I really enjoyed having fellowship with them though I missed Thursday night going out with friends and colleagues I know naman na naiintindihan nyo. SG or Small Group is not only our group to conduct bible study with, SG is more than a bible study group, each and everyone of us is a family. We treated each other na talagang magkakapatid not only inside the church or services but even more when we are outside and facing the real world and battle. Like what I'm saying most of the time, I am blessed to have every small group I have and had. I guess I need to make separate post for that :)

Last Thursday after our SG meeting, we had a chance to do our "monita-monito" and look how excited these kids, nakakatuwa talaga.

 

And since we're all busy on the coming days, we make it early to have our holiday get together. Hooray for RED and GREEN theme!

 

Though we meet every Thursday and Friday morning, iba pa rin ang dala ng Christmas spirit.
I'll keep you posted guys.
God bless us all

The Black, Gold, and Yellow Party of HAUSEMATES

Yearly we make sure to have a get together I mean though most of us are living in one roof. It doesn't matter how simple the party is what matter is we are together to celebrate and give thanks for all the blessings we received.

Most of the time we stick to red and green color since its the traditional Christmas color but as years goes by, we evolved, hehehe. We tried to mix it with blue, white, pink, black and match it with casual to smart casual.

And this year...

For some who's wondering who and why we are called "HAUSEMATES" here's the story :)

2006-2008 we are all living in one roof, malaki man or maliit na flat gusto lagi magkakasama since we are family naman talaga so walang problema until yung mga management na ng mga flats ang ayaw sa amin I mean na isang unit lang ang kukuhanin namin kasi nga ang dami namin, so we decided na maghihiwalay ng bahay and that time also nag-e-air ang PBB (Pinoy Big Brother) and "kuya" called his tenant as "housemates", so we became the "hausemates"

"Hausemates" and Doha Family are the same persons :)

And though we are family, when it comes to party we always assigned committees pa rin so it will be still organize and someone will lead, as far as I remember kahit may mga party kami noon sa Pinas we also do that, nasanay kami sa pamilya na ganon so everyone will be involved. And this year's committee.

 Even we are away from our "immediate" family, we are really blessed to have each other here. I know as always when we are together it will be full of fun and joy, another moment to be cherished, another blessing from Above. Thank you Lord.

I'll keep you posted guys!

Hats On!

Its always excites me every time I'll be with my Super Friends especially now that most of us are not working together in one company and some already left Qatar for good; that's why I marked my calendar already to make sure that I can be with them in our yearly thanksgiving party.

This year, no hotel and fancy clothes and stunning jewelry. Just arrive at the party on red or green outfit with any kind of hat or cap. As long as you're comfortable with what you'll be wearing and of course confident about yourself you have a big chance to be the best dresser. 

See you all!

I Love My Monito, I Love My Monita

Its less than a month before Christmas! And for sure like me your calendar is almost marked and weekends are already occupied.

Every Christmas season I'm telling to myself not to be stress in parties especially in preparation. Oh well, I really I can stand for it. Though I really love to organize and be involved in party preparation cos I really enjoy pero kasabay din ay ang stress. Just last week I need to confirm kung kailan nga ba yung party don sa kabila and don sa kabila, baka kasi mamaya magkapalit-palit.

I love attending Christmas/ Year End parties but I used to called it as "THANKSGIVING PARTY".

One of the highlight of the Thanksgiving parties is the "Monito-Monita" or exchange gift.  On Tito Abet's birthday celebration a week ago, Doha Family already started the first move to make our 2014 Thanksgiving possible and sympre sinimulan namin sa "palabunutan"

I love my "monita" so meaning babae ang nabunot ko :-) at kung sino man sya well abangan on December 19, 2014 ang revelation.

Aside from exchanging of gifts another thing to look forward to every Doha Family Thanksgiving is our dress code. Last year nag-ala Frozen theme kami feeling may snow sa disyerto on our shades of blue and white palette, check it here Doha Family 2013

Yesterday on our church naman instead of "monita-monito" we received an envelope na may letter at nakasulat don ang name ng 2 bata with their age, then sila naman yung bibigyan ng gifts.

The other party naman with SF is a common gift or unisex; since we don't have much time to meet each other before our party on December 12, 2014, we decided to bring gift that will fit to either babae or lalake. 

Exchanging gift for me is one way to symbolize giving though we can give to others without waiting to have something to receive. True essence of giving must come from the heart, hindi pakitang tao lang na naghihintay ka lang to be praised. And if you'll be giving gifts naman to your family, friends or colleagues its not necessarily na expensive then afterwards puro utang ka; we need to understand and practice that we should give according to our resources also, hindi din siguro magugustuhan ng niregaluhan mo kung malalaman nya na kaya ka lang nagkautang is just because dahil sa kanya, though we really want to give the best of everything to our loved ones and friends but its not right for us to suffer in the end. We need to balance our resources or finances as well.

Kaya ngayong Pasko para lahat happy maging matalino sa pag-sho-shopping :-)

Happy 70th Birthday Tita Mama!

Celebrating milestone with the family is one of the so many reasons that make us homesick being away from home. Today, another family celebration na naman ang namiss namin, its our dearest Tita Mama's 70th birthday.

Meet our dearest Tita  Ma

Norma, is Mommy's elder sibling.

Nakagisnan ko na ang tawag namin sa kanya is Tita Mama while we are growing up naging Tita Ma and sometimes Mama Norma, until now even the youngest  generation in the family call her the same.

I guess everyone in our family will agree if I say she's one  of the generous within the family. I remember nung pumapasok pa ako sa Day Care Center, since her canteen is located near SWA, dadaan muna kami sa kanya and even may mga baon na kami hindi pwedeng hindi nya pa rin kami bibigyan hanggang sa nagelementary, college and even nagwowork na kami, Tita Ma has always preparing something for us every time we passed by and would you believe until now na nagwowork abroad na kami, she never fails to have something for us from food, clothes and sometimes even money. Just recently after my vacation sabi ng sister in law ko, Tita Ma is waiting for me daw hindi na kasi ako nakadaan sa kanya before ako umalis ng Pinas,which usually dumadaan talaga ako before magflight sa kanila, meron daw sya dapat ibibigay na bedsheets and 100$ for me kasi di na daw sya nakabili ng kahit ano para ipabaon sa akin. 

We have so many memories with Tita Mama, she sponsored my year book when I was in highschool, she and Tita Atit kapag ibinibili nila kami ng damit magpipinsan pare-pareho talaga magkakaiba lang ng color sympre para daw walang inggitan :), kapag birthday, graduation or any special occasion she always handed something.I know hindi lang sya sa amin generous cos we are a witness kung gaano sa mapagbigay even sa catering staffs nya, kaya naman everyone knows "Tita Ma"

To our dearest Tita Mama, we are very thankful to the Lord for giving us a generous, thoughtful and caring tita. Though we're not in the Philippines to personally celebrate with you your birthday, you will always in our heart and thoughts and your birthday will always be remembered. Just pahabol na kwento, yesterday ka-skype namin sya, and she's saying na magpapadala sya ng money so we can celebrate her birthday too...awww how generous she is! but we insist that we're ok here and may mga family celebration din naman kami na gagawin dito.

Happy Birthday Mama Norma!

Our simple gift

To one and only "Tita Mama"...

Happy 70th Birthday!

 Our Lord continue to bless you in all areas and aspects of your life especially on your health. Youngest generation of the family is so blessed too cos they are still able to meet and be with you, hoping and praying that my future children will meet you too, hehehe well kung kailan yon di ko pa rin po alam, basta praying that our Lord will give you long life to live pa. God bless you Tita Ma! We love you,Mama

 

Christmas 2008 - picture with Tita Ma (iba-ibang henerasyon)

The Cleofe - siblings

 

celebrating Tita Ma's birthday at Keta Kelaruega Resort

taken last October 25, 2014 during my vacation

Many more birthdays to come!

The Bible - 1/5 BW Photo Challenge

It should be posted on Facebook account but I don't know what's wrong why I can't post any photos. Anyways, maybe you all know the Black and White Photo Challenge and this is the reason behind this.

I was tagged by a friend Abhie on B/W Photo Challenge thru IG yesterday. I love taking photos, hindi pa uso ang digital camera at film pa ang ginagamit marami-rami din akong naubos na pera sa pagpapadevelop ng kung ano-ano lang naman ang pinipikturan ko :) Minsan nangarap din akong maging photographer pero due to some personal reason hindi ko kinalimutan ko na ang pangarap ko na yon ^_^ pero who knows magkainterest ulit ako. Back to the challenge, here is my B/W photo; instead of posting new photos I decided to pick some I kept on my archives. Here's my 1/5 picture.

THE BIBLE

 

I captured this 2010. 

This Bible was gift to me by my college classmate Atty. Rickson Buenviaje and his friend Kuya Rommel Magboo on my 18th birthday. It was given to me during my birthday celebration (10 days after my actual birthday), March 19, 1999. One of the most precious gift I ever received and until now I still have this.

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." - Matthew 24:35

#1/5 B/W Challenge - post black and white photo for 5 consecutive days and pass the challenge to a friend.

Why Will I Settle for A Second Hand

If given a chance to choose another field I will choose interior designing. I remember when I was still a child I love to draw houses and how it looks like inside, I even cut some pictures of houses from magazines. But since my first love is to be a lawyer that to be an interior decorator I settled to take different course(s). i told to myself I can have the passion in decorating houses by simply reading or browsing. Until now I'm still falling in love seeing nice interior of houses and my hope is still in my heart that someday I can even take at least even a short formal course for interior decorating.

I believe that every house deserves a good interior. Sound expensive? Nope that's not what I mean, every house can have a good interior with style but in cheap cost.

I will try to post some of pictures I have collected from net and at the same share with you on how to incorporate it in your house in a low cost budget.

I was inspired by several blogs that I've read of how a second hand furniture was given a new life and add new look at their houses that's why one of the project that I'm trying to have is to check and have some good piece(s) of furniture from shops that are selling second hand.

Bangkal shops in Makati

I started to ask some friends of where I can find second hand furniture shops in Batangas, so it will be more easier for me but most of my friends don't know any place in our town. A friend of mine ask me why will I settle for a second hand if can have a new one. Well here are my answers:

 1. Style of old furniture are classic. You can revive them to look modern by just simply painting and upholstery. 

2.  Mas matitibay ang materials na ginamit usually new furniture that you can buy in shops in mall are just coated.

3. Its cheaper than brand new although not all the time especially if its antique pieces. I tried to ask one antique shop in Batangas, its a bit expensive but if you'll try to assess its worth it naman kasi nga antique, you can't have same pieces everywhere.

4. Fulfilling. I don't know with you guys but for me accomplishing even buying simple good things at cheaper cost makes me happy and fulfilled. Fulfilled in the sense na I know nag-effort akong maghanap.

love to revive the color of this chair

Antique shop in Taal, Batangas

Look at these Victorian style chair, parang wala na talagang buhay. For others sasabihin naman magaaksya ka lang ng pera after mong bilhin but nope! Ano naiisip nyo na ba how you will give new life to these pieces?
Well, here's what Rica Peralejo did...
Yup kanya ang mga silya na ito. She bought it in Bangkal shops (second hand furniture shops)

She is so hands on but don't worry according to her the paint that she used is safe for pregnant. Yup don't ask why kung kelan ko sya nakausap hehehe, feeling ko lang close kami ^_^.

 

And taran!!!! 

Isn't it fabulous?! after the painting and upholstery old self gone no more! walang kabakas bakas na minsan naging ugly duckling ang silya na ito. 

So guys, the next time makakita kayo or if you have in your house old furniture wag nyong deadmahin, ang kelangan lang maging artistic tayo, I believe that every individual has an artistic side. There's no harm on trying naman, isipin mo naging artistic ka na, nakamura ka pa, and fulfilled ka pa cos you accomplished something di ba.

"Mamamaysan" Team

Hello August!

August is one of the memorable month for us as a family, its my Mom and Dad's month. They'll be celebrating their 34th years together this coming 23rd. But before we celebrate their union, another milestone will happen in our family, our cousin JEP (Joseph Emmanuel Perez) will be getting married on 20th to JHO (Josephine).

Even its not our first in Doha family na may ikasal dito, first was Sze and Shawn then Peach and Glen, iba pa rin talaga siguro yung sa Pinas. Of course here limited lang yung invited I mean we're from a big family pero since dito kung sino na lang ang nandito. Second, kapag dito sa Philippine embassy not in the church, the solemnizing officer will be the consul and not the priest/ pastor unlike in other country na kahit expatriates ka pwede, here in Qatar hindi pwede. Third, the preparation - siguro mas less pressure and stress lang dito ng konti kasi nga since the wedding will be simple, hindi naman nga ganong kadetalye, all you have to have is time to prepare and money to pay.

Last Friday, we agreed to meet up to discuss the details of the program and to know our "role" and responsibilities at the wedding reception...kapit bisig Doha Family! We didn't invite the couple to join us. We called the meeting as "Mamamaysan Meeting"

Meet the "Mamamaysan" Team

I am not sure if all of you knows the term "mamamaysan". Mamamaysan is a tagalog word for groom's family and friends who will do all the chores and preparations before the wedding day. Here's what I found from one article regarding the usual things that mamamaysan and its duties the night before the wedding day:

"At the break of dawn, the groom's family is abuzz, preparing the sundry of things that will be hauled to the bride's place. Vehicles are borrowed and hired –jeeps, jeepneys, tricycles–to haul the kith-kin-and-caboodle, literally. Kin, friends, neighbors, wedding attire, bridal gown, pots, pans, plates, utensils, are crammed inside and atop the vehicles. A single pig will fit in a tricycle. A few pigs, for the occasion of a grander wedding, will need an elf or jeepney. The side of the vehicles is decorated with fresh fronds of coconut leaves (see insert). The jeepney is loaded with passengers to the rooftop, and although illegal, the coconut fronds identify it as a wedding vehicle, and local police usually just turn their heads away.

Arriving at the bride's house, welcoming starts with the "tasting of the kalamay." Each side tastes the others' kalamay' concoction, with the usual exchange of praise as to whose tastes better. Meanwhile, the bridal gown is taken to a designated room in the house; no fitting is allowed for fear that the wedding might not happen.

The kitchen has started to buzz alive. Preparations slow to start, pick up into full swing. On one end of the bilik, a pig is being slaughtered. The blood is collected for the preparation of the "dinuguan" dish which will be the traditional dinner entree. The rest of the pig will be divided and amounts allotted for the preparation of other foods for the traditional wedding feast: embotido (finely chopped meat), apritada (catsup based) and menudo (pineapple based). And if the pig meat supply will afford, the additional dishes of ginulayan (milk), pochero (banana) , sinantomas (bone-based) and rebosado (fried pigskin in batter)."

Nowadays, only few people practice that customs. There are a lot of wedding sites and coordinators that you can check and hire to lessen the pressures and stress in preparing for the big day.

We created our own version of "mamamaysan" since the groom is from our side.

 

That's one of the joy of having a family despite of being away from home, may susuporta even not financially ^_____^ and there are someone who can help you to do some errands on your day, less stress na rin yon di ba?  There are some changes on that list that we did during our meeting. Preparation for a big and important occasion is a bit stressful  here compare to Pinas in a sense na hindi ka basta makakapagfile ng leave of absence sa work mo, kaya you need to maximize all the time you have in arranging everything to your suppliers minus the bridal gown naman kasi since hindi naman church wedding mas simple lang. 

We also discuss the reception program in detailed. And since we're not in Philippines, very limited lang ang mga resources na pwedeng kuhanin namin to execute some of the customs in a Filipino wedding. Just to clear out guys I'm not into "pamahiin" or superstition, of course ang pagsasama ng dalawang tao is depende yan sa kanila, it should be triangle nga di ba - the husband, the wife and GOD. 

We Filipinos have a rich customs and traditions and even in wedding celebration there are some practices that's already part of culture. Hope we can have some of those at the reception program, but first we need to check where to find suman and kalamay ^_____^

I advise you if you are planning to get married, have at least one (1) year of planning ahead. Its better na mahaba yung time ng pagpla-plan kesa naman ngaragness ang beauty mo on your wedding day. 

Wedding is milestone kaya dapat lang pinagplaplanuhan at pinaghahandaan. Di ba mas maganda if you'll have a memorable wedding and a happy marriage? so ngayon pa lang if you have plan to get married next year, start to plan now.

Don't Rush Things

I don't know if its just hormonal but lately I have so many things in my mind. I have so many things in my mind that I want to do, so many plans but I don't even know where, when and even how to start. All I am sure is GOD is in control of me. I'm talking to myself and assure that the Lord is always working, that despite of His silence He is listening to me, that even sometimes I feel He is not answering some of my prayers, He is there watching over me and moving on me.

Like anyone else I am just a human. I have emotions and heartaches. My body get tired and my mind blown away. Like anyone else, my life sometimes is also a roller coaster, full of ups and suddenly it drop down. I feel sadness too, sometimes I feel empty as well.  I become frustrated too when I didn't achieve something I really want. Like any other I am only human.

Sometimes I think of those people who because of depression and even due to frustration was become mentally ill.It sad to know that because someone doesn't love and care, their life seems to be wasted. 

Everyday is a second chance and those emotions are just only by passers. Don't let them win over you but instead be an over comer, show them how you that despite of the not so good thing that happened into your life, you still have million reasons to smile and be happy. Don't cling on your emotions they are not a part of you, remember when you were still a child, everything seems so red, no black nor blues. Happy moments are destined to be always in our mind and in our heart so whenever loneliness are passing by, those happy memories will become your sword.

God gave us free will to do things but don't be too confident and rely to yourself alone that you can do everything. You need GOD in your life. There will be times that you'll get tired. You'll need a comforter, you'll be needing a counselor, a provider, a healer, a Savior and so much more and you can only find that to JESUS.

 Have you ever say "thank you" from the time you open your eyes today? Have you ever say thank you for unexpected things and circumstances in your life, that you consider miracles?

I can't imagine my life without GOD. Maybe I am one of those people inside psychiatric hospital or maybe I have a wasted life or on the other hand enjoying a lonely luxurious life. No one knows.

My life isn't perfect and it isn't an ideal for some. But for me, I am happy and contented but it doesn't mean that I will stop to be better. From time to time I am reminding myself how blessed I am for having the life I have now. 

I don't need to rush for all of my plans to fulfill. I don't need to pressure myself over things that I want to accomplish. Anything worth having is anything worth waiting for.

For how many times God did a miracle in my life, for how many times He opened my eyes and made me realized that His plans are better than mine, that every "no" I received from people are another "yes" for a bigger and better plan He have for me. 

In my mind and in my heart, I will hold on to His words:

" Many are the plans of a man's heart, but its the Lord's purpose that prevails" - Proverbs 19:21

"For I know the plans I have in you", declared the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future" - Jeremiah 29:11

Shakespearean Experience with the Chipmunks

One thing I love with Ramadan is its short work timings. Last month I was able to meet the CHIPMUNKS! They are my friends - the couple, Adrian and Ems are my kumare and kumpare and former colleagues too while me and ate Maribel is still working in the same company. Oh we miss you here, Karen.

It started when Ems gave a comment on one of my post in FB to have coffee since its Ramadan, after two days we ended up together. It supposedly a "girls' night" but since Adrian dropped us in the mall, we asked him to join with us in the dinner.

Its our first time in Shakespeare & Company. I eyed this place everytime I passed by, I really love the ambiance, oh their furniture and frames, the Victorian theme!

 I really love Victorian and "modern-vintage" theme. I am hoping I can get  at least one good piece of these chairs at least in affordable price...hayss kung mura lang at madaling ipa-cargo nakapaguwi na talaga ako!

Lovely and comfy chairs

 Look who's at the mirror?

I really love the place. 

Even we're not in the same office, it doesn't mean na wala na kaming pagkwekentuhan or maguusapan. Hindi matatapos na kwentuhan.

And since its our first time in Shakespeare, we are not familiar to what they serve. Its good thing that most of their crews are Filipino and super accommodating talaga nila and nakasmile, nakikipagkwentuhan pa, mas masarap balikan ang isang place kapag alam mo na welcome ka talaga; even their manager approach us.

Menu book

According to the crew in charge for us, all of their servings are for sharing. We decided to order variety of choices at least 1 each. Before our order they gave us complimentary "shakespearean" bread and butter. Tinapay pa lang nila masarap na and sympre mas masarap kasi complimentary, libre!

And here are what we ordered.

 Their seafood Caesar salad looks dry but believe me its not. You can really feel the crunchiness of their veggies. Perfect for our taste buds!

 They have their authentic taste of pizza, the crust is very different from others and look the cheese and the toppings, healthy na healthy.

 One of their best seller, chicken with gravy and mashed potato. Don't miss to order this when you visit them and aside they have a big serving of this.

It only looks that it has a small serving in the photo but its enough for 4 persons. You can taste talaga na ang ginagamit nila even sa sauce nila is fresh tomatoes or so whatever man na ginamit nila. 

Guys, I'm really encouraging you to give them a try, super kakaiba talaga ang lasa ng food nila, I mean these food na inorder namin cos yan pa lang ang natry ko sa mga menu nila.

They have also fresh fruit drinks na masarap and refreshing talaga.

The price of their food is affordable since their serving is for sharing, mejo mukha lang nakakatakot yung place kasi nga maganda which is some of us kapag maganda ang place naiintimidate kaagad and iniisip mahal pero if we will not try paano natin malalaman. 

We deserve a good place, good food and good service after working so hard.

And the supposedly not included to be with us in the plan, paid our bill. Oh my! Thank you Adrian! We had so much fun, and super thank you kasi treat na nga kami special hatid pa sa bahay. Thank you Adrian and Ems!

There will be a Shakespeare and Co. in The Pear Qatar soon! According to their crew iba nga lang daw ang menu nila doon but definitely the theme of the place is the same or mas maganda pa. And she added that all Shakespeare and Co. restaurants even in UAE ang nagdesign ng place is Filipino! O di ba nakakaproud, iba talaga ang Pinoy, artistic!

And one more thing, if you know someone who wants to be a part of their team, they can go to American Prime agency in Manila, you can search their complete address and phone number on their website.

 The Happy Chipmunk, The Happy Me

Shakespeare & Co.

Dar Al Salam Mall, Abu Hamour Doha

Telephone Number: 66768812

Opening hours: 8:30 AM to 11:30 PM