Contagious Joy

How's your holidays guys? Hope you had a great one. 

I had a busy holidays from organizing the parties, meeting friends and spending holidays with family. Though I really feel that my body wants to give up, thanks be to God I was still able to go up and not spent the holidays on my bed. Never mind the after shocks cos while I'm writing this post I have with me a roll of tissue for my flu.

Just want to share with you my holidays with these photos. Photos will speak by themselves how happy I am being with my family, friends,colleagues and brethren.
Happy Birthday Jesus!
Christmas is one of the most festive occasion we celebrate not only as Filipinos but as Christians. Being an OFWs even we're away from our immediate families, we still really tend to enjoy Christmas season. More than any gifts you give and receive during this season, its the gift of LOVE must be on the top of your list.

Noche Buena
Its been our tradition to our family to welcome December 25 together; to set the table even we have only simple dishes on it, the important thing for us is we are together in welcoming the Christmas.

 Thank you Lord for all the blessings. Its Your birthday today but yet You are the one who still giving gifts to us.

 Christmas selfie taken after our prayer

 Me and my brother, Bjay

 Merry Christmas everyone! - from B2F12

Carrying with me our little elf - meet our baby Kiel (my cousin's son) its his first Christmas!

Christmas Day
Its been years since I used to spend Christmas day in the office. Though I really miss being home and spending the day with the whole family, eating together, "kwetuhan" and sometimes going out of town together but it doesn't mean I spoiled my Christmas.
We want to be happy and spread the joy of the season and we started it by wearing a happy color - Red! We asked one restaurant down our office if we can occupy their place at lunch time, and here we go...

 Meet my Filipino colleagues

 Smile is really contagious...

Don't ask me why Jane is in yellow ^_^

 Going back to office, see the happy faces...

 Until inside the elevator, notice the smiles...

Until going back our home after  work, we're all smiling and happy!

Christmas Dinner
After work we decided to have dinner outside. Since we are not familiar to the location it took us an hour I guess to reached the place.

It is not important where we celebrate the Christmas or whom we are with, what matter is we know the reason why we are celebrating the season.
The essence of Christmas is about love and joy, let these things be contagious everyday. Lets make our everyday like a Christmas day!

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 :-)

OWWA Gift Giving 2013: I am blessed

I didn't blog that much since BER months entered. I was so busy with many activities, though I'm still busy right now I'm just hoping to finish this post and to share what kept me busy during December last year.

I am blessed and I want to be a blessing

2013 has been good to me. The Lord bestowed me so much unexpected blessings and for that I am truly thankful and grateful and one of my way in giving thanks is to share my blessings to others. Sharing my family, friends, colleagues and brethren to my fellow Filipino OFW under the custody of OWWA. Thank you so much to all people who responded to the donation drive - OWWA GIFT GIVING 2013 campaign. 

 

The true essence for Christmas for me is about loving and giving like what our God did that He gave us His only son for us to be saved.

In our own way by sharing our time, giving what we can give and most especially giving our love to them we can let them feel that they are loved and someone cares for them. 

I always believe that I don't need to be rich and to have much money and resources for me to be able to help and reach out people, what we need is a heart that is willing to give and share.

my QICM brethren - YAM and CREW

my colleagues and friends

Knowing their stories and sharing ours to them is I know has been a blessing to each other. Each one of us has our own challenges in life and we have only one goal - to overcome it.

I am so much thankful to the CREW ministry at their young age I saw their eagerness to be a comforter to others - listening to the others and encourage them to the best they can. 

CREW you've been a blessing to all of us, continue to impart kindness and reach out to people who are in need.

We have enough but sometimes we still complain and brag that what we have is not the only thing we deserve to have. But if you'll be able to see them, simple and little things that they've got from us, they appreciate it so much. Little things for us are great things for others; don't be tired of helping others, nor be tired of encouraging through words cos we never know what will be its impact to them.

 

 

my brother (in the middle) with kabayans of OWWA

 Realizing how its hard to be an OFW and appreciating what we have at this moment upon seeing the situation of our distressed kababayans in OWWA is one great blessing that we got.

 

Seeing those sweet smiles on their faces is enough to ease my tiredness from the time I drafted the donation campaign letters until to the event itself.

To all cheerful givers who gave and shared your time and resources to our fellow OFW who are in OWWA custody, thank you so much!

Let's continue to share and give. Be blessed and be a blessing.

The Doha Family 2013

Casts of The Doha Family 2013

The Hausemates, Noon at Ngayon

Living away far from home is not easy especially in times of special celebrations. Some of my friends in the Philippines always asked me how we celebrate the holiday season - the Christmas and the New Year here in the middle east, knowing that middle east countries doesn't celebrate such kind of feast. There are a lot of ways on how to celebrate Christmas naman dito, but 25 don't fall on Friday or Saturday for some, its just like any other day kasi may work pa rin. 

I am blessed I have "THE HAUSEMATES", they are MY DOHA FAMILY. Although hindi na kami literally magkakasama sa iisang bubong we make it sure to be with each other in every family celebrations - simpleng handaan man or food chain treat lang. And every year, we make it sure to allot at least a day to have our family thanksgiving - to thank the Lord for blessing each and everyone of us, for comforting us and our loved ones in the Philippines to all the rough times we've been through, and to pray one another to the new and coming year.

Qatar serves a good channel to bless us and our family, although may mga umalis na meron namang mga bagong dumating at idinagdag si Lord sa Doha Family, and we claim it na katulad namin they'll be bless also.

Simple celebration turns to be extravagant if you'll spend it with your family and loved ones. Let's face the reality, I mean all of us wants to be homed and celebrate this season with our "immediate" family but the only way we can do that at this time is through technology but that doesn't mean we will spoil the day. I am blessed, I am thankful, I am grateful I have my family here - The Hausemates, My Doha Family.

I know not everyone living and working here in middle east have a family like me, I mean they are my real relatives but believe me guys if you'll only open your heart to treat people whom you always with to be your family, they will be. So if you have someone in your mind now, call him or her and invite them to be your Christmas dates ^_^

For whoever is with you this Christmas, what matters is the gift of love you can give them.

This year we will make it simple but joyous for sure. No hotels and staycation, we will celebrate it on Lolo't Lola's house but for sure it will be a big bang of joy! To all new "hausemates", hope you'll enjoy the celebration. I know homesickness is just around but don't let it control you instead make the most of the holidays and enjoy!

Have a happy and blessed Christmas!

December 2013 Sched

Hello December!

Hello happiness and welcome busyness :-)

Almost loaded every week not included side trips like buying gifts for loved ones and not to forget the Sugar and Spice engagements.

And how about the Christmas parties with friends? 

I guess this would really be a super busy holidays but a super fun too!

So let's start it today!

Happy 1st of December!

Have a great blessed month to all of us.

Isang Gabi sa Likod ng Camera :-)

Last Sunday I was informed that I am included to the teaser for the thanksgiving in our church, so I thought its like a teaser without audio or dialogue but after receiving an email and found out the script....OH M GEEE! 

Okay lang sana if it will be delivered in my native language, tagalog so I can deliver it well and I can portray the role natural but its not. 

Yesterday after a tiring day from work this is it na, no preparation I mean not even any make up, kung ang artista super effort sa paglalagay ng make up and concealer para maganda sila kapag natamaan ng ilaw, ako naman walang kaeffort effort, bare with me I'm really tired yesterday and even lack few hours of sleep.  Kaya pag roll ng camera go na, wala ng retouch retouch, loose powder lang solve na.

I love to be in school play when I was in my younger days especially when I was in high school but I don't like much to take the stage, mas gusto ko lagi ang script writer ako or director na sympre walang camera or kapag carry pa ng powers ko props coordinator din ako or sometimes stylist pa ng mga artista. Of course ibang iba ang stage play sa mga movies na ginagamitan ng camera and different kinds of lights and effects.Mahirap  pala talaga bago ka makaalis sa isang scene ilang take ang aabutin, yung bigla mo nalilimutan in the middle of the conversation ang dialogue mo plus ang kaba and consciousness mo kasi nga alam mo na may camera. Akala namin nung matapos na namin ang buong script ok na yon, ayayay...hindi pa rin pala, may closed up scene pa pala and we need to deliver our dialogue again and sympre with facial expressions...kakaloka nga pala ang maging artista! hahaha.

I know hindi satisfy si direk Janix sa acting namin, pero dahil pare-pareho na kaming pagod at may work the next day, nag-pack up na kami :-)

Thank you Janix and Ron for your patience and for the experience na maging artista sa likod ng camera...hehehe.

 

Two photos from the left was from the actual scene, hmmm...at bakit daw ganon ang expression ko sa bottom picture, "Isn't it always???" hahaha

Sa lahat po ng makakapanood ng teaser (if will be approved) bare with us po as you know hindi naman kami mga artista or baka masabi nyo naman "mag-emcee na nga lang kayo"  ^_____^

There's no harm on trying especially in the field that we're not used to, how can we know our gifts kung hindi natin susubukan :-) 

Marami mang takes and bloopers, nakakapagod man at puyat worth trying as we did it for the Lord :-) And if ever there will be next time, one thing is for sure I'll definitely put on make up  ^____^

Thanks to Magadia Family - Ate Mylene and Kuya Roy for the warm welcome sa inyong home sweet home and to PL for driving for us and sa paghawak ng microphone :-) and most especially to the couple - Janix and Ron.

Kahit nakaka-kaba I know like me nag-enjoy din si sis Glo :-)

What Keeps Me Busy

For almost two weeks na nawala ako sa blogsphere, I will try my very best to be back and share what happened to me and suddenly I was disappeared in blog world, I know that you know what I meant.

I only have one reason for not blogging for almost two weeks - BUSYNESS. Yup I don't have much time lately to update you on what's happening to me, I tried but in the end I just delete what I wrote cos I couldn't finish. Hope I will finish this post.

What keeps me busy?

After the Eid Holidays, my full packed schedule continued. No wonder I have a lot of pending stories to tell you and so many photos to share, my apology to you guys.  So back to what keeps me busy...

I just transferred new flat last Friday. It took me two Fridays to shift my stuffs not included those I sent for cargo and old bed and dresser I have. Knowing how its difficult to boxed all the stuffs then take it out again and put to their proper places - cabinets or either racks. I had a good sleep on my first night in my new bed, after seven years I and my princess bed separated our ways, and this time for good. And what to expect the next day, I can't move my hands and my back is really aching, so ang ending SL ang beauty ko, but its not totally rest I need to arrange my stuffs.

These are only some of my personal stuffs that I arranged, I still have few box to open - my bags need to be hanged in bags' stand and books needs to be placed in the shelves. Oh my good luck to me kung kelan ako sipagin :-)

Another thing that keeps me busy in our new small business but its a corporation...hahaha meron bang corporation na maliit? hehehe.  Just two weeks ago we started an online page I'll definitely post separately for that, we started a small food business, mini catering as well.  Here's a info-photo of the bits of biz that I'm saying.

In just few days someone dear to me will be here in Doha! Yup and I've been busy arranging all the documents and necessary papers, sending emails for him and yes until he is not here with me I know I'll be busy and a bit nervous, praying that the Lord will touch the heart of all the people he will encounter in going here especially those who are in the Philippines immigration.
Those things look so simple that you might think that's not a valid reasons to escape from blogging but it is because aside from being busy to those things and stuffs I still have work and other activities that I need to attend. I do miss being on this world where I can express what I feel and tell what I want, feeling ko talaga ang talaga ang dami kong namiss na mga news, craze and happenings in blogsphere, but don't worry guys I just need few time and a bit of push to be in circulation again. I hope you'll continue to visit me here and join me in my journey through my stories.