34 at 34

To end and to welcome another year, here are 34 personal random thoughts that I learned and did from my 33 and looking forward to continue and create new ones at my 34.

1. Cooking is love . You exert effort and sometimes requires patience.

2. I survive without coffee. From my "old" lifestyle I can't stand the day without sipping at least 2 cups of coffee in a day but almost 6 months now, hooray for me I survive the coffee no more challenge! I am now a tea lover

3. Its fine to come in office in jeans.

4. Even men especially fathers can be in Kid's Ministry at church. I was so blessed to see that in other churches most of their teacher in their Kids Ministry are men.

5. Dieting is a mind matter, its more on controlling your mind than controlling your mouth.

6. Sometimes even the person you trusted most is the same person who will hurt you most too.

7. And there are some who keep in silent and watch you and you'll get surprise they are the person who will catch you.

8. You can still be friends with someone from your past, and sometimes become best friends.

9. Acceptance is the first step in moving on followed by forgiveness.

10. Live according to what you have and what you can. 

11. If you prayed for something and it seems that you have it but suddenly slips away due to uncontrollable reasons, then its not yet the answer. God's timing is always perfect.

12. Skyflakes cracker has only 120 calories! and 6 pieces of Kisses chocolates have 200 cal.

13. Blue and yellow are good combination while gold can be a substitute to black.

14. I fell in love with flats!

15. Its fine not to have SB planner, cheaper brand can sometimes offer better.

16. People no matter how good you are to them, they still have negative to say about you.

17. Rubber shoes are not really for me, but I can still be sporty.

18. Not all bottled water are healthy, check and choose the one with less sodium.

19. I love to stay in home section area longer than in apparel's area.

20. Not all wants and cravings need to be satisfied, sometimes you need to deny and sacrifice for something better.

21. Babies are naturally born to be a cheerful giver by merely smiling.

22. I'm still not used being away with my family. I still cry every time I  leave PH and back to Qatar.

23. Arranging parties and surprises is fulfilling.

24. You can enjoy the day by merely spending it with yourself - Me Time!

25. Root canal is not "bloody"

26. Having latest model mobile and having high end brands bags and shoes is not a basis for ones status in life.

27. Be humble and kind to anyone. Anyone means even the unlovable person.

28. There are still chances and hope to loose weight not by skipping meal but by eating the right food and right amount.

29. You can find another family in church.

30. Birthday is not about cakes and food, sometimes its only about being grateful and welcoming another year.

31. We have so many plans in life but its still the purpose of the Lord that prevails. Plan with Him.

32. Singleness is a blessing to enjoy. And there's no due date or age limit in marrying.

33. I loved and enjoyed my life at 33 and there's always another year to look forward. Happy new year to me!

34. I am loved. I am blessed. And I am grateful and thankful to the Lord.

How about you any thoughts you want to share?

Thank You 2014, Hello 2015

At last after almost 9 years working in the Middle East in one company, we were granted a holiday starting December 31, usually the office is only closed on January 1. This year since January 2 is Friday (weekend in the Middle East), I took 3 days off from work. And since I'm the only one who don't have work on December 31 I need to be in charged in cleaning our house and doing some household chores. Thanks to Trish, my cousin's cousin who spent her New Year with us and helped me in preparing some dishes for our New Year's Eve.

To feel that it only few hours and we will bid good bye to 2014, we decided to put this banner morning pa lang of December 31. It's just a DIY, cut and stapled it to ribbon and voila! 

When 6:00 p.m. stepped up, everyone of us became busy. Cooking and preparing for each others' menu. Its been a tradition to our family even way back home in the Philippines to have plenty of food in our table during New Year's Eve not because of any superstitious beliefs but its one way of declaring the goodness of the Lord for the whole year, how He bless us bountifully and how He can bless us more for the New Year.

 Just waiting 12:00 a.m.

Its been my personal devotion before welcoming the new year to have a quiet time with the Lord as He gives me provisions through His word.

And He gave me these verses.

After my quiet time, I headed to the living room where my cousins and a family of my friend which is also my siblings in Christ is waiting.

New Year's Eve

At exactly 12:00 midnight, we had our family prayer. We thanked God for all that He done for us. 2014 has been a very great and blessed years for us though we had tough times as well still He never leave us. The Lord continue to embrace us and assure us that all will be fine.

Far apart from the celebration in the Philippines, welcoming New Year here in Doha is very silent - no "torotot" or fire crackers so just to feel have a "lusis-like" we lighted the fountain candle that we bought for our cake. 

Welcome 2015!

Happy New Year! - from B2F12

Though we are all away from our immediate families, we are blessed to have each other. I'm blessed though I don't have my parents here and my sister in law and nephews, I have my brother with me and my cousins.

New Year selfie with my brother, and another one...

Though most of us are living in one flat, the B2F12 hindi pa rin matapostapos ang kwentuhan, kantahan and kodakan.

The last part of our New Year's Eve party is giving gifts.

Usually I opened all the gifts I received on New Year's Eve but due to excitement I opened one of the gift on Christmas Eve, though it was not posted in any of my social media accounts it really means a lot for me not only the gift itself and even the effort of wrapping but the friendship and love from the person who gave it. Like these gifts from the people who are really close to my heart.

 Hello 2015

And since all of them in the house has work on the first day of the year, only me and Trish were left at home and of course it includes cleaning again all the things we used for the NYE.

I want to start my year right and I started on a date with my Maker.

I attended church service. Its my first time at Anglican Church complex - we have two church services in a week, Thursday night (English service) at Anglican Church complex and every Friday morning (Tagalog service) at our church villa. I regularly attends in Tagalog service but since there will no service on January 2 I really tried my best though I have colds, cough and flu to attend on Anglican.

 I was happy to be seated with my BS Mansoura family (my previous small group) and with my siblings from SG Bin Mahmoud (my present small group). I never expected that I will see them together in church as well.

I am so happy and blessed to end and start the year in God's presence.
As we welcome 2015, we set new goals and plans on how we will spend our 365 days but before anything else  have we ever lift those goals and plans to our Maker?  Proverbs 19:21
Let the Lord lead us in every plans and in every goals that we're going to fulfill this 2015. May the Lord continue to bless us abundantly and may our heart's desire to be a channel of blessing as well to others.

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!

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!