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 :-)

There's Always Something New, 2014 SOJV Staff Party

After a tiring and stressful working days, one of the break that company can offer is to have a party for its employees. Its been a year or two since last held a staff party outside the office. For some of the staffs its their first but for me I don't want drop numbers :-)

Although I've attended many times, I'm always looking forward for something new. And I guess you can find if you will just open your eyes not to criticize but to appreciate why and how the party was organized.

Usually company party was announced ahead of time 2 or 3 weeks before but this year, a memo just popped up in our inbox 2 or 3 days before the event but what its good this year they indicated a dress code and since its "smart casual" its easy for us to decide what to wear.

The venue is still in Radisson Blu Hotel but this year we just occupied a part of the banquet, we have a small crowd this year as few months from now the project will be finished :-)

The call time for the party is 6:30 p.m. Its early for a dinner party right? And voila! this year its not an hour delayed, at around 6;45 the party formally started. And I'm a bit shy when I arrived cos there are already many people although I'm still early for the call time but since I am the emcee I need to be on time or earlier.

 

I always want to have podium everytime I'm hosting, it hides my wobbling knees ^_^

No red carpet where you can see stunning beauties posing over hi-tech cameras. This year beauty out of simplicity was flaunted. I really love to be in a smart casual, you are not conscious on how to move, natural na natural and you can easily move.

The smaller the crowd the more chances to interact with others. That's for me is the essence of staff party to develop camaraderie to each other especially if you seldom talk to them inside the office. You can have a chance to see and know the other side of a person, not only the professional side or the "technical" personality he/ she has. 

  

 

All  staffs had their chance to have a photo with big bosses. And even the managers enjoyed siestas with everyone, how I wish that managers has a pleasant mood like while they are in the party hahaha...

SOJV Project Manager

SOJV Deputy Project Manager

SOJV Procurement Department Manager

 And how I wish someone took a clear and good copy of this, with all the bosses. I'm just passing when our PM called me to have a picture, its a privilege to posed with them. Guys if you have a good copy of this please please share it with me ^__^

 

SOJV Staff last standing as of June 26,2014

 Its been eight years. I spent 8 years of my life in this team, not an ideal years. I have so many sentiments and demands, sometimes I can't help to compare with those people who are working in the other companies but I always end up being grateful and thankful for them. As my mom told me, God put me into this company, into this team cos He has purpose and if the purpose was served already, I'm claiming that this year God will give me new.

I've been to all the staff parties before and of course I have so many comparisons but whatever it is I just keep it with me ^_^, all I know is I enjoyed the night, I enjoyed being with people and I will keep and cherish all the memories. 

There are so many new things to discover and realize in every event, so next time someone or your company invite you to a party, give a "yes".

Candy Buffet 101

Have you been to a party or any gathering lately? If you do, for sure you noticed that most of them have their own version of candy buffet. Yup you heard it right, most of the parties and gatherings nowadays not only catered food buffet or salad or sweet bars they have now the candy buffet.

A candy buffet is a buffet consisting of various types of candy. It can be chocolates, gummy balls, wafer stick, lollipops, marshmallows and a lot more. You are wrong if you're thinking that it would be best on children's party only cos lately even in weddings and other formal occasions you can see candy buffet in the corner.

Early last year candy buffet became a hit - candy shops were every where and if you check even department stores has so many fancy containers and decorative glassware available. Its because candy buffet is in craze!

There are so many candy buffet businesses were open too - from affordable to high end cost, of course it depends on what kind of candies to use and set up of your candy buffet table. My cousin venture into this business as well, aside from earning as her sideline she enjoy it much.

Mine too was hooked on the having candy buffet even in a simple and small occasion and gathering. Aside that it adds color to the buffets, it really add joy to the party that not only children enjoy but all ages.

Last month we have a surprise farewell and baby shower in one for a dear friend of mine, and we had a simple candy buffet.  So let me share you how I did my mini candy buffet.

1. Pick candies for your buffet. Think what sorts of candies you need to buy; you can consider the occasion itself and even your visitors. The color scheme of the candies are also a must to consider so it will not go wrong with your party concept or theme. Since we don't have any theme for the party i chose gummy candies, wafer stick, cookies, pops and other sweets.

2. Choose containers to use. I suggest to use a clear or transparent glass ware. I prefer to use glass so I can still use it for future parties, I mean if you will just buy plastic clear containers after two to three use, you will notice some scratches already unlike glass. Its better to use clear containers so its easy to identify what candies are inside. 

I used a combination of glasses and plastic disposables. I bought an ice cream glass of only 12QR a set of six and got some colored disposables. Isn't is affordable right?

 

3. Make some toppers and signs to draw your visitors' attention. You can check so many quotes in the net and some are printable already.

 4. Decorate your buffet table. You can use different kind of cloth or some accents like flowers, pebbles or any other things that compliments your theme. And since I have no much time to prepare and I did almost instantly, I don't even use any table cloths or any accent but yet for me it still fine and nice.

Who says that candies are for children only, not with candy buffet cos even them love it too!

So next time you'll be having a party or even a small gathering, try how sweet it is to have candy buffet with you!

The Doha Family 2013

Casts of The Doha Family 2013

Surprise Baby Shower for Peach

New member of our family will be coming soon! And to give way and honor the parents to be - Mommy Peach and Daddy Glen we had our surprise baby shower 

Its a SURPRISE!

The party was headed by my cousin Sze, the eldest sister of Mommy to be Peach. Invitations and other details were only posted on Facebook events, and since its a surprise only invited people can view the post.

Tip#1: To lessen the expenses and not to spoil any surprise party you can use your Facebook or email to send the invitations and other details of the party but be sure you'll not send or tag it to the persons you want to be surprised. Tell to all persons invited that its a surprise and not be leaked to others so surprise will not be spoiled.

Baby shower party doesn't need to be costly, its main purpose is advance celebration to welcome the baby and to honor the parents to be. Its the family or friends of either one of the parents to be throws the party, that's why its mostly "surprise".

Unlike any party, in baby shower most of the foods are only pica-pica or finger foods - sweets, chips, sandwiches or if any other I think pasta would be a perfect match or unless the party is on dinner time.

We had a potluck and since the venue was on the hotel, we preferred to brought some on the go pastries, sweets and sandwiches.

Super I found these sweets go along with the topper, cute :-) girl na girl ang looks 

  

Tip: It would be best if you hold the party not in the place of the parents to be, it would be easy for you to keep the party in secret.

The Place

We held the party at Holiday Villa. Since its a surprise, we arrived at the place earlier than Mommy Peach and Daddy Glen. 

 

The Visitors
Picture picture din while waiting....

Ang kwento: Accessory to the surprise si Daddy, kelangan na ayain si Mommy kung saan-saan habang nagpreprepare. And since its already their plan to stay for the weekend at Holiday Villa mas mas madaling naisagawa ang sorpresa.

SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE....

More story...

Mommy Peach: nung isang linggo dapat magchecheck-in na kami pero sabi ni Glen instead na magcheck in ibili na namin ng AC kaya nagtaka ako na sya na ngayon ang nagayaya.

Sze: nagtaka rin sya kasi nagdoorbell ako, sabi nya "e bakit nagdodoorbell e hotel nga" 

We started the party in prayer - thanksgiving for all the blessings that God bestowed on us. It took Peach and Glen years to have a baby and Baby Red is really an answered prayer not only for the couple but even to us.

Eating, Sietas, Picture taking ....

Meet the Parents to be...
Daddy Glen + Mommy Peach = Baby Red
Started as friends, became best friends, courting followed, then became official, the guy popped the question and the girl said "yes", after few years God gave them Baby Red.

Let the games begin....
Tip#2: To make the party alive bring with you some children song (yan ang nakalimutan namin). Prepare some simple items as prizes for the games.
We have notepads, wet tissues, and bookmarks.

Game #1  "Old Wives Tales Trivia" - mostly are single kami kaya ang ending hulaan na lang if boy or girl. Actually first time ko naencounter yung ibang "pamahiin" statement written there..kakalorkey naman first game pa lang written na ..hahaha

Daddy and Mommy relax relax 'pag may time :-)

 

Rea and Tita Nayda won the 1st game - e kasi nga daw nurse,hahaha

 

Most of the games prepared by Sze is an IQ games according to kagandahang Tita Sheilla..hahaha, parang board exam talagang pagiisipan...hahaha

Game #2 , guessing the word missing in the children song. Dapat talaga ay isinaman ang mga chickitings para may coach :-) This time its groupings, we are divided into 3 groups.

 

Winners for game #2 Congratulations ladies - Jo, Tita Nayda, Amie

Game # 3 Guess the Tummy size of Mommy

All you need is ribbon and scissor. You just need to guess the tummy size of Mommy Peach using the ribbon, the nearest length size of the ribbon will be the winner.

 Well ladies its my turn now :-) At last I won!

 Game # 4 Arrange the Scrambled Letters

 

If you will notice guys from the start of the game , winner ang peg ni Tita Nayda, waging -wagi :-)

Gift Giving and Wishes...

 

 The party is simple yet fun. We really enjoy and I know in that simple way we make Mommy Peach happy :-) We're wishing and praying her a safe delivery. Her duty will be on August 2013. The baby's name was not fully revealed, all we know is she's a girl and her nickname is RED, so meaning 3 words ang name nya, wag nyo pahirapan magsulat ang bata...hehehe

To Peach and Glen, I know that you'll be a good parents for baby Red as you are a good children to your parents. Raise her with fear to the Lord and for sure all will be in its proper place. Take care of your health Peach. We're excited to see you baby Red, another precious gift from the Lord to our family.

 "Children are a heritage from the Lord,offspring a reward from him." Psalm 127:3

The Favors...

Tip #3 Choose a useful item for your baby favors - you can have candies and chocolates or what we have a mini bottled jam.

 More moments....

Weekend spent with family and friends are really worth it - the fun, the joy and the bonding. Iba talaga kapag family ang kasama, laging the best! :-)

Guys if you're planning to throw a party, remember you don't need to spend much..all you need is good planning and some people who will help you.

Till next party!

The Happy Weekender, The Happy Me :-)