It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Oh yeah! The happiest time of the year is soon to kick off a few days from now. 

A sneak peek of our first ever Christmas Tree at 6-feet tall.
Would you believe I got this for only P350.00? I kid you not!
Head on to Unitop... (Pardon for the blurry photo. It's the closest
I got that my daughter -her photo below- randomly took.)

The merriest decorations in these season are always in the malls.
So last Tuesday, we went for a dinner at the GMall Toril. Not only my kids
are having much fun but me as well as I see this decorated atrium full
of Christmas butingtings for sale fit for home decor!

Oh, this one is from Selfridges (London) where we had our month long vacation
last month. Their Christmas decoration is not only "Christmas-sy"
but very festive as well. Look at those paper "banderitas" (shall I call it that?).
Parang fiesta lang din...

But unlike the previous holidays, I felt that it isn't as merry as before. I felt that there are a lot of downside events (be it in politics, society, finances and even in show business...) in our country that affects my mood in feeling the spirit of the season. But nevertheless, as always and every year, I am grateful for the year that transpired. Because God has never left our side. I am praying for good health, provision for me and my loved ones, safety and protection from the Almighty God. And that He provided it all (not to mention the London vacation trip He allowed to happen). Despite some mishaps, it never is a hindrance to be thankful of the life He continues to bless me. Seeing my loved ones in tip top shape everyday and an out pour of blessings in all sorts are reasons to be in gratitude always.

'Tis the season to be jolly. Fa,la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.... Happy Holidays everyone!

Me and my Big Mouth: On Carelessness and Mistaken Remarks

Pardon to post a negative circumstance on a Monday and the first day of the week. But I couldn't let this pass. I've done something wrong and realized it just now. God knows I did not mean it that way and I thank God for showing me the mistake I made this early on. While scrolling on to one of my social network sites a while ago, I've noticed I sent a message not meant for that person a couple of weeks ago. But even if I send that message to the right person, the message it convey is not the way I want that to be meant. It might be misinterpreted. After I read it and realized my clumsy and tactless act, I confess and said my prayer of sorry to my God. I felt bolts of guilt, regret and sorry to the one I accidentally sent a message to especially that person is someone dear to me and a good person. Of all the person, she is that somebody I admire. To be clear, it was not about talking ill to her. In the first place, I don't do it unless I was hurt or just venting out pain or feeling sorry. But at that moment, I wasn't feeling anything odd like that but rather joy and excitement. It's unlikely to have said that because it's far from reality. I was like, what am I thinking at that moment while typing it in the first place? I was in denial that I typed that but even myself I couldn't believe I made that statement. I really was thinking how in the world I made that statement and worst delivered it the wrong way.

I am pretty sure that person already read my message. I cannot take it back anymore. Though she never made me feel uneasy of that mistake I made, I just couldn't help but feel bad of myself to hurt a person important to me. Right now I just want to say sorry and it's not what I mean. Even myself am hurt of what I said. It is a typographical error and I didn't use the right word for the message I want to relay.

Moral lesson of my experience: 1) To be careful where to send your message, 2) Read your message carefully before sending it to the right person, 3) To be tactful and sensitive at all times.

There are really times that even if you want to be good and please yourself and others, there will also be moments that you will hurt yourself and other people even if you really don't mean it at all. 

I just want to give back and say my apologies. It was really a horrible mistake.

London Diaries 2014 (Part 1): Away From Home

Hey yah! I'm back. Sleeping blog it is. Not a pretty site. But while in that absence, I've been to and done something worth experiencing. I am not a traveler, but by heart, who wouldn't want to? I admit that I have fear of heights and flying by plane gives me panic attacks all the time. A 15-hour plane ride is no joke, gruesome and it's like eternity for me! But I've come to terms with myself while in the plane. The constant mind conditioning made my 15-hour journey worth the challenge. The idea of thirty-four-days-in-London was all I needed to fight back that anxiety and fear. 

As of writing, I am back to reality. Me and hubby are still recuperating that jet lag. Blame it on the 8-hour time difference here and in the United Kingdom. But nevertheless, the fun-filled memories we had in our London trip is still fresh and keeps us up in our momentum daily while chit chatting with our friends and family our wonderful experience. It is a different world out there that I will forever cherish. 

With all the photos we have taken, it's very difficult to know where to start. But for this post (and several more to come), I intended this as a diary from day 1 and to our everyday life while in London. Hope you guys enjoy some photos that I'll be sharing.

Warning: photo bombarded blog post ahead…

We chose Philippine Airlines as it flies straight to London's Heathrow
Airport from Manila Terminal 2 airport. but for 15-something hours. Quite tiring!
Others prefer to have stop-over let's say in the Mid East to somewhat stretch
those lax body muscles.

This is the inside of PAL plane. I like the service of their cabin crew.
Very warm, accommodating, friendly not to mention beautiful ladies.

One of our 2-full meal course in the plane. Their food is delicious
and fine. For a petite frame like me, it's quite generous.

One of our 2-full meal course. There is also a 2-snacks course which
I forgot to take photos of. Their drinks have wide selections as you can
just ask anytime you want.

A sight of London.

Our neighborhood where we stayed. I am amazed of London's
building structure. It's very fascinating to see brick-made
houses.

Inside the neighborhood. Most of the residences looks like this.
However there are also landed ones but generally all are made in bricks.
Those two are my constant companions roaming the city of London,
my nephew on the left and my hubby on the right.

This is the next day after our arrival. Heading to the park
for these two boys wanting a basketball one-on-one.

Entrance leading to the park. At this time, I'm freezing.
It's so cold especially it's early in the morning.

Upon reaching the park, this is my view while waiting for them to finish playing
basketball. It's so relaxing and refreshing to see this view.

Roaming around the city, we choose to ride the bus if not walking.
We love seating at the top deck to see the full view of London.

Each bus stop has a sign like this. Those are bus numbers that pass this
street. You can never get lost as the bus stops has legend route maps
which I haven't took photos of.

Behind my BIL and hubby is a passing bus. That's how double decker bus
looks like. Oh, that's the Big Ben (will let you see later on my upcoming posts
the tourists spots we visited).

Another mode of transportation in London is their tube/train/tram as what their
terms are. This is one of their busiest station, Liverpool Street. On the screen are
schedules of the timings of the train arrivals and departures.

This is the King's Cross Train Station where I'll show you later on the Platform
where Harry Potter scene was shot. Those machines are where you tap your
Oyster card or tickets which serves as payment for the ride. Oyster cards
are used to pay for all the rides in the city. 

A view of where the trains are passing. In here, we are waiting
for our train to arrive.

This is the inside of a tram (a kind of train also).

Cycles. If you want to have adventure, bicycles are for hire. There's a machine
here where you can drop your coins for renting this. No need for you to go back
here in case you're done using it. There are lots of like this in the city, so you can
just return it anywhere where there is a post of this.

Black cabs.

Worry not. If you're a tourist here, you can never get lost as maps are
very convenient for you in their sidewalks.

Most of the telephone booths here don't have telephones anymore.
It mainly serves as a tourist attraction where London is known. 

Being away from home, these two are the ones we terribly miss. Everyday 
Skype-ing is what keeps as in touch. This is our everyday communication
so that it doesn't feel like away from home.

So, this is just my initial London tour-sharing with you guys. Stay tuned in my upcoming London diaries 2014. I hope you enjoyed!