"Kung Hei Fat Choi" (Congratulations and Be Prosperous)

One of the most important festival for the Chinese community is the "Chinese New Year", not only here in the Philippines but all over the world.

Four years ago in November 2011, our beloved president Benigno Aquino III declared the Chinese New Year as a nationwide holiday. It is declared as a special non-working holiday so that our local Tsinoys could celebrate the said event.

2015 is' year of Wooden Sheep. Sheep is the 8th animal in 12 zodiac signs. They say that sheep (goat or ram) are among the animals that people like most.
 Because it is gentle, calm and the white creature often reminds people of beautiful things. This year Chinese Lunar New Year's Day is February 19.

 Filipino-Chinese communities in the country celebrate Chinese New Year every year in hope of prosperity, luck and peace.

During the celebrations, everyone wears red because it is considered as a lucky color. The noise of firecrackers is everywhere. They do believe that it would drive the evil spirits away and bring good luck for the whole year. Women cooked traditional foods, especially "Tikoy" a delicacy made from sticky rice, which they do believe that the food will make the family bonded together.

Most of the kids are looking forward to receiving fresh peso bills placed inside red envelopes called "Ang Pao".

Also, during the celebrations you are going to see dragon dancers in front of the stores and most of the store owners give them "Ang Pao" as a New Year's gift for them.

(Photo Cred to the Owners)

TIPID Tips for Valentines Date

I'm not actually a fan of a date, especially a Valentines Date. But I do "kinikilig" too if someone is going to ask someone on a date. But most of the time people wants the biggest and grandest dates, which I think is good. Good for those who has everything in the world. For those who has a plenty of cash in his bank account, for those who drives a sports car, and for those who owns mansions and villas. But how about those individuals who doesn't have much, but wanted to celebrate Valentines too. So, for those who wanted to celebrate Valentines Day with your love ones in a most affordable way. Here are some tips for you guys and hope you like it.




FOOD

Instead of bringing your date to a fancy and popular restaurant and waste a lot of money for a main course plus the wine and dessert, since you have a passion for cooking, why not cook for him/her? Cook a good meal for two and add some extra curricular things like a music or a simple candlelight while you're eating at home.

 If you don't know how to cook and you have money, but it's not really enough for a big restaurant, bring your date to a chain that offers value meals and unlimited rice. Since you have money, just make sure that you are not going to forget the flowers or the teddy bear to make the night a little sweeter.

But if you don't have money and unfortunately doesn't know how to cook as well,  you can just simply bring your date at the "Kanto" and both of you can make "Tusok-tusok" the fishball while holding each others hand.

Any of these, I'm pretty sure that your date will definitely acknowledge all of your efforts.


                    FLOWER

Giving your date the biggest bouquet flowers in town is good, but is it necessary? Yeah, I know it makes her super "Kilig", but did you ever think what is she going to do with it right after you gave it to her? Since we wanted affordable gifts and ideas for Valentines, why not give her one long stem flower. I know that idea can make her happy, believe me, you are going to see those precious smiles. But you can add a little "Gimik" too, for example a love letter attached to the flower or a chocolate perhaps.

 LETTER

Instead of buying a card, I suggest to make your loved one a love letter.  You can write all the words that you can't say or you're having a hard time saying it to your partner personally. It doesn't matter how good or bad your hand written is. Most important is the message written inside and much better to seal it with a kiss.




I LOVE YOU

The most inexpensive tip but has a big impact for every lovebirds is by saying I LOVE YOU in a sweetest way. Don't let the day passed without mentioning those words to your partner. It means a lot to him/her, I swear.






For me, those material things are just a bonus for every couple. What matter most is that at the end of the day are the things that we can't touch, but has the biggest part of each relationships which includes, RESPECT, TRUST and LOVE for one another.
 Happy Valentines lovebirds! :)


(Photo Cred to the Owners)

Thank You LORD, That's All I Can Say :)

 

January 24th of this year, Sachin and I are having our weekly mom and son time and suddenly I got a call from my sister all the way from our province (Camarines Sur). She told me that our father got a heart attack. At first, I didn't even know how to react. It's actually the first time that it's happened to my father. My solar system went down and my mind jumped into so many "What If's". What if like this, what if like that. My heartbeat is getting faster.I want to cry because I can imagine how weak and fragile my father that time, but at the same time I want to call and talk to him and scold him for being a stubborn and such.  But I know, that time wasn't the time to let our emotions kills us. It's the time that we need to hold on to each other and we need to keep in our minds that God will help us all the way. 

 After a day of staying at the clinic nears us, the doctor recommended him to a bigger hospital for the laboratories and test since he's complaining his head and chest. Then my mother and father together with my two siblings went to a bigger hospital, which is a two hour drive away from home. My dad went to many tests which include CT Scan. Results went out and unfortunately the results weren't favorable for all of us. The CT Scan's said that my father has a blood clot in his upper brain that needed to be removed the soonest. After I heard that news, here I go again, my tears are immediately falling down and it seems that my heart crumpled by someone. The pain in my heart was the worst pain I have ever felt. But then again we as family need to be calm, strong and keep on praying that the Lord will heal our father soon.

After those tests, his doctor advised him to stay at the hospital for a couple of days or more until the medicine removed the blood in his brain.

Thank you Lord cause after a week of staying at the hospital, my dad went home already. We are still praying for his fast recovery and for his good health. All of the pains and tears are all paid off when we heard that he's going home.

To my dearest Papa, we love you more than you'll ever know. I can say that if I die and born again, I'll still want you to be my dad. So please be careful now.

Again, Thank You Jesus, you never fail to amaze us. You never leave us in this battle.
To God be all the glory.

MORE PICS OF DAD :)