when the Choc Nut and Christmas islander blogs within the breeze of the Gulf

I initially wanted to write about my new year’s resolution as a year ender post. But I soon realized that it is among my traditions not to do one or a real list. What I only keep in mind as another year starts are two things: to improve or learn from my mistakes and be happier. Sounds simple eh? Being happier would entail being nice, frugal, etc. You see I won’t be happier if I’m feeling and doing nasty stuff, I won’t be happier if I’m spending beyond my means, and the rest follows.

Reading a few random entries that I blogged about in 2009 gave me mixed emotions. I was grinning as it became more obvious that I wrote much about traveling and… eating! Haha. While my blog, of course, is not a diary, it’s definitely becoming one of the easier references of what I’ve been doing. While not losing too much anonymity, it also helps that some people away from me, wherever they are, (and you all know who you are) found another means to keep in touch. At first, it was a little strange (and scary, LOL) when some members of the family and friends would know what I’ve been up to and what I intend to do (the general stuff) without me disclosing to them. It’s the least of my concern, anyway, how they found out about this blog. Heehee. I realized though that I have an added reason to continue blogging. Yes, to keep in touch with them, including my blogger pals. Seriously, at times I get consumed by this sort of community. In 2008, I had a few minutes meet up with one blogger. I’m imagining how it feels to meet more in the future – maybe it would be like meeting an old friend that you’ve not seen for years.

I also appreciate the respect we give each other as online pals considering the differences in level of anonymity. While I evolved from being fully to partially anonymous as a blogger, here’s a bonus: you can ask me anything in this page. I will try to respond to each question which is answerable. I suggest that you create an account so that you’re going to be notified of the responses and that I’d be able to ask you, too.

2009 has been very kind and wonderful to me and I thank all of you for being part of it. I wish everyone a happier and more blessed new year!

(Photos taken in Hong Kong Disneyland in December of last year. Top-bottom: Parade, food court, one of the designs on grand carousel)

Cinderella’s most significant number must be 12. We probably all know what happened to her as midnight came. What was your Cinderella time (aka curfew) when you were younger?

Our 2007 Christmas cake. My last Christmas in the Philippines before my first flight to UAE.

Where are you spending the Christmas day? And me? It is my first celebration away from real home. I am happy though that homesickness is not eating me. Well, I guess Christmas is Christmas wherever you go.

Have a happy Christmas! May we not forget the reason for this season.

Photos taken after our Christmas picnic.

One of the things that we particularly miss pre-December 25 in the Philippines are the company Christmas parties. For some reasons, I especially miss the hat and oriental themed parties that I went to years ago. Hence, my friends-colleagues-former officemates (since I already transferred to a new organization last month) held our own, with a whirlwind preparation. With few exchange of emails in a “you bring this and that” style, we went to one of the parks to kick off the Christmas celebration. I volunteered to bring pancit, lumpiang shanghai, puto, pichi-pichi and cassava cake. Hep, don’t be amazed. I asked somebody else to cook those. We also had the well-loved sisig, crispy pata and turbo boiled chicken.

We also exchanged gifts. I got two books (Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics) which are actually on my wish list. Really, I am thankful that even if we are in a Muslim country, we can openly celebrate Christmas. To the extent that the current surrounds will make you feel you’re in the Philippines, plus the simbang gabi minus the puto bumbong.

We chatted about random things, took a lot of photos. We ended the “party” by feeling the sunset and the (now) much colder breeze from the seaside which is steps away from the park.