Happy Australia Day!

To all my fellow Aussies,

Happy Australia Day!

Aussie Aussie Aussie!  Oi Oi Oi !

Enjoy your day off.  :)

Gong Xi Fa Cai

I was reminded of this event as I can hear fireworks being set off as we speak. Fireworks aren't allowed to the general public, so a special permit needs to be obtained before you are allowed to do so.

Chinese New Year 2009 is the year of the Ox.

Here is some information regarding the year of the Ox from the 123 Chinese New Year website:

Chinese have a unique way of representing the New Year through animals. They have 12 different animals to represent each year of the 12 year -cycle and the order remains the same throughout with the year of the rat beginning the cycle and the year of the boar/ pig ending the same. As the Chinese year 2008 was signified as the year of the rat, the following year, 2009, is going to be the year of the ox. Chinese New Year of OX, 2009 will fall on January 26th and will mark the 15 day long festivities beginning on the said date and going on till the 9th February.

Preparations for the Chinese New Year of Ox, 2009 will begin months in advance so that the celebrations be observed in the highest magnitude and splendor. As the different years of the 12 year cycle are characterized by different animals, people born on the different years also feature different traits and characters and most often then not, they are believed to be influenced and inspired by the animals of the particular year they are born in. With this article on Chinese New Year of Ox, 2009 we strive to hold forth the interesting characteristics and features of the Ox and how babies born in this year can be expected to display similar traits.

All years ending in an odd number are Yin and the ones with an even number ending are considered to be the Yang forms according to the Chinese methods of the calender cycle. Therefore the Ox year 2009 will have Yin forms along with the character of the Ox. Ox characterizes a dependable, patient, methodical and calm, hardworking, materialistic as well as an ambitious character. The Ox years so far have been 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 and now 2009 followed by 2021 (according to the 12 year cycle).

People born in the Chinese New Year of Ox, 2009 will preponderantly have the below mentioned traits in their character: Leadership qualities, dependable, great organizers, loyal, patient as well as strong and responsible. They are also some of the best people one can have as colleagues in the work place as they are believed to posses strong work ethics and display their creative side as well, especially when it comes to decorating their home.

Since the people born in the Ox year are also trusted to be reliable and logical, people generally turn towards them for suggestions and guidance. Their honesty and eye for details also helps them to prove their worth both in the workplace as well as in their personal lives.

However there are a few negative traits associated with the character of the Ox that also is reflected through the people born in the ox years. Attributes like being narrow minded, stubborn, with low public relations skills and also very far from being emotional are generally associated with people born in this year.

Gong Xi Fa Cai to all my dear friends!  :)

Chinese New Years Eve

After mass our family had yum cha brunch at Gold Leaf Chinese Restaurant.  I guess we somewhat joined our Chinese friends celebrate Chinese New Year. :)

I wasn't able to take pictures of the many dim sums we had because we were basically starving and just gobbled the food. We even had trouble waiting for the special fried rice - we just kept ordering and munching as the trollies walked by. However, I did manage to capture two photos.  Hehe. :)

One of our favourites - fried calamari.  Yumo!

Fruit Salad Tarts for dessert.

Of course, we were stuffed by the end of our massive brunch.  :D

Hello 2009!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Here is 2009 - a brand new year of opportunities and adventures!  :D

Yesterday, I had New Years Eve lunch with two of my Colleagues, Minnie and Dilan, at Drouls.  Minnie treated Dilan and I.  I had my regular (and my favourite), chicken and mushroom risotto with extra mushrooms.  They make THE BEST chicken and mushroom risotto.  We also had some champagne with ojay to toast. :)

New Years Eve was spent at Tita Thelma and Tito 'Mado's place as per tradition.  As usual, we stuffed our faces with the yummy food.  All family members and relatives were present (except for my hubby) as well as extended relatives and friends.

The 10-second countdown for the New Year proceeded and we made as much noise as we can while kissing and hugging family members who we bumped into.

More food was served at midnight - pan de sal, ham, homemade cheese pimiento, Filipino ice cream, etc.  Part of dessert which made an impact:

Hersheys Kisses are not easily available here in Australia so we're all happy when we get a chance to eat this yummy chocolate. :)

New Years Day lunch (and dinner) at Tita Leli and Tito Mark's place.

As promised, I made my Honey Joys.  It was good to see that everyone enjoyed them.  :)

It was a nice day today, lots of eating and just hanging out.  It was quite funny coz us cousins looked like sardines in the large lounge room.

The only sad thing was that we had to say "see ya later" to Tito Rene, Tita Gina, and Cholo as they are heading back to Manila tonight.  We'll go see them off at the airport later this evening.

Overall, quite a relaxing first day of the year.  :)

Welcome 2009

2008 was a great year for me - it is the year when I married the love of my life. The year I made a vow to stay beside him, all the days of my life. :)

This year seems to have gone by so rapidly. Lots of things happened throughout the year - laughter, tears. Nevertheless, we were always blessed by God. He never failed to guide us even though at times we ourselves failed to remember Him. I am always grateful for His presence, because He keeps me strong. He is the reason why I am still in one piece today.

Entering 2009 is very exciting for me (and my husband). This will be our year. The year when we will finally be together physically, sharing each day of our lives together. I can't wait! I'm sure there will be many roads to explore, with lots of surprises along the side. :)

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who have been beside Arthur and I this past year. Having you beside us makes life more colourful. Thank you. :)

I wish everyone a year full of happiness, love, prosperity, and peace.

Happy 2009 to All!

Christmas Day

Christmas Day (and night) was spent at my other cousin's house (Ate Flor). Another humongous house that one! Ate Flor's house is newly built, and we were very happy to see that their pool was ready for use! :)

I wanted to have lunch first before I went for a dip. So I stuffed my face with lechon, chopsuey, laing, Victoria's salad, etc. Actually, I stuffed my face too much I couldn't swim right away. LOL

So we went for a swim, ate some more, watched DVDs, chatted, napped, ate more. :)

I made a special treat for the kids (and the adults) - Honey Joys. They were surely a hit! Kids took up to 3 cups each, all at once. The kids were asking me to make more, so I promised I'll make some for New Year's Day. Here are my famous Honey Joys. :D

It was definitely a fun Christmas day. Once again, I missed my husband.

Christmas Eve (Noche Buena)

We spent Christmas Eve at my cousin's place (Ate May). Luckily, she has an enormous house. With our growing clan, big houses are handy. :D

Although we are away from the Philippines, we still celebrate Noche Buena. Lots of yummy food was spread across the dining table. So sorry wasn't able to capture images, was too busy enjoying the moment. Hopefully I will be able to steal a few shots from relatives so I can post them.

Santa came to our party a little bit before 12mn as the kids were getting sleepy. He did his usual calling out of names to give out the pressies, and got the kids to sit on his lap for photos. When that was finished, the kids Kris Kringle was next. This was the first year we did kids Kris Kringle, and it turned our quite well. My clever cousins and nephews and neices described their KKs very well.

After the kids, it was the adults' turn. We did our Kris Kringle descriptions once again. And my Mummy Kris Kringle gave me the book I wanted - Jamie's Ministry of Food. Yahoo! Thanks Mandy! :)

Handing out of pressies came after (Kris Kringle took forever coz there were at least 40 of us included in the KK). Here are some of the pressies I got this year.

It was a lovely evening for everyone. Except I was missing one big part of me that night - my husband.

Corporate Kris Kringle

We just did our Kris Kringle here at work (followed by Pizza), and I got a Fantasy (Britney Spears) perfume! Probably the best Kris Kringle present I've received at work so far. Hehehe. Thanks Chuck! :)

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Just in case I don't get to blog tomorrow, I want to wish everyone (especially my blog sisters) a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I hope you all have a wonderful time with your loved ones - near or far. :)

Mummy Manita, Are You There?

I was browsing through some catalogues while I was at my Aunt's place this evening, and I came across something that I can put on my "wish list" for my Mummy Manita. I'd really like this, pretty please. :D





















Does anyone have this book or heard anything about it? So far, I heard it's a good book! :)

Nanay's Birthday Cake

We had Filipino mass with my Grandma's (Nanay) elderly group today. It was also Nanay's birthday party with the elderly, and  the elderly Christmas party at the same time, so there was plenty of food there - calderetta, pancit, spaghetti,  pecadillo, ginataang matamis, puto, roast chicken, ham, and lechon (plus more)!

In my previous blog I said I'd try and get a photo of Nanay's "book cake", so here it is.

It was a continental cake, with sweet layers of different flavours. The decoration and the overall look of the cake was very impressive. Nanay looked happy when she saw the cake, especially when she read the writing on the cake "Happy 85th Birthday Nanay. With all our love from your Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren" - it was definitely worth it.

Coffee Break Ver. 1.47

This is my first ever Coffee Break - an excellent idea by Jan. Check out her blog for past Coffee Breaks. Thanks Jan!

For me, the happiest childhood memory of Christmas - every Christmas when I was a kid. Christmas was always something my brothers and I (together with our cousins) would look forward to. Although we grew up in Australia, we still had the traditional Noche Buena. Our family never failed to practise this Filipino tradition. We looked forward to all the yummy dishes and desserts our parents and aunts and uncles would prepare. But most of all, we looked forward to the many many presents Santa would give us at midnight. :D

I will never forget all those Christmases as a child. My parents, grandparents and relatives made sure that we were happy kiddos back then, and I am very grateful for that. Until today, I still carry those happy memories with me. And those happy memories, I plan on passing on to my own kids.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

My colleague Dilan kinda decorated our centre table in our department today. He improvised with old Christmas decoration and came up with this.

Notice the mini Nativity Set in front of the tree - colour laser printing on A4 paper. :D

Christmas and New Year Desserts/Snacks

Our family Christmas and New Year gatherings are fast approaching and I am still unsure as to what I should make as my contribution to the buffet we will be having. All I know is I want to make something sweet that both adults and kids can consume (this means no nuts). I'm contemplating on these simple desserts/snacks:

Honey Joys

Chocolate Mint Slices

Chocolate Crackles

Classis Berry Tarts

These are the desserts I have in mind so far. I'm not the best cook in the world, so I thought this would be good practise. This would also be a good way to prepare for my husband's arrival in a few months. :)