Remembering 2006

It’s almost time to wrap up 2006. And just like last year, when I first started my Christmas Newsletter, let me recount the blessings – whether good or bad – of this year.

It was the last week of January, my mom had her executive checkup and we are just not too happy with the result. So I decided to go back to work to start earning again after almost five months of maternity leave. I took the oppurtunity hire a stay-in nanny. I started working three days a week until I am able to bravely tell my boss that I can work full-time again. I had months ahead of me to think about it really. It was the month I started “getting fit” when I joined Fitness First. Oh the flabs – remnants of my pregnancyhood. :)

Come February, my eldest son, Wiji started in a proper pre-school. He went to Castle Hill Pre-School Thursdays and Fridays. Eee-yon started to crawl but I admit mix-feeding him (with formula, breastmilk, and solids) took a toll on his weight. He lost a bit of it.

Overall, we enjoyed summer to the hilt. It was the first time I tried the waters of Australia, literally speaking. It was cold most of the time, but the heat of the sun kinda balances it out.

In March, I committed myself to working full time. Scary decision but had to do it at some point anyway. Early this month, we saw the new range of large home designs from Domaine/Clarendon upon the prodding of our good friend Cirilo and Ida. We both loved it and started to review the house we were about to build over that old property we purchased in 2004.

We thought long and hard, weighed the pros and cons of losing our deposit to the other builder. And what do you know? I could’ve bought myself a brand new Omega watch and perhaps an LV bag with that deposit. But at the end of the day – it’s not the design I want anymore. And we even scrapped the whole idea of doing a “knockdown-rebuild”.

This month, we exhausted our efforts in finding for a vacant lot in the same suburb (where land is scarce). Yes, we still long to live in Castle Hill. Found a new land subdivision yet to be approved by the Council. Wow – and it shall take ten more weeks. Wow! What a long wait. Cause until it is approved, we can’t go to the new builder and ask them to draw plans it.

Anyway, April we started bidding but we only came to an agreement for the final price end of May. May is also the 4th birthday of Wiji. He had a cupcake party at Preschool and another party at Lollipops Playland with 27 guests. Early this month we had Yum-Cha to celebrate my squeeze’s 29th birthday. Also, we started applying for Mama’s visa after receiving good news that her lung nodules are far from

June – we celebrated our 5th church wedding anniversary. It was a simple one. On the day, we only contented ourselves with some yummy cake from Red Mango and capped the night by hearing mass and watching our wedding video with Wiji, whose remarks gave us a big laugh.

July – I turned the same age as my squeeze on the same day that we received final settlement for the lot we plan to build our new house on. Then, as the month ended, the builder drafted plans organized dates for submission to council. This month too, Mama got her tourist visa valid for 1 year again.

It’s Leon’s first birthday by end of August. But we had to reschedule the party to the first weekend of September cause I couldn’t get Mama a flight in August. Anyway, that’s cool! We had a Superman-Justice League theme for Leon.

Mid of September when we got news that Council has approved the plans and has issued the DA certificate. So we’re now ready to build a house. But we still haven’t finalised the interiors. We couldn’t get appointment until middle of October. It’s another whole day session of making your imagination work. Exciting yet overwhelming.

In early November, I underwent my scheduled hernia repair surgery. It was like a mild CS operation. Nothing to worry about but it just took weeks before I felt comfortable again. But I had to put off myself from carrying anything more than 4 kilos for next two months. And that includes my children.

It’s merry making time again with lots of parties and lots of good food. It was a pleasure to catch up at my kumare’s place S&L for our annual Chrissy party. We also had an early party for friends spending the holidays in Manila.

My scrapbooking took-off this year. I splurged more than ever. But still I try to keep it at a minimum. My biggest achievement, so far, were the altered clocks. And I hope there’ll be more to come.

Anyway, be safe this holiday season! Merry Christmas and all the best for 2007!!!