V-Day...My Way!

Maybe, we were past that stage of having the need to go somewhere and celebrate the big red day - Valentine's Day. With the not-so-good weather and packed restaurants and busy roads, staying home and celebrating at home was the best idea.

So when I was left at home while Zach was still busy at work, I thought of turning our plain Saturday dinner into something romantic just by making the presentation somewhat special.

our heavy Saturday dinner - rump steak with mash and steamed veggies
made somewhat valentine-y with candles, red roses and wine

my surprised Valentine date

Let it Snow!

Even a week before, people were already informed about the snow storm, seen to be the heaviest to fall after 18 years, that was about to hit England and western part of Wales by Sunday. As early as Friday, I was already checking out weather forecast from time to time making sure that the expected snow will not divert somewhere else. Haha! As much as others hate it and the inconvenience it will cause, I was looking forward to it.

You see this part of England where I am rarely get to have snow. In the three years that I have lived here, I was only able to experience snow about three of four times and they were not that much. But well, I admit that one of the reasons why I was eager about it was that in all those snowy days, I was not able to get a “proper” photo of myself and the snow. Haha! Except when it snowed last spring, Zach was able to take a few snapshots before they melted in the afternoon.

So when Sunday evening came, I could not count the times I sneaked a quick look at the window to see if the snow has started. Finally it came and it has not stopped until the morning, or better yet, until the work week ended. It literally snowed for five days.

By 12 midnight this was how it looked like outside:

Like wide-eyed kids, Zach and I stayed at the window and looking at the thick snowflakes and as if that was not enough, we suddenly decided to go outside. Haha! Yes, at 1:00 in the morning!!!



Early the next day, this greeted us the moment we looked outside.

all-white!!!

Christmas Card-like

that's the lake behind me...all frozen

Zach - in the snowy woods

the real English Winter Wonderland

snowfall!

The next day, as the snow did not show any signs of stopping and considering the danger of driving on snow-laden streets and highways, it was widely advised not to go out and drive unless necessary. Almost everybody stayed at home and continued putting up snowmen and playing with snowballs. As for us, it was another day of picture-taking and playing in the snow.

As the lake frozen, snow built up on the surface giving a really nice effect.

one of my "manul" moments

another "manul" moment - gintiklud ko be...haha!

Sure the snow it caused millions of money lost because of the halted business operations brought about by disruptions on all forms of transportations. However, it cannot be denied that almost everybody enjoyed the break from work and the quality time spent with family.

So Now What?

I am not really the type of a person who makes New Year's resolution but when this year started I sort of made a promise to myself to at least make an effort in maintaining this blog. I hope I could keep up with it. Oh well, I could try.

Lately, I noticed that after a full year of writing technical design documents, it was very hard for me to come up with free flowing blog entries without sounding too "technical". Maybe that was the main reason why even if I had so many stories to write and countless thoughts to share, they all ended up in the rubbish bin. It is as if the most infinitesimal, or if there are any, creative juices that I have were drained out of me. haha!

Now, I will try as much as I can to squeeze out a little time to blog about something and anything just so I can get back to writing comfortably again.

So bear with me if I will be tattling nonsense in here once in a while.

The Year That Was

2008 passed by so fast that I felt as though 2007 was still fresh for me and here comes another year. Maybe I got very busy last year and added to that was the excitement of my much anticipated year-end homecoming.

As the year started, I was involved in this big project based in Germany and for a while I had been commuting Bonn-London on a weekly basis. This has been eating up most of my time as the project schedule was hectic with few people working on a tremendous amount of work with tight deadlines. It was an enjoyable working experience though and I got to meet interesting people as well.

In past year, work has given me opportunities to travel. Actually, an overload of business travels that I almost gave up. I came to a point where I only spent a couple of days at home with Zach and head off to the next destination. But I am thankful just the same. I got to discover those places without taking its toll from my own pocket.

We entertained guests last year and sharpened our tour-guiding skills. My cousin Cathy dropped by at England on the first week of June and spent a weekend with us after she completed her seminar in Aberdeen, Scotland. Months later, Rey and Elanie came over and we had a fantastic time catching up and wandering around London, Windsor and the countryside. Read Rey and Elanie's story here.

The most popular tourist destination in London-Buckingham Palace

Cathy at the Picadilly Circus

At the Stonehenge with Rey and Elanie

2008 has seen me driving with British Driver's License. haha! Finally, I was able to overcome the fear of practical driving exam and booked myself an exam date. Even before the exam I was already expecting a retake but I just could not believe it when the examiner handed me the verdict - PASSED with 1 out of 16 allowable minor errors. It was not that frightening after all.

Of course, the year ended with me in the cradle of dear old Bacolod and this has been the highlight for me. Nothing beats the comfort of being in the company of family and friends. Heaven!!!

Thank God for a generous and fun-filled 2008! Most of all, THANK YOU for helping me and my sisters fulfill a dream gift to our parents.

Two Souls, One Heart

"Two Souls with but a single thought, Two hearts beat as one" - Friedrich Halm

Allan Paul and Joy
16 December 2008
St. Isidore Parish

My homecoming became more meaningful because of my dear little sister's wedding. Indeed, she's no baby anymore.

Little Sister

After years into the relationship and going through the ups and downs together, I could not be more happier to see them tie the knot and live life as one.

It has been a grand reunion as well since relatives from both sides of our parents' families gathered for the memorable event. Aunts, uncles and cousins from abroad came home and it was so much fun that I barely had time to think about jetlag.

The bride's BIG clan

Nanay, Mama and Mommy with Aunts and friends

The Santillanosa's

Mama with the boys - who have all grown up so fast.
My nephew Kyle, bother Eugene and cousin Jade