Gifts

Christmas party with Highlands friends in 2008: getting gigil with the big*ss Toblerone that I got in the exchange gift.

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I love presents! I love receiving them, but not as much as I love giving them.  I take gift-giving seriously and I savor the entire process: making the list, purchasing, wrapping and handing them over to the recipient.  I have to admit that the first three steps can be quite stressful at times, but seeing their reaction always, ALWAYS, makes everything worthwhile and I'm glad I caught some of them on cam.

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My SIL Lani's birthday in 2008.  We gave her a digicam.

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My sister Angel, Christmas 2008.  We gave her a Billabong backpack for everyday use.

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My brother Jof just woke up, but he had a big smile on when he saw the paper bag.

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My brother Mick always wanted a Mick Jagger shirt and I found the perfect one for him.  Glad that he liked it too!

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Still on Christmas 2008: mom's reaction when she opened her gift.  We gave her a peppermill which stands proudly in her kitchen.

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Dad tried on his shirt right away.  Woot woot!

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My MIL, mama Lilia, loving her new Lacoste shirt.

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A pleasant surprise for ate Gelyn, my mom's helper.

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Christmas 2009: Aly opening her gift from mommy -- Polly Pocket set.

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And her gift from daddy -- Barbie table set.  Happy girl!

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Christmas 2009: dad with his gift from mom -- a Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite Brooklyn MM.

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Aly opening her gift from lola Aple and lolo Bernie: a Barbie house.

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Speaking of gifts, I am so glad that I'm finally done with my Christmas shopping!  I told the hubby last night that starting today, I refuse to do any more shopping because I want to be relaxed in the days to come (we'll be flying to Manila for the holidays soon!).  Yeah, right!  Less than 24 hours since I said that and I'm already making plans to buy new make up.  Haha!  

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The pile of stuff that we bought in the past couple of weeks.  Most of these stuff are bilin from family members back home.  Everytime I see this pile, I get kinda nervous because I don't know if I have enough room in our luggage for these + three-weeks worth of clothes.  Yikes!

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Gifts for Aly's classmates all wrapped and ready to go!  She can't wait to bring them to school.  Heehee!

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We're also done shopping for gifts for each other.

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Aly with her gifts from mom and dad.  Yes, they're all hers!  Richard and I always try to make Christmas extra special for our little girl.  She deserves it because she's been really good.  I also love how most of the stuff on her wish list are books so we got most of her gifts from Kinokuniya (the ones with the red wrapper beside her).

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Richard's gift: a Suunto Vector.  It looks so sexy on his wrist :)  I love!

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And for me...well, it's waiting for me in Manila (ordered it from my ninang Penny a couple of weeks back) and I'm going to place it here:

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...on my ears :)  I can't wait!  Thanks in advance, sweetie :)

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Happy holidays!

My Dad's Watch

Not so long ago when I was single and living with my parents, I loved to raid mom and dad's jewelry box borrow stuff from mom and dad.  One of my favorites is dad's Baume & Mercier Linea watch, which is now officially mine.  Heehee!  

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I had it cleaned and polished at the watch clinic at Central Chidlom.  I wasn't being pa-cutesy when I said watch clinic because the shop is really named Watch Clinic by Trocadero Group.  They have great service there.  The staff can speak and understand English :)  One time, I saw one of their clients bringing in a Chopard for repair.  If she trusts them with her Chopard, then I'm confident that they will do a great job with my Baume.

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Anyway, after a three-week wait, I was finally able to pick up my new baby :)

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My Baume & Mercier Linea.  Thanks, dad! :)

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Wait, I want to share before and after photos of the watch.

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Before: notice how the gold plating on the bezel had already faded?

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After: it's now good as new!

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Before: the band was riddled with scratches, which is mostly my fault because I can be careless when I wear a watch.

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After: goodbye scratches!  Hello new watch :)

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I love how wearing this watch makes me look "mayaman".  Haha!  Thanks for the watch, dad!  I love it!

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Watch Clinic by Trocadero Group is on the 3/F of Central Childom.

Current Addiction: Look Choop

I'm fighting the urge to go to Old Siam to buy a pack of these.  Oh, boy!  

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Look Choop is a popular Thai candy that are shaped like miniature fruits and veggies.  They are made with a mung bean paste and sugar filling and a nice, colorful jelly covering.

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So beautiful and yummy -- very cheap too at Thb30/pack (Php43).

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This one is shaped like corn.

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Macopa?

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My favorite: chili because I can't eat the real thing.  Heehee!

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I love the bean past filling.  It reminds me of our mongo hopia back home :)

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I can just imagine the time and effort in making one of these!  They're too beautiful and nakakagigil to eat -- pero syempre, I ate them.  Heehee!  After Googling Look Choop, I found out that it was originally made for Thai royalty.  No wonder they're so pretty! It's definitely food that's fit for a queen...of the home like me.  Haha!