Jumpin' juniper it's a jolly January!

So far this year has been a good one for me. Considering that it's just the first month optimists would say that it bodes well for a good year while pessimists would say something like "wait till you see what the rest of the year of holds for you (with accompanying smirk of course)". Today the optimist in me has won and I am looking forward to more blessings, surprises, and little triumphs this year.

Short list (with long detailed explanations/descriptions) of things to be thankful for this January.

Sam's reaction to fireworks. Although we spent New Year's eve in Bay where there weren't that much fireworks Sam enjoyed himself extremely. His reaction to the pops are much faster and he can now spot the fireworks faster when we point them out to him. Yun nga lagn super nabitin cya kasi medyo konti lang fireworks. He ended up turning and twisting everytime he heard a bang eh paputok lang naman or it was too far away to see!

Long Wendy's chikkahan with Angel complete with laughs, a few tears, and lots of fast talking. Got to see Frank Miller's Spirit that night too. Angel and I decided to go for it after Mark read that the director was 300's director. Real reason: the ABS! The first few minutes didn't disappoint us in this regard and since we went in with absolutely no idea what it was about (I thought it was a horror flick...hehe) we were pleasantly surprised with the whole movie. It was a real laugh, though I'm not sure if it was really supposed to be a comedy either.

Cris Tanseco's wedding and reunion with the girls. I absolutely loved everything about Cris' wedding. So far it's the best one I've attended (that includes mine ha...hehe). There really is something to say for intimate weddings. The number of guests were very limited - close friends and family only. The chapel was nice (Jas loved it but am not to huge a fan of white and gold), the priest was a hunk, his message was short, refreshing and insightful, the wedding vows so heartfelt, the food delicious from the soup to the dessert to the martini, and the couple so in love and perfect for each other it will literally make you go awww. The wedding was all about the vows, sharing the happy moment with loved ones, and simply enjoying the moment. It really was the most relaxing wedding I've ever been to. Am going to post pics next time. Ay thank you Gel for letting Jas and I raid your closet. Hehe.

A "new" nephew. A cousin has met his son for the first time and we absolutely love the little boy. He looks so much like Silas and acts like him too! Am glad for my cousin that he's finally met his little boy. Always better late than never. ^_^

Productivity with Sunlife. I am still far from being the most productive Sunlife agent but at least this year started with a couple of settled apps. Here's to being more productive this year and to becoming a better agent ( disipline + courage + persistence = better ). I have the product knowledge and genuinely care about my clients' interest so all I really need to work on is becoming a sales person. Hehe. Big challenge. Doable. Help!

Lost pounds. Am extremely happy that despite not sticking to my diet due to the Christmas vacation I still managed not to go back to heaviest weight and kept the five pounds I lost prior to Christmas. Hurraz!!!!

Relationship with Mark. We're being nicer to each other. That may seem like a funny statement to be thankful for but it is really significant because to me it means that we...

• want to please each other more
• are more concerned about each other's feelings
• have grown a bit more matured
• are learning how to express our love (and frustrations) in a way the other person will understand
• are journeying towards a better marriage each day.

It truly is living more for the other person than yourself. In the end no one loses out because you both end up giving and loving more and more. Sheesh. Seems elementary but those of you who aren't married should just wait to see why it takes more work than batting your eyes at each other and saying sweet nothings (though that is extremely important too!)

2008 --> 2009

Time for the obligatory start of the year post.

2008 Summary

I'm pretty sure a lot of things happened this past year but the funny thing is that as I sit here trying to think of the highlights of the last year my mind just went blank. I can't really pinpoint a highlight nor a lowlight. Most of last year just passed by as a huge blur. That happens to me a lot. My long term memory is not too good. So I'll just get on with some of the things I do remember.

1. We got a washing machine. Yay!
2. Sam's 3rd bday was a success.
3. Sam's previous yaya made our phone bill soar and left us.
4. We got a new yaya for Sam.
5. Sam started standing alone.
6. My dad expreienced his first plane ride.
7. I lost 2.5 kilos November (but must have gained them again during the holidays...not sure yet).

It's so silly that I can't remember more important or at least interesting stuff. And because I can't I'll just proceed writing down my...

2009 Plans /Goals

1. Sleep less. (Please don't hold this over my head Mark!)
2. Concentrate on following the advice of the (uuterly gwapo) priest who married Carlo and Cris. He said,"Live for others". In short my selfish year of last year should stop now. I've had enough time for myself. God help me with this one!!!
3. Try to be a bit more moderate about my approach to things. A bit cryptic here but I don't feel like writing down all the details.
4. Give more attention to the way I look. That means dyeing my hair regularly and simple stuff like taking better care of my skin. I know they say it's what's inside that matters and though I may seem shallow I do know my outside both reflects and affects what's inside of me. So though I may want to be little bit less selfish this year I do want to do this thing. It's not only for me after all you and everyone else I pass will be the ones seeing me and it's my contribution to this earth to make it look just little bit less of a train wreck. :p Seriously though I'm doing this for Mark as much as for myself. I want him to not only like me but also keep on wanting me and also to be proud of his wife. So there.
5. As for all the other plans I guess they all fall under plan #2.

I'm getting a little woozy here and starting to doubt myself so I should stop. Stop caring about whether I fail or not and just diving in. Have a little gumption Hannah! This year is starting out great and you can bet yourself it'll be a non-fuzzy year great year for you. Yes that what just me talking psyching myself up. :p

Happy New Year everyone and I hope you all the best in psyching yourselves up about your own plans for 2009!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!

First Phone Ever

Was about to log off but I remembered that I need to blog about my first phone ever. No, I've had a phone since 2nd year high school (Phillips Fizz pa nun!) but that was really a family phone that they let me take to school since they wanted to make sure I was safe each time I had to take the bus alone all the wya home to Laguna. I've also had a few phones since then but they were all hand-me-downs from my sister who happens to like changing phones and getting a newer model every few years. It's not that I've been completely broke for more than a decade to buy a new phone but I've always taken pride in being practical. This time though Silas' phone (3310 pa po), which I've been borrowing for a month now just won''t cooperate with my cheapness anymore "forcing" me to allow Mark to buy me my first ever truly new phone.

I absolutely love my new phone (Nokia 7310). It's pink, has a mirror surface, and has all the basic stuff I need in my phone (text messaging, a calculator, calendar, alarm clock, and notes). It also has some extra stuff but though I like them I just need my basics. The plus factor is the cam since I can now take pics of Sam anytime anywhere. Its also really good for me that its a new model since it can last me another 5 years or maybe more unless Sam manages to learn to start dunking stuff in the toilet bowl (in which case I'd be glad to have a phone messed up just to see my son a big enough boy to get in silly troubles).

Thanks Mark. You do know when to push me to stop being too cheap. Hehe. I love your Crhistmas gift! Tons better than the electronic toothbrush (though I did like that too! Hehe.) ^_^

Thinking about it though I still haven't ever bought my own phone yet. Maybe before I turn 40 I would but myself a new one...or maybe I can just keep on waiting for Mark to get tired of my phones breaking down and letting him buy me one for a gift. That's what husbands are for afterall, right? :p

Quick Post

My poor negelected blog needs a little attention but I don't feel like writing a long post right now so here's a few things that I should (but am not sure I would) blog about in greater length.

• Our short Bicol vacation - Mark missed the flight, Sam and I had loads of fun, our stay was extended to a week because we missed the flight home. I love Mark's nephews and nieces!
• Bagwis reunion - Again it was fun. Glad Jas made it. Stayed up too late and missed the Divisoria shopping with my Uncle the next day.
• Christmas shopping - Haven't done any of it yet. Started writing the list tonight. Decided I WON'T wrap gifts this Christmas or if I do will use olf magazines/newspapers and a pretty ribbon instead. I encourage everyone to do this. Not only will it help our environment (generate less waste - REUSE!) but it will also help cut your shopping cost.
• Christmas dilemma - I like it that we have lots of options on what to do and with whom to celebrate this holiday season with but I also hate it because it is hard to decide! That's one of the main adjustments you need to make when you get married. ^_^
• Self - Still struggling with lots of things but determined to beat it no matter how long it takes. If Britney Spears can make a comeback why can't I? Hehe.
• Sam - Got spoilt with all the vacations to relatives. He's starting to spit his veggies out now and loves to make this cute crying face to get what he wants. Absolutely adorable but buckling down on discipline again.

Am sure I forgot so many other things. Hoepfully though it won't take me two months to come up with a post again.