Christmas from a distance... Near and Far... :)

Christmas is the time when I think of celebration back home the most.

* Christmas 2011

 Manila, Philippines

December has always been a celebration as I was growing up back then. We do triple celebration on the 23rd and 24th every year. Cousin Eileen on the 23rd, 

* Birthday girl, Eileen

Taken at  March 2011, Serendra, Philippines

and Cousin Jason and my Grandmother from my mom's side on the 24th plus the actual Christmas Day. 

* Birthday Boy, Jason... based in Singapore

Taken March 2011, Singapore

* Birthday Grandmom, Juliana

Taken March 2011, Philippines

We do a lot (A LOT) of fireworks and potluck. This is one of those rare moments that we are all complete in one place. End of the year is an event as well then, with my aunt's (Betty) birthday on the 31st and my mom starting the year with her birthday as well as New Year. 

* Birthday Aunt, Betty

Taken March 2011, Philippines

* Birthday Mom,  Judy

Taken March 2011, Philippines

I guess Christmas is different now than it was before anyway, with a lot of us away from home, but still I miss those good old times.

* * * * *

It is just a treat for me when I get something for Christmas here that was sent all the way from the Philippines or my friends from places like U.S. and Dubai. It makes me feel nostalgic and a girl once again, all giddy with excitement to be remembered by their classmate back in elementary during Christmas mail back in school. 

FYI: Our school used to have a program that send Christmas mail from classroom to classroom when I was in elementary to high school. You can drop little messages in our lobby during break and someone will deliver those little greetings from room to room during class hours. That was one of my favorite things in school during Christmas time.

To those friend who are far, far away and still manage to send a greeting my way, thank you very much for the small thoughtful gesture :)

it may seem small to you, but it meant a whole lot to me.

  

Some were personalized...

* Cham Family from Richmond, B.C.; Canada

* Cuervo Family from U.S.A.

Thank you for the nice personalized card... LOVE IT! Maybe next time we can make something like this ;)

* Ninang KC to Kenzo

Kimi will be so jealous with this book :-P and I will try to keep Kenzo still to finish this entire book. I just love this book a lot... Thanks KC :)

* * * * *

Some came via package in our mail...

* Agbada's Package

Thank Kiko and Kc who had a gift for everyone in our family :)

* * * * *

...and from the friends that I have found here

Countless thank you for making Vancouver a home that I wanted to stay in now 

It's because of you guys that I have found friends that feels more like a family to me...

* Glenda, Sarah, Joy and Jo

Thank you for the valuable friendship... Love you guys!

* * * * *
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Burnaby, B.C.
Canada

Christmas Eve Celebration in Video

The very talented Charlie has put his Christmas Day into making this video (I assume)

Thank you Charlie for making this really great video of the party...

Thank you to Mr and Mrs Ong

for the wonderful party

We make it a point to open that date for that wonderful get together each year :)

EAT.DINE.BE MERRY

Christmas Tai Chi Group

My FIL has been teaching Tai Chi a couple of years here and he makes it a point to invite students for an intimate gathering every Christmas. 

This was the second year for a Christmas Get Together with the Tai Chi students.

I managed to take a lot of pictures of the food but forgot to picture the guests...toink!

 * The Table 

* MENU *

Hotpot Soup with

Sauce for the meat and balls

Shrimps, Beek slices, Enoki Mushrooms, Tofu

Fish balls, Squid Balls, Meat Balls, Fish Tofu...

 Kikiam

Pasta with Cream Sauce

Tiramisu

* * * * *

There was a little boy, Anton. who came with his parents. Kimi played the perfect host and brought him downstairs for a little bonding in front of the screen watching, BOLT. (*Thanks Uncle ken for the DVD)

* Anton and Kimi

* * * * *

Christmas Dinner at Home

Burnaby, B.C.

Canada

Floral and Swirls...

There is still a lot of room for improvement but...

the tips and tricks imparted by the instructor was quite valuable for someone who doesn't have any background in baking or cake decorating. My icing was a bit on the dry side, hence, the crack on some of the decor but here was what I was able to do on that class...

* Rosette tip to make a flower cupcake

* Pinks and Blues....

We were taught how to do sunflowers, poinsettias and even monster cupcakes... I was not able to do the other icing colors that was why my colors were just in the vicinity of the pastels : blues, pinks and greens... and the ever reliable, white.

Sorry for missing 1 cupcake in the picture above, I was a bit hungry before the class so I ate one of the cupcake even before the start of the class :)

One for Iligan

Whenever I hear news like floods which kills countless lives in the Philippines (although Iligan is far). I always say a prayer thanking God that everyone in my family back home is safe and wish I could do  a little in my own way to help

I found this site that accepts paypal for help

Your $1 helps...

CLICK HERE TO HELP

I just did a bit of my share :)

Happy Giving!