This is one of those random posts...

I'm angry.

So maybe I should go on a shopping spree and bleed my account dry.

Wow, time flies! It's my 3rd Christmas here now in the US and so far, it's all been great. I really wish my family (mom, bro and aunt... and dog) was here too, I think that would be perfect! But despite being away from my homeland, everything has been really fun and I'm grateful for having such an amazing family here too.

Christmas reminds me of my Grandpa Jake. This is his holiday. We would set up our small tree, then he puts up all the lights around the house up to the gate. It was magical! I guess that's where my obsession with lights and bokeh came from. I wish I had more pictures back then. We would put up our parol (a "parol" /puh-roll/ is a traditional star-shaped Filipino Christmas decor) and hang our ornaments. Then in the morning we would exchange gifts. I remember he would put away my gifts for him in his cabinet, probably to hoard it hahaha... I guess I know where my hoarding tendencies came from too!

Now that I'm here, Alexbear and I are building our own Christmas traditions.

You see, my dear hubby bear is not the Christmassy type of person. He doesn't really like the occasion and doesn't really care much for it. Now, Christmas is my thing. See, that seems to create a conflict of interest (e.g. The Grinch vs. The Elf). To my surprise, he offered to buy a small tree for this year and wanted to start our Family Christmas Tradition!

My cute little tree! One thing I learned from last year - no more real trees! As much as I love the scent of pine, the needles being every where is just... unbelievable. I still find random pine needles up to date. All from last year! Another trick learned, buy everything after the season! So Alexbear bought me the tree but it wasn't on sale. We're hoping to get a bigger tree now for next year.
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Then one thing I love doing is decorating the house. I still get that feeling like when I was a child and I was playing house with myself (lol, yes with myself because I was 7 years older than Bob and didn't really play with anyone else). Honestly having our own cozy place is like a dream come true. 
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​And part of that dream is to rearrange things, add/remove furniture, decorate the walls and so and so. This time, I moved the tree to the side because I moved the futon by the window so Hans can sit on it while watching people outside... and bork! bork! bork!

And now presenting this year's ornaments! We wrote the years at the bottom of each item. Last year was R2D2 and BB8. This time, it's furry friends! And Hans... bork. bork. bork. bork.

 One thing that I'm truly grateful for is having such a loving family here in the US. I know that one thing most people dread is going to their in laws or meeting their spouse/partner's family members. I'm really glad that I have such a sweet family as well.

Jayne, my mom in law, is the best! Just love hanging out with her! While we usually go to her house and/or have double date dinners with Herbie, it's always nice to be over during Thanksgiving and Christmas because she is just an amazing cook! Imagine the pressure Alexbear puts on me when we talk about making casserole lol

The past two years was also financially challenging. To be honest, until now it is - but a lot better! One thing I love doing is giving gifts on Christmas. It just makes me happy, and even if you don't like it oh well haha it still makes me happy. This time we were able to bring a couple of stuff especially for the kids. I guess I just really love seeing people smile. 

Of course, we also got our share and we are super grateful for all they did!

To sum it all up, that's all I could think of saying - I'm grateful for all the people around us who have supported our ups and downs. I'm thankful for having such understanding and kind family on both sides, I really couldn't ask for more.

I have to admit, there are struggles along the way. There always are and they will never go away - but I'm glad because we will always overcome and better things will come.
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Most people here hate winter tho - or the snow rather... but I absolutely love it!! Alexbear always says that it's because I don't drive in it yet - but hey, I grew up in a tropical island and I've always dreamed of seeing snow. Now I'm probably going to spend the rest of my life with it haha!

Christmas, on the other hand, reminds me of my Grandpa! I know that it's family time all the time, but I don't know - there's something about this season that makes it extra cozy and fluffy ^_^
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​One thing that I do every year as part of our family tradition is our Annual Winter/Christmas family photo. I also do one every summer. I actually want to do it every season but sometimes adulting​ just gets in the way. Anyway, my reindeer pup was a really good boy to sit next to Santa!

And of course seeing my side of the family!

I'm actually really glad that I have family who live in the same state, and that the closest ones are just an hour and a half away. It feels good to have a touch of home even if I'm some thousand miles away from my dear Philippines.

And of course seeing my side of the family!

I'm actually really glad that I have family who live in the same state, and that the closest ones are just an hour and a half away. It feels good to have a touch of home even if I'm some thousand miles away from my dear Philippines.

So cliché… so unoriginal… yet so true.

So, what’s been up with me? Blunt answer – nothing much.

I always have stories to tell, and even if I think that what’s going on in my life right now is a lot more mediocre compared to what it was in the last decade and a half – I’m sure something’s gonna be up for me to tell. So today, as an introduction to this supposedly brand spanking new blog (which is actually just a continuation of my old blogs that I had to shut down – thanks Photobucket I still hate you), I will be talking about adulting.

I’m sure in a couple of years, this will be added to the dictionary as an official word. So okay, adulting. I’ve never really taken it seriously, knowing myself, I’m a toddler at heart. Nope, not just a child, or a tween – but a five year old toddler at heart. It’s not really so bad being an adult. Yes, we have our responsibilities but we also have all the freedom to do things and direct our lives as we please.

To cut the long story short, I've always been independent but I also did my best to enjoy life. I have a saying...
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Well, don't take it too far - it doesn't mean just sit on my bum and do nothing. I want to enjoy what I'm doing, and I like doing what I love. I'm a tedious person, so ironically a corporate job suits me well.

But of course, I needed to getaway from it every now and then. I'm a lazy workaholic (and the irony continues), and I need to relax.
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The course of my life wasn't really plan. My goals were simple - have a great career ahead of me. Having my heart broken a couple of times, and having my ego crushed more than my heart was ever cracked (because I'm narcissistic like that) I thought I'd just give up on love.

Welp, now we know where that "I hate men and I'll just make myself rich" tantrum ended...

I started a blog about our story, and I really loved updating it. But, like my travel blog, Photobucket kinda screwed my photos over and most of it looked horrible.

Anyways, marriage is a huge turn of events for me. I've always been the attached kind of girl and I finally met the man who is just as attached as I am. Perfect. Getting married also meant leaving my comfort zone and venturing out to a new place I never though I would move to!
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Bottom line - this is my new blog and there's more to come! I will be blogging about everything here now - from travel, to rants, to new makeup stuff, to crafting ideas and more. Well, I will still blog over at Starr&Sparkle for most of my creations!
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​Follow my stories about life, the puppy, my not-so-often travels, the endless rants, occasional makeup and crafting... and much more!

I promise, you won't get spammed! ^_^

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