Gratitude Entry

It's Thanksgiving again! Even though we don't celebrate it here in Australia, I thought I should write an entry about gratitude, just like last year. 

This time last year we were still in Tamworth, getting ready to leave for our holidays in Manila and Hong Kong. Now, we're back in Sydney and has been living here in the West for about 10 months. I have heaps of people and things to be thankful for. I can't even begin to name all of them but here's me trying:

• I am beyond thankful for the little miracle growing inside of me. After waiting for nearly 5 and a half years, we've finally been blessed with Jacob. His Daddy and I can't wait to meet him in less than 2 months.
• I'm thankful for my husband; he's all that I've ever hoped for and MORE! I am truly blessed to have him as my partner, best friend and ally, no matter what.
• I am thankful for my family in Manila. Despite the distance they never fail to make us feel loved. I am thankful that they are all relatively healthy, especially my grandmother. I am thankful that my mum and youngest sister were granted visas to come visit us here in Australia. I'm so happy and excited that they're arriving soon.
• I am thankful for our relatives, friends and CFC family here in Sydney.
• I am thankful for all the blessings and provisions that we continually receive, especially my husband's job. 

I am well and truly blessed. Thank you, Lord! :)

Updates!

I'm so sorry I haven't been updating lately. I don't have any excuse, well except that I'm lazy! Haha! Anyway, I promised you some pictures of our not-so-new place. Here they are:

dining/kitchen

lounge

Poang chair & Klippan sofa from Ikea

No, I'm not going to post pictures of the bedrooms or toilets. Leave something for the imagination. Hehe. As you can see, we have HEAPS of spaces left but we're a bit skeptical about buying more furniture/home stuff. You see, in my husband's line of work (he's an Engineer), we tend to be assigned to different projects all over. Just like what happened when we moved to Tamworth for 9 months last year. Right now we only buy things as the need for them arise.

On other news, I've started to look for a job, albeit online. I've been sending my resume on online job sites. Hopefully something turns up soon. I'm beginning to feel restless staying at home, all alone and I'm running out of things to do. In fact I've resorted to experimenting on different toppings for vanilla ice cream! So far I've only tried lingonberry jam and fresh rock melon. Yummy!

For news back home, one of my brothers got involved in an accident two weeks ago. He was on his way home from a night out with friends when he (while riding on his motorcycle) was hit by a tricycle. The driver did not even stop to help him. Good thing a good Samaritan did. He was rushed to the hospital where they found out he had dislocated his right shoulder. Apart from that he had heaps of wounds and bruises. Thank God he did not sustain more serious injuries. I felt sad and helpless when I found out about the accident through a text message from one of my sisters. He's recovering nicely and he went back to work a couple of days ago.

On a lighter note, my birthday is just two weeks away. I don't want to turn 31! I want to be stuck at 30 forever. Haha! If only! I still haven't decided on what we're doing. Either have a small get together/house warming here at home OR go on a road trip to Canberra to visit friends.

Our Holiday is SO OVER!

I'm back!!! So sorry for the long absence/non-blogging. Anyway, we've been back in Sydney since Tuesday. We've been going to house inspections because we need a house SOON! My husband starts work again this Monday. I can't believe the number of people looking for a rental property right now. Is there a shortage or what? Forgive me if this post is beginning to sound like a rant. A lady told us that the hardest part of going on a holiday is that YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO COME BACK. Very true, indeed. But I won't let negativity affect me anymore. Fact is WE HAD AN AWESOME HOLIDAY!!! Time spent with family and friends is truly precious, no amount of money can buy. 

I'd like to enumerate first some of the places we went to and the things we did. Then I'll elaborate in later posts. Here it goes:

~ Coron, Palawan --> island holiday with my family, non-stop swimming, snorkeling and of course, picture taking/camwhoring

~ Tarlac --> saw my godchild, spent the day with friends

~ Hong Kong --> wandered aimlessly but still had a great time, HK is <3

~ UP --> ate at Rodic's, saw half of Maskipaps and friends from Beta Epsilon

~ Tagaytay --> zipline baby!, lunch @ Dencio's

~ Daet, Camarines Norte --> visited my husband's family
~ Manaoag, Pangasinan & Camiling, Tarlac --> attended mass @ Our Lady of Manaoag, visited relatives in Tarlac

These are just some of the places/things that come to mind right now. I'm sure I missed heaps that if I check all our holiday pictures, all the memories will come rushing back. :)

One of things I enjoyed the most was our family photo shoot. I'm glad I got to share it with each and every member of the family. <3

What Are You Thankful For?

I was watching the show Ellen this morning and that very same question popped on the telly. I guess because it’s almost Thanksgiving that’s why. It made me think, even though we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in Australia, likewise in the Philippines. I have a lot of blessings I am thankful for. I can’t even begin to name all but here are some:

-          I am thankful for my husband; ever loving, ever reliable and ever understanding. He is my rock, my best friend in the truest sense. I am thankful that we are both healthy and that my husband has a good job which can support both of us without me having to work. (Note: I well and truly intend to look for a job as soon as we’re settled back in Sydney.)

-          I am thankful for my family in Manila. Despite the distance between us, I feel loved, always. I am thankful that my parents and grandmother are all relatively healthy, same with my brothers and sisters.

-          I am thankful that my operation last October went well. Now we are hopeful that we will be blessed with an addition to our family soon.

-          I am thankful for the opportunity to spend the coming holiday season with family and friends. Time spent with them are truly precious, something no amount of money can buy.

These are just some of the things that come to mind right now. I’m sure I’ve forgotten heaps but you get the picture.

Now it’s your turn. What are you thankful for?