Go Into the Mountains

     For the first time in quite a while, we actually did not have any big plans after Christmas and before New Year's. NO AGENDA!!!! So I booked us two nights in Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay to enjoy some much-deserved and needed R&R.

We usually stay in the suites right below this park. The domes are actually skylights that streams through the halls. At night this is what you will see from below.

Pretty isn't it? I hate the floor tiles but hey this Start Wars fan is happy enough with the uh - special effects. Now where is my ensyamada-ish hair piece. 

But the next picture is what everyone goes to Tagaytay for, beautiful Taal Volcano.

     My small family share great memories here. We've (instead of having parties) celebrated some of my kids' birthdays here. It is not the best hotel in Tagaytay but I buy it for the icon that it is. Until when will depend on how Fuego or SM will maintain it in the coming years. But am seeing touches already of SM-ish way of doing things though still bearable....

Guess who checked in with us?

It's Samson! Yep, our dog Samson's twin monkey. Haha!

After settling in our room (daughter Yellow is our OC room maid) and a long nap, the nippy Tagayaty weather started to set an alarm on my knees. (Rayuma???) BUT I had a brighter idea - BACHOY!!! We braved the traffic and headed out for Antonio's Grill. Yums!

 

Wrapper's Delight

     Christmas is only six days away. I have not gone to a single mall or bazaar to go shopping much more buy wrapping paper. The past weeks have been crazy for me. Work, school and my family are as if battling for supremacy in the arena that is my crazy life. But these are good times. I cannot complain. Life has never been so full, so enriching and fulfilling. With God's help, everything works out miraculously.

          The number of our holiday parties have dwindled down and yet you'd be surprised as I am that I have not lagged behind in gift giving. Say what? Thanks to on-line shopping, a scent-sational friend. a niece who is a wonderful baker and an over-stock of wrapping paper, shameless hoarding of little things other people call trash - I have been a jolly gift giver; breathless and panting but jolly nonetheless.

      It is truly a wonder what you can do when you try to 'make do' with what you have. 

Inside is my gift for dear friend, Clarissa, Old wrapping paper (I used the wrong side thus the white color. yarn, fabric scraps, index card and left-over wrapping tissue from ages ago.

     I bet you can guess what the rest of these are made of.