Celebrate Good Times...

Can't believe it's been a month since I last blogged... Sorry for the long absence... 'Been busy during the holidays, the non-stop celebrating, eating, partying, clubbing, made me sick... Hey, I'm 4 months pregnant and I think I am the only pregger who dances 'til 4am!!! Jeeezzzz.....

I'll start with the pre-xmas celebration... On Dec. 22, my cousins arranged a xmas get together, a kriskringle day, and they wanted to try the newly opened Greek restaurant in Shangri-la Mall, Cyma. My sister called Cyma the day before the event and arranged a reservation for 10 people at 5:30pm, Dec. 22.... But the receptionist insisted that there is no need for a reservation since 5:30pm is too early for dinner... Marnie asked the receptionist's name, took note of it, and she said that it wouldn't be a big problem if you just write my name in that logbook and we'll be there on time.... But still, Yeng, the receptionist, didn't mind Marnie and didn't reserve our table for 10...

So, Dec. 22 came, exactly 5:30pm, my cousins were all in front of a Full House Cyma, and gave the name of our reserved seats... Guess what happened next??? No reservations, no seats!!! Me and my sister were still at the parking lot when our cousins called asking under what name did we reserve the seats for, who asked for the reservation, what was the name of the receptionist, etc, etc... Marnie told them not to leave Cyma and wait for her, but my cousins were so pissed off and hungry that they decided to dine at Cafe Provencal rather than argue with Cyma's management....

I headed straight to Provencal, and Marnie went to Cyma for some action! She was fuming mad!!! When we saw her walking towards us, she was really red and roaring! Actually the management made their apologies and was already arranging a table for us, but too late... My cousins were already eating at Provencal... Marnie just told them not to neglect Reservations, that's why they have a phone line there, not for deliveries!!! No matter what time the customer wants to have her seat reserved, take note of that...

Well, i think that's the best Marnie can do... At least she taught those people the right way to please their customers... People make mistakes... Too bad, we were all looking forward to some Greek food, but we all ended up with Italian pizzas and pastas...

Here's one of our pictures...

Queen, Cherry, Marnie, Vecca, Peachy, Pinky, Ang, Jeannette, Jin

Hey, noticed that Navy Blue (almost black) Hermes Birkin??? It's the bag of our Queen... Yummy...

Now, for the real celebration, Dec. 25, Christmas Day, and the long awaited arrival of my sister, Benel and her family from the US... They've been in Vegas for 4 years straight and they were ecstatically excited to spend the holidays with us...


Here are some pics of what we've been doing during the holidays... Enjoy...

Dec. 27, my cousin Jeannette, asked my help in preparing an intimate dinner for a small group. She has a very beautiful house and loves entertaining people but there's only one, tiny, teeny, detail she is worrying about - she doesn't know a single thing about table arrangements, home cooking, or even home decorating! Well, I know many of us really don't give a damn about table setting, as long as the food is sumptuous and overflowing. But c'mon, attractive table setting still has an important role in entertaining... It doesn't have to be gorgeous and expensive... Just a touch of uniformity and cleanliness will do... Just like the one posted above... Ain't extraordinary but at least, pleasing to the eyes of the guests...

Standing: Cherry, Vecca, Marnie
Seated: Benel, Jin, Pinky, Ang, Nette, Trish

That's another picture of us with the appetizers: Caesar Salad and Pumpkin Soup

During one of those Holiday Dinners, we went to Serendra, and first looked into the Crocs Store... Jeeezzzz, I've never seen so many crocs in my life... They're sooo cute it would be impossible to turn your back from temptation... Too bad I didn't bring enough cash and the store during that time was still applying for credit card accreditation... So I wasn't able to buy one... Good or bad??? I think bad... Coz' I really want those cute Mary Janes...

Dec. 29, we had dinner at Portico with friends... Mark treated us that night as welcome dinner for Oli and Benel...

Standing: Trevor, PG, Oli
Seated: Michelle, Marnie, Jin, Pinky, Paolo, Cocoy, Benel, Aih, Mark, Mike

New Year's Eve, we were able to take a picture of the whole family, as in whole!!! We haven't had a picture like this in 4 years...

Jan. 2, Michelle and Aih's sisters from the States also spent the holidays here and we all had dinner at Abe, also at Serendra. I actually enjoyed the food at Abe, rather than Portico, according to my tastebuds... hehe...

Sherry, Michelle, Marnie, Benel, Jin, Aih, and Desiree

Norman, Trevor, PG, Mark, Mike, Oli, Paolo, PJ

On Jan. 3, Michelle and sibs gave Aih a cute and relaxing bridal shower at
the Nail Spa.

Standing L-R: Benel, Cherry, Chris, Amy, Michelle, Jin, Marnie
Seated L-R: Desiree, Tam, Christine, Aih, Jack, Willin, Sherry

January 7, the Wedding Date of Mark and Aih.. It was such a lovely occassion and they made it really a festive one... All guests were entertained, surprised, happy... I must say that this is the best I've witnessed so far...

Chito, PG, Oli, Jo, Majan
Amy, Benel, Marnie, Jin, Paolo
Mark and Aih

And finally,Jan. 10, the Despedida Dinner for my sister, given by
Pinky, (the Princess) our cousin...

Vecca, Pinky, Cherry (standing), Ang, Marnie, Queen, Jin, Nette, Benel, Trish

Too bad my sister's family had to go back to Vegas... Watching them leave is really heart breaking... I know you guys know how I feel... It's really the hardest part... But guess what?! They were so relaxed and happy during their stay here in Manila that they plan to spend Christmas again next year and stay for good!!! Wheow!!! That's great news...

So that's it... My first entry of 2007 - Celebration! Hope I didn't bore you guys...