A Meaningful Christmas

We've been very blessed over the last couple of years so I had this idea proposed to Che in the past on how we can share our blessings and make Christmas or our Birthdays more meaningful. Unfortunately, I didn't push thru with it. This coming Christmas, I want to make it truly meaningful by pursuing this plan of mine. I hope in God's grace we can make it happen...

An Inspirational Mail

I mentioned in my previous blog that I was teary eyed reading a story of a 30 yr old mom who was diagnosed of Breast Cancer. More of it here... http://eventseventstm.blogspot.com/

I was more touched when I received this email this morning...

/quote/

Hi Melissa!

This is Tessa, I'm a a member of N@W (but a lurker) and I happen to click the link of your blog in one of your messages in n@w.I was surprised to see the link of my brother's blog - you were able to read pala his post about his sister who was diagnosed with cancer. Well, that sister is me. I'm lucky to have a very supportive family, and friends who stood by me all throughout my journey to recovery. By God's grace I was able to finish my treatment and so far I'm doing very well.

Thank you for reading my brother's post, I know I have touched a lot of people with my experience, and it's my turn to pay it forward. I was able to talk to other cancer patients and their families during my check-ups with my docs, and it feels good to comfort them during this time of their lives - it's part of my healing. I was in their shoes once and I know how they feel. One thing I can assure them is that their lives will never be the same after cancer - it will be more meaningful and you will cherish every day and spend it more with your loved ones.

/unquote/

It was a truly inspring story for me. I may not know her personally but I do admire her for her strength - that strength that does not just come from within but also rooted from family and friends who stood by her in times of trial.

It's amazing how internet can help you draw inspiration from people you haven't actually met.

To Tessa who might read this blog: Congratulations on your recovery and may you continue to inspire others.

On Fairytale Weddings and Greatest Fears

I mentioned in my previous blog that I love organizing parties. I LOVE weddings too! In fact, I think I am a sucker for stunning weddings! Stunning for me may not necessarily be lavish but something that is tasteful with well thought of and meticulous details consistent to the wedding theme. I think I have mentioned here in my blog a photographer couple who were our 2nd choice for our wedding. I deeply regret not getting them. Anyways, saw their blog once again and found out that they had a lovely wedding recently at Discovery Shores in Boracay. Link here.. http://www.mimiandkarl.com/?p=1453#more-1453

I still love looking at wedding pictures and I am still excited when I hear of someone getting married. I don't believe in zodiac sign really but one thing I remember that may probably be true to me (I am a Pisces) is my being 'hopeless romantic'. Geez, I am shy to admit it but yes I think it is true.

Another blog that I do check when I have time is the one who made my wedding gown. Check it out here... http://veluzreyes.blogspot.com/

It is just so lovely seeing the brides so radiant and sexy. I must admit, if I have the chance, I'd like to be a bride once again and put on a wedding gown. Haha. Dream on.

Ok moving on..

After reading the blog of M+K's wedding, I blog hopped to http://eventseventstm.blogspot.com/ . It is the blog of a wedding organizer.

I was teary eyed reading his last post. To cut it short, his 30-year old sister was diagnosed of having 2B breast cancer. She is still very young with a 2-yr old daughter. I immediately got scared. You see, cancer is one of my greatest fears. My aunt died of breast cancer and I've seen her suffered. My grandmother died of ovarian cancer and I was right beside her when she died. I am thus now considering having my executive check-up soon. I have seen some info campaign on breast cancer prevention and here's what I found:

By age 20, women must perform a monthly breast self exam (BSE) about a week after her period. By age 30, besides a BSE, women must have a clinical exam every year. By age 40, besides a BSE and a clinical exam, women must have an annual mammography.

Truly, life can both be lovely and tough. Like what my husband Che said last night, challenges are given to us because God knows that we are surrounded by people who will support and be strong for us no matter what.

Why I love parties

I love attending parties but more so I love organizing one. Yes, it can be stressful but I love the fact that it makes you a little bit more creative than your usual self. It makes you think of crazy things and makes you go gaga over one particular theme. Here's my recent project....

I am glad to have friends and support group who can help me execute the ideas in a cost effective manner too :)

The venue:

The theme:

The balloons:

The celebrant's outfit:

Of course, the proud parents will come in theme-inspired attire too :)

In lieu of party hats:

The host/entertainment:

The cake:

The goodies:

I am officially back to being a child (at heart!). But take note, I have friends who are more OC than me when it comes to party planning. Right, Anne? ;)

Luxury of Time

I hope I have the luxury of time to blog. I like reading blogs and writing too but I don't think I can keep up with it. I know a few who earn while blogging. Isn't it cool? I envy them for doing things they like at the same time earning some bucks for shopping online! :0

Anyway, I have random things in my mind right now - work, school related and family life. I hope I had the time to blog all about it but I promised myself to spend 10 minutes max to write this. Haha, I am not making sense at all here..

For a start, I am very excited for Sean and Sophia's birthday party in less than 3 weeks time! Here's the invite made by my sis in law. It's cool!

I haven't blog about this course I am attending at SIMI but it's been an amazing experience so far! It's very tiring and time consuming but it really is a good learning experience. The professors are really good! One is an American - a Harvard alumni and is a professor at Harvard Business School. The other one is French and is a professor at INSEAD in France. The average age of the class is 38, if i remember correctly, so you can only imagine I may be one of the youngest if not the youngest. I have classmates from different companies, from different locations and from different industries so it adds to the learning experience too.

Oh, I also didn't mention that my family went for a 4-day trip to Hong Kong last month! It was a sweet treat from my parents- in- law and it was a blast! Hong Kong has a special place in my heart since I have lived there for 2 years. But since I have been a way for years now (plus the fact that we stayed at Kowloon side and I have lived in Hong Kong side before), I really felt I was a tourist! We enjoyed Disneyland!!! Shopping was ok, not that great as I have expected. I was rather disappointed but got myself some must haves from Mac (something to at least upgrade my make up kit!)

Here's the group picture at Avenue of the Stars at Tsim Sha Tsui Harbour. I still Love Love Love Hong Kong! Gotta need to come back!

I did it! (In my last trip to Copenhagen last month... )


I think I am getting addicted and want another one! I should stop! Remember Melissa, you have kids, their needs first before yours. Haha!








Below are some pictures of my travel from August. I don't have time yet to upload. Hopefully I will have the patience next time including some travel stories too (before I forget them!)

Below pic in Brugges city center... I adore Brugge! It is really worth visiting! Belgium is really a nice city to go to! I actually did not expected it to be that good, but it really exceeded my expectations. We went to Brussels, Antwerp and Brugge - all of them are must places to visit!



Brugge is like a theme park where the buildings and the sights are so alike. Take note though, we noticed the tourist visiting Belgium are generally from higher age bracket, usually retired Americans or Europeans hehe. Food is also expensive. We spent EUR (Php 1500-1800) on average for a meal!











Below at Brussels. We were lucky to see this flower carpet at the center. Gosh, I forgot all the names of the places. I am bad at remembering those. It's in my tourist guide book though. Haha.

And when you go to Belgium, you'll definitely expect to see chocolate shops in every corner! Of course there are thse known brands like Godiva and Leonida's but I was introduced to this local brand which is equally good. It's called Cote'd'Ore (hopefully I got the spelling right!).

Below is a shot I took in my trip to Copenhagen early this month. It's also the city center just right at the corner of the shopping strip.







Here's a gay parade we bumped into in my August visit in Copenhagen.





Amsterdam is also a nice place! It's an open city so you expect to see a lot of young tourists who go there to have some F-U-N! I find it so vibrant and I love the city life! We got a hop on hop off canal tour which was a nice way to tour around the city!



That's all folks. I hope I can put more 'meat' in my blog next time. But life, so far, has been all good. In fact, it still is blissful!