Been away.....now I am back.

I had the time of my life the final 2 weeks of 2010.  Been on a quite long holiday, being shut out of the 'online @ internet' world.

Those supposed to be holidays were tiring to me.  My full time job was to help my parents renovating the house.  I was in charge of the painting work.  We were on a very tight schedule as we tried our best to at least make the house 'livable' by 27th Dec. as our family day (mom's side) would be held at our home.  Let's just say the effort was well paid off.  It was livable, a little uncomfortable but livable.

In less than a week, we had 2 family days, one for each parent.  The excitement was not as exhilarating as it used to be, but meeting the big family was all that matters.  What we wanted to see were the spirit of family, sense of belonging and the love to be felt by each and everyone there.

D Aunties, Uncles, Cousins, Nephews and Nieces

The mom's side was a bit chaotic.  Apart from the absence of a solid plan, a well planned and timed event, the sleeping arrangement hopefully did not disappoint anyone and the food.  Ok, the family bond was felt, we were happy, nonetheless, but I personally felt a bit shut out because I had to stay in the bedroom most of the time due to my Nicole's fever and rashes.  

Mom's Siblings + In Laws

The next morning, many attendees, the family, had diarrhea attack.  Until now we don't know the real culprit, though many think it was the grilled fish we ordered from the famous Sim Sim.  

Then, after the event, I thought we were slowing down, just relaxing, and letting the time pass us by, entering a whole new year of 2011.  I did not even heed the changing year, the New Year Eve.  Went into bed as early as 9 or 10 pm.  

However, at the last moment, my parents came to me and suggested that we held a birthday celebration for Nicole on the 1st January 2011, a day belated.  Well, it was a routine, I guess we just had to continue the tradition.  And it was the first time I really, really worried that the food wouldn't be enough for all the guests.  What more, it was a Sabbath evening, so the preparation mostly done after the Sundown Worship.  Most of us were fasting, the full 24 hours fasting, no food, no drink, at all.  So, you just add all that up.  The hungry guests, and the little food.  

The menu was, surprisingly, happily accepted by all, consist of mostly vegetables, salad.  The only meat dish was the fried chicken.  My mom really played her cards there and dare I say, she was very lucky indeed.  She won everyone's heart with her almost vegetarian dish.  Bravo mom....

Well, there you are.  My end of the year events, and my New Year too.  Nothing fancy, not much excitement, but it was quite a year for me.  

Thank God for all the blessings You have given upon us.