"our little white tree by the belen"

You can't see that at home because it's not our Christmas decoration☺.  It was three weeks ago when my friend Tonet dropped me a message saying "our lil wyt tree by the belen" and that picture above. Wow!  Isn't it pretty and neat?

I replied back and showed her our premature decoration.  I didn't notice it until she said "wow! nindot ka-ayo! imu faith ... amu love ... fwends gyud ta ... tan-awa ang words sa ato belen."  They have Love and we have Faith in our belen, cool!  She gave me the motivation to finish ours and I thank her for that!  Finally, this is what we have now.  

Thanks to my Christmas elves --- Jack for engineering the origami Christmas trees and Z for lending some of his Lego miniature people to join with my Lego people and Christmas set.  Thanks Z for allowing me to use the printed origami papers which are intended for different designs.  

Why a lot of trees?  I think because I miss our Christmas tree in Cebu that has been with us since 2004, that is why I have a lot of it now only in small sizes.  The glass tree on the left side beside the barbecue grill is already 6 years old.  It's the first and only Christmas tree in this unit for years.  At last this year, it's no longer standing on its own because it has multiplied ☺ and in different colours.  

                  Indeed, "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"☺

Pavilion's Christmas Wonder

          It was like a quick escape from the depressing thoughts of what is currently happening in my country Philippines and a good treat of magical hours of transformation spent as we strolled around the Pavilion mall yesterday.  Where Christmas is not highly celebrated in this place it is a real joy, a   thrill, and sort of an efficacy of whatever blues I have in me as I see  the posh and beautiful Christmas ornaments,  impressive designs, and dreamy Christmas settings at this mall.  Certainly, one that supersedes all other Christmas decorated malls in KL is the Pavilion.  It always has the best in visual and Christmas feel that massively attracts both residents and tourists.  This year it's theme is Christmas Wonder or simply IMO it's White Christmas.   On stage at the Centre Court is a huge white Christmas tree with blue lights snowflakes beside a blue touch coloured roof white house and in front of the house are a snow covered reindeer and Christmas trees.  Below the stage are big green Christmas trees in variant wonderful trimmings, a Santa's sleigh and 2 reindeers, a carousel with lights (RM5 for a ride), big green Christmas trees at the staircases leading to the centre, white Christmas lights, angels and choirs.  They even made an effort to create snow and we were just in time to witness it as they released the snow effects.  There were models or characters for picture taking and a little later a live performance of Christmas tunes.  In front of the entrance are white polar bears and trees.  Outside the entrance is a Christmas tree like villa with more Christmas trees, lights and poinsettias.  For more activity details just visit this page http://pavilion-kl.com  if interested ☺.

top view 

          I know there is more to Christmas and what Christmas really means but the child in me can never contain her excitement when the word Christmas pops up matched with all these visuals ☺.   To a happy weekend. ☺

11.12.13 -- wish and hope

          The pictures are enough proof of how heart breaking November 8 was. The pictures perfectly described how traumatic and devastating Yolanda's visit.  Yolanda, the name each Visayan can't forget. 

          A ripple of help starts to circulate that became great waves of commitment from both local and around the world.  Everyone is helping out, the bayanihan spirit is intact.  Prayers, encouragements, thoughts, and various fundraising activities are done or extended.  The Filipinos are not alone in this battle of rebuilding homes and lives of those who are badly affected because amazingly, the world is with us.  Blinding figures have been pledged and posted.

          The road to recovery is still a long way to go.  Issue after issue is now piling up.  Packing, dropping, and shipping of relief goods to give a momentary comfort is still on the works for other places.  A friend who has survived the disaster said relief goods have not reached them yet.  Whatever food is left, they are shared with their employees at the moment.  I just hope, assistance arrives at a nick of time.

          On this day 11.12.13, I wish and hope:

• that all monetary donations from in and outside the country will really reach the pockets of the victims.  (www.newsflashorg/2004/02/hl/h112652.htm)
• that people will stop complaining instead be grateful and just be patient.
• that those followers in various social networking sites they will just mind their own business. If other people are insensitive let them be, that is their choice anyway.  If rich people prefers their vanity let them be for sure they have done their part in extending help just without our knowing.  Before we criticise and complain other people's actions or postings, let us ask ourselves first if we have donated or done something.  Whatever other people posts it's their right as it's their own page, their own decision to post it, and their choice if they want to make things lighter as a diversion or for whatever their reason is. 
• that all these money will not only end up as relief goods. 
• that every cent will be accounted for and transparency to the highest level will be shown.  This is not the 1st time that our country has suffered from all natural disasters and this is not the 1st time that financial assistance are extended from everywhere.  Let no issue of "we have not receive any aid" news surfaces again.
• that someone will lead to make reliable building plans and build homes for everyone that has gone homeless. 

     I always believe that Filipinos are survivors and no matter how depressing any situation is we can still afford to smile, shrug off, and move forward.  With God all things are possible.

          

November 8, 2013 - Powerful Yolanda

On this day of the World's strongest storm of the year or ever in history that hits my birthplace and nearby places, this I hang on to.