I am just counting the days when we are going home.
So we are off to the islands to spend the holidays with my family. For most of my family and friends living in the Philippines, this will be their first chance to meet the new addition to the family. Christmas is always a special time for family gatherings and likewise to make time to see old friends, and such we are very excited to introduce our daughter who has given both my husband and I a new source of joy and fulfillment. The Granny has been busy gathering and buying baby stuff and furniture to make her grand daughter as comfortable as possible. Yaya N who took care of my now 3 grown-up pamangkins could not wait to get hold of my daughter as she misses taking care of a baby. We are very curious how she will respond in the Philippines.
No doubt it will be a very busy itinerary. Manila will be the meeting point for friends, who are also visiting the Philippines for the holidays and for friends I knew since my childhood. New Year will be celebrated somewhere down south as it will give my husband and I a chance to enjoy the white beaches and visit one of the best reefs for diving and snorkeling.
The year 2006 has been an extraordinary year for us. There were really good blessings and some challenging periods but overall things turned out for the better. We have a lot of things to thank for and a lot of reasons to celebrate, of which some of the highlights--a relatively easy and enjoyable pregnancy, a safe delivery, the birth of our lovely daughter, a new job with a lot of possibilities, a rewarding project, two of our family members recovering from their surgeries and in general good health for us and our families. 2006 has been a year of transition and likewise reunions. Because of the birth of our daughter, family and friends have been visiting this side of the globe to share our joy of being new parents. The year just went very quickly!
So we are definitely ready to party and celebrate the events of 2006 and we are looking forward to the coming new year. All I'm hoping now is that our baby will not have any difficulty with the 14 hour direct flight. However I am now looking beyond the discomfort of the loooooong journey and just looking forward to the rewards and pampering that awaits us at home.
I can't really wait!!!
Since I will be gone for several weeks, I just wish everyone a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS and the best for the coming New Year!
