The Best of 2011

January - 3 months preggy (still couldn't believe i was pregnant).

February - My dates on St Valentine's Day.

March - Proud mommy moment.

April - Easter Sunday at Sentosa (6 months preggy)

May - Marina Bay Sands (7 months preggy, family photowalk)

June - Baby shower (8 months preggy)

July - Gian Carlo, the gracious gift of God was born!

August - Hubby turned 37 and Ate Kyla turned 9.

September - Ate Kyla received the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

October - Anniversary/Birthday surprise from hubby.

November - Sweet, funny father and son moment.

DECEMBER

Baby Gian received the Sacrament of Baptism,

celebrated with us the birth of Jesus for the first time and

WE HAD THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!

 Until this very moment, we are still overwhelmed to have an adorable healthy baby boy that we fervently prayed to have for the longest time. Indeed, good things come to those who wait.

Thanks and praises be to GOD for a year full of wonderful surprises and overflowing blessings.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY ALWAYS AND FOREVER.

Here's wishing everyone a HAPPY AND BLESSED 2012! Thank you for being a part of our blissfully chaotic family life.

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Kyla's Baby Sister

My 9y/o girl is asking for a baby sister (NOTE: I just gave birth to her baby brother 5 months ago.) and i happen to stumble upon this plush toy called My Little Sister at the family thrift store. I went home and told her this is all i can give her for now. Lol!

PINK FRIDAY

PINK SATURDAY



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Patara: Fine Thai Cuisine (Tanglin Mall)

Last Tuesday, my colleagues and I were talking about where and what to eat few minutes before our lunchtime and out of courtesy, we asked our lady boss if she would like to join us. Little did we expect that she'll take the opportunity to treat us for Christmas lunch. She asked if we know any good restaurant in Tanglin Mall (walking distance from our working place) and one of my colleagues recommended a Thai restaurant. We all have no issues from eating Thai food so off we went.

The place is called Patara: Fine Thai Cuisine. We went earlier than normal Singaporean lunchtime (1-2pm) so there aren't many lunchers yet.



The atmosphere is very elegant and pleasant. We came at a group of 5 so we took a table for 6pax.

There are classy private rooms for bigger groups as seen in the photo above.

Our lady boss ordered Premium Patara as starters. It's a premium combination of mango salad, soft shell crab, fish and prawn cakes, chicken wings and rice crackers dip. The mango salad is really good! A must try i must say.

I have issues in eating flaming HOT dishes so i said NO to tom yum soup. (Note: I tried the same soup once when my ex-lady boss brought us in a Thai restaurant at Goodwood Park for Chinese New Year lunch but i couldn't take its spicyness.) However, the super professional Filipino (as seen in the first photo) who served us told me that they can lessen the spicyness of the soup so that i could give it a try. I commend him for doing so. I had a taste of the best tom yum soup ever! Nawala ang trauma ko sa paghigop ng pamosong Thai spicy soup. Lol! Oh bytheway, online universities have cooking classes that can teach you how to cook your own spicy Thai soup.

For carbo load, we had Khao Phad Nam Liab. It is a balck olive fried rice with chickken, served with fresh chillies, lime, shallots and cashew nuts. Another must try!

We ate the fried rice with Gang Keaw Wan Neua, an authentic beef curry with sweet basil and bird chilli. The best curry i've ever had!

Pamper your palate with aromatic flavours of fine Thai cooking, lovingly presented for a memorable dining experience. ~ http://www.patara.com.sg/

I highly recommend this Thai restaurant if you have an affair with Thai food.

FOOD TRIP FRIDAY

FOOD FRIDAY

FOODIE FRIDAY

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Skypark at Marina Bay Sands

After attending the 11am mass today, we re-visited Marina Bay Sands and decided to explore the Skypark.

Stretching longer than the Eiffel tower laid down or four and a half A380 Jumbo Jets, with an impressive 12,400 square meters of space, the Sands SkyPark can host up to 3900 people. The gravity-defying cantilever is one of the largest of its kind in the world. From this privileged observation deck, hundreds of visitors at a time can feast their eyes on the unforgettable panorama view of Singapore. ~ http://www.marinabaysands.com/ Click here for complete information.



We purchased promotional tickets for the Skypark and Art Science Museum (I will blog about the museum another time.) and saved a few bucks.

Skypark is at the 56th and 57th floor, it was very windy and the sky was gray when we came.

There is a guided tour in the infinity pool but we did not book because all the timings are fully-booked except for 9pm. With Baby Gian, we can't stay that long.

We stayed at the observation deck for less than an hour because we haven't taken our lunch. There is a restaurant called Ku De Ta at the deck but the food is way too expensive for us, more or less S$100++ per person. (++ stands for addional 7% GST and 10% service charge)

Below are Singapore landmarks seen from the observation deck:

1) The Esplanade - twin durian-shaped building.

2) Central Business District

3) Crystal Pavillions - 2nd largest Louis Vuitton store

4) Singapore Flyer, 5) Costa Rhu and 6) Benjamin Shears Bridge

7) Marina Barrage

8) The Fullerton Hotel,  9) Merlion Park and 10) Singapore River

11) Art Science Museum, 12) Helix Bridge and 13) Float @ Marina Bay/Youth Olympics Park

14) The future Gardens by the Bay. We are looking forward to the opening of this one. According to the news, there will be international flowers to be showcased in this garden like tulips. I can't wait!

We are supposed to see Sentosa Island, Batam Island in Indonesia and Kusu Island among others but the gloomy weather didn't let us. For complete list of what you will see, click here.

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The Birth of Jesus Christ

Love came down at Christmas,

Love all lovely, Love Divine;
Love was born at Christmas;
Star and angels gave the sign.
~Christina Rossetti

Matthew 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.




MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!



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Tree of Love

Snowman (had it in two different colours)

Gift (comes with blue and silver)

Christmas ball (had it in rainbow colours)

Sleigh (had it in rainbow colours)

Candy cane (wanted to but the real ones but i can't let Kyla and Mond have too much of sweets)

This year, hubby and i decided to purchase a taller Christmas Tree that looks more natural from Takashimaya Christmas Fantasy. I love the way it was color-coded for easy installation. Kyla took charge of decorating the ornaments. Our theme this year is Rainbow Magic. Obviuosly, it was Kyla's brilliant idea. We all love the outcome.

"Mommy, what does Christmas Tree represent?", Kyla asked while decorating. I was caught unprepared so i told her Christmas Tree is a Tree of Love. Afterwhich, i promised myself to do some research. Lol! So here's the proper answer to Kyla's question according to http://www.mysticlightpress.com/:

Evergreens were thought to represent the ever-burning fire of life. The color green signified the life force through the year. Eventually decorative balls represented the planets, while the star that radiates from the top reminds us of Bethlehem. The entire tree and decorations teach us that the universe is witness to the Incarnation. Red at Christmas reminds us of the fire of the Spirit. Green affirms nature, and the ongoing life. And in the Incarnation, Spirit unites with nature.

In fact, the Christmas tree symbolizes to us a further appreciation of Jesus' birth. It is a means of retelling a miracle in a colorful and beautiful way so that we can further understand and appreciate Jesus' entering our world.

Let's all have a Meaningful Christmas and a Bountiful New Year!

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Give Love and Hope for Philippine Flood Victims

PHOTO SOURCE

The news about the aftermath of Tropical Storm Sendong in the Philippines is heart-wrenching. After watching it on TV last night, i knew i can't just close my eyes and go on celebrating Christmas without doing anything about it. It doesn't feel right to be merry and pretend you don't know anything when you are aware there are thousands of unfortunate people who desperately need help.

The relevant authorities are appealing for generous donations in kind or in cash. Sweet Memoirs will be donating its recent blog earnings and will also be sending clothes and other stuff via FREE shipping at LBC Singapore.


If you happen to have the gift of generosity, please do something about UNICEF's emergency appeal.Your P1000 can provide 2 families with water containers, water purification tablets, and buckets for a month's supply of safe, drinking water. You can opt to donate at Red Cross too. They badly need help.

Let us continue to give love and hope to our fellow Filipinos and celebrate the true spirit of Christmas. If you can't donate in kind or in cash, your most fervent prayers can move mountains.

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Sacrament of Baptism: Gian's Christening Day

Another milestone for the family.

We couldn't contain our excitement for Gian's second big day. His birth being the first.

 It is the 4th Sunday of Advent and our precious lil' one is going to receive the Sacrament of Baptism and share our faith.

We bought him a little gift to remind him of this special day when he grows up.

*Chrism is a perfumed olive oil consecrated by the bishop during Holy Week. This oil is used to anoint the crown of the head of the person being baptized. In baptism, the sign of the cross on the forehead reminds us that Jesus died for us.

Hubby was assigned by Deacon Clement to read the first reading.

*Water is a symbol of being raised to new life, starting afresh with Jesus.

Welcome to the Christian world, baby Gian! *The white garment is an outward sign of our Christian dignity.

*The final symbol in baptism is the giving of a lighted candle.

We are all so happy for you!

May you grow to be a God-fearing child.

And may God continue to bless our family with abundant graces.

A simple token of appreciation for the Godparents and guests given personally by Ate Kyla.

Thank you, Dear God for another meaningful and memorable page in the book of our family life. :)

Special thanks to Dr Peter Flores, our impromptu official photographer.

FYI: The Sacrament of Baptism is often called "The door of the Church," because it is the first of the seven sacraments not only in time (since most Catholics receive it as infants) but in priority, since the reception of the other sacraments depends on it. It is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation, the other two being the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Once baptized, a person becomes a member of the Church.

Baptism has six primary effects, which are all supernatural graces:

The removal of the guilt of both Original Sin (the sin imparted to all mankind by the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden) and personal sin (the sins that we have committed ourselves).
The remission of all punishment that we owe because of sin, both temporal (in this world and in Purgatory) and eternal (the punishment that we would suffer in hell).
The infusion of grace in the form of sanctifying grace (the life of God within us); the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; and the three theological virtues.
Becoming a part of Christ.
Becoming a part of the Church, which is the Mystical Body of Christ on earth.
Enabling participation in the sacraments, the priesthood of all believers, and the growth in grace.
~ SOURCE

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