Blessed 2005
Have a blessed new year everyone! New year, new beginnings. May everything that makes you smile be abundant in your life and may the hurts of yesteryears be forgiven and forgotten. Happy 2005! *throws confetti* This is also the text message hunbun and I send to friends on New Year’s Eve. 
Oh, much love and thanks to the wonderful people who sent me beautiful holiday gifts. I’ll make a page for them very soon. 
And “Forever Gretch” won the 2003-2004 Golden Web Awards. 
I’m finally back from my annual vacation in Tagaytay. I spent four soothing and very cold days there with my family (from December 30, 2004 to January 2, 2005). It was really restful just playing mah jong and eating all the time. A nice change from being stressed and in front of the computer monitor all the time. 
My neice and nephew did bring excitement though because of their non-stop fighting. Those two are such a handful! My New Year’s Eve was spent with my family. I really missed hunbun a lot though. My sister-in-law’s mom held a mini get together at their vacation house for dinner. I got to catch up on old friend’s lives and new gossip too. On January 1, we all went to Tagaytay Highlands. We ate a very yummy and expensive lunch at China Palace. Then we went bowling; I played both the best and worst games of my life. I scored 53 and 16. *lol* I have no talent whatsoever for that sport. We also visited animal farm because of the persistence of the hyper-active kids. There I saw an actual ugly duckling scenario. This one brown duck was being bitten by several pretty green ducks. *hmph* They were really cruel to him, poor duckie. 
I hope he’ll stand up for himself and retaliate. It was already dark when we were done so we decided to go home. On the way we encountered extremely heavy traffic, so we were forced to go back to Highlands. It’s quite a good thing for me because we ate dinner at Marbella’s. It’s a formal dining restaurant with delicious food. They serve the most delicious calamares and softest salpicao! I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. 
When we got back to our home in Quezon City, my mom and I cleaned my bedroom. I got new pillows because the old ones may be giving me rashes. I also got rid of lots of small pillows even the Hello Kitty ones. Actually, my mom forced me too. *heh* Since then, I’ve been working non-stop on our group project due on January 5 - the first day of classes. *sigh* I hope we can make the dead line and that we accomplish everything well.
Before I went on vacation, I tweaked some of the themes to look good in all browsers. Just can’t figure out why the background in rap div in WordPress won’t show up without the “overflow:hidden” CSS code. Oh well, at least they look much better (with a little exception of some static pages where a part of the menu gets hidden). *lol* I also wrote the following post midnight on December 30 but I didn’t have internet connection. So here goes.
On December 24, I had dental surgery. Well, hunbun keeps calling it “dental reconstruction”. Exactly a day before Christmas I had my upper right wisdom tooth removed. It was somehow painless because I was numbed by the anesthesia. She extracted the tooth intact so I kept it as a souvenir. Actually, I still have all my baby teeth. *hehe* I kept them all when I was younger. The dentist put me on pain medication afterwards and strictly soft diet. It was not too bad. Although I miss eating all the yummy foods especially during noche buena. Good thing I could eat the lasagna which was really yummy. 
On Christmas day, my aunts and I played mahjong. It was the first time I played with them and they were surprised that I knew how to play, especially my mom. I actually won Php70.00! That’s a lot considering we only played for fives and tens. That afternoon, I developed a fever and my right cheek was really inflamed. But I was still well enough to go out that night. We went to Greenbelt and ate at Zhong Nan Hai for dinner. It’s a contemporary Chinese restaurant with extremely slow service and extremely expensive food. Afterwards, we watched Mano Po 3: My Love, part of the Metromanila Film Fest at Greenbelt 3. I reserved seats for us online. The movie was okay and I did teared up at some scenes.
Hunbun finally came home from his trip to Baguio on December 26. Yay! He came along with us that night to my uncle’s house for a family reunion. The food was really delicious even though I couldn’t eat most of them. The desserts especially the pink gelatin was uber yummy! It was fun to bond with my mom’s side of the family since we’re all close. We’re not in such good terms with my dad’s side. *heh*
The next day hunbun surprised me with a lovely bouquet of flowers as my “get well soon” gift. How sweet! I was supposed to go to my high school reunion that night but I’m still sick. Oh well, there will be more reunions next time. Hunbun and I stayed home and watched the Return of the King Special Extended Edition. It’s still one of the best movies / trilogies ever. And we hunted for easter eggs in the DVDs. He already collected all three extended versions. On Tuesday (December 28, 2004), I went with my mom and my aunt to Galleria to shop. I bought some stuff and pretty pair of earrings. It’s so cute! It’s bejewelled hearts with LO and VE on each pair. I also took home a Leonidas praline to surprise hunbun.
On a solemn note, one of my batchmates passed away in the recent Asian Tsunami Disaster. We have created a dedication blog for Sharleen May Tan. Sleep well Sharky wherever you are.
The bouquet of roses with pink tulle was hunbun’s get well gift to me. The purple one was also given by hunbun way back on October 24, 2004.
Christmas Gifts Given:
- LOTR Return of the King Special Extended Edition
- Adidas Gym Bag
- Kanebo Face Powder and Lipstick
- Chocolate Rum Cakes
- Hair Accessories Giftset
- Christmas Cards
- Lion King Story Book
Christmas Gifts Received:
- Precious Moments “You Are Always In My Heart”
- Precious Moments Dolls
- Pink and Yellow Rose Paper Soaps
- Marks and Spencer evening bag
- Marks and Spencer body wash set
- Silver Necklace and Bracelet
- Gold Hearts Necklace and Bracelet
- Lots of new Blouses (approximately 10)
- Bath and Body cologne
- Pink Merangue Cookies
Movies Watched on Christmas Break:
- Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
- Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War
- The Classic
- Mano Po 3: My Love
- LOTR Return of the King Special Extended Edition
- R-Point
- Dark Water
- Emperor’s New Groove
- Part of Saving Private Ryan
- Part of New Police Story
Robbie commented on:
January 4, 2005 at 11:27 pm
Cheers on the web award!!!
That dedication you made for your friend is very nice and moving.
Mina commented on:
January 5, 2005 at 1:23 am
Happy New Year and congrats on winning the web award ^_^
Wow, you had some really busy days, sounds like you’ve enjoyed them. And I’m glad getting your wisdom tooth pulled wasn’t that bad (I’m pretty afraid of dentist appointments *shivers).. The dedication blog you made is really sweet. I wish the whole catastrophe was over already *sighs
aline commented on:
January 6, 2005 at 2:23 pm
Sounds like you had a lovely time! Woah you know how to play mahjong? i don’t but i wanna learn.
Kiel commented on:
January 6, 2005 at 4:40 pm
Happy new year, Gretch! Seems like you had a good one ;) Oh yes, I have heard of Sharleen. My sister studied in the your alma mater and she has told me about that. My condolences to her friends and family… Congratulations on the award too
Mano Po 3! Yeah, my family also watched it and my mom got into tears as well
Take care, Gretch, and I hope you have a prosperous new year ahead of you!
Aneesah commented on:
January 6, 2005 at 11:10 pm
Ergh. Stupid browser. Already typed my comment but it froze. But anyway, pretty flowers, sorry to hear about Charlene, so many people died from the tsunami, there as a man who lost his 5 children here, and even the survivors are suffering terribly.
I’ll make this fast-paced blogging my trademark then.
Nice new style.
Congrats on getting the Golden Web Award ^_^
And yeah, I might blog just once a week or so. But eventhough you blog less often, yours are always so long and with nice pictures! Very cool!
Me keeps my baby teeth too. Not all though, just most. They seem to have these dark rusty stuff around the edges though. Wonder if they’re um, slowly getting decomposed or whatever. Ew.
Take care, and have a good year!
iruka commented on:
January 6, 2005 at 11:36 pm
congrats sa web award! see you in school! hehehe
yel commented on:
January 6, 2005 at 11:55 pm
wow.. ang sweet sweet naman ng hunbun mo!!! haha, sana aku din.. hmm, enjoy muna ako being single.. hay may quiz pa ako tomorrow.. di pa ako nag-aaral.. anyways, ang ganda nung flowers ha.. i usually received a lot from my ex.. pero.. well, we’re over so no more flowers na.. hehe. ganun talaga nd congrats for the awards ah.. astig :)! muahh.. take care…
Demi commented on:
January 7, 2005 at 12:50 am
Happy New Year to you too! Oh, and congratulations on winning the Golden Web Awards!
So many busy days! My days are never like that. I also have to get my wisdom teeth removed.
It really sounds painful, but now that I’ve read about your experience it doesn’t sound that bad. :)
The flowers are very beautiful, and so full of life.
But I’m very very sorry about Sharleen. It’s very nice of you and your friends to make a dedication page for her. :) - I’ll see you later, and take care!
Tam commented on:
January 7, 2005 at 3:09 am
Congratgs with winning ha!
Nagbakasyon pala si Hunbun mo dito sa Baguio.
Batchmate mo pala yung si Sharleen. Condolences. I’m not sure but I think she was the first Pinoy who was confirmed dead. Having a page dedicated to her, that’s so nice.
Haven’t seen any Mano Po mive on theatres, but I’m lanning to get copies of DVDs of them soon.
vanessa commented on:
January 7, 2005 at 8:23 am
woo hoo congrats u got an award!! =]
Jen commented on:
January 7, 2005 at 2:29 pm
Congrats for winning the Golden Web Awards for 2003-2004. Yay! It’s cool all the themes work in all the broswers. I don’t get CSS sometimes. Very aggravating when it decides to not work. I’m sorry your friend was caught up in the tsunami diaster. *hugs* The flowers are very pretty.
Aurus commented on:
January 7, 2005 at 4:03 pm
congrats on the web award. =]
the view of taal lake from one area of tagaytay highlands is absolutely breathtaking. we went there last september and the weather was so cold i loved it. =D i was also taking pictures of the view like crazy. some of them i posted on my photolog. =]
i have kept some of my teeth too, my four premolars in particular. i had them all taken out when i had my braces.
and believe it or not, i have actually heard about your batchmate who passed away due to the tsunami. even if i’m not from st. jude… er somebody just told me about it. may she rest in peace.
psycho commented on:
January 7, 2005 at 6:23 pm
Congratulations on winning the Golden Web Awards
*claps claps* o.O Mahjong! Argh! I’ve forgotten how to play it 
…. Sorry about Sharleen… But I feel that if her family members know about this blog, they’ll be very much comforted as the memories of Sharleen will be carried onwards. =]
Theresa commented on:
January 7, 2005 at 7:48 pm
Congrats on the award!!
Looks lovely.. lol Is Mano Po 3 a nice movie? Kinda curious about it.. Happy New Year too 
Almost end of the school year so yea.. everybody’s pretty busy nowadays with school stuff… I’m suffering right now 
And that’s also sad about Sharleen… condolence..
……….
But really.. I’m envious of the bouquet of flower… wish I had a thoughtful bf too… Unfortunately, we’re the same! (lol?) Bah you probably didn’t get that o.o
Well… hope’s everything all rigth there… God bless.
kxia commented on:
January 7, 2005 at 8:41 pm
Hey! Happy New Year! Ah, yung Eyrie. Yeah, I love that restaurant. Prolly because friend ko may ari.. Salpicao! Yum! Kain ka dun ah, wala lang.
Take care! 
erised commented on:
January 7, 2005 at 10:13 pm
Wow Gretchs!! Congratulations on the award!!
yeah pasukan na ulit 
di ko man lang na-enjoy yung vacation ko… 
tc ^^
Hazel commented on:
January 8, 2005 at 12:29 pm
Hey, Happy new year!!
sa tagaytay din dapat kami nung new year eh, but we changed our plans. Lamig dun, noh? Anyway, haven’t watched a single MetroManilaFilmFestival movie yet! heheh.. and I don’t have a plan of watching either.. Para kasi ang corny lahat, especially Spirit of the glass daw. Good luck na lang this year. 
Anna commented on:
January 9, 2005 at 4:08 am
Woo-hoo! Congrats on the award! I love your layout, so cute! It’s snowing here in Indiana so it fits perfectly!
mama sangre commented on:
January 9, 2005 at 4:41 pm
ey congrats on winning the award!
and happy new year (i know, it’s late…)! i’m feeling a little better, thanks. my voice is almost there too… darn sore throat, hate it!
Michelle commented on:
January 10, 2005 at 1:59 pm
Awww, what a cute layout! Soo adorable!
Thanks for stopping by my website and leaving such a sweet comment. I appreciate it. 
I had all of my wisdom teeth pulled out on the same day. I didn’t feel much, since I was completely knocked out by the medicines the dentist gave me. It was painless for me as well.
xtel commented on:
January 10, 2005 at 7:00 pm
kalungkot naman yung sa batchmate mo… anywei, happy new year & tnx nga pala sa sinend mo nung xmas!
Angie commented on:
January 11, 2005 at 3:43 am
Congrats on the award! Very awesome. I’m glad to hear your xmas break went so well. Even though you couldn’t eat some of the yummy food. I would’ve been devastated. The food is my favorite part lol. Very sry to hear about your friend. May she and everyone else who was lost during that time rest in peace.
Malin commented on:
January 11, 2005 at 4:00 am
Congrats for winning the Golden Web Awards for 2003-2004!
Im going to remove my wisdomtooth too soon, I really hope it doesn’t hurt as hell. I can’t stand pain in my mouth :/. And Im sorry to hear that one of your batchmates passed away. It is such a tragedy what happened down there
rachelle commented on:
January 11, 2005 at 4:52 am
geez, sounds like you had an awesome holiday lol
I love this christmas layout.. it’s adorable, nice job
Trinnah commented on:
January 13, 2005 at 12:20 am
How do you score your bowling games there? I’m curious now. Calamares! Yum. Aww the roses look pretty! You keep your baby teeth? I thought I was a packrat! I used to keep them when I was still in the Philippines, but over here, nah, I totally forgot about it. I wonder if it’s still there when I go home and visit. LOL. Well, take care!
Jays commented on:
January 13, 2005 at 8:14 pm
hi gretch.. musta na? hang kyut tlga nitong hk layout mo
winter na winter ^^ and congrats sa golden web award mo!! 
ang sweet naman ni labsie mo! ang ganda nung flower na binigay sayo ^^
bf ko hindi nagbibigay ng mga flowers sakin.. ewan ko ba dun ^^;
iba ata isip ng mga japanese…
sulpicio commented on:
February 12, 2005 at 4:24 pm
sino kaaaaaa??anong karapatan mong magwebsite????!!!!???