Christmas Hoopla: Highlights 2011

I would have to agree with what most people say, there's nothing like the holidays. And nothing would even be more awesome than my most favorite time of the year, CHRISTMAS! No holiday would even come close, I tell you. And I think most people would agree. Seeing colorful decorations around the house, tons of gifts underneath the well-designed Christmas tree, the yummy yummy food in the dining table, and most especially, seeing your family all together in one room, it is indeed worthy to be called the most wonderful time of the year!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I mean who wouldn't, right? I just love how everything is being prepared perfectly - the food, how the Christmas tree would look, the main theme of the food to be prepared, the gifts, and etc. Oh how I wish it was always Christmas!

I also love that feeling I get when my mobile inbox is starting to get full of Christmas messages, my Twitter mentions tab and my Facebook timeline being flooded with the words 'Merry Christmas, Kim'. Doesn't it feel good to know that many people actually remembered you on Christmas day? I mean, the effort of typing those two little words plus your name and sending it to you is something, right? Or is it just me? And its even better if those people that you did not expect at all suddenly wished you a Merry Christmas, right? Feel me now?

I know its late to post about Christmas, but its never too late to look back either! :)

I spent Christmas Eve with my family, like I normally do. We went to church first to hear mass then went straight home to prepare the food and the gifts. My mom is actually going for a sweet Christmas Eve feast, so we had Lemon loaf, muffins, cookies (which we baked), and salad. The rest were my mom's very own Tocino pasta, some bacon, and bread!

My little sister, my little brother, and my sister enjoying the food

Noche Buena feast 2011

The gifts I received were just simple gifts. My siblings and I agreed to give gifts on a budget. We each had our own wishlist so everything's just practical. It has been like that ever since 'cause my little brother and sister can't afford that much yet given that they are only relying on their daily allowances from school. It kinda' works like, all for one, one for all. As for my mom and my tito, they already gave me my Christmas gift way before Christmas. They gave me shopping money enough for me to buy new clothes and jeans. But I was surprised when I saw a Forever 21 bag underneath the Christmas tree, who knew they would still give me a new set of clothes! Oh joy! 

My little sister gave me gummy worms, gummy bears, and skittles as her Christmas gift. She's the sweetest!

My sister and her Cherifer. Apparently she wanted to grow taller, like me. 

My brother and his new ball.

My mom opening our gift.

                                                                       

Happy kids!

Our Christmas did not end with food and gift giving. We went to some beautiful resort in Batangas to just chill and relax for 2 days. My sister (Rayshel) wasn't with us though, 'cause she has to work. I was the eldest among my siblings, all of a sudden. It was quite an experience. But I managed. We also brought Pao (our dog) with us just so he can experience the beach at least for once. It was obvious how he loved walking in the sand and how he loves being outdoor. He even sunbathed as we swim in the pool since he is not allowed to swim with us. Isn't he the cutest?

The view from the pool side.

Beach front (low tide)

Pao and I enjoying the beach.

Pao's chillin' like a villain.

We took a shuttle ride going to the resort's extension to the other white beach 'cause the main resort, as you can see in the previous photo, was still low tide. The other white beach was BEAUTIFUL, it was so clean.  

My little sister and I inside the shuttle.

Look at him enjoy the whole ride

Beach front of the other White Beach

I was so happy that the weather cooperated when we arrived at the resort. It was somewhat cloudy when we were on our way and we were so afraid that it would rain hard by the time we get there. But thank God, we had sunny skies the moment we stepped foot at Batangas which made us enjoy the sun, the beach, and the pool more. But unfortunately, I got burnt by the sun. And it still hurts like hell. I was the only who got sun burnt which was weird 'cause we all spent the same amount of time under the sun. It was a bummer.

Being goofy by the pool

My burnt back!

I also got to play beach volleyball with my brother and sister. It was fun. I never thought I could play volleyball. I mean, I never had a legit sport that I know I could probably play but now, after this trip, I found out hey, I'm pretty good at this. So if there comes a time when someone would ask me, "What's your sport?" I could now confidently say, "Well, I play volleyball sometimes when I have a chance."

My sister's rejoicing 'cause she beat me. 

Look at me GO!

And my brother's going for the ball..

Over-all this trip was so much fun. Though it was kind of expensive, the experience was all worth it. I enjoyed every bit of it. What an awesome way to spend my Christmas vacation. I wish I could stay in a place like this FOREVER. Someday, if I'm already filthy rich, I will certainly invest on a beach front property. I will really do! 

My Christmas 2011 was a fun-filled one. Well, it has always been fun, especially when I'm with my family. I hope in the succeeding years, the tradition of how we celebrate Christmas in our family won't ever change. I like it the way it is. It's simple yet everyone's happy. 

You know what I realized? Christmas season is not about the gifts, the food, and the trips. I think the main reason why I love (or we love) Christmas is because of the company, love, and happiness that the season brings. And I think that's the reason why my family sees to it that we don't give each other expensive gifts every Christmas 'cause for us, what matters most is the thought of it that we're all happy together. Now, this is the time where I am supposed to wish all of you a Merry Christmas but I think I can no longer do that so instead, I'm wishing you guys again a Happy Happy New Year. :)