I was scouring through my uberly-neglected personal inbox today (which will take hours to finish off actually) and found something so new-yearish. A portion of an email quotes this nice line from a film: "Do, or do not. There is no try". That's from Yoda of Star Wars. Nice, isn't it?

This really hit the nail in the head because so many times this year, I found myself always saying myself, to another person, and even to God: "I'll try, okay?". I realize now I'll try seems to mean that...

1. I don't like to.
2. I'm too busy.
3. I'm not sure (of myself or of what I really want).
4. I don't care.
5. I don't love you (refering to God, others or even myself).

What's worse is this "I'll try" response comes from me not having a hold of my own priorities or as if I couldn't do anything (and it's not my own fault). I know that God should always be number one. But it's just so hard so I say "I'll try". Sometimes, I know I have to give myself to my family and my kids and I end up not doing so I say "I'll try" next time but it happens over and over again. Even with my own self, I say "I'll exercise today or I'll eat healthy today". But then when I wake up stressed and worried (not good signs), so I say "I'll try" again.

Good thing that God brings forth a new year to remind us that we can still change. He gives us the ample grace to be able to go above our weaknesses and start anew with new hope, new strength. "I'll try" is not all that bad. But actually doing it so much better and will please Him more.

This 2011, I might not be able to do all my new year's resolutions like becoming slim again which by the way, may only be resolved by a california plastic surgeon. There may only be hope for that with ethnic plastic surgery with the help of Lloyd Krieger, MD. But who knows, right?

Anyway, for the rest of the things which I've had misgivings, here's wishing that I'll be able to do better. I hope to be able do right again, put God on top of all things because that is how it should always be, and everything else will fall into place.

We celebrated Christmas in the traditional way. Our whole family attended the Christmas Eve mass and we sat down at 12 midnight to pray and eat our simple Noche Buena.

And as for living the true spirit of Christmas, we had the usual lootbags prepared for the kids who pass by the house to greet us Merry Christmas. Dad was kind enough to buy the stuff this year since I was sickies with fever and cough the whole Christmas week.

By 9am, all of the goody bags were all given away! I really hope all the kids are happy! :-)

It was Zoe's school's Family Day a couple of weeks back. That morning, we traveled to the venue with Zoe pretty okay and active. She actually practiced their singing and dancing the whole way going to the theater.

Zoe was supposed to sing "Christmas in our Hearts" and dance "Under the Sea" with her classmates but...

By the middle of the program, her eyes were a little droopy and she looked frail and sick.

My sister was home last month and we took advantage of being with her by taking her to her seminar at the Tagaytay Conference Center.

The kids really enjoyed the short trip. We didn't bring them during the last time (in our wedding anniversary celebration in Tagaytay) so I promised to let them come along this time. It was Luigi's first time to go to Tagaytay and we were so happy that he was a pleasant traveler.

It was United Nations Week for our little preschooler and we dressed her up as Ms. Romania.

Honestly, I had a hard time looking for a costume for her. I really hope I did justice to the country she represented. :-)

Here is Zoe being prepped by her yaya Cat.

I was on a 3-day diet....and failed. Well, it's not like I cheated on the diet or something (nah! I was actually religious in following it). But I think I failed miserably because even with all the healthy tea that I drank, however delicious it was, I still felt so dizzy, cranky and sick the whole time. This was enough indication that this diet was not for me. Worse, on the day after the 3-day diet, I was still sick and nauseous. I threw up twice while trying to eat a regular breakfast and my head was just aching like crazy. Blame it too on the two nights where I stayed till past midnight in the office, trying to beat my deadlines and all.

Anyway, I'm officially off the diet since my husband just had to protest, seeing my condition over the weekend. I'm ready to just exercise and eat healthier. I'm planning on maximizing our Wii to get back in shape. Actually, we're trying to set-up our family room from a "couch potato room" into a fitness room.

Really, I think that you don't have to deprive yourself of yummy stuff such as Christmas candy and Christmas crackers this coming holiday season in order to be fit. The key is always in constant exercise and doing everything in moderation.

Love, love, love this picture!

It makes my heart flutter with joy.

In the eyes of many, you may be imperfect kids and us, your imperfect parents. But God chose us (of all people!) to raise and take care of both of you. For what reason he granted us great lovable blessings like you, only Him knows. But one thing is for sure, He is perfect and we will strive to be like Him, TOGETHER.

...and now, we have two kids in tow!

But you know what? I learned that being "rich" is actually still not the best feeling in the world. I realized that having much money is nothing compared to happiness from having simple life with a great husband, heaven-sent kids and best of all, the grace of God.

Thank you, Lord, for all these super-duper great blessings.

Is this piece of beauty good enough to buy using my retirement money?

Ok. I'm still here blogging away. Gosh, staying here at the car-wash cum cafe makes me drool. All the nice cars coming in and out makes me wish we can buy a new car right now.

There were several cars that came in this morning with the nicest accessories and chrome trim. I love it! It's all so cool! So I'm thinking that when the time comes that we are very decided to get a new car, I would make sure that we have the budget to add some bling-bling to our new car. Hahaha!

We actually had an offer to buy a car from my Dad's friend. It's the type of deal which is so irresistible. If only I had my retirement money now, I would immediately jump at the offer. But the problem is, my money is still in the works so I think we would have to pass. Hopefully, when we do have the money to buy, that car would still be available. (Heads up please to the people doing my final pay computation --- hope you can give me the check soon!!!).

So, anyway, any takers for a red Toyota Corolla? I'm selling it for a very reasonable price.