Hello 2014!

How is it January 11 already? I haven’t written anything yet. Where did my last month of 2013 go?

All I've done so far was eliminate junk on my apartment. I've also been cleaning up my files in digital world and edit unnecessary things. This year, I would like to practice minimalism. I want to live frugally, sustainably and naturally.  Own less. live More-sticking to the essential.

Christmas is all about merry making but then it was hard for our family to celebrate it. Knowing that we've just lost our father. The one who love the season, who put up our simple tree and prepare the holiday dinner.

My family spent the days leading up to New Year with our family house. We planned to stay at my sister house fronting the beach but things change and weather was not good so we decided to stay home.

Dec 22 with my sister,  we decided to take a bus ride heading home since were bringing two big boxes and lots of stuffs. I no longer want to pay triple than my airfare so I have to suffer 24 hours exhausting long drive.

While on the road bound home, we make a promise to each other that no matter what, we still have to celebrate Christmas the best we can and we know Papa will be happy for it.

When we arrived home, it feels like ground zero. I can’t see any blinking lights.

So the next day we decided to put up our tree and Christmas ornaments around the house.  This year we decided to hang cute teddy bears and candy cane.

The next day, we went to do the grocery then plan what to cook for holiday dinner.

We celebrated the midnight mass with my nephew. Mom and my two sisters were too tired preparing
our holiday dinner so they were not able to come with us.

Then  we had our simple Christmas eve dinner.

 

Christmas morning, we had a quick family breakfast then visit our dear Papa.

Then went back home. The exciting part opening of gifts.

The kids were really good, their faces while opening the gifts was priceless but still we have moments in silence then look at each other. We still have that scab in our heart losing the one we love, who loved Christmas more than us our dear father:(

2013 was eccentric for our family, like many, I’m glad we bid goodbye so let’s be MORE positive with 2014! 

Let me share to you one thing my father taught me… that no one is perfect, that we all have our scars. We carry around personal demons that we struggle with from time to time. And that’s ok. We can’t expect ourselves, or anyone else for that matter, to be perfect. My father has its bad side and like all of us, its part of our lives, his imperfection made him who he was.  If he hadn't been through what he’d been through, he never would have been able to motivate us, his children and others who become part of his lives and motivate him somehow.

So for this 2014, I wish all my friends, relatives and readers to embrace the negative as a learning experience and take steps forward no matter how scary. Life is really good and really short. Embrace it! Dance with the rain.

I also pray that we find strength within ourselves and face the challenges of life with gratitude. I won’t stop praying for I know prayer is the only weapon I have. Let’s not also forget to give back, to share what we have. To make things better.

Life is Good!