When my father took home those big, flat-screen, CRT television, my siblings and I were really awed that we spent too much time in front of those bright objects watching our favorite action movies. When I first came back here last 2006, I was amazed more by the appearance of those LCD television that I frequented the nearest electronic store. At that time, most of those huge LCD television cost about half a million yen. Two years later, the prices became more than 50% cheaper. Maybe I would just wait another two years when my dream home theater and home theater seating becomes more available, eh? Of course it still depends solely on my finances.

January 6th, 2009 by shiera | No Comments »

This photo was taken on January 1, 2005. Shaynna was still a year old and I was still in my post-pregnancy weight of about 58kgs!. Then I’ve spent the next 3 New Year’s Day celebrations here in Japan. I just hope that I could spend the next Christmas and New Year’s Day with her and the rest of family. Not only the next holiday but more holidays to come.

Just don’t mind the date on the photo. Forgot to correct the date.

Once again, Happy New Year to all!

January 3rd, 2009 by shiera | 10 Comments »

I think some of you guys know about “The Secret”.  I have only seen part of it but I still got some encouraging tips.  It is said there that I have to visualize the things that I want.  So, for starters, I have already begun drawing up plans for my dream house and it’s not that bad trying to visualize the car of my dreams, too.  I’m attracted to cars like Ford Escape but this baby, the Toyota Land Cruiser has always been my favorite.  Any color would do but I love black the most, then I’ll get one of those stylish tire chains.   A friend always tell me that this car doesn’t suit me because I’m too small to be driving this car.  But I don’t mind really.  Let’s just see until I get this wish granted and until I learn how to drive.

January 3rd, 2009 by shiera | No Comments »

We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives… not looking for flaws, but for potential.

~Ellen Goodman

I don’t usually write down my new year’s resolution.  They end up being dumped and forgotten somewhere later on.  But I guess it is time to write one and seriously work on it.  I just hope I would be as optimistic the whole year as I am now.

January 2nd, 2009 by shiera | 1 Comment »

Years ago, I was really addicted to the PC game, The Sims. I spent sleepless nights playing with The Sims not because of the challenges I face in the game, but because I loved building houses! So in the early stages of the game, I “cheat” to gain more money to construct and furnish houses to my heart’s content. I lost the installer and my computer could no longer keep up with system requirements so I stopped building virtual houses. Just recently, a friend mentioned about the Ikea Home Planner. I’ve downloaded and installed it, and as my first project, I’ve made a kitchen plan. This one’s what we Filipinos call the “dirty kitchen”. It’s called “dirty” maybe because all the food preparations are done here:

I’m still miles away from being a good cook but I really want to have a big refrigerator, a good oven, etc., and a sink with a faucet from Hansgrohe. I hope there are more furnishings available so that I could plan my dream dining room.

January 2nd, 2009 by shiera | No Comments »

2008 was not a good year for me and my family. With my father’s death, last year has been filled with grief, emotional and financial struggles.  My family is still in deep pain but we want to face the new year full of hope.

So, how did I welcome 2009? Yesterday, I tried to do a general cleaning but it was impossible.  I wasn’t able to buy groceries a few days earlier and due to the sudden increase in food prices, I just opted to buy frozen food (pizza, bacon, etc.)  and a pack of oranges.  Then I rushed to meet with friends and attend a midnight mass in Kobe.  The mass started at 12 midnight and as expected, the church was only half full.  After the mass, there was a small, short, and a very quiet party in the church hall…

Then we headed back home. Here, the trains run 24 hours on January 1st, but the 30-minute interval made us wait shivering at the train station. I’m supposed to go out with some friends today to take advantage of the New Year sale in Kobe but I woke up late.  I don’t have enough finances, too!  I went out for a while but only the 24-hour supermarkets and convenient stores are open.  So once again, my first day of the year is spent in solitude.  Anyway, I choose to believe that this year is gonna be a better year for me and my family.  Despite the economic slowdown happening all over the world, I know that something good will happen this year.

Happy New Year to all!  I hope and pray that this year is better for you, too.

I also pray for peace in Mindanao and in the whole world.

January 1st, 2009 by shiera | 8 Comments »

It’s been almost two weeks since I’ve last posted an entry.  I didn’t even post a single Christmas greeting! Anyway, some colleagues and I have been assigned a very difficult home-based project.  This new challenge has kept me busy.

So how did my Christmas go? Last Christmas eve, I went to mass  and had a small Noche Buena with some friends.  The small gathering ended at 3A.M. and I spent the rest of the Christmas day sleeping.  I really miss spending Christmas with my family…

Before Shaynna’s Christmas break, they had a Christmas party.  I once again missed another of Shaynna’s firsts.  I just have to be content with the videos and pictures.  I can’t share the longer video because there’s a little bit embarrassing moment for Shaynna and she might get angry at me for placing it here.  So, here’s a peek only:

January 1st, 2009 by shiera | No Comments »