The last quarter of last year was not a very good health wise. My mom was operated on her breast cancer and have to undergo 8 sessions of chemotherapy and is now undergoing daily radiation therapy. Thanks to our good friend in PCSO we were able to get some of her medicines for free it surely made us feel like Lotto winners. Thank you also for the support of our family and friends we were able (and still)  fighting to keep off the big C.

On  September, we welcomed Cian Drayl. A very healthy baby boy which makes us crazy everyday with his new antics.

October was Ondoy’s month, good thing we are on the second floor and did not suffer any water damages, well except for our car’s carpet being wet.

November was Nanay’s 70th bday, we originally planned a big party for her but with her recent bout with the Big C we just opted for a simple family and friends gathering at our house in Laguna. We had a sumptuous lunch with roast pork that I cooked, for merienda I grilled burgers which was a HIT! Yummy!

December was crazy with parties and traveling it was such a blur. Family reunions left and right, so as reunions with high school and college friends.

Looking back, 2009 was not a very bad year for all of us hopefully 2010 will be much better.

Award winning show Ugly Betty, the show that made America Ferrera a star when it started 2006 will soon be cancelled. Its final episode will air on the 14^th of April, the 20^th episode of season 4.

The show started strong on but has lately posted anemic ratings and was hurt by a move to Fridays last fall.  In a statement made by ABC’s chief Steve McPherson “We’ve mutually come to the difficult decision to make this Ugly Betty’s final season, and are announcing now as we want to allow the show ample time to write a satisfying conclusion. We are extremely proud of this groundbreaking series, and felt it was important to give the fans a proper farewell.”

The show originated from the hit Colombian telenovela “Yo soy Betty, la fea (I am Betty, the ugly)” which is a story of a smart but ugly University graduate trying her luck in getting a decent job but was regularly rejected because of her ugly features.

Prayer for a Happy Death (2004)
by Corazon C. Aquino

Almighty God, most merciful Father
You alone know the time
You alone know the hour
You alone know the moment
When I shall breathe my last.

So remind me each day, most loving Father
To be the best that I can be
To be humble, to be kind,
To be patient, to be true,
To embrace what is good
To reject what is evil
To adore only You.

When that final moment does come
Let not my loved ones grieve for long
Let them comfort each other
And let them know how much happiness
They brought into my life.
Let them pray for me
As I will continue to pray for them,
Hoping that they will always pray for each other.
Let them know that they made possible
Whatever good I offered to our world
And let them realize that our separation
Is just for a short while
As we prepare for our reunion in eternity.

Our Father in heaven
You alone are my hope
You alone are my salvation
Thank You for Your unconditional love. Amen.

An ICON died yesterday.
Not only did he marked this world as the “Master Rapper” among other things he was proud to be PINOY! I have been reading his journals in Multiply getting inspirations and strengths  continuing fighting his happy battle.
I saw my husband shed a tear for the second time yesterday. The news came as a shock for us, thought it was a joke coming from mukamo.com but then I checked chuvaness (who’s a good friend of the Magalonas) and it was confirmed.

We are expecting to see him perform tonight at the Eraserheads Concert. I guess we would have to wait for the Sickos Project CD to hear him sing again.

I guess news touched a soft part on my heart. Yesterday I learned that my colleague’s husband have prostate cancer and with Nanay battling the breast cancer herself, I could not help but realize that the big “C” is indeed very real.  I have been tough through Nanay’s battle and want to stay that way, I can see thru her eyes that she’s drawing her energy from me and my siblings so we have to be strong.

Today is Tatay’s bday, and I regret that I can’t go home today but don’t worry Tatay we will have a blast tomorrow. I will kiss and hug you for I love you both.

It’s confirmed. The Eraserheads concert “The Final Set” is set.

Save the date: March 7, 2009. The concert is produced by MTV and Smart with the venue yet to be announced.

For now, it’s a tossup between The Fort and SM Mall of Asia grounds.

They’re just about to sign the contract and will have their press conference on January 19.

Char and I can’t wait for this one, we was giddy all weekend. It’s my Dad’s 65th bday that day… argghhh! Major time management!

Overwhelmed by the number of tasks to do, I was pooped out by 4pm. Now I am back to my ritual of resting while watching my favorite US  TV shows, blog hopping and the likes before going to the shop.

I tumbled upon this video in You Tube. 

Pretty neat huh? First I thought it was for real! But with DiCaprio looking so young I began to doubt it, here is a link to the author’s website. Was hell tired but this video made my day!

Char hooked up with the “free” wifi courtesy of our neighbor and have been surfing the net since after lunch.

Before 2008 ends (and the roast pork gets burned) I want to greet everyone a Happy New Year! May we all have a peaceful, healthier and prosperous 2009 ahead! Cheers!

23rd was Lolo Papa’s 71st Bday. Bought Becky’s brownies and cheesecake for pasalubong… yummy! But had engine trouble on the way… we overheated three times.. because of the broken radiator fan. Good thing we passed by Laguna and had it replaced. Arrived in Lopez by 11pm, Papa was already asleep so we just had quick dinner before resting.

24Dec was spent most of the day sleeping. Woke up late, ate breakfast then slept again. Had our annual family Christmas party at the Serdon’s house. Food was great, bought mashed potato with gravy and brownies. First time I experienced the family “Manitohan” which turned out to be an exchange gift with my “Manito”.

25Dec was the day to give a little something to the kids and kids-at-heart. Every year, after the Christmas morning mass, it has been a family tradition to give a small Christmas token to well wishers.  We had to cut the line before noon as it has been drizzling all morning. Nonetheless, this year’s headcount was still 400+. Lunch was great and we had mango cheesecake for dessert!  Saw Macy for the first time and missed Fiona . Tired from the morning activities we spent most of the afternoon sleeping… again.

26Dec woke up early only to be lagged behind by our maid, who at first does not want to take a bath because she just had  a tooth extracted(duh!!). Traffic was smooth until we passed by Batangas… then it was crawling till we arrived to Laguna. Had dinner and some rest before we went back on the road. Was back home a few minutes before midnight… dead tired.