It's Christmas Time

Are you excited for Christmas? I look forward for Christmas this year in fact, I already decorated the living room before Thanksgiving. Too soon? Not really! I saw some houses in the neighborhood already set up their candy canes and Christmas lights in their yard. Our Christmas Tree was up a week before Thanksgiving but, I gradually hang the ornaments ... until today. Hopefully, on the 1st day of December, I will be done decorating. The picture below is our miniature Christmas Village.

This was our Christmas Tree last year.

This year, some miniature buildings are added to the Christmas Village collection.

We spent our Christmas last year in our condo.

This Christmas holiday will be our first in this neighborhood.

Well, I hope that you are as excited as I am for this Christmas. I have one special wish for this Christmas though. May God bless the hearts of my friends who lost their love-ones on Dec.16 CDO flooding. I wish them well, peace and happiness knowing that their love-ones are now in heaven ... looking after them.

At the Port of Macabalan

Do you know where this is? I took this picture in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines at the Port of Macabalan. My husband and I were waiting for our ship to sail to Bohol Island and saw the kids swimming and begging for money. Some passengers throw coins at them. The kids had to catch it or swim under water to get it. Most of the time, they got the coins.  That's a hard work huh? I wonder if the waters are still blue today? I did not throw any coins but, I throw foods.

I decided to buy cookies and throw it to where they are. It floats so; it is easy to get.

It's Truly More Fun in the Philippines

The Department of Tourism in the Philippines has a new slogan campaign: "It's More Fun in the Philippines" showcasing people, places, events, food, animals and culture of the Philippines. After ten days of unveiling, the slogan became controversial regarding the "source of the phrase" but, I will not elaborate on that aspect. I participated because I wanted to show the World that it is truly fun in the Philippines because of Real Friendship.It is more fun the Philippines because of the quality time given by the father to his son. They are making a sand castle.
It is more fun in the Philippines because the sky will brag it's beauty during sunrise and sunset. The picture was taken in Surigao City, Philippines. If you want to display your thoughts as to why: "It's More Fun in the Philippines", please download your personal photos at morefunmaker.com. Make it positive please. We are promoting our beautiful country. It is ironic to see Flooding as the main description with the logo: More Fun in the Philippines." It is not fun at all so; have a sound judgment.

Have a Merry Christmas Everyone

Even though I stayed for three months in CDO last year, I was not able to see the beauty of Cagayan de Oro during Christmas. The project at home made me so busy. One night when my friends wanted to hang out, I got the chance to see the beautiful decorations of our village. Armed with just my low batt cellphone, I wasted no time and took these blurry pictures. I wonder how it looks like this year. The gate of our village always maintain a beautiful decoration for Christmas. Inside the village, houses have amazing decorations too. We did not stay for very long because three of our friends will have to go home towards the downtown and the other village. I miss my place every Christmas because it is always nice to be HOME for Christmas.
I love to attend the Simbang Gabi or Midnight Mass. In the village, the mass starts at 4 AM and it is just good to become part of the tradition.

Christmas in the Philippines is meaningful and celebrated with a joyful heart. "Wala nga talagang tatalo sa PASKO sa PINAS." (",). Merry Christmas everyone!