Gifts that make you go....

OOOH, WOW, AWWW, WOHOO & YAHOO!

As I mentioned in my previous post, I love opening presents. It's fun trying to get into the mind of the gift giver during that exact moment when he/she was deciding what to get for me. Have you ever uttered the words "What was he thinking?!" upon opening a present? Hahaha!

Here's a list of "my favorite gifts" this year. This is not to diss the others that didn't make the list nor sound unappreciative. Admit it, we all have our faves among the lot, right? And here's mine:

SHARED GIFTS - One beef I have about being married is that your gifts become conjugal too!(TO: Mr. & Mrs or Dear ____&____). Whatever happened to the individual gifts we used to get?! :) Thankfully, there are those who"respect" our union AND our individuality, and opted for the "His & Hers" type of gifts. And here's the best H&H present we received.

I am not a perfume person, but these are great! Ang bango! Thanks to Globe.

PERSONALIZED GIFTS - I'm not talking about mugs or pens or keychains that has your name engraved on it. I'm referring to those labor of love items, carefully thought out to make sure that it puts a smile straight to your heart. Perfect example that gifts need not be expensive.

Like these little "thoughts for the day" from a co-teacher, that came in a tiny pouch that can surely perk up any gloomy day.

Or this framed photo of me and a student (obviously, mom's idea) and the compiled (also)framed photos of our adventures with our couple friends, D&P.

REQUESTED GIFTS - I know I said I don't give out a wish list. True. These items are those I asked for, not for Christmas, but nonetheless got them as Christmas gifts!

Thanks to my friend D, I can now carry a tripod anywhere I go, however small my bag may be. No more trying to look for the perfect surface to put the camera on for a perfect group shot. :)

And super thanks to my Tita for sending over this vitamin, especially made by and for teachers like moi (you'll never believe how expensive this is here in the country!). And what's great is that it does not contain ingredients that work up your appetite!

UNEXPECTED GIFTS - Then there are those things you've been meaning to buy for yourself but haven't for who knows what reason. Then you receive it from people you wouldn't expect to even think of buying one for themselves. Like this webcam we got from my father-in-law.

Now we can talk to our relatives abroad and see each other at the same time! Oh and it perfectly matches the color of our home PC!

SEMI-EXPECTED GIFTS - Of course there are those items you sort of expect you'd receive because you posted it in your blog under the "My Christmas Wishlist" post. Good thing "Santa" had the time to bloghop, I can now print my own pictures at home! Woohoo!!!

Check out the photos I printed by myself! On photopaper! It's just soooo cool! Thanks, Santa!

Thank you to ALL those who sent their Christmas presents and greetings! I wish your Christmas wishes came true! Most of all, I wish you all had a happy Christmas surrounded by those who matter most to you.

(Note: I was trying to post this a few days ago (check the date), but due to the earthquake in Taiwan, our broadband connection was affected, ergo, I couldn't upload.)

My Christmas Wishlist

I normally do not give out a wishlist, unless repeatedly asked. I like being surprised with the gifts I receive during Christmas. Like a child, I rip open each present with much anticipation. I appreciate the fact that my family and friends take extra effort in figuring out what to get for me -- what will put a smile on my face (yes, including those kalokohan gifts).

I also give myself a Christmas/belated birthday gift. It is usually a high-ticket item as a reward to myself for all the hardwork I've done the past 12 months. This year, however, I am posting the list of items I would be choosing from, had I not given up my corporate hat. Don't get me wrong, NO REGRETS it's just that it would take a longer time for me save up and acquire any of these. But, who knows? Santa might come across my blog, check his list (twice!), and find out I've been nice.

So, Santa, here's my list:

1. A pair of Crocs kids athens footware. (Yes, my size is in the kids' line, so cheaper.)
2. White leather band for my TechnoMarine watch.
3. Canon waterproof case (at least for one of our cameras).
4. Canon Digital EOS 350D (I really prefer this more than an iPod video).
5. Canon photo printer (It would be great if I can print my own photos!).

There.

It's really just a wishlist. (*wink*wink*)

The Toothbrush Club

That's the name of my oldest barkada.

I can still remember that day we met. It was the first day of our College life. J & I (both from different high schools, met during the freshman orientation) bumped into each other in the campus and walked to the gym (believe it or not, the first class we were to attend in college was PE!). When we got to the gym, to our surprise, it was under renovation! "Shucks! What do we do now?" Then came M & T. Looking for the same class, too! J & I overheard them talking, so we approached them and asked them if they wanted to go with us to look and ask around.

That's how we became a barkada.

Sadly, the last time all four of us were together was 9 years ago (I think. If not, even longer)! J went to the U.S. soon after College for further studies and eventually, decided to work and live there. I got to meet up with her when she was briefly (I think a few days!) when she was here last 2001. M got to visit her when she went to the U.S. a couple of years back. She didn't get to attend any of our weddings and none of us got to attend hers!

However(!), last night, The Toothbrush Club was reunited once more. It was just like old times. Nothing has changed. We reminisced the entire night, leaving our husbands to discover more and more things about our past! Talked about our lives now (though we do that via email), realizing that we are all freakin' married! And it's like only yesterday that we were sharing our woes about our boylets. Hahahaha! It was so much fun, to say the least. Very much like our carefree younger years. But more than that, I am SO happy to know that I have very good friends, who are more like family, who will always remain true despite being pulled apart by time and distance.

God knows when we'll be able to do this again (I really hope our plan of crashing J's place pushes through. Maybe with our kids in tow.). For now, allow me to look back, reminisce and hold on to this moment, until we are reunited once more.

Then...

...and Now.

How time flies, huh? Oh! You might be wondering about the name. It's really simple. After having our lunch, we would all go to the washroom to brush off all those food remnants stuck in between our teeth and braces. Hence, the name.