christmas 2004

24 dec

didn't want to be late for the Q Hill family noche buena so we attended a youth mass instead of the usual midnight carols mass. got to chat with some relatives from Bats & greeted them merry Xmas. the past couple of days, i've managed to curtail my xmas shopping to the essentials. my list is definitely not complete but 2 hours of Kmart shopping plus another 2 in Castle Hill meant lots were achieved so i've been somewhat pleased.

there were dancing & lots of laughter in Q Hill followed by strategic planning for the annual Xmas picnic party the next day. destination & time confirmed - Abbot St McDonalds car park --- 9 am convoy departure for Balmoral beach.

25 dec

weather didn't look promising from early in the morning but with great resolve & comparison with previous years' experiences, we decide to go ahead as planned. as confirmed last night, some had colour themes but santa "red" was popular. the convoy left as planned after toilet & petrol breaks ...and not forgetting the shock of other people seeing us hanging around in a closed McDonalds car park. other travellers thought it was opened as we looked so happy to be there.

deja vu as we arrived at our picnic spot --- c2000 we had the same spot. after a few more cousins arrived, two matching marquees were put up over blue tarps next to a picnic table, & well market spots over looking north head and out to tasman sea. it was beautiful despite the cloud + cold winds. the atmosphere was very festive as other families were around although not as noisy as we were.

baby of this season is Alyssa who cheered everyone with her dancing, matching pink outfits including sunnies & handbag. what a very cute & happy baby! menudo, adobo, pansit, ham, mangoes, Prospect family BBQ were some of the menu items.

it was nice to stroll along the beach & saw how other families/ groups spent their Xmas day. before 5pm we were ready to leave for a continuation at our next destination. Kellyville Ridge was the karaoke & dinner venue. cousin J was the performer of the night, being the first singer to get 100 points. by my 3rd song, i got 100 as well- thank goodness to don't cry for me argentina. got 100 also for my "i will survive" encore with goddaughter J.

not much pressie activity when we got back to K Park but sis gave me a 40gb ipod. i've waited one for ages & was buying one for me on & off continously. now that i finally i have, i seriously don't know whether the cost is really warranted. the iFake given by great best friend V a few weeks back is technically an acceptable substitute. so the iPod is in really in the "to be refunded" basket.

26 dec

st patricks choir mass followed by a cabramatta lunch and without missing the usual car family dramas. after pigging out, we were all desperate for a nap. cousins, sis & i were playing the 'who ever first talks, buys fish balls for everyone game' when the phone rang. i had to pick up so i lost but i was so glad to hear from T (os call all the way from windy wellington).

pineapple was screaming to hear from coconut as usual! got to discuss about T's new love interest. Samoan Tim. Ohhhhhh, it was so romantic & funny!

27 dec

ikea shopping from Rhodes. had Wendy's hotdog while we waited for dad who got separated from us in the gigantic ikea market hall.

YOSHINOYA dinner with the red one & D. exchanged pressies. i got D cufflinks fr david jones presented in a round, flat topped lime green chinese ceramic. gave the red one, black dangerfield leather look bag, framed photo (bohnq & yheeha from the bed headboard of the watermark hotel gold coast prior to partying at MP). received silver diesel ring. worn middle finger. goes perfectly well with black shell brace band from cairns.

ahhhhh, to sleep over once again after all these months back to my belvedere bed! didn't get to sleep until after 4am.

28 dec

marriot breakfast with SUNNY! Sunny: i hope i don't prevent you from getting laid forever by walking & holding hands with you on this street. LOL.

bondi junction shopping. ohh ahhhed over so many nice homeware stuff for me whilst Sunny spent the first half hour of shopping trip on the first shop we went to - armani exchange. two tops- less than $150 - a bargain for her definitely. walked all day & we came up with our HAI with the korean ARROTO. this literally translates to "i know" in english.

by 9pm back in K Park for prayers. grandmother Flaviana's 36(?)death anniversary.

got billabong truckie's hat from cousin R.