With another new year coming, I’ve been evaluating what I’ve done for this year, and of course what I want to improve on for the next one.

I realized I want to earn further certifications and even another degree. While working 40 hours a week, my schedule would allow me an online degree at least. I’ve started browsing for reputable online universities and found the Western Governors University interesting.

I browsed some more and found myself interested in their online IT degrees, particularly Masters in Information Security and Assurance. WGU is a non-profit university, so that’s why it’s more affordable than other online universities. One can even opt to avail of their financial aid.

A degree is a great investment. So start checking their degrees and programs, you might just find the course you’ve been meaning to take, that’s within your budget.

We’re checking some montego bay vacation packages for next summer when I suddenly remember we should book our hotel for our trip next month! Totally forgot about it!

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Yay! I found a nice and very cute freebie! The kit actually reminds me of one Christmas-themed kit from Zoe Pearn of SSD. Click the image below to go to the download links.

Last Friday, my daughter and I joined hubby’s teammates on their Christmas party. It was a Jollibee kiddie party. I wasn’t able to really enjoy the party as BG was crying and got frightened (expectedly) upon seeing Jollibee.

While they headed to PierOne, we brought BG home first, rest a little then headed to the Fort again to join them. Everybody was drunk by the time we got there. They were dancing, I was afraid somebody might slip on the granite tile floor. I had fun watching them have fun. I’ve observed too that some girls from the other tables started dancing as well.

Gilbey’s premium (green tea) tasted so good that I forgot it has alcohol hahaha. We hopped to another place after (didn’t get the name of the place though) and had too many San Mig light. In short, I got drunked!

This Christmas, there’s another affordable yet very cool gift you can send to your friends, even those who are living miles away!

Blackhawk Network, the largest provider of gift cards sold in grocery and convenience stores throughout the U.S. and Canada, now provides Facebook users with a great new way to purchase and send iTunes Online Gifts.

iTunes Fan Page offers the ability to purchase and send online gifts to friends via Facebook.

Facebook users can now purchase iTunes Online Gifts on the iTunes Fan Page and send them with a choice of themed designs to family and friends instantly on their Facebook Wall.

We held our team planning at TGIF, Glorieta 3 today. We had set our goals, created a timeline for a particular goal, and in the end, we had to commit to doing something in front of everyone — with a shot of tequila!

I liked the food (keyword here was “like” haha), and I’m bringing home some pasta and sandwich for the husband tonight. The weird thing though is, we will hold the department’s Christmas party on the same venue, with the same menu! Ooops!

What I am excited about now is the two-week-long Christmas shutdown! Weeee! It’s not as exciting as those florida vacations I was checking last night, but just the thought of me NOT WORKING on those days, especially on my birthday, is enough reason to be optimistic.

We went to Toy Kingdom looking for BG’s toy guitar that she needs as props for their Christmas program. I felt like a kid with those new toy collections in the store! I want to buy everything but started to wonder if they accept credit cards today. Well, they usually do, it’s just that the last time I bought toys there, the bank (which is associated to the store, according to the cashier) had a system error.

We chose a nice but cheap toy guitar for the little girl. Just before paying for it, she was playing with a toy piano/organ and looked like she wanted us to buy that instead. I was so glad that BG was behaved, and just listened to mommy telling her that she will be having the toy guitar instead today.

Anyway, sharing a pic of her playing with her toy guitar when we got home.

We went to SM The Block as planned and were surprised to see an exhibit featuring Macau. There was a replica of the ruins of St. Paul’s. Then I thought it would be nice to go back to Macau to visit Macau Tower and Fisherman’s Wharf again. Hopefully, it won’t be raining so I could take nice photos. It won’t hurt to go back to the ruins too for the egg tart and beef jerky. Yummy. And we might be able to find those Avo cigars. Plus, we could visit the Venetian Hotel this time, and finally ride the Gondola.

Yeah, it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to go back to Macau!

What a beautiful Sunday. I woke up early. I’ve been waking up close to noon for the past few months. It felt good to feel the morning breeze once in a while. The coffee tasted better when the weather is cold.

I’m waiting for the husband and the daughter to wake up before preparing for Sunday mass. The plan is to shop after mass. I have some on my list, namely:
- disposable shoe covers that I’ve been wanting for a long time.
- clothes rack for the husband. Oh my, does that mean he had been shopping, and I am not? :p
- Christmas gifts for the daughter’s teachers and classmates. Their Christmas party will be held this week.
- a toy guitar that the daughter will use on their Christmas program

Well, that’s all I think. All other Christmas gifts, we’ll just buy next week.
Happy Sunday!