Yes, its 26 days to go before Christmas & I really feel the RUSH now. Well,

I’m not planning to give any Christmas presents for this year except for some family members here in US. So, my friends back there in Philippines, I’m so sorry guys. Our pot wasn’t enough to sustain our activities this year J But don’t worry, sweet holiday card will be sent to you.

So what’s the rush? Like what I’ve said in my post last Nov 20 – PACKING IN THE SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING, we moved into a new house. Until now our garage is well occupied with our boxes. It supposed to be 2-car garage but it’s only our Explorer who fits well together with those boxes. I wasn’t doing any unpacking since 26^th? No! I’m almost done with our living room, kitchen, Yoanna’s room & Masters’ bedroom. Mostly of the boxes in the garage, are our stuffs from Bahrain! I need to select which of those items can be given to some relatives back there in the Phils. I really don’t want to live again in a house filled with boxes of old stuffs. It’s a new house, so better to have a new life. If you’re married to a military man, this is the real thing.

Again, so what’s the rush? I need to fix our house because my parents-in-law will be staying here for Christmas. Instead of us going to Las Vegas, it’s their turn to visit us this Christmas. My husband & I thought that this year is our first & it should be in our own house. That’s one thing of the rush – those boxes vs. house arrangement.

Second thing – to feel the spirit of Christmas, we bought the very usual Christmas Tree. To make it something special for Yoanna, we bought 7 feet tree. Later that I knew it’s not easy to decorate the tree. So until now, our tree is glowing with the Christmas lights ALONE! When I saw the boxes in our garage, I have this feeling that I will be done unpacking on the Jan 1^st. In that very moment, I took out the tree from its box. While I’m doing this post, my husband just asked me when I will put the final decoration of the tree. I just answered – “After I’m done with the 76 ribbons“. Thinking of making special Christmas this year, I bought silver stuffs & red/silver ribbon to coordinate with it. I will prepare the ribbons, then will be glued on those silver thing & finally hang in the tree. Again, it’s just now that I realized, I may not have enough time to prepare for the 76 ribbons. I’m planning to do it tomorrow, so I’ll pray deeply to God tonight for Yoanna’s guidance while I’m rushing those 76 ribbons.

Third RUSH thing – those greeting cards that will be send out to our family & friends abroad. This week I should be sending those cards for Phils & Middle East in order to be in time with the Christmas day. I knew mails are having so much delay during holidays, that’s why I should send them in quite advance. How?! Maybe going to bed early tonight will help me to sort out my schedule this week.

Those are the three major RUSH. For the smaller details, better not to include it here, otherwise you’ll get tired reading tonight’s post.

*check “cat.3: Annie in More Personal” for more links

HOMEPAGE

In the Phils, small stores (Sari-Sari Stores) are all over the place. If you need something, just wall in the neighborhood & viola you can get your vinegar from such store.

In Bahrain, Cold Store is very much popular. From pack of cigarettes to phone cards & cooking oil can be delivering to your flat. You just need to remember the store’s telephone number or the Indian’s cell phone number – popularly known as “My Friend”. You will not also bother to visit the grocery store every week because gasoline there is very cheap. I remember to have my car in full tank it costs me an average of US$9.00.

Here in US it’s really different. A far different from those two places I’ve been with. Until now, my husband & I are still arguing about the quantity of certain item whenever we’re in front of the grocery shelves. I’m not really used to it of storing that much grocery items. The most storage I did, as far as I remember is every 15^th of the month. Other than that I usually come to grocery in weekly basis. My reasons are 1 – I’m not really a “cooking-lady” so it will depend on my mood if I’ll be using those grocery stuffs, 2 – I don’t want my grocery items reach their expiration date by just staying in my kitchen shelf.

Now, my husband told me that I need to consider gasoline expense of going to grocery frequently and that I need to store much grocery items in our house. When he told me this, the first thing that came to my mind was those expired grocery items I just threw last week from our kitchen shelves. He told me that he bought those items when he arrived here in Arizona. I realized that I need to consider our consumption in order to stop these expiring items.

Since we move now in our new place, I feel relief having a pantry in my kitchen. I have enough space for the storage of our grocery items. For those whose not aware of it. Pantry is not just found in offices. Funny it is, but there are some people I encounter who didn’t know what Pantry is. There’s even one girl who asked me – “Is that a part of the closet where you put the panties & bras?” If you find a door with dividers on it in the kitchen, then that’s the pantry.

When I emptied some of our grocery items yesterday, SOME because I still have a lot of boxes in our garage that needs to be unpack. I opened my laptop & created an excel file for the list of the grocery items in our pantry. Expiration dates were specified too.

In that way;

1 – I can monitor which of these items are needed to be out soon in respect of its expiration date.

2 – If I don’t have anything specific in my mind to cook for a lunch or dinner, I just need to check my list or the pantry itself, for what kind of meal to cook.

3 – When I’m about to do my grocery-list, I can check from my list & pantry, for the specific quantity of items I need to purchase.

4 – Finally, keep an organized grocery items in my kitchen – proper storage.

———- 

So you guys, who haven’t tied a knot, include basic accountancy in your girl’s qualification.

*check “cat.3:Annie in More Personal” for more links

HOMEPAGE

 Just want to share some of the pictures taken in the SATC movie shooting. It’s not me who took these pictures, its part of my SATC collection & got these thru magazine. (Click pictures to enlarge)

I saw also in E!News that there’s one scene in the movie where Carrie is wearing a wedding gown. Will she be marrying Mr. Big in the movie? Intriguing as it is but what I’m curious about is in Carrie’s wedding gown.

There’s also part of the movie where Carrie will drop by in the actual movie shooting of Cameron & Ashton. The two are making an unaccredited appearance in SATC movie. It’s so happen that the guy who doubles Mr. Big in the movie has the same double scheduling with Ashton in his movie with Cameron. From there producers of SATC movie got an idea of Carrie appearing in Ashton-Cameron actual movie shooting.

In this movie, the Fab Four are facing new challenges. On-set in New York last Oct 16, Kristine Davis & Evan Handler looked like proud parents in their Asian girl. I’m so looking forward on that kid’s outfits.

Kristine is also expecting a baby on the movie! Here’s a scene with Chris Noth.

Cynthia Nixon hugged her perfectly cast on-screen son. The last episode in SATC series, Miranda’s family moved out from New York for a bigger house in her new family. I wonder how her house decorated so it will be homely for her family at the same time fashionably corporate.

Kim Catrall smuggled up to a canine pal. What happen to her young boyfriend? – The hunk guy whom she helped in the series to establish a career in the commercial world.

 Sarah Jessica Parker faced a fashion dilemma – how to look stylish in the snow.

*check “cat.3: Annie in More Personal” for more links

HOMEPAGE 

Up to now we’re still enjoying the left-over turkey we had last thanksgiving.  My mother-in-law turned the left-over turkey into “Paksiw na Turkey” (Simmer in Vinegar with Liver Spread). It’s really good with rice. It’s the first thanksgiving celebration we (Yoanna & I) had here in US and we enjoyed it a lot, especially the black Friday part (after-thanksgiving-sale).

We traveled to Las Vegas, in my parents-in-law place to celebrate with them. We arrived there late night of Wednesday – Nov 20, having the 12-lb turkey & medium-sized ham in our compartment. We manage to wake-up early morning on the 21^st to prepare the meal. It’s my husband who took charge in the kitchen. He let us experienced what he learned as Culinary Specialist in Navy. I kept on his side as I helped him & learn the preparation of Thanksgiving meal.

 my husband preparing the turkey

our 12-lb turkey

mashed potato

cute table center piece made by my husband 

 Our meal includes; Turkey, Ham, Gravy (Cranberry sauce), Potato Salad, Mashed Potato & Baked Potato. We also had wide variety of dessert – apple pie, ice cream, ube (sweet purple yam) & fruit salad. Honestly, we’re only 5 who enjoyed this wonderful meal. All of us were very full after the feast.

Our thanksgiving meal

Mama cutting the turkey while Yoanna giving instruction

For the whole of the 22^nd we just stayed inside the house & enjoyed the meal once in a while. We intend to sleep early since we’re planning to hit the road very early to experience the madness of after-thanksgiving-sale.

The next day we woke up 3:00am, actually 2:00am. My husband forgot that there’s one hour difference between Arizona & Las Vegas. Anyway, it’s just right time to have one cup of coffee & prepared ourselves for the cold weather outside. It was 46 degrees Fahrenheit when we hit the road.

46 degrees Fahrenheit

Getting ready to shop at 4:00am

First we visited Mervyn’s which opened at 4:00am. We arrived in their parking at exactly 4:00am. I was confident to get the early-bird deals but when I saw the gates of the mall, long line of shopper were already waiting for the opening. Yes, the 3 gates of Mervyn’s have already line of shoppers. As soon as we arrived in the line, gates were opened & people were quite screaming. Excited for the great deals! My shop list only includes Yoanna’s dress for the incoming holidays & stuffs for our new house. I only got 1 pair of tights for myself. Maybe, I got overwhelmed with those nice deals! 

joining other shoppers at Mervyn’s

After Mervyn’s we then transferred to Radio Shack. My mother-in-law bought a navigator for their car. When we were inline for the cashier, I saw one guy at the far end of the line doing unusual thing – shoplifter. I know most of you will not agree of what I did, but I was really hesitant to inform my husband about it. I knew he will do something about it – he’s a military. So, It took me sometime to decide if I’m going to tell him or not. Finally, when the guy was almost done tearing the pack of Ipod, I told my husband that the man was trying to steal. He looked at him carefully. Carefully – as if he’s not directly looking to the strange guy. He was very eager to approached one of the staff but I (together with his mom) begged him not to, since we have a kid with us & we don’t know if that guy has a group outside waiting. We just checked the store if they have camera. We saw a camera on the top of the exit door. To make the story short, as soon as the shoplifter went out my husband approached the staff & directed him to the shelf where he threw the empty pack of Ipod. My husband told the staff to check the stores camera immediately & carefully cover the pack with plastic to protect the thief’s fingerprint. It was a different experience their in the store.

my husband talking to Radio Shack’s Staff regarding the shoplifter

After there, we then moved to Ann Linen’s while Yoanna & my husband bought some coffee in the nearby Starbucks. I & Mama checked the sale items in Ann Linen’s; I felt relief seeing all the things I still need for our new house in one store & in great price. Without any hesitation, I filled my cart with some more stuff we need for our new house.

It was already pass 9:00am when we arrived home. Sleepy but had a great time with this early morning shopping experience.

In the afternoon we visited the Navy Base for my husband’s haircut. I really don’t know what came to my mind but I also sat on the chair for a hair cut. I asked for full bangs. I look like more on Chinese now & far from Filipina looks. My husband calls me Chinese doll now.

It was truly fun, busy & exciting Thanksgiving. But the most exciting part of it was, celebrating the occasion as a whole family.

We didn’t include activity on that night since we need to wake up early morning the next day. To prepare our stuffs going back home in Prescott Valley & some photo shoot schedule for our Christmas portraits.

*check “cat.3: Annie in More Personal” for more links

HOMEPAGE

This afternoon we’ll be traveling to Las Vegas & celebrate Thanksgiving with my in-laws.

I wasn’t able to pack our things last night since my hubby & I organized some of our boxes.

While preparing our things, I asked a little help with Beyonce to take care of Yoanna. It’s really hard to move around when there’s somebody keeps following you. So, I let DVD occupied Yoanna’s attention & kept her in one place – in the middle of our living room.

Here’s a clip, how Beyonce was a great help this morning.

Oh but before that, I just want to say..

1 – Bear with our mess, we’re moving on the 26^th & still not yet done with the packing.

2 – Yoanna’s shirt doesn’t mean that we support war but it’s just the shirt I pulled out from her dresser. I don’t have time to look for a nice one that will match on her pants.

3 – The camera was moving because I was dancing too. Beyonce is always a great exercise!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkV_rbLRviI]

*check "cat.2:Annie in Motherhood" for more links

HOMEPAGE

It’s a start of my super exciting week! You’ll probably be thinking because of the incoming Thanksgiving. Well, its part of it but more of that is going to happen this week. Actually it’s up to next week, although next week will not be that pretty exciting as this week. To give you a better idea of what I’m talking here. Here are the details;

Nov. 19-20 – Packing

Nov. 21 AM – Packing & Prepare things for Las Vegas trip

Nov. 21 PM – Travel to Las Vegas in celebration of Thanksgiving with my parents-in-law

Nov. 22 – Thanksgiving Day.

Nov. 23 – Visit Mall for the After-Thanksgiving-Sales

Nov. 24 – Travel back home to Arizona & continue packing

Nov. 25 – Last day Packing

Nov. 26 – Moving

I know what you’re thinking now – almost 4 days Packing? I certainly believe that it will require us 4 days to organize these boxes. At the same time, pack the rest of the things that we’re currently using.

 boxes in our guestroom

boxes in our living room

boxes in our patio

I forgot to take picture of more boxes in our stock room. Honestly, the last two weekends I already organized some of our boxes. I may not mention this before but we we’re living in a house of boxes – Boxes from our last location. Before Arizona, we stayed in Bahrain (Middle East). When my husband moved here in Arizona last Nov 2006, we also included some of my stuffs since I only have 8 more months to stay there & finish my contract. When I arrived here in Arizona, first week of this month, the boxes that were packed in Bahrain are still neatly packed here. Don’t blame my husband, I knew that more of these boxes are still unpacked. Let’s just stop this “packed” thing & go on with my story.

Anyway, when we finally found the perfect house for us I started searching on the decoration tips. I was so excited preparing for the house decoration then last Friday in Oprah’s show with the episode Cluttering, Peter Walsh mentioned a lot of wonderful tips in organizing the house. I checked Oprah’s site hoping I will see more information & I did! Not just tips but I learned from Peter that;

“Very often people pay more to move the stuff then the stuff is actually worth” – Peter

Got motivated with this & started organizing those boxes. I knew it’s hard, even my husband was quite hesitant to open those boxes. After hearing what I’ve learn to Peter, he then agreed to join me in re-organizing those things. I also showed him the 6 important notes to consider to be organized in moving.

• Purge all items you don’t need before you move.
• Get rid of old paperwork that you don’t need.
• Donate clothes that you don’t wear or that don’t fit.
• If you are going to store items, make sure your boxes are protected from the elements.
• Buy a roll of blue painters tape and tape dresser drawers shut before you move.
• Spend 15 minutes at a time unpacking boxes, then give yourself a break.

Just want to share with you some of the picture of our new house. Hopefully, I’ll meet my deadline to fix everything & get ready for Christmas. This time it’s my parents-in-law that will be traveling to Arizona to celebrate Christmas with us. We’re so happy of having this house-3 bedroom/2 toilets, enough space for our boxes!

[slideshow id=360287970202631595&w=426&h=320]

*check “cat.3: Annie in More Personal” for more links

HOMEPAGE

 This week I took the chance to update some features here in THE JOURNEY. I don’t know if some of you recognized it or you’re just checking the latest post & don’t give much attention of the right side bars. 

Anyway, I included pages in this blog such as – About Annie, EK Crew Blogs & WPP Link Love. For the past few days, I was amazed that some readers was kind a curious about me. The page “ABOUT ME” was included in the Top 5 Readers Favorite for couple of days. For some who haven’t seen it yet, it’s not that I include some porn pictures there to catched attentions. It’s just an overview of the different categories of THE JOURNEY. This is the best page to leave comments that includes suggestion.

Second page is the “EK Crew Blogs”. I received an email before from one reader that’s looking forward to be a part of EK Family. She was asking for some referrals of the current EK Cabin Crew Blogs. I don’t know if I replied to that email because during that time I don’t visit any specific blog other than the Pinay (Filipina) Mothers’ Blog. So, for those aspring EK Cabin Crew, here’s a page that will direct you to the blogs of current flight attendants. I just selected few, that included their personal experience from EK application, Training & as certified EK Cabin Crew. I just hope that this page will help you guys.

Third page is the WPP Link Love. A lot of you might be wondering of what’s this WPP is all about. WPP stands for Word-Press-Pinoy. It’s a group of Filipino bloggers under Wordpress. Logo is display on the bottom part of the right side bar. This page includes all the members & linked on their sites – some where in Tagalog (Phils Local Language) & some where in English language. If you want to find out some more Filipino bloggers, just check this page.

*check “IMPORTANT NOTES” for more links

HOMEPAGE

I found this one great foundation in my collection – Maybelline’s DREAM MATTE MOUSSE. As I remember I purchased this foundation last April or May when I was still in Bahrain. Well, the sales lady was good & she encouraged me to purchase this one. It’s just this week that I open it & applied in my face.

For Best Results: To perfect your skin tone, start by applying foundation down the center of your face first. Use just a small amount of makeup and blend it in thoroughly. Layer more if necessary to achieve the coverage you want.

I was checking my make-up for a foundation that will give me a nice effect even in a very cold winter. So, I open my make-up kit, actually it’s a box of my make-up collection. Then I saw this foundation & realized that Matte Finish might be good in winter.

I have an oily face & I have some dark spots – traces of pimples. Although I am applying whitener on it but still there’s some traces-of-pimples visible to eyes. I tried this Dream Matter & I observed that it gives me a nice effect on my face. What I love most of it is that, I don’t need to apply concealer on those spots before this foundation. The foundation itself was able to hide those unwanted spots in my face. Surely a time-saving for me. Oh, if you could just know how my husband patiently waits for me whenever we go out. That’s why I love him, he appreciates ladies-1-hour-reconstruction before going out.

So for girls out there, especially to the mothers that are always on the go, you might want to check this great foundation. Good effect even in a very cold winter.

*check “cat.3: Annie in More Personal” for more links

Homepage

Everybody is asking for it, so I made a little research. Here’s a collection of the blogs of the EK Cabin Crews!

I received one email from an aspiring cabin crew & asking for some links of current EK Crew.

So, I asked for referrals from the other frequent readers of THE JOURNEY & Ahmed gave me a nice list.

To be easier for you guys, I just selected those who are consistent on updating their link & was kind a detailed on their own journey with Emirates Airlines.

If you’re looking for their initial experience of joining the EK family, refer to their archives & click on the latest month (year) & it will direct you to the post that’s usually the start of their lives in Dubai.

Honestly, when I am browsing those blogs I was quite amaze of their talents. Some were good writer & others are potential photographers.

I really enjoyed visiting their site & for sure you’ll enjoy it too.

——–

MELISSA – THE EMIRATES CHAPTER
Hi! On September 28, 2007 I moved over to Dubai UAE to work for Emirates Airlines as International Cabin Crew. Here I will blog about my training and new adventures to come!

VIC’S JOURNEY TO DUBAI
My name is victoria jane thomas I’m 22 and live on Hayling Island in the south of England. I’m moving to dubai in december to be cabin crew with emirates.

THE JUBE EYE
26, Male. Daniel is back at the Emirates’ Training College until the 4th of December..

MELISSA’S FLIGHT ATTENTDANT BLOG
Went from studying Forensic Biology and Toxicology at Murdoch to moving to Dubai working as a Flight Attendant. Hope to make this an online journal of all the wonderful and numerous places I fly too for all my friends back home to read.

CAIO TIMES

26, Male from Australia

TOBYTIME
22, Male

PINK POODLE ON THE RUNWAY
24 years, from Brisbane Australia. Am living in the desert, pouring tea and coffee for a living and spend my spare time shopping my way around the world, taking in the sights and sounds and getting into mischief!

SOFALA – AROUND THE WORLD

A Filipina  who was able to pass the tough EK Application thru Local Agency in the Philippines. A blog that aspiring EK Cabin Crew must visit (especially those Filipinos applying thru Local Agency) as she specifically included the application process in her blog.

Don’t forget to check more posts in “cat.5: Annie in Support: Dream to Fly” about Becoming a Cabin Crew

HOMEPAGE

It’s been a week now since Yoanna practiced what she’d learn from those “telenovela” (drama series) in the Phils. I was shocked when I realized that I have a drama princess in the house.

I really don’t know what’s happening to her that every time she wants to say something she’ll incorporate it with tears. Oh, and also shout! When she asked to repeat Barney’s episode, she will cry. When she asks to drink for her yogurt, she will cry. When she doesn’t want her clothes, she will cry. When she doesn’t want to take a bath yet, she will cry. The last 4 days I was getting frustrated with this crying thing. I’m not sure if this crying thing has something to do with the people their in the Phils. It seems that she’s missing our family back there.

Well, besides that crying session, one more thing that’s kept us worried was she’s not talking to her dad. She would say that she doesn’t want to be near with her dad. She would even talk that much when daddy is around & focused herself on TV. The other night, Daddy was almost got frustrated when he tried to hug & kiss her. Yoanna ran away & kept on shouting “I don’t want you”. I was hurt too when I heard that, although we knew that the child is still adjusting on the new environment, on the new lifestyle, on the new culture.

I told daddy to have a distant with Yoanna for the meantime – 3 days. We will try to cool down everything. Let her feel that daddy was ignoring & we will observe how she will react on that. Dad used to kiss her when he’s about to leave the house for work & when he arrives in the afternoon. Then in the evening, he will try to bond with Yoanna. This time we decided to cut those for three days & maybe Yoanna will miss him.

It didn’t take us three days, only 1 day. This morning, when I was having a breakfast with Yoanna, I asked her why she doesn’t like Daddy. She told me that she just don’t like him. Then I told her, maybe she’s disappointed with Daddy because he leaves the house early morning then come home at evening. After Dad’s one week leave from work, Yoanna used to ask him a lot. She even told me why Daddy is going out without us. The day she stopped asking about her dad was the day when she’s not talking to him. I explained to her that Daddy needs to work & I explained it to her more this morning during breakfast. In some way, I felt that she understood what I was trying to say. Why she need to get mad to dad for no reason? She understood that Daddy needs to work, other than that she can’t say any other reason whe she’s mad to him. Then I asked her, did you miss you bike? We just recently bought her bike. Thinking that this will be a way for them to bond, so since we bought this I didn’t touch it. In order for her to recognize that bike session is with daddy. Oh, I almost forgot even the catch-the-ball & pillow-fight is with daddy’s session as well.

Luckily Daddy got home early today. They were allowed to go home early since they’ve already reached their target for the month as early this week. Not just that, they also have some more left for the next month’s target.

As soon as he got home, Daddy wasn’t expecting that Yoanna will kiss & hug him. When he arrived, Yoanna was watching TV & run into dad for the kiss-&-hug welcome. After that daddy changed his clothes they started the catch-the-ball session. Then transferred in the bedroom for the pillow-fight. It’s like there was no day that they weren’t talking to each other. Tomorrow morning Yoanna is looking forward for their bike session.

I feel that establishing separate playing session among the two of us was kind a big help for the bonding moment of Yoanna with Daddy.

*check “cat.2:Annie in Motherhood” for more links

HOMEPAGE