The Last Sunset of 2011

So my family and I are having a pretty low-key New Year's Eve tonight, just the way I like it. I am celebrating it with my cousin and her boyfriend here at Hotel H20. They are are in town for the holidays and we have been pretty much out and about these past few days, just showing them around.

I told them about the Manila Bay sunset and how they should see it because I heard it's one of the best (if not the best) sunset views in the world. So today, since we were just staying in, we decided to wait for the sunset. My cousin and her boyfriend had an amazing view from their room. It was facing the bay so it was absolutely perfect

This was how it looked like before the sunset.

The last sunset of 2012

Okay so pardon me for the low-res photos. I took these photos using my Blackberry since I still haven't purchased a new camera after I lost my old one in Bohol. These photos do not give the view ANY justice AT ALL! The sunset was absolutely beautiful. It was perfect! I am so glad I was able to witness the last sunset of 2012. Now I know why the Manila Bay sunset is the best (i'm pretty sure it's the best now after seeing the whole thing) in the world. 

4 more hours before we welcome 2012! Wishing you guys a wonderful new year ahead! 

Year-Ender Obligatory Post: 2011, The Year That Was

So it's New Year's Eve and both my Facebook and Twitter feeds are all about how great 2011 was and how people are looking forward to an even better 2012. I'm mostly non-conformist but I feel as though I have to give credit where it's due. 2011, was after all, am awesome year for me. 

I'm not about to give a blow by blow account of how my 2011 has been. If I can just describe the year that was in one word, it's AWESOME.

2011 was definitely not a walk in the park. Things did not always go as planned nor end up the way I wanted and hoped it to be. I lost a bunch of people who are very dear to me. Sure, it was tough but it can't be forever raining now, can it? Towards the end of the year, I realized that despite how things turned out, i gained more than what I lost. Truly, things always work out for the best. :)

The Big Guy up there has been gracing me generously with blessings I seriously think I do not deserve. I have nothing but overflowing gratitude towards Him. Never has He left me with nothing. He's always, always, and i mean ALWAYS provided something for me all the time.

Help Calm Your Stressed and Scared Dogs on New Year's Eve

It's New Year's Eve in two days and it's something our dear pets do not look forward to.

For four years, I have seen how scared and stressed my dog Lily bun was because of the fireworks every New Year's Eve. I would always feel so helpless and think that if only I could sound-proof the room for just one night, i definitely would!

So this year, I wanted to make sure I do something about it. I went to Bow and Wow in Greenbelt 5 and found this

Calming Chews by Pet Naturals

What I really like about these calming chews is that it's made of high-potency natural ingredients so that gives me all the relief that it will be good for my Lily Bun. It also helps manage dogs who have separation anxiety. A pack costs Php 368.

I gave Lily one of these bone-shaped chews earlier and she was really relaxed. I just wish I had known about this sooner though. It would have been perfect if I had started feeding Lily with this a week ago so she'd be all calm during the New Year's Eve but oh well it's not too late anyway.

Here are some reminders to keep your pets safe and comfortable during the New Year festivities: (Source: PAWS Facebook Page)

1. Don't bring your pets to the fireworks and firecracker displays
2. Keep their collars and dogtags on at all times - make sure your contact details are visible on the tag and the collar is secure.
3. Give your dog lots of exercise so it would rather sleep through the festivities than stress over it. SPECIFICALLY, exercise, water, and potty your dog an hour or so before the festivities start. 
4. On New Year's Eve, keep your pets in a safe and secure room where it cant get out and people are to go into. Give them a bed and blanket to burrow into. Close the windows so the noise is muggled and they cant get out. Just leave enough ventilation. Play relaxing music. Turn on air conditioner if that is an option. KEEP THAT DOOR CLOSED.
5. Check your fence and make sure it is secure and keep your gate and front door closed. Many dogs escape run away in fear and get lost on New Year's Eve.
6. NO WATUSI IN THE HOUSE. The pers might lick them off the floor and the explosive material in it is fatal if ingested. In fact, keep all those explosives inaccessible to your pets.
7. Anti-sress aids that work:
• Thundershirts available at BetterDog (very snug body wraps for pets)
• Pet Naturals Calming Chews, Back Flowers Remedy, Homepet Anxiety Relief available at Bow and WowDog Appeasing Pheromone
8. Don't cuddle or baby your pet when it is stressing out. Give it a safe and comfortable place to settle and burrow into.
9. Keep dangerous food away from your pets. Read the dangerous food list on the WebMD post at http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/ss/slideshow-foods-your-dog-should-never-eat

Sleep is a Good Thing

Siesta with Lily Bun

My mom took this photo of me and Lily Bun earlier during siesta. Aside from time, sleep is definitely something I am in poverty of. I am glad and grateful that  I get to have a 10-day holiday break to spend time with my loved ones and of course, to catch up on sleep.

Now if only I can sleep for twelve straight hours. I dislike how I would automatically wake up before 9 in the morning no matter how late I hit the sack the night before.

When you are sleep deprived, you would definitely want to make up for it by getting a good deal of shuteye as soon as time permits.  I'm sure I can pretty much speak for everyone by saying I want to be able to get as much sleep as I can so I can be fully energized come 2012, right?

So for all you guys who are on holiday break like I am, hope you are getting all the R&R you can get.  Sleep is good. Go get tons of it. =)

GMCI Hollywood Red Carpet Christmas Party

GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Inc. (GMCI) held its annual Christmas Party last December 22 at the Robort Bar and Lounge in Makati. This year's theme was Hollywood Red Carpet Glam. Everyone dressed to the nines and looked absolutely fabulous! Check out the photos below.

I chose Gwyneth Paltrow during the 71st annual Academy Awards in 1999 as my peg. She wore a pink Ralph Lauren gown. It is said to be one of the most iconic and "one of the most greatest dresses in the history of red carpet of the Oscars"

 

Here's what I wore to the party. It's not made by Ralph Lauren but i thought it was pretty close to what Gwyneth Paltrow wore. This gown was made by Jun Perez. Accessories by Cuy Legazpi. More photos after the jump to see who else dressed up as Hollywood stars.

Help the Victims of Sendong

While most of us are busy preparing for the holidays, people whose lives and properties are now devastated by the typhoon Sendong are in desperate need of help. 

You may help by donating to RED CROSS cia SMS. You may donate in these amounts: 5, 25. 50, 100, 300, 500, and 1000. 

To donate, send RED<AMOUNT> to 2899 for Globe and 4143 Smart

Ex. RED 50. This transaction is FREE.

I urge everyone to help and donate. Any amount counts! These people need us! It's after all the season of giving. 

God bless the Philippines.