1. Spending one great (and complete) year with my husband and my Princess. Finally, I am back home for good.
2. A job that I enjoy, and my eventual regularization with the company, that paved the way for me to stay here in Manila with my family. Even though I may rant about work at times, I AM INDEED very thankful for my job.
3. My old friends who I was reunited with, especially at work, and for the new friends I've made. Their presence makes working here more tolerable. Hehehe.
4. My daughter's continued good health, and her growing talent and wit.
5. My husband's good fortune at work, though he complains sometimes for the lack of time. But as I keep on telling him, if there's no work, there would be no money.
6. Our new car, Vito, which has been functioning quite well since we got him. And though we had to say goodbye to Thart (who has been with my hubby for the last 8 years), we don't regret our decision. We're happier and we're more comfortable.
7. Friendster for bringing me in touch with friends from way back.
8. This BLOG! For giving me the venue to be able to write again. I started blogging because I felt I didn't know how to write anymore. As an added bonus, I gained many new friends because of this. And though I haven't met most of you yet, know that I am truly grateful for your daily visits, and always looking forward to hear from you and your posts. I do hope we could all meet in person someday (soon!).
9. Friends who have stayed, even though we are miles away from each other. This year, I learned how to appreciate my friends better. I hope we can have more opportunities to get together next year.
10. For the babies that came (and more to come next year). Parties and reunions are much more fun now with them around.
11. My good health. And I hope I'll be able to continue to take care of myself more and avoid being dumbicated.
12. My cousin-in-law, Kuya Yogie, who is always ready to listen and to lend a helping hand. You are such a blessing to our family. And thank you for loving me like your own sister.
13. My original family, for always being there, and for continually loving (and spoiling) my Princess.
14. My husband's faithful and undying love, and the love of my child for me.
15. The usuals--food to eat everyday, money for buying necessities, for shopping, for saving and for sharing with others.

For all these, and other countless more blessings, I bid goodbye to 2004, and welcome year 2005 with open arms. I must say, I'm ready to take on the new year, with all it's challenges and triumphs.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

And last but not the least, thanks to the Lord Almighty for making all these possible.

1. Don't text or call just to ask "How are you?" or "I miss you" if you have no intention of going back.
2. Don't continue using sweet endearments when you call ! -- aba, nananadya ka ba???
3. Don't text or call on special occasions to greet her/him, or if you can't help it, don't wait for the clock to strike at 12 midnight to make sure you're the first one to greet! -- tama bang puyatin mo sya kakaisip what that meant????
4. Don't send back gifts or cards (unless he/she asks you to). You're rubbing it in.
5. Don't flaunt the "kapalit" immediately after the break up. Baka magpakamatay ang ex mo, kunsensya mo pa.
6. When he/she finds a new partner, don't try to befriend his/her new S.O. He/She has more important things than be friends with you anyway.
7. Don't play with his/her feelings by suggesting a trial reconciliation because you're bored and have nothing else to do. Don't take advantage of a wounded (but hoping) heart--magkakandarapa sigurado sayo yun.

If you're the AGGRIEVED one:

1. Don't answer his/her calls and text messages, unless you're masochistic. Start a hobby, like cross-stitch*.
2. Don't hold your breath when he/she slips and calls you "baby/sweetie/honey". At that moment, think of something really important...like cross stitching!
3. Don't sit for hours just waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiting for him/her to text or call u on special occasions. Be busy so you won't notice. Cross-stitch.
4. Don't hold on to things that will remind you of your ex. BURN them baby, BURN. And get on with your cross-stitch project.
5. Don't lose sleep over whether he or she is going to come back. Go find yourself a new fling, boylet/girlet, or even a serious new love. If all else fails, entertain your thoughts with something else, like continue your cross-stitch project.
6. Don't even suggest to your new partner that he/she gets to know your ex, as if you're going to be one happy family?!?! Just do a more interesting couple-thing, like cross-stitch.
7. Don't run after your ex, just because she's suddenly "free" again, and especially if she's in a playful mood. You're in for a major heartbreak. Remember, she broke up with you and remember the pain she caused you. Better yet, finish your cross-stitch project.

*Cross-stitching is common hobby between Sweetie and myself. However we seldom get to complete a project. It has become a private joke among our group of friends that whenever one is heartbroken or on a long bed-rest leave or simply bored, our immediate suggestion would be to take up a cross-stitch project.

1. Convince your toddler to sit on the potty. Put the potty in plain view so that your toddler will have the impression that "doing it" in the potty is a routine thing to do. As an example, bring her with you to the toilet when you do # 1 or # 2.

Result: Not effective. She only cried and whimpered and totally avoided seeing the potty.

2. Out of the blue, take out your toddler's diapers and let her just be in her underwear.

Result: Not effective. She forced herself not to pee or poo, until she cried in pain and started shivering. Syempre, maaawa ka naman, pasusuutin mo ulit ng diaper.

3. One morning, while changing into fresh clothes, entertain your toddler by letting her watch TV. Let her go around naked first. Then after some minutes, just ask her to wear her underwear. And when she does, don't tease her about it.

Result: At first, she squirmed a lot, seemingly feeling uncomfortable. But after some time, she got used to peeing without her diapers on. You'd only have to clean after her all the time.

4. After about a week of not letting your toddler wear diapers, take out the potty again. Then slowly, when you see that she's about to start poo-ing, gently ask her to sit on the potty. After she's done, give her words of appreciation and encouragement for a job well done.

That, my friends, is how my little Princess, went about her potty training. Finally, at two years, four months and eighteen days old, she did it on the potty. Good girl!