The start of the New Year didn’t go as well or as smoothly as I had expected. Umpisa pa lang ng taon, may mga kusot na na kailangan ng matinding plantsahan. So I was really glad for the chance of a do-over with the coming of the CNY. I really want to claim 2017 as MY year. Rooster ako eh.

My Bae half-jokingly suggested that we hire a Dragon Dancer, or a Lion Dancer at the very least, to come to the house and shoo the “bad luck” & “evil spirits” away. With the direction my life was heading in just the first quarter, I certainly considered it tbh, but we cannot compete with the high-paying malls & restaurants who have booked them way in advance. Prolly even as early as last year. So yeah, that was a big NO.

Which got me to thinking.. WHYEVER NOT? We have a projector lying around compliments of my Bae, why not put it to good use? Next best thing to the real one, download a dragon dance, and why not add some FUN-tabulous fireworks as well why we’re at it. How clever if I may say so, right? 😉

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Props are what dreams are made of. 😉 For me at least. I had a blast buying buntings at Metro Department Store the day before. Good thing there were still good decors left in spite of the CNY craze. From paper lanterns to dragons, anything & everything red that I could get my hands on, I grabbed.

The afternoon of CNY’s eve, Kap & I trekked to Binondo for some grub. Was able to catch up with BOTH the elusive dragon & lion dancers yehey! I hope they help chase the bad jujus away huhu. Thank you Kap my Kap for helping me run around Chinatown just to look for these mystical creatures & drive away the bad luck that’s been following me, lolz.

Last minute shopping got us stuck in traffic. But the food haul we were able to buy was so worth it. 😉

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The Chinese lion dance is sometimes mistakenly referred to as dragon dance. An easy way to tell the difference is that a lion is normally operated by just two dancers, while a dragon is longer and needs many people. Also, in a lion dance, the performers’ faces are only seen occasionally, since they are inside the lion. In a dragon dance, the performers’ faces can be easily seen since the dragon is held on poles. Chinese lion dance fundamental movements can be found in most Chinese martial arts.

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Ate’s special & only request, Egg Tart from Lord Stow’s.

And everything else for me. ;)) Whole Peking Duck, Asado & assorted dim sum from Waiying. Kailan & Birthday seafood noodles from President’s Restaurant as requested by my Bae. And Pork’s legs from Shin Ton Yon.

Simple spread becomes special when shared with people you love. <3 The Kailan was thankfully still crunchy in spite our our 2.5-hour travel on the road. For dessert, tikoy & fortune cookies! \m/ I like what mine says. 😉

Amen.

谢谢 to the cast & crew for helping me set up our CNY backyard theme. It took the whole morning haha.

Voila! Dragon Dance right in our own backyard! Then a full-feature chinese film featuring Jackie Chan after din-din. Ya can’t get any more cha-nees than that right? Thank you Bae for the downloads.

And whadya know? After almost a year, my Babyson finally takes a dip in our pool! That’s how busy he is with school & travel that this was the first time he was actually able to take a dip & fully enjoy our back yard. Lelly was super worried about her Kuya & made sure she watched over him the whole time. Para namang kaya nyang sagipin ang kuya nya kung saka-sakali teehee.

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On a very happy note, CNY indeed gave us a great do-over to the New Year with the best news ever! On the very day of the start of the Rooster Year, the last result for the big 4 colleges came out & my Bae got in to USTe yahoooo! An answered prayer.

Congratulations my Bae for passing your entrance exams! You had a choice between Daddy’s alma mater & mom’s. Sooooo happy & honored that you chose Mom’s! Wise decision. Now we’re 4:1. ;))

God is indeed good ALL THE TIME. He has turned your sorrow into dancing. Never doubted you for a second, my baby. You are so smart, beautiful, and most importantly, you have the kindest & most generous heart. The whole family is so so very proud of you.

From the start, we lifted up your future to the Lord. We asked Him to take you where you will grow & be happy. And now He has led you to where you truly belong. Thank you for obeying, and for being the kind of daughter ALL moms pray to have. You are my most favorite surprise & I just love you so so very much! #luckymemommy

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Congratulations my baby girl. You are now 4 years away from med proper harharhar. We are always behind you.. especially daddy, as you can see. ;P

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What a great start to the Chinese New Year indeed! KUNG HEI FAT CHOI everyone. Ganda ng pasok ng sarimanok 2017 woohoo! Sana magtuloy-tuloy na.

As we begin a(nother) new year, may You remind us Lord of our truest values and our deepest desires. Help us to live in the goodness that comes from doing what You want us to do. Help us to put aside anxiety about the future and the past, so that we might live in peace with You now, one day at a time.

Sharing with you these bible verses to give us all HOPE & security as we face another year..

God’s plan for our future is good.
“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ says the LORD, plans to prosper you, and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

God’s compassion is new every morning.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

Seek God for the future.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all that you do, and He will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6