MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Best wishes for the rest of this year and the next~!

Immersion!

This was the setting for my so-called "wilderness sabbatical". (笑) We went to Mexico, Pampanga; we spent three days and two nights there. We planted rice, leveled the field, and basically immersed ourselves in farm life.


However, what really kept us busy was the children. As you can see, I practically got buried here. (笑) It was fun playing with them, and honestly, out here, they have a chance for a real childhood, playing and running, and I find them really, really lucky to be able to have that. Our last night was spent playing with the children and putting on a show. Practicing for that, singing random things and just feeling the bond between us in our immersion group was cool. Honestly. I'd never felt happier. (^^)


What amused me most, though, was the turkeys. I've never seen turkeys before, so yes. The turkeys crossed the road. (笑)

Off to the wilderness!

Tomorrow, I go to Mexico, Pampanga, for my immersion!

I hope things go well. I will be gone from December 17-19~

I suppose I could consider this a kind of wilderness sabbatical? (笑)

I'm packing my clothes in a panic now. (笑)

Overall, I have a good feeling about this trip~♪

Hopefully I discover many things.

頑張ります～！

For Narniaaaa!

Watched The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader last night!
Do I look like an awesome Captain for the Dawn Treader? (笑)

I really enjoyed the movie.
It helped me consider so many things about myself, particularly conquering my inner dark side. I could relate so well with Lucy and her wanting to be as beautiful as Susan; I get so insecure about these things, too.

It actually made me resolve to be more confident in my own self-worth. It's about time I picked myself up completely, yes? (笑)

THE NUTCRACKER!

Oh, ballet~! How I missed you~ ♪


I can't believe I was able to catch The Nutcracker last night! (笑)
The performance was amazing, to say the least. I'm really glad that Ochibi and Kin-chan invited me to watch, as I had nothing better to do anyway, and this felt like the chance of a lifetime. And I was glad, too. (^^)

Some random moments after the performance:


Me trying to pose against a backdrop of Lisa Macuja. I never made it to toe shoes back when I was still taking ballet, so this pose was difficult to hold, and had to be repeated several times. (笑) My ankles will never be the same way again. (^^;)


Kin-chan, Ochibi and me against one of the curtains of the ALIW Theater during one of the intermissions. Now that they had seen part of the ballet for themselves, my old ballet training was so much more evident, according to them. I kept getting teased all night.(笑)


After the performance, we went to CCP in order to buy Fanta from the gift shop. I had told Ochibi about it some time back and now that we had the opportunity, we got her the Fanta she always wanted. I ordered a Dr. Pepper, and regretted it: it really tasted like medicine! I will never drink it again. (>_<);;


One of the best moments of the evening: Kontra-Gapi's performance at the CCP Night Market! As it turns out, every first Saturday of the month, CCP holds a Night Market. Sometimes there are guests invited to perform, and we saw Kontra-Gapi that night. Kontra-Gapi stands for Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino, and they're an ethic music and dance ensemble from UP Diliman. Their music was wonderful, and it was a good end to a culture-ridden night. (笑)

Although they wanted to pressure me to dance. (笑)

And before I forget:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NIOU MASAHARU!
Your trickster ways will always live on in my heart.