But who knows, right?  Sometimes trips and travels just come as surprises.  We have experienced that so many times so I guess it’s still safe to at least think about it– and if possible, get excited!

So where do I want to go?  Our family back home wants us to be there for a summer break, but that is not yet confirmed.  I would be happy to just go to a beach summer down south if that’s all we could afford.  When I think of trips down south I can’t help but wish there are RVs for rent here in Thailand.

For now it’s not that popular, but I am sure it will be in no time. It ‘s also important that they would have motor home repairs because engine troubles could happen anytime while on the road.

Ok, I will just brace myself for this so-called year of travels. Well, let’s just see at the end of the year if our wishes did come true!

@credits to google for the photo

Ria playing violin with other musicians. She was to play at a wedding

After two years of being in a music school learning violin, she wants to learn how to play the keyboard this year. We are still thinking if she should master violin first and then enroll in a piano class later.  When we asked her last Christmas what she wants for a gift, she readily answered, “yamaha keyboard“.  Opps!  We were not ready for that answer– we have to save up some more in order to buy her one! Personally I would choose Yamaha if ever I would get her a keyboard.  Their excellent quality for musical instruments have been proven for decades already.  I have no doubt that it would be perfect for Ria.

Hubby herself wants to have a keyboard in the house.  I guess I have enough time to save up for her keyboard for Christmas.  It also means that I have to let my DSLR camera wait… for another Christmas or two? Oh no!

Ria (our daughter) played “Forevermore” on youtube.

...and so the slowdancing began.

Hubby being so silly closing his eyes. LOL!

Ok, I'm supposed to turn.. LOL!

Now his turn!

And a hug...

Joey and I just celebrated our 11th Anniversary– our marriage is far from perfect. Sometimes I think we are so different it’s impossible to get along with him, but always we are taken back to the time where we pledged our vows to each other. In good times and in bad, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, ’til death do us part.  I am so happy that by God’s grace, both of us had been true to our vows over the years.

Cheers to more years of serving the Lord, surmounting every challenge and just loving each other in the coming years.

Yep, yep, yep! Happiness is Dancing with the hubbs, alright…

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I need to be more disciplined with my time management.  I am even thinking of taking a break on facebook.  It does not have to be long… My family and church supporters communicate with us through fb so it’s quite hard to really have an “fb” fast.  I would probably just set a timer and time myself so I don’t spend so much time on it.

Hubby and I want to pray together more.  This is another year of our faith journey.  We need God’s grace and strength more than ever before!

Even the unemployment problem in many countries, especially in the third world has been helped because now, people can actually work from home.  There are actually pros and cons in working or doing business at home.  For one, a person who does not have to report to an office can maximize his time.  For family people, they don’t have to be away from their families the whole day for a regular job.  On top of that, people who work at home can be the boss of their own time.  Once they have finished their online  tasks, they could take a day off or two, or even a weeklong vacation if needed.   These days, it would not  be surprising that one could work for a boss who is on the other side of the globe– and would have workmates they have never met in person.  The wonders of technology is amazing!

So many people even have work online while still on a full time job. That way, they increase their earnings and could get good credit score from banks and companies that give out loans.  Exactly how does one determine his credit score?  There are actually sites that offer free credit scores for those who are interested.  It would always be wise to weigh out options before getting into a credit situation, so this is such a helpful site.

@credits to google for the photo

One of the things that I really like to buy (aside from that pair of crocs flats I blogged about–LOL!) is an oven.  I don’t mind if it’s small, as long as it can bake cakes and cookies.  Ria and I have been watching so many baking tutorials on youtube lately, and the more we watched those clips, the more we wanted to have an oven!  Ok, an oven it is for 2012.

Here is one favorite video of ours. My litte princess really wants to have a princess cake for her 11th birthday! Ok, I still have 9 months to go to practice.

But wait, Roi wants to have a fancy cake for his birthday too, and that’s two months away! uh-oh! Will I have an oven before then? Let’s hope so!

So, what do I have in my list aside from those pair of flats? Well, I hope to get hubby a cellphone. He is a lot more techie than I am, so I don’t really mind him having the more expensive phone. Plus I get so forgetful I couldn’t possibly forgive myself if I’d ever own one and left it somewhere!

I have to check htc sense for hubby’s cellphone. Meantime, my flats can wait where they are– and hopefully, hopefully, they would still be there when I finally have the money for it!

After 11 years, it still feels good to hold my man's hand. Sheer happiness!

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We have seen the Lord’s provision for us, but it is also best that we use wisdom in budgeting our money this year.  Instead of paying an extra 100 USD for the house rental, we could use it for Ria’s music classes and invest in harnessing our children’s skills by enrolling them in music or art classes.  On top of that, we still have payables that we need to settle.

Despite this challenge, we are so looking forward to what God will do in and through us this year.  For now hubby and I are on “Daniel” fast, eating only fruits and vegetables and are spending more time in prayer and meditating on His Word.  We really need His clear direction for us.

We are excited about how our volunteer teaching in two schools here in Thailand is coming along.  We are also desiring to have contacts at universities and start volunteer teaching there.   We believe God for more open doors!

Last year, hubby and I were still in another city studying Thai.  Since it was a Christian institution, we had a long Christmas break and celebrated the season the way we do in our home country.

So I will be sharing photos of last year’s Christmas.

We sang a Christian Thai worship song at a church service...

Hmm. I can't quite remember why I sat on his lap... only one chair for the two us were available, I guess. LOL. This was taken at a friend's house

Taken after singing Christmas songs at the city square on Christmas eve