gifts for keeps

a tweet coming from one of the celebrities that i'm following on twitter goes like this:

"What's the best gift that you received last Christmas?"

So I started enumerating off the top of my head the gifts that i did get. I realized that I could not just give one answer because I had received a lot of meaningful and wonderful gifts during the season. Some of them weren't even part of the wish list that I created but they still made me really happy last Christmas! And, since I also received equally wonderful gifts during my birthday in November, I decided to include them as well on the list of gifts that truly made a mark and touched my heart. But please don't get me wrong, I didn't pick those presents because I don't like the other ones. You have to note that I always appreciate whatever present's given to me especially on special days. The gesture just goes to show that the person remembered me on that day. However, we must admit that there are only a handful that we consider really special. Because unlike the usual shirt, bags and other nifty stuff, they seem to symbolize something. And sometimes, they represent us (do i sound defensive now? hehe).

Here now is the list of the presents that I gush over these days:

1. Vessels of Honor. It's a booklet containing inspirational words and messages that you can reflect on each and every day of the year. It was given to me by my dangat, Joy, on my birthday on November 8. Every morning, before I start working, I make it a point to take a look at the piece of wisdom embedded in each page. Below is a picture of the November 8 message:

2. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Do-It-Yourself. I've always loved to write. Much as I love twitter and, of course, blogspot, I miss pouring my thoughts on paper. I miss using the pen as a medium for self-expression as well so for my birthday, I gave myself a present in the form of the said journal. Each page helps you reflect on certain aspect of your life and enables you to envision yourself in the future. Everyone would really just love it since writing on each page is like writing your life story.

3. Inspire by BENCH. This perfume was given by my good friend, Melai, for my birthday. Aside from the person who gave it to me, what made this gift extra special is the fact that you are helping women with breast cancer by just purchasing the item.. Thank you pangga for this special gift. It truly is inspiring!

4. Origami. Our department, Development and Quality, has been emphasizing on creativity and establishing change. Hence, my very creative teammate gave us origami papers as presents. She said it's a way for us to express or enhance our creativity. She also gave us a link to different paper designs and i'm gonna try them real soon! This is a very unique gift that's why I just love it!

5. Who Moved My Cheese? This book about CHANGE was given by another good friend, Cookie, a week before her last day at work. It's indeed a treasure since it gives you tips on how you could adapt to change. Right now, I'm contemplating on the BIG changes that I'll be dealing with some months from now.

6. High-definition life. This is what I received during our "exchange gifts" in the department. It came from my boss who described me as a driven individual or someone who's very keen about her future. Haven't actually read it though but browsing through the pages, reading its preface and some excerpts convinced me that it is indeed a good read. So now that I'm done with Who Moved My Cheese? I could start with the book.

7. Aviator Shades. A post-birthday present from our pup, Leeyow. He's the puppy that we sold a week after my birthday. I was so depressed that time that my partner and I decided to buy something to remember him by. I decided to buy myself a nice pair of sunglasses which is a bit pricey compared to regular ones. I always use it to remember my dear pup.

8. Wedge shoes. I would've bought a pair of gladiator shoes but when I saw this pair, I fell in love. It was indeed love at first sight so I crossed out gladiator shoes in my bucket list and had this one instead. They look so good in jeans and I just feel so pretty wearing them, hehe. I consider them special since it's the first pair of stylish shoes that I bought in my three years of stay in my current job. . .

9. Watch. I've always loved wearing watches since like other people who are always on the go, I'm always conscious of the time. So when my partner's sister came home from abroad and gave me a very chic watch, I was just ecstatic! It's actually a bracelet watch perfect for special events. But because I loved it so much, I use it at work everyday! What makes it extra special is the fact that it was the first gift personally handed over to me by tartie's sister.

10. Coffeemaker. Thanks to my tartie, I could tick this off my wish list. I've always wanted it but never really had the chance to buy it. I was so suprised when she handed it to me since she had convinced me enough that she didn't get me a Christmas present. And so now, I enjoy my morning coffee even more since it comes from something that I had out of love. (shoot, was not able to take a pic pala, hehe..)

11. Family. I guess it's a no-brainer if I say that my family is, has always been, and always will be the best gift given to me. Our simple get-together during the holiday really made the last days of the previous year and first two days of the new year very memorable. My sister abroad and my brother in the province were able to witness the said reunion as well and I'd like to thank modern technology for that. Also, I get to spend time with my second family, Shey's family. Shey amd I are just so happy that everything's falling into place. My family knows about my extra-ordinary relationship and so does my partner's family. I was so elated to finally meet Shey's sister as well. It was a happy new year indeed!

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These gifts are indeed worth treasuring that's why I decided to blog about them. I know that items #1 to 10 would wear out in time so it's good that I have them here. This way, I could always look back and relish the happy memories that these things bring. And of course, along with these gifts, I could also remember the people who gave them. . .

"Every gift which is given, even though small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection."