Home for the Holidays

Merry Christmas!....Feliz na vidad....Happy Christmas!

Christmas dinner was at my mom's home in San Francisco. The picture on the left is my mom's Christmas tree. She makes a lot of ornaments by hand. It's not clearly visible but she has one gold ornament for each son, daughter, and grandchild. After dinner, we travelled to my eldest brother's home in Pittsburg (in CA).

It was a working a holiday for me, as I had projects that couldn't spare a break. Being granted permission to work remotely, though, is enough incentive and it's all good. Besides, I couldn't just leave projects behind and worry about 'em while I'm away. In a way, I prefer it this way (alright, alright, go ahead, call me a workaholic ---I do have other "holics" in my portfolio, though ;) ).

Plus, the change in scenery is actually good for productivity :)

My nephew and niece were born in the technology age and I am sometimes at awe when I witness how they are able to grasp not only games but computer software and internet sites with ease (Important Note: they are completely aware of cyber-criminals; constantly reminding me to be careful of what information I provide - good call, kids!). The Nintendo DS happens to be one of the gadgets we all share an excitement for. In this entry's photo, we're playing a Mario game that my niece is able to share with me via a wireless download. They are such experts that I make no ambition to catch up at all :). It's just plain fun for me and I think that's what makes it really enjoyable.

My mom is a master tailor and this was an opportunity for me to bring a couple of pants I had bought that were way too long (thanks, Ma! :) ). And mom, being mom, gets to see what my current measurements are...so the following day I get an extra pair of pants...my mom was shopping that day and got me one (now already cut to my exact measurements, of course :) ).

I wasn't kidding when I called my mom a master tailor. Once I had an old couch and my mom (who asked me what color I liked), came over and literally covered and sewed my couch (paddings, pillows, an'all) in magnificent black, all while food was cooking in the stove. Mom was done by the time we had to eat lunch :).