When Aryanna was younger, we used to spend New Years checked-in a hotel and order room service for dinner. She didn’t like the loud noises of fire crackers so staying in Makati Shangri-la used to be our New Year’s Eve tradition. Last year was one of the few times we spent New Years at home. We thought that Dylan would mind the firecrackers but he was fine as long as we covered his ears.
We didn’t plan anything major this year except that we had the opportunity to watch the Ayala Avenue fireworks at a friend’s helipad. I know, it’s nice to have friends in high places. Literally. Haha!
NYE dinner at Maison Epperson
We all wore polka dots to attract good fortune for 2013. Tom wore polka dotted socks. Check out Dylan! He was preoccupied with the gold spoooooooon!
“The Liza 2000″ (our small but amazing helper of 8 years) joined us for dinner. Yaya Gina took her day-off.
Dylan: "Mom, this is a ffffffork!"
Si Dylan bumabangka na naman… He’s so animated! Sinong kaya pinagmanahan?
We put Dylan to bed early. He needed to get some sleep before we wake him up before midnight. Tom, Aryanna and I had tea and cookies and watched a DVD until 11pm.
Going up to the penthouse unit of our host!
Rocking red for the New Year!
We arrived at our host’s place twenty minutes before midnight. He invited us in to meet his family.
After we greeted everyone, we all went up to the top floor where the helipad is. Check out ze view:
We could see the whole of Ayala Ave., Urdaneta Village, Salcedo Village, all the way to Rockwell!
It was ironic how we used to stare out the windows of Makati Shangri-la and this time around, we were looking at it.
Man talk. One of the guests at the fireworks viewing was Ricky Carandang. Tom and Ricky were discussing about the drinking age requirement in the Philippines. Meron ba?
Waiting for midnight…
Our host gave us some bubbly and grapes to consume at midnight for luck.
Here we go… 10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…
Happy New Year!!!
Cue: *paputok*
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Watching the fireworks overhead was surreal. It was an amazing experience!
In your face fireworks
Dylan: *Watches the fireworks* Wow!
Me: Do you like the fireworks, dahling?
Dylan: Yeah! *death grip on me*
Me: Are you OK?
Dylan: Yeah! *Yanks my hands and used them to cover his ears*
Me: You OK?
Dylan: What?!!!
Me: *LOL*
I love this shot of Aryanna! I believe it’s symbolic — her future is bright! I’m going to frame this.
#coloroftheyear fireworks
After watching the fireworks we were invited by our host to go back to his penthouse and were welcomed to the longest buffet set-up.
The waiters are actually the host’s family staff. They wore an all-white uniform, so chic.
Traffic at the buffet. The food was divine!
Decadent delights: foie gras, beef consommé en gelée, caviar pie, cold cuts, melba toast
It was the first time I tried Sauternes -- from bordeaux. The wine was perfect with the foie gras and the beef consommé en geleé. Our host explained, "The grapes are primary semillon, but sauvignon blanc and muscadelle are also added. The mold is the botrytis mold, or "noble rot". The greatest of the sauternes is Chateau d'Yquem. The one you tried was Carmes de Rieussec, the second wine of Chateau Rieussec. The aussie version of this wine is De Bortoli Noble One -- almost purely semillon grapes." So soshal.
Someone’s got a new best friend
Meet Max, the host's corgi!
You know that my son feels at home when he takes off his shoes!
Haay! Dylaaaan, ‘bat nakaapaa ka na??? Haha!
Dylan and Max having fun! Kyoooot!
Dylan: Mom! I’m playing with Max!
Me: Go ahead, dahling!
Dylan: *rubs Max*
Max: *licks Dylan*
Dylan: Ew. Saliva!
After a glass (or was it two? Maybe three? I lost count, haha!) of Champagne we left the party and went home.
More photo ops while waiting for the elevator. Check out their pose (or the lack of it). I have the coolest family. Haha!
Finally, a smile
Tom always has a harmonica in his pocket. He busts a tune anywhere; whenever Dylan hears him playing, he busts a move. So kyooot!
Tom and I would like to thank our host and their family for a very special New Year celebration! We had a blast!
Uwian na!
From my family to yours…
This year feels different from the rest of the past years. I feel like there’s so much to do this year, yet so many opportunities ahead of me. Life is good. We say that the year goes by fast, but sometime we fail to realize all the happy moments we experienced throughout the past year. We have to remember that we should take a moment each day, breathe, and say “This is going to be a good day”, because in the end, what a good day really is, is a day worth living to its fullest.
(Photo taken using Instagram)
Speaking of happy moments, tune in on my next post for a happiness project that my family and I are working on. You don’t wanna miss it!
Shoppingero/shoppingera, wishing all of you a blessed and happy New Year!
