learn the secret to a winning musical performance

A corporate Christmas party is a fun and exciting event for many employees. Often, management would require their employees to participate in the program by sponsoring a Christmas caroling contest that would be open to all. Since this would usually involve a monetary reward for the winners, the employees would do all that they can to win by picking the right song and planning every single detail on how to go about their performance. Expectedly, not everybody can really sing that well, especially if they're picking a song with high-pitched notes. However, this should not be a problem if they are not using the standard minus one or karaoke to sing along with. For a winning performance, it would be a good idea to use a guitar accompaniment so that participants can make a good arrangement on a song. This way, they won't have to break their vocal chords just to reach a high note. After all, with a device  in the guitar, any high-pitched song or music can be beautifully arranged so that a song can be sung at a lower key. Certainly, the participating group with a member who has great guitar skills will have a good chance of coveting the prize. Well, that's just my opinion.

it is going to be merrier than the last one

We are still in the month of August but we already know that time can go by so fast. A couple of months from now, we would already feel how close we are to Christmas. Ahhhh, I am so excited about Christmas because I can see almost everyone taking every effort to be merry and to make others happy. As always, I'd like our little girl to experience the joy of anticipating Christmas. Pretty soon, she will be opening her Christmas gifts but before that happens, I would love for her to take part in decorating the house to create that Christmas-y feel. Hopefully, a Christmas tree would already be up by October or November. For sure, it would stand prettier with new decorations around it. I hope to get radko christmas ornaments at christmas place because there are quite a lot of great choices there. Ah, this year's Christmas is going to be merrier than the last one. Hopefully!

how we spent our Christmas

This year, because of another typhoon threat, we have put off traveling to my dad's place and spent our Christmas at our in-laws. I took this picture of my husband and daughter that one Christmas night at our in-laws' house.Daughter was still sleeping at the time I took this photo but husband woke her up so she can open her Christmas gifts. After that, we had our Noche Buena and then settled in the living room with the whole family for a karaoke session.

For the record, we have been living with mother- and father-in-law for about a year now and this is all for our little girl's sake. Now that we're working outside our home, we had to make sure she's in good hands before we leave. Anyway, this set-up is about to change early next year since we already got hold of one reliable nanny for her. She was my grandmother's caregiver for two years or so. Yes, hopefully, we get to stay in our own house again. I will definitely miss my wonderful in-laws who didn't hesitate about having us and our daughter in their home for a year.

a happy December to all

December is the last day of the year and it is usually a busy month for most people, me included. At work, we would usually push ourselves to meet our deadlines especially because there are holidays to celebrate. Certainly, we don't want to be stuck in the office while the rest of our work mates are already enjoying and merry-making with their kids and family.

More importantly, December is a month to look forward to because this is a time when bosses show their generosity and appreciation to their valued employees. We are also excited to meet our old friends, to go to parties and reunions, as well as to give and to receive Christmas presents. Now, what do you have for me? :-)

A happy December to all of you, guys!

mommy moments 4: the little christmas tree

Do you have a Christmas tree at home?

A few weeks ago, hubby and I were debating whether or not we should get a new Christmas tree in the house. We definitely want a tall one for a Christmas tree but.....

We've been thinking hard about it and decided that it's practical not to buy not only because we would be able to save on that supposed expense but because we feel that it would be safer for our little one year plus toddler to be without it in the house. You see, our little toddler wants her hands full with almost anything she finds new in the house. I have envisioned already what she would do with a tall Christmas tree and with Christmas lights and decorations around it.

Anyway, I also realized that we do have an old little Christmas tree. I bought it from Avon a few years ago. I never thought it could stand tall, I mean short and proud, up until now. :-)

So, here comes our little Christmas tree!

True enough, my little girl is really not satisfied watching at it from a distance. :-)

mommy moments #3: memories from last christmas

I'm joining Mommy Moments again because I've got something to share - photographs and memories from last Christmas. :-) You'll have to excuse me for the pictures, though, because my camera hasn't been taking good pictures anymore. One thing that's good about it is that if you and I think I don't look great in all of my pictures, it's probably because my camera needs repair or replacement. Paging, Santa Claus! :-)

The pictures I'm going to share below were taken at a relative's place. Grandmother spent her Christmas there with them because my aunt (who was supposed to be her lone company in the house) took an almost emergency flight to Vietnam for some real important reason. It was a good thing that grandma chose to stay there because it's not too far from where we live - so we thought of swinging there to join them in the celebration of Christmas.

Grandma was so happy to see us that day. My little girl was only nine months old in this picture. She rendered a piano recital for her great grandmother.

Okay, I was just bluffing about the piano recital. Obviously, she just sat there. Okay, fine, we made her sit there. :-)