Was 2006 a good year for you? Yes. Am still in the same state, but it was good. Where were you when 2006 began? Holed up in a Quezon City hotel with my kids. I was the only one awake to watch the fireworks from the street below. Where will you be when 2006 ends? In a five-star hotel. Again. With my kids. But this time I'll make sure we watch the fireworks from the rooftop. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions for 2006? Looking at this list I hardly did. But because am indefatigable, I'll try to make one again for the coming year. ... Continue Reading...

me clowning around And so it can be told... after all the traffic, the parties, the mad Christmas rush and at this ripe old age of mine, am still a sucker for presents. It's such a shame that I got more gifts than my children this year and each time I couldn't wait to tear open the package even though (gulp) it's just a dreaded mug lying inside. Only proves that Christmas is not just for children but for the child in adults like us who think that presents are there to bring out the precious smile in our faces, validate our egos and make us feel loved and ... Continue Reading...

Christmas snapshots Christmas brings out the most wondrous anticipation in children... those fun kiddie parties, the colorfully-wrapped presents, the mad scramble for toys. This year I skipped all the planning and wrapping and brought them to the department store themselves to choose and ogle over their new possessions - on Christmas Eve. ... Continue Reading...

The 'Proust Questionnaire' is one of my favorite sections in Vanity Fair. Here's how I would answer if they asked me. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Travelling to a new place. What is your greatest fear? Not being able to find my Santa Claus What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? My impulsiveness What is the trait you most deplore in others? Greediness. What is your greatest extravagance? Food. What is your favorite journey? Life itself with its never-ending ups and downs What do you consider the most overrated ... Continue Reading...

article What could be more attuned to the selfless and generous spirit of Christmas than an interview with myself which is on in today's (Dec. 25) street edition of MB? :P Short on being narcissistic, I've always wanted to do a feature on myself as a blogger and answer the very questions I've been asking my subjects the whole year. It was a last-minute decision and am not so happy with the replies but this will do for now. Take a look: Because her prospects are on vacation, this columnist - who authors the "semi-famous" site "Ajay's Writings on the Wall" ... Continue Reading...