Just had my birthday, another year past and another year ahead. Time surely passes by quickly whether you want it to or not... Time waits for no one. Most people celebrate the traditional New Year on January 1st. I on the other hand tend to mark it on my birthday.
For all the great things that happened, a shadow was cast with the passing of my Dad. And for all the things to come, a shadow will stay serving as a reminder that he won't be there to share it with us. For now, and I'm sure for some time to come, the shadow will weigh heavily on my shoulder. I also know that in time, that shadow will be a comforting companion to us all.
To my Dad, who was always there... never faltering in his belief in me, never too far away to lend a helping hand, always enveloping me with his unwavering love... the years ahead are for you...
To my friends, for everything... thank you.
To Dibbs... for being my conscience... words are not enough.
To a long lost friend... glad to have found you again.
To my nephews, for turning out to be bright, loving and compassionate men... you make us all proud.
To my sister, for looking after me... it's my turn.
To my Mom, I know losing Dad is harder on you than any of us. We are all here for you. Both you and Dad did a great job of bringing us up. We would not be where we are right now if not for the two of you. Let us take care of you.
To my children, for being my center, the two of you is why I am... know that I will always be here... I love you.
And lastly, to myself... may you continue to keep the promises you made no matter how hard it becomes. Remember all those who helped mold you into what you are right now. Regret not whatever mistakes you've made, but learn from it. Forget not the past for it is part of your future. Enjoy life and live... believe and you will be.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
another celebration
Cindy's birthday was on the 19th of January and mine is today, so they prepared dinner yesterday for both of us. I had to work till 7pm, so they had to start the party without me. When I got there, I guess I'm just too tired, because I fell asleep on the couch after eating. All this time the kids were playing video games. They did wake me up in time to blow my candles and to have some cheesecake (yummy). After that, it's opening presents time... Yey! I got presents... or to be more precise, I got cards with $$ in them (much better :p)
Went home after that and played DDR (Dance Dance Revolution-keypad style, too tired for the dance pad). I got another present from Axel (coupons that I can use to pamper myself... hmmm). Kyla's present came early (a jacket to keep me warm). Sleep is a welcome event...
Went home after that and played DDR (Dance Dance Revolution-keypad style, too tired for the dance pad). I got another present from Axel (coupons that I can use to pamper myself... hmmm). Kyla's present came early (a jacket to keep me warm). Sleep is a welcome event...
Saturday, January 20, 2007
early birthday celebration
It's Friday, I didn't have to go to work, but I do have a lot of errands to do... laundry, clean car, pick Kyla up from bus station... then we're going to have dinner with the entire family.
We hit a ton of traffic going to my sister's house. Looked like everybody wanted to be on the road that day. When we got there, it was really time to eat... so without any delay we set off for the eat-all-you-can place.
This is a great day. Everyone was enjoying the food, including my sister. We were almost complete...
We hit a ton of traffic going to my sister's house. Looked like everybody wanted to be on the road that day. When we got there, it was really time to eat... so without any delay we set off for the eat-all-you-can place.
This is a great day. Everyone was enjoying the food, including my sister. We were almost complete...
almost caught...
January 1, 2007
Woke up early... we are going snowboarding... at least the kids are. Eson was kind enough to take us to Mountain High so the kids can finally see snow. We were supposed to go to the Rose Parade, but guess what snow won over flowers. Nanay went with us, I guess to watch us make fools of ourselves, he he.
We did not hit any traffic going there... not to many people at that time (which was lucky). We lined up to get our ticket, equipment and waited a few minutes for the snowboarding lesson to start. Kyla told me she fell hard on her butt, and Axel I guess would have enjoyed it more if he didn't have to walk around with the snowboard on his feet (I think it's a liitle too heavy on his knees). They did say that it was a great experience, but not one they would be likely to try again anytime soon...
All my passengers were poofed even before I started the car to head home... well, so much for snowboarding.
January 2, 2007
Had to work today, but went home early because it's Kyla's first day at school. As of this writing, she's already had 2 exams for her Accounting class, both of which she got 97/100.
January 15, 2007
It's a holiday! And we are going back to the snow... mind you not to snowboard but to go tubing. This has got to be one of the coldest days ever! We are all bundled up but the cold still get to you. We got there early as usual, so we went up to the cafe to eat something first. The resort doesn't open till 9am.
An off snow tubing we go!!!! (pics later). Not only was it cold, the wind is blowing really hard. I think they said the temperature goes well below zero when the wind blows... brrr.... frozen me...
After an hour and a half we took a break more from the cold than from being tired. Ordered chicken noodle soup and coffee to warm us up. I don't know what it is about kids, but they still managed to eat dippin dots in that freezing weather. When we went out of the cafe again, there was a long line waiting to slide down the hill. The kids decided that it's not worth it to wait in line for 15 minutes before actually being able to slide down. So off we went to the side of the resort (National Forest side). We tried to make a snowman, but only managed to make the head... too cold... Then we walked some more and found a sled somebody left behind. I though I was going to have a heart attack as Kyla and Axel went sliding down the hill... I am getting to old for this kind of thing. The kids were having fun so we stayed longer... more brrr....
After that we took off and ate at a small restaurant in the village, then it's homeward bound for us. As before, the kids conked out on me... I had to lie down when we got to my sister's house... I was just too tired. It was a great day... with me getting frozen and all :)
Woke up early... we are going snowboarding... at least the kids are. Eson was kind enough to take us to Mountain High so the kids can finally see snow. We were supposed to go to the Rose Parade, but guess what snow won over flowers. Nanay went with us, I guess to watch us make fools of ourselves, he he.
We did not hit any traffic going there... not to many people at that time (which was lucky). We lined up to get our ticket, equipment and waited a few minutes for the snowboarding lesson to start. Kyla told me she fell hard on her butt, and Axel I guess would have enjoyed it more if he didn't have to walk around with the snowboard on his feet (I think it's a liitle too heavy on his knees). They did say that it was a great experience, but not one they would be likely to try again anytime soon...
All my passengers were poofed even before I started the car to head home... well, so much for snowboarding.
January 2, 2007
Had to work today, but went home early because it's Kyla's first day at school. As of this writing, she's already had 2 exams for her Accounting class, both of which she got 97/100.
January 15, 2007
It's a holiday! And we are going back to the snow... mind you not to snowboard but to go tubing. This has got to be one of the coldest days ever! We are all bundled up but the cold still get to you. We got there early as usual, so we went up to the cafe to eat something first. The resort doesn't open till 9am.
An off snow tubing we go!!!! (pics later). Not only was it cold, the wind is blowing really hard. I think they said the temperature goes well below zero when the wind blows... brrr.... frozen me...
After an hour and a half we took a break more from the cold than from being tired. Ordered chicken noodle soup and coffee to warm us up. I don't know what it is about kids, but they still managed to eat dippin dots in that freezing weather. When we went out of the cafe again, there was a long line waiting to slide down the hill. The kids decided that it's not worth it to wait in line for 15 minutes before actually being able to slide down. So off we went to the side of the resort (National Forest side). We tried to make a snowman, but only managed to make the head... too cold... Then we walked some more and found a sled somebody left behind. I though I was going to have a heart attack as Kyla and Axel went sliding down the hill... I am getting to old for this kind of thing. The kids were having fun so we stayed longer... more brrr....
After that we took off and ate at a small restaurant in the village, then it's homeward bound for us. As before, the kids conked out on me... I had to lie down when we got to my sister's house... I was just too tired. It was a great day... with me getting frozen and all :)
catching up some more...
December 25, 2006
Woke up late, which is good considering I did most of the cooking the day before. Had to get ready right away, though. We've been invited to lunch at Ate Ning's house. Brought Nanay along so she can meet other people. At Ate Ning's, ate lunch then had a massage... that felt good. Didn't stay too long because we still have to get home, wait for Mario then off we go to his relative's house for Christmas dinner.
I got my 3rd personalized xmas card from father and son (will post pix later). Dinner as always was great (especially since I only have to eat, he he). After dinner, there were games to be played. Axel got $9.00, Kyla got $2.00, Nanay got $6.00 and I got $1.00 (not fair!). They sang Christmas carols... read and acted out a book, and of course the kids got more Christmas presents from everyone. In all, it was a great day... if a little too tiring. Much too soon, it was time to go home.
December 26, 2006
Too tired to get up...
December 31, 2006
Did not cook this time... or so I thought. Again, off we went to Ate Beth's house for the New Year celebration. When we got there, Nanay asked what food I brought over... I said, "Huh? Did you tell me to cook something?" So, here we go again... more cooking... hay!
When my sister got home, she asked me to get all the groceries out of the car, gave me instructions and told me to cook the food for Medya Noche... Errr? i guess am th ecook again.
Mario was able to join us this time for an early dinner (still can't stay up till midnight since he has to work again the next day). He was having fun picking on all the food that was being brought to the table. Watched the New York countdown for New Year since they're ahead by 3 hours.
When midnight came, Kyla did her jumpingjack thingy (hoping to gain some inches)... New Year, LA style is a lot tamer than celebrating it in the Philippines. No fireworks allowed so all we did was watch on TV and then eat. We did go to bed immediately after that because we're going snowboarding in the morning.
Woke up late, which is good considering I did most of the cooking the day before. Had to get ready right away, though. We've been invited to lunch at Ate Ning's house. Brought Nanay along so she can meet other people. At Ate Ning's, ate lunch then had a massage... that felt good. Didn't stay too long because we still have to get home, wait for Mario then off we go to his relative's house for Christmas dinner.
I got my 3rd personalized xmas card from father and son (will post pix later). Dinner as always was great (especially since I only have to eat, he he). After dinner, there were games to be played. Axel got $9.00, Kyla got $2.00, Nanay got $6.00 and I got $1.00 (not fair!). They sang Christmas carols... read and acted out a book, and of course the kids got more Christmas presents from everyone. In all, it was a great day... if a little too tiring. Much too soon, it was time to go home.
December 26, 2006
Too tired to get up...
December 31, 2006
Did not cook this time... or so I thought. Again, off we went to Ate Beth's house for the New Year celebration. When we got there, Nanay asked what food I brought over... I said, "Huh? Did you tell me to cook something?" So, here we go again... more cooking... hay!
When my sister got home, she asked me to get all the groceries out of the car, gave me instructions and told me to cook the food for Medya Noche... Errr? i guess am th ecook again.
Mario was able to join us this time for an early dinner (still can't stay up till midnight since he has to work again the next day). He was having fun picking on all the food that was being brought to the table. Watched the New York countdown for New Year since they're ahead by 3 hours.
When midnight came, Kyla did her jumpingjack thingy (hoping to gain some inches)... New Year, LA style is a lot tamer than celebrating it in the Philippines. No fireworks allowed so all we did was watch on TV and then eat. We did go to bed immediately after that because we're going snowboarding in the morning.
over the holidays...
Hello to my very neglected blog. I guess it's time to write some updates...
December 18, 2006
Last day for my midnight shift at Southwestern. Whopee! I get two weeks off with pay. Life is good :) I still have to work at Reiss-Davis though, but that's okay.
December 21, 2006
Went to pierce College to see if Kyla can go to school there. I really wanted her to start school. Thank God the people there were nice. It took us less than an hour for her to get admitted. She's still interested in Accounting so that's what we're looking at right now. Registration appointment was January 2, after 9am.
December 22, 2006
Picked Axel us from my sister's house. Nanay went with us because she wanted to go to the mall near our apartment. She also needed to do some shopping for her Christmas presents. Good thing there wasn't too much traffic so we got there still with plenty of time to go shopping. Nanay said I'm too old to be getting presents so only the kids got one from her, wah!!! :(
December 24, 2006
Went to Raplh's to do some shopping for food. Had to do some cooking because my Mom requested some stuff which she said only I can cook, hmmm... doesn't that sound like sucking up? Just my luck... We're still without ham at this timebecause we don't know where to buy it... Good thing Kyla was working that day and she met a customer who knows exactly where that honeybaked ham can be bought. So, with the food safely cooking in the oven, Axel and I went to find this ham and wonder of wonders, there wasn't any line! We got in and out of that store in less than 10 minutes. Yehey! Now my Mom can't complain that Christmas is not complete without ham on the table.
After all the cooking, picked Kyla up so we can go to my sister's house. Mario couldn't come because he's got work early the next day.
When I got to my sister's house, there's still much cooking to be done, no miracle who got elected to finish up everything. My sister had to rest and my Mom said she's got a headache... Hay! So I ended up cooking till midnight... yes, midnight. The fried chicken was still frying as the clock struck twelve.
Everybody had a great time eating all the food on the table. It was like Christmas in the Philippines... all would have really been great if not for someone that's missing from all of us. I think we all felt that loss more at that time. Usually, it would have been my Dad finishing up anything that needed cooking. At exactly 12mn, he would be sitting by the table drinking something while we fill our plates with food. He'd probably crack a joke with the way we're stuffing ourselves.
After the Noche Buena, all trooped to my sister's front room. Everybody gathered around the Christmas tree... all are excited to find out what presents they got. At the back of my mind I can hear my Dad commenting on each of the presents that the kids got. From "baka puro laro na naman ang aatupagin mo dyan", "parang para sa kin yata yan", to "naku, may iwawala na naman si Kyla".
This is the first Christmas that my Dad is not with us. Usually, my sister and I would be frantically dialling the phone hoping to get a connection on such a busy holiday. I really wished things could have been different. He should have been here with us, celebrating that finally the whole family is together on Christmas. It was through his perseverance that we were able to do this, but then he had to go off on his own adventure. Somewhere where we cannot follow, at least not yet...
When all the gifts were opened, we gathered around and decided that we wanted to see the video of Dad's funeral... kind of a sad thing to do, but then, we wanted him to be part of our Christmas. Merry Christmas Tatay. After that we drifted off to get some sleep. Still a full day tomorrow...
December 18, 2006
Last day for my midnight shift at Southwestern. Whopee! I get two weeks off with pay. Life is good :) I still have to work at Reiss-Davis though, but that's okay.
December 21, 2006
Went to pierce College to see if Kyla can go to school there. I really wanted her to start school. Thank God the people there were nice. It took us less than an hour for her to get admitted. She's still interested in Accounting so that's what we're looking at right now. Registration appointment was January 2, after 9am.
December 22, 2006
Picked Axel us from my sister's house. Nanay went with us because she wanted to go to the mall near our apartment. She also needed to do some shopping for her Christmas presents. Good thing there wasn't too much traffic so we got there still with plenty of time to go shopping. Nanay said I'm too old to be getting presents so only the kids got one from her, wah!!! :(
December 24, 2006
Went to Raplh's to do some shopping for food. Had to do some cooking because my Mom requested some stuff which she said only I can cook, hmmm... doesn't that sound like sucking up? Just my luck... We're still without ham at this timebecause we don't know where to buy it... Good thing Kyla was working that day and she met a customer who knows exactly where that honeybaked ham can be bought. So, with the food safely cooking in the oven, Axel and I went to find this ham and wonder of wonders, there wasn't any line! We got in and out of that store in less than 10 minutes. Yehey! Now my Mom can't complain that Christmas is not complete without ham on the table.
After all the cooking, picked Kyla up so we can go to my sister's house. Mario couldn't come because he's got work early the next day.
When I got to my sister's house, there's still much cooking to be done, no miracle who got elected to finish up everything. My sister had to rest and my Mom said she's got a headache... Hay! So I ended up cooking till midnight... yes, midnight. The fried chicken was still frying as the clock struck twelve.
Everybody had a great time eating all the food on the table. It was like Christmas in the Philippines... all would have really been great if not for someone that's missing from all of us. I think we all felt that loss more at that time. Usually, it would have been my Dad finishing up anything that needed cooking. At exactly 12mn, he would be sitting by the table drinking something while we fill our plates with food. He'd probably crack a joke with the way we're stuffing ourselves.
After the Noche Buena, all trooped to my sister's front room. Everybody gathered around the Christmas tree... all are excited to find out what presents they got. At the back of my mind I can hear my Dad commenting on each of the presents that the kids got. From "baka puro laro na naman ang aatupagin mo dyan", "parang para sa kin yata yan", to "naku, may iwawala na naman si Kyla".
This is the first Christmas that my Dad is not with us. Usually, my sister and I would be frantically dialling the phone hoping to get a connection on such a busy holiday. I really wished things could have been different. He should have been here with us, celebrating that finally the whole family is together on Christmas. It was through his perseverance that we were able to do this, but then he had to go off on his own adventure. Somewhere where we cannot follow, at least not yet...
When all the gifts were opened, we gathered around and decided that we wanted to see the video of Dad's funeral... kind of a sad thing to do, but then, we wanted him to be part of our Christmas. Merry Christmas Tatay. After that we drifted off to get some sleep. Still a full day tomorrow...