One Week Extension

After my Baguio mission, I decided to wait for Mikko and family and stayed on a week.




It was so worth it--to see Chiara and Gaby so grown, to see Mikko and Sylvia so fit (they spin and gym 4 times a week na yata!) and happy. What a bonus to actually spend that entire (rain-soaked) week together:


First day--Mall of Asia and Salon
Second Day--168 and Tutuban.
Third Day--LTO Main Office because Mikko lost his wallet and Sylvia and I had to renew our licenses anyway.
Fourth Day--Tito Chito's lechon lunch at Hillsborough.
Fifth Day--Tito King's dinner at Hillsborough.
Sixth Day--SM Megamall, lunch at Teriyaki Boy, Razon's Halo Halo

Exactly As They Are

When a picture/frame gets to lola's house, it stays in its exact position for many years. I was amazed that there were many old pictures that I sent her from New Jersey circa 1986 that is exactly where I put it when I went home after Maui was born.

I think that's Carmela in the McDonalds' frame. And that's baby Aina in the raffia frame:



Also in the Hall of Fame is Mayoy's grad pic--an amusing wonder, because she doesn't know how that got there in the first place. But here it stands, alongside lolo's young picture. And I think, here it will stay for many more years.




On the side table in the sala, under the (now new 2.75 HP) aircon are pictures of Mara, Kuya Kit and Ched's kids, and lolo and lola's wedding picture. Meron pa ngang weddding picture ni Mig na may crack. (I promise you I did not cause the crack!) What an omen of things to come:



So keep sending lola your pictures, along with your kids', who are always changing and growing. E kung yung grad pics natin, iba na yung mga itsura natin, our kids pa kaya?

Trip Back Home

Many Fil-Ams still say "I'm going home," meaning back home to Manila. Maybe because no one says, "Pupunta ako sa Manila. . ." We say, "Uuwi ka ba?" or "Kelan ka uuwi?" (meaning to Manila). The literal translation is quite endearing, don't you think?

This was my first trip back home as an immigrant. I was anticipating a lot, fearful that when I get a massage, hindi na ako uuwi dito sa California.

Inspite of all the frills--home-service massage, foot spa, bleaching, waxing--I realized that home is where my kids laugh, where Ricky spends endless hours in the computer in, where I wait for my boys to come home from school or work, where my family is together.

Meanwhile, check out my first Broadway lunch. I was so excited to catch up with everyone. I even got to sleep with lola. She hardly moves and sleeps very peacefully and quietly. I recommend the experience once in your lifetime.

It was so nice to see everyone. What I used to take for granted has become a precious experience. . .

(Click on any picture in the slide show to slow it down)

Ricky's Birthday 2007

Thanks for all the greetings on Ricky's birthday. He has been going through a lot lately, but as he said, "Who isn't?"

I noticed this year though, that his attitude is lighter and he is more positive about things. He is learning to endure trials with courage.




Mama Pila and Uncle Jack took us out to Chicago Grill for lunch. Then the next day, we hosted lunch for our badminton friends.





Our friend, J, said that all birthdays at this point are important--that we should celebrate every year we get on this earth with joy. I'm so glad Ricky did because he was so happy and excited planning and cooking for his celebration.'


Celebrate your next birthday with JOY!

Enrico and Kevin in Broadway

Sunday lunch yesterday was special at Lola Med's because it was Daddy Cary's birthday celebration and he had balikbayans Rey, Marijo, and Kevin Rolle and Nico Cuenca as special guests. Sayang one of the twins was sick so they both were left at home to rest. Aina, Paolo, Maia, Santino, Pochito, Pepeton, and little Matti were there too. Maia also brought cupcakes for her cousins as it was her birthday last Wednesday. What a reunion it was for the cousins! Check out the pictures.

I MISS YOU, NICO!!!

---mom

Pau's Prom

Friday's Feast at Tilamsik

Appetizer
What do you consider to be the ultimate snack food?

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as highest), about how popular is your last name?

Salad
Who is your all-time favorite sitcom character, and why?

Main Course
Do you shop online? If so, name some sites you like to browse for goodies.

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I think ___________ should be ___________.


Hurry! Join in!

In Napa

Pinot Noir? Merlot? Cabernet Sauvignon?

Now we can tell a good wine from a not so good one.

Swirl, Sniff, and Roll around the tongue. Spit or Swallow? Now, that was our question.

Check out the pics. After drinking through 4 vineyards and several wine tasting afterwards, wala na akong maalala. . .

Paoi and Maia in SFO

What a fun reunion the kids had--Enrico, Magu, Paoi, and Maia. They met up in San Bruno, in their hotel, we had dinner in Kadok's BBQ Place, and the kids decided to sleep over at our place.

They spent the whole hour-car-trip chatting and giggling. Paoi slept with the boys and Maia slept on the top bunk of the girls' room. The next day, they lazed around playing PS3, almost like Broadway. But we all missed the rest of the Justice Squad: Pochito, Pepeton, Nico Sun, Chiara, and Gaby.

Moving Out. . .But Up

When our landlord mentioned that he was increasing our rent, Ricky and I took it as a sign to look at our options. We found a couple of (our minimum requirement) 4-bedrooms for even cheaper than we were paying. But the homes were older and smaller.

Then we found a gem in Craigslist. Also in Antioch, about a mile away from our old home. A real beauty with FIVE bedrooms and 3 baths, a patio and the most beautiful rose garden for only $50 more than what we were paying in Amberwood.

We can't believe how lucky we got with all the upgrades. Plus, it is 2 blocks away from the community pool--another great bonus in the summer when it hits the 100's here--ang init!

2036 Tupelo Way,
Antioch, CA
(925) 753-1678

Lakasan nalang ng loob--even if Ricky is still nursing his business. We realized we rented Amberwood also when Ricky didn't have a job yet.

Ang hirap palang maglipat dito! We rented a U-haul and hauled everything out ourselves. Ricky was at the helm of everything. Buti nalang kargador na yung mga binata. Maui suffered a nose bleed (ayaw magpa-picture) and Nico hammed it up, of course. And without Y. Syrel and Mama Pila--we would be so lost!

















I will send more pics of the new home when we are more settled. Medyo magulo pa and Ricky's parents came to stay. We look forward to more visitors--specially Lia, Mon, and Mayoy by end of May.

We are sill rubbing our eyes, (partly because of the allergy season!) as we settle down in this newest blessing. And though we spent almost 2 yeas in the old home and have many fond memories there, and even if we had no intentions of leaving, we are excited to move up to where the Lord leads us.

Sometimes, the Lord has a definite way of moving us along.

Cente turns 20 - April 2007

Birthday dinner with friends at Georgetown.





With girlfriend, Kelly Thomas