Baguio 2007

We arrived in Manila on June 9, 2007. Our first out of town trip was Baguio. We stayed there for 3 days. Here are pictures of our Baguio trip.

VILMAR

I remember stopping here all the time with Lolo and Lola. The people there still know the Rodrigos. As soon as we arrived, there was a table ready, some drinks, and rice. Ulam na lang ang oorderin mo.

THE LION

Our landmark...meaning...Malapit na ang Baguio!

Kapit-Langit

The very same house we all stayed in when we went to Baguio. A lot of repairs needed now. The ceiling, the walls and bathrooms need repair. Needless to say it's still the same old Kapit-Langit we all grew to love. You can still smell the house, the pine scent and of course the horse poop...yuck! Sayang lang because Norton does not maintain the house and garden as well as his parents and grandparents.

Lolo and Lola's bedroom

The Girls' Room (attick)

The Boys' Room (attick)

The Living Room

Where we all stayed and hung out. Still cozy kahit luma na ang couch. I still remember the days when we played cards, inuman, asaran, takutan, and just being lazy in this living room.

This was the place where we played sungka.

The Small Kids' Table

The small table where the small kids eat. Buhay pa rin ang table and chairs. Nagamit pa ng kids ko after all these years...who would think na aabot pa sa kids natin.

The Dining Room

The dining room where we all gather around during breakfast, lunch, merienda and dinner. Still the same tablecloth. And those green plates too...still alive.

The winding staircase

I used to get so scared here kasi may multo daw!...hehehe

The pasilyo near Lolo and Lola's room

The Kitchen
The old refrigerator/freezer is still there even though it has not been working for years.

The Gate

The sign Kapit-Langit fell off one stormy day and was never put up again.

Remember my footprint? Pwede ba kunin ito when they sell Baguio? I would like to keep it as a remembrance.

At the Porch

Still the same Blue lounge chairs.

Parang posing natin before...in the front yard...riding our horses. This time it's our kids.

Baguio Country Club

John Hay

Dry Market

Burnham Park

Botanical Garden

The Wet Market

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!