I was at a party recently. I don't normally go to most gatherings that we are invited to, but I always consider a few exceptions.
At the party, one lady was happily sharing to another that she now owns a Louis Vuitton bag. Her son gave it to her. To be honest about it, she asked for it. Hehehe. Well, actually she gave him hints for a long time until he gave in.
Another lady who sat nearby said out loud that she also needs to remind her son about a Louis Vuitton bag because she'll be celebrating a milestone birthday in a couple of weeks.
I don't know if this is Filipino behavior, but I have heard parents strongly suggesting for their children to give their first paycheck to their parents. Some even asked their working children to remit paychecks until they get married. Some just ask for expensive gifts, cruise trips, or an all expenses paid vacation abroad.
I was asked, not at this particular party, what I wanted from my daughter since the young lady is earning very well already.
"I'm different than most. I don't want to ask anything that involves spending money. I don't want anything luxury. I just don't want any of my children to spend things that honestly aren't a need for me. All I really want from them aren't material. Now that they're older, and independent, I just want them to be nicer, to be kinder, to be more considerate and accepting, and to be more giving. I want them to treat all of the people they meet along their journey right. I want them to nurture relationships that matter. I will not be in control of all their actions and decisions outside our home, but I just simply want them to embody that they were nurtured by great parents. That is all I want from them. Then that for me, even just a stay-at-home mother, and even without having a career, I am genuinely successful."
Mao ra gud pod ang akong gusto. (That's all I really want.)
Monday, August 26, 2019
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
In Memoriam: Tita Mila (Part 2)
After half of a century, she finally found her best friend, plus there was an added bonus. Fely introduced Tita Mila to her best friend too.
She has been talking to her new best friend on the phone for almost a year. She makes her laugh. She sings to her on the phone. They could talk nonstop until the batteries on their wireless landline phones ran out.
While she was describing her new best friend, my heart started pounding.
Yes! I know that there are close to 8 billion people in the world, but I had to ask. Seems like I knew someone just like her new best friend.
"What's your new best friend's name, Tita?"
"Nanie!"
I was running out of breath. Literally. I had to catch up with it just to ask her again.
"What's her last name, Tita?"
"Lawson. Flaviana Lawson!"
Oh my gawd!
"AKO MAN NG MAMA, TITA!" (That's my mother, Tita!)
Three pairs of eyes lit up. Imagine learning for the first time that my mother's new best friend is someone I personally knew. I mean, her new best friend carried me for 9 months, and 'hatched' me. Hehehe.
Living in two different islands in the Philippines, and living on opposite ends of America, the universe still lead them to each other.
I remember Jimmy's question earlier about Tita Fely's last name. So, I blurted it out....
"Fely Oculam!" She's my mother's best friend in California.
"She's our supplier!" Jimmy was so surprised too.
The universe lead us all three in that living room for her to share us about her best friends.
That was nothing, but a miracle.
Don't you think?
I knew calling each other best friends wasn't just casual, and it was serious when the following year, November of 2003, the mister and I had a major fight. We were supposed to attend a company anniversary celebration in Washington D.C., but cancelled at the last minute. We were fuming mad at each other. Taking our human cubs with me, I had to go away and slept overnight at a friend's house. It was that bad.
The following morning, I called my mother, but I did it after the conflict was resolved.
In early December of that same year, there was a party. Tita Mila grabbed me the moment she had a chance, and gently lead me to a quieter place in the house. She asked discreetly,
"Kumusta na man imong love life?" (How is your love life?)
Hahaha. That caught me off guard. Those were also the exact words I heard my mother ask a few days earlier.
"Be patient. Maldita ra ba jud ka. You have a great family, ug kabuotan ni Jay o!" (Be patient. You're naughty and bad. You have a great family, and Jay is a good man.)
In simple words, I am the evil one. Jay is the holier one. That's not new to me. I also heard that from my parents and siblings.
The words of my mother echoed through Tita Mila. That was when I realized that they do really talk constantly. She truly values her friendship with my mother by also respecting me with her understand that it was a topic that should be discussed privately. That was also when I realized she cared for me and my family.
I already knew that I was maldita, it wasn't easy but I have changed. I am semi-retired now. Hihihihi.
In 2004, when we visited my mother in California, when I entered her house, there I saw a small framed photo of Tita Mila on a side table by the door in her living room.
She knew so much about my mother. She knew about a jewelry set my mother gave me even before it was given. She knew how much my mother inherited from my step father. She also knew about her businesses in the Philippines.
One time, I was asked about my mother's business, but I didn't have a definite answer. My mother was in the Philippines at that time, and contacting her wasn't easy, so I asked Tita Mila about it. I knew she's a reliable source.
And my mother also knew a lot about her, but I wasn't shared so much information about it. I can only say that I knew who among her three children gave her the least headache. *wink. *wink.
Tita Mila was 4 of my first customers when I started selling vintage goods online in 2007. She bought a woven Etienne Aigner shoulder bag trimmed in mahogany leather, new without tag. I wanted to give it to her as a gift, but she insisted on paying. So, I told her to pay me $0.50, the exact price I paid it for at a yard sale.
She gave me a dollar and jokingly told me, "Keep the change!"
Hahahaha.
By the way, three of my customers paid. One didn't. But Tita Mila was the only one who gave me my first profit--a 100% profit.
It has been close to 20 years since she became best friends with my mother, but they never had a chance yet to personally see each other. They have been best friends only over the phone.
This year is supposed to be the year that they'd finally meet. Tita Mila is coming home to Cebu in March, and my mother will follow in June.
But at the first quarter of this year, 2019, although it wasn't known to everyone, my mother told me that she was diagnosed with a debilitating disease. Tita Mila's trip to Cebu was cancelled.
Yna came home one weekend to go with us to visit her on the first weekend of April. My children never grew up with any grandparents physically near us, but there's always Lola Mila.
She lost weight already when we came to see her. Her light was uncertain. It was flickering.
She looked frail and weak, but she was still very chatty. Of course, we talked about my mother.
We were at their house from 4:30 pm til past 2 am. At around 1 am, she woke up and asked a friend to check on my kids, and to give them pillows and blankets.
That was Tita Mila.
She was frank, and sometimes tactless. She liked who she liked. She's not perfect like the rest of us, but she was who she was-- a great mother, a grandmother, a sister, and a friend.
It's a big world, and those that you met along your journey are considered a miracle. Some relationships grow, and some get dissolved. But those who stayed take a bigger part of that chapter in your life story.
Thank you, Tita Mila. Meeting you was totally like your name, Milagros. It was indeed nothing, but a miracle. I will forever miss you.
Rest in peace.
This song was Tita Mila and my mother's theme song. She would always request my mother to sing it to her on the phone. My mother sang it to her last June before she left to the Philippines. I have not heard this song until my mother sang it to me on the phone this morning when we talked about Tita Mila's passing.
Related Post:
* A Memoriam: Tita Mila
* A Celebration I Couldn't Miss
She has been talking to her new best friend on the phone for almost a year. She makes her laugh. She sings to her on the phone. They could talk nonstop until the batteries on their wireless landline phones ran out.
While she was describing her new best friend, my heart started pounding.
Yes! I know that there are close to 8 billion people in the world, but I had to ask. Seems like I knew someone just like her new best friend.
"What's your new best friend's name, Tita?"
"Nanie!"
I was running out of breath. Literally. I had to catch up with it just to ask her again.
"What's her last name, Tita?"
"Lawson. Flaviana Lawson!"
Oh my gawd!
"AKO MAN NG MAMA, TITA!" (That's my mother, Tita!)
Three pairs of eyes lit up. Imagine learning for the first time that my mother's new best friend is someone I personally knew. I mean, her new best friend carried me for 9 months, and 'hatched' me. Hehehe.
Living in two different islands in the Philippines, and living on opposite ends of America, the universe still lead them to each other.
I remember Jimmy's question earlier about Tita Fely's last name. So, I blurted it out....
"Fely Oculam!" She's my mother's best friend in California.
"She's our supplier!" Jimmy was so surprised too.
The universe lead us all three in that living room for her to share us about her best friends.
That was nothing, but a miracle.
Don't you think?
 |
| My mother (in printed top) and Tita Fely 2015, at the funeral service of my step father |
I knew calling each other best friends wasn't just casual, and it was serious when the following year, November of 2003, the mister and I had a major fight. We were supposed to attend a company anniversary celebration in Washington D.C., but cancelled at the last minute. We were fuming mad at each other. Taking our human cubs with me, I had to go away and slept overnight at a friend's house. It was that bad.
The following morning, I called my mother, but I did it after the conflict was resolved.
In early December of that same year, there was a party. Tita Mila grabbed me the moment she had a chance, and gently lead me to a quieter place in the house. She asked discreetly,
"Kumusta na man imong love life?" (How is your love life?)
Hahaha. That caught me off guard. Those were also the exact words I heard my mother ask a few days earlier.
"Be patient. Maldita ra ba jud ka. You have a great family, ug kabuotan ni Jay o!" (Be patient. You're naughty and bad. You have a great family, and Jay is a good man.)
In simple words, I am the evil one. Jay is the holier one. That's not new to me. I also heard that from my parents and siblings.
The words of my mother echoed through Tita Mila. That was when I realized that they do really talk constantly. She truly values her friendship with my mother by also respecting me with her understand that it was a topic that should be discussed privately. That was also when I realized she cared for me and my family.
I already knew that I was maldita, it wasn't easy but I have changed. I am semi-retired now. Hihihihi.
In 2004, when we visited my mother in California, when I entered her house, there I saw a small framed photo of Tita Mila on a side table by the door in her living room.
She knew so much about my mother. She knew about a jewelry set my mother gave me even before it was given. She knew how much my mother inherited from my step father. She also knew about her businesses in the Philippines.
One time, I was asked about my mother's business, but I didn't have a definite answer. My mother was in the Philippines at that time, and contacting her wasn't easy, so I asked Tita Mila about it. I knew she's a reliable source.
And my mother also knew a lot about her, but I wasn't shared so much information about it. I can only say that I knew who among her three children gave her the least headache. *wink. *wink.
Tita Mila was 4 of my first customers when I started selling vintage goods online in 2007. She bought a woven Etienne Aigner shoulder bag trimmed in mahogany leather, new without tag. I wanted to give it to her as a gift, but she insisted on paying. So, I told her to pay me $0.50, the exact price I paid it for at a yard sale.
She gave me a dollar and jokingly told me, "Keep the change!"
Hahahaha.
By the way, three of my customers paid. One didn't. But Tita Mila was the only one who gave me my first profit--a 100% profit.
It has been close to 20 years since she became best friends with my mother, but they never had a chance yet to personally see each other. They have been best friends only over the phone.
This year is supposed to be the year that they'd finally meet. Tita Mila is coming home to Cebu in March, and my mother will follow in June.
But at the first quarter of this year, 2019, although it wasn't known to everyone, my mother told me that she was diagnosed with a debilitating disease. Tita Mila's trip to Cebu was cancelled.
Yna came home one weekend to go with us to visit her on the first weekend of April. My children never grew up with any grandparents physically near us, but there's always Lola Mila.
 |
| my human cubs and the Queen c. Nov. 2016 |
 |
| Thanksgiving 2016 |
She lost weight already when we came to see her. Her light was uncertain. It was flickering.
She looked frail and weak, but she was still very chatty. Of course, we talked about my mother.
We were at their house from 4:30 pm til past 2 am. At around 1 am, she woke up and asked a friend to check on my kids, and to give them pillows and blankets.
That was Tita Mila.
She was frank, and sometimes tactless. She liked who she liked. She's not perfect like the rest of us, but she was who she was-- a great mother, a grandmother, a sister, and a friend.
 |
| Thanksgiving 2016 |
 |
| Lili & the Queen Thanksgiving 2016 |
It's a big world, and those that you met along your journey are considered a miracle. Some relationships grow, and some get dissolved. But those who stayed take a bigger part of that chapter in your life story.
Thank you, Tita Mila. Meeting you was totally like your name, Milagros. It was indeed nothing, but a miracle. I will forever miss you.
Rest in peace.
This song was Tita Mila and my mother's theme song. She would always request my mother to sing it to her on the phone. My mother sang it to her last June before she left to the Philippines. I have not heard this song until my mother sang it to me on the phone this morning when we talked about Tita Mila's passing.
Related Post:
* A Memoriam: Tita Mila
* A Celebration I Couldn't Miss
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
In Memoriam: Tita Mila
This post has been in my draft for over a year. I was telling about this story to my siblings, and they asked me to share it here. I think, this time is the most appropriate to publish this story.
Fresh off the boat in 1998, the first family who welcomed us from the Philippines to Maryland was the Montalbans. They do not actually live in the same state as us, but in Virginia.
We were complete strangers. We don't even have common friends. We only met them here. Leo mostly picked newly hired Filipinos at the airport. He even picked up my daughter and me at the BWI. Jay flew a month ahead in Maryland to start work right away while my daughter and I stayed for a month in California to spend time with my side of the family.
He took us with them to our first Filipino gathering hosted by the Sandiegos, also in Virginia.
Leo Montalban is the mister's Filipino colleague, and has been in the company for a long time. As I said in a previous post, he was the reason that a lot of Filipinos were hired from the Philippines in the 90s.
He would keep us in mind in these Filipino parties. Although I was really shy and kind of hesitant on going every time, I still did. The Montalban matriarch, Tita Mila is actually very warm and welcoming.
At Leo and the mister's company overnight events, Tita Mila would always offer to look after our human cubs so we could join with all the couples in these bi-annual office gatherings. It was very tempting, but I would always decline. It was my decision as a mother to go when my children were of the right age.
4th of July in 2002, at a party in Virginia hosted by Jojo and Dogging Sandiego, Jimmy, another Filipino dear friend, Tita Mila, and I were all seated at the living room after dinner while most of the people were in the garage or outside.
"Dugaya na gyud nakong pinangita sa akong best friend sa college." (It's been so long since I have been trying to find my best friend from college.)
She showed us a faded black and white photo of two ladies. Both had soft curly combed hair, donning beautiful 1950s fashion---short sleeve button down shirts tucked in full skirts worn with belts, and small framed purses on one hand.
She passed the photo to Jimmy. "Kani ang akong amiga nga si Fely" (This is my friend named Fely.), pointing to the lady beside her.
He flipped the photo and checked writings on the back, and he asked where Fely was from. His family was an importer for native products from Bohol, and he said their supplier was named Fely.
Fely is from Bohol like me, she replied, but unfortunately she didn't remember what part of Bohol she was exactly from, but she added that she's Chinese.
Her last name was completely unfamiliar to me, Fely Chin. I tried to recall my mother's friends, and their friends, but it didn't ring a bell at all.
She said she prayed fervently for so long to find her.
"Ang Ginoo gyud no motubag gyud sa mga pag-ampo, ug gihatagan pa gyud ko ug bonus!" ( God really answers prayers, and plus He gave me a bonus.)
To be continued.
Related Post:
* A Memoriam: Tita Mila (Part 2)
* A Celebration I Couldn't Miss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We were complete strangers. We don't even have common friends. We only met them here. Leo mostly picked newly hired Filipinos at the airport. He even picked up my daughter and me at the BWI. Jay flew a month ahead in Maryland to start work right away while my daughter and I stayed for a month in California to spend time with my side of the family.
He took us with them to our first Filipino gathering hosted by the Sandiegos, also in Virginia.
Leo Montalban is the mister's Filipino colleague, and has been in the company for a long time. As I said in a previous post, he was the reason that a lot of Filipinos were hired from the Philippines in the 90s.
He would keep us in mind in these Filipino parties. Although I was really shy and kind of hesitant on going every time, I still did. The Montalban matriarch, Tita Mila is actually very warm and welcoming.
At Leo and the mister's company overnight events, Tita Mila would always offer to look after our human cubs so we could join with all the couples in these bi-annual office gatherings. It was very tempting, but I would always decline. It was my decision as a mother to go when my children were of the right age.
 |
| Lili & the Queen c. 2009 |
4th of July in 2002, at a party in Virginia hosted by Jojo and Dogging Sandiego, Jimmy, another Filipino dear friend, Tita Mila, and I were all seated at the living room after dinner while most of the people were in the garage or outside.
"Dugaya na gyud nakong pinangita sa akong best friend sa college." (It's been so long since I have been trying to find my best friend from college.)
She showed us a faded black and white photo of two ladies. Both had soft curly combed hair, donning beautiful 1950s fashion---short sleeve button down shirts tucked in full skirts worn with belts, and small framed purses on one hand.
She passed the photo to Jimmy. "Kani ang akong amiga nga si Fely" (This is my friend named Fely.), pointing to the lady beside her.
He flipped the photo and checked writings on the back, and he asked where Fely was from. His family was an importer for native products from Bohol, and he said their supplier was named Fely.
Fely is from Bohol like me, she replied, but unfortunately she didn't remember what part of Bohol she was exactly from, but she added that she's Chinese.
Her last name was completely unfamiliar to me, Fely Chin. I tried to recall my mother's friends, and their friends, but it didn't ring a bell at all.
She said she prayed fervently for so long to find her.
"Ang Ginoo gyud no motubag gyud sa mga pag-ampo, ug gihatagan pa gyud ko ug bonus!" ( God really answers prayers, and plus He gave me a bonus.)
To be continued.
Related Post:
* A Memoriam: Tita Mila (Part 2)
* A Celebration I Couldn't Miss
Monday, July 22, 2019
Hi
A few nights ago, I went to a hospital built in bamboo slats and woven palm-leaf roof. There was just one doctor on duty, and he was attending to a wounded boy lying on a canvas cot with carved wooden base. There was also a nurse but she was talking with another patient inside the hut hospital.
While I was there, I got so scared. I wanted to run but I couldn't. I don't know why. There were a lot of snakes there, their heads popping out between spaces of the bamboo slat floor. Most of them were as fat as my thumb. I understood they were still baby snakes, but still... they were snakes. I wanted to get out of that hospital but was too scared to step outside in the dark and find more.
The doctor pointed his index finger towards one corner of the hut. There, I found the freakin' mother snake! The body was as big as the trunk of a coconut tree. The head was barely attached from the body. The enormous reptile was dead.
I felt relieved. Kind of.
No. I take that back. I was so relieved that it was just a dream. I woke up, and when I saw the mister still fast asleep beside me my breathing was more relaxed.
While I was there, I got so scared. I wanted to run but I couldn't. I don't know why. There were a lot of snakes there, their heads popping out between spaces of the bamboo slat floor. Most of them were as fat as my thumb. I understood they were still baby snakes, but still... they were snakes. I wanted to get out of that hospital but was too scared to step outside in the dark and find more.
The doctor pointed his index finger towards one corner of the hut. There, I found the freakin' mother snake! The body was as big as the trunk of a coconut tree. The head was barely attached from the body. The enormous reptile was dead.
I felt relieved. Kind of.
No. I take that back. I was so relieved that it was just a dream. I woke up, and when I saw the mister still fast asleep beside me my breathing was more relaxed.
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Chronicles of a Home Farmer 1
I have been busy with work, crafts, and gardening. I am even having a hard time squeezing in as much chores as I could in the house.
Gardening is done after the mister leaves for work. After is loading laundry, then off to my work space for shipping; listing and other things.
While at the garden this morning, I found out that the young leaves of my cantaloupe, sweet potato, and cauliflower has been eaten by animals.
I think the wild rabbits are feasting on my organic edibles. Well, they must have discovered a different variety of food in my garden. What's good about them is that they didn't munch on the cauliflower heads, and my cantaloupe buds.
These animals are kinder this time. They didn't munch on the whole plant and cut the stem off from the roots. So considerate.
I am not mad, after all, they must live too.
Gardening is done after the mister leaves for work. After is loading laundry, then off to my work space for shipping; listing and other things.
While at the garden this morning, I found out that the young leaves of my cantaloupe, sweet potato, and cauliflower has been eaten by animals.
I think the wild rabbits are feasting on my organic edibles. Well, they must have discovered a different variety of food in my garden. What's good about them is that they didn't munch on the cauliflower heads, and my cantaloupe buds.
These animals are kinder this time. They didn't munch on the whole plant and cut the stem off from the roots. So considerate.
I am not mad, after all, they must live too.
Thursday, May 9, 2019
Smile!
For the first time in a long time, the person who picked up my call at my doctor's office sounded so bright and pleasant.
There were two female clerks at my doctor's front office. They sound unhappy when they answer phone calls. If you go to the office, they're the first two who'll greet you. They also look unhappy in person. Never have I recalled them smile at me.
I've heard and read about complaints of the clerks at this office. What kept me going there are my doctor and her staff. They're the opposite of what's in the reception.
Well, today was an exception. It was a male clerk named Will on the line. He was cheery and very accommodating. He sounded like the total opposite of the first two females who worked there. I hope they're gone, or maybe just moved to a different part of the office.
Will was sunshine for today's cloudy and misty day.
There were two female clerks at my doctor's front office. They sound unhappy when they answer phone calls. If you go to the office, they're the first two who'll greet you. They also look unhappy in person. Never have I recalled them smile at me.
I've heard and read about complaints of the clerks at this office. What kept me going there are my doctor and her staff. They're the opposite of what's in the reception.
Well, today was an exception. It was a male clerk named Will on the line. He was cheery and very accommodating. He sounded like the total opposite of the first two females who worked there. I hope they're gone, or maybe just moved to a different part of the office.
Will was sunshine for today's cloudy and misty day.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
The Dream
This morning, I woke up from one of the most beautiful dreams. I told myself I'd write about it on this blog.
I remember it vividly, even my emotional state. I felt it.
I didn't get out of bed right away, but instead waited for the mister fixing himself up for work. I usually change after he leaves so I don't crowd our small bathroom upstairs when he's using it too.
While having our breakfast, I told the mister that I had a dream. And then, I realized that I could not string together the series of events and the details anymore.
No matter how much I squeezed my brain out, those images were fleeting. What was left was the feeling.
...the feeling that I was so happy.
I remember it vividly, even my emotional state. I felt it.
I didn't get out of bed right away, but instead waited for the mister fixing himself up for work. I usually change after he leaves so I don't crowd our small bathroom upstairs when he's using it too.
While having our breakfast, I told the mister that I had a dream. And then, I realized that I could not string together the series of events and the details anymore.
No matter how much I squeezed my brain out, those images were fleeting. What was left was the feeling.
...the feeling that I was so happy.
Monday, April 15, 2019
Adulthood lesson
"I really think that as we grow older, acquire higher education, attain greater or maybe the highest position in the corporate world, as our pockets become thicker and deeper, as we earn experiences from our life, we must also strive to be better, to be more understanding and accepting, to be more loving, to be more patient, to be more compassionate, and to be more giving."
- Lili, mother bear of 2 beautiful human cubs
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
My Social Group
It was Saturday, and I told the boy that...
"I am going out today."
"Where? Are you going thrifting?"
"No. I am going to hang out with my friend."
"Oh! You mean Papa your best friend!"
Hahahaha.
Honestly, I do not belong to a social group. Back in the day, my social group were my siblings. Now, it's just the mister and my kids. They are my all-time main squad.
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Taisan
In our living room...
"Mokaon ka ug snacks? Naa tay Ensaymada ug Taisan cake!" (Do you want to eat snacks? We have Ensaymada and Taisan cake.)
I asked my son while he was getting ready to head out and hang out with his friends.
"Hmmmm. I'll have Tyson, 'ma!" , he replied in his American accent.
"Mokaon ka ug snacks? Naa tay Ensaymada ug Taisan cake!" (Do you want to eat snacks? We have Ensaymada and Taisan cake.)
I asked my son while he was getting ready to head out and hang out with his friends.
"Hmmmm. I'll have Tyson, 'ma!" , he replied in his American accent.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Me vs the Mister
I went upstairs ahead of the mister, and accidentally used his toothbrush. I was rinsing my mouth when I realized it.
When I came out OF the bathroom,
"Papi, don't be surprised that your toothbrush is wet. I accidentally put toothpaste on it but I rinse it right away. I didn't use it all."
Ooops! I lied.
"Oh! That's okay. I also use your toothbrush by mistake multiple times!"
Hahahaha! He told me the truth. I lied and until now, I left it like that---that I didn't use his brush.
Kids, don't lie. Don't be like me.
When I came out OF the bathroom,
"Papi, don't be surprised that your toothbrush is wet. I accidentally put toothpaste on it but I rinse it right away. I didn't use it all."
Ooops! I lied.
"Oh! That's okay. I also use your toothbrush by mistake multiple times!"
Hahahaha! He told me the truth. I lied and until now, I left it like that---that I didn't use his brush.
Kids, don't lie. Don't be like me.
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Blue Skies
It was such a beautiful day yesterday. There were a lot of people outside enjoying the nice weather. The parking spaces at the park were full. Kids were playing at the playgrounds, and a lot of adults were biking, jogging, and walking too.
I was done with my errand in downtown, and parked my car about half a mile away from my destination so I could have my daily walk. It would be a waste if I wouldn't take advantage of the 65°F temperature in winter.
The boy and Christian, his best friend, were in downtown but we didn't go together. They walked from Christian's house to the park, then to downtown. We saw each other on my way to the car. I had to go to the Asian Supermarket to buy supplies for dinner, although I wished I could walk more.
While driving and waiting for the green light near the park, I saw someone familiar walking with maybe her boyfriend heading towards downtown.
The moment I saw an opportunity to stop and park my car, I called the boy on my phone but he didn't pick up. I called his best friend.
"Christian, tell Jason that I saw his former bff walking and is heading towards downtown too."
"Should I be jealous? Hehehe."
"No! That's why she's a former bff because we don't want her and the rest of her family in our life anymore."
Good riddance!
They were like dark clouds, and when they disappeared in our lives, there were blue skies.
As I said, it was a beautiful day yesterday.
I was done with my errand in downtown, and parked my car about half a mile away from my destination so I could have my daily walk. It would be a waste if I wouldn't take advantage of the 65°F temperature in winter.
The boy and Christian, his best friend, were in downtown but we didn't go together. They walked from Christian's house to the park, then to downtown. We saw each other on my way to the car. I had to go to the Asian Supermarket to buy supplies for dinner, although I wished I could walk more.
While driving and waiting for the green light near the park, I saw someone familiar walking with maybe her boyfriend heading towards downtown.
The moment I saw an opportunity to stop and park my car, I called the boy on my phone but he didn't pick up. I called his best friend.
"Christian, tell Jason that I saw his former bff walking and is heading towards downtown too."
"Should I be jealous? Hehehe."
"No! That's why she's a former bff because we don't want her and the rest of her family in our life anymore."
Good riddance!
They were like dark clouds, and when they disappeared in our lives, there were blue skies.
As I said, it was a beautiful day yesterday.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
One of those days
This was in my draft that I forgot to publish.
Jay was immersed in a book he was focused on finishing before his next book club meeting.
I was in the kitchen asking him about our menu for lunch. I asked him a couple of times if he approved of the dish I was planning to cook. You know, I don't want to make something that he has no appetite at all on that day.
I was frustrated. He wasn't hearing me when I am basically less than ten steps away from him. So, I continued doing my thing in the kitchen. I made my all plant-based dish, my favorite --- mung bean soup with spinach and okra.
I didn't start making their (for him and the boy) dish. I make two separate dishes every meal, this time I only cooked mine.
Then, out of the blue when I was almost done with cooking...
"What did you say, 'lian?"
The sound of chirping crickets was heard from the family room to the kitchen and it even reached to China.
"Lian! What did you say?"
I pretended I couldn't hear him. Just like him, I was too focused with my cooking.
"Lian, are you mad?"
The crickets were still in the house.
"Lian, are you sick?"
"YES!"
"Are you having an asthma attack?"
"NO!"
He put down his book, stood up, and I saw him walking towards the kitchen,
"You said you're sick!"
"YES, I AM! And don't you dare come near me. I am suffering from a very terrible allerJAY!"
Hehehehe.
Makasungot ning di maminaw ba. Unja ug di na tinggan, pauyon-uyonan ta. (It's annoying when they don't hear you. And then when you give them the cold shoulder, they'd woo you.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jay was immersed in a book he was focused on finishing before his next book club meeting.
I was in the kitchen asking him about our menu for lunch. I asked him a couple of times if he approved of the dish I was planning to cook. You know, I don't want to make something that he has no appetite at all on that day.
I was frustrated. He wasn't hearing me when I am basically less than ten steps away from him. So, I continued doing my thing in the kitchen. I made my all plant-based dish, my favorite --- mung bean soup with spinach and okra.
I didn't start making their (for him and the boy) dish. I make two separate dishes every meal, this time I only cooked mine.
Then, out of the blue when I was almost done with cooking...
"What did you say, 'lian?"
The sound of chirping crickets was heard from the family room to the kitchen and it even reached to China.
"Lian! What did you say?"
I pretended I couldn't hear him. Just like him, I was too focused with my cooking.
"Lian, are you mad?"
The crickets were still in the house.
"Lian, are you sick?"
"YES!"
"Are you having an asthma attack?"
"NO!"
He put down his book, stood up, and I saw him walking towards the kitchen,
"You said you're sick!"
"YES, I AM! And don't you dare come near me. I am suffering from a very terrible allerJAY!"
Hehehehe.
Makasungot ning di maminaw ba. Unja ug di na tinggan, pauyon-uyonan ta. (It's annoying when they don't hear you. And then when you give them the cold shoulder, they'd woo you.)
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
10:00 am
I had a 6-month follow up check up with my allergy and asthma specialist. I am allergic to the environment.
She said I looked good and my lungs sounded great.
It felt so good to hear her say those things.
I have been really taking care of my health for the past years.
From my old photos, I can see the difference. I feel them too.
I can breathe easy. My quality of life has been unbelievably amazing.
My doctor gave me the tightest and longest hug before I left.
Also, I gave her half a dozen of freshly made ube ensaymada, and 2 mini loaves of my chocolate zucchini bread. She's Filipino, and has been taking care of the boy too since he was in 1st grade.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4:30 pm
I left the house to drop large packages at the post office. The postman usually picks them up by noon, but I totally forgot to schedule the pick up last night via online.
I was caught by surprise when I got in the post office. It wasn't Christmas season and yet the line was so long.
By the way, for the first time in my 16 years of online selling, I mailed 6 packages worth $1000 of merchandise today.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7:15 pm
Just done cooking for our dinner. The boy helped me set the table.
"Guess what! Mama Grand (my mother) is coming to Maryland!"
I jokingly told him.
She lives in California.
"Why?"
"Of course, to visit us!"
"She doesn't even have time to cook. Why would she even think of visiting us?"
For over 20 years of living in America, my mother never thought of visiting us here.
But, we sometimes visit them (my mother, and 2 siblings and family) in California.
I had a 6-month follow up check up with my allergy and asthma specialist. I am allergic to the environment.
She said I looked good and my lungs sounded great.
It felt so good to hear her say those things.
I have been really taking care of my health for the past years.
From my old photos, I can see the difference. I feel them too.
I can breathe easy. My quality of life has been unbelievably amazing.
My doctor gave me the tightest and longest hug before I left.
Also, I gave her half a dozen of freshly made ube ensaymada, and 2 mini loaves of my chocolate zucchini bread. She's Filipino, and has been taking care of the boy too since he was in 1st grade.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4:30 pm
I left the house to drop large packages at the post office. The postman usually picks them up by noon, but I totally forgot to schedule the pick up last night via online.
I was caught by surprise when I got in the post office. It wasn't Christmas season and yet the line was so long.
By the way, for the first time in my 16 years of online selling, I mailed 6 packages worth $1000 of merchandise today.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7:15 pm
Just done cooking for our dinner. The boy helped me set the table.
"Guess what! Mama Grand (my mother) is coming to Maryland!"
I jokingly told him.
She lives in California.
"Why?"
"Of course, to visit us!"
"She doesn't even have time to cook. Why would she even think of visiting us?"
For over 20 years of living in America, my mother never thought of visiting us here.
But, we sometimes visit them (my mother, and 2 siblings and family) in California.
Monday, January 21, 2019
Monday, January 21, 2018 at 6:21 pm
I was cleaning my bursting-at-the-seams Google account, and I saw this email that I sent myself back in early 2014.
I take notes of those quotes that I like even when I watch TV series. This was one of them.
It's not always easy to see someone's true colors. Sometimes you must look beneath the masculine veneer to find that fragile ego. You must ignore the sparkle of the jewel to know you're looking at a fake. You must bring the truth out of the shadows to see the beauty of its smile.Yes, people hide their true nature from us everyday, and sadly we only found out when it's too late. (Desperate Housewives, Season 6. Episode 17. March 3, 2014)
I take notes of those quotes that I like even when I watch TV series. This was one of them.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Tuesday, January 15 at 1:139 pm
Spotify has been playing in the family room since the mister woke up this morning.
The boy has been manipulating the song selection via Google after the mister left for work. I have been staying in the basement organizing, and while on my lunch break, I listened with him.
His song choices:
Kailan by the Smokey Mountain
Macho Guapito by Rico J Puno
Rock with You by Michael Jackson
Manila by the Hotdogs
and some Wu Tang Clan songs
Manila has been his favorite since he was in Kindergarten. :)
He is greatly influenced by his father. They love to listen to different kinds of music in multiple eras and genres.
The boy has been manipulating the song selection via Google after the mister left for work. I have been staying in the basement organizing, and while on my lunch break, I listened with him.
His song choices:
Kailan by the Smokey Mountain
Macho Guapito by Rico J Puno
Rock with You by Michael Jackson
Manila by the Hotdogs
and some Wu Tang Clan songs
Manila has been his favorite since he was in Kindergarten. :)
He is greatly influenced by his father. They love to listen to different kinds of music in multiple eras and genres.
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Friday, January 11 at 8:30-ish
Still half asleep, I felt the mister got out of bed.
"Jay, let all the cats in!" They are allowed to sleep in our room on Friday and Saturday evenings only, or else we wouldn't have enough sleep.
"Why?"
He was on his way to the bathroom.
"Jay, let all the cats in!" They are allowed to sleep in our room on Friday and Saturday evenings only, or else we wouldn't have enough sleep.
"Why?"
He was on his way to the bathroom.
"Nooooo! Don't go in yet! I said let all the cats in first!"
"But why the urgency?"
"I had a bad dream about them. I just want to make sure they're all here and alive."
I had the most horrible dream. All the pets in the neighborhood were poisoned including our three cats. All three looked peacefully sleeping outside our front door but they were all dead already.
It looked like we lived in Sanciangko Street in Cebu City, Philippines. Tartanilla or Horse carriages always pass by our home.
Thank God it was just a dream.
Friday, January 11, 2019
Wednesday, January 9 at 9 pm
I wanted to go upstairs already and get ready for bed. I have to wake up early for the boy's doctor's appointment the following day.
But, I had to ship items for my customers which I planned to drop at the post office after the appointment.
I was just too tired and too lazy to get all the sold items from our 'warehouse' (read: basement), recheck for flaws, pack and print shipping labels.
..and then, it came to me.
I prayed constantly when I started selling online---that I get sales everyday.
So, I wore my CEO pantie on, went downstairs, perked myself up, and finished what I had to do.
Update: January 10 at 10:05 PM, I got notifications that all the items shipped today has started tracking.
But, I had to ship items for my customers which I planned to drop at the post office after the appointment.
I was just too tired and too lazy to get all the sold items from our 'warehouse' (read: basement), recheck for flaws, pack and print shipping labels.
..and then, it came to me.
"Oh my God! I prayed for this!"In a world with billions and billions of choices, these customers from different parts of the world chose to buy from me. These people doesn't know me at all.
I prayed constantly when I started selling online---that I get sales everyday.
So, I wore my CEO pantie on, went downstairs, perked myself up, and finished what I had to do.
Update: January 10 at 10:05 PM, I got notifications that all the items shipped today has started tracking.
Monday, January 7, 2019
Monday, January 7 at 1:07 am
I had to finish work in the 'warehouse' (aka our basement). The cats and the mister were asleep in our room already when I went up.
They're not usually allowed to sleep in our room except on weekends only, but that night was an exception.
I quietly washed, brushed my teeth, and changed into my ultra soft leopard print pyjamas. Rigby, one of our cats was waiting by the door when I got out. I though he was sleeping already together with the other cats and the mister.
He (Rigby) waited until I climbed up our bed. Then he followed.
He lied down on my thigh, and then he checked on me if my eyes were closed.
I pretended to sleep.
Then I felt him falling asleep also.
I don't know why but I really think I am his favorite.
They're not usually allowed to sleep in our room except on weekends only, but that night was an exception.
Rigby (bottom), Mordecai, Bowie, and the mister
He (Rigby) waited until I climbed up our bed. Then he followed.
He lied down on my thigh, and then he checked on me if my eyes were closed.
I pretended to sleep.
Then I felt him falling asleep also.
I don't know why but I really think I am his favorite.
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