Hi.

It's coffee hour in this part of the world.

((( MOTHER! )))

Wednesday afternoon, while minding my business and scanning the men's button-down shirt aisle at a secondhand shop near our house, I heard a lady calling "mother!" 

I didn't think that was meant for me. You see, some of my friends call me Mother Lili. 

"MOTHER!" 

It was said at a volume high enough to be heard across the room behind aisles and aisles of secondhand clothes. 

After hearing it the second time, I knew she was calling me. 

It was my friend Yeng-Yeng. We've known each other since 2002, and I haven't seen her since last year. We also exchanged text messages last year. 

We were supposed to see each other at her mom's birthday celebration in late June, but we couldn't make it because our kids, who are based in Brooklyn, are home to celebrate Jay and my birthday for the whole weekend. We went canoeing at a manmade lake a few towns away. 

Yeng-Yeng and I immediately caught up with our hugs; I miss yous, and I love yous in the middle of the store. 

We also had to take a photo together because who knows when we'll see each other again (although we live not far from each other.)

P.S. Jay tried so hard to strategically take this photo to exclude the lady behind us.

Coupling Anniversary

Let's go back to October 19, 1990. It was a Friday and the last day of the first semester. The university semestral break officially started. Students will leave the dormitory to go home.

I'd be leaving home the next day. The boat ride was just 4 hours to the next island where I was from.

Jay, who has been a close friend, would leave on the same day too, but on an airplane bound for Davao City.

But by lunchtime, over rice and sautéed Spanish sardines in tomato sauce and egg, he asked me if we could be a couple.

I almost choked.

"Di ba diay mismatch 'ta? Tambok ko, niwang ka," I asked. ("Aren't we a mismatch? I'm on the heavier side, while you are the opposite.")

He did not agree with what I just said.

I've known him for a few months. He's a classmate of my roommate Naomi, and he lives next door.

There was no way I could decline his confession when, for the few months we hung out, he was gentle and very patient with me, especially with my mood swings, my mental and anger issues.

I eventually said yes.

By the way, Naomi was my classmate from elementary to high school.

When I arrived from Cebu the following day, the first person I told about me having a boyfriend was my little sister, Charmaine. I specifically asked her not to tell a soul.

But by that late afternoon, my brother asked me if I have a boyfriend already.

I denied, of course. But it seemed like he knew about it. I kept evading his interrogative questions.

At the back of my mind, how did he know?

Guess what?

My sister passed the news to my brother right after I asked her to not breathe a word.

Who else would it be?

Fast forward to last Monday, October 19, after work, to celebrate our 36th coupling anniversary, we went  at the Silver Diner in Rio for happy hours. This place is just a few steps away from their workplace. 

By the way, at the start of the year, Charmaine joined the company that the mister worked for since 1998. They are now colleagues.

Isn't it appropriate to commemorate this occasion with the very person to whom I first disclosed that I already have a boyfriend?

Although my little sister wasn't able to keep that secret too long, I understood why. She was in 6th grade and 12 years old. 

She was a child.

Happy 36th "coupling" anniversary to the mister and me, plus our official third wheel since 1990, Charmaine.

Silver Diner at Rio

9811 Washingtonian Blvd Ste 1-10

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Disarmed

While on a week-long vacation in Massachusetts with all of the family—that includes 2 of my children and son-in-law, we were sitting around the dinner table at our rented villa and shared stories.

I asked Larry, my son-in-law, if he was scared and felt awkward the first time he met us.

By the way, 9 years ago, he came over for Christmas break together with Yna several months after officially becoming a couple. Both of them were still working for companies based in Washington, DC.

"Not with you. With Papa, I was scared and shy."

Now that he's married to Yna, he immediately got comfortable calling me Mama but is still trying to get used to calling Jay Papa or Papi.

"What?! Only with Papa? What about with me?"

"Ma, you talked to me and asked so many questions," he continued.

"And what were the questions I asked you?"

"I just remembered they were disarming."

Wow!

Disarming?

I have never used that word.

I love that.

Disarming.

My Mother

NOTE: Reposted from Facebook, posted on September 29, 2023

On August 27, Jay received a reservation from Larry, Yna's fiancé, at al di là Trattoria for a September 26th dinner. It's the day we'll arrive in New York with my little sister and mother.

It was a dinner for us prior to Yna and Larry's big event (their wedding) on Sabado.

It was in a cozy northern Italian restaurant in Brooklyn. Each table was adorned with votive candles in clear rounded glass containers and a dimly lit up interior. It was dark yet pleasant.

All of the tables were occupied except for the long table that sits about 8 people near the window. The card also indicated that the table was reserved.

As soon as we were handed each of their menus, my soon-to-be-85 mother pulled out her cell phone, proudly telling us that she had just learned how to turn her flashlight on.

Hilas na!

On September 12th, a couple of weeks prior to her flight to New York, she called and sounded concerned. She stated that her mobile phone has an issue and that there is a light on on one side of her phone with no button to turn it off.

She was anxious, bothered, and upset enough to consider replacing her phone.

I had a challenging time teaching her over the phone from Maryland. By the way, she's in California.

A young gentleman from her cellphone service provider taught her. It was a slow but thorough training till she grasped it!

It was perfectly fitting for her to proudly demonstrate her newly learnt cellphone feature in the dimly lit Italian restaurant in New York.

Congrats, Ma.

Who's your favorite...

While driving on our way to brunch, I asked my kids,

"Kids, who's your favorite auntie?"

In unison, they both answered, "((( Mama Tita!!! )))"

"Who's your favorite uncle?"

"Who else but Uncle Mama Tita!"

Hihihihi.

Their favorite is my little sister.

Which band is...

While we were stuck in traffic on our way to New York City, I overheard the boy asking his father.

"Pa, which do you like better, Black Sabbath or Def Leppard?" 

"Def Leppard," replied his Papa.

"Unsa man ang imong favorite nga kanta nila?" I asked. (What's your favorite (from Def Leppard)?)

"Photograph (released in 1983)!" 

I searched it on Qobuz and played it.

"But you don't like any of the songs by the Black Sabbath?" I asked further.

"Naay isa, pero wa ko kahibaw sa title." (There is one, but I don't know the title of the song.)

...and then he hummed a few notes from the song.

I checked the famous songs from Black Sabbath too.  This search would be a long one when he only remembered a part of the tune.

He was still humming the song when he remembered something about it.

"I think naay pigs sa title." (I think there's "pigs" in the title of the song.)

"(((WAR PIGS??!!)))" the boy chimed in from the back seat. 

I played it on Qobuz, and the boy sang along to it. The song was released in 1970. That was 2 years before the mister and I were born. 

I don't know those songs, but I have heard them a few times. I just wouldn't be able to identify who sang them, but honestly, I just realized that they're nice. 

I am also surprised by our son's wide knowledge of the artists and their songs from J and my era.

By the way, both bands were favorites of our next-door neighbor. Back in the day, we always heard them talk about these bands from our bedroom window. 

They always hang out with their sets of friends, enjoying shots of liquor and countless puffs from their cigarettes under the star apple tree that stood near our house.

A Purple Star

My daughter gave me gifts when she was a child. Sometimes, she presents me a drawing, an original poem, a letter, a bouquet of flowers she picked on our afternoon walks to Dogwood Park in Rockville, or her toy jewelry.

I kept them all, except for the fresh flowers. While I dried some, but was not able to dry them all.

I still wear the jewelry she gave me on parties, and just whenever I feel like it. I kept them in a jewelry box. I even wore them while videotaping for my vlogs.

The iridescent glittered purple star plastic silver ring was one of them, and I wore it to hang out with friends at a brewery in Virginia about 2 weeks ago.

It's so pretty, isn't it?

I didn't panic.

I was so frustrated yesterday. While at the parking lot after a grocery run, I accidentally turned on the rear window wiper.

I have operated this vehicle for many years, yet I do not recall ever activating this wiper, even during inclement weather.

I did locate the front wiper button. I thought that the front and the rear had the same button. I thought they synchronized.

Apparently, not.

I even thought of just ignoring it and drove home. I eventually decided to call the mister while he was at work to ask how to turn it off.

I didn't panic.

I wasn't mad either.

I was just frustrated with my lack of knowledge about the existence of this certain button.

*deep sigh.

Staples

August 29, 2016

After we bid farewell to our friends and left the brewery, we decided to go somewhere to eat. J suggested going to Roots 657, a restaurant and a market. It's just less than 2 miles away from Vanish. 

We frequently stop by this place whenever we are in this part of Virginia. Sadly, that place permanently closed in October of last year. 

But a new restaurant took over—Staples. It is also a country market, a coffee shop, and a restaurant. It is also owned by the brewery where we just hang out.

I got a chicken salad sandwich, and J had their Smash Burger. I also ordered their spiced lentil soup. You know, I love soup.

My sandwich was okay. However, the soup was unimpressive. *big sigh. 

A Beer-day Celebration

Last Saturday, August 29, we met with friends at a brewery in Virginia. With this group of friends we really try to meet as often as we can. This time is particularly special because both of them celebrated their birthdays in August.

We decided to hang out in Vanish Farmwood Brewery in Leesburg, Virginia. The mister and I came here maybe four years ago in the late afternoon, and it was mobbed. The oyster bar was closed too.

Last Saturday, the band just started playing, and the place was almost empty.

To our delight, before ordering drinks, we saw the oyster bar was open, Nomini Bay Oyster Ranch.

Because I don't drink beer, the mister got me hard seltzer. 

The duo playing at the brewery, One Blue Night, played, for me, familiar songs and many of Dolly Parton's songs. By around 2 p.m., people kept coming in. Some requested more of Dolly's songs. My favorite was their cover of "Jolene".

Some people say that eating oysters on the month that don't end in an R aren't safe to eat raw seashells. We don't believe that. Plus the 2 guys manning the stall said they had freshly gathered the oysters earlier in the day. 

The mister ordered a dozen oysters on the half shell. But I suggested that we should also try the grilled ones. 

We got half a dozen of each.

By the way, they gave us 3 extra oysters on the half shell. The mister shared 15 oysters because our 2 friends don't eat them. 

We were at the brewery for over 3 hours. The band packed already, and the next band playing at 5 started to set up. 

We had a blast. 

We are planning to go back soon, and we will definitely make sure that the oyster bar is open. 

Vanish Farmhouse Brewery 

42245 Black Hops Ln, 

Leesburg, VA 20176

9/1/2026 at 4:31 p.m.

Because of the intense heat, Papi announced that our after-office walk will not take place. Breathing heated oxygen is dangerous for my fragile lungs.

8/26/2026 at 5:24 p.m.

The mister called while he just pulled away from the parking space at his office. He said he's calling to invite me for a walk, if I'd like to.

OMG!

I never say no to so many things, especially to walks and hikes.

We went to the park but didn't park our car near it but a few alleys away. I love it when our routes are in these streets, as I get to see backyard gardens.

I was honestly jealous of the vegetables and flowers we passed by. In all of the years since I started gardening, this year is my lowest-achieving year. I have only a few varieties of plants that I was able to grow.

I do have a few flowers and vegetables, but most were grown from "volunteer" seeds. (Those plants that grew from the seeds dropped on the ground from that last year's crops.)

We passed by the creek at the park. I saw a bed of zinnias, hibiscus, cosmos, marigolds, begonias, tomatoes, pumpkins, and sunflowers. 

So envious. 

I will do better next year's planting season. 

Oh, by the way, we walked for an hour and hurried home because we were starving. What was for our dinner? It was roasted pork, and mango cucumber salad. I used the lemon cucumbers from our garden. 

Showroom

The mister had a medical procedure done today and hadn't had anything solid since yesterday. While still half awake from sedation, he told me that he's ready to have a burger for his late lunch.

He was very specific about his food choice, insisting that there must also be a milkshake.

Wow!

All the restaurants that we thought of were close on Mondays.

We also thought of another restaurant, Thai Meric Eatery and Bar. Although burgers aren't on their menu, it's closer to our home. Sadly, they're already on their midday closure but would open for their dinner hours starting at 4. 

Men! That's another hour and a half to wait.

Milkshake!? Burgers?!

I suggested Showroom! It serves milkshakes and burgers, plus the post office is on the way from the restaurant to our house. You see, I need to drop packages at the post office before it closes at 5. These packages contain items that I have sold from three of my online shops.

The last time we dined here was in February to celebrate my little sister's birthday. I usually order their Huevos Rancheros but decided to try something else this time.

J had their Double Stack Burger with duck fat fries, while I shared my chicken and waffle with him. We also shared an espresso milkshake. 

We inhaled them. I loved the sweet and savory marriage of flavors from my plate. The fries were also really good. They were cut thicker than usual, and the duck fat kicked the French fries up to a higher notch.

...and the milkshake? It was noteworthy!!!

Showroom 

882 N. East Street,

Frederick MD 

21701

8/22/2026 at 10:19 p.m.

Json just came home from a gathering held in Harper's Ferry. 

Me: Why are you home early? 

Json: Ma, they're old. 

Me: Old?!?! 

Json: I mean, they're in their 30s. 

Me: What are Papa and me? ANCIENT???

8/22/2026 at 4:25 p.m.

 At the dinner table...

Me: Papi, what's your favorite vegetarian food?

J: Rice!

During dinner ... 

Json: Pa, who's your favorite superhero? 

J: In Marvel or in DC Comics? 

Still thinking... 

Me: (((How about the Wonder Twins?))) 

I honestly am not very fluent in this discussion, but I tried, and those twins came to mind first. It's not too obvious what era my childhood was. Isn't it?

8/19/2026 at 11:39 p.m.

I was asked many times on Messenger why I am not as active anymore on social media, especially on Facebook. That I also stopped posting my vlogs as well.

Another friend also missed my OOTD (outfit of the day) photos.

I have been keeping my distance from the noise on social media and maintained my peace on a different platform—blogging.

"Who reads blogs nowadays?" That was what I got after my reply.

I honestly don't know, but I kept this space to write my thoughts and keep practicing writing in English. It took guts for me to write and publish it even if I knew that my grammar and punctuation needed polishing.

Lately, I noticed the increase in numbers in my readers.

So who reads my blog?

I still don't know. 

Oops!

My little sister sent me a message on Instagram around the time she gets in at work. That's about 8 in the morning.

I ignored her message until I got another notification. It said she sent me a photo.

She told me she was made aware of her major oops.

Oh no!

She said a lady who rode with her on the lift told her that she's wearing her button-down shirt inside out.

LOL.

If you looked closer at her cropped long sleeves, it looked fine except for the label—the size and garment care tag were hanging out. 

She usually takes the stairs to the 4th floor of her workplace, but not today. She went to the gym early and thought she didn't need to take extra steps or get too sweaty when she arrived at work.

I guess that was a blessing; she took the lift with the lady as well.

8/18/2026 at 11:56 p.m.

One of the moments I look forward to every day is when my body hits the bed after a day of work and chores.

By the way, I worked until 11:30 p.m. today.

It is 4 minutes till the clock hits 12 am.

Good night.