GGG

On September 8, I got a text message from my friend and province-mate, Ria. (Not sure if it's spelled Rea but I love using Ria since it's shortened for Gloria. You know, just like Lili, it's shortened for Lilian.)

She was inviting us for her 50th birthday. Without second thoughts, we said yes. I don't want to miss another celebration this time hosted by the couple, Ric and Ria. (Their names sounds perfect for a TV sitcom, a cafe, or a clothing line.)

Remember this blog post? That was Ric's birthday that we missed.

On the day of the celebration, September 15, we didn't know it was a semi formal gathering, and we came in our denims. Hahahaha. A couple of the guests came in shorts and flip flops too.  But that didn't matter. What mattered most was we all came to celebrate her milestone.

I was so glad I got to reconnect with fellow province-mates, and also met new friends. I also met Ria's brother Leo whom I didn't know lived near our house in the island. We both didn't know that we were neighbors once. I didn't go out much when I was younger. I was a certified homebody, and loved the company of my siblings.

Like any other Filipino gathering, there was singing. What's best about this party was the 'singers' were above par, and there was no annoying drunk singing.

The mister and I were two of the guests who went home last at dawn on Sunday because we waited for Ria to blow her candles on the exact date she was born--- on September 16, 50 years ago.



So happy we were considered special to be invited for this event, and be a part of her history.

Happy birthday again to GGG! Golden Girl Gloria! And most of all, happy she-gave-birth to you to your mother in heaven.

P.S. Wasn't able to take photos and more videos because obviously, I had fun. Also, I made two sales (SUSMARYOSEP & L'AMON PINAS shirts) while at the party.

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A post shared by Liliana oooh na na 🌻 (@missnalupa) on Sep 18, 2018 at 10:34am PDT

46

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! A lot of people, particularly women don't want to announce their age.

Well, I am not one of them.

I love getting old. I love seeing me more mature. I love seeing me kinder and more loving. I love seeing me learning more. I love seeing my children grow and become responsible adults.

Not yet sure if I have wrinkles, but I think I do. That's not a surprise. It'll be just a few years from now when I hit 50. I have a lot of freckles and sunspots though. But guess what, I do not have a piece of white hair. Ha!

Today, June 22, I am very proud to say that I turned 46 years old. I deserve this and I painstakingly earned it!

I got this!

A Celebration I Couldn't Miss

In July, I was told that there would be a special birthday celebration for my mother's best phone pal and the mother and mother-in-law of our good friends in Virginia, Tita Mila. It'll be her 85th birthday. Knowing that it would be a milestone, there was no doubt that we were going. August 7, I got the official invitation in the mail.



Monday of last week, I already planned my schedule for Friday and Saturday; which was carefully divided into: e-store work hours; baking bread to give away to my friends who will be there; and the hours during traveling when picking up Yna in Washington DC from our home then driving to the event in Virginia. I decided to make my Moringa Pan de sal and my own version of Ube Ensaymada.

By Tuesday, around dinner, I told the mister that I was planning to make Moringa pan de sal all day of Friday, and then I'd do the laundry while I'll let the dough rise.

Unexpectedly, the mister asked "We are going to the party?" 

 WHAT?!

What kind of question was that. Of course, we are! It's Tita Mila's 85th birthday! This doesn't happen every year, and not a lot of the older folks we know reaches to this age.

This event is monumental!

I wasn't in the mood for the rest of that week. I didn't want a full blown argument because of this, so I bottled it in. I was fuming mad internally. In this gathering, we knew that there would be more new faces than usual, and that was one major reason he wasn't keen on going. It's going to be boring. There's nothing to do but eat, and no one to talk to.

I have decided that I will drive alone just to be there. I told Jay about that plan, and this pissed him off. We didn't really like each other for two days and one night. No usual "have you eaten your lunch?" "was it good?" "are you busy in the office today?" "what time are you leaving from work?"  "what's your estimated time of arrival?" or just the "hi hello" in the morning and mid afternoon.

Instead of baking bread, I made Lumpia Shanghai on Friday. We were invited to an intimate gathering at our friends' place nearby. This time, it was me who wasn't keen on going. I only knew the hosts, and I felt that I'd be out of place there. I gave up on convincing the mister and on driving alone in going to Virginia on Saturday. I will spend all of Saturday working in our basement. Besides, I need to take photos of new items for the coming week.

At 7:30 pm on Friday, while on our way to our friends' place, out of the blue he asked me, "What time are we leaving for DC tomorrow?"

"DC? Why?"

"We're going to pick up Yna!"

"Why?"

I really thought I was left out of Saturday plans. I felt so clueless.

"We're going to Tita Mila's birthday!" 

I choked up a little when I heard this.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! You said you want to be there! Mangadto 'ta!" (We will go.)

Kahilak jud ko. Mur pa! (I really cried. I swear.)

I was so happy, and a bit annoyed with him at the same time. I was unhappy and frustrated for a couple of days. It was torture. I wasn't able to bake bread also but I knew that our presence was greater than my bread.

That night before we went to bed I asked him, "Was that a joke?" He strongly said, "NO!"

The following morning, I asked him again if it was. He answered, "Call Yna. Tell her to get ready at 2:30 pm."

OMG! It's happening! We are indeed going.

Sadly, the kids weren't able to come with us. They already had their plans for Saturday.

Fe, the daughter-in-law


Pamela, Maricor, Robert, and Lalie


Jackie and Me


Claire and me


Bebeth, Amee (another daughter-in-law), Lea, Claire and me


Me, Fe, Lea, Amee, Joy, and Claire


Me, Fe, Paolo, KC, Amee, Tita Inday, Joy, Anne and Claire


Yes, Pao. You can put the above photo in your Tinder account. Hehehehe.

(Photo credit to all photos above: Lea S.)

"Kunyari ako ang nagluto!" (Pretending I cooked this.) - Claire


This was one of the highlights of the evening. We watched a video montage all about Tita Mila. It was prepared and edited by our friend, Pepe.


Jay wasn't really keen on going, but guess what? He had the best time of his life. Most of all, it was so wonderful to see Tita Mila yesterday. We were also glad to see old friends. It made me realize how I missed their company.

From the words of the great Oprah Winfrey, 

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” 

 "Love you, Tita Mila. Happy 85th birthday!"

Related Post: 

* A Memoriam: Tita Mila

* A Memoriam: Tita Mila (Part 2)

June 22, 2016

Today is my 44th birthday.

READ: I am NOT 44 years young, and it's NOT the new 34, or 24!

Why does aging sounds so bad for most people? Aren't you glad you've come this far?

It wasn't easy getting here. There were times that I got embarassed, hurt, and wished I did things differently. In my youth, there were also times that I wanted to give up. Thinking about the dreary, miserable, and the challenging parts of my journey, I am extremely glad I hang on to dear life.

The years taught me to be wiser, to be patient, to be kinder, and to love more. I also know better. I am flying high and thankful that I made this far, and especially surrounded by truly wonderful people.

Turning 44 is a gift. This is new to me. Growing old is absolutely a beautiful thing.

44 is the new 44!

I am 44 years old!


Photo credit: Jay Divinagracia

Happy Birthday to Me!

I did not work in my shop yesterday. I just relaxed on my birthday, June 22. I slept in, then I watched shows online. But after lunch, I went grocery shopping for the ingredients of the feast I planned to prepare for our family dinner.

On Sunday afternoon, on our way home from a 4-hour roadtrip, I asked the mister what he wanted for me to cook on Monday.

The mister: Ribs! Barbecued ribs!
Me: Ay! Di ko anang barbecue. Basin matilapan na pod akong buhok inig-on nako sa grill. (Oh! I don't want barbecue. The fire from the grill might licked my hair again.)

Hahaha. Yes! That was so true. I do not know how to turn on our outdoor grill, and when I tried a couple of weekends ago, the fire on the grill kind of licked a small portion of my hair. Good thing it didn't burn my face, eyebrows, and lashes. Since the mister won't be home yet when I start dinner, I will not cook anything barbecued.

The mister: Ikaw? Unsa man ganahan nimo? (How about you? What do you like?)
Me: Ganahan ra ko ug tortang talong! (I just like eggplant omelet!)

I grilled the eggplants on our stove top!


We still had pork loin back ribs, not barbecued though, but I baked them, and slightly broiled them in the oven. There were two of these.


Filthy Liar for me made by the mister.


Plus, I also baked a super moist chocolate cake drenched in mint chocolate glaze, garnished with fresh strawberry and mint from our backyard.


That was my birthday celebration! I am thankful for so many things, and one of that is you for stopping by.