41 YEARS AND COUNTING ....

ANNIVERSARY DATE '05

This was taken last Saturday at Star City for my parents' advance wedding anniversary celebration. The anniversary falls on a Tuesday and they won't be together to celebrate the day since Mama will stay in Montalban to assist my sister in law who gave birth last month while Papa had to go back to Lucena for work.

It'll be the first time the two will be apart in celebrating the day they got married 41 years ago so I decided to set up a 'date' for them. After Cymon's baptismal party, around 7pm, we went back to our house in Manila to put down our things before we went to Star City. We stopped at Ali Mall to have dinner first at Mc Donald's since Papa doesn't want to eat in a fancy restaurant that night.He prefers to have a quick meal that night since we still had to catch a show at Star City. After dinner, we stopped by a shoe store to buy Mama a new pair of sandals then we headed home. Afterwhich we picked up Miko to accompany us so what happened was it's like a double date - Mama and Papa; Miko and I.

I had this planned for I wanted my Baby to be close to my parents and vice-versa. If and when the two of us would end up together, I want to make him feel that he belongs in this family of mine and that my family is his as well. I really want my Baby to get along with the whole family because I want harmony in our home.

It was unfortunate that when we got there, the show had ended and the contestants were just waiting for the decision of the judges. It was a regional contest by the Department of Tourism and whichever group has presented the best street dancing / presentation will win the one million first prize.

We ended up going inside Star City and strolled around. I wanted them to experience a different 'date' in celebration of their wedding anniversary. My initial plan was for them to have atleast a two-day vacation at puerto galera particularly in Tamaraw. However, due to the current situation, this is not possible so the least that I can do is for them to have a date...and this is it! We're kinda tired due to the long trip from Montalban, but good thing Miko saw this stall with massage chairs as shown on the pictures above. I wanted them to experience having a spa but I'm sure my Papa will contest since he's not into that thing so this is the next best thing.One of these days, I'll push the idea and have a spa with them-I'm really looking forward to this day! Can't wait!

Papa enjoyed having this kind of massage so much I paid for another 10 minutes! As a matter of fact, he fell asleep while sitting on the chair.Must be really good! Mama on the other hand enjoyed it too but opted to stop 'cause according to her the massage is making her sleep.My parents glowed after the massage, I felt like a kid again being strolled by my parents. My father and mother used to bring me to the carnival when I was young during town fiesta. It's like reliving those moments.

We rode the Lion King, went inside this booth wherein everything you see are HUGE and we all looked soooo small.Papa was having a good time watching the people riding the cyclone loop actually we were all laughing at them he he he.

To sum this all up it was a BLAST! And I can see my parents enjoyed this too! This maybe a simple date but what's important is that they're together and that's mainly the reason for the celebration.Here's to their 41 years of love, fun, sacrifices, support, faith and trust with each other and a toast to the next 41 years!

... Can't wait for them to celebrate their Golden Anniversary.... 9 years to go and the countdown begins ...

MY FIRST

CYMON PTER IN MY ARMS

At long last! I was able to FINALLY upload a picture here =) I'M HAPPY!!!! Thanks to Miko, a picture of me with my newborn nephew who was then 2 days old can now be seen on line. I can't wait to post more pictures =)

FIELDS OF GOLD

Today I learned from my brother personally that he already received his visa for his migration to Canada. From the time I received the envelope from the visa section, opened it as instructed by him and read that his application was approved, I shed tears of joy. I am really happy for him and he knows about it for while I was reading the letter from the embassy, my voice my shaking and he noticed that I was crying and even asked why. It was TRULY one of my happiest moments! I may not be directly benefitting from it but I know for a fact that this is what he wants and now that he achieved it it's somehow my achievement too. My brother's happiness and success I consider mine too. That's how I love and am proud of him.

I know this is not going to be easy for him. He'll be starting his life anew in a foreign land although he already had a preview of what he'll be expecting since he went there few years ago. But then again i'm very much sure that he can overcome any hurdle for he's a fighter and a good one at that!

I'm wishing only the BEST for him. Next month Kuya, welcome to the FIELDS OF GOLD.

HABEMUS PAPAM

At last the long wait is over, the Catholic Church has a new Pope in the person of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger who prefers to be called Pope Benedict XVI. This event is really historic for I was able to witness how the election of a new Pope unfolds.I may not be physically in Vatican City to witness it but thanks to television, I and the whole world was able to find out how the Catholic Church elects a new leader.

If I remember it right, the Catholic Church was not part of the limelight as big as this in the past. Every network wants to feature every move, every step the cardinals make and eventually the conclusion of the Conclave.Actually this started when the well-loved, very charming, most admired Pope John Paul II or Karol Wojtyla ( in christian name ) past away. Since then all cameras are focused in the Vatican.

When I saw on BBC news the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and eventually the announcement of the new Pope, I can't hold my tears back, they just dropped and I don't know exactly why. Maybe my soul is one with all the Catholics rejoicing because of the proclamation of a new Pope which also secures the continuity of Pope John Paul II's leadership.The announcement is an assurance that there's somebody who'll take the lead in ensuring that the Lord's flock will never be forsaken.I just hope that Pope Benedict XVI will atleast be at par with his predecessor.

I have to get used to the name of the new Pope - Benedict XVI for when we're talking about Pope there is only one name I can think of - POPE JOHN PAUL II. He'll surely be missed and definitely I am TRULY GRATEFUL to him for because of him I was able to meet Zona thru World Youth Day '95 who I am having a great friendship with and who's also my sister in Christ .... across the miles.

MY THOUGHTS

Prior to this blog, I was able to muster my guts to send Oprah Winfrey my thoughts about the ear-piercing she did on TV on her 50th birthday. I saw the said episode on cable the other day. I know it may be toooo late for me to react on this but hey! still thanks to cable TV at least I am able to watch foreign shows. Although they're either reruns or a season delayed I still appreciate cable TV (WHO SAYS YOU CAN HAVE EVERYTHING IN LIFE! )

Anyways, below is the feedback I sent thru their website. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!


Dear Oprah,

I was able to watch your 50th birthday celebration the other day thru our cable. I also had my ears pierced during my birthday but unlike you mine was when I turned 26th but just like you I went to a physician, a pediatrician at that for I am really scared of what's going to happen if I just had it done by someone from a jewelry store.I am really cautious about things like this especially if we are talking about our bodies. I'm sending you this letter to let you know how I admire you for your courage to do it on TV and it was really heart-warming to find out you are no different from all of us.Many people like me put you in a pedestal because you're really an admirable, generous person and somebody you can really look up to but with what you have shown on this episode, we saw the other side of the glamorous celebrity we see on TV -the human side of you.By showing us your fear and courageously overcame it I admire you more for that for being such an inspiration.Take care always and GOD BLESS!

TURTLES

I can't believe it! No response yet on my ISS withdrawal!!!!!!!! It's more than 3 weeks now! I was informed when I submitted it that the cheque will be given after 2 weeks and lo and behold! until now I still have nothing in my wallet!

I've been making a follow up with the department concerned and all I got are NO RESPONSES on my text messages or emails AND WE'LL FOLLOW-UP WITH CHENNAI/INDIA.

I AM REALLY PISSED OFF! I-T I-S M-Y M-O-N-E-Y we are talking about here and I N-E-E-D I-T N-O-W! I'm REALLY frustrated with the assistance that I am getting.Just this afternoon when I was able to FINALLY speak with someone from the concerned department the assistant told me to MAKE A FOLLOW-UP ON WEDNESDAY! I REALLY DON'T BELIEVE THIS! I've been trying to call them but nobody is answering the phone. I know how busy work can get, I've been in that Bank for 7 years so I truly understand. What I'm frustrated about is that the one I sent text messages or emails to don't even have the guts to text or email me back.

Now I UNDERSTAND why Pampam was so irate when she was processing her clearance papers ............ TURTLES are REALLY amphibians.