27-June-2005
Monday

Well, I just returned from visting the Motherland (that's The Pearl of The Orient .. aka, The Philippines). It was awesome to my family again.  Things change after 6 years; not so much to me though.  On the other hand, my parents haven't been back since 32 yrs ago; and to them a whole lot of changes.  Suffice it to say, they kept saying that they should've went back more often; which is exactly what my brother Glenn and I kept telling them.

My family is awesome.  Why do people say that when they visit their familes?  Is it because of how much they are missed? Is it the time spent with them? Is it how we are treated when we visit them?  I say it's a mix of the those questions.  Imagine coming here to the States, living the a life of the American Dream and at times forgetting where we come from.  Coming back to our roots sure does put my way of thinking into another aspect of living my life here in the states.

Life if the Philippines, or in another second/third world country for that matter, is surely different than that of American life.  As Americans, we tend to take things for granted; our way of life makes it so. The Pilipinos (there are no "F's " in our alphabet) are really in tune with family orientation.  The basis of life there begins with family, if any word comes to mind; it is The Foundation. Without family, the love of family, the camaraderie of family and the caring of family; life is meaningless. Here is an example, even though I have visited the Philippines six years ago; the way I was greeted it seemed as if I have never set foot on Philippine soil since I left when I was five. The way people hug you as if you were thought sick and near-death to be fully recovered. And how every single day for every single meal, you are feed till you pass out from eating too much.  And the children talk to you as if they want to know all about American life and if it is true like they see in news and the movies.  And don't forget appreciation.  Imagine throwing away your old clothes, not even giving it here to the Salvation Army.  The old clothes that I gave away to my relatives, to them it seemed as if they were newly bought clothes.  The clothes that are no longer in style here in America, people back home wear just because it came from America.  There way of asking always puts a smile on my face " I really like your [insert type of clothing/shoes]. "; which actually means, ' before you leave, please keep me in mind that I would like to have [article] '.  And not to forget, the monetary issue.  For $1US it equals to P55 (P=Pesos). P55 can buy lots of things there.  Imagine giving P200 (about $3.75US); you can see the huge smile on one's face. Now, imagine giving that to a few kids; its like giving an American kid $200US.  I felt really happy giving money to them.  I gave P1000 to one of my Kuyas (Kuya = elder brother), just because.  He drives a tricyle and at times fares are hard to come by, not mention maintenanace on the bike; so P1000 can help.

The saddest part of vacationing, is leaving.  People actually come by a few days before to say their farewells and stating that we should return more often.  For me, it was seeing my Ya-ya (Ya-ya = nanny) and her family cry the day I left. As I said before, the love of family runs deep. The kids especially, they do get attached. Accompanying you where-ever you go and making sure you are having a great time.

Suffice it to say, if you have never visited The Motherland, do so; and if you visited there before, visit often.

PICS TO BE POSTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

happy birthday

to Me

and to Nonoy

and to Thao

Them two share the same birthday with me.

30 something

elder teen

20 something

On the tail-end of our nightly conversations; here’s what has transpired last night:

Me: Hun, when we started dating, what time did I normally leave?
Hunsie: ……………………….. (falling asleep)
Me: ummmm, hello??
Hunsie: …… Oh sorry baby, I didn’t hear it. Can you repeat that please?
Me: (short sigh) … Hun, when we started dating, what time did I normally leave?
Hunsie: ……………………….. (falling asleep)
Me: ……….. ????? …….. Hunsie?  Hello?

Hunsie: …… Oh sorry baby, I didn’t hear it. Can you repeat that please?
Me: thinking “bet she falls asleep again” …. When we started dating, Hun, what time did I normally leave?

Hunsie: ……………………….. (falling asleep)
Me: HEY!! (not actually yelling, more of giggling) .. you falling asleep, Hunsie?

Hunsie: .. yeaahhhh . sorry hunnie.

Me: I can hear that.

Hunsie: I didn’t hear it, can you repeat the question?

Me:  … laughing a bit more
Hunsie: laughing as well

Me: you are too adorable

Hunsie: I think 10 or 11

Me: ….. ????? ….

Hunsie: ……..

Me: OOHHH … that was the answer

Hunsie and Me:  laughing hysterically 

It was funny, you just had to hear it.

14 Feburary 2005

Happy One Year Anniversary
Happy Valentine's Day

This day is a vey special day. As not only is it Valentine's Day; but it is also our One Year Anniversary. I Love My Hunise very much. Everything about her I Love. From her smile and laugh to her touch to her kiss and everthing that is about her. She has touched my life so; that my life would seem bleak without her in it. Many things come to mind why I Love Her; and if I write them down, there wouldn't be enough paper, WORD docs, walls and anywhere else that is used to write on could fill.

But here's the Top Five Why I Love Her:
001. The way she giggles when I mess up speaking our native tongues
002. When she thinks of me when there's things that I need
003. When she will wait for me to call her when I work late at night
004. The way she feels when I am holding her close
005. The way she kisses me

She is My World.
She is My Life.
She Makes Me A Better Person.
I Appreciate Life More With Her In My Life,
I See Things At Other Angles.
I Enjoy Our Time Together,
Wishing It To Last Five Minutes Longer.
My Life Will Be Incomplete Without Her.