I escaped the chill breeze of SoCal for two weeks and flew to Philippines primarily to commemorate the first death ( it is still hard to write/say the word) anniversary of my Mamang and to spend time with cherished people.
(Credit to the owner of the photos)
We had Korean food for lunch, at Clark on the day of Mamang's death anniversary . This is basically my PH family.
Sharing lunch topped with laughter with my Clinical instructors and former colleagues while reminiscing old memories gave warmth to my heart. Hopefully next time, there will be videoke sesh , nachos and iced -cold San Mig Light.Thank you po for sharing your valued time with me.I will wait for my pink telephone!:)
"Hail Assumption, dear Assumption..." Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, di makakarating sa paroroonan." Applicable to me who easily gets lost without GPS.:)I came back and set my feet on the familiar university place, this used to be my safe and happy playground. I enjoyed my BSN years here,met friends who remain true and loyal, and my years as a clinical instructor will always be remembered with fondness.
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| Thank you for the cake and flowers also. |
People say I am a jolly, crazy, happy person. I give credit to my childhood uprearing with wide-opened doors of helpfulness in my neighborhood, the oh-so laidback life we had. Weekend nights and summer days were spent playing salikutan, sabatan and syato while Mamang and friends had "arm exercises" with mahjong.
My birthday lunch with the Boulevard people, kokonti na lang kame. It is very different now, feeling ko talaga I am getting old coz we just keep on retelling old stories that chronicled decades ago. I am really glad to be with them.
Nean and Julia are two smart girls that sometimes I get confused if they are already teenagers because they have more knowledge about fashion and make-up than me. I won't wonder if next time when I see them, they will be taller than me.
My Tammy. You are growing way too fast, my dear. I will see you here in CA ( as you promised)and drive you to Sephora for your "dream make-up" and all kinds of contouring and highlighting brushes.:) I am pleased to join your birthday celebration.
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| WOW effect of Nean's selfie mirror. |
"Holiday " dinner at Yakimix with family. Knowing how weird I am, it may not come as a surprise that I celebrated Christmas @PH in November. We even had "exchange gift" to boot.
I do not know as to when and if I will ever be fully alright to be at Philippines for the holidays. Not having Mamang anymore changed my outlook in almost everything 360 degrees.
Somehow I managed to light up our humble abode with lanterns and Christmas tree.
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| Diet-diet lang pag may time.:) |
This is what I missed!! Mala- excursion na lakad with Villa pipz. Truth of the matter, kokonti pa kami dyan! This was on Tammy's birthday night at SMP after the traditional Starbucks time to cap off dinner.
Yes I turned 41! Grey hair sprouts continuously, laugh lines are noticeable, sleepyhead before midnight, just a few signs of aging.Haha!!
These are my lovely friends and sisters. I know that I will still go home to PH to be with them and to continue to create wonderful memories.
We love to do crazy and goofy things and laugh at ourselves afterwards. They are in my list of prized possessions , with their generosity and thoughtfulness, I am rich! Thank you for EVERYTHING!!!
Feeling ko halos buong Pampanga clergy, nagdadasal na sana THE One will come!! I told them not to lose hope, who knows Leo Di Caprio will bump into me early 2019??? :) :)
I spent most of my days with Nia, who is so sweet and funny. I now miss her voice, calling me " Ninang" every 15 seconds.Till I see you again.
I love you my Nia. Wag daw masyado maarte like Ninang, sabi ni Mommy Claire!!Hihi!!
We are the WangWang girls!! One of their sons said it all oh so kindly-" You are louder than my classmates!!1" Whuuutttt!!!!:)
Thank you for hosting the dinner at your lovely home.Rose. I think sa photos, di naman kami mukhang maingay.
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| BEST cake ever!!! I literally screamed in delight when Rose opened the box. |
Cheers to more than two decades of friendship, mga MARS. I am proud of all your domestic, business and professional achievements.
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| Stay beautiful, you all. |
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| My inaanak AC and Adrian. |
Bonding with sis souls, Cleng and Analyn. As has it been, tambay lang sa bahay chatting nonstop about anything and everything.
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| Ninang loves you mucho! |
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| Thank you for the visit, Camille, Kyle and Ate Cora. |
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| Unbeatable kilawin of Mayet before heading to NAIA for my departure. |
November 27 was the feast of the Miraculous Medal, it was the day of my departure. As I often say, Mama Mary is firm and adamant in guiding me and leading me to the right path, that even if there are times that I am tempted to be not so nice and wanna be naughty, She pulls me gently in an immediate second.
Parang maganda ako dito , kasi siguro I am beside Sta. Ana and San Joaquin. :) Life hasn't been easy, praying at times needed extra effort when days were like pitch black, however, I never totally felt alone and hopeless. Thank You for your intercession.
Yes I do. It 's where I was born, where I grew up and got old. Sketches of thousand and one memories are stored in my heart. I know that I will still fly and come back someday, ready to brave the humidity and traffic, coz it's still worth it.
Coming back to my other home, California, my workmates asked what places or tourist spots did I go to. PAMPANGA. It's the best place to be.( I nonetheless hope to say Hi to my Boracay next time).The people posted on this page made the 12-day trip, jetlag and traffic worthwhile.
Not having Mamang around anymore is a bittersweet reality. I don't have her hand to hold and voice to hear yet it doesn't crush my heart longer to leave her.
When I candidly told my manager I may need time off from work coz I am depressed, she gave me this reply, "Michelle, you are not depressed." Ok fine!!!:) Mamang showed me the strength , faith, hope and courage I need to survive. She taught me to see the beauty of life no matter the season.
I am very grateful to all these people who shared their valuable hours and days with me. I am big with TIME,it is something that cannot be brought back. Beyond their gifts and pasalubong goodies for me, it is their time spared to share with me that is so priceless.Thank you.
I am back in CA, my home too. Oh how lucky I am, to be surrounded by love and care on two opposite sides of the world. Life remains to be beautiful.
Thankful. Blessed. Loved.
