Mitzi and Nugget

 Yes, this is a real dog. It's alive, moving and breathing. His name is Nugget. He makes my heart happy. He is so tiny I am afraid I will break his bones. I love him already. He is not mine though but I get to see  and cuddle him when time permits.

I will have my own baby someday, that is when and if I get the chance to have days off from work.

I miss Nugget now.

Nugget. Cute. Pet.

Goofy Mykee

 My darling M, I miss you. This pandemic hinders the chances for us to see each other as I work in an isolation clinic that deals with COVID positive patients. Are you already taller than me?? Your voice I noticed on Zoom, when you lead the rosary, has changed. What else is changing, darling?

I hope to catch up on you and Ate Kadie soon. For now, safety is a priority. Know that Tita loves you. I think of you now and then and you are always in my prayers.

I love you, Kela!!!

M. Family. Niece

Thankful and Tickled

When someone surprises you with delivery of these presents, you cannot help but feel valued.

Tokens were carefully thought as they were personal and meaningful. How the person remembered that you do not have the most recent World Series memorabilia of LA Dodgers.

How lovely the flowers in sunshiny shade of yellow... the color that connotes gratitude.

Now I would like to think I indeed have beautiful eyes.LOL!!

I have no plans to understand how the game works. I am good with basketball and tennis. I am happy anyhow that LA both grabbed the NBA and World Series titles on this pandemic year.

Thank you to somebody who appreciated the care I give. I try my best to provide care with compassion.

Appreciation. Gratitude. Respect.

17-20-23

Dearest Mang and Tita Beck,

I miss the both of you very much. These succeeding few days make me quite melancholic.  When it is too lonesome to take, I tightly shut my eyes and travel to time machine capsule and relive random memories of your togetherness. The funny anecdotes, the words of wisdom, the courage to face life's adversities with grace. Your fascination with red lipstick and fashion was a matter of discussion that was never taken lightly.

March 2016. Our Lady of Manaoag Church in Pangasinan

My forever most beautiful woman in the world.

March 2020. Morongo Casino for Arlette's birthday.

I think of you every day. The mask is the biggest fashion star in this pandemic and all is required to wear it. It does not anyway stop me from applying red lipstick at any give time coz it somehow keeps the dots among us connected.

Thank you for teaching me the value of faith and prayers.

I was at my happiest with you, Ma.

November 2019.Your last birthday here on earth.

January 2019. At Crystal Cathedral in Orange.

Beauty that never faded.

I thank all the people who made Mamang feel special.

For you, love for family is non-negotiable.

I still long for our FaceTime calls. Coz with it, I see you "live" and hear your voice.

Cor and Becks, you were never Masterchefs. You did not have a truly to -die -for recipe or signature dish. You always made up for it by saying, "Biasa na kami mang mag-entertain.!!! Ok, fine!!:)

One fine morning, back in our old abode in Sta.Ana, I awoke still sleepyhead and was astonished to see a priest with full "sutana" in the living room. I thought I was still dreaming.You invited him for brekky. I on the other hand didn't need caffeine anymore to awaken my senses.

Oh and those late nights of hanging out with Tita Buena and Among Roger, there was the reversal of role. Suddenly I was the one at home, waiting for you to arrive from your escapades. Then I discover the Chowking, Manila receipts inside your purse. You were so funny.:)

I keep in my chest of treasures all the cute stories, the shared triumphs and sorrows, and everything in between.

Your love and loyalty for each other was at its most sincere shape. The way you cared for each other, you had each other's back. There were no ifs and buts. No reasons, seasons and excuses. It has always been constant and consistent.

Your eyes twinkled with happy little stars in attending all church activities. There were instances, atlung misa in a day and when we asked you about it, you'd just say, "Dakal kami pangadi!" No matter how puyat you were from playing mahjong ,you managed to be present for the first Mass every Sunday without fail.

You did not get jaded of each other's company. You were content be it simply laying on the sofa chair or papag. It didn't change, it remained how it was from Mamang's pre-stroke era up to the time that she became wheelchair-bound with neurologic deficits.

I miss you Mamang and Tita. If only I could have one more day with you and laugh and chat just like in the olden days. I never had doubts with eternal life and heaven. I know you are in the most peaceful and joyful place now. It's just that I still yearn to see and hear you. It's the VOICE that is sorely missed.

May I emulate your generous and forgiving hearts. Your strength and resilience in facing trials and tribulations. Your sense of humor and charm to add spice to life. Your unwavering faith in God and deep devotion to Mama Mary and Sta. Ana.

I make a conscious effort now and then to be a good girl so that I can be granted a pass to heaven to see you both again.. someday.

For now, I am sending you butterfly kisses filled with love.

Cheers to the two most-loved women in my life!!!!

And why 17-20-23???

November 17, 2017- God took back Mamang three days before my 40th birthday.

November 20- Happy birthday to ME!:)

November 23- Tita Beck's birthday.

Three days apart.

Yet connected by heart.

Mamang.Mitzi.Beck.

Love and Lysol

 You were rare as romantic love. Each time I try to find you, you were nowhere. I sometimes give up when my patience runs thin but at the back of my mind, there's always this fervent wish to find you.

Then one lazy morning as I stride at Walmart, there you were.. quietly staring at me in three columns of an aisle. It was as if I saw Adam, Kobe and Jack Dorsey all at the same time , an Omigosh moment at its extreme height.

Oh Lysol, you give my eyes little twinkle happiness. I can manage zero lovelife but I cannot survive without yah!!!:)

Thank you for finding me. I wonder, will love find me too???LOL!!!

Lysol. LOL. Love.

Ariweda

 This strongly reminds me of childhood memories in my hometown, annually for our Fiesta celebration. Perya!!! Caterpillar and ariweda. The Disneyland of our younger years. When life was at its simple state- no social media, Internet and mobile phones. When life's joys are punctuated by family togetherness, sabatan and salikutan with neighbors, cousins' overnight stay at home and winning drinking glasses and plates from perya plus five pesos from playing "color-color." :)

Old school. Classic. For Keeps.

My Lakers 2010 Shirt

 I am a super duper Kobe Bryant fan. Love and like him so much, I don't want to use past tense yet. His last championship ring was on 2010, to be honest, I dunno what team was the opponent. All I know was I was so into it, I stayed at UA Chapel for quick solemn pleas to God and Mama Mary that Lakers may grab the title. I remember asking my students to pray for the team, they all did. Why? They liked Kobe too, they wanted their Ma'am Mitch to be happy and they were happier to receive "plus points" for every Lakers win. Haha!!

This shirt I wore recently ( Lakers battling in 2020)was bought by my Koyang Mark and was mailed to PH in 2010. Ten years has passed and it is still here coz I plan to keep if forever. I only hope that I can fit into its tiny size for another decade. :)

Lakers.Forever. Kobe.

Fifth Anniversary

 

Today marks my fifth anniversary in a company where I work as a Registered Nurse in an In-center Hemodialysis clinic. I consider it my first real job here in America. I was hired as new, inexperienced nurse as I was barely five months here, and truly I was a novice in nephrology nursing. It's funny where life can lead you in unexpected roads and destinations. I had ample exposure to Medical-Surgical Nursing, OB-Gyn, Psychiatric Nursing and Academe and other fields of Nursing but never in dialysis.

And here I am learning so much about it ,and I am actually having fun. I do not find it boring and less challenging as there is much to discover. I get to perform direct patient care skills and assessment. I feel like I have a real purpose in this world and God has put me in a place where I can shine best and share my compassion and passion at the same time. 

The best part of my job?? Admittedly it's the financial compensation. I get paid by the minute, my job is my bread and butter that covers the monthly and unexpected expenses. Alongside, it is knowing that however little way, I get to help my patients live a longer and more meaningful life. Their Thank you's and appreciation are priceless. Lastly, I awoke each duty day with zeal and excitement to shower and dress up and drive to my work. For someone like me, fun is an ingredient that has to be present always. I am glad to say work has also been my happy play place. The challenges, setbacks and fatigue of physical and emotional forms only add to the colorful and exciting rainbow colors of my work life and I embrace them as they come. Then quietly let them go.

Five years. So far, so good.

Thank You God. You allow me to make a difference in other people's lives.

Care. Compassion. Passion.

Jose's Brief SoCal Visit

When one brother lives in North, we make it a point to make memories to last a lifetime.

As it is still summer season, we opted to catch sun's rays at Newport Beach.

Dear Mamang and Papang, despite our differences, know that we got each other's back. You raised us well to be God-fearing and helpful people. I know that I can always count on these three Koyas for support and care.

Dearest Beloy, please remember that despite the hundreds of miles bordering us, you are constantly in our prayers and thoughts. I hope that you met your wish of rest and respite with us, though I think my and At's extreme anxiety over the Lakers' games rubbed off on you. LOL!!!

Thank you Koya for listening to my sermons and advices. Thank you for the respect and making our family a priority. We are proud of you. Until your next visit.

Family. Jose. Melvin.