An Update

It's been awfully quiet around this particular bit of the internet for quite some time; two months to be exact. I proceeded to stop blogging for a while because so much was happening in my life - I moved into an apartment with two of my best friends in the world and I came home to the Philippines for a visit that's roughly two months and a half long. But I felt inspired to start writing again... and this is my little version of an update.

Watch this space! Starting next week, I'm hoping to produce two entries a week - and updating you on the many changes that my personal life has been witness to lately (with one in particular that's quite memorable).

A Post for Mama

Today is a very special day, as it is my mom's birthday. I won't disclose her age, because she'd probably freak out if I did that. But I will write a lovely little tribute since I can't see her in person until a few days after her actual birthday.

Thank you for...

loving me and my sisters, loving dad, loving the rest of the family; encouraging me to be creative and to learn and to fight for the things I want to come true; teaching me how to be organized and neat (and how to clean the house well!); teaching me the importance of responsibility and having good values; providing security, a safety net, and the best support system in the world; for being brave enough to take chances and to fight for each one of us to be the best we can be; for your understanding and your faith in each and every one of us; for the sense of adventure and the love of home and family that I've inherited; for the trust and for the love.

My wish for you is...

peace in your heart; a wonderful and lengthy set of years ahead; the ability to travel to every single place you've ever wanted to visit; to find the thing you're passionate about and to learn what you can about it and go for it; good health and no more pain; financial gain and other material blessings that you deserve; happiness and love, which are the most important of all.

I love you mom. Happy birthday! I will see you very, very soon.

P.S. Here's a song for you!

In Memoriam

Four years ago, I got a phone call that changed my life forever.

Actually, the truth of the matter is this:

I was watching One Tree Hill with my then room mate and still BFF Mutya. We were deeply engrossed in this particular episode, though now I wouldn't be able to tell you which episode it was, and it was quite unfortunate that my phone was on silent mode since we had arrived about half an hour ago from our film class.

Mutya's phone rang somewhere in the middle of the episode. She answered it and, within the space of a few minutes, her expression changed and she glanced at me with sadness written plainly all over her face. And in that moment, I knew.

The tears came unbidden, rushing down my cheeks; I took the phone automatically as Mutya handed it to me. And I sat there, listening to my boyfriend tell me that my grandfather, my Lolo Joseph was gone.

This happened four years ago, but I still remember it so clearly. I remember getting the details from Macky, then taking the opportunity to phone my mom and my sister and whoever else I could reach in the family. I remember Bianca getting off the phone with her mom, and the hugs she and Mutya gave me as I started crying.

And I remember how it felt like a part of me was broken off just to know he was gone.

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Four years ago, I flew home and walked into the middle of a mass.

I was dressed in white, as we had all agreed. And it was a little embarrassing to walk into the middle of the entire affair. But I did it for my grandfather. And I did it for my family. It was the best comfort I could have found in that particular time.

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Four years ago, there was a week or so of mourning.

It was a week of white clothes and meals that left me stuffed, a week of family and friends and memories and moments. It was a week of tears and smiles and prayers and letting go. Though the specifics have blurred as the years passed, what I do remember is this: it was a week of solidarity in mourning one amazing man.

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Four years ago, the world lost one spectacular man - my grandfather, Lolo Joseph.

There are still not enough words in the universe to describe how devastating an event losing him was. My grandfather was an incredible man. He inspired me with his dedication to making the province better, with his drive to achieve better, with his unspoken encouragement, pride and love in me and all the rest of the family. He was stubborn; he was tenacious; he was happy; he was generous; he was doting; he was heroic in my eyes; he was the best.

Though he's gone, I do my best to live my life in a way that would make him proud. My move to the USA, my adventures in New York, learning to stand on my own two feet, cultivating a cultured, independent and intelligent personality - these are all things that I truly believe would make him proud.

I miss you Lolo. I know that you're happy where you are.

Time to Wander

Source

This blog is going on a brief hiatus as I travel down to Atlanta, Georgia to meet my sister Mel. We're pretty psyched for our mini-adventure - and hopefully, I can tell you a little about it soon!

After Georgia, I'll be flying home to the Philippines - which is halfway around the world.

So excuse the silence (except for a few posts on queue), and be ready for great stuff appearing on this blog after this little break. It's going to be one heck of an adventure!

February 2012

February went by quickly, despite it being a leap year (and therefore having an extra day!). It was a month of much fun and definitely lots of love!

February 1: After attending Hillsong Exchange, Pat, Jaymee, Austin & I had dinner TGIF.

February 2: I went to my first ever Hillsong Connect Group meeting with the Midtown West group. I haven't been since, but this group of women is amazing and so inspiring.

February 5: It was Vision Sunday at Hillsong NYC, so services were held at the Salvation Army building. We also went to watch Pat's ex-boyfriend (Daniel Radcliffe, lol) in Woman in Black.

February 10: I went to file taxes at H&R Block with Pat, and we had Shake Shack for dinner. I slept over at her house!

February 11: I ran a few errands with Pat, had a Dunkin Donuts date and slept over again. I also found out my Tita Dodo had passed away.

February 12: The Hillsong service featured Ben Houston. The girls and I all went to Dallas BBQ for lunch and then watched The Vow.

February 14: I slept over at Tita Elsa's house for the first time.

February 15: Hillsong Exchange featured the "big eagle" Brian Houston. After dinner at Dallas BBQ with Pat, Jaymee & Austin, I slept over at Pat's.

February 16: My office mates Karen & Marlon treated me to dinner at Qi, which is a really cool Asian fusion restaurant.

February 17: I went off to Books of Wonder to be a part of the Breathless Reads tour. It was awesome to see Andrea Cremer, Jessica Spotswood, Beth Revis & Marie LU.

February 18: I drove down to Maryland with Tito Nim, Tita Expay and Tita Elsa to attend Tita Dodo's viewing and the dinner afterwards.

February 19: Hillsong NYC featured Brian Houston. We had lunch somewhere in the West Village, and I slept over at Pat's.

February 24: I spent the morning with Pat running lots of errands, and then had dinner at Mitsuwa with the Ornillos.

February 25: I moved out of New Jersey and into the Bronx, so I guess I'm (officially) a New Yorker now! I spent most of the day organizing stuff.

February 26: We had lunch at Brave pizza and visited the American Apparel warehouse sale.

February 29: My office mates treated me to pizza and cupcakes! Jaymee, Austin, Pat & I had dinner at Brother Jimmy's BBQ. I also did my initial packing for the Philippines.

All in all, it was a low key, but definitely busy month of February. I both love and hate how quickly the days flew by! But I'm definitely really enjoying March so far... Let's hope that stays that way!