Random Snapshots From A Moving Train

Notice Of Action

Over the past couple of years, I've noticed that a few of my friends were finally being reunited with their parent/s. I was told that the process of petitioning an alien relative have gotten quite speedy and I was encouraged to start petitioning my mother since I've been a US citizen for sometime. This plan has always been on the back of my mind but now that I have to make that decision, I had some moments of doubt. I wanted to see first how the newly-arrived parents are managing their new lifestyle. I was curious as to how they are integrating to their new status and adjusting to a different culture. Most of them were already enjoying their retirement and had their own network of friends back home. Is it really a wise and fair decision to take all that away from them? Is living in the US really worth it for them?

Maybe I'm way over thinking these things. I'm sure people assumed that I would be trying to get my parent to come to the US once I became a citizen. I reckon people have made comments to my mother like "You're lucky. Your daughter will take you to the US". I wish it's as easy as that. My Mama had to make a very important decision to uproot herself from everything she has ever known, including leaving her own elderly mother, at this point in her life. It was certainly different for me then since I was just starting out and very eager for a fresh beginning. My mother have already made a life for herself. She is surrounded by family and friends and although far from living in utmost abundance, she has properties she can speak of. Being here in the US means she will be financially dependent on us, with less family and not much of a social life. Furthermore, she won't be able to visit my father's grave whenever she wants. She really do have a lot to give up if she's going to make this move.

Mama with Lola Dayan & grandaughters

Don't get me wrong. She liked it here when she and my father visited five years ago. In fact, my parents were looking forward to migrate eventually. But now that my father's gone, I wasn't all too sure if my mother would be happy in a new place where she only have me and Kenny as immediate family. As much as I would love for her to be close by me, I left the choice up to her. After mulling things over, her ruling finally came down based on who's going to gain advantage from it. Like the good mother that she is, she's ultimately doing this for my youngest sister Sande . Once my mother becomes an immigrant, she'll be eligible to petition my sister since she's still under 21 years old. She just wants my sister to have the same opportunities I have. Also, my mother was motivated by the likelihood that my other sister Emily (and her family) will finally make it to the US soon since her application for a nursing job in New York is currently in the works. Things are definitely looking more to her liking and I'm glad and relieved about that. I wouldn't want her to be left in the Philippines without my sister since she's been looking out for her. My mother might not be in poor health yet but I'd prefer for her to be in a place where there is better medical care when she needs it. I still blame my father's demise on the substandard medical service in our city. I just wouldn't want my mother to be another casualty.

A few weeks ago, I finally submitted the application to the USCIS. It took sometime to get everything together as it can be a slow and tedious process obtaining documents from the Philippines' government offices. It was a mad rush to submit the requirements since I wanted to take advantage of the lower fee. After July 31st, the application fee was raised from $190.00 to $355.00. That's quite a big difference, huh?

Anyway, I recently received the Notice of Action   that notified me of the receipt of the application. I spoke to my mother about it and she seemed pleased that things are going as planned. She sounded quite excited and informed me that she's starting to get her business in order, tying up loose ends and making sure that my little (not really so little anymore) sister will be taken cared of while she's away. It's going to be tough to be parted from each other but such sacrifice is necessary to achieve the ultimate goal of a family reunion that's been long overdue. I can't wait for that to happen soon!

Rules of Engagement

I know this is kind of a late entry for Valentine's Day but I've read some really interesting posts from some of my blogger friends ( Marianer Joy, Mary ) that somehow prompted me to share my point of view on this.

Unless you've been living under a rock since birth, we all know that Saint Valentine's day or Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14. It is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentine's cards or candy. It is very common to present flowers on Valentine's Day. I got pink roses and a nice card from Kenny but he wisely skipped the candies or chocolates as he's been hearing me fret about my weight gain and insecurities . Anyway, the day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines." Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged Cupid. I remember making those type of cards back in grade school and handing them out to friends and family members. It was very innocent and sweet, so free of angst from the pressures that romance brings. It was the time when we have not yet tasted the bitterness of unrequited love or having your affection rebuffed from the object of your admiration. And that was just in high school. Those rose-colored glasses have long been taken off, I must say.

Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards. In the United States, the marketing of Valentine's Day has tagged it as a "Hallmark holiday." A recent trend has been to refer to February 14 as Singles Awareness Day. Aside from the obvious occasion, the day can mean so many things to people. Well, it so happens that it also marks the day that Kenny proposed to me five years ago. Yep, on Valentine's Day in 2002, at the Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida. It was right before the spectacular fireworks show. We just had dinner at a Moroccan restaurant and were rushing to catch the parade and the show when he suddenly steered us away from the crowd towards a small bridge somewhere. While catching my breath, he got down on a bended knee and presented me with a ring lying inside a small red velvet box. Through the blur of tears, I saw his lips moving and the next thing I know, I said "Yes!" in response to that much-awaited question. Needless to say, we were both too emotional for words. It took a few minutes before the reality finally sinked in. We got engaged! We're getting married! Oh, my!

The rest of the night was spent calling our respective families to share the news. Kenny's family was not as surprised but were over-the-moon with happiness indeed. My own parents were more matter-of-fact. My mother just said, "Good. When is the wedding?" I guess they've been expecting it as well since Kenny already spoke to my father about his intentions during his first visit to the Philippines. I'm sure my Papa was just relieved that someone's finally making an honest woman out of me.

I'd be lying if I tell you that our engagement was a total surprise to me. I've had hints and clues for months but every time I thought he was going to propose to me (like on Christmas Day, New Year's eve/ day), I was left baffled and undeniably disappointed . It was getting frustrating especially since my friends and coworkers had a penchant for making predictions as to when it's going to happen and they were wrong every time. So, even as we were planning for our trip to Disneyworld (my first), I tried not to get my hopes raised. I regarded it only as a fun vacation for both of us, a reprieve from the winter blues. I was just ecstatic enough to finally be able to fulfill the ultimate childhood dream of being in the wonderful world of Disney. Growing up in the Philippines, it was one of those things that a child can only dream of. Experiencing it with Kenny was a big bonus indeed.

I guess you could say that on that one Valentine's Day, I visited the land of fairy tales and got my Prince Charming too. I'm sure some of you have your own engagement stories to tell. I know some might be very romantic and creative and some might be unusual or unorthodox. Heck, women had been known to pop the question themselves. And then again, it could be just as simple and straightforward and it doesn't make it any less exciting or significant to the couple concerned.

Most guys would plan and scheme but a lot of things could throw them off the loop. Kenny confessed that the ring felt like it was burning a hole in his pocket and finding the "right" moment was not as easy as he thought it would be. I was just glad that he didn't make such a spectacle out of it. He knows how uncomfortable I am with drawing public attention to myself. Others might prefer flair and appreciate the drama surrounding the big event but as long as it doesn't involve indecency and sacrificing of humans and animals, I'm all for that as well.

Our engagement story might not be as unique as the others but it was our moment to remember. It just makes it more meaningful that it also fell on the same day that people around the world take the time and make an effort to show their love and to remind their lovedones that they are never far away from their minds and hearts. It might be a "Hallmark holiday" but in our turbulent world, we can always use a "Hallmark moment" from time to time, right?

Six Feet Under and Deeper

More than a month ago, we celebrated  the memory of our dear departed. For us Filipinos, we did this by visiting their graves, lighting candles and offering prayers, flowers and food. Yeah, the last one might be odd but that was something I distinctly remember when I was young and whenever I accompanied my grandmother to the cemetery during All Souls Day. This year, I almost made it to the cemetery but it was such a scorcher of a day and the heat was just too much for me. My head was pounding and I felt a bout of heatstroke coming on so I begged off and went home without being able to visit my father's grave. Feeling disappointed, I rationalized that being physically there was not the only way to pay my respects. Perhaps this blog entry might serve as his special memorial service, one that is long overdue.

"Why do people have to die?"

To make life important.

If you've been watching TV recently, you might have heard these words uttered in a trailer for the HBO series "Six Feet Under". I am not trying to sound morbid or depressing but something clicked in me.  I have mentioned my father's death in my previous blog entries but I have not really written much about the events leading to it. Everytime I attempted to write about it, I always found myself pulling back, unable to put into words what I went through. Hopefully, the right time has come. Where shall I begin?

FLASHBACK: When Kenny and I got engaged and decided to have the wedding in the States, we immediately worked on obtaining visitor's visas for my parents and sisters so they can be with us for the occasion. We knew it was a long shot but we were optimistic that they will be approved. Unfortunately, their first application was denied. Feeling despondent, I considered the possibility that none of my family will be present on such an important event in my life. My then-fiance pushed to apply for the visas again for my parents. My father almost declined to pursue another chance, worried about the financial costs it entailed. My mother persuaded him to try again after I told her that I would have to walk down the isle by myself as I didn't feel it would be right for somebody else, other than my father, to do the honor of giving me away. I guess they just couldn't bear the thought of their daughter looking like a forlorn bride on her wedding day so they hastily reapplied.

Fortunately, the second time was a charm. I was so glad to pick them up at the airport two weeks before the wedding. I proudly introduced them to my then future-in-laws and despite the slight language barrier and shyness, they got along pretty well. I showed them around the city and watched their faces lit up with amazement from every little thing that they found interesting and different. Finally, the big day (Oct. 25, 2002) arrived. Although we were both nervous, the moment felt perfect when my father and I sauntered to the altar where my groom was waiting. He offered my hand to Kenny and that simple singular gesture of trust touched me to the core. I couldn't ask for anything more at that moment.

Weeks later, I was at the airport again, bidding goodbye to my parents. Although I was sad to see them depart, I knew they had a great time during their oh-so-short vacation. The time we spent together was one I will forever treasure as it will never be replicated. Nevertheless, almost six months later, I felt homesick and impulsively decided to visit my family. They were indeed delighted to find out about my planned trip home. My sisters were pretty bummed out that they didn't get to be there for my wedding so they looked forward to my coming. In retrospect, it's as if the trip was designed by some cosmic powers-that-be. Whether you believe in it or not, what followed was just pure kismet.

FAST FORWARD: Eight hours before my departure and in the midst of last-minute packing chaos, I called my mother to verify if someone was available to pick me up at the airport in Manila. Despite the distance, I sensed that something wasn't right. She sounded frazzled and preoccupied. She haltingly informed me that she was at the ER of a local hospital and that my father was just brought in minutes ago. I felt my blood drained from my body and my heart was beating so loud and fast that I almost missed what my mother was saying to me over the bad phone connection. Apparently, my father went to work that day as usual but during a staff meeting, he got into a disagreement with someone. Instead of engaging in a confrontation, my father chose to be quiet. He went back to his office and soon after that, his co-workers noticed that he wasn't looking well. He didn't even put up a fuss when they took it upon themselves to rush him to the hospital.

With all this overwhelming information I was bombarded with, I was just thankful that Kenny was nearby to keep me from losing my composure. I spoke with the doctor on the phone and he basically assured me that my father will be under close observation but will be fine and likely to be discharged in a day or so. I called my mother again just before I left for the airport and was told that my father was resting and seemed to be feeling better. I refrained from talking to him as I didn't want to add my nervous energy in the mix. Some of my fears were allayed but not knowing the extent of my father's medical problem gave me a sense of impending doom. I tried to shake it off, not wanting to give the notion a chance to ferment and fester in my head. "Think positive", I chided myself as I endured the remaining hours of waiting for my flight. Still with an uneasy feeling nagging at me, I finally boarded the plane. I was dreading what kind of a reunion it might be but I was ready to be there with my family.

During the lengthy flight, I tried to lull myself to sleep to avoid thinking those pesky, distressing thoughts. At one point, I suddenly woke up, gasping for air and with a sick feeling in my stomach. It's as if a cloud of sadness enveloped me with an intensity I couldn't fathom. My body was racked with an  inexplicable, overwhelming feeling of loss. I was on the verge of tears and it took every ounce of my restraint not to succumb into a weeping mess. By the time we got to Japan for a layover, I was a ticking bomb, ready to explode. I knew something had happened and I had no way of knowing what it was. I was cut off from everything and everyone. I've never felt so vulnerable in my entire life.

When I finally arrived in Manila, I wasn't even paying attention to the usual melee and the muggy air outside of the airport. I scanned the people's faces and recognized my three cousins among them. We hugged and I immediately inquired, "How is my father?". I got my answer before they even uttered a single word. They could barely look me in the eyes. Oblivious to the bedlam around me, I broke down in tears. I just wanted to curl up in a ball and release all the pent up emotions I had been holding back for hours. Everything around me was in a tailspin. "Why, Lord, why? Not my father, please...not him..." I beseeched.

Mercifully, my cousins ushered me away from the curious looks of bystanders. One of them got my mother on the phone. She was as distraught as I imagined her to be. I still cannot believe the nightmare we were in. I kept wishing that I'd wake up and everything will be back to the way it was. In between sobs, my mother told me that Kenny already found out hours ago. Oh, my God! He must be in the same state of shock I was in. I called him up and we were both crying on the phone. He assured me that he'll be rejoining me very soon in the Philippines. I was beyond caring how he managed to take off from work so fast. I just desperately wanted him to be there with me.

The following days were in a blur, a roller coaster of emotions: anger, guilt, sadness, grief, numbness, indifference, denial, exhaustion, more anger, self-blame... A lot of people came to offer their condolences and assistance. We tried hard to be gracious, bereaved  hosts. We were seemingly functioning but lying underneath the calm veneer was the need to be left alone to lick our wounds, to acknowledge the bitter reality that the person lying in the coffin was our own dearly beloved husband, father, grandfather and father-in-law. Needless to say, the burial was one of the most excruciating thing I've ever experienced. There are no adequate words to describe it and I'm not even going to attempt to.

FINALE: It has been more than 3 years ago since and although I have come to terms with it, there are still days when it's a bit tough to accept that I can no longer see, hear nor touch my father. As much as I comfort myself with the thought that he is "in a better place" now, I still feel the pang of regret whenever I miss his presence during my visits or when I can no longer ask for him to be put on the phone just to say, "Hi, Papa!".

Oh, there's so many things about him that I miss but it's futile to dwell on them. All I can do now is to be there for my family, to shoulder the responsibilities that came with being the first-born. For the first few months, I became the head of the family while my mother was testing the waters of her new status as a widow and a single mother of a 10 yr-old girl (my youngest sister Sande). Surprisingly, my relationship with her has remarkably changed for the better. We have developed a strong mutual respect for each other and we've become closer as the years passed by. We've had our moments of conflicts as we're both headstrong women but we're secure with the knowledge that we love each other no matter what.

My father's death has certainly awakened my zest for life that laid dormant for years, buried under the debilitating ennui and indolence, and weakened from the stress of keeping up in a rat race. My life received a rejuvenating jolt. I satisfied my thirst for travel and adventure. I nurtured a renewed enthusiasm in writing and got engaged in different interests outside of my comfort zone. I now take every opportunity I have to be with my family and friends. Most of all, I try not to take for granted the fact that it could be me next in the lottery of death. We all die, that we know for sure. The only variables are the when, where and how and if people would even care. Bottomline, I only have one life to live so I'd better make it count and it better be a graceful exit.

White Trashed

Okay, I caved in. I just gotta post this recent photo of my two girls, Sidney and Lara. Sidney is now almost 8 months and it sure shows in her size. She's most likely reached her maximum size but she still might grow a little bit more. She weighs heavier (12 lbs or more) now everytime I pick her up. Lara on the other hand just turned 4 months and is still very much in her training stage. Our days and nights are pretty much spent cleaning up after her. She has become adept at going up and down the stairs so we had to install a gate so she can't freely leave any "presents" for us to pick up. She has gone for walks as well although it usually will turn into something else other than a pleasurable stroll. Oh, well.

We just had our backyard fenced a few days ago. Although we're planning on selling the house, we felt the need to provide the pups a space to run around and be safe. They are indeed enjoying the freedom a lot. The downside of it is that they get so dirty and with their color being white, keeping them clean is another tedious task. We like having them sleep with us on our bed but I draw the line on sleeping with stinky and muddy dogs. Therefore, we have to spend an inordinate amount of time washing them up before bedtime. Kenny is usually the one bathing them and I get to blowdry them up. No easy feat at times but worth it when they snuggle up to us and they just smell so good. Here are some pics from last Saturday night's bath time.

In need of a thorough scrubbing.

Lara: Brrrr... Hurry up, will ya?

Sidney waiting for her turn. So dirty and still so cute!

Sidney: I could go for a swim here.

Can't get any cleaner than this, huh?

On Christmas Day...

Maligayang Pasko!  Maayong Pasko!  Feliz Navidad!  Mele Kalikimaka!  God Jul!  Joyeux Noel! Buon Natale!  C Roszdestvom Christovim!  Froliche Weihnacten!  Vrolijke Kerstmis! 

In between all the parties...

Behind all the decorations...

Underneath the bags and boxes and bows...

Is the true meaning of Christmas.

Wishing you real peace, real love, real joy, at Christmas and always.

Rose and Ken

The Last Dance

Read my latest entry about my Last Dance with my Father.

My Papa

My father's birthday was on October 2 and although he passed away more than 2 years ago, here's the link to my tribute to Papa Loly .

Mark & Monica's Wedding

      Check out my entry on Mark and Monica's wedding.

                 

Open Mic Monday Nite

I barely had a couple hours of sleep but when Kenny asked if we could go see Luke's gig at the Funky Buddha Lounge, I was all for it. I've been looking forward to seeing him perform and I previously missed it a few times due to my work schedule. Tif and Ted will also be there so it will be a lot more fun.

I've never been to this club before but I think the whole ambiance is pretty cool and laid back. The owners have turned this hole in a wall near the intersection of Halsted/Grand/Milwaukee into an ultra hip lounge. Scarlet crushed velvet sofas and drapes add to the mystique of The Funky Buddha Lounge and give it a retro feel. The bar definitely has a laid-back feel to it, with long black leather and faux leopard skin benches and combination ottoman-table furnishings occupying the wall opposite the bar. On regular weekend nights, those who live to vibe on acid jazz, funk and house, this is the place to be. This is also  where the beautiful peeps creep and their gear comes straight out of the magazines.

Tonight was a different night though. The crowd was a younger set with a hippie-like attitude. It was very casual, with a coffee house atmosphere. It was open mic night and if you've ever watched Def Jam Poetry on HBO, it's about the same concept. In fact, a couple of Luke's friends had already performed in the show a few months ago. They were there tonight as well.

Luke seemed glad to see us. I bet he didn't quite expect for us to show up since it's a week night. Ten minutes later, Tif and Ted walked in. Then, almost half an hour later, Laurette (my mother-in-law), came through the door. Wow! It became a family affair all together. I could tell that Luke was really appreciative of his family's support. He was practically beaming and we were just equally enthusiastic to see him perform.

It was almost close to 10 pm when Luke and his friend Jay finally did their set. They played their original compositions with an interesting combination of musical instruments and technology (using a computer program for the background sound). We particularly enjoyed the first song they did. I'll have to remember to ask Luke for a CD recording. We share a similar taste in music and would recommend newly discovered and upcoming artists to each other. He had always given me CDs as presents on special occasions.

Anyway, it was a great night spent with the family. It definitely left us with feel-good vibes. Family and friendships matter to us a whole lot and whatever time we have available, we'd spend it nourishing these relationships.

Monica's Day

Today was mostly spent outdoors. To start with, I went to a wedding shower. Kenny's cousin Mark and his wife Monica will be having a church wedding ceremony on September.  They have an adorable daughter Molly who just turned two years old and is just cute as a button.   Monica is very pretty and gorgeous and Mark is equally good-looking. I bet they will look great as bride and groom on their big day.

The event was held at Aunt Joane's home. I had a bit of a deja vu moment as I also had a bridal shower there almost 3 years ago. My mother-in-law even mentioned it to me and I can't help but reminisce about it. It was a lot of fun being a bride-to-be. I had 3 bridal showers, lucky me. The first one was given by my co-workers at the hospital. The second was hosted by my Filipino friends at Paul and Belen's place. The grand finale was thrown by my mother-in-law and sister-in-law at Aunt Joane's, attended by their family and friends as well as members of my bridal party. Everybody was just so generous and I felt blessed to be so honored. Needless to say, a lot of thank you cards were written and sent.

 

More Than a Father's Day

We had a slow start to the day but ended up a little hectic as dinner time came around. We had just enough time to prepare the meat, potatoes and salad by the time the family (Dad , Tiff, Ted and Luke) arrived at around 6 pm.   Everybody seemed to be in the best of spirits and there were a lot of joking and laughing around while Kenny grilled the steaks. The dinner came out right and we got compliments on the steaks. Tiffiany asked what marinade was used and I told her about what my friend Jane taught me about using olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. It's pretty simple but it does make the steaks taste good.

We gathered outside at the patio deck for some coffee after dinner and shared more funny stories and anecdotes. I also took some pictures for posterity's sake. I noticed that there's not a lot of picture taking at Kenny's family events unlike when my friends and I have gatherings. Wherever there is a camera, you'll see my friends hamming it up for a photo-op. This was one of those things that Kenny noticed when I first started bringing him to my friends' parties.  At his family gatherings, you won't see a single camera at all. Anyway, they were pretty good-natured about posing for the camera and I told them I'm going to post the photos in my blogs ;-)

Kenny also took the opportunity to show Luke around the house and gave the instructions on mowing and watering the lawn. He showed him how to use the TV and cable remote controls (it's little bit more complicated than necessary, I think). He also gave him access to a computer and gave our Blockbuster Pass for him to use while we're gone. I also told Luke it's okay to stay in the house while we're away. He seems like he might be doing that as we are making it more comfortable and enjoyable for him.

The night concluded with everyone asking us to give kisses and hugs for my family in their behalf and wishing us a safe and enjoyable trip. It was a good night to spend with the Kahuns and in a few hours from now, we'll be spending time with the Ciruelas. I'm really feeling lucky that I have both families to call my own. 

On a somber note, it saddens me that Father's Day reminds me of the loss of my own father. I know what they say about him being with me in spirit but that still doesn't make it any better that I can no longer hear his voice nor see nor touch him. Every time I visit the Philippines, I'm reminded of the ordeal I went through not knowing if he was going to be alright only to find out that he already passed away just hours before I arrived. I didn't get to see him alive for the last time. I can't help but wish that I'll wake up from this bad dream and my father will be there with the rest of the family meeting us at the airport. At this point, I'm overwhelmed by the sad reality and have to end this entry to cope with the unexpected wave of emotions that just came over me...

Tokens and Gifts

The day started kinda slow, just getting my email and blog fix late in the morning. Then, I finally got the motivation to do some errands. The day was really warm and sunny. I can't help but think that it will be hotter in the Philippines and I got worried that we might end up staying in for the most part of the trip. Oh, well!!! I have to finish buying presents for some folks.

I bought the Lancome face powder and Clinique moisturizing lotion that my Tita Agnes asked for and also got some golf balls for her husband, Tito Tae Hoon. My aunt and uncle had been particularly there when my family was in dire need of support, especially, financially. If not for Tito T.H.'s trust and generosity, I might not had been able to come to the US easily. If not for Tita Agnes's assistance, it would had been difficult to make Papa's funeral arrangements. I could cite more instances of how and when this couple was able to help my family and it would seem endless.

My Tita Agnes was a pillar of strength for my mother after my father passed away. Without her attention and presence, it would had been a lot harder for my mother to recover from the shock and grief of Papa's loss. My aunt made sure Mama was kept occupied and busy, involving her in her campaign (my aunt ran for a government office last year) and my mother became her assistant and point person. I knew it helped a lot as it kept Mama from getting too depressed and lonely. Also, my mother seems to be a lot more self-confident and sociable now. My aunt's outgoing personality is quite contagious, I think. She is the type of a person who can self-assuredly stand shoulder to shoulder with the bigwigs and rich people and can also be equally comfortable playing card games with the drunkards in the neighborhood. That's probably why she won in her first election bid for a Kagawad position in the city.

The one thing I noticed though is how little Tita Agnes receives anything in return, even just as tokens of gratitude. She helped so many relatives and friends in the past and is still continuing to do so. I suppose people just assumes that she is well off and have everything so what more could she need or want. I totally disagree. Sometimes little gestures mean a lot more. I know she don't expect much in return but my mother told me that my aunt was pleased and enthusiastic with the stuff that I brought her in the past. She's so used to giving and providing that it is just a pleasant turn to be on the receiving end, be it cheap or expensive, big or small. It must be a refreshing experience to her, I would guess.

In Good Company

The night with Mom Laurette went great. First, she expressed being impressed about all the work we've done in and around the house. She also promised to bring us more plants and made suggestions on how and when to plant them. Dinner was good too. Kenny grilled some sirloin steaks for both of them and a t-bone steak for me. We felt pretty satiated and Kenny suggested an early evening stroll around the neighborhood to walk the dinner off. We enjoyed looking at the front yards of the houses we passed by. We got some great ideas on how to make our lawn look better and maybe a better plan for the extension of our patio deck. Then, all of the sudden, we saw thunderstorm and dark clouds looming over us. Kenny suggested to turn around and head home. After a block or so, the rain came pouring on us like hail and we knew that even if we walked any faster or run, we're still going to be soaked anyway. It was rather fun to be walking in the rain and we teased Kenny about his brilliant idea. He's admittedly not big on going for walks anyway.

By the time we reached our block, we were wet and cold. Just the right time for coffee and hot cocoa. Mom also brought a cake for dessert so we had some with our hot drinks. We also decided to watch the movie "In Good Company" starring Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace and Scarlett Johannson. Most of the scenes were filmed in Chicago but the movie made it seemed like the setting was in New York. Huh? Anyway, I didn't like it much but it could be good with a better ending... or a better story for that matter.

Despite the frequent changes in the weather and a not so good choice of a movie, it was still a great Saturday night. We were indeed "in good company" too.

Who's Coming to Dinner?

Kenny and I were out at the front yard watering the flowers and plants and we just got to talking that it had been awhile since his Mom had been to our place. When she was here last fall, she brought some flowering shrubs and helped us plant them. She had sent over a few other plants early this spring and they're already on the ground as well. We thought she might want to see how they are doing, so Kenny called her up and invited her over for dinner tomorrow night. She said she'd like to come visit us and seems excited to see what we've done to the house for the past few months. Since October, we've painted all our bedrooms, bathrooms and hallway. It would be interesting to know what she thinks about the changes.

I feel quite privileged to have a good relationship with my parents-in-law, particularly my mother-in-law. Before I got married, I hear stories about in-laws from hell and how it could really ruin an otherwise perfect union. I, myself, had a firsthand experience with this when I was growing up. My Mama and my Lola (my father's mother) never really got along and the relationship was pretty strained and I somehow got caught in between because I happened to be my Lola's girl. I felt conflicted about my feelings and loyalty towards them at times and as a result, I had this impression that all relationship with in-laws are doomed from the start. Like oil and water, they cannot mix.

Meeting Kenny's mother for the first time was nerve wracking but she made me feel at ease within minutes and I never felt like an outsider ever. A few years ago, when I had to go for my wedding gown's first fitting, I asked her to come with me. She was a bit teary eyed when she first saw me in the wedding dress. It was like seeing her own daughter in it. She also gave a really sweet and heartfelt speech during the first dinner we had with both families. She expressed to my parents that Kenny and I are meant for each other because no matter the distance (US and Phils), we found each other. She also went on to assure them that I will be loved and taken cared of like their own daughter. Pass the tissues please... Whew!!! I truly feel blessed.