Sunday, August 26, 2007

26 Aug 2007: Asian Vacation Day


Category: Blogging

Asian Vacation Day 8...

Happy 85th Birthday Lola...We Lub You.

As I write this Julian is taking a nap...after a day of swimming, playing basketball and eating lots of food catered and otherwise. Mom, Lola and my little sister Keyla are all at the casino. The last of the food is being put away and Lola Loleng is watching back to back episodes of Season 1 of Heroes. Hahahaha.

I woke up this morning and I could hear the caterers setting up right below my bedroom window...

Julian sleeps so well here...especially on handmade hardwood beds. Mom said all the new beds throughout the house took 6 men to carry up to the 2nd floor.

We woke up around 830am and the party wasn't scheduled until noon so I suggested that we take a little swim...Straight out of bed and into the water.

It never fails I always get water in my right ear...

I think Julian loves the good life...Don't we all...

For reals...

It's really not so bad

Everyone should try it...

No Kung Fu in the Pool Kid

Bwaa hahahahha...you guys don't even know!

Here's a little POV from our pool...notice we ain't sharing

After we left the pool Julian noticed the boys were playing basketball and I said you wanna play? He said not really...I said just give them a little thrill - play a good game. So he played like 4 games and came into the house and then relaxed in the all marble bathroom. Bwaa hahahaha. I'mma miss this house so much - you all don't even know...

Then he came downstairs and everyone was starting to arrive...So many lola's and tita's and Uncles...And I can honestly say that everyone just loved Julian to pieces...and adored his happy demeanor and playfulness. Mom and Julian have even started double teaming me when I'm a grumpy little cuss in the morning. I like how they laugh over breakfast while they give me a hard time. hahahha

How about a little puto (steamed rice cake)

The housegirls simply love Julian and are tickled to feed him all the time

Why are the fruitbaskets never empty here?

Ian and Julian eating on the patio

Dr. Tweety and Me at it again. Years ago before she became a doctor and I became a pastry chef...we used to swoon at violinists in chamber orchestras then run for donuts and talk about life, art, music & ballet.

Keyla and Zachy (Dr. Tweety's youngest bebe)

Julian, Lola Penny and Me...Lola Penny has known me since my first trip to the Philippines at age 7. She is my maternal grandmothers sister in law. She is the first woman who ever fed me frog legs and encouraged me to be proud of my dark skin.

Dr. Josie and bebe Zachy. Dr. Josie is also my Tita (auntie). She is my mom's first cousin and a fabulous lady dentist. She has also known me forever.

Julian and Uncle Junior. Uncle Junior is the most undercover playboy I ever met - brother of Dr. Josie and Son of Lola Penny also a first cousin to my mom and a fabulous architect.

Tita Oyee is my mom's youngest sister. Dang she used to change my diapers - and she's as gorgeous today as she was then. Tita Goyee is best friends with Tita Oyee and has been around since my toddler days...Holla at my aunties - coz they are proof positive that bein 52 is a piece of cake.

Angelica would actually come up my 2nd cousin once removed. She is the daughter of Dr. Josie...she's now starting college - the last time I saw her she was like 18 months old and we smobbed to Mc Donalds...She is as cute now as she was then dimples in place and sweeter than a swiss chocolate.

Mommy Pareng (to my immediate left) is my godmother's oldest sister. She is a wonderful well read woman who has a firm grasp on theology and philosophy. She is also one of the dopest baker I've ever met and the most positive person I've met. She is also intrinsically feminine, cultured and thoughtful. I am blessed to have met her and have her become part of my life!!!

The little bebe with the twisted hair is like my 4th niece from a distant cousin - she was jockin' spots in many pics... Bwaa hahaha

Me with the Birthday girl...Lola was grumpy all day! Haha

I told you she was jockin' spots!!!

Lola Lucia, my maternal grandfather's sister...and some of my Lola's cousins and of course the little 4th niece jockin' a spot, plus Keyla in the mix...

Auntie Cely, Julian and Uncle Jimmy. Auntie Cely and Uncle Jimmy have been married forever. They also have been friends of my Mom's since before I was born. Funny that they would end up semi retired here as well. I love how everyone in this pic is rockin' pink!

After everyone left...Tita Mama (my godmother) pulled some paintings from the 2nd room. Paintings done over 10 years ago. I had done a study for oil portraiture of a children's portrait. I had found a pic of my brother and I and did a rough painting of it. Tita Mama found it laying under the bed and had it cleaned and framed. I could not believe it. I was already plotting to take it home and Mom said that is stayin' in this house - don't even THINK of takin' that. Bwaa hahahahhhaa.

The thing is huge 3 x 4 feet. I wish I had more time to paint. Looking at this painting reminds me of how in love I used to be with painting and the happiness it planted in me. Fortunately, I've started painting again and that's not a bad thing. Love brings everything around, including stuff that you've always loved.

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Later that night Joy popped by for our ritual eyebrow plucking and talkin'. She had Little BrettBrett (Dr. Tweety's eldest bebe)...Kiddo's jock the spot in this joint. Our worlds all revolve and evolve around each other and it's not a bad thing...Julian has told me a couple times over this vacation that my family is wonderful and so close and so full of love. We are not perfect - but we all take care of each other and steal the time we can.

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It's now 9:56pm and it's time to pack up all the goodies that we've collected from our little vacation...It's almost too bonkers. I don't even know how I'm gonna do it...so I'm gonna have the girls throw me a cup of iced coffee and just dig in. We are so sad that the week has passed so quickly. But we are already planning our next vacation...

Here I go on a packing adventure...

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