Rubbins,Grubbins & Lubbins...these are the three things you can enjoy in life.
Rubbins...
Last week our brother took my sister and I for a 3 hour massage. Ahhh fabulous! I could do that every week with no problem. Seriously! The first girl was on the snotty side and even though her massage skills could be rated ebonically as "Aiight" she acted like she was hot shit. Hahaha. She gave me a deep tissue massage. The second masseuse was a man. A brother with strong hands who actually well past the 50 minutes and someone came in to tell him he was past his time - haha. (Julian later commented that he din't know if he like that type of shit - hella haha). He gave me a reflexology massage focusing on my shoulders, feet and hands. The third masseuse was also a man and gave me a hand, upper body and cranial massage. UH - Men massages are way better than women massages coz they got muscle. But that might be for those of us who like it a little stronger on the massage table. Needless to say I passed out twice and looked well rested.
However, I should not and am not complaining about a lack of massage in my life - because Julian always laughingly says to me,"Rubbins?" after a hard day. So I get a massage 4-6 times a week...
The Asian ladies have got the idea right to get facials and massages regularly - not only does it maintain your natural good looks but it also improves your demeanor which helps makes you "better looking..."
Hahahha I'm the winner.
Grubbins...
After a 3 hour massage my sister Keyla then treated us to Bobby Q...My favourite Barbecue joint in town...St. Louis Style Ribs, Baby Back Ribs, and a double order of Brisket - UH Deliscious...I tell you I eat without shame when it's barbecue - there is no sexy around the barbecue sauce.
A few days later Julian and I both had the day off. After a phone interview we met my sister and some friends at MuShu Asian Bistro Downtown!
As always it's nice to catch up with the girls...
And there's always room for Walnut Shrimp and Honey Ginger Chicken
Even when it's 110 degrees outside - hahahhaa
Lubbins...
After lunch downtown Julian and I went to catch Get Smart - I should have followed my instinct to watch Mongol at Camelback view but it's the company that counts. I must say my boyfriend is extraordinarily affectionate and hilarious - it's a strange combination but I can't help but crack up with some of the crazy shit he comes up with. So he's got jokes and I've got jokes.
Lubbins in all it's forms...random calls and letters...gifts and a helping hand...someone to cheer you on when you are about to make radical changes...someone to encourage you when life is mundane but has little details to attend to...someone just to be near and dear but cool and easy...god love, family love, friend love, food love, art love, work love.
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...
I don't know how much more goofy these cake requests can get. I realize that you are having a hawaiian theme birthday - but all you are getting from me is handforged florals on the said cakes! I have to maintain my creative integrity...
ps) Tell yo' Mama to spell your name right.
Hilarious...
Why do I find my little nephew Tank's face and rocked out hair so Hilarious!!! Even when he's mad he cracks me up...
My sister said when it was time to leave...Tank cried and cried sayin' that he didn't wanna go home and he likes it here and why couldn't they stay. Awww. She also said that when they went home Grandmama asked,"What did you do in Arizona?" He said," Swimming and Played with the dogs and I played with Uncle and I cooked with Auntie!!!" Grandmama said,"Cooking..." My sister told her that I let him add the spices and stir and help with the pasta and gangsta noodles and cookies and little dude would get the stepstool out the laundry room and physically help me. Everyone is so very impressed with the almost 3 year old!
Why is my first godbebe lookin' so grown! And helpin' me in the kitchen in her camo dress...Bwaa hahaha. Uncle Ro...brush that hair! You got poolhead.
Double chef's rockin' Dad's last name...that's me and Lee...I'm lookin' kinna scrubby in these pics - but I don't mind. It's family and they will love you face scrubbed blank and all. Hey Alfie - look i'm rockin' specs!
My sister is such a trooper - super preggo and workin' hard and her and my fabulous brother in law go on these roadtrips and mini vacations. I love to watch them coz they really are each other's best "homie" Her big bellied preggo ass was playin' Wii with my godbaby pitchin Wii baseball then sayin Whaaaat with a shoulder shake and game shimmy. I'm like helllll no. Hahahahha.
I love having them around. Hella sad to see them go home. I sent home a pan of biko for Dad. Biko is a sweet rice cake. The rice cake is cooked in coconut milk/coconut cream then flattened and baked after you top it with a coconut caramel. OooooWeeee. She said Dad killed it in a day. Bwaa haaha. She called and said we need more. Hahahhahha. I was tryin' to show them how I do mine and I just don't have a recipe - it's freestyle.
So...Everyone met Julian - he'd only met my one sister and one brother. This time he had a chance to meet everyone all together: My 3 brothers, my 2 sisters, my dope brother in law, my niece and 2 nephews...he already knew my godbrother...All I gotta say is everyone digs/loves Julian!
Excited...
Yesterday morning Julian was packin' his toiletries for his business trip and I was having some coffee @ the kitchen table working on spreadsheets. He walked in the kitchen and said,"Bebe...I'm getting so excited about going to the Philippines!!! You don't even know!" Hahahhaahha. I just laughed and said you are gonna have the best time ever and try stuff that will be so new and good to you! He was just shaking his fist like YES...I said or you can just sleep by the pool or the beach. Hahahahha.
It's just 2 weeks away kids.
Last night the famous Wendy Lee popped by to pick up a cake for Jessica's birthday. I ended up not going because I had both digi cams and my brother needed one of them because he was leaving for Mexico today which meant I had to go to the North Valley house. I just love Wendy. We chopped it up over smoothies and I showed her the 50 some odd pics I printed from Chicago (+1 of her and Julian coz she's matchmaker deluxe - holla). She just smiled and said so sweetly,"...You two are always having the time of your life..." I'm like," that's your work Wendy Lee - all yours!!!" She told me about psycho beauty queens from the last pageant in SF...about all city's she will be at for Rock the Bells...Ahhh Life resumes. It's so fun to be us!
She is more excited than Julian about this upcoming trip. I told her there will be other's and you must go on one of them. She's like oh HELL yes!
I always love any time that Wendy and I can hang out!
It ain't tough bein' stuntariffic glamazons but someone's gotta do it.
