dad's b-day

my dad will be celebrating his 90th birtday on monday. for his age, he could still perform "fred astaire" moves, cooks their daily food, do their grocery shopping and some housekeeping.

it just shows you that what ever you did during your younger years to your self, the result at the end will give you what you planted.

it is safe to say that dad did not abuse his body during his youthful years. he smoked but quit when he was ahead, drinks when pride was at stake hit the sack at least by 10pm if there is no party scheduled.

tomorrow all the children and grandchildren will be at their party room to celebrate his 90th b-day. the mama's (ate bernic, ate nits and my commander-in-chief) are in-charge for the food preparation. there will be some visitors from the pillar's association (dad's organization) and there will be a surprise visitors from chicago, uncle bien and ate gloria (dad's remaining brother).

i really don't know how my dad will react. it has been years now since my uncle came over for a visit. i think it will be an emotional reunion not only for my dad but also for my mom, who is not in the best of health lately. they haven't seen this couple for some time now and i know uncle bien and ate gloria will be excited to see them also. it will be nice to hear beautiful stories that happenned long time ago one more time.

i hope dad will live up to 100 years. ninety is already a milestone and i don't want to miss this. i will be LONELY [TRAVELLER'S] if i won't be a part of this occassion no matter what. nobody knows what is instore for tomorrow and we will be all blessed if we could reach the age of ninety still capable of doing things that we like to do even though we are in the twilight of our time.

as ella would say [6 months ago] "great granddad amidst the gifts".

happy b-day dad!

VACATION

we just came back from our 10-day vacation from california. actually, it was a vacation and at the same unite with the commander-in-chief siblings. i was honored and humbled also that i was chosen to be one of the sponsors at marie and james' wedding which was held last july 19.

james is the commander-in-chief nephew and it was way back 1999 when he first met marie during our 25th wedding anniversary. i think it was love at first sight. they walked around my neighborhood so many times that night after the celebration and they don't seem to care even though the weather then was cold. frank (marie's dad) was going around in a circle for two hours looking for her. nobody seems to know. marie's circle of friends were playing see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil.

so many things happened during the course of their courtship. it was a test of how strong their relationship. and at the end, great love for one another prevails.

we went to las vegas in between our holidays. ate babes and ray were the winners while belen, the commander and myself were not fortunate enough. i'm not that fortunate when it comes to casino. it seems to me i have this mole around my behind. if ever i go back in vegas in the near distant future it will not be on their hot weather months. i just can't handle hot and humid temperature. maybe next time, i will make sure that i'll schedule myself for a"grand canyon" trip.

friday, july 25, a milestone b-day celebration of the four siblings of the commander. ate rose-65, lynne-60, eric-55 and dennis-50. it was held in one of oakland's golf country club. belen was the emcee that evening and she did a good job. an extenporaneous speaker just like my commander in chief when she does her adlib when she is mad at me.

it was a reunion of siblings and family and it could have been more joyous if my mother-in-law and brother-in law, cito from texas could have made it to the occasion. milestone celebration comes only once.

saturday, july 26, everybody still had their hang over. i met my h.s classmates and friends in pacific asia rest. in hayward for a mini reunion. the lovebirds - ogie and naomi, danny and jean were able to come. it was nice to see them again after we reunite in san francisco two years ago. they all agreed that the next time we see each other will be in toronto. i think i could handle that.

we arrived from california monday, july 28 at 1 am. i was able to report to work on that day even though my sleeping pattern has changed. next time, i'll make sure that i'll be off the day before i go back to work after a holiday.