2 of many reasons why I went home

photo aka: the men in the family are selling like hotcakes but here's who u have to deal with when ur part of the family!

Kuya Joel got married the following year. Well it's actually after some days but since one was on December and the other on January we think that's two different years. What the heck. For us it's not sukob! And! we're not really a fan of those type of beliefs (except for my mom maybe who every now and then consults a feng shui master, thus explains those gold medalions around the house!).

If Kuya Carlo is the brother who treats me as if I'm forever 16, Kuya Joel is the exact opposite! I could get married at 16 and he wouldn't care less. He'll problie ask me if I'm sure and if I'm happy then that's it. Well ok, maybe that's not exactly true but Kuya Joel for me is a cool brother. Cool as in he lets me be. Cool as in he watches from afar and only makes himself visible if it seems I'm struggling already.

And on his wedding day, he was cool as in C-O-O-L. Like he's done it before. Im kidding! He's been to several weddings before but it was only then that he was the groom. With his 3 children with him, Kuya managed to be a proud dad and an anxious groom.

Kuya Joel met his match in Judith as I think they are both helping each other to stir in the right direction. I know she gave him focus in so many ways. She was that right person when he needed someone.

I'd say the wedding was really a ceremony of union... the union of 2 families and 2 cultures. (Now I'm thinking maybe I heard this from the priest's or the rabbi's message, I'm not sure!). It was also a nice happy day of mingling and REUNIONs. It's like a marriage of family/friendster connections. *wink, wink*

And so cheers to welcoming the new year with new beginnings, and the beauty of family togetherness. *ehem, ehem* And to the bride and groom in their new life as a married couple!



photo aka: the bride and groom (the 1 looking crazy below the bride) with the whacky fellas from OUR SIDE of the family

1 of many reasons why I went home

Kuya Carling got married!!!


... and as expected... he cried!

Every family gets together for special functions... and this year, I used this excuse to go home and get off from work. Let's put it this way, it was one of the reasons that calmed me while I was living life away from home. That I HAD TO go home for kuya's wedding!

Everyone knows kuya carlo is my toughest bro if not D TOUGHEST. He's as strict as my dad and looks exactly just like him! He's the only kuya that I am scared of cos a) i think he deliberately wants it that way and b) he's the kuya of all my kuya's... in short it's not just me it's the rest of us in the family! But don't get this wrong, I don't mean being scared of him in a negative way. It's more like respect. I know he's always wanted the best for me and usually he's just protective... maybe sometimes a bit overprotective. But that's just life... that's why he was born before me and I, several years after him. Thus he's the kuya and I am the youngest sister or yeah! the only younger sister!

Kuya Carlo is also the kuya of the family because he stepped up or maybe lived up to the role as soon as dad passed away. It's not a duty that was assigned to him but it was a duty he embraced. As an older bro kuya is strict no doubt. But! he is also a sweet bro. For someone who oftem claims to have the tough guy facade, kuya can also be the emotional one. On a recent beach trip, he texted me - "Wag ka muna papakasal". And this is when I'm on an island with just my gal pals and at some random time on the first week of his married life! Yep, that's kuya. Sometimes I wonder if at times dad sends him some signs to check up on me!

I think kuya met his match with Rette. She's that right balance to his "cool" and tough facades! I know he makes him happy which makes everybody happy! Well she makes me happy because she always backs me up! hahaha.

So this is to my kuya... who totally boohooed on his wedding day... and who on his wedding day, did not need to call superman but actually pulled off a super wedding vow!

We love you kuya!


photo aka: yes, this is just the groom's IMMEDIATE (semi-complete) family

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18zSGNe1Pao <------to see carling crying in action!

Christmas 2006

photo aka: my only by the xmas tree pic for 2006. AFTER opening my ONLY gift that day!

In the Guevarra household Christmas Eve is D MAIN EVENT. I'd say you never experience christmas unless u experience it with us. It's the day that turns all of us into kids. It's a great tradition that my family has started. You see, for a family as big as ours it's not everyday that we get gifts from our parents. And so for mom and dad it was during xmas that they really spoiled us. It's the day that we really get something from our wish list. And then later on when some of us (or maybe them?) started working the gifts got even better... better cos there were more. If you're off dad's allowance list then that means you're part of the gift giving committee as well. It's not a must but in our family, it always just feels better when you give something back.

Now that is only about the gift giving part! Christmas eve is always special for us because of FOOD. My mom is so used to cooking for all of us that she complains it's so hard for her to downsize the menu when most of my brothers and sisters started moving out of the house. My mom can prepare a FEAST any given day cos that's what she's used to. She's used to feed 12++ on a daily basis. And so what makes christmas merrier, it's our CHRISTMAS EVE FEAST! No matter where we are, at home, at some other part of the country, or in another country, my mom will surely cook and cook and cook A LOT OF FOOD just for us.

Another reason why christmas is special for us is because of our preparations. When we want to travel for the holidays, we'd surely be out before Christmas. For my married siblings it's like this, Christmas Eve at home with us and New Year's with your in-laws or with us too if we're someplace else. Every week my family makes it a point to get together to see each other and also now, for the cousins to have like a playdate together. It's also our family bonding time. When we have our family meetings, when we make special announcements, or when we gossip about each other's lives or other people's business. It's our way to touch-base with one another. And so don't expect we stop doing that because it's the holidays. Heck! Christmas Eve is like the mother of all our sunday family days!

I will always have the fondest memories of christmas. Christmas eve for me is the day that I always, always feel good, whether I've been good or bad! It's that day when I feel the joy of being with family. When I feel how blessed I am to be a part of MY FAMILY! Christmas is always about family and thanksgiving... for us it is about that and many many more.




photo aka: that's what happens when there's paparazzi cams! BEFORE opening our ONLY gifts for that day!

Still Wishing at 23.

When I was 1... I was too young too remember but I probably wished for more milk. breast milk!

When I was 7... I knew it was an age that you're supposed to make a fuss of. And maybe I was wishing for a birthday party!

When I was 9... I started having friends at school. And I know I was wishing for someone to attend my party. or atleast my best friend makes it.

When I was 12... I belonged in a circle and had my own set of friends, the first solid barkada. And I was wishing that I'd be able to go out with them for a treat.

When I was 16... Here comes HS and the circle of friends got HUGE. it's the ERA when we started throwing surprises. And I was wishing that my friends think I'm special enough to deserve a surprise too!

When I was 18... I knew there was pressure to make it my "coming out" age. And I was secretely hoping I could celebrate it low-key aka pamper myself aka travel and shopping!

When I was 19... It was when it started to dawn on me that I needed to celebrate my 18th bday. And then I was wishing and hoping if maybe I could still throw a party for my "coming of age"!

When I was 20... I knew it was official. I was no longer a teenager. And I was wishing I dint have to grow old and felt like not celebrating at all!

When I was 21... This then felt more like my 18! And I was wishing that I celebrate it like a frat boy, drunk and wasted!

When I was 22... I admitted to myself I am old and made peace with that. And I was wishing I could just have a good bonding time with friends.

When I turned 23... Away from home for the first time I did feel old and that my birthday felt less special. And more than anything I was wishing that I was home.

Now I am still 23... it's no longer my birthday and here I am wishing again. I am old and suddenly LIFE is happening.

But we're never too old to make wishes. And this year I did not get a birthday cake with my birthday wish but recently I did get a W.I.S.H. candle. And here's for friendship and wishes... let our candle vigils start.


photo aka: magical wish candle or maybe genie in the bottle?

Starstruck at 96th St.

Today, on one of our regular walks at central park we bumped into Steve Martin.

JUST Facts... #1

I am presently a beaming proud and ecstatic toddler teacher.

I love what I do and everyday is an experience that I LEARN and grow from with my special, special friends. I used to dread work when it was all about having to WORK in order to make ends meet, or atleast to have enough for the next saturday night gimik, weekend beach trip, or for that new shoe. But now, I do not even want to call it work because it just doesn't feel like that at all. Ofcourse it's not perfect! Nobody's perfect, or nothing is perfect... but in this case, whatever imperfections there are, the good ones always compensates for it 10x! And as cheesy as this may sound, I mean all of it down to the last period. Exclamation point.

Children in general, has always been a good remedy to chase my blues away. Back in the Philippines, a day with my nieces and nephews has always been an upper for me. The Sunday Family Day high is enough to keep me up for the dreadful Monday blues. And now, shipped on the opposite side of the globe, here I find myself in a room full of boys and girls that are just like my nieces and nephews... and what makes it even better? I get to see them everyday, not just on Sundays or on family holiday events.

I have attachment issues... atleast with children. I terribly missed these children during my month-long holiday vaca at home. I miss them during school breaks... and it just breaks my heart (SOOO BAD!) knowing most of them are moving up and I might not see them again.

Everyday I cry. Sometimes because I am touched with a parent's story about a kid's accomplishments or some adjustment issues like a parent being away for business. Sometimes out of joy for being a witness to a child's proud moment such as peeing in the potty, dressing up on their own. Sometimes out of love, because like the parents and all the teachers around the world, I am proud of these children. And yes, just writing all this down is bringing me close to tears already... just thinking, and looking back.

Every adult's life is touched by a child's life. We all smile when we hear children's tickling laughter, we all feel giddy when we know a child is being silly, we feel important when they cling to our hands for support... and I could go on and on. And one more thing to be thankful about children... it's that no matter how long they stay under the sun, or how long their last bath was... I'd still call baby's scent as one of my favoritEST scent in the world!


photo aka: just bragging about my kids

Family Holidays... part 1 of 11111....

Right after Kuya Carlo's wedding... my family headed out for our grand reunion. It was our NOT our family's reunion. Our family on our own took a while in order to arrange travel plans and everything, so I just can't imagine if we bring in the rest of our clan. So no! It was just OUR FAMILY'S reunion with OUR FAVORITE destinations. Traveling is a luxury for us. Every time we actually go on a trip out of the country there's always a memorable (usually funny-good) story to share. Usually it has to do with the pre-departure chaos. AKA no ride goin to the airport, someone left their passport, and ofcourse the buzzer beater arrivals at the airport for our flight! In short, even just the beginning is exciting already! Well we do make it to the airport, atleast in batches... some on time, some.... well u know... just intime.

It has been a while since all of us traveled to another country for the holidays. I guess in a way we were all still thinking about dad. It just feels different. But knowing our daddy I'm sure he'd be pushing us to take the young ones out the country by this time. Well come to think of it, it was a trip that turned all of us to kids again... Isn't it always like that every year for the holidays?! hehehe.

With a cool, nice day waiting for us. We were just ready to head out and MAXIMIZE our SHORT trip! Let's just say that even just from the NAIA airport we were all (and individually) ready with our travel kits at hand. By travel kits we mean digi/vid cam, calculator, and xmas money!

This year was diffrent though, most of THEM were just not traveling solo. Yep, even our family is GROWING old... and so it's not like those trips where we just map out our shopping strategies for night market shopping or one time big time brand name indulging. This year we go back to the basics. It's like we had to enjoy again the country like it's our first time there. In short, sightseeing is a priority, shopping is a luxury. Well ok, a priority at night, when the kids are sleeping already.




photo aka: just who really is the native and who is the tourist

Feeling 2-in-1

My dear momsy-doo went back to LA today to spend the rest of her vaca days with my brothers. On our way, I couldnt help but wonder how much contradictory airport scenes are. Admittedly, I hate airport scenes... I remember a journal entry when I was just in my teens saying the same thing. (I think it's amazing how even then I termed it as "airport scene" already, probably just got it from T.V.)

Driving to the familiar scenes, seeing all the signs pointing to the airport--- all getting bigger and closer was just a sweet sweet reminder of how it feels like when I was about to go on a trip. Watching all the planes fly very low on the sky was a nice view. And this is because my last trip TO the airport was when I was about to go home for the holidays. Even now I could feel all the emotions rushing through me... it was all excitement, joy, anxiety, crazy and all those giddy feelings all rolled into one. It was a good... GOOOOODDD (say it like bruce almighty) feeling!

On the other hand, today I was on another trip TO the airport, only this time I am just part of the farewell committee. I was just a part of the entourage and so it meant, I was one of those that will be left behind. I know this is a role that I am quite accustomed to. With a family as big as ours, sure enough, I could remember a lot of my relatives, and now even ME and my siblings go in and out of the country. Some for business, for pleasure, for family functions/duties, etc etc. But like what I said I hate airport scenes cos no goodbye is the same as the last goodbye. And as for me, the crybaby in me always comes out during these times. No matter how much I try to keep it in, I think most if not all of the time I always cry when someone goes and I have to stay. It's such a heavy feeling. The trick is just how well i conceal it for every goodbye, that is if I even had the strength to atleast try to.



Like what I said I am just a crybaby, cos true enough I know I SHALL be going home soon and so I will see my dear momsy-doo soon. Or maybe the other way around... who knows!


photo aka: just feels right with mommy around