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!