10 days to go and the  “ber” month will be here.  Slowly but surely, there is no escaping from the month long festivities in the Philippines as December will usher in.  My husband brought home 3 big empty boxes for us to fill in with such as non-perishable food, household items, shoes, electronics, toys, designer clothing and toiletries.   The boxes are called balikbayan boxes (literally means retun to one’s homeland box) which we usually pack 3 months in advance calculating that it will arrive just in time for Christmas.   We will have it shipped by air which will take around 7 days or by sea cargo -about 45 days.  Freight forwarders are doing a brisk and lucrative business here because most Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are their costumers. It  has developed into a way of life of  the family of the overseas Filipino. 

We still have a lot of shopping to do so we can fill up the almost half full box.  The other two are already securely taped and once the other box is full, it is ready for shipment.  For sure, my children and relatives are looking forward for the boxes.  

There is joy in giving you know….

Off we went to Tony Romas steak house in celebration of our Silver Wedding Anniversary.  It was a simple yet very meaningful dinner date!    No grand celebration because it was only the two of us.  We are blessed to have each other and have stayed that long.   That time, we set  our minds to forget all about our diet and filled our hungry tummy with good servings of rib steaks, Alfredo Asian salad, and pasta.

Such guilty pleasures…. Now, we have to start sweating it off.

The temperature marked at 47 deg. C (116.6 deg. F) at 4:15 this afternoon as we travelled on  an almost empty road to meet a couple friend who are in a very stressful situation.  We received a “distress” call so we are out for a rescue.  Actually, this is not what we called a life and death situation but off we went to know how badly they need us.  It is Ramadan and Friday being a week-end, most are at home are having their afternoon naps.  Shops, restaurants and malls are all closed during daylight and will open after 9pm and it’s only then that most people will start going out.    The activities usually starts after sundown after they break their whole day fast.   

Our friend recounted to us their ordeal and we listened and offered our advices being their elders.  It is hard really to figure out how we can help them because they are entangled in a situation that also involved another couple friend.  In some ways, we believe that my husband and I had given them sound and well-meaning advices.  They were thankful that we came to listen as they poured their heartaches out. 

We trust that they will start to communicate more and will map up plans for any eventuality that might happen in the days to come.  

Going out of our comfort zone might be hard at first but the feeling that you did a good deed for a brother is uncomparable. 

We are mission ready!

Lucky 13!  Contrary to superstitions,  today, Friday the 13th brought good news to my blogger son for his best entry to Samsung Super One Blogger contest.   He bested a hundred blog entries for his work Super One talking about his girlfriend.  I think he was a run away winner (of course, I am his proud Mom).  He veered from the usual pattern of blogging instead he spiced it up with a cute animation which I believed made him the winner.  He is a genius!  I trust it’s the genes….

Well, we are so happy for him eventhough it was pretty obvious I am no longer the first priorty in his life.   I am now the second best because there is now a  Super one in his life.  But, he drew his good inspiration from her so we let him be.   

I hope he will give up his old cellphone and pass it on to his sister Kukay whose phone was stolen few months back. 

So, there’s a smiling lucky guy at this moment!  Bravo!

Yes, she turned 7 years old today!  We took her out of the showroom brand new year 2003.  I am referring to our Toyota Camry Model 2003, gold color.   Let me refer to our car as “she” because he had this feminine appeal.  So far, except for few scratches , our car still looks new.   We loved this car because it did not give us any major problems, low maintenance and reliable.   We had travelled as far as Qatar and the outlying Middle East countries that can be reached by land. 

We almost traded her for a H-1 Mitsubishi van (slightly used) because we wanted a bigger one but we always end up cancelling the deals.  We don’t know, but we  already had this strong affinity to our car that travelled with us for 7 years from house to office to everywhere so we can’t give her up easily.  My husband loves his car so much and so do I, that everytime we check on it in the morning and found some scratches (sometimes done intentionally by we don’t know who), we are feeling sorry for her and we used to rub  her bruised body part with re-assuring touch.  One time, we found out one morning, the side and back  mirror were  smashed because a burglar went into the car and tried to steal our CD player.  We were quick to replace the mirrors but the next day it was again smashed.  Our poor car has been beaten twice in just a day.  Poor she! But still she is serving us well, not giving us headaches.   We lovingly call her “Camilla” before but we are now calling her “Trudis” patterned after a TV child wonder. 

So today, happy 7th b-day and promise we will keep you forever!

…that is Ramadan..  In observance of and out of respect for the Ramadan period, we non-Muslims are reminded to refrain from eating, drinking and smoking in the presence of Muslims.   Once the crescent moon is sighted (as we were told) our Muslim brothers will start their fast.  I,  for one have high regards to them who do self purification through fasting.  It is intended to teach Muslims the virtue of patience and humility.  

We non-Muslims will respect their observance of the Holy Ramadan month.  It might be hard for us not to eat or drink publicly but that will test  too our patience.  It will be a month of self sacrifice and the best time for us also to re-assess our lives ,refrain from everyday evils and practice self restraint.  I trust that we should all be doing it all throughout- self purification and not only during the month of Ramadan.   God will be more than pleased!

Ramadan Kareem!

I just blogged last night that my husband was not feeling well so he was tucked in bed early.  But he woke up earlier than me today and is already performing his duty as the “IRON MAN”.  I lovingly and teasingly calling him that name because he loves to iron.  Yes, my husband had this affinity to ironing our clothes and very meticulous at that.   He hates to see creases and double lines especially on his pants that is why I am giving him the liberty to do what he wants.  I am very good at that.  You want to do it?  Okey, you can have your way.   Now, he is bent and enjoying his favorite task. 

However, I warned him to take it easy.  I just included few pieces of my blouses so he will not get too tired.  Nothing can stop him, believe me!

An off line message from a friend popped up on my screen the other day.    I immediately called her sensing the urgency of her message.  I thought something might had happened but I was relieved to find out that it was just something she can’t contain to reveal to me at once.  After few exchange of pleasantries, she told me that her ex-boyfriend of 10 years suddenly surfaced after 27 years long of separation.  As I dug deeper into her story, it was indeed a sweet-bitter-sweet relationship.  They were High School and college sweethearts and a year plus after graduation.  They thought they will end up getting married but destiny took a 180 degrees turn.  They separated ways when  an unfortunate incident happened and that was the bitter part as she recounted.  A lot of things happened since then.   Now, after more than 27 years, she saw him again.  The sweet part is that they are the best of friends again.   It was a melodramatic love story.  …

I know based on her story that both of them had moved on.    Forgive and forget… And that they are not meant to be…

I’ve been partying since I came last Saturday but such affairs here in the Kingdom is way different as culture dictates there should be no mixed male and females unles you are mingling with families.  There are no alcoholic beverages, no loud music, dancing and singing outdoor allowed.   All you have to do is socialize by table hopping, story here and there, food trip and see the kids enjoy the day and endless picture taking (of course privately).  There are a lot of restrictions here but we can still manage to have our little get together with caution of course.  And as long as you are in adherence with Saudi law, you don’t have to be afraid.

I had been to 2 Family days, a Birthday party, a Dedication party, a House Blessing, a casual meeting with friends.  I know that there will be more get together lined-up.  Well, I have to be cautious.. too much eating on parties will surely be a disaster.  I have a big wedding day to attend to on October but I can’t turn down invitations.  What will I do?  I will just armed myself with loads of self control and a bagful of stories so I will be busy talking about interesting things and I might forget about food.

Hard..really hard!

Yes, on August 16, 2010, we will be celebrating our Silver wedding anniversary.  We are too proud to announce it that we have reached the magic 25.   Although, our relationship is also a roller coaster ride of joy, triumphs, pains and heartaches, still we stick together to date.  One has to really love unconditionally to be able to withstand all the trials.

We are just planning to celebrate it quietly- a fine dining with friends.   The big day hopefully will be next year as we celebrate our 25th Church wedding anniversary.  We might renew our vows and we are planning a church wedding and our children and relatives as part of the entourage.  That for sure will be an exciting event to look forward to.

However, that depends on the budget, but we will see…