Feeling Foreign

At my sister Karen's office building in Manila, people line up to get on the elevators.
I did not know this.
With my children in tow, I walked right up to the elevator doors.
It was only when I met up with Karen that she herded me to the line on the way down, that I realized my faux pas.

That people did not even bother to call my attention--
we surmise, was due to my half-asian children and my blonde streaked hair--
making it apparent that I was not from there.
I felt like sh**.
Considering the numerous times I felt lost in the
United States, the irony of feeling foreign in my own home town was not lost on me.
This trip was the first time in my life I did not blend in with the 'peoplescape' of the Philippines.
It is because of this, that I decided to get my hair darkened once more.

While I have nothing against covering up my grey hair and pretending to be younger than I am,
somehow my blondish hair in Manila made me feel sheepish.
Like I was trying to be (caucasian) someone I was not.

I don't want to do that anymore.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am back in the States.
Thank you for making our trip memorable.
Everyone's thoughtfulness has inspired me to pass it on.
The trip always seems too short, but I guess that is what makes it so special,
the desire to leave us wanting more.
I will be in touch just as soon as I am recovered from the time difference.

To those I did not get the chance to see, I will see you next time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New Year Pictures Here.
Silva Table Tennis Invitational pictures here.
More Family Bonding.
Visiting with More Friends. (High School)
Our Last Day in the Philippines.
Surprise visit to San Francisco.

A Trip

How one travels and adapts to various monkey wrenches pretty much says much about a person.
It has taken us two taxis (with a foiled attempt to rip us off)
a plane, a tricycle, a balancing act on a rickety plank to ride a boat and a jeep to get to our beach haven.

A beach haven with an extremely weak shower.

(What is it about 'First-worlders' and their need to replicate their amenities wherever they go? How about some cup-is-half-full mentality?
Note to self: must make sure my girls grow up with some flexibility)

Yes despite diarrhea, a hotel door that compromised our security, a few room changes and the blasted shower
(or non-blasting, i should say)
I am having a good time.

What to do when you have a disgruntled person in your party?
1. keep smiling.
2. focus on the non-disgruntled people.
3. get a couple of massages by the beach.



More Boracay Pictures Here.

The Eagle has landed

Steve arrived this morning.
On the way home from the airport, we stopped at a quick store to buy a coke.
He said to me:
"I am going to go in with you, so that people will think you are a prostitute."
I said to myself:
("Let the games begin")
As we walked in I suddenly said in a very loud voice:
"ISTIB, YOR SO BERI HANSOM! LUS NAYT, BERI BERI NICE! TENK YOO POR TEKING ME HOOM WID YOU.!!!"

Steve: red faced and tongue tied.
chesca =1
steve= 0.

When will he ever learn?



Lunch with my high school best friend, Nikki Lopez Benitez.

"The pop-in," with friends Jeremy and Marian Guiab.

Grade School bestest friend Marge Evangelista Jardiolin and Steve, in her beautiful home. (pictures here)

Dinner with Mariza Gatmaitan Custodio (My 5th grade best friend)
(More pictures here)

Prep Time

Buy One Get One Free, Diamond Peel.
(That's when your sister gets a facial and she pays for one for you too)
Thanks for taking me, Kar!!

Perfect timing, I was getting a facial treatment on the day I was scheduled to meet some blogger friends.
About halfway through the session, the dermatologist told me that I was not to wash my face until 24 hours after.
Nice. A blog meet with medicine on my face.
hhmm. little snafu.
(As this was going to be my first time to meet the ladies behind some of the blogs I visit...I still slapped some make-up on and prayed I did not compromise the whole sucking and scraping that was done to my face.)

Thank you, Luxie for coming to my hotel to meet me for coffee.
Amazing how well we know each other, isn't it?
(Cora, Kate, this one is for you, wish you were here)

Delicious dinner with the great company of some mommy bloggers from manila.
Lady Cess, Rowena, Annamanila, me, Scrooch and Imom.
Thank You!!

exskindiver+annamanila=great evening

thanks for the photo, cess.
Later that evening I was with Charlane (College gal pal) when I bumped into other
familiar faces.

Jaime and Therese Faustino and henry

me, charlane castaneda and gil acuna's cousins pam,trish, allan and raymond.
This nightly 2 AM bed time is starting to catch up on me.
Thank goodness for cheap diamond peels.

Tempting Chicken Pox

The lure of ping pong has made me throw caution to the wind to visit the chicken pox infested ancestral home (Kamias)
Victory will be even sweeter if I am able to escape the virus.
Will know in two weeks.

(Sunday Pictures posted here.)


Kay Uranza, Jane Agustin and Chesca Silva (tnx for the photo jessica!)
(Monday Pictures with 30 high school friends here)

(Tuesday Pictures at Kamias and South 10 here)

(Wednesday Pictures of three parties here)

Let The Games Begin!

On our way home from the airport,
my brother pulled over to get me some Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.
Unfortunately, when he tried to re-start the vehicle--it would not start.
I never did make it to the ancestral home, but not because of car trouble.
A bout of chicken pox is what has kept us away.
My sister's son just got it, apparently while we were traveling through the night.
After a second (or third breakfast, I am confused) at my brother's place and while the girls enjoyed the use of their condo pool,
I checked into a hotel.
Looks like Steve will get his wish after all.





(The first day will be put here)

The Long Journey Home

"In accordance with federal safety regulations please use the lavatories in the cabin you are assigned to."
(is what was announced to us seated in steerage)
A safety issue? Seriously.
While I understand that when people pay extra for leg room and cocktails, it should extend to their restroom use as well--
Surely the dishonesty is unnecessary.
Why not simply state:
Ladies and gentlemen, due to the amount of money paid by our first class passengers, please respect the dividing curtain and refrain from using their facilities.
Gah.
We are en route to Manila.
We had a 7 hour lay over in Las Vegas.
We went around the city and I hope I tired the girls out enough that they will sleep through the 18 hour flight to the Philippines.
Me? I am beginning my self medication.


Remember:
What happens in Vegas...stays in Vegas.

(Pictures from Vegas here)

See you in Manila.