4 posts tagged “family”
Let's not talk about how my 2007 went. I was employed the whole year, thank you very much. Although I enrolled in a few different things this year, those are not much to talk about.
Let's talk about the seven things I've enjoyed in 2007:
7. Jon Schmidt
No. 7 in my list is Jon Schmidt's music. I've been listening to him for quite a while, but I've developed a stronger liking for piano music this year.
Blame it on the unavailability of his albums in the country. I hunted him and his music on the Web, and even considered buying his album online.
6. Going green
Think green. Be green. Love Mother Earth.
I've been living in my own bubble the entire year, and I think I was the last person to know about the Batasan bombing, Erap's pardon and even the standoff at Manila Pen, which was just a stone's throw from where I work. I've been updated with other issues surrounding the nation, though. But the issue that I've been tuned into is on going green--green engineering, green lifestyle, green everything. Our planet is aging, and we all have to do our part.
I've been thinking about going vegan since 2006 so I could do a small part in sparing some animals from pain or death, but I still eat meat and drink milk. I think vegetarian ingredients are scarce in the country, so please don't blame it on me. I can't eat tofu everyday.
5. Bridge to Terabithia
I loved the movie and blogged about it. I watched the movie twice. I've never been this gaga over a movie.
4. Morning Rush
I'm back to listening to Chico and Delamar. Although I don't regularly tune in and finish their shows everyday, I make sure I tune in to RX. Then when their topic is cheesy or not humorous, I just go back to work. Hehe.
I won't consider my high school years as the best years of my life. It was all right, but it's not just the best. Nonetheless, I had a High School Musical 2 fever.
The Troy and Gabriella love team wasn't my favorite part, though. I've loved Sharpay and Ryan since HSM1, and they still bring in the spice of humor to cover the cheese of the Troy and Gabriella duo. While HSM1 boasts of catchy melodies, I think the second installment (wow, loan?) wowed the audience with their complex dance steps, which they pulled off nicely.
2. Babies!
Johan, my nephew, turned one in July. A month later, Ayron (my cousin's son), was born. What could be more exciting than having new family members?
1. Harry Potter
The top spot goes, of course, to Harry Potter. I abandoned all my other 2007 books and read Books 3 to 7 in about two months. When it was all over, I went back to Book 1.
Whenever I felt like my real life sucks, I would turn to this fiction and find the joy and even the complexities of the real world. However, I knew for sure that Rowling weaved the stories in such a way that everything will be all right. Then, I would go back to reality, knowing that the Hand that has been guiding me in this complex maze of life would help me find my way back to my sanity.
We never beat him in chess games, even though he would always start queenless.
He was a seaman when he was in his prime... to provide for his parents, brothers, sister, nephews, nieces, friends and neighbors. For some, this may be a [big task], but for him, it's the duty he knew and did enthusiastically.
When he was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, just like all of you, I prayed for a miracle to happen--for his cancer to go away. I failed to recognize that seeing a person battling with cancer yet never cranky and complaining is just as unbelievable as witnessing a miracle.
His legacy for you and me is the virtue of finding happiness in giving... He's such a good giver that he gave us time to say good-bye.
While cancer meant imminent death, everyone in the family was in denial that he was about to leave us. A year later after he did, it's still quite difficult to remember him with dry eyes. But what's comforting to know is that he's somewhere better off and free from pain.
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He gave me this peach teddy bear when I was four for Christmas, because it's what I had requested for. I still keep it and its name is Willy.
My brother named it after a wrestler.
Just like the Yuletide season, I feel that the spirit of the Lenten season fades every year. I still try to observe fasting and abstinence on Fridays, but the Holy Week has become my much-awaited annual break since I started working. Hence, I'm entitled to long sleeping hours. And I must admit, there are a few sneak snacking when my stomach grumbles.
It's almost midnight. I'm wishing that the second hand would go counterclockwise. It's back to work on Tuesday. And I feel the burden of the cross. Hehe.
Every year, I join the Good-Friday procession in my hometown. I fall in line with the people marching along with the Santo Intierro. The Santo Intierro is "interred" in my grandmother's house, in the sense that it's where the family keeps it. Every Maundy Thursday, we get help to take it out, have it decorated with flowers and lights, and prepare it for procession the following day.
This year's is no different from the previous ones. Perhaps except that I didn't get to pray the rosary. For two years, I haven't been praying during the procession. Chatting--that's what I do. My cousins and I rarely get the chance to have some time together, so we talk as we walk.
Holy Week 2007 is also probably one of the most memorable ones, as the family had a weird experience. And I'm not telling. Hehe.
