MOM'S DAY
Today is Mother's Day, the day of the year dedicated to the honor and appreciation of the women who tucked us into bed, made our lunches, took care of us when we were ill and probably the one of the most, if not THE MOST important female role model in our lives.
I love my mom, as I'm sure you all love yours. From the day I was born 26 years ago, and when Tin was born almost 14 years ago, I know that, along with my dad, my mom has done nothing but assure the safety and well-being, not to mention happiness of their daughters. My sister and I are always #1 with mom. Tin and I roll our eyes when my mom makes comments about how pretty we are in a certain outfit or how nice our new haircut looks cuz we think getting compliments from mom is corny. But we realize quickly thereafter that her opinion means more to us than we make it seem.
Yes my mom and I have had our share of spats (who hasn't?) and there are times when I think she'll never understand what I'm feeling or she'll never stop nagging me about everything. But the honest truth is, moms know more than we often give them credit for and as much as we try to argue or fight the fact that our moms are this or that, we all know inside that we're destined to become exactly like them someday. I know that a big part us wishes that growing up to be half the loving caregiver and friend that mom is, or was, would be a privilege.
I hope that everyone has had a chance to remember their mom today, whether she's in heaven or right in the next room. We don't have to wait for the 2nd Sunday in May to let mom know we love her.
Sunday, May 09, 2004
Friday, May 07, 2004
AN EVENING IN SD...
A bunch of the peeps and I are here in lovely San Marcos at the home of our buddy, Patrick Ballesteros. Since we were unable to go camping this year, we decided a day or 2 out of town, anywhere, would be a cool consolation. I could've waited until I got home to blog about this but I thought I'd start right now and continue when I get home. The drive was quite nice, hardly any traffic. Iya offered to take her car so I rode in the back with Jhoette behind the steering wheel and Iya sitting shotgun. We followed Edwin's car, who had Cahlo and Matt as passengers. Listening to slow jams as we discussed our lives (what ELSE do we ever do?), the trip seemed much shorter than it was.
Pat's new house is beautiful! His mom even cooked dinner for us...mmmm...we headed to the pool after dinner to watch Edwin, Matt and Cahlo mess around with all the swimming pool equipment. GEEZ THESE BOYS! CAN'T FREAKIN' TAKE THEM ANYWHERE!!!
Tomorrow we're headed to the outlets and then the beach. Until Sunday...
A bunch of the peeps and I are here in lovely San Marcos at the home of our buddy, Patrick Ballesteros. Since we were unable to go camping this year, we decided a day or 2 out of town, anywhere, would be a cool consolation. I could've waited until I got home to blog about this but I thought I'd start right now and continue when I get home. The drive was quite nice, hardly any traffic. Iya offered to take her car so I rode in the back with Jhoette behind the steering wheel and Iya sitting shotgun. We followed Edwin's car, who had Cahlo and Matt as passengers. Listening to slow jams as we discussed our lives (what ELSE do we ever do?), the trip seemed much shorter than it was.
Pat's new house is beautiful! His mom even cooked dinner for us...mmmm...we headed to the pool after dinner to watch Edwin, Matt and Cahlo mess around with all the swimming pool equipment. GEEZ THESE BOYS! CAN'T FREAKIN' TAKE THEM ANYWHERE!!!
Tomorrow we're headed to the outlets and then the beach. Until Sunday...
Thursday, May 06, 2004
GOOD-BYE F*R*I*E*N*D*S!!
boo hoo hoo...I can't believe the show that started when I started my junior year in high school is over and done with. I'm speechless, I can't say a thing. All I've been doing for the last 3 hours is crying! I'm not the best at letting go.
AND THEN!...freakin' ER! Dr. Carter's girlfriend was pregnant and, long story short, the baby died in her womb and they had to induce her labor so the baby could be born and...crap! I cried practically the whole dang episode! I'm so emotional tonight! Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!....Well, at least it's friday tomorrow!
Farewell FRIENDS! WE'LL MISS YOU SO MUCH!
boo hoo hoo...I can't believe the show that started when I started my junior year in high school is over and done with. I'm speechless, I can't say a thing. All I've been doing for the last 3 hours is crying! I'm not the best at letting go.
AND THEN!...freakin' ER! Dr. Carter's girlfriend was pregnant and, long story short, the baby died in her womb and they had to induce her labor so the baby could be born and...crap! I cried practically the whole dang episode! I'm so emotional tonight! Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!....Well, at least it's friday tomorrow!
Farewell FRIENDS! WE'LL MISS YOU SO MUCH!
Monday, May 03, 2004
Getting to know...
TERESITA CLAMOR CASTANEDA aka TERRY
Vitals: Met our junior or senior year in high school. Terry (and her twin sis Chary) were friends with one of my classmates and then we were roommates for 3 years at UCI ~ 9 years and counting
Role In My Life: Model of Independence and Devotion – I’ve always been amazed at Terry’s will when it comes to her family, her career and her friends. I used to worry about her when something in her life wasn’t the way she wanted it to be. But I learned quickly that I had nothing to be concerned about because Terry knew how to deal with issues, learn from them and move on from there. She hardly has to depend on anyone’s help and she doesn’t complain about it either. And in the midst of her busy life, she still finds time to call me when she’s driving to catch up. Everyone should know someone like Ter.
Good Times: When Terry was pledging for her sorority, Kappa Zeta Phi, she was occupied practically everyday and every night with meetings and events. On Thursdays, she was usually at an event that involved some serious partying and she came home giggly and faded. It just so happened that during the quarter she pledged, I only had classes and work from Monday through Thursday. This was a blessing in disguise. One Friday morning, Terry had a really bad hangover and I woke up cuz she needed me to call in sick for her. After I called her work, I helped walk her to the bathroom to pay homage to the porcelain god. After a few minutes of not hearing anything, I knocked, “Terry are you okay?” She practically crawled out of the bathroom and just sat there on the floor (our sink is separate from the toilet and shower). She was like, “Anna can you just get my pillow so I can lie down here?” I was like, “No Ter, you have to get to bed. Here I’ll help you.” But she insisted so I grabbed her pillow, gave it to her and she fell asleep there on the floor by the bathroom. Oh Ter, I miss nursing your hangovers!
In her own words: “It’s because they think we have boyfriends already and that’s why guys don’t approach us.” Terry’s philosophy of why we didn’t have boyfriends (This was during our junior year at UCI)
TERESITA CLAMOR CASTANEDA aka TERRY
Vitals: Met our junior or senior year in high school. Terry (and her twin sis Chary) were friends with one of my classmates and then we were roommates for 3 years at UCI ~ 9 years and counting
Role In My Life: Model of Independence and Devotion – I’ve always been amazed at Terry’s will when it comes to her family, her career and her friends. I used to worry about her when something in her life wasn’t the way she wanted it to be. But I learned quickly that I had nothing to be concerned about because Terry knew how to deal with issues, learn from them and move on from there. She hardly has to depend on anyone’s help and she doesn’t complain about it either. And in the midst of her busy life, she still finds time to call me when she’s driving to catch up. Everyone should know someone like Ter.
Good Times: When Terry was pledging for her sorority, Kappa Zeta Phi, she was occupied practically everyday and every night with meetings and events. On Thursdays, she was usually at an event that involved some serious partying and she came home giggly and faded. It just so happened that during the quarter she pledged, I only had classes and work from Monday through Thursday. This was a blessing in disguise. One Friday morning, Terry had a really bad hangover and I woke up cuz she needed me to call in sick for her. After I called her work, I helped walk her to the bathroom to pay homage to the porcelain god. After a few minutes of not hearing anything, I knocked, “Terry are you okay?” She practically crawled out of the bathroom and just sat there on the floor (our sink is separate from the toilet and shower). She was like, “Anna can you just get my pillow so I can lie down here?” I was like, “No Ter, you have to get to bed. Here I’ll help you.” But she insisted so I grabbed her pillow, gave it to her and she fell asleep there on the floor by the bathroom. Oh Ter, I miss nursing your hangovers!
In her own words: “It’s because they think we have boyfriends already and that’s why guys don’t approach us.” Terry’s philosophy of why we didn’t have boyfriends (This was during our junior year at UCI)
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
WELCOME BABY! WELCOME SPURS!
So I didn't spend the evening on the treadmill at the gym or at home watching the Lakers beat the Houston Rockets. I was with Iya and Jhoette at Cedars Sinai Hospital becaue Iya's got a new nephew. That's right! Kuya Francis and Ate Jenny had baby Matthew Lorenzo Morelos at 6:30 pm today, April 28th. At only 7 lbs 1 oz and 19 1/2 inches, his parents are already looking forward to his future as a doctor, a Laker or an American Idol! He's got dark curly hair (it was combed down though after his first bath), a light complexion (like his mommy) and the features of a Morelos (like his daddy). Jhoette and I both got to hold him for a few minutes and I can't say enough of how it feels to hold a newborn baby. Congratulations to the whole family, especially first-time parents, Kuya Francis & Ate Jenny, first-time grandparents, Tito Nesty & Tita Susie and new auntie Iya!!!! Can't wait 'til Kuya Dennis and Ate Myla have theirs!
Yes it's been a joyous evening. As we were walking through the hallway towards the elevators, a bunch of people were watching the game in the waiting room so we got to see the last 40 seconds or so. GREAT JOB LAKERS! BRING ON THE SPURS!
A new baby AND the Lakers advancing to the 2nd round of the playoffs? Who can I hug for such a great day?
So I didn't spend the evening on the treadmill at the gym or at home watching the Lakers beat the Houston Rockets. I was with Iya and Jhoette at Cedars Sinai Hospital becaue Iya's got a new nephew. That's right! Kuya Francis and Ate Jenny had baby Matthew Lorenzo Morelos at 6:30 pm today, April 28th. At only 7 lbs 1 oz and 19 1/2 inches, his parents are already looking forward to his future as a doctor, a Laker or an American Idol! He's got dark curly hair (it was combed down though after his first bath), a light complexion (like his mommy) and the features of a Morelos (like his daddy). Jhoette and I both got to hold him for a few minutes and I can't say enough of how it feels to hold a newborn baby. Congratulations to the whole family, especially first-time parents, Kuya Francis & Ate Jenny, first-time grandparents, Tito Nesty & Tita Susie and new auntie Iya!!!! Can't wait 'til Kuya Dennis and Ate Myla have theirs!
Yes it's been a joyous evening. As we were walking through the hallway towards the elevators, a bunch of people were watching the game in the waiting room so we got to see the last 40 seconds or so. GREAT JOB LAKERS! BRING ON THE SPURS!
A new baby AND the Lakers advancing to the 2nd round of the playoffs? Who can I hug for such a great day?
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
CHA CHA CHA 'IN ALL THE WAY TO GOTHAM
Oh Cecile Marie Fortun Tecson...when you throw a party, you THROW A PARTY! Saturday evening was Cile's 26th Birthday celebration and all that morning, bright and early at 8 am, as I went to get an oil change, washed my car, ran to the bank and cleaned house (oh, and do my nails...hee hee hee), all I wanted was for it to be 6:00 pm so I could hang out with my friends!
So I was done getting ready by 5:15, waiting patiently for Jhoette and Randy to arrive so we could head out at 5:45 on the dot as Iya had asked. Thankfully, Randy drove so Jhoette was forced to get ready quicker than he's used to so we were actually on time when we picked up Iya from Church (Thanks again Randy!). We had dinner at a restaurant on the corner of Virgil and Melrose called Cha Cha Cha. The restaurant isn't very big but you don't pay for space, you pay for food and ambiance. A party of 36, we provided each other with enough distraction to last the evening through (our favorite distraction being Cile's niece Arianna. CUTE BABY!!!). Our bill came to $836, no gratuity included. And because we were in the company of generous friends and family, we were $64 over in collections. Cile used that for drinks later on.
We got to Gotham Hall on 3rd Street at around 9:30 pm. Ready to dance and drink the night away, everyone headed towards the bar to take part in the libations. And the rest of the evening, need I say, was filled with the great times you can only remember with fondness: Everyone's new haircuts, Cile downing practically everything people handed to her, Riann doing her best impression of Beyonce's "Naughty Girl" video, seeing people you haven't seen in the longest time, watching couples make out against the walls or on the couch (geez people get a room!), Anna sandwiches on the dancefloor (I personally did NOT find this amusing but others seemed to get a laugh), hearing Edwin scream "WESTSIDE 'TIL I MUTHAF*CKIN' DIE!" every 10 seconds, Joemama complaining that the evening's version of Drunk Iya was not up to par, witnessing the Iya-Jhoette-Christine-Mark connection in its funnest form yet, Edwin and Joe needing their own dancefloor...lots of new memories.
We ended the evening with a late late late dinner at Norm's; steaks, belgian waffles, french toast....mmmmmm...
All I wanted from that evening was for the celebrant to have fun and I believe she did. No one deserves it more! Happy Birthday again C-cil!!!
Here's some footage!
Oh Cecile Marie Fortun Tecson...when you throw a party, you THROW A PARTY! Saturday evening was Cile's 26th Birthday celebration and all that morning, bright and early at 8 am, as I went to get an oil change, washed my car, ran to the bank and cleaned house (oh, and do my nails...hee hee hee), all I wanted was for it to be 6:00 pm so I could hang out with my friends!
So I was done getting ready by 5:15, waiting patiently for Jhoette and Randy to arrive so we could head out at 5:45 on the dot as Iya had asked. Thankfully, Randy drove so Jhoette was forced to get ready quicker than he's used to so we were actually on time when we picked up Iya from Church (Thanks again Randy!). We had dinner at a restaurant on the corner of Virgil and Melrose called Cha Cha Cha. The restaurant isn't very big but you don't pay for space, you pay for food and ambiance. A party of 36, we provided each other with enough distraction to last the evening through (our favorite distraction being Cile's niece Arianna. CUTE BABY!!!). Our bill came to $836, no gratuity included. And because we were in the company of generous friends and family, we were $64 over in collections. Cile used that for drinks later on.
We got to Gotham Hall on 3rd Street at around 9:30 pm. Ready to dance and drink the night away, everyone headed towards the bar to take part in the libations. And the rest of the evening, need I say, was filled with the great times you can only remember with fondness: Everyone's new haircuts, Cile downing practically everything people handed to her, Riann doing her best impression of Beyonce's "Naughty Girl" video, seeing people you haven't seen in the longest time, watching couples make out against the walls or on the couch (geez people get a room!), Anna sandwiches on the dancefloor (I personally did NOT find this amusing but others seemed to get a laugh), hearing Edwin scream "WESTSIDE 'TIL I MUTHAF*CKIN' DIE!" every 10 seconds, Joemama complaining that the evening's version of Drunk Iya was not up to par, witnessing the Iya-Jhoette-Christine-Mark connection in its funnest form yet, Edwin and Joe needing their own dancefloor...lots of new memories.
We ended the evening with a late late late dinner at Norm's; steaks, belgian waffles, french toast....mmmmmm...
All I wanted from that evening was for the celebrant to have fun and I believe she did. No one deserves it more! Happy Birthday again C-cil!!!
CECILE MARIE FORTUN TECSON
I forgot to greet you on my blog yesterday Cile! So, HAPPY 26TH BIRTHDAY C-CIL! Thanks for the great conversation last night! It doesn't happen often enough.
Here kids, read about Cile's twin...
Getting to know...
GWEN ANTONIO aka GWEEEEN / Gwennie
Vitals: Gweeeen and I met our sophomore year at UCI because we did a dance for PCN called Pasigin where we pretended to be fisherchicks = 6 years and counting
Role In My Life: Our Most Dedicated Commuter – Seriously, this girl has to be one of the most hardworking friends you can ever have; and I’m not talking about what a good student she is or what an excellent nurse she’s gonna make. After graduation, Gwen moved back home to the land of strawberries and outlets: Oxnard. Screw the possible 3 hour drive to Irvine or the hour drive to Glendale or LA in the horror of southern Cali traffic. If it’s your birthday or you just wanna have lunch, shop and watch a movie, Gwen will stand the long commute and then head back home at 2 in the morning just to be with you. We don’t say it enough, but I can’t tell her how much that means to us.
Good Times: On my 21st birthday, we had a party at our apartment. After 2 huge mugs of strawberry daiquiri, I was out! I hung on until midnight to blow out the candles on my cake, then I ran to the bathroom, hurled and knocked out on my bed while everyone partied downstairs. I woke up at about 3:00 am to someone else groaning in the room. I struggle to turn over and there’s Gwennie, knocked out on Terry’s bed, moaning cuz her stomach hurts and she’s got a headache. Looks like I wasn’t the only one who’d had too much to drink that night!
In her own words: “I hate her! I hate Ashanti! No talent! She has no talent!” Don’t get Gwennie started on Ashanti
I forgot to greet you on my blog yesterday Cile! So, HAPPY 26TH BIRTHDAY C-CIL! Thanks for the great conversation last night! It doesn't happen often enough.
Here kids, read about Cile's twin...
Getting to know...
GWEN ANTONIO aka GWEEEEN / Gwennie
Vitals: Gweeeen and I met our sophomore year at UCI because we did a dance for PCN called Pasigin where we pretended to be fisherchicks = 6 years and counting
Role In My Life: Our Most Dedicated Commuter – Seriously, this girl has to be one of the most hardworking friends you can ever have; and I’m not talking about what a good student she is or what an excellent nurse she’s gonna make. After graduation, Gwen moved back home to the land of strawberries and outlets: Oxnard. Screw the possible 3 hour drive to Irvine or the hour drive to Glendale or LA in the horror of southern Cali traffic. If it’s your birthday or you just wanna have lunch, shop and watch a movie, Gwen will stand the long commute and then head back home at 2 in the morning just to be with you. We don’t say it enough, but I can’t tell her how much that means to us.
Good Times: On my 21st birthday, we had a party at our apartment. After 2 huge mugs of strawberry daiquiri, I was out! I hung on until midnight to blow out the candles on my cake, then I ran to the bathroom, hurled and knocked out on my bed while everyone partied downstairs. I woke up at about 3:00 am to someone else groaning in the room. I struggle to turn over and there’s Gwennie, knocked out on Terry’s bed, moaning cuz her stomach hurts and she’s got a headache. Looks like I wasn’t the only one who’d had too much to drink that night!
In her own words: “I hate her! I hate Ashanti! No talent! She has no talent!” Don’t get Gwennie started on Ashanti
Sunday, April 25, 2004
PASSION AND TEARS
So I finally gave in and watched The Passion on friday night with Iya and Jhoette. I really thought I'd live without having to watch it, thinking that the story had been embedded so deeply in me enough (during 13 years of Catholic school)...plus I heard how long the sscourging scene was (12 minutes I think they said) and I hate watching people suffer. Anyhow, Iya somehow convinced me to just watch it and I did, heart beating as loud as ever the second I sat down in the theater. And then it began, 2 + hours of Jesus' road to Calvary. I cried at least half the time, especially during the scourging. Though my eyes were closed, the lash of the whip hitting flesh wasn't the quietest sound and it just made me sob harder. I think if I had just watched it, maybe I wouldn't have cried so much and might've just sat there in shock to the horror of the torture, the torment.
I couldn't begin to explain how I feel about the movie. It's not your typical blockbuster, chockfull of action sequences and famous headlining actors, and it's no independent film, filled with the simplicity of script and direction. The Passion just IS and I can't recommend that anyone see it or don't see it. It's something I'd leave up to the one caught with the decision. Just don't expect to understand more of a something or even understand less. Don't watch it hoping for answers to questions. That's not what it was to me, but you'd be the judge.
So I finally gave in and watched The Passion on friday night with Iya and Jhoette. I really thought I'd live without having to watch it, thinking that the story had been embedded so deeply in me enough (during 13 years of Catholic school)...plus I heard how long the sscourging scene was (12 minutes I think they said) and I hate watching people suffer. Anyhow, Iya somehow convinced me to just watch it and I did, heart beating as loud as ever the second I sat down in the theater. And then it began, 2 + hours of Jesus' road to Calvary. I cried at least half the time, especially during the scourging. Though my eyes were closed, the lash of the whip hitting flesh wasn't the quietest sound and it just made me sob harder. I think if I had just watched it, maybe I wouldn't have cried so much and might've just sat there in shock to the horror of the torture, the torment.
I couldn't begin to explain how I feel about the movie. It's not your typical blockbuster, chockfull of action sequences and famous headlining actors, and it's no independent film, filled with the simplicity of script and direction. The Passion just IS and I can't recommend that anyone see it or don't see it. It's something I'd leave up to the one caught with the decision. Just don't expect to understand more of a something or even understand less. Don't watch it hoping for answers to questions. That's not what it was to me, but you'd be the judge.
Thursday, April 22, 2004
ANGEL OF GOD, MY GUARDIAN DEAR
Riann and I went to mass today and Fr. Maurice gave a homily about guardian angels. He talked about how we've forgotten they exist. We've been taught in our childhood that at the moment we're brought into this world, we're all assigned a guardian angel who sits on our shoulders, guiding us through life. I remember in elementary school, the prayer to our guardian angel was said right before recess every single day and I don't think it's meant anything to me until I was reminded today.
Fr. Maurice advised that angels are some of our greatest intercessors to God, and moreso our protectors and communication experts. If we're ever in a bind trying to get something across or we're afraid of something, not only can we call on God in prayer, but we can ask for a little assitance from our guardian angels, our lifelong friends. I know it sounds crazy, and maybe even a little childish for a 26-year old to be calling on her guardian angel for help, but it's that mysticism inside all of us that yearns for this kind of help, this kind of faith that you just don't question. Next time you can't seem to figure something out, call on your guardian angel for some aid. You might be surprised.
Fr. Maurice even told us that every guardian angel has a name. He said we don't GIVE them names, we ask and they just let US know. So after communion, in the silence of my reflection and prayer, I asked my guardian angel what their name was and before I could finish the question in my head, I got an answer. My guardian angel's name is Gordon. When we got out of mass I told Riann about my guardian angel and her response was, "So my guardian angel's name is Bruno, and he's German." Ha ha ha...so there you have it, Gordon and Bruno, our guardian angels. I know all of you have got one and as much as you'd like to say this is weird or childish and would rather not participate, just give it a try. Ask YOUR guardian angel what their name is and see if there's anything they can help you with. It never hurts to ask for an extra hand to hold in life.
Riann and I went to mass today and Fr. Maurice gave a homily about guardian angels. He talked about how we've forgotten they exist. We've been taught in our childhood that at the moment we're brought into this world, we're all assigned a guardian angel who sits on our shoulders, guiding us through life. I remember in elementary school, the prayer to our guardian angel was said right before recess every single day and I don't think it's meant anything to me until I was reminded today.
Fr. Maurice advised that angels are some of our greatest intercessors to God, and moreso our protectors and communication experts. If we're ever in a bind trying to get something across or we're afraid of something, not only can we call on God in prayer, but we can ask for a little assitance from our guardian angels, our lifelong friends. I know it sounds crazy, and maybe even a little childish for a 26-year old to be calling on her guardian angel for help, but it's that mysticism inside all of us that yearns for this kind of help, this kind of faith that you just don't question. Next time you can't seem to figure something out, call on your guardian angel for some aid. You might be surprised.
Fr. Maurice even told us that every guardian angel has a name. He said we don't GIVE them names, we ask and they just let US know. So after communion, in the silence of my reflection and prayer, I asked my guardian angel what their name was and before I could finish the question in my head, I got an answer. My guardian angel's name is Gordon. When we got out of mass I told Riann about my guardian angel and her response was, "So my guardian angel's name is Bruno, and he's German." Ha ha ha...so there you have it, Gordon and Bruno, our guardian angels. I know all of you have got one and as much as you'd like to say this is weird or childish and would rather not participate, just give it a try. Ask YOUR guardian angel what their name is and see if there's anything they can help you with. It never hurts to ask for an extra hand to hold in life.
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