Oh! The Japanese is young!

So here's what happened when Taku visited my hometown:

1. He worn mask in a non-air conditioned bus because it was too dusty and watched "Lie to me" Season 1 in the entire 8-hour trip!
2. He was able to use once again the words, "Mano po!" to everyone with glasses and white hair (even to some person we just talk to in the market).
3. He visited with us Dad's new home.
4. He tried to pray with the "manangs" for Dad's pa-siyam.
5. He cooked and goof around while everyone's so amazed that there is a Japanese young guy in the Philippines! (contrary to the stereotype that most of the Japanese in the country are old and likes KTV. haha).

Bus to Quezon

When we were kids, whenever we go to Manila, we have to leave at midnight and wait for the bus since going to Manila is a 4 to 5 hour bus ride. I got used to it because my dad used to leave and arrive at midnight every weekend and when I was in college and needs to attend to my SK responsibilities, I used to go home at the same time every weekend.

Aside from the schedule, I developed a skill of feeling and knowing what kind of vehicle is coming since we used to play a “guessing-if-bus-is-coming” game; too many lights are usually trucks, one light is always a tricycle.

I missed playing it with my dad and sister.

I never like air-conditioned buses in the Philippines because they’re too cold (I don’t know if I can survive living in a cold country if I couldn’t stand cold buses).

Today, I went home with my sister riding a non-aircon bus. I like it even if my hair is as hard as stone after the ride. But today, I enjoyed the ride much better cause aside from my head resting in my sister’s shoulders, the conductor of the bus took care of us. There was a drunkard who sat beside me and didn’t stop talking to me and the bus conductor didn’t leave until the man got off. I am so happy experiencing that kind of service since it doesn’t happen that much nowadays because usually people don’t work professionally and we just settle for a bad service from waiters to public servants.

There are many buses going to different parts of Quezon.  JAM Liner, JAC Liner (the very efficient bus with wifi), Lucena Lines and A Liner that usually travel until Lucena. Superlines, Raymond, P & O or Barney and AB Liner are the usual buses I ride until my hometown and until Tagkawayan or Sta Elena, the tip of Camarines Sur which is next to the last town in the south of Quezon. When I was in college, I used to ride in Barney/ P&O a lot because I feel safe but after experiencing the good service of AB Liner, I think I’ll have it as an option always. It was bus no. 620, I just didn’t get kuya’s name but I definitely said thanks.

Aside from the fresh air, I enjoy riding a non-aircon bus going to my hometown because of a number of vendors who go up to the buses to sell my favourite food! I like the “Pinagong” in Sariaya that’s why I always make sure to have the energy to eat them when the bus passes by that town. I like quail eggs, pacencia and broas from Lucban Quezon but I like the most the “puto pao” in Lopez cause my mom makes it. Haha.

It’s so nice to be home. Merry Christmas everyone!

Grew up fast.

Once I heard this from a friend,  "that's the good thing about time, it flies."

“It’s funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything’s different”.

From my old blog (Sept. 2008): It’s so amazing how time flies so fast. How the handwritten became typewritten, how Betamax became DVD, how penpals became phonepals and eventually became textmates, how porridge was made available in an “instant” packaging to substitute the used-to-be Lola’s merienda during my childhood, how Daddy gave me freedom to live on my own without hearing his usual loud voice when scolding me, how Mommy stopped me from crying from the usual life intrigues, how my friends who used to be Mama’s girls became Mom’s with girls,how my dreams seem to be closer, and how my number of so-called “friends” were trimmed down into half but now more fulfilling since they’re more precious and true…

This afternoon, after watching so many footages of the catastrophe in Japan from CNN and NHK, I reassessed my life and priorities. I stopped for a while, cleared my mind and let the most indispensable things to float in my mind's surface. And just like any other Filipino (we have very close family ties), I realized that my family is on the top of the list of my priorities, then my boyfriend and friends.


I had a chat with my Dad. He's a strict dad but he talks about everything with me now, I knew then that time flew and I grew up. I'm the eldest and that maybe the reason why I am amiable according to my mom, I had responsibilities at a very young age.

I was 11 yrs old at a Family Reunion.

I grew up well. I have great parents, they are my superman and wonderwoman or maybe, my malakas at maganda. :) They didn't have degrees (Mom's an Economics undergrad and Dad's a Civil Engineering undergrad) that's why since we were kids, they taught us to be independent and they instilled in our minds that we will be the one to teach other people how to treat us and that RESPECT will always be earned and will always matter. They said they want us to have a good life and have better choices. 

at my college graduation. Mom's hair looks weird.

It's amazing how parents love their children.
It's amazing how they sacrifice for their kids' good life...(because they're the fruit of their love, as they say)
It's amazing how they make their children feel secure, that everything will be alright the next morning.

GROWN UPS!

I used to hear from Dad, "I should have given you the life that you deserve." And I always say, "you've given us the best life. It may not be perfect, but it's the best." It rips my heart to listen about his frustrations and I always want to shout "Dad, we're OK!" but I think it's not enough to say that I had a good life and with no regrets, I must show him that I am indeed having a good life and it's all because of him and Mom. 


Talk with parents makes me feel good all the time. I can still remember when I first asked Mom to enroll me in school...I was too young. haha. Time flies so fast, Charmaine and I are now grown ups. AND I BELIEVE , IT'S PAYBACK TIME.


PS.

My uncle  was drunk today and he talked to me and said, "if me and your dad will die soon, remember that you and your cousins have blah blah blah."  I didn't want to hear it but the two of them say that often whenever they get drunk. LOL.


Here's my blog entry last 2009 about them when they were drunk:


Usapan sa “matatandang” baso.




I am definitely blessed.