putingCRV2005

.  Her surgeon has to move it earlier because he has an emergency something with the hospital.  Oh also, yday, I met Sylvia Howe, Mandy, and Mandy’s son-Alec at Children’s Hosp during Baby Kate’s check up before her surgery.  Handsome Alec has a cleft palate and cleft lip but had undergone a couple of surgeries to correct them (my daughter has an isolated cleft lip so she’s undergoing only one surgery.  Thank heavens).  Mandy and her mom-Sylvia were so friendly.  I like the fact that they kind of gave me more strength about my baby’s forthcoming surgery.  So I really have to be in touch with them. 

My husband-VJ and I have been planning this visit to my maternal relatives in Vancouver, BC when I got my US Permanent Resident Card (or one which is more popular as the Green Card) in July 2005. With the Green Card, I can go out of US (and/or apply for a job) even without authorization, permit, or what-have-they from the US Consule & Immigration Services.

Besides, my Lola Pilar was going back to our homeland-the Philippines from Vancouver for her annual vacation there and for her to escape the wintery cold weather of the North America on fall and winter seasons. So I had to see her again, and she also had to see my 4-month old daughter-Katrina Isabel (or Kate) and tell my Mom (whose still in the Philippines with my Dad and Bro-Arniel/Jagged Reil in Friendster) how exactly my baby is in person.

Likewise, I also had to see my aunts, uncles, cousins, and a niece and a nephew (from a cousin) from Vancouver. Most of them, I have not seen for a very long time. While the others, I have not really met in person at all.

So on Sep2, I finally had the chance to come and visit them all in Vancouver. I was with VJ, Kate, my siblings in-law-Don Joe (who was celebrating his 23^rd bday on that day) & Jazzie, and my mother in-law. It was just a couple of (long driving) hours away from where we live right now-Bothell, WA.

We first headed to my Aunt Eve’s place so my lola could finish packing her things that she would be bringing with her in Manila. I have some stuff for my folks and my bro that I requested my lola to bring to them.

Then after a few hi’s and hello’s with our relatives there, we headed to this Chinese Restaurant where my Aunt Chit & Uncle Efren, and Cousin Alex came. Cousin Ate Anna, her hubby-Kuya Sid, their offsprings-Audrey & Roy, Cousin Frank, and their boarder-Miori were also there at Aunt Eve’s place. They all joined us to the Chinese Resto then.

It was a smorgasbord dinner there! Foods were flowing. But more than that, I am just so happy that we are all able to come-together like that.

VJ, Kate, and my mother in-law (let’s just call them my company next time I mention them) stayed at my Aunt Eve’s place for two nights that we were there in BC. Don Joe & Jazzie had to check in a hotel nearby as they went clubbing that night and went back home the day after. They really want me to come with them but I had to be with VJ and Kate for the night. It would be improper to leave them at my aunt’s house while I was partying the night away. Anyway, I know I’ll have more chances to party with them.

On Sep3, I got to visit my Cousin Kuya Elmer who is in a group home. I was with my company and my lola. I grew up with him, together with my bro and Cousin Ate Anna. So when it was time to part with him again, I couldn’t help it, I cried while he was trying his best to be strong for me. I just knew we couldn’t bring back the good ol’ times when we were still growing up and living in the Philippines.

After that, VJ & I brought my company and lola in Aunt Eve’s place and then the two of us headed to Downtown Vancouver in search of Virgin Records Store (which we never found).

Driving and walking down the streets of Downtown Vancouver is like one in Manila. The streets are busy. Bums are everywhere. And the drivers are as greed as those of in Manila! But nonetheless, I appreciate the place (considering that I was born and raised as a City Girl in Manila).

For dinner, Ate Anna and her family brought us in Josephine’s Restaurant, serving Filipino dishes. It was their treat this time. Then we went to their place. I like their living room particularly because of its coziness. We took pictures and stuff.

By 9PM, we were back at my Aunt Eve’s place where Cousin Charmaine and her BF-Kelly were waiting. It was also so nice of her to drop by there to see me and my family. And I must admit that I’m happy to see her again too. I remember vividly the time when she visited me, my folks, and my bro in Manila with her mom-Aunt Chit.

On Sep4, my company together with Cousin Ate Anna, her fam, and Aunt Eve all joined lola to the airport for her flight to Manila. There, we met Aunt Aime and her adorable kids–Tyson, Hunter, and Asia. We do more exchanging “kwentos”, reminiscing of the pasts, and taking pictures while we waited for lola to check in and board her plane.

For lunch, Aunt Chit (who called-in sick from work) invited us to come over to her house. Hers is a big house. It has hard wood floors, stairs, and stuff, expensive furniture, and her CAD4grand automatic backyard gate is worth it. Cousin Charmaine was still there when we arrived. She left at 2PM for work. And she waited for me to have lunch and had hers too (as I was with the “2^nd batch”).

We also picked up Cousin Kuya Elmer before heading to Aunt Chit’s place. Bought some goodies from Goldilock’s Bakeshop. (I miss their Braze De Mercedes so I got ½ roll of it).

By 4PM, my company and I were on the road back home. Aunt Aimee and her kids in their Ford Expedition and I and my company parted in Langley, BC where they live.

My company and I were home by 6:30PM. It was a tiring trip but it was all worth it.

I shall say that it was a wonderful trip. I felt so special because all of my maternal relatives from BC took time to see me, VJ, and Kate. And it is not so often that we get together like that. I LOOVE FAMILY REUNIONS. The last one I had was on my church wedding (but with my family, relatives, and friends back home) on Dec3, 2004, a couple of days before I migrated here in US.

And lastly, my relatives and I sort of agreed to come and visit the Philippines in Dec’06. I just hope it would materialized as apparently, that would be one grand reunion for MY ASUNCION FAMILY.

But come what may, VJ, Kate, and I will really try our best to come home on that yuletide season for my folks and bro (WHOM I MISS BADLY) to see Kate, and vice versa.

Sep7 was my 28^th birthday. It was the first time that I celebrated my birthday with VJ. First birthday as well with Kate. First birthday in US. And first one I had away from my folks and Brother-Arniel.

Being in a long distance relationship for three years, VJ see to it that he made my first birthday (literally) together with him a memorable one.

He has a special birthday card for me with romantic and sincere messages. I particularly treasure the part where he said that he is grateful to have found me and spend the rest of his life with me. He even slipped $$$ that I could spend for shopping (as if I haven’t gone in one with his paycheck lately). He also had a big box of fine chocolates for me. He was certain that I’m gonna love it considering the sweet tooth that I have. He also gave me this huge photo album because he knows that I enjoy taking and arranging pictures of our little family and putting labels on them. He was right. I really am having good time trying to make our family photo album a neat one. Likewise, he brought me out to dinner. Me, him, and Kate went to a Japs Resto. And as if I have not had enough, he brought me to Alderwood Mall where I did shopping, (and him not bothering me to go on a hurry. And so I took my time shopping then).

For other birthday gifts, I got cards, e-cards, a red cami top with a lipstick and gloss from my mom in-law, three bottoms including a denim gaucho from my sis in-law, a Hugo Woman Gift and candle sets from my Aunt Aimee, and a leather jacket from my Cousin Ate Anna. So I really got a handful of new stuff for my birthday, huh.

Therefore I shall say that I had a blast on my last natal day. My husband was there, believing it was bad luck to say NO to a bday celebrant and all that. My in-laws who tried their best to make my birthday jolly even if I am away from my folks and bro. My friends who sent me greetings, messages, and e-cards letting me know that even if I’m away from them, they still have not forgotten about me. And most especially, my folks and my bro, who made me cry when we spoke the last time making me realize that they truly remember my special day and that they are always keeping me, VJ, and Kate close in their hearts and in their prayers.

And so it was A HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR ME!!