Our #princess2015la turned 7 years old today, Martin Luther King’s birthday. She told me she is famous, as a famous person was born on the same day as hers. “How lucky am I, Grandma!” Indeed, you are, I told her. He is a great man who loved people of all kinds, I shared.
Her parents held an advanced birthday party for her, with family only, and zoomed with relatives in Glendale and New York. Her mom made a delicious strawberry and mango reduction folded into her 7 year old cake.
She was quite pleased with her gifts mostly books, a game and the pop-up interactive Harry Potter book, which she kept looking and holding, with her Uncle C, my youngest son. Her dad gave her a beautiful necklace, which he lovingly put on her neck.
She is truly loved by family and relatives!
It was a beautiful day spent with her and her family, capped by watching Sing 2, and the inviting smell of popcorn being popped. We all had our bowls of popcorn and an overflowing bowl of fun and games!
Thank you VP Leni Robredo for leading a comprehensive approach to relief operations. By working with local government units, by identifying new locations and donations from private sectors, I am full of hope that your efforts, Madame Vice President to rebuild, rehabilitate and relocate housing to higher grounds, away from coastal areas will truly make a difference.
May the Blessed Mother and Holy Spirit be with you always. I pray that the Philippines turn a new chapter and write a new narrative of no thieves in government, no corrupt leaders in all levels of government, a caring, cooperative, and concerned citizens willing to work hard for communities’ common good and justice to those who have abused their authorities and violated the #ruleoflaw. Happy New Year 2022!!
#BusyPresidenttobe from#vicepresident
For greater change, Leni Robredo is for the WIN!!
Photos of the Robredos from their Facebook post
Leni is our kakamPINK in achieving the nation’s progress.
She is so kind to herself that she manifests the same to others: Lessons in radical empathy and professionalism
#princess2015la is practicing numbers with her #grandpa, counting out loud. She missed some. So she said, “Grandpa, I knew it all yesterday.” Grandpa says, “Really? How come you missed?” So, she does it again, but does it now enthusiastically. Then, she says, “Grandpa, you don’t know how good I am.”
She heard me cancel with an appliance mechanic who did not call at all when the appointment time was 10 to 1pm. He said he was 3 minutes away and called at 4pm. I told him I went with another firm. #princess2015la said, “Oh Grandma, no. He will not be able to feed his family.”
Earlier, my hubby talked to the other repairman who called within minutes to ask about the issue. Hubby explained his diagnosis. The repairman made an appointment for the next day. I had to explain to my granddaughter what it means to keep your word. Keeping your word builds trust in you. I told her stories of how family members would say they will show up and they do show up. So, I trust them.
She told me a story of how her mom couldn’t pick her up on time. “It turns out she hurt her back, Grandma. It is about trusting other people, Grandma, so we could be understanding to them if they don’t show up on time.” She says it slowly, tenderly, and with such loving tone.
Who says I cannot learn from my 7yo granddaughter?
When I asked if I need to buy her any clothes, “No, Grandma, I have enough.”
Thank you to her parents for teaching her good values, for exposing her to people, good memories of nature’s experiences, and thank you God for this beautiful human being.
She whispered later thanking me for her delicious snacks: ham and cheese croissant, gouda cheese, milk with nata de coco, and #backyardnaveloranges.
The following day, it was bibingka, blueberries, pecans and drank fresh squeezed #backyardnaveloranges’ juice. “Grandma, this tastes like mochi. I like mochi,” to which I said, “You are right. That is butter mochi made of rice flour, butter, eggs, coconut milk and sugar on banana leaves.”
Everything was perfectly flavored and presented well at Esteban Restaurant by Chef Mario Garcia on Jan. 6, 2022. I believed it was a gift! From the moment we walked in, to the servers, to the delicious food. Oh my!
The gem salad was refreshingly fresh, with just the right amount of snap peas, croutons and dressing.
The crispy pulpo with roasted potatoes, remoulade, grilled radicchio, rosemary chili oil and chorizo was quite tender and delicious. That play of crispy and tender was a great contrast.
The wagyu bone marrow of foraged wild mushrooms, shallots, thyme and Ad Astra grilled multigrain bread were my favorite. How did mushrooms taste so good? Wild mushrooms are much much better indeed!
By the time the market special of scallops came, we were so full. Still, the scallops were done just right with roasted red bell peppers, roasted potatoes and roasted cherry tomatoes. Excellent!
Dessert was Crema Catalana – a rich custard with orange, cinnamon, vanilla and bruleed sugar – this was underwhelming. Maybe because we tasted a delicious flan several nights ago.
The Scrimshaw draft beer was quite good, too. All in all, this restaurant lived up to its reviews, it is not hype, it is really good!
Our day of sightseeing, even if “foggy, mysterious, ambiguous,” as quoted from my philosophical husband of 43 years.
Photo 1 – 2011, our 32nd anniversary. We celebrate our anniversary each year. I recall our 5th when we were fighting, yet committed to our promise of yearly celebrations. Photo 2 – Original painting by @coriput, a gift Christmas 2011 Sightseeing SagasPhoto 3 – Photo taken by our son, C at one of the buildings in SFPhoto 4 – Selfie taken Jan 4, 2022Photo 5 – Photo taken at Times Square with @byhydeemarie and @ramonahaarPhoto 6 – Breakwater at the Marina, Monterey, CA, Jan 4 2022Photo 7 – Chair of privilege by Pacific Grove Beach, Jan 5 2022Photo 8 – Hubby drove me to Butchardt Gardens, a 3,000 miles roadtrip, so I can celebrate my 62nd birthday in 2013.Photo 9 – Fushchia lawn cover of Larry, my neighbor.Photo 10 – My pilgrimage to see Mama Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, 2018. I repeatedly went back to the shrine at early dawn to feel the emptiness of the place without the tourists and to feel the sacredness of the site.
One of my best days of the year 2022, by the waters, walking the trail in Pacific Grove, fresh and flavorful lunch at Red Star Cafe, and by the breakwater marina in Monterey.
Hubby chose to drive us here. I could hear the waves all night and all morning right outside our suite.
I just enjoyed the most beautiful day, after the rains, fog, and gloomy gray skies. #thankyouhubby and Happy 43rd wedding anniversary!
I also loved talking to our 94 years old wedding godmother Clemmye Crawford. She is so joyful, elegant, graceful, and quite generous in sweetness. She cannot believe we lasted this long and remembers my stories about @enriquedlz. She was the one who made me realize that I had fallen in love with him. Imagine that!! We both laughed reminiscing our dialogues at work. She asked me to visit her with Cleo. When I asked what foods Alabama offers, she said, “everything and anything you want.” What grace to just know her all these years!
and Happy 43rd wedding anniversary!
