"Kikay Meeting You"

You know that feeling where you do not exactly "know" each other but you grew up together, you know each other's families and you "see" each other on Facebook all the time that you feel you are so connected even though you're really not? Yeah. Creepy to some. For me though, I do have some of that. One time I felt like I did not need to introduce myself to this Filipina at church before talking to her  because we are " friends" on FB?! Shame! Such is the feeling I guess when you consider the fact that you MUST be connected because you are from the same  fishing village or heck, just because you are both Filipinos! Hahahahh. 

Anyway, due to some horrible and scary incident of my niece and her family en route to the Berkshires yesterday, I ended up meeting the most beautiful, sweet and kikay girl I know from my barrio/village. She is so natural, unAssuming and downright humble. AND I also felt she really genuinely wanted to see me in person. 

While posting my funny observation regarding a Chinese take-out place, she found out we were in her neck of the woods, so they say. She immediately text me to let me know she lives so close by and would love to meet up if we were not busy. It was past nine at nite, been driving the whole day and driving back home that same nite for more than 2 hours. Two hours, that's with a functioning car, not with a car that was towed because it concked out in the hi-way! The reason we were there to rescue my mini vacationers/favorite people. AND good heavens, it's pouring downright heavy! But I could feel her excitement and I was as excited.  Their parents struggled but they all went to school and all have been wonderful additions to our community. I've always known their family to be like mine. But most of all, every time she speaks of my mom, she has nothing but praises and love so how can I not meet her?

Tonite was so much fun! I can never miss that chance to finally meet Maritess! We kissed, screamed and hugged so tight like old friends!

She introduced me to her husband who I feel "connected" too! I introduced her to my niece and her daughter and of course my 2 beautiful kids. Mr. Hubbs and the Bunso are upstairs, little sick. Just like that, we started talking like we were old friends catching up. I suppose we really feel that way because we are! We talked about Punta, our barrio, our "so shameful shopping habits", her friends, her work which I pointed out I already know what she does and she asked me how and I told her she told me a long time ago and she was so touched I remembered! What touched my heart was how she was describing my mother to her husband with such loving words.  Wouldn't you be proud too?

Maritess also kept telling Steve, her husband how the kids are so intelligent and that she would describe every event about our lives to him via FB. Another touching moment was when she showed me a text message she sent to another barrio mate in Hawaii how she is so excited to see me! Yaiiks! I was teary-eyed! 

We could not stop talking but we had to because she is going to work! Hahahahh. She is working the nite shift but because she knows I'd be gone that nite she insisted we see each other. How sweet is that? 

Last nite, I truly met a friend. A beautiful, sweet and truly kikay like me.  We filled the lobby with loud giggles and karaoke type singing by Precious to which Steve quips-- you can sing karaoke even without karaoke! Hahahah. Her beautiful dimples aside, I can feel she is truly happy! 

She asked us to come see her home but I truly can't! I would have loved to. So she invited Fridah and the kids for afternoon ice cream at a local place. Just like that, they planned like old times. So jealous I won't be there for more giggles and funny anecdotes!

Thanks Maritess for a warm Berkshires welcome and a warm fuzzy feeling of home. Just like you, I am happy to see you and so honored to be a friend and barriomate. It's a date, I bring Filipino food  to the Berkshires, you let me stay in your home! Not a fair trade ha? Kisses to you and Steve! Thank you beautiful girl!

Friday Mommy- Daughter Date

You all know how the Three Little monkeys love books. I try to read all the books they do read but unfortunately I've been so behind! How can I catch up with all 3 readers in the house. One versus three? Not fair! In fact I don't even know what series KC is reading now which brings me to say "slacker mom". Ha!

As KC's prize for getting all A's for this school year, she got another book series, and was almost shrieking when she found them because apparently, it's hard to find especially together! I can see myself in her where my heart would pitter-patter every time I can borrow a book. Yes, borrow--- my parents can't afford books! But that's another story.

Anyway, on Friday, KC and I went to the mall to bond. First stop--- Starbucks! The  girl loves her Starbucks. Then we just wandered around Target--- my certified crazy hellhole! We went around the mall some more and just window-shopped. She laughs on how I go gaga over make-up even though I don't buy or how I notice everyone's handbags. Ha! We saw some stuff and laugh at the same stuff. Funny how we do that!

Then, we "accidentally" ended at Crumbs which just opened a new branch at South Shore Plaza. Oh, how the princess devours those humongous cupcakes! Question, if they are big, are they still called cupcakes? And why are there mini cupcakes now? Isn't cupcake mini for cake? So now, there is mini for mini? What about cake pops? Hahahahah! 

Anyway, we went to Barnes and Noble in search of that one missing book of the series she is currently reading. Boy, was that a mistake!

 She was giddy as can be when she found " oh my God, this is crazy, I thought I can't find these anymore ever, this is so great, I love you mom" kind of giddy. Who can ever say no?

Oh we'll, I'd rather spend my hard earned moolah buying books for the Three Little Monkeys than whatever else.

Oh by the way, I may or may not have gotten more David Yurman pieces. May not. 

Have about you, how do you bond with your kids?

Gone Fishing

You can take a girl out of the islands but you can never take the islands out of that girl. Oh yeah! I'll always be an Aparriana.

I would still love the ocean, the breeze, sand, sun, the smell of it all, the seashells, the blue waters, the crushing wind, the golden sunset and the blanket of darkness. Oh, I can't tell you enough but needless to say, I feel lucky to have called the Baystate my new home because Massachusetts is a home to the US' best beaches --- Cape Cod is close by my city. 

This is my view on the way to Falmouth. Lovely ha, especially driving besides a Ferrari. Hahahahah. I can dream and dream I do!

Needless to say, I splatter every time I am within sight of ANY body of water. It reminds me of my whole being! I could tell you it reminds me of my childhood but that would be a lie or an understatement--- because the water is my life! It is my family's bread and butter. My whole being!

Any chance I get, I take advantage. With my life now though it's a little hard. But hey, we go all the time. Pool, sea, ocean--- even ponds!

Today let me show you my happiness!

To show you how happy I am! Not that I need to! 

While Mr. Hubbs is busy fishing, I just soak in all the array of senses the surrounding brings! By the way, he caught 61 fishes! That's my man!

What better treat than this? Whooh! Perfect punctuation to a wonderful day!

The hard part of fishing? Cleaning the fish! But don't worry my friends, after all, I am from a fishing village whose livelihood is fishing. So it's easy for me. Anyone needs lesson? I have to be honest though, I feel like buying it is easier! Hahahahah, but the point is the fun and bonding time I spend with Mr. Hubbs is priceless. Don't you think?

Oh well, nothing beats fresh produce! 😘💃. Makes me happy every time!

KC's Honor's Banquet 2013

Hi. Once again, KC is invited to this year's Honor's Banquet. To those  unfamiliar to this, it is a year-end activity given by the school to honor academic achievers for the school year. Honors is awarded to students who earn all A's and/or Bs with allowance to one C and High Honors is all As with allowance of one B. Of course, my little princess is High Honors. Woohoo, I am such a proud parent.

This is my Aparri, my hometown

Feeling nostalgic maybe because of my sister's recent visit here in COLD Boston, I am writing about my little coastal town of Aparri. Growing up there, you never spend time alone. It was a real community. Looking back now, I am amazed on how  little things can make me happy. I am talking little things. Like, just walking in the hot sands to the beach, flying homemade kites, playing" turumpo", playing under the rain, climbing the "lugo" tree, playing "sungka" and my favorite... just plain hide and seek.

Turumpo

Turumpo is made of wood, a tiny a cone-shaped toy that can be made to spin.

Homemade kite or saranggola. Since we were poor, ours was made of plastic grocery bags, some bamboo and "sinulid" or nylon. 

Here are Aparrianos playing sungka. Photo courtesy of adegarcia@wordpress.com.

Mind you, this is the real one. In the full moon, dark night and vast neighborhood to roam and hide. You see, in my little paradise, you can still see the sky, as bright as it should be, without any sky pollution... you know, those annoying satellites, too many airplanes hovering and giant billboards. I love taguan or hide and seek. It is so much fun! Then you can go to sleep soundly after that.

"Tagu taguan, maliwanag ang buwan" ( Hide and seek the moon is bright). Tama ba?

Oh, the joy of childhood. Our little fishing village seems to be extra  special too. We are surrounded by water! We have the Cagayan River, touted as the longest river in the Philippines and the China Sea. Our town's unofficial slogan is " Where the River meets the Sea."  Aparri delta boasts a windy experience because here in Aparri, lies the Cagayan River's mouth. If you choose serene swimming in a river, go! If you want the rough waves of the ocean, you can too! It is a paradise for water babies like me. In fact, it is the favorite stop for the summer of the whole province! No one can make that claim in the whole Cagayan! Although it does not have white sand beaches, it has these grayish, fine granular characteristic, and the beach line seems to go on and on. If  I am not mistaken, only in Aparri can you find gakka, little edible shells where you just pour hot water, little bit of salt and presto! A yummy treat!

Water breakers

Always a pleasure to walk in these sands, you never know what you will find.

...beautiful sunset. you shoud see the sunrise! heavenly!

You would always see fishermen take a walk to scout the waters. For some reason, they have the skills to know when it is good to go fishing.

 And here, my friends is gakka, the male variety. i have yet to discover it's scientific name!

This is the way commercial gakka catchers do it. Me? I just wait for the waves to  pull back, press my foot on the sand, if I see a tiny hole, presto... gakka!

The colorful bancas. We call them barangay--- ba-ra-ngay!

My family happens to own bancas for fishing purposes. This brings me to what makes me so happy I was born there! I love seafood!  I love seafood! Did I say, I love seafood? I do! We always get the freshest catch of the day. Swordfish, shrimps and tanigue abound. In fact, Hubby was grossed out when he saw me eating what we call the "jumping salad". It's fresh shrimps, still alive and jumping, pour sugarcane vinegar, chilli ( siling labuyo) and a dash of salt. Eat! I super duper love it. Same goes with squid salad. We make ours simple. Slice squid into bits including the head part, vinegar, siling labuyo, and onions!

The "pusit" in Aparri is delicious, chewy but not rubbery and a hint of sweetness. They change  colors too. For real! Depending on how light strikes, it's purple, bluish, reddish and array of colors abound.

We use these "sili" to flavor anything!

Prawns are the variety most likely to be available in Aparri. My sisters and I love eating little shrimps as our "jumping salad". Eating it this way we inherited from our Tatang!