Showing posts with label familia. Show all posts

Taking the First Few Steps

Inspiration is taking over me like an overly extended orgasm. I am a writer not by profession, but by choice.

- Anonymous

I am living a great fantasy. These past few days, I have been constantly overpowered by an immense feeling of inspiration and nostalgia. Recent events in Philippine history have spurred on in me a seemingly insatiable desire to take part in history's unfolding. I have decided that I want to write a book that will immortalize the life of a great man, my grandfather, Marciano Lim.

I was barely a year old when Papa died. According to the stories that Mom and Dad told me when I was little, Papa was a war hero, whose exploits had led to him being elected into a position in the House of Representatives, serving as a Congressman in the 2^nd District of Samar from 1953 to 1957. I intend to gather as much information as I can about Papa's legacy, even travel to Samar if I have to, in the hope of finding any historical reference documenting the period in which Papa held office.

It is such a wonderful feeling to receive support from the family. While a few of our relatives have already expressed their approval, for which I am truly grateful, I also wish to get the nod from our family's patriarchs and matriarchs - Papa's surviving sons and daughters, who happen to be my aunt's and uncle's.

I don't think I've ever been more motivated about anything like this before. I'm sure there's likely to be a psychologist's definition for what I have been feeling lately, but I could honestly care less. I do not aim to garner awards and recognition for literary excellence. All I want for now is to one day see college students doing a report on the life and times of Congressman Marciano Lim, using my book as reference. I know this arduous task will be slow and lengthy, but I think it will be worth all the effort.

Here's to hoping that I'm not setting myself (and my family) up for another disappointment.

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Emily

Posted in familia, feebility

She could hardly keep herself from smiling. Teary-eyed, she took hold of the tiny little angel that was brought into the room by the hospital nurse. He had his father’s eyes. Despite her being bed-ridden and weak from exhaustion, she managed a loving smile as her first-born son yawned his first yawn.

~o~

He came home one day with only one shoe. Bullies at school hid his shoe, and he was forced to take a humiliating walk home, half-barefoot. She felt his pain. She took the remaining shoe off his foot, and the touch of her hand consoled him, gave him comfort. He felt like he would never need to wear shoes again as long as she was by his side.

~o~

It was the unmistakable stench of alcohol. He said he came from school. She found a cigarette lighter in the pocket of his pants while she was washing them. What was happening to him? Silently she wept.

~o~

He had trouble breathing. He called for his wife just as his son got home. He came home after curfew, and despite the pain he was feeling in his chest he scolded the young man. Words were said, and he clutched his chest. He said he just needed the outdoor air. He said he wanted to go to his sister’s house to watch television.

He died in the hospital that day.

~o~

She watched helplessly, crying, as her son hides his face in shame from behind bars. He was caught buying crack from the neighborhood junkie. Lost for words, he handed over the note which he wrote for her in jail, scribbled on the back of a torn cigarette foil. She read every loving word as tears rolled down her cheek. She steadied herself. Watching him rot was killing her.

~o~

He was excited to show her his biggest paycheck ever. When she found out, she was so proud of him. She realized that he was no longer a child. He had gone through so much, and so had she.

The story continues. Mom, you inspire me.

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Crazy Powder

Posted in familia, humor mongering

Leave a 3-year old with some baby powder alone and this is what you might find. That's my neice Keia doing some re-decorating of her dad, my brother Mark's, room. She spread a cupful of powder on the floor. Mark was pissed, but the floor smelled great, even better than floor wax.

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Sleepy Tantrum

Posted in familia, humor mongering

My mom had to call me out of my room to show me my nephew Keifer's antics. He just got home from school, changed clothes and sat in front of the computer to play without taking his afternoon nap. Naturally, mom admonished the poor kid and practically dragged him to bed while he screamed "Ayoko pa matulog!" over and over again. His tantrums had him slumping to the floor beside the bed, still screaming. The photo shows how mom saw him again a few minutes later. He doesn't even know how hilarious he is!

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Storbo

Posted in familia, happy thoughts, humor mongering

Ang sarap ng tulog ko sa bus dahil trapik. May sumiksik sa tabi ko. Umusog naman ako. Umusog din ang walang-hiya. Hanggang sa ramdam kong nakaupo na siya sa tiyan ko. Sasapakin ko na sana nang makita kong si Bob pala to. Eto dalawa tuloy kaming stuck sa trapik. Sira na tulog ko muntik pa ko manapak. At nagkasya kami ni Bob sa 2-seater aisle ng PVP liner. Astig ng mobile blogging noh Bob?

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Crazy Kids

Posted in familia, humor mongering

These are Keia and Keiffer, my crazy niece and nephew. They were 3 and 5 respectively in this photo.

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I Want to Write the Best Darn Blog the World Has Ever Seen...

Posted in familia, mundaneity

...but i'm too darn tired to think right now!

Okay so I got my arm repeatedly punctured by inked needles again today. It's almost done and I'm happy with the tattoo, but I swear my tattoo artist Wai is gonna be the last man I'll allow to hurt me like this! I'm ignoring the fact that the previous sentence sounded so gay.

I rendered 4 hours of rest day OT. Yes, you read it right. I went to work on my day off. I still can't believe I used those words in a way that actually made sense. Go figure.

My last remaining grandmother Lola Isabel "Abe" Ignacio Gabriel met her Master last week. She lived a full 91 years before God decided it was time for her to move on to better days. Please don't start singing. Moving forward.

I stayed at my cousin's house in Bulacan for 2 days, and I'm sorry if this sounds rather insensitive, but I don't think I could've lasted another day without cable or the internet. I mean, I had thought about living the simple life until I realized I needed to change the way I define "simple".

Lola Abe's passing hit Mom the hardest. I realized how alone Mom must feel right now. With both her parents and two sisters gone, her aunt (my Lola) Abe's passing must've devastated her. I wonder if I would be as strong as her when it's my turn to suffer a tragic loss in the family. Dark thoughts, I know. But it's inevitable.

I was heading home tonight and I took a cab again, thereby negating my new year's resolution to abstain from the daily cab rides that cut a huge chunk out of my finances. I wasn't paying too much attention to the cab driver as usual, the snotty self-praising prick that I am, when I thought I noticed him pointing at something with his left hand on the wheel. Naturally, I turned my head in the direction he was pointing at. Nothing out of the ordinary I thought, so I ignored it. Then he did it a few more times, without saying a word. Nearly irritated, I was just about to ask him what it was that he kept pointing at when I realized he had polio and that pointing thing that he kept doing with his left hand was involuntary. So I kept my mouth shut and just respected the fact that he had a decent job despite his disability.

And oh, I saw that old nasty ghost in the office again last week. I really hate that b*tch. Oops, there goes that word again.

Well, I think I've just about run out of mental acuity for tonight, and before I start typing gibberish I'm gonna end this post with a very meaningful thought: Life is sexually transmitted. I don't know why I said that, really. Good night folks!

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A Sad Day

Posted in familia, sad thoughts

Our nanny Choleng passed away Monday morning. I would like to thank everyone who prayed for her, and ask that we continue to pray for her soul. She will surely be missed.

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Children of the Corn

Posted in familia

Here's Keia munching on some corn. Can't tell if she's enjoying it, seeing as she doesn't have a full set of teeth yet but hey, kids will be kids right?

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Keia

Posted in familia

Back in 2007 I was totally clueless about how to work with Blogger. This is a photo of my niece, Keia - or more affectionately known as Betchay.

The original caption on this post says: "Im still trying to figure out how to work Blogspot, so here's a picture of my niece Keia."

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Cracker Head

Posted in familia, humor mongering

This is my nephew, Batsi.

I kept the original post titles during the merger, but I made some refinements with the post body, for stuff like fonts and alignment.

The original caption for this photo was "I still hear those voices in my head!".

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Choleng

Posted in familia, sad thoughts

Today our family’s nanny for over 30 years, Choleng, suffered her second stroke, and I really felt sorry for her. Even though there were times when our relationship with her was less than perfect, her loyalty to all of us has made her a part of the family. I suddenly realized that we were not prepared for a sudden loss in the family. To be honest, I was terrified by the thought that the very same thing could happen to mom. I know it is inevitable but I pray that He strengthens me when the time comes. Choleng is now 75 years old and she’s still very loyal and dependable, although age has already caught up with her. I ask everyone who shares a little of their time to read my blogs to spend a few more seconds to say a quiet little prayer for Choleng. She deserves it.

note: Choleng passed away soon after this post. I'd like to thank everyone who shared their prayers with us then.

1 comments »

Good ‘ol Days!

Posted in familia, happy thoughts

I was just bumming around, surfin’ the net (illegally) when I suddenly thought of the good ‘ol days with my former team. I thought of each of them and here’s a run-down of some of my fondest memories with ‘em. Miss you guys! (Cheesy! That’s it, no more booze for me! Yeah right.)

JAO - Tropa ever since, mentor ko sa gitara and ang nagpakilala sa’kin sa buhay call center. Siya ba ang dapat sisihin?
CYRUS - Pinaka-malakas sa inuman! Ay di pala.. I’ll never forget the time when he.. dun kina Gabat.. na may sword pa sa likod nya.. Yeah this guy’s gonna go places!
ZEE - Rookie of da year! Isa sa mga pinaka-bibo sa team! Di ko makaklimutan ung 15 seconds of fame niya sa isang classic biscuit commercial..
MIKI - Hanggang nayon di ko pa rin alam ang tamang spelling ng nick nya.. but this guy’s funny and smart.. and was mistreated by the chinese oppressors along with all the other victims.. si Jao kasi eh.
LYN - sweet, and laging maasahan.. laging kasama sa inuman at yosihan despite the fact na di naman siya nagbibisyo.. makulay ang lovelife parang coloring book.. rock on!
MIA - ang prinsesa ng team.. she’s really smart and funny.. so funny na pati siya natatawa when we make fun of her.. pero it was always good clean fun.. i really consider her as a good friend despite what other people say ’bout her.. jerks beware..
DEE - ang nagpa-uso sa celebridee status.. fun to be with.. and without.. rocker sa videoke lalo na pag napanuod nyo siya ng live.. tekkie na mahilig sa pekkie.. hehe natawa ko dun ha.. latest victim ng chinese dictatorship
VENI - my ka-love team! hehe.. responsible mom.. good friend..
LEE - loyal.. tago ang kakulitan.. silent water runs deep.. striped long sleeves..
VANNIE - pretty and silent.. deadly combination.. she’s really great once you get to be on her good side.. our own little madam..
GEORGE - ha! gentle giant.. uh, ok Zee so he’s not so gentle.. another heavy drinker.. not..
RACKY - sassy.. she’s ok. lots of laughs when we get together
PX - self-proclaimed halaman.. i wonder if she knows she’s pretty.. reyna ng kakulitan.. bawal hindi tumawa pag kasama siya sa kwentuhan.. kasi di mo rin naman mapipigilan eh..
BOB - batang promil.. isa pa sa mga kalog ang utak na di ko makakalimutan.. kasi ksama ko rin siya d2 sa new job ko.. tekkie din and is also a good tropa..
DOOBIE - hehe.. inglisera/ro.. hanep sa comm skills, although I can’t say the same for her driving skills.. watch out for the lady crossing the street! &#$%@^%#! phew!
DINO - human pantry! yeah i thought he was ok, and i still think he is.. i just don’t understand why he.. oh well.. next!
RICHARD - kwelang PS pero may topak rin kung minsan.. friends of ol.. kung sino man si ol..
PETTY - boss kenkoy.. magaling mag-swimming kahit nasa madulas na marble floor.. nana nananana.. the best coach i’ve ever had.
BURNZ - adopted team member.. one of my closest friends kasi training pa lang fwends na kami.. lab naming lahat si Burnz.. di ba Zee? hehe..

The other guys (Rally, Sarah, Hannah, Sean, Ryan, Andrew, Carlo, Paul, Marco, Joy, Raine.. hope I’m not forgetting anybody), though I never got to spend much time with you guyz di ko pa rin kayo kakalimutan.. Kelangan ko lang tapusin tong blog na to now na kasi uwi nko. Salamat sa KPROXY!