Icing on the Proverbial Cake

On the road to “life” we’ve developed friendships with people that’s bordering on the abnormal. Mary was Donna’s classmate since grade school and then all three of us were in high school together – not in the same section but the same year. Mary and Robert got married when he was still in the Navy, stationed in the Philippines. When I got out of the Navy from New Orleans, they’re pretty much settled and have bought a house in San Diego. I was unemployed with two little kids and trying to pay off a car loan and Mary was nice enough to offer us to stay in their house. Robert was on a WestPac cruise at the time and our stay worked out ok. It wasn’t until three months later that I landed my job (the only one after the Navy) at BF Goodrich and another three more months, we were able to rent an apartment in Montebello.

Emy and Nido pretty much filled the void that Mary and Robert created when they left and got stationed in Japan where he retired from the Navy. Both he and Mary continued to work in Yokosuka for several years as civilian employees. It was during this time that the friendship with Nido and Emy grew. One of the toughest parts of our decision to retire here in the Philippines was leaving them behind.

During our stay in California is when we started our high school alumni association. Friendships with former high school classmates developed into more than just mere ‘friendly relations’ as well. Friendships at my work at Goodrich are worth mentioning as well.

I have a brother in Downey and another in Bellflower, Kong Mansing and Kong Paing respectively. As we grew older, I felt I got treated as an equal instead of just the runt in the family and I have to admit that it was a great feeling.

These relationships are part of my ‘icing on the cake’, as well as the great vacations and cool places we’ve visited all through the years: a couple of times in Hawaii and the Grand Canyon was great; the visit to Yellowstone was just awesome; Niagara Falls in autumn was just divine; the Alaskan Cruise with Eph was spectacular; and last but certainly not the least was the great Rice Terraces of Banaue.

I’m so looking forward to our trip in Spain and possibly most of Europe in July.

Icing on the cake!

We’re leaving for California tomorrow and I have some mixed feelings about it all. It’s been almost six months since we moved in to our house and I’ve been here in the Philippines for a year. I’m pretty much adapted to the ‘old ways’ so much so that I’ve even learned how to drive. A couple of years ago, driving here is one of the things I dread and thought would never be able to do. I even surprise myself the way I maneuver on some of the infamous traffic circles here. But I do miss the boys and our friends and relatives in the States. I guess I’m going through some mild form of ‘Agony and Ecstasy’ with this trip.

My sister Ate Auring is gravely ill and that doesn’t help, thinking she may pass any moment. She can use our prayers, by the way. We went to see her last night and she barely recognized me. She didn’t know who Donna was and gone are her old ways of talking a mile a minute and laughing half the time. It makes me want to cry just thinking about her. Her son Francis hosted the get together. My other brothers Kong Naring and Kong Romy were there as well, along with their families. They have oodles of kids and grandkids. Kong Romy’s daughter Lani is in the country for a much needed vacation. She’s married with two boys and they live in Missouri. The day before was their barrio fiesta in San Jose. Donna and I had an early dinner there. Wednesday, Kong Romy’s family was here for lunch so Lani was able to check out our house. Our friend Bert’s son Nicolo also came over along with a couple of his cousins.

Last week Jack, Francis, his older brother Pempi and Mer were here for dinner or was that lunch (?). Alan and Neneng visited us a couple of days ago, and Vir and Myrna were here yesterday to bid us goodbye. It looks like Myrna’s daughter-in-law Anna is a couple of months pregnant and the baby would have been born by the time we come back.

I’m writing this while Donna and Leda are in the living room playing kwaho. Ate Tess’s kids Mike, Len and Berna and their kids are here as well since this will be our last night here for a while. Sister Gay will be house sitting for us and Kong Naring pretty much promised me he’ll take care of our lawn while we’re away. We’ll miss our morning walks here. We’ve already said goodbye to our walking buddies today.

California, here we come – again!