ria r catalasan

My high school friends and I have been planning for an out of town trip for like a zillion years.  So, finally, this recent long vacation we gave it a go.  We decided to go on a road trip to Rizal-Laguna province.  I was the organizer, and Cherie volunteered to use her Revo, and fortunately she has a map too.  So we set off to meet at 5am, April 9 in Greenwoods, Pasig.  We had sandwiches, nilagang saging, saging na lakatan, brewed coffee, biscuits, chips and dips, ensaymada, sardines in cans, cooler with ice and a large container of water.  We plan to buy more fruits along the way.  There are 6 of us in the vehicle, and since most of us are drivers, all of us became backseat drivers, unintentionally.   First stop was breakfast at a roadside, 7am, in Baras, Rizal. 

While having breakfast, Cherie and Al consulted the map to plan our road trip.  We planned to take the national roads and Al suggested we eat at Exotik Restaurant for lunch.  (We just had breakfast but we are planning already for our lunch). We also planned to visit churches and museums along the way.

















Our second stop was at a view deck, I think somewhere in between Baras and Tanay, Rizal.  All excited and smiling since we just had breakfast. 










Our third stop, in Pakil, Laguna.  Actually, we stopped to ask for directions.  We were looking for a cutflower garden in Pangil, Laguna, and next thing we know we were in the next town, Pakil, Laguna.  Al was the designated navigator but he somehow got overpowered by 4 women resulting in confusion by the driver, who is Nestor.  Haha.  Lunch will be at Paete, Laguna, which is the next town, so we decided to kill time in Pakil. 





Pakil Church, built in the 1600s.















Museum in Pakil.

















Wood carving shop in Pakil. 















Finally, we found Exotik Restaurant in Paete, Laguna, for lunch.  We were early, around 11am, which was good because it became full when we left 1 hour later. 












Lunch was Fried Sawa (Python), Fried Frogs, Pesang Dalag and Pinaputok na Tilapia.  I eat frogs only when my mom cooks it, and last time I had it was in my early 20s.  I tried crocodile meat before, so  this time, I think I can eat snake even if I am so scared of them.  Espie tried the snake and said its okay.  So then, I became braver.  But then, I couldn't take a bite because there was a live snake in front of our table.  I completely lost my appetite.






Al as Zuma.  =) Now this is the python who made me lose my appetite. 

















Next stop was Lumban, Laguna.  Here we are enjoying the cool breeze in front of the man-made Lake Caliraya.  We would have lie down on the grass had we brought banig.  Too bad. 










Stopped by at Japanese Garden.  We also found out that Yamashita has a shrine here.  Behind me is Lake Caliraya.  Parking here was a problem for Nestor, not because of space but because all of us 4 women has something to say as to where to park. 








Al at Japanese Garden.  At this point he was renamed Dodong our porter, and Nestor became Mang Pedring the driver.

After this stop, the men became impatient.  We wanted to go to Liliw and we decided to take Cavinti, Luisiana, and Majayjay.  We noticed that driving thru these towns, the houses were few and far between, the roads were almost empty.  Nestor, at some point thought that we just drove in circles.  We took the long route to Liliw.  Finally, when we asked for directions, Liliw will be the next town.  Yehey, shopping for tsinelas!  Liliw was full of people.  So, the men did their thing, waited for us, while the women did their shopping. 








Meryenda was at Arabela, which also has a long line.  So then we decided to order take out and we ate at the barangay hall.  The bread pudding at Arabela was delicious!  Moist on the inside but toasted on the outside. 










Obviously, in this photo, we were all well-fed. 


After this, we decided to take the South Expressway exit but avoid Calamba and Los Banos.  So, then we took Nagcarlan, Rizal, San Pablo, Alaminos then Sto Tomas, Batangas exit.  At San Pablo, we stopped for what else, pasalubong!  Pasalubong were buko pie, sukang paombong, yema, sampaloc. 

Last stop was at Cherie's house.  Dinner was spanish sardines and hot pandesal with brewed coffee. Oh what a day!  I was dropped at our house at 12 midnight. 


Looking forward for our next trip, you guys! 

For the past 10 years maybe, every Valentine's Day I give my mom 3 heart-shaped donuts (Dunkin Donuts).  This year, I gave my dad something too.  Chocolates.  For the first time.  Both of my parents are retired and are at home all the time.  I am the one who is always out.  I have been praying to be closer to my dad.  I love my parents but I am having a hard time communicating it with them, especially with my father.  So, this year, it is my goal to spend more time and talk more with my dad.  I want to make the most of my time with my parents while they are still strong. 

Love is patient, love is kind.  Love is not rude and does not keep records of wrongs. 

Am glad that my parents are still alive and strong.  They are in that age that it is so easy to be impatient with them.  But I resolve to be more loving and kind to them. 

My high school friends threw  a surprise birthday bash for me last week.  I know that they don't know my birthday.  Am an officer in our Alumni Association and so we decided that Feb 9 will be our our first meeting for the year.  My office in Ortigas is the official home of this Alumni Assoc.  I was  unsuspecting and unknowing even when something should have clicked already prior to this surprise.  This is how it went:

Saturday, Feb 7, I played badminton with some high-school friends and         
Clarence, who usually picks me up in all our meetings and gimmicks was one of them.  So, then I mentioned to him that I am buying pizza for our meeting that Monday.  And he said, "Don't concern yourself about the food on Monday".  (Hmmm...this guy usually likes to eat pizza during our meetings and prefers that food is ready when he arrives for the meeting.  How come he does not like me to take care of the food, he does not like pizza anymore? ). So then,  Feb 9, Monday,  (which is my day-off for my full time job) I decided not to drop by at my "other" office in Ortigas since we will have a meeting that night, 630pm anyway.  Very early Monday morning,   Malu, sent a text message asking about what time I will be in the office in Ortigas.   (Hmmm, Malu knows my sked even before that I no longer visit my office in Ortigas and when I do, its just a quick visit, why does she wants to know what time I will be in Ortigas, when I will meet them anyway that night? ).  Around noon, our lawyer called me up and wanted to meet with me right away, so I have to be in Ortigas, 1pm.  I was contemplating if I should just stay in Ortigas until our meeting at 630pm, but since I have errands too that day, I decided against it.  Since am in Ortigas already, I dropped by at the office, then Lani, my staff, commented about what I was wearing that day (Hmmm, this girl, does not say anything about what I wear, why so suddenly, mentions that I am wearing a simple dress).  At about the same time, I was thinking about Lui, this girl, does not confirm her attendance via email but calls me or texts me if she will attend.  This time I have not heard from her yet.  (Hmmm, should I call  to remind her?)  I got busy with my errand that I forgot to call her.  After my errand, I was thinking of dropping by at Espie's place.  But decided against it too, for I need to gas up, if I drop by at her place I would I would not be able to pass by at the gasoline station where I normally go to.  At around 5pm I sent a text message to Clarence to pick me up.  6pm came and still no word from him.  I was beginning to be worried.  I called up the office to let Lani (my staff in the office) know that my friends will be starting to arrive, she said that Joey is in the office already.  Then Nanette, sent a text that she will be bringing coffee.  I said that I will order pizza.  She said to order pizza when I get in the office na lang.  (Hmmm, Nanette, usually orders food in advance so that as soon as our friends come in, there is food already, because most of them are hungry since they will be coming from work, why so suddenly she does not want me to order food in advance?)  I still ordered pizza.  When I told her (via text) that pizza will be delivered at 7pm, she then said to cancel the pizza because Joey, brought food already.  I called up the office to talk to Joey to ask him why is he taking care of the food again.  He just said he wanted too.  (Hmmm, this guy brought food during our meeting about 6 months ago, why is he treating us again, he got a promotion?).  7pm came and still no word from Clarence.  I am late for the meeting. I have all the documents and reports.  Kahiya naman to the others.  Clarence picked me up at 730pm.  I was so hungry.  Inside the parking lot, I saw Cherie, a high-school friend but not an officer in our Alumni Assoc.  Her office is in FTI-Taguig and she is not familiar in Ortigas, and I saw her walking out of the parking lot when we were coming in.  I was so excited to see her for last time I saw her was during our Christmas parties.  I rolled down the window and called her, she was shocked that I saw her.  I asked where she was going and she mumbled, 'meeting' and she hurriedly left.  All this time, Clarence did not stop the car.  (Hmmm, why did Clarence not even say hi to her? ) I said to him, Wow, Cherie is so masipag, imagine having a meeting at 8pm in Ortigas?  Then I called her up on her celfone, for I wanted to talk to her and invite her that after her meeting, she can drop by at my office.  But she was not picking up.  (Hmmm, maybe she is late already for her meeting).   By this time, Clarence had parked already, I stepped out of the car, but Clarence seemed to be taking his time doing something , but I couldn't see him.  (Hmmm, what is he doing, we are so late already.)  He was calling na pala to inform them than we are on our way up. I was still hoping to see Cherie walking towards to where her meeting was, but I can't seem to find her. So then, when we got in the office, I noticed that the pantry was dark. (note:Our alumni meetings are held at the pantry, since we cannot use the Conference Room anymore.)  Hmmm,  Where did everybody go?  Done with the meeting?  Or are they saving on electricity and does not want to turn on the lights?  I switched on the lights, and they all said " Happy Birthday!!"  I was so shocked and speechless for a few moments, first words that came out from me was, "Oh No, I don't have my camera!!" 

It was delightful!  My first ever surprise party!  I was hungry, but I was not able to eat well. They had everything that I want for a  birthday party: flowers, balloons, cake and ice cream.   Thank you, guys.  I know you are reading this. I felt honored and loved by you. You even invited my other high-school friends, Espi, Esme, Al and Cherie.  I thank the Lord for bringing you in my life, again.  I hope and pray that we will all grow old together. 

I got  home 12mn but I was able to sleep at 2am.  I couldn't sleep because I was so happy and was still thinking of my gullibility.   

After a very tiring but exciting homecoming party and some post-homecoming issues, I was back in badminton court.  It was good that my friend, Reena, invited me to join a tourney.  I played hard during our games and laughed hard during our break.  I had so much fun and it was a real treat for me. 



My friend, Reena, opening the games.












Bonus was:  Yey!  First runner up in my level!  Got a medal to show off =)






Reena and I up close after the games.  A day after the games, my body ached a bit.  But, I don't care, I enjoyed every minute. 

My sister turned forty last month.  I want to honor her by listing 40 things about her.  (I know this is long overdue, Nini, but better late than never.  ) 

1.  She is creative.
2.  She is maarte.
3.  She knows how to wrap presents beautifully.
4.  She listens to me.
5.  She lets me borrow her clothes, shoes and accessories.
6.  She knows what I like.
7.  She is generous.
8.  She is more organized than me.
9.  She keeps her things in a creative way.
10.  She likes the movies I like.
11.  She likes "Friends".
12.  She is friends with my closest guy friend.
13.  She values my opinion.
14.  She promised to take me to Niagara Falls- US Side
15.  She writes poems.
16.  One of her poems was published in a teen magazine during her high-school days.
17.  During her high-school days she was in a pilot class.
18.  She is the type of student who goes to class not reviewing her lessons but manages to pass. 
19.  She owns a  car that is my dream car.
20.  When we used to share a room, she also cleaned my side of the room.
21.  She surprised us by living alone in the US away from family and friends.
22.  She can iron our dad's barong and pants perfectly.  No double creases.
23.  She has a lot of long-term friends.
24.  She is patient with children.
25.  She can dance, gracefully.
26.  She has a ton of journal (notebook), which I think is empty. 
27.  She likes Nicholas Parks' novels.
28.  When we were younger she does not eat veggies.
29.  She doesn't like pickle in her hamburgers.
30.  She can be moody at times.
31.  She is allergic to dust and dust particles.
32.  She does not like pink.
33.  She can smell a cigarette smoking a million miles away.
34.  She likes buko-pandan.
35.  She is a crazy driver in the US, but does not like to drive when in Manila.
36.  She will name her daughter, Julia - after our mother's name Julita.
37.  She was named after our 2 grandmothers, maternal and paternal.
38.  She had a very thin and light brown hair during her toddler years.
39.  Her first big crush was Shaun Cassidy, from the 'Hardy Boys' fame.  She was only 9 at that time.
40.  She was crazy about Duran Duran, that she even bought front-row tickets when they had a concert here in the early 90s.

I miss my siblings that is why am writing. I saw them twice within 11 months last year, and prior to that, the last time we were together was in 2005.  There's only 2 of them, so, individually I call them: my one and only.  My one and only sister and my one and only brother.  I know I miss them, when I keep talking about them to my friends.  Whenever I miss them, here's the happy thought that I retrieve from my memory:  This is when we were all grown up, when each of us had a career, social life, and lovelife.  And both of our parents retired from their jobs.  So, everyday, when my brother started working, he would drive my sister and I to our respective offices.  We are always together in the morning on our way to work.  But, at the end of the working day, we go home, whenever, or however.  There are days that when I arrive home, either they are still out or asleep.  I would be happiest when I come home from work early, and within minutes, I see them arriving one after the other, early too.   Then we would have dinner together.   I don't know how to describe that feeling of surprise and elation, because I did not ask them to come home early, nor did we have a family affair that we all needed to be home early.  Seeing them home early too, unplanned, my brother arriving first then, my sister not far behind him, is for me,  magical. It felt like its Christmas.  


















Photos taken when I visited them Jan 2008.  The little girl is my brother's daughter. Our dear Mariann.  My brother is now a naturalized US citizen while my sister has a permanent resident status, also in the US.

I am the eldest, my brother, the youngest.