cuteness Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Friday, December 08, 2006
One Month and Counting...
This Saturday marks Isa's 1st month. I look at her every morning and every evening and I see changes in her all the time. We took her to her second pediatric visit a week ago and Dr. Deeb said she had gained a whole pound and grew another inch. Wow! A big difference when you consider it's only been two weeks since she was last seen.
Her head has a nice shape to it - no more "E.T. - the Extraterrestrial" look to it anymore. Her hair is soft and long. Kind of a wispy look to it. I brush it every chance I get. Apparently this is more hair than what most babies are born with. She must get this from her mom.
When she's awake she is VERY alert with intense, big eyes. I love her eyes. Her legs and feet have plumped up some so they don't have that "chicken legs" look to it quite as much as they did. I like when I see her mom letting her nap on her chest belly down and her feet and legs are curled up into a ball as if she's still in the belly.
Despite her late night crying for food and a new diaper I find myself missing her while I'm at work. I know she's still too young to acknowledge that she recognizes me, but everytime I look into her face I search for a reaction to me speaking or kissing her plump cheeks. What a cutie.
Still has that new car, baby smell. Love that. Is it the Desitin? is it the milk on her breath? is it the baby shampoo? I don't know, but I likes. Whenever I hold her and put her down to sleep I can still smell her in my hands. It's indescribable, but I think most people know what the hell I'm talking about.
It's been a month! Sometimes it's so surreal and feels weird to think I have a little girl now. What?!? Yeah. I can't wait for her Lolo and Lola to meet her at Christmas. El's entire family will be here and my parents as well. Everyone is stoked to see the new addition. Cher and Ricky are wanting to come, too, but are waiting until the Christmas madness dies down.
Enough of the ramblings. Mom should be done giving her her midnight "merienda". Time to go burp her. Later.
Her head has a nice shape to it - no more "E.T. - the Extraterrestrial" look to it anymore. Her hair is soft and long. Kind of a wispy look to it. I brush it every chance I get. Apparently this is more hair than what most babies are born with. She must get this from her mom.
When she's awake she is VERY alert with intense, big eyes. I love her eyes. Her legs and feet have plumped up some so they don't have that "chicken legs" look to it quite as much as they did. I like when I see her mom letting her nap on her chest belly down and her feet and legs are curled up into a ball as if she's still in the belly.
Despite her late night crying for food and a new diaper I find myself missing her while I'm at work. I know she's still too young to acknowledge that she recognizes me, but everytime I look into her face I search for a reaction to me speaking or kissing her plump cheeks. What a cutie.
Still has that new car, baby smell. Love that. Is it the Desitin? is it the milk on her breath? is it the baby shampoo? I don't know, but I likes. Whenever I hold her and put her down to sleep I can still smell her in my hands. It's indescribable, but I think most people know what the hell I'm talking about.
It's been a month! Sometimes it's so surreal and feels weird to think I have a little girl now. What?!? Yeah. I can't wait for her Lolo and Lola to meet her at Christmas. El's entire family will be here and my parents as well. Everyone is stoked to see the new addition. Cher and Ricky are wanting to come, too, but are waiting until the Christmas madness dies down.
Enough of the ramblings. Mom should be done giving her her midnight "merienda". Time to go burp her. Later.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving!
Eleanor's mom and younger sister were kind enough to spend their two week vacation helping us care for Isabella. Her mom, a professional daycare specialist, took to the task at hand with gusto. Right from the get go we introduced them to the world of soiled diapers and late night feedings.
It was nice to have some family around during our first Thanksgiving and despite El's insistence I still wanted to prepare somethings for the holiday. I kept it pretty simple with just the basics feeding 5. What's on menu this year? Ginger citrus glazed turkey and stuffing, homemade mashed potatoes; greenbeans and mushrooms with roasted whole garlic; sauteed aspargus, zucchini, squash and carrots; and finishing with homemade sweet potato pie a la mode. Simple and fairly quick if you compare it to Thanksgivings I've done in the past.
Food was great and the red wine made everyone go into a trance. BUT I was determined to do more holiday things. It's traditional at my crib to buy a tree and commence the decorating fro Christmas, but the tryptophan kicked in before we got more done. We got as far as bringing down the decor from the attic and putting up the Christmas lights outside before we called it a night.
The next morning we had brunch at the Celebration diner and then proceeded to pick up where we left off the night before. Before long the tree was. The next couple of days were spent by El tweaking out the details of the house. Tonight the house is completely done and El is passed out in bed to nap before our nighttime vigil with Isa begins anew...
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Isa.
It's been over a week since her birthday. There's so much to learn about being a parent and so much more to experience. We're doing our best to soak in every new learning experience and not take things too seriously. Are we nervous about every sneeze she makes? Is she too bundled up? Is she eating too little or too much?
In this short week we've learned so much about this little person who has consumed so much of our lives in the blink of an eye. We know her different cries. We know what small things soothe her. Today I felt like she's starting to know my face and voice. Every moment seems to be a polaroid moment.
Through all the all night crying sprees and soiled diapers she's still a cutie. She makes me laugh with her different faces of frustration. I look at her sometimes and study her face. The nose and eyes are mine. The mouth I suspect is El's (she debates me on that). I even know how she got dry skin. She definitely sleeps deep like her mother. She's absolutely a product of El and I.
I can't wait for those moments when she first laughs or learns to walk or call out for "Dad". It's still hard to imagine that this person is in my life. Corny and cliched I know. Things will definitely change, but I know it'll be for the better and will make me a better person. Patience, understanding and self sacrifice. I'm ready.
Even Bailey, as needy as he usually is, has learned who she is and is quickly learning his place in the family ("no jumping onto the bed, you can smell her feet only, don't lick her face") and sacrificed his beloved place at the foot of the bed to learn to sleep in his new bed by the door. He doesn't even bark when she cries. What a smart dog.
I don't mean to bore you or sound like a Hallmark card, but I'm stunned by her. She'll be a handful, but I can hardly contain my excitement when I think about the person she will grow up to be one day.
In this short week we've learned so much about this little person who has consumed so much of our lives in the blink of an eye. We know her different cries. We know what small things soothe her. Today I felt like she's starting to know my face and voice. Every moment seems to be a polaroid moment.
Through all the all night crying sprees and soiled diapers she's still a cutie. She makes me laugh with her different faces of frustration. I look at her sometimes and study her face. The nose and eyes are mine. The mouth I suspect is El's (she debates me on that). I even know how she got dry skin. She definitely sleeps deep like her mother. She's absolutely a product of El and I.
I can't wait for those moments when she first laughs or learns to walk or call out for "Dad". It's still hard to imagine that this person is in my life. Corny and cliched I know. Things will definitely change, but I know it'll be for the better and will make me a better person. Patience, understanding and self sacrifice. I'm ready.
Even Bailey, as needy as he usually is, has learned who she is and is quickly learning his place in the family ("no jumping onto the bed, you can smell her feet only, don't lick her face") and sacrificed his beloved place at the foot of the bed to learn to sleep in his new bed by the door. He doesn't even bark when she cries. What a smart dog.
I don't mean to bore you or sound like a Hallmark card, but I'm stunned by her. She'll be a handful, but I can hardly contain my excitement when I think about the person she will grow up to be one day.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
An Early Delivery From The Stork...
If you're ever in the unique position of about to have your first child and thinking you can knock back a couple of drinks at the bars with the fellas a week before she is due to celebrate what's left of your
social life - DON'T. You don't want to be that guy racing home at 2:00am after 2 beers, 3 Jack and Cokes and a shot of Happy Time and stinking of cigarettes to pick up your wife after you've hosed off in the shower to drive her to the hospital as her contractions are
only 5 minutes apart. Don't be THAT guy.
With that being said El and I were at Winter Park Hospital where we were checked in quickly and given a birthing room for her to change into and me to unload our baggage - literally. As soon as we got there her contractions had shortened to 4 minutes apart and I was feeling excited that our big day had arrived, although one week early. After an hour her contractions were hurting her so much she was literally wanting to drop her knees. Where was the damn anesthesiologist???
social life - DON'T. You don't want to be that guy racing home at 2:00am after 2 beers, 3 Jack and Cokes and a shot of Happy Time and stinking of cigarettes to pick up your wife after you've hosed off in the shower to drive her to the hospital as her contractions are
only 5 minutes apart. Don't be THAT guy.
With that being said El and I were at Winter Park Hospital where we were checked in quickly and given a birthing room for her to change into and me to unload our baggage - literally. As soon as we got there her contractions had shortened to 4 minutes apart and I was feeling excited that our big day had arrived, although one week early. After an hour her contractions were hurting her so much she was literally wanting to drop her knees. Where was the damn anesthesiologist???
An hour and a half later he arrived to give her an Epidural Anesthesia. 20 minutes later she was golden. She couldn't even feel them anymore and was soon chatting on the phone spreading the good news to her family. I, on the other hand, was completely wiped out from working outside all morning through the night until the guys thought it a good idea to have a few drinks downtown. It was around 5:30am and only the rush of excitement kept me sober and awake. That and they knowledge that El was in excruciating pain. By the time she got her epidural and in good spirits I commenced to pass the hell out until about 8:30 am as the new nursing shift changed and burst through our doors to run more tests. Screw it - I may as well get up and gear up for the big day.
I thought Isa was going to be born that morning- maybe 9 or 10am. Not so. The epidural slowed down the dilating and contractions considerably and prolonged the whole process even more. By this time Dr. Dukes let El know she had dilated 8cm and was waiting for Isa to drop more. This was the home stretch and El was stoked. So was I.
By 12:15 I was growing impatient and bored. TV can only entertain for so long and it was quite obvious that no one cared if I was there or not. El was the center of attention and rightfully so. A lot of things ran through my mind in preparation. In LaMaze classes I thought it too graphic to watch the actual labor and the discharge of the placenta. Was there going to be blood and gore everywhere? What kind of weird smells was I to expect?
Apparently, while I dozed off Dr. Dukes gave El some Pitocin to further encourage the final stages of labor and by 12:30 it was game time. Dr. Dukes started her off with some light pushing to get her going, but it took nearly three hours to finally get somewhere
interesting - the crowning of Isa's head. All I could see was some hair from her little head. Because if the epidural, though, El had a hard time feeling Isa moving down and visualizing what she had to do to get the job done so a mirror was brought in. This helped eventually and once she saw the top of Isa's head she was a woman on a mission. A half hour of focused pushing and Isa slid out - conehead and all.
Like I said earlier, I didn't know what to expect and thought I'd hang by El's upper torso for moral support. This all changed as Dr. Dukes encouraged me to see the crowning of Isa's head. There was no weird smells. There was no gore and blood everywhere. All I saw was my little girl trying to get out and that was encouragement enough to keep me cheerleading for El to keep going.
interesting - the crowning of Isa's head. All I could see was some hair from her little head. Because if the epidural, though, El had a hard time feeling Isa moving down and visualizing what she had to do to get the job done so a mirror was brought in. This helped eventually and once she saw the top of Isa's head she was a woman on a mission. A half hour of focused pushing and Isa slid out - conehead and all.
Like I said earlier, I didn't know what to expect and thought I'd hang by El's upper torso for moral support. This all changed as Dr. Dukes encouraged me to see the crowning of Isa's head. There was no weird smells. There was no gore and blood everywhere. All I saw was my little girl trying to get out and that was encouragement enough to keep me cheerleading for El to keep going.
I know it's so cliched to say it, but this was probably one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced. After she was born the doc offered me the cord to cut. I accepted wholeheartedly. After which Isa was rushed over to the awaiting "fry warmer" to get wiped down, weighed, footprinted and measured.
Our stay at Winter Park Hospital was great in the day and brutal at night. It's true about parents experiencing some hardcore sleep deprivation, but by night two we had a decent system that seemed to work. El's job was the nursing and comforting of Isa and mine was the comforting of El. I know I felt helpless to do anything to make Isa feel safe, so I did what I could.
I, at least, had the luxury of being able to drive out once in awhile to run errands and shower at home. I made my time at the hospital count and did what I could so El could have some time to herself, eat a good meal (hospital food is terrible so I offered to pickup anything and everything she wanted) and feel like a human again with a hot shower.
***NEWS FLASH***
For three days we had been concerned that Isabella had not had a decent poop at all. We knew this was crucial to her body kickstarting itself and I was starting to panic and telling El we needed to call the pediatrician today. She had been crying all day and night for the past three days. By lunch El decided to take a long shower and relax. Meanwhile, Isa had finally been coaxed into a nice quiet nap in her new crib when she started to cry out. Was she hungry AGAIN? Did she wet herself? Was she hot? Nope. She pooped. A quick check in the diapers checked out to be a huge, blacky sticky mess and I couldn't have been any happier. Once again, most people would think it's gross until it's actually one of your own kids and you fully appreciate it and not wig out.
I was so happy I wasn't afraid to get my hands dirty and her cleaned up and in new clothes. A quick dance around the den with my little girl and waltz into the bedroom to inform mom that we didn't need to cal the doctors anymore. And in true comic timing she pooped again. "Thanks for the poop, Isa! You're making me happy!"
She sleeps better now. Eats only every 2-3 hours instead of every 45 minutes to an hour. She doesn't cry as much. And she generally seems much more comfortable. I love her.
For three days we had been concerned that Isabella had not had a decent poop at all. We knew this was crucial to her body kickstarting itself and I was starting to panic and telling El we needed to call the pediatrician today. She had been crying all day and night for the past three days. By lunch El decided to take a long shower and relax. Meanwhile, Isa had finally been coaxed into a nice quiet nap in her new crib when she started to cry out. Was she hungry AGAIN? Did she wet herself? Was she hot? Nope. She pooped. A quick check in the diapers checked out to be a huge, blacky sticky mess and I couldn't have been any happier. Once again, most people would think it's gross until it's actually one of your own kids and you fully appreciate it and not wig out.
I was so happy I wasn't afraid to get my hands dirty and her cleaned up and in new clothes. A quick dance around the den with my little girl and waltz into the bedroom to inform mom that we didn't need to cal the doctors anymore. And in true comic timing she pooped again. "Thanks for the poop, Isa! You're making me happy!"
She sleeps better now. Eats only every 2-3 hours instead of every 45 minutes to an hour. She doesn't cry as much. And she generally seems much more comfortable. I love her.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
And The Nesting Begins...
These last couple of week weeks have been anxious for me. A lot has happened. I've started the new gig doing design/animation for The Golf Channel and the hours are very different (12PM-9PM Sunday -Thursday). Plus, I have to learn a whole new software package (Adobe AfterEffects). The guys have been great - very helpful and supportive. I'm learning something new everyday and pretty wired to get to actual show package designing, but I know that'll take time before I learn all the new tools and skills. I'll have to slide in some shots of my new crew when I get a chance.
The real anxiety has been the daily countdown to El's big day. Dr. Knight projected her due date at November 17th, but personally I think she won't make it past this week. She looks ready to burst. All week friends and family have been calling us to check on our progress. Even my cousins, Lester and Mark, in the Philippines periodically check up thru IM to get the latest.
This past weekend was spent "nesting" for Isa's arrival. Car seat installed? Check! House cleaned top to bottom? Check! Bags packed? Check! Isa's room squared away? Check! We're ready for the most part. A HUGE thank you to all our friends and family here in Orlando, Charleston, and afar for all the fantastic gifts. It was very generous of all of you.
Happy Halloweiners!
Halloween here in Orlando is a BIG deal. Lately the idea has been to have someone throw a costume party at their place and then everyone heads off to downtown to where the real shenanigans go on.
Ed and Erin hosted this year's costume party and did a great job decorating the condo. Cutouts in the windows, brainy food and great costumes. They spent a good bit putting that together. I know how hard it is to put together a shindig so I truly appreciate their efforts. After hanging out at the casa we made our way as a group to downtown.
Actually it's just a chance to see hot girls half naked out on the street. The OPD close off Orange Avenue so Halloween revelers can wander and see what clever costumes have made it out. It's typical to see the Hot Policewoman, Hot Schoolgirl, Hot and once in awhile you get to see something truly unique and original.
Magnum, Larry Bird, Hibachi Chef in Training, and Pseudo-Maverick
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Whoa.
You know how you start with one thing on a websearch and from there you go to something else and from there that reminds of something else and so on? Well that's how I ended up finding a picture someone posted of me and some friends from my freshman year in Wagner High School at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. Holy crap.
I haven't seen or heard from these guys since I left back in '87. Can't figure which one was me? Try the third from the right pencilneck in the grey pants and striped shirt. I still remember some of these guys' names.
Left to right: Frankie Butler, Robert Ballesteros (whom I think lives in Tampa now), Tah Bevill, Darrien Demps, John Agcoili, unknown brother (Raj I think?), Pencil Neck, Glenn Ordonez and Neil Lagman.
Blast from the past...
I haven't seen or heard from these guys since I left back in '87. Can't figure which one was me? Try the third from the right pencilneck in the grey pants and striped shirt. I still remember some of these guys' names.
Left to right: Frankie Butler, Robert Ballesteros (whom I think lives in Tampa now), Tah Bevill, Darrien Demps, John Agcoili, unknown brother (Raj I think?), Pencil Neck, Glenn Ordonez and Neil Lagman.
Blast from the past...
Monday, October 16, 2006
The Things I've Missed.
I've always felt regret over not feeling like I've spent enough time to people close to me, but moreso with my grandparents. When I was younger we lived in the Philippines for 5 years. It was supposed to be the time to take advantage of being around them. We did live with my grandparents for a couple of months during summer vacations and I did get to know my cousins better, but they were spent the way teenagers typically spend their days.
But do I feel like I REALLY got to know my Lolo and Lola and find out more about who they were? Secretly? No. Looking back now I realize not like I could have. Sure stories were shared about my mother growing up as a girl in Manila and what her parent's were like. Sure we chatted with them when we visited them in Manila or when they came to visit us on the Air Force Base on the weekends. But did I really get to spend quality time with them? I don't think so.
I was young when we moved there from Charleston, SC - we lived in the Philippines when I was 11 until I was 16. At that age the only things that ran through my head were school, friends and when I'd be able to move back to the States to something more famliar to me. I mean they'll be around forever, right?
And then 5 years later we were actually moving back to South Carolina. They would visit us, of course. And they did. By that time I was in high school and they were staying for two months in Goose Creek with us. I remember them being in the house chatting with us in between us rushing to get to school or to a party or to be with friends. Occasionally my brother and I would take my Lolo to the movies (he loved movies at the theater). But we had two whole months to spend time with them. I had time.
I distinctly remember a time I came home from school and they were at home watching TV quietly. No one was there. I asked them if they had lunch. "No we're fine".
"Are you sure? I don't mind picking something up for you."
"No go ahead and have lunch. Let me make something for you." My Lola was such a sweet person. She loved to cook. It actually made her cry if you didn't eat.
"No Lola let me pick up something for you guys. You're on vacation". I didn't know how to cook then. I did know that they loved Chinese food. Seafood was best. I ran to the local Chinese restaurant and brought them a couple of dishes. They ate, of course (they hadn't eaten to that point). They would never ever complain about anything. I felt awful.
And then just as quick they went back to the Philippines. I was so consumed with my social calendar that time flew by before I knew it. I'd make it up to them. I promise.
That was almost 19 years ago. Married now and about to have our first child I look back at those missed opportunities. I even recently got into a conversation with my cousin in the Philippines, Lester, over the Instant Messenger about how I wished I could've spent more time with them when we lived there. He was right, though. We meant well. We just get caught up in our own lives. It's ok. Right? RIGHT?
It really sunk in after my Lolo passed away eight years ago from cancer right before my wedding. I never got to say goodbye to him. My Lolo was an easy going man always quick to laugh. Short with a belly, a very sharp mind and a clear, deep voice. I remember my mother telling me all my cousins and siblings were having dreams of him saying goodbye to them shortly after his passing, except me. I wondered why. One night shortly after I moved to Florida I did. In it I was cooking and asking him what he would like to have for breakfast while we were at my parent's house. "Nothing. Erick don't worry about me. I'm fine now." The only difference in the dream was he was so skinny, but it was definitely him. His voice was clear as a bell and he was smiling. I always felt that that was his way of saying goodbye and telling me that I shouldn't beat myself up.
I've been yearning to see his site and see my Lola at their house ever since. It was always in the back of my mind that she was not going to be around for very long without him. There could have been opportunities over the years if I tried harder or made better plans. "Next year I'll go back and see Lola and say goodbye to Lolo. Or the year after when we go to Japan. Maybe after we have the baby..."
I haven't yet. But then again, there will always be another chance.
My Lola passed away quietly in her sleep last night. At 3 am my mother called me from Charleston to inform me of the news. We all knew it was going to happen soon after she was discharged from the hospital recently and I was busy over the weekend trying to get my mother to be with Lola on her last days. Since I couldn't go I was determined to at least make sure my mom was home to see hers. I called my mom tonight to apologize. I felt awful about her not being able to get home soon enough. She assured me things were fine, not to worry and that I had did all I could to expedite things for her. She's leaving this Tuesday for the Philippines to get things squared away with her brothers and sister.
I love my grandparents. I'm just sorry that I took their time here for granted. Everything I did from the time I got married to now I've tried to emulate after them. My Lolo and Lola lived full lives and took care of each other without ever raising their voices at one another. My Lolo always provided for my Lola and made sure his children grew up to also be good parents and look out for each other. I can only hope to be as good a husband and father as him. I miss them, but know that they're finally back together.
But do I feel like I REALLY got to know my Lolo and Lola and find out more about who they were? Secretly? No. Looking back now I realize not like I could have. Sure stories were shared about my mother growing up as a girl in Manila and what her parent's were like. Sure we chatted with them when we visited them in Manila or when they came to visit us on the Air Force Base on the weekends. But did I really get to spend quality time with them? I don't think so.
I was young when we moved there from Charleston, SC - we lived in the Philippines when I was 11 until I was 16. At that age the only things that ran through my head were school, friends and when I'd be able to move back to the States to something more famliar to me. I mean they'll be around forever, right?
And then 5 years later we were actually moving back to South Carolina. They would visit us, of course. And they did. By that time I was in high school and they were staying for two months in Goose Creek with us. I remember them being in the house chatting with us in between us rushing to get to school or to a party or to be with friends. Occasionally my brother and I would take my Lolo to the movies (he loved movies at the theater). But we had two whole months to spend time with them. I had time.
I distinctly remember a time I came home from school and they were at home watching TV quietly. No one was there. I asked them if they had lunch. "No we're fine".
"Are you sure? I don't mind picking something up for you."
"No go ahead and have lunch. Let me make something for you." My Lola was such a sweet person. She loved to cook. It actually made her cry if you didn't eat.
"No Lola let me pick up something for you guys. You're on vacation". I didn't know how to cook then. I did know that they loved Chinese food. Seafood was best. I ran to the local Chinese restaurant and brought them a couple of dishes. They ate, of course (they hadn't eaten to that point). They would never ever complain about anything. I felt awful.
And then just as quick they went back to the Philippines. I was so consumed with my social calendar that time flew by before I knew it. I'd make it up to them. I promise.
That was almost 19 years ago. Married now and about to have our first child I look back at those missed opportunities. I even recently got into a conversation with my cousin in the Philippines, Lester, over the Instant Messenger about how I wished I could've spent more time with them when we lived there. He was right, though. We meant well. We just get caught up in our own lives. It's ok. Right? RIGHT?
It really sunk in after my Lolo passed away eight years ago from cancer right before my wedding. I never got to say goodbye to him. My Lolo was an easy going man always quick to laugh. Short with a belly, a very sharp mind and a clear, deep voice. I remember my mother telling me all my cousins and siblings were having dreams of him saying goodbye to them shortly after his passing, except me. I wondered why. One night shortly after I moved to Florida I did. In it I was cooking and asking him what he would like to have for breakfast while we were at my parent's house. "Nothing. Erick don't worry about me. I'm fine now." The only difference in the dream was he was so skinny, but it was definitely him. His voice was clear as a bell and he was smiling. I always felt that that was his way of saying goodbye and telling me that I shouldn't beat myself up.
I've been yearning to see his site and see my Lola at their house ever since. It was always in the back of my mind that she was not going to be around for very long without him. There could have been opportunities over the years if I tried harder or made better plans. "Next year I'll go back and see Lola and say goodbye to Lolo. Or the year after when we go to Japan. Maybe after we have the baby..."
I haven't yet. But then again, there will always be another chance.
My Lola passed away quietly in her sleep last night. At 3 am my mother called me from Charleston to inform me of the news. We all knew it was going to happen soon after she was discharged from the hospital recently and I was busy over the weekend trying to get my mother to be with Lola on her last days. Since I couldn't go I was determined to at least make sure my mom was home to see hers. I called my mom tonight to apologize. I felt awful about her not being able to get home soon enough. She assured me things were fine, not to worry and that I had did all I could to expedite things for her. She's leaving this Tuesday for the Philippines to get things squared away with her brothers and sister.
I love my grandparents. I'm just sorry that I took their time here for granted. Everything I did from the time I got married to now I've tried to emulate after them. My Lolo and Lola lived full lives and took care of each other without ever raising their voices at one another. My Lolo always provided for my Lola and made sure his children grew up to also be good parents and look out for each other. I can only hope to be as good a husband and father as him. I miss them, but know that they're finally back together.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
I've Made A Huge Leap...
For about 14 years I've been a print designer. In the past I've also had my hand in interactive cd design and more recently web design for my personal clients. There's been a lot of hard decisions to be made very recently and I've made the leap. Just by mere chance there was an opening for a designer/animator at The Golf Channel. Originally looking out-of-state, as well as in-state positions, to see where my options would lay Al Lagor, Managing Director for On-Air Graphics, mentioned a seat open in his department. I don't have much in experience other than a couple months training years ago and he was generous (and trusting enough) to offer me the job pretty much on the spot. It solved a lot of issues for me, including losing all my benefits I've worked so hard for the past 6+ years at The Golf Channel.
The job would require me to work different hours (12-9pm) and different days (Sunday-Thursday). This kinda cramps into El and my plans for childcare after November, but hey...what are you gonna do? Plus it means there's a very good chance that I would longer be able to have my daily lunches with my beloved Lunch Bunch. That hurts the most. They were the crew who I have been hanging out and goofing with these past 2 or 3 years. So it was only fitting that a final Lunch Bunch meet. I was happy that most everyone was available to make it / sad that it was possibly the last BIG get together at lunch I was going to have with these fine folk.
We all decided to dine al fresca at the local authentic Italian eatery...Olive Garden. The weather was cool and the seating allowed a larger group. I tried my best to juggle sides of the tables and spend time in the hour or so we're alloted. I'm sad that it all came to a halt so abruptly, but in the long run it was a necessary step for me. It's all good I guess. I'll just have to see what lay just around corner for me now...
Monday, October 02, 2006
Vaarwel en Goodluck, Ingraad!
Wow! Another great weekend. By the end of the week I was ready for some more decompression time. Last weekend was going to be a hard act to follow, but I was going to try like hell to have a good time. By the close of day at work I decided to get an impromptu crew to McCormick & Schmick's for a couple of drinks and some food. We hadn't done a Happy Hour in a long time so we were due.
El was the first on the scene and soon followed by Ed, me, Jen V in tha Hizzy, Tommy & Lyndsey, Paul, Chuck, and then at the tail end Paula and Jeremy. The weather had been shaping up to be beautiful with a nice cold front coming in so we made the most of the evening by dining al fresca. I hope the weather holds up. I've had enough of the hot weather.
Saturday El and I got up fairly early to run some errands. We ate brunch outside at the Celebration Diner and enjoyed the warm sun. Afterwards we made our way to Downtown Disney top down to take care of a couple of things and do a little light shopping for Isabella's room. By 3 we had to make our way home to shower up for a going away party.
Ingrid, one of Paul's roommates, was going back home to Holland. I hate to see her go, but I know it's all for the best. Can't believe a year has come and gone so fast. I remember the first time I met her was when I joined Scott, Brynn, Paul and Sanne downtown to head to Monkey Bar one weekend. Soon after she became a nice fixture to all the parties and outings - Halloween, Christmas, birthdays, boating, etc.
El was the first on the scene and soon followed by Ed, me, Jen V in tha Hizzy, Tommy & Lyndsey, Paul, Chuck, and then at the tail end Paula and Jeremy. The weather had been shaping up to be beautiful with a nice cold front coming in so we made the most of the evening by dining al fresca. I hope the weather holds up. I've had enough of the hot weather.
Saturday El and I got up fairly early to run some errands. We ate brunch outside at the Celebration Diner and enjoyed the warm sun. Afterwards we made our way to Downtown Disney top down to take care of a couple of things and do a little light shopping for Isabella's room. By 3 we had to make our way home to shower up for a going away party.
Ingrid, one of Paul's roommates, was going back home to Holland. I hate to see her go, but I know it's all for the best. Can't believe a year has come and gone so fast. I remember the first time I met her was when I joined Scott, Brynn, Paul and Sanne downtown to head to Monkey Bar one weekend. Soon after she became a nice fixture to all the parties and outings - Halloween, Christmas, birthdays, boating, etc.
We kicked it off and met some of her cowerks in Kissimmee to go bowling. It was cool to meet all of them. They were all very cool and kicked the hell out of the American team with the top 3 scores for the two games. Some of the bowling crew included Dustin, Sanne, Jessica, Heidi, Iris, Paul , Chuck, Sanne, El, me, Ed, Erin, Jen V, and Ulf. A few rounds of beers later we had to make our way back over to Paul's for a little grilling action.
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