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...
Monday, October 23, 2006
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.
Sunday rolled in and El let me sleep in. We really should have done some work around the house at this point - well El did. Screw it. I made the most of my weekend and decided t get my afro cut and then then catch a flick at The Loop.
Upon a recommendation from Ed and Erin we caught The Illusionist with Edward Norton, Jessica Biel and Paul Giametti. I didn't really know the whole plotline, but it worked out great. Without giving any info all I can say it was a GREAT movie. That'll be something to add to the DVD collection in a few months.
Aaah...another great weekend...
Upon a recommendation from Ed and Erin we caught The Illusionist with Edward Norton, Jessica Biel and Paul Giametti. I didn't really know the whole plotline, but it worked out great. Without giving any info all I can say it was a GREAT movie. That'll be something to add to the DVD collection in a few months.
Aaah...another great weekend...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
