Ming's Musings
Friday, November 13, 2009
Back in Cebu! I forgot too many things.I forgot that you needed to bring toilet paper whereever you go in case you used a public bathroom.
I forgot about mice running around the house, cockroaches, lizards, spiders, etc.
I forgot so many things, but am still glad I am home, since there is no place like home.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
movedVisit Ming's Musings
Monday, June 05, 2006
Family ReunionI just came back from a family reunion. It was the first time I have been with my brothers and sister for more than 3 decades. It is great to see family and spent some time with my siblings and relatives, but it is also very exhausting. Only family knows how to push all your trigger buttons. There was a lot of "He said, and she said, and now what????" I am mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually drained from this vacation. I could use another vacation.
Monday, May 01, 2006
coming homeI am really excited for my upcoming trip to Cebu. I have not been home in 2 years.
I am so excited to meet my friends and family. On the other hand, I dread what friends and family always say. Instead of hugging me and asking me how I am, they normally ask, "Did you gain weight?" Or...."Hey...you gained weight, you are not pregnant, are you?" "Ouch!" I can only say. :(
I don't understand why friends greet me this way. I met a schoolmate named Joji a couple of years ago who migrated to Australia. I did not see her in more than twenty years and I thought she looked good. However, she said she was on a diet pill. "Why?" I asked. "Personally think you look very good!" She replied, "I thought I was okay until I came home. Everybody said I gained weight. In Australia, I live in an Italian community. They all think I am thin."
Another friend of mine, Hanni, who was half Filipina and half German claims she avoids her Filipina relatives. "Why?" I curiously asked. "Well, they say my face look like a mooncake, and they think muscles is fat." My friend was an aerobic trainer and pretty buffed and tone. She actually was very pretty and gorgeous. "Oh, don't mind them" I advised. "Some people can be jealous and will give you a rough time about your looks. But you really look good, believe me." "I know," She responded. "But you can't help getting inferiority complex when you come home and visit."
Actually, I get the same comments when I meet my Filipino friends abroad as well. When I meet them, they would first comment on my physical weight, wether I lost or gained weight before they really ask me how I am. I wonder if this is a national trait, or how this all began....
Monday, April 17, 2006
Happy Easter!Those were the days. When I was a child, I was living in a real fun neighborhood. We lived in a private compound and half of the people in the neighborhood was related to me. It was really fun! The adults in the neighborhood always organized events to keep us kids busy and away from trouble.One of those fun memorable events was Easter Sunday.
We all went to church and right after the service, we went easter egg hunting. The adults in the neighborhood took pains to paint the eggs and hide them everywhere. My grandpa used to have a tree orchard, and the eggs were not too visible in the tall trees and grasses. Nevertheless, we had fun searching for them. Some of the Elders did not really care to paint and hide some eggs for us,they gave us some money instead. Overall, we were all happy campers from eating too much eggs , and satisfied from the collection of coins jingling in our pockets.
My sister and I spoke on the phone today, as we reminiscence on the good old days. "Mom used to make such a big deal of it" she said. "No matter how tired she is, she'd always prepare something. Now that she is no longer around, why bother?"
It was really wet, cold, and pouring rain today, as I stayed close to the fireplace. I felt the same way as my sister. "Yeah, it's one of those rainy lazy days, you want to stay in your jammies and stay warm at home all day long. That was about it, my Happy Easter day."
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Family ReunionMy family have been trying to organize a family reunion for the longest time. This time we really wanted to get together in honor of my mother who really valued family reunions. She kept in touch with all my brothers and sister and updated everyone on everyone's activites. Since she passed away, it seemed like we were all disconnected from each other. So in her honor, my brothers and sister are trying to make an effort to get together again. It is just not so easy because we live a thousand miles away from each other, (Philippines, USA, Cambodia and Germany) and we all have busy lives and schedules with our own families.
It is ironic that when someone dies, we all drop everything we are doing, and fly to their funeral from whereever we are. Even if we did not have the financial budget, we find means and ways to fly. This time we really do want to celebrate the living rather than wait for someone to die. I am looking forward to our reunion in May in Cebu.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
A good cry!There are just times when I feel like a good cry. I used to rent Filipino drama movies and cry my heart out! Today, I watch Tyra, Montel Williams Show or Unsolved Mysteries, and await family reunions. That's a real tear-jerker for me. When an adopted son/daughter is looking for their parent and vice-versa, or simply family reunions. I dont understand why it gets me so. Maybe a part of my shattered self seeks to retrieve the other parts of myself in the universe ?! Whatever... I alway feel that a good cry is cleansing for my soul!
