Culte Femme night

w/ Anne G., Natasha, Rima & Mai

w/ Linda, Anne, Tasha, Rima & Mai

(Looks like I am but I was not holding that bottle, my students might see this )

At Hindy's 10th anniversary

Fun times with my girl friends.

Merry making time!

Blood is thicker

w/ my cousin Leah, cousin Francis w/ wife Kris

w/ Tita Minda & Tito Lino at Francis' place

after dinner at Izakaya Wasa went to Cheesecake Factory with my cousins

So after my brunch with Joey and family

my second cousin, Francis, and his wife, Kris, picked me up

He's a graphic artist and does photography

so we're on the same page when it comes to artistic rendezvous

Told him wanted to go to the Getty or MOCA or LACMA museums

but with time constraints and heavy traffic

they brought me instead to Mission San Juan Capistrano

LOVELY!

Too bad all photos are in his camera

since, uhmm, yeah, he does photography

Afterwhich, went to Spectrum to meet up with cousin Leah

We had such a good time laughing, teasing, chatting

They find me sooo funny!
Haha, I love it that they laugh at all my jokes and remarks

kinda like canned laughter, haha

Really sweet time with my relatives

then Francis' parents came over to his place

to see me

I enjoyed Francis & Kris' place

very artistic

wouldn't expect less from a graphic artist & his wife

Thanks for giving me my best restful sleep in the States

See you soon!

more of Montage

more of the beauty of Montage

Commercial break

Do you honestly think I can go on without an update
Moving this week...

Almost, almost there....

Montage with Joey

luxury hotel , Montage, with Joey

Monday, Dec 6

w/ Joey

by Joey's deck, Laguna Beach

Remember Joey from my post months ago?

Well, it's my turn to visit her

was nice seeing her cute kids

Though we had limited time as I have another appointment

Was great to see how she's doing

Happy Monday!

Sophie's room

the sweetest room

This trip, I demanded a tour of my friend's homes

Usually, they'll pick me up and take me out to eat

But this time, I demanded I wanted to see their homes

First stop is the lovely Cape Cod inspired home of Brandie & Roy

So cozy

and of course with a lovely view of the beach

Took shots of their daughter's room

Cutest girl's room

So sweet and delicate

Am sure the little girl feels like a princess in this room

Just an outward indication of the lovely family they have
Thanks for sharing!

Sunday, Dec 5

dinner w/ Roy & Brandie Kaneshiro and cousin Donnie

w/ Brandie David-Kaneshiro outside Manhattan Village, Manhattan Beach

dinner at Paul Martin's

Paul Martin's, Manhattan Beach

outside the street of Papa Don's house

love the fall colors

eating popcorn from Target

One thing I savored during this trip is seeing all my good friends

who live far away

Brandie's family is a close family friend of my uncle's

Coincidentally, we were bridesmaids back in '96

at our common friend's, Hanna's, wedding

Funny how we found out we knew each other's families

She was then studying at Boston College

and small talk told her I frequent the States to visit relatives

She asked where, told her where

then I just realized, she was Brandie, Brandie, haha

Eversince then, we've kept in touch

I'd see her when I visit the States

and I'll take her out whenever she's in Manila

At one time, she even visited me in Hong Kong

So good to see her and Roy

And her lovely family

We stayed up at their lovely home til midnight

So good to catch up

and share each other's lives

Life's good!

Saturday, Dec 4, evening

After the reception, I went with my titas/ tito to visit Lola Goding
She's my Mom's aunt and they're quite close
She's now 92 years old
I remember the last time I saw Lola Goding was when she came over to
my place about 6-7 years ago
Had fun times with her
Went with her to Sea World with my Dad when I was still single
Also went with her to Vegas at one time
I don't play but she does
She didn't even sleep!

Was good to say hello and hug her
Don't know if I'll see her again
But it sure was good to hug her and visit

Today was really such a good time bonding with my Mom's cousins
I truly enjoyed it
Relatives, though, not often seen
And not chosen
I truly respect and admire for the kind of persons they are
My Mom's pretty blessed with her family.

Saturday, Dec 4

w/ my Mom's relatives at the reception, Marriott, Torrance

Green hills, Palos Verdes

w/ my 2 fave cousins who took such good care of me, Francis & Donnie

w/ Tita Judith

Today was the day we lay my uncle to rest

May God always shine His light on him.

Rest in peace.

Friday, Dec 3, evening

w/ my cousin, Leah ( stayed with her last time I was in the States)
during the Rosary night, last night of wake
Green hills, Palos Verdes

w my nephew & niece, Ethan & Eileen

Friday evening was the last night of the wake

Met relatives, some for the first time

Or some who remember me from my childhood

What's unifying with these kinds of gatherings

is that people you don't normally see

Suddenly appear to console the family

Some of my mom's relatives whom I haven't met

since whenever I go to the States

I'm with the same people/relatives/friends

Or when they visit my Mom in Manila

Am not around

Was good seeing and getting to know my Mom's side

Very loving and supportive clan

Am glad I came.

Friday, Dec 3

my Mom's family portrait back in 1953. Apparently, it was rare to have portraits during that time. My lola (grandma) passed away less than a year before my uncle did. They were very close.

Arrived Thursday night, next morning, after Mass, I hit the shops. One of my faves , Anthropologie. Whenever I'm in the States, this is a must see-go for me. Was able to purchase what I envisioned for the new place.

Love the stuff at Anthropologie!!! Love the total experience, nice scent, eye candies everywhere, lots of creativity, very inspiring!

Always my first stop wherever in the world, heard First Friday Mass at the Nativity Chapel in Torrance

Day 2, Dec 3

Slept before 2 a.m. last night
no jetlag
just conversing with my cousins and tita
sharing all the memories

So let me just tell you
I was spooked!
Around 4 a.m.
I heard the door open, I was asleep and got woken up by the sound
I heard the crisp opening of the lever
So I looked at my tita, she was asleep
No other sound of movement from outside
Then I looked at my cousin, she was asleep
had to wake her up
"Erica, Erica, someone opened the door"
But no one came in
Okay, I was officially awake and had just 2 hours of sleep

Morning came
Today's the last day of the wake
thing is here in America
there's only a schedule for viewing
in the Philippines
it's 24 hours

So morning was spent
first, hearing mass, it's first Friday
then going to , uhmm, yeah, the mall

went to Anthropologie and bought stuff for the house
funny though when I got home
my husband has called
My cousin , Donnie, told him I went shopping!

I go, "Donnie! What do you think he'll think of
I'm supposed to be here for the funeral !"

So they had a couple of laughs about me
Am glad to be of service, haha

Then went out for lunch then had to accompany
them to Nordstrom
Yeah, word is accompany
I've been a good girl , so far

Then we had the Rosary viewing
People came
Met relatives I've never met before
Or just don't remember
They all seem to know me
Saw also those that I'm always in touch with

So, there laid a man
with his friends and relatives surrounding him
talking about their own memories
talking about his life
his person
You wonder, why people only do this after

In a way, when death creates a physical separation
it also paves way for closer ties and reunions
Though physically you can't see or touch the person
the feeling that the person is present
is undeniable
Maybe, even much more present
than before

The wonders of life
that remain a mystery
And though everyone has their own interpretation of it
Its enigma is beyond what we know
It is one of those moments
that you just got to believe
Someone greater than all of us
is waiting
and hopefully, so is the reward of a good life.

Rest in peace, Papa Don.

L.A. Confidential

Day 1, Dec 2

Am in Los Angeles right now
typing in my uncle's home
It was an unexpected trip
as it was an unexpected passing

Got the news Tuesday afternoon and booked a flight right away
Left Thursday
Amidst all the obligations I need to attend to
I hadto leave
for my family
to pay our last respect
for my Mom's dearest brother
our Papa Don
He passed away so suddenly
that my Mom was just shaken
And I just had to go and pack up

So am here now
Flew in thousands of miles
to see him one last time
half here half home
but after seeing my cousins and tita
I am fully here
in the moment
feeling, consoling, and
glad that I make decisions
out of my first instinct
cause that is why I live my life
with no regrets

But when you really think about it
Life is just full of surprises
We need to be ready anytime
We need to consciously give our best everyday

Unlike me who needs to travel thousands of miles

My uncle's home.

Rest in peace, Papa Don.