MY JOURNAL (January 15-21, 2006)

January 15, 2006

          Mama made me awake, it was past five AM. But it is OK. At least she's well now. The wedding preparation will be okay if she is in good condition. Frankly, our life is destabilized if she is not present. So, she must have good health always, forever.

          "Thank you, Lord..Lola Alice has been understanding and considerate to us. Taiwan's worry has gone. And now please give us patience, clear minds and hearts to realize the goal. Help us in budgeting the money. Guide me in my marketing task. Thank you, Amen!"

          Going to market is not an easy task. That was what I realized when I did. Although I've been exposed to marketing since then, marketing nowadays had been so tiring, difficult and mind-puzzling. I had P2,500 on my pocket for groceries and vegetables. I consumed P1,700, thinking I have bought all. On my list, I completed it all, and bought I thought necessary. However, it turned out incomplete. But the best thing is I have P800 change. I kept P500 on my wallet and gave back P300 to Taiwan.

          Then, I went to Rancho to borrow 555 pots and to confirm the deal of Mama and Tatay about being a cook of Tatay. Four o' clock when I went home with only pots on my hands. Mama's brothers asked where's the cook. I said he couldn't come. Tito Boy asked again. He's drunk. It irritates me. So, I disrespected him. Jano, as his favorite nephew, was annoyed, saying who are me and I'm not on the right position. I don't care! I knew I'm right.

          Tiredness and sleepiness are what I felt on the preparation of their nuptials. Although, Tito Sam assists us, Mama and I almost took the hardest part of the work/goal.

           I slept from 2 to 5:30, Mama didn't. "Thank you, Lord you healed her and strengthen her for a 24-hour preparation.

           I have no complaint because I set my self to help. At least, through this, they would be glad.

           I made, by request, nuptial banner of Tai-Jen. Though it was rushed, its result was so nice, as if it was made beforehand.


January 16, 2006

          Wedding Day of Jenny and Taiwan!

          Arrival of Lola Alice woke me up. So, I started to assist Mama. I'm the one who took over the cooking of menudo. It's hot and tiring. I told myself that I must not take a bath.

          All is set! The dishes --- menudo, estofado, chopsuey, calderata and asado. The rice was cooked by us. While waiting for a vehicle to come to be used as our service, we do picture-taking.
         
          Past 8, when the owner-type jeep of Lola Alice came. I rode there with Tito Zaldo, Flor Rhina, Tito Ben and others. The rest would wait for Elsie's Adventure.

          We fetched Mj (with Hanna, of course) and looked for 'Overlook Resort'. We're gone astray but saw the venue ---at 10.

          Past 11 when they arrived in the resort. Aileen and Jasleen were there. We took 1 table.

          Chris and his family were there. Nanay, Tatay, Me-Ann, Michelle, Akisha and Neiczel were there, too.

          I could see on Taiwan's face a satisfaction, joy and gratitude. I noticed Jenny's family's strong tie and support.

          The menus we prepared were adequate to feed all the guests. Some took out. I gave Tatay a bowl of caldereta.

          Past two, when we arrived in Bautista. Mama started to cook "guisadong gulay" and "adobong pig faces". I washed the dirty dishes and pots. Then, I refreshed myself.

          Primetime... All I did was wash! I prepared the fruit salad, Aileen helped me.

          Roy has annoyed me when he invited me outside and said "Anong pinaggagawa mo dito sa loob? Lumabas ka naman, 2006 na!" I wanted to tell him that I'm not meant for that kind of enjoyment. I'm happy if someone is happy especially when I had helped him.

          Something bad happened. Taiwan walked out, forcefully, pulling her bride. It was after he didn't like the attitude of Mama, who only wants to rest.

          I, too, was so tired and I wanted peace and to rest but they continue their merriment. They sing-along until 11 PM.

          Dirty pots and dishes are still there. But, I was thankful that the wedding is successful.

          Tomorrow will have a party for Hanna. I had prepared fruit salad awhile ago.


January 17, 2006

          Dawn. Hanna coughed soundly. Maybe it was due to the coldness of the dawn. She is so pitiful, when she is coughing.

          It's Hobee's 6th month birthday today. She can now speak syllables like pa--pa. She's now eating Marie biscuits. She's now starting to sit. And the most important--- she can now notice me as her handsome Daddy.

          Eight AM, I started washing the dishes left dirty by the drunkards and the pots used in wedding. I was inspired because of Baby Marge's birthday.

          After lunch, I started preparing spaghetti and pancit canton, with the help of Aileen.

          Winston was here.

          Past one I had cooked the spaghetti. I thought it is pale but it's perfect. It was my firsf time to cook spaghetti on my own taste.

          Past two, Nanay and Tatay were not yet around. I worried. So, I didn't cook yet the pansit. Thanks God they arrived at
past 3 o'clock with Me-Ann, Akisha, Art, Michelle, Tethel and Tyo Boy. Then, I quickly sauteed the vegetables and pork for canton.

          They complimented my spaghetti. It's yummy, according to them. But my pansit canton is quite salty.

          Mama told Nanay about her wedding plan.

          Taiwan arrived. He went to Belleza's piggery to full pay his debt.

          Espinosa Family went home at 4. Then I slept. A few minutes later I enticed myself to take a bath.

          While talking to Taiwan, with Jano, I was dusting the divider and the rack.

          What had happened last night between Mama and Taiwan has been disregarded, without dramatic scene. It just happened!

          After 2 days of working, I was really tired and sleepy. I thanked God for the wedding success and Mama's good health.


January 18, 2006

          I was scheduled to go to Rancho today!

          Aileen and Jasleen went home (Ermita) with me. We parted in Cogeo. There, I bought Bonamil for Hanna using my P500 supposedly as fare. I wanted her to buy Cerelac but I couldn't because I want to go back to Polot early.

          Ten o'clock, I accompanied Mj to Health Center for Marge's vaccine. Quarter to 1 when we got home.

          I bought airmail envelope so that I could send the letter of Papay Benson to Auntie Belen. I saw coincidently at a store nearby, Analyn Fano-- my former secondary classmate at Antipolo National High School. She' s still beautiful but unlucky woman. She was left alone by our batch mate, Archie, with two kids. However, I could see her strength and fighting spirit.

          Fever starts to fill Hanna's body. She becomes irritated. But she's still active and jolly.

          Anyways, she was scaled and weighs 7 kilos. I hoped her weight is appropriate to her age.

          Prayer Concern, tonight: Continual guidance to our house in Polot.


January 19, 2006

          I wanted to go back to Polot but I couldn't because I've spent my money for Hanna's diapers. Anyways, I'm with Baby Marge.

          Hanna became irritated. She's so hard to cuddle up. However, I've been so patient. I love her so much.

          I could still remember our house in Polot, so as my bonsais and my valuable things there.

          They owed P30 from me for lotto. I, too, bet, wishing, and hoping to hit the jackpot of P122 M. I used the numbers ---- 05, 06, 17, 19, 31, 48. Five (05) is the birthday of Mj. Six (06) is our anniversary. Seventeen (17) is Hanna's birthday. Nineteen (19) is my birthday. Thirty-one (31) is the sum of our birthdays. And forty-eight (48) is the number that is meant to be included, because I've written it incorrectly, twice.

           "Lord, Jesus, please let us win the lotto jackpot. Please, God! It's for your glory, promise! Thank you!"

          I promised that 22M will be given away to my loved ones and relatives.


January 20, 2006

           I was so excited to know the lotto result. I woke up early. I assumed I'm the jackpot winner. I've even planned who are to be blessed with the money and what to do with it.

           Unfortunately we have only got two numbers. The result was 04, 05, 24, 36, 40 and 48. I wished no one wins the jackpot, so I could aim to win it again. If it's God's will, why not?

           Mj blamed me for I incorrectly summed up 05 + 17 + 19. It is not 31, it's 41. But she expects me to add 17 and 19. If that was so, we would have won P60.

          However, I don't lost hope. I'm still hoping that I will win it.

          "Jesus Christ, please let me win it. Give me a sign if you will make me a millionaire. Thank you!"

          I set my sign. If Aileen calls me before January 29, 2006 that is the right time to bet in lotto.

          We have already prepared numbers, which was chosen by Baby Marge. These are: 03 12 26 30 45 46.


January 21, 2006

          Going-to-Boso-Boso was postponed. Alas! I might earn money there, for Hanna's Bonamil and diaper.

          Aileen called me. It was the sign of my being millionaire. I thanked God immediately.

          According to her, they will go to Bautista tomorrow. She will call again if it sure. She also insinuated that she will pay my fare to Bulan. It gladdens me truly, I expect that.

          Because what we prepared yesterday was not applicable to 6/42, I prepared another number. These are: 05 06 17 19 31 41. The same as the last time I used 31 again because it was the number we'd mistaken. And 41, because it was the real and correct sum of our birthdays.

          Aileen confirmed the trip to Antipolo with Kuya Jape. I asked her if I could go with them so that I could save money for fare she would call again tomorrow morning.

          Mj packed Hanna's things excitedly.