SNOW

W e have been the unwilling recipients of "snow days" - meaning, unplanned vacation days.
We had to stay off the roads for so many days because of the snow and the ice that have been falling relentlessly. The first snow day was great. I got to sleep in and just be lazy. Ang mga sumusunod na araw na puro cancelled classes and no work due to the snow announcements ay hindi na nakakatawa.
We've been missing so many work days na medyo kinakabahan na ang aming mga bulsa. What can we do? The pavement is so slick that it is more of a hazard to seek Physical Therapy treatments due to the possibility of a fall and broken bones, on our patient's part, and LAWSUITS on our end.
We live in a state na merong four seasons. We always have snow and some ice every winter. Pero this year was just something. I am getting tired of it. Mahirap magpala ng snow - mas mahirap ang magkaskas ng yelo. Mahirap magmaneho sa snow, kahit na all wheel drive ang sasakyan, mas matindi ang ang magmaneho sa ice. NAKAKASAKIT NG ULO.
I always say - malapit na ang spring. Malapit na ang tag-init. Matatapos din ang ordeal na ito.

California (Part 2)

S ocial media was not my thing. I publish a blog as a means of introducing the young Sison(s) to the older Sison(s) and vice versa.
Writing, though not the best part of me, is a good therapy. It helps me reconnect to "those days". My Composition teacher in High School would have been so proud of me. My tenses and my grammar might not be the most accurate or apt but, hey, I write.
I was not a fan of Facebook. Not until my cohorts from the National Defense College of the Philippines FLP Days found me; thus, the Facebook account was established.
It turned out to be a blessing for I met my Maryknoll College High School batchmates and my UP kapatids. The circle is almost complete.
After so many years after graduation the FLP Class 9 is coming home to the NDCP. The class will never be complete. There were those who have gone ahead. But twenty two of the roughly forty classmates will gather on February 18, 2011. The year long preparation will come into fruition.
I met with four of these good friends over the weekend. My husband never understood how strong the bond is that exist between and among us. He will never know. I will never doubt. I am going home to be with this class - FLP Class 9.

California (Part 1)

The trip had two goals. Main one was to visit Uncle Tony and Auntie Flor at Ontario and check on his home health needs. The other goal was to touch base with my FLP classmates who are based in the Southern part of this state. My Maryknoll batchmates will have their turn soon.
It took us three hours to get to the airport. We were in the middle of a winter advisory. Classes were suspended. The roads were slick (treacherous would be a better term). The plowers at the interstate tried their best to clear the road. But the snow just kept on falling. I finished the three mysteries of the rosary (paulit-ulit actually). We were garbed in our winter outfit - to the last beanie.
The trip was uneventful. By the time we got to Ontario, CA close to midnight I had a throbbing headache. The temperature was 71 degrees.
I was able to meet the home maker of Uncle Tony. She will be good for him. She will assist him with his activities of daily living and walk him around the house. Uncle suffered a stroke and he has been having increased difficulty with his daily function. Auntie Flor is always there to assist him.
Below are pictures of the family - plus the latest addition. It was a good time to keep in touch with everyone and to eat. Uncle loved the dungeness crabs and the spicy shrimps. I enjoyed the kare-kare with a twist. It was actually a crispy pata that we dipped in kare-kare sauce with vegetables. The meat was indeed crispy and so good with that kare-kare taste.
The wintry mix back home was totally "duh" and temporarily shelved and forgotten. The focus is "the here and now" - the family and the food.