Home

The laundry is done and folded nicely. Kitchen counter top is spot clean, dishes are put away and my next meal is ready. It smells like warm, crisp autumn leaves freshly fallen off an old the tree.

Reminiscent Air Supply songs playing in the background..

It's a scary and comforting thought that as I grow older, the more I see my mother in me.

Street food party

Come fill my shoe.

This post is heart breaking, as it is a slap of reality.

Months ago, before my trip to the Philippines, I had requested vacation hours for July at work so I can celebrate my Lola (grandmother)'s 90'th birthday. It was supposed to be a big reunion on my father's side of the family.

 A couple of months before her big day, my lola fell and broke her hips.

With a family mostly working in the medical field, you would think that surgery wouldn't be an option for a frail, elderly woman like my lola. We are all aware of the complications of the hip surgery at her age, and had it been someone else's grandmother, I would've said... "it's too risky".

But she's my grandmother. She's my dad's mother. The thought of leaving her bed-ridden in pain is worse than the possible drawbacks of  the surgery.

So we went ahead with the procedure. Thankfully, she did well.

And today, we celebrated her 90th birthday in the hospital. It's one of those bittersweet moments. I am grieved to see my lola in this condition; in pain and slightly confused. But at the same time, I am  elated that most of my cousins, all coming from different parts of the world are all here, in one room, to celebrate her birthday.

Happy 90th birthday, Lola. May you have more birthdays to come!

It can get messier.

When you're used to eating with your bare hands, eating at Boiling Crabs can't get any better.
With time flying by with a snap of a finger.. people working like ants nonstop.. I believe it's really important that there's a day to spend with family and bond. <3