11/12
Last Nov.7th I quietly turned 60. Spent the whole day serving as a Moderator in the 4th National Conference for Cultural Heritage Conservation in San Fernando, Pampanga, 2 hours north of Metro Manila. Since I had no plans for a big bash, there was a small intimate dinner at home organized by my Mayor Doma Gina. Mamina came as did Freddie, Evelyn, Grace and RJ. My good friends Linda and Grace Lopez surprised me and came with a great fresh salad, chicken pastel and asparagus soup. Gina prepared lamb caldereta (the lamb brought by Clem from his Irish farm), bringhe rice (a la Valenciana), fruit salad. Clem Rumley, my Irish friend from London came with his 2 student beneficiaries, Mariel and Jhon. I was grateful for the wonderful celebration but I was so exhausted and had to retire early. Hoping to spend my remaining years enjoying serving others more. Have decided to donate my bday bash costs to Caritas Pilipinas for the recent calamity victims. Godbless.
November 24, 2009
Got this pic from our IOV Conference Organizers. I am with my co-participants and Chinese hosts in the Jiuzhaigou National Nature Park on a beautiful autumn day. Lots of butterflies in the park.
11/12
November 7, 2009
Today is a very happy feast for us Catholics in the Philippines. It is our long period to remember our beloved dead and visit their graves or niches. Our faith posits the "Communion of Saints" where the living connect with the beloved departed. I have brought flowers to Norman's niche and have offered prayers for his eternal rest as well as that of his parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, cousins and all other relatives and friends as well my own. I had a very happy dream of Norman last night in which we were walking to a friend's house along Massachussetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC. God rest him and all of our faithful departed forever and grant them happiness and peace eternally.
