Has it REALLY been 6 months?

I'm still alive!

Having absolutely zero access to the internet outside of work hasn't allowed for much leisure surfing, but it has saved me from a lot of wasted hours stalking celebrities online - and consequently, has also cut back on my ability to blog about life and all its quirks!

But it's autumn now - the best of 4 seasons - and there's no better time for me to give a quick hello!

SO MUCH has happened in 6 months that it feels as though everything has come into full circle... Lakers season came and went - and voila, it's here again! I already have the 08-09 schedule pinned up in my humbly decorated cubicle... My apartment is as comfortable as can be, and its awesome location has catered to my pallet, and has given me the pleasure of entertaining a handful of overnight guests... Work is still exciting, and my commute is still the best part of my day (weird, right?)... I still haven't figured out how a man's mind works, but in my mind, I HAVE figured out what kind of man I want... I've been responsibly green for 6 months, and I plan on sharing A LOT of what I've learned about this amazing lifestyle over my next couple of posts (hopefully that will be soon)...

But I suppose that the best and biggest changes stemming from the fruits of spring and summer, are the awakening fruitions I have come to know about myself, my relationship with God, and of those I hold in the deepest recesses of my heart. I have never been this satisfied with life, as I am during this very moment (even with the lack of all my wants). And though I've always appreciated my loved ones, I have never been so aware of how amazing my family and best friends are, and how precious my relationships are with them. How important it is to nurture and give selflessly to these relationships. It's all been so spiritual and so moving.

Until next time...

Angel and Oscar's Wedding

About one month ago, I had the privilege of being Maid of Honor at my cousin's 400+ person wedding. Two "already big" families fused into one monstrously huge village of people, making for the most beautiful, well organized, smooth, rowdy, loud, and hands-down most enjoyable wedding I've ever attended. Without a doubt, I have the most amazing family. Ever.

Always a Bridesmaid

My second wedding of the year is right around the corner; and as maid-of-honor, it was my duty to host an unbelievably crowded bridal shower. We kept it classy and traditional, and everyone ended up having a heaping of fun (especially the bride!). The game I find that most people enjoy is the toilet paper bridal gown - where you work in teams of 4-5 to make a dress of TP. And so comes in Sophia (above), who in my opinion should have won strictly out of cuteness, but instead came in as runner up. Don't you just want to hug/pinch her!?

Parents

My mom snaps away with her camera phone, uses phrases like "for reals?", rocks out to contemporary music, and even wears Vans. My dad uses an MP3 player and portable DVD on a daily basis, and has more style than George Clooney. Both of my parents are computer literate and e-mail savvy. Case in point: They are very (very!) Americanized immigrants. Afterall, what choice do you have after living in California for more than 20 years (the southern end at that).

But sometimes, like today, they say things that remind me of the fact that English is their second language.

Mom: I want to help them [the old people] reh-mee-niece.
Me: Reh-mi-niss.
Mom: Reh-mee-niece.
Me: No mom, reh-mi-niss.
Mom: Reh-mee-niece.
Me: You're still saying it wrong. Reh-mi-niss.
Mom: Reh-mi-niss.
Me: Yay, you said it right.
Brother: What are you guys doing?
Mom: Reh-mee-niece.

And then later on in the evening.

Me: Goodnight dad!
Dad: Goodnight anak. Did you watch that DVD I gave you?
Me: No, I had my nose stuck in a book all day.
Dad: You're like me, you love to read.
Me: Yep.
Dad: But there's never enough time. Essence is the time.
Me: You mean, "Time is off the essence."
Dad: (laughter) You're right.

Oh I love them.

I still remember the time my mom came home from work showing off the new things her (much younger and male) coworker taught her. She came home and yelled, "Fifty dollars makes you holla!" I was mortified. Still am.

To Mommy, With Love

How to show mom you love her... when she has to work on Mother's Day.


Photo: Buffet of plantage.


Photo: Because she's not a roses kinda gal.


Photo: These flowers had the loveliest scent.


Photo: Homemade garlic pasta a'la Rowena.

An E-mail From the Best Dad Ever

My dad is so great. In the midst of working, I received this...

Hey... how is your day today? I smiled & remembered you for a moment because WF is so nice so far this morning, actually extra great attitude. How are you Anak? I hope those unpleasant things around you lately have evaporated. Continue your pleasant demeanor, & the Lord Jesus will take care of you.

Here's something for today...

HE COVERS THE SKY WITH CLOUDS; HE SUPPLIES
THE EARTH WITH RAIN & MAKES GRASS GROW ON
THE HILLS. PSALM 147:8 NIV

Today, whatever the weather or circumstances, know that darkness will end, dawn will break, & the sun will rise once more... have a great & peaceful day.

Love you & Paul

DAD

The blessings of being loved by computer-literate parents. Isn't my pops just adorable? And Poetic?

Lakers v Timberwolves

I went to my first Lakers game last night. The way I love 'em, you'd think I'd have already been to umpteen games, but no, that was my first. And what a game it was! Kobe scored 50, and we basically kicked ass the whole game (how's that for commentary).


Photo: So dope.


Photo: MVP! MVP!


Photo: Luis, Paul, David, Andy, Daniel, Daddy, Myself, JC


Photo: 24!


Photo: My brother Paul


Photo: Dad, what time is it? "4:20..." lol.


Photo: Dope dope dope.

Lola

I tried my very best to tip-toe down the long hallway in an effort to minimize the amount of noise projected by the clash of tile flooring and my high-heeled sling backs. It was only 4:00pm but I knew that by then, she’d already be in bed. It smelled like old people. I hated that smell. Not because it smelled bad, per say, but because it reminded me that Lola was old.

She had been “old” all of my life; old but strong. It wasn’t until her mind was claimed by Alzheimer’s disease when her body began to slowly shut down. I embrace fond memories of her walking up a one mile hill to drop off and pick up my brother and I from elementary school ~ umbrella and water bottle in hand. I remember the rice crispy treats that she used to make every so often, and the home-made ice pops from kool-aid mixes and orange juice awaiting my arrival after school.

Lying in her bed, I caressed her forehead and kissed her over and over again. I reminded her who I was, what my name was, and how my father was her son, Leo. I told her about my new job and how I’m all grown up now ~ and that it was all because of her help during my childhood. I thanked her. Instead of replying “You’re welcome,” she would shout “Thank you!” right back to me. I told her I loved her and told her to rest her eyes so that her headache would go away. “I love you too,” came leaping off of her tongue until she finally rested her head down to rest. Then I left so that she could sleep. Like countless times before, I couldn’t help but to succumb to tears when walking out of her room.

It’s painful to see the cycle of life taking its toll on my Lola… because I have so much love for her ~ even if I fail to visit her often, the love is there.

I can almost guarantee that she won’t remember I went to visit her, or that I’ve been there many times before. But if I could make her happy for the few moments I get to spend with her during my visits, that time I spend beside her is worth every second. I’ll admit, however, that my visits are mostly selfish. I do it mostly for me… so that I can spend as much time with her as possible. I want to tell her that I love her, and thank her over and over and over for being such a driving force in my life… before God decides it’s time to make room for another blessed Angel.

Introducing

Samara Lysanne Arenas



And so, as Timmy puts it, my "sidekick" is gone.

There’s always been a deep chasm between she and I ~ and for that reason, my heart feels the piercing impact of losing Helen's company more profoundly than does my mind. Now that she's gone, I am made far more susceptable to the anguish of being single. Haha. Have fun in Japan!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Happy Birthday Mum! My mother is my rock & is the kindest person I'll ever come to know. I am so blessed to have lived inside her stomach once upon a time. Haha. I love you.


Photo: Mom, Me, Paul

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Photo: My dad and I, this time last year.

Mom, Paul, and I drove out to Glendale to surprise dad at his office. The look on his face was priceless! He was so proud to have the entire family unit present, and he made this evident by walking us past each office/cubicle in the building, & introducing/re-introducing us to his coworkers. I haven't been back to Glendale in nearly 16 years (and I'm amazed that dad makes that journey to and fro each day), so you can only imagine how elated and nostalgic the experience must have been for me. We drove past our old elementary school and condo. I started to tear at the thought of micro Ro running up and down that long hall and penetrating that grass! Micro Paul got his used-to-be-fatass stuck between the concrete floor and metal gate that led into the parking structure whilst in an 'all fours' position. Oh my brother. It was an amazing trip down memory lane.

I love you dad.