Joel Tesoro

During our last few years in San Juan, we became very close to Tito and Patis Tesoro. Week-ends found us traipsing around many provinces, most specially Quezon where we were frequent guests at Villa Escudero. Week-days were either work or dinners out. There were 4 Tesoro kids and 4 of the Anamas. Each within age range. One stood out amongst the group, a brilliant lad, Joel. Always with nose in books, thinking deep thoughts even at that young age when the other kids were busy getting into each others' nerves, or rough housing or just plain goofing around. For everytime Raffy had a tutor for whatever he was struggling with, Joel came home with more and more accolades.

Years later, Joel made it to Regis in New York, a very exclusive school that only the best of the best got in, and he did. He spent a summer with us in our cramped little apartment, but enjoyed downtime with us. We took a road trip to join Tito and Patis for his high school graduation. And then again, to New Haven where he prepared an itinerary so meticulous that the only set backs were our Filipino timing (you know what that means). It was my first time to have Ethiopian food. What was interesting was his cryptic hint about which top award he was going to get. He was the flag bearer during Yale's commencement exercise where Sargent Shriver gave the speech in a hurried tone as Jackie K. had just passed away and he had to leave. So all of us were poring through the program which had no names but a list of awards. We waited and heard each announcement of the top awards, crossing off each one. And then became antsy as there were only 3 awards left, and then the 2nd to the last award was read and it wasn't Joel, because the last award, Citizen of the World, the highest honor bestowed upon a graduate, was his. With tears and cheers and screaming from all of us (when he said don't embarass me!) it was an event I have never forgotten. Through the years, intermitently getting newsbits about his comings and goings, marriage invitation done so beautifully, and then the shock of knowing he, of Catholic training and upbringing, fully embraced Islam to marry the girl of his dreams. But Joel being Joel, he definitely knew.
Today, I am speechless as once again, I am faced with not knowing how to comfort grief of losing a child. Joel's freak accident leading to his death a few weeks after turning 36, is mind boggling. A very close friend of mine lost his son in a freak accident last June. The pain is unimaginable. Is ruthless, is just on going and there are no words that can assuage this loss. I cannot even fathom to think or understand or say the right words to Patis and Tito . And my fears for my own has reared its ugly head.
And the why's will endlessly go on and on until the numbing starts.
Joel, know our family loves you. We are privileged to have been a part of your life.

Kylie is 21!

Weather is cold, business has not improved but had a bit of a spike Sunday the 14th.
Kylie turned 21 and that's a milestone! Me? Had a baby at 21, would I do it over? hmmm, as long as it is Noel Angelo, ok, I really wouldn't trade time warps for my 5 great kids. Kylie was a bit down knowing none of her siblings save Migz was going to be there for her 21st. It didn't matter that her BF and folks were also with her, her family orientation deep inside her wanted her brothers too, but they had other plans. So, after a lazy day at home, a first real day off for her, we headed off to famous Dave's, she had a yen for it but didn't want to go if she didn't have everyone. Lo and behold, they came through, including an extra brother, that made her day. Who would think this little brat was sentimental about family ties when her everyday life is spent arguing with her siblings and griping about them, yet, on her milestone day, she wanted Anamite and Jb there. And, Bambi couldn't make it, but sent her emissary, to Kylie's delight, Daniel. And the 4 other kids did their gig when it came to singing happy birthday and eating a cake made with love, artistically decorated by sister Migz, the cat to her dog. Thanks to sis in law Dawn who guilted the brothers out of their guys' night out.
Amidst the noise, the eating, lip smacking and kids oreo high, the gossip and the voice overs, it was a fun night, that's what family is all about, and Kylie is really into family (Todd, you understanding this?[sic]).

Born during Chicago's first big snow storm and a Bears traumatic loss 41 to 0 vs 49ers, Kathleen Beatrice (ok so I was zonked and couldn't remember it should've been z)
was born natural normal, my first since each kids came with either a demerol high or epidural numbness, doc, hindi ko kaya, o, kaya mo yan!) and big baby too, 9.3 oz!
Her first birthday had Anamite in deep depression, remembering his birthday parties of 100 or more people and huge buffets of barbecue, mini finger sandwiches, spaghetti, calesa rides around the block, themed cakes like Chips and Power Rangers, games galore, and here, the little one had only them and a somewhat bare Xmas tree (hey, 5 kids with a joint income of under 30K). But she had the traditional Merry Go Round sent by Lola from Rolling Pin and a Let Them Eat Cake dessert.

Naughty or nice, and through Kylie's challenging moments in life, here's to life, adventure and lots of laughter and love (and fights and whatnots) to Kylie!

bits of here and there

nothing much is going on, not at the shop where no one walks the mall during 30 degree slushy weather save a few brave shoppers, will Christmas be good this year? November sucked.
kids are fine, that's the bright spot. Kylie turns 21, OMG. And Migay? 25!!! And Hunter has a birthday coming, 9??? That fast?
There is so much I want to do and am only stymied slowed down by my own wandering mind, visions of what I would like to bake, cook and market out there. But the slowness of it all makes me hesitate to do more.
caught Dan Rad in the Actor's Studio, really, truly meets all expectations, amazing!
Saw Twilight twice, the second time, really much better without the giggling and laughing at the wrong times, cheez, but oh, it's really for tweens, so deal with it. Maybe once more and then I'll wait for the DVD.Don't really know why I keep looking at the websites, sure Rob looks great but, hmmm, talagang walang ibang magawa, so diyan na lang muna hanggang lumabas ang Half Blood Prince.
Thanksgiving has come and gone, ate early for once and didn't know what to do with ourselves after, movie time for the kids but none interested me enough so I opted to watch the little one, Dandan Bell.
Todd bought the biggest baddest microwave floor model, should've been $300 but got it for $99+tax. Thanks ToddyBoy.