first holly communion

(dated May 21, 2022) 

It was two year in the making -  all started with the pandemic, taking advantage that "family catechism" (materials were sent home and parents could use the video link for the weekly session for each kid) was permitted due to covid, we decided to start the spiritual journey for E and A. And last year they started going back the in-person religious education with the catechists on Tuesday afternoons. It's been a 2-year journey that initiates a journey of a life time. May God always guide them on their spiritual journey through life. We are proud of being part of it and their witnesses of the journey. 

The two grams (Mama Jean and Abuela Ana) flew 6000+ miles respectively from Taiwan and Spain to join us for this special occasion. 

Monsenior Sork (at St. John Fisher) asked the kids, "what do you do to people who love you?" 
E: I forgive them. (think he's really a step ahead of us) 

A: I hug them. 

Reality to Experience

Ninja wrote his graduation speech in school. He was so excited that he read it out to me in the car. I couldn't help myself having tears in my eyes. It was so beautiful, poignant and so raw, and most importantly, it was so HIM, with a great sense of humour. 

We are so proud to be part of your reality to experience. Keep it up with the great spirit!

(Then I had him read it out to all of us in the pseudo-stage as the floor was being done this week due to a dishwasher leak.)

honour your parents

Picking up the kids from the weekly catechism... 

Me: What have you learned today from the catechism?

E: the fourth, fifth and the sixth commandments. 

Me: And what are they?

E: The fourth is to honour your parents, the fifth is do not kill and the sixth is do no commit adultery.

Me: Do you know what's adultery?

E: Yeah. It means cheating. 

Me: Honouring your parents..that sounds so familiar..where did I hear that before?

A & E (together): Turning Red!!

A: (started reciting the lines from Turning Red) Honouring your parents but most importantly honour yourself...I've been doing my things...making my own moves....

The pop culture (or simply Disney)  truly engrains in the kids' life. In this case, I wouldn't complain. Why not! It's a good "virtue" and catch phrase - honour your parents! 

Spiderella

It's too hard to miss it. A had been doing "monologue" plays of Little Late Riding Hood and Slurping Beauty by playing all the roles including the narrator and changing costumes (from her own wardrobe) through out the play. It was truly entertaining to watch, yet, very trying (patience) experience. 

 

She decided to do Spiderella today just to keep herself entertained. So i thought, why not, let me just record it and put all the lines together and make it an "uninterrupted" play. 

So here it is, presenting the one and only Spiderella. 

Narrator - AEY

First Ladybug Stepsister - AEY

Second Ladybug Stepsister - AEY

Spiderella - AEY

Fair Godmoth - AEY

Cicada Prince - AEY

Costume Designer - AEY

Production Designer - AEY

Director - AEY

over the moon

Over The Moon - it's always been one of my kids' favourite movies. However, they couldn't help bobbing themselves towards the end when the main character met her mom. It reminds them of Tia Tina. I saw A bawling her eyes out when I went downstairs to remind her it was time for bed. She went to bed with red eyes. 

This morning, she showed me what she made last night...it was so touching and heartfelt. 

non-binary

With A talking about her day…

Me: So what do you usually do at recess? Monkey bars? 
A: Not really. We usually just sit on the grass and talk.
Me: What do you girls talk about?
A: Gays and non-binary.
Me:🤔 (I thought I heard it wrong) What do you talk about again? 
A: Gays and non-binary.
Me: You know what’s non-binary?
A: Not boy nor girl. 

#thirdgradeconversation 

Food for the Taste of Love

 Looks like we not only have a wee chef but a food critics in the house! 

Happy Birthday Papi!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ninja had said it the best for all of us..."Mom is the candle, you are the fire, and Anya is the table..." 

 

What a year!

It's been an unusual year, all the way to the end. A tribute to a weird year:

It's been a weird year! Yes. Weird. Filled with highs and lows, old and new, excitements and disappointments - a total juxtaposition of contrary events and emotions. Kids completed the whole school year online then back to school in person. We all got vaccinated, even boosters, yet Covid is still in the air. Messi left Barça, Xavi arrived. Life is back to "normal" and we are living the "new normal". From the sunset in CR to Curaçao, from the sunrise in Grand Canyon to Mammoth, from the starry night in Big Bear to Joshua, from the morning mists in Pichincha to Montjuic - we have journeyed near and far this year, made a few new friends and reconnected with some old ones along the way. It is a full circle and we are back to where it started, marking a new chapter. 

Looking forward to what 2022 has in store for us! Wish you and your loved ones a safe and wonderful holiday.

With love,

*****

BCN hideout

The weird year didn't end with the card. While in Barna, we had to cancel the Christmas Eve dinner due to covid and the four of us ended up eating the catering we ordered for 10 people (the food was amazing by the way, all traditional Catalan Christmas dishes topping up with great turrón). In addition, we had to leave omicron and papi behind (the kids and I ended up spending the new year in the air somewhere in Canada). On the bright side, we got to know our new hideout really really well and we like it a lot!

Truly, what a year! 

Bon día!

before sunrise