Madasaling Bikolano

(this post was written a week before we left Louisville, Ohio)

We’re going for the BIG MOVE this
week. After 3 years and 3 separate apartments we finally decided to settle,
this time in
Texas

.
T’was a sudden move. In our plan, we were supposed to relocate at the beginning
of fall this year. But, that was before Jaz got a job in Texas and before we got a good deal for a
new house.

The moment we came home from Texas, we started
packing and throwing out things. To date, we have sent 9 big boxes and we have
here with us 3 luggages and two boxes, all bound for Houston tomorrow.

As we started saying goodbye last
week, it dawned on us how much are we going to miss Ohio. Truly, there is not
much here in Louisville.
But as a state, there are so mnay things that we haven’t discovered about Ohio. Just this week,
Tiger Woods was just a stone throw away from us. We could have gone to the
Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.
My most sought after covered bridges in Ashtabula County

is still waiting for me. Inspite os so many invitations from the county, I
failed to show up. Just this week too, the celebration of the Football Hall of
Fame was held right across our street, yet, we failed to celebrate with them.
Indeed,

Ohio
is a place that is “so much to be discovered.”

Perhaps someday, we will bring
Zach and Coco here for the Soap Derby or to enjoy the rides in Sandusky and even soak at Geauga
Lake.

 But more than the places, what we
will miss most are the people. We have just discovered how vibrant and active
the Filipino community here. Over the weekend we witness a pinoy kind of
feasting during the picnic at Dogwood in North Canton.

As we took a last glance of St.
Michaels, this morning, we were teary eyed to leave the place. This parish has
done so much to us and Fr. Brad is simply unbelievable.

For the last time, we heard mass
at St. Louis.
And for the last time, we were mesmerized by the eloquence of Fr. Miller’s
homily.

 Goodbye For now, , but who knows
someday, we’ll be back for another taste of

Ohio, the birthplace of aviation.

Exactly 3 years ago today, we were in Tramo preparing ourselves for a long trip of our lives. We were embarking into a new journey unknown to us except on TV, Movies and News. Anxious was the feeling, not excitement. We were leaving our roots, friends, families and our life that we have learned to live for the last 30 years for some people called, “American Dream.”

At 4:30 p.m. we hurled our bags and balikbayan boxes to the car and set for NAIA. And for the last time we said goodbye to our family. Mang and my sisters were left in the apartment. Mang can’t stand the view of his eldest son leaving. (I heard that she cried)

For the last time we said goodbye to the lovely chaotic compound in Tramo. We knew that it would be years before we can see again Inang, Ace, Vincent, Taling, Clinton, Marie, Ate Daisy and Tony. We knew that it would be years again before we could hear , “Taho, Baluut and andyan na ang basura!!!” And how could we forget Ricky from Proj. 7 (he is in fact from Pitong Gatang in Tramo), although asthmatic and appears to be frail yet can manage to “excessively bill”, you for getting your bag of basura.

At around 10 pm, after spending a little time in the airport lounge, we boarded our plane bound for Ohio. That was my first trip overseas, Jaz’ second. On board were balikbayans rearing to go back to America and some nervous new OFWs. Thanks to the lady beside us who made us more relax.  I began to feel more comfortable when the dinner consisting of  adobo and unknown entree  was served.

At 1.00 in the morning, we arrived in Guam for a short lay over. ‘Twas more of an added chaos than an order. We felt more disoriented. Not long after that, we boarded our plane again, this time for Hawaii.  In Hawaii, we were ushered to the immigration room. It helped a lot when we saw a Filipina boarder patrol in the desk. With few questions asked, and some papers to sign, we were given our alien registration number hours before we boarded another plane, this time bound for Houston.

We knew that we were already in the heartland the moment we boarded our last plane for Cleveland. Its only us who were brown, most of the passengers were either white or black.

It was Roy Wright, the Administrator himself, who came to get us. He was misinformed though on how we Filipinos travel overseas. His Camry could barely move when we shoved our 3 big luggages and 2 balikbayan boxes.

Louisville is a very small town. It serves as a passage way to and from other big cities.  Some Filipinos who were able to live here can’t stand the slow paced life. But my late discoveries proved helpful on our decision to stay. Its being a very small town makes it almost crime free. There were some allegations, though from Filipinos who short-lived here, that this is a racist town but we found no evidence of that.

For more than three years we have known this town. There was a feeling of homesickness when we went to Philadelphia. While traveling through I-76, we felt relieved when we saw the Ohio sign, welcoming us back.

This is our first America. No matter what, our gratitude goes to the people who gave us a chance to experience this. We may have wanted for a better place to live but we found it more responsible to honor Jaz’ three years employment contract. We could have “fled “to other state (as others did), but it will not serve us good.

Right now we are savoring the excitement of venturing to another journey. We are practically free wherever we want to be, with no monkey on our back to hunt us.

And tomorrow, we are going to Texas for a short vacation, a way of celebrating our third anniversary in Ohio.

In our three years of stay in Ohio, we encountered a lot of things. We met a lot of people who became friends to us. But, like in any other place you go, you realize that sometimes its not in your best interest to remain friends to some and vice versa.

Life, indeed, is a journey. It is not how fast you reach your destination, but rather, it is how conscious you are to the people you met along the way and to the events that unfold in making that journey.

In every love story, everybody wants an ever after.  But that is not always the case for most of us. No matter how excited we were about the plot, we’ll never know the ending once the twist comes in. So, its either we are frustrated, drained, aghast, angry, elated, euphoric, ecstatic, or contented. But, in any case, we want an ending. Audience roars in anger when the screen just went blank at the end (just like the Soprano’s). They don’t want to be kept hanging.

Just this week, we fully learned of our friends’ love story ending. It was rather tragic. What we thought from the start was very much opposite to its ending.

For how can you not aspire for an ever after when you look at the past? Theirs was a modern classic story. They have lived up to the true meaning of “tatawirin ko ang limang ilog, Makita ka lamang.” It was a love story traversing seas from Sorsogon to Sigma, burning mileage of gas and candles. It was a roller coaster love story of texting, fixed line calls, emails and IM. Not counting the midnight dreams and daydreaming exhaustion. Nor don’t forget the sneaking and lies from Mayor and Doctors just to gaze one’s own beloved. Don’t mind the bills, its all part of the thrill.

At the beginning, they have withered the doomsayers, attackers, fought hard for their hearts and really work hard to make love happen but in the end everything falters.

Imagine how their friends reacted, the “See, I told you so!”  “I knew it from the beginning; he is not serious about it,” (as if they knew the future, yet they can not predict their own love story).

Imagine the hatred, the pain, the tears and furry of anger.

Imagine the questions, “was there a third party, a fourth?”

Imagine the beautiful love story crumbles into pieces.

Who is to blame? We often ask. I don’t even know. Right now, all that is left is anger and sadness

In the world where we often look for stability, permanency, exactness, equilibrium, how can you reconcile breaking up?

If there is one thing that this sadness taught us, it is transcending anger, hatred, failure, heartbrokenness and death.

But no matter how painful our experience maybe, I bet you, we will continue to love more in the future. We are an evolving human person. And we evolve in and through love.

That is always our EVER…AFTER

Summer is fun for the kids.  But it is more fun for  Dad and Mom if their kids are having fun. That’s what we hoped for yesterday when we drove Zach and

Coco

to Chuck E. Cheese’s. We were planning to visit the Cleveland Zoo at first but due to time constraint, we opted for the nearby fun.

Definitely Zach was having fun. The minute after we were stamped, he was out from our hands, excitedly scanning the best game he could play. But as usual, he settled in the bowling lane while from time to time comes back to our table for a zip of apple juice. Even the pizza and the wings won’t make him settle down. He was all over the place but won’t or afraid of hopping the rides.

Coco

, on the other hand, unable to walk stayed on our table most of the time. But he had fun with the pizza and wings. He even tried the wing’s hot sauce (sensing probably his hot bikolano blood).

Mommy had fun, Zach had fun,

Coco

had pizza and wings and me? Well, since Zach was unable to consume most of his tokens, I did the “consuming.” 

And I had a blast!

Summer is fun, indeed!

To father is easy, to be THE father is another story.

So many moments to digest, so many trivial stories to teach me how to navigate  the so called daddyiology.

But it was fun, so far. It really tests your patience and physical endurance…and sometimes your sanity.

With Zach and

Coco

, the only rest that you could have is shower. Even in bed you worry about how are they sleeping? Is Zach safe in the other room? Will

Coco

not catch cold even if all the windows are open?

The best test of my endurance is when both of them wakes up in the middle of the night and both wanted to be cuddled.

But in as much as I have a very punishing day sometimes, my consolation comes in at tucking time. Zach has a way of compensating his parents from all the troubles he caused during the day. He would grab both your hands and would not let you go until he falls asleep.

Coco

on the other hand is starting to learn from his Kuya. The trouble comes in when both of them want to be with me. Zach would not give way even if

Coco

wants to be closer to me. He get shoved, kicked or clobbered by Zach.

The only complaint against me by Jaz is I tend to be a “spoiler.” Because of this, Zach would sometimes tests my resolve.

Its fund to be a father, though. My dream one day is to bring my two boys to Bikol for a visit, scan the river for wild birds, play in the muddy rice field, shoot basketball and cook bikol express.

Reflecting from all these experiences I had, starting from the day I left home after high school, the real FATHER has been very good to me. ‘Got no complaints, no ifs and buts, no why and sigh.

Father’s Day is happy indeed.

(Thanks to Angeli, Jeje, Sheila and Vanni, Tofee, Mia and Arlene, who reminded me enough on my role and life. But of course, I bow to my wife, Jaz, without her I would not be probably marveling the paradigm of fatherhood.)

Jesus saves and so do I. I mean, I save some money (not soul).

With only one of us working and with the ever increasing costs of groceries and gas, you really have to find a way to save.

Thanks to the Sunday newspaper we can save a couple of bucks. You only have to be diligent in cutting and keeping them (even segregating them by department; home and beauty, laundry, food and toiletries). At first, I was ashamed to bring the coupon with  me during shopping. Its demeaning and pooralizing (if you know what I mean). But when I found out how much I can save, all those insecurities vanished. Glad I can help, even a little.

One key to saving is to align our needs to what we have. Most of the products are basically the same in their categories. Salsa tastes salsa whether that is from Sams or any Mexican brand.  Condensed mushroom soup tastes the same whether that is from Campbell or Great Value.  Get the brand that you can save most (but with quality).

Another area where we save a lot is by shopping at Giant Eagle. This grocery store gives back 10c off in gasoline per gallon for every $50.00 you purchase. Now there are some items that are of the same price in Wal-Mart and Giant eagle or any other grocery store. Point of case is Enfamil. Wal-Mart price is 23. 89, so as Giant Eagle. So why buy Enfamil in Wal-Mart if I can get a 10c from Giant Eagle? Steaks and other meat products seem to be fresher in Giant Eagle for the same price in Wal-Mart. So why bother going to Wal-Mart?

Indeed, here you have to be creative and resourceful. Yes, you can earn easily here and you can purchase almost anything you want but if you don’t watch out you’ll end up buried in credit card debt.

Save if you can and it is not embarrassing to bring coupons while shopping.

“Zero – Two, Ain’t New”.

That was last night rallying point. (From Cavs experience in the play offs with Detroit Pistons.) But it proved to be the exemption rather than the rule. Because last night, the glimmer of hope to even the series was crushed by Spurs. We were spurred.

I think the Cavs did all their best but it was simply not enough.  The 20266  capacity filled Quicken Loans Area did not help either. It was one of the lowest point of the Cavs fans. As usual their 3^rd quarter is dismal and their 4^th quarter simply fell short.

But there is no excuses. LeBron simpy can’t deliver. The spectacular James pictured in our mind was simply absent, and we don’t know when he is coming back.

The ride was amazing though. Over chicken wings, fries and pop, we can’t complain. Every basketball night was memorable. In the dead of the night when our neighbors were soundly asleeping was our controlled exhilaration whenever the Cavs even the score.

Inspite of the loss, we are looking forward to the next season. There is so much to be excited about.It’s going to be a blast next year for sure.

Hence, it is not yet hopeless to hope.

If there is one thing that irks me a lot, that would be the clutter. I don’t have a problem bonding with Zach and

Coco

to a Diego and Wiggle session all day long. But to see the house in so much cluttered toys, that is another story.

One of the goals I set before I quit my job was to put the house in order. But it seems that goal is nowhere of sight.

At first, I used to follow them while playing, faithfully putting back the “used toys” in the plastic box. I quit that style after a week, after I started feeling back pain. Instead, I bought big plastic tote, segregating the big toys from small ones, and even the books. It worked the first time, and it worked once you covered them tight. But not when they want to play.

Thanks to the tips about clutter from a baby magazine and from Jeje. If, before I was too tight and tough, I began loosening up. I let them clutter the rooms, let them play with their toys and tambourine. I didn’t mind how chaotic and disorganized the house. I let them tire themselves, and only after then I start putting them back to the bins.

So far, it worked. I am more relaxed now. The heck with the cluttered rooms if your BP is shooting though the roof.

There is so much hype and hope going on in

Northeast Ohio

these days. Right after the Cavs beat the most favored

Detroit

during the last Eastern Conference Finals most of us are hopeful here. The hype is amazing too. People are talking about how LeBron put the

Cleveland

on the sports map again. For more than 30 years

Cleveland

has been a source of joke in all sports world. The Browns is dismal, the Indians can’t get their touch and it seems the Cavs during the season was off.

But not after a turn around during the middle of the conference, all we have was an amazing performance of the Cavs. And of course, LeBron.

Have you seen if not tivoed the Game 5 where LeBron single-handedly beat the

Detroit

? That was real and we are still re-living it.

Definitely, LeBron made us believe again that with great resolve everything can be overcome. WE ARE WITNESSES.

Tonight over chicken wings, pizza and cold beer I will definitely shout! RISE UP

CLEVELAND

, GO CAVS!!!

We continued our holiday trip the following day, April 17, 2007. Eventhough tired from a long trip we forced ourselves to head to the DC. Below are some of the highlights.

  at the trolley

at the smithsonian museum

the "sexynauts"

remember the Wright Brothers? They’re from Dayton, Ohio, a 3 hour drive from Louisville.

at the Lincoln Memorial

will there still be war when I grow up?

at the Korean War Memorial

the white house, background na lang, higpit kasi ng sikyu.

the capitol hill, backdrop na lang, pagod na kasi.

The Willard, our place of stay…next time we visit the capital, un eh kung may budget.