Sunday, May 27, 2007
Week Past 05/21-05/27/07 (Mow,Plant,1st Birthday)
Wed 05/23 is the first time that I mowed the new sod in our new home. Finally. I just thought I'd mark this "first" day for a task that I would be doing again and again and again.
Fri 05/25 I got home from work early. After taking a short "power" nap (actually I fell asleep while watching TV) I thought of marking and digging the holes for the additional trees that we plan on buying. I enjoy working in our wooded backyard especially this early evening (except for those pesky MN mosquitoes: they're a special breed). You get lost in your thoughts. Except for my breathing I can hear the birds' chitter. Reminds me of Mt Banahaw. By the lake you hear the ducks squawking. Overhead you hear the wind coming like the sound of a distant wave when it rustles the leaves. You hear it from afar, the sound of rustling leaves. As it comes closer you look up and notice the leaves overhead starting to stir then the tree top sways as the wind passes overhead. The wave like sound on top of you. The breeze brushes you and its refreshing. And you thank Him for moments like these.
Sat 05/26 W and I went to Cal's Garden and bought three more fruit bearing trees: Pipestone Plum, EvanBali Cherry and Fireside Apple. I didn't realize that there's a lot of varieties. Especially the apples. I only know the ones that I see in the grocery stores like Red Delicious, Fuji and...and... I think that's it. I was glad I prep the holes so planting the trees was a cinch. We've planted a total of eight trees so far: four fruit bearing (I hope it bears fruit)and four shade trees (two oaks and two maples). Pics below shows the trees. It would be nice to see how they develop through the years with these pictures as reference. Top left is the maple tree and right is the red oak. Second row left- pin oak, right- evanbali cherry. Third row left- fireside apple, right- pipestone plum
Early evening Sat 05/26 after hearing mass at St Michael's in Farmington we attended a birthday party at Jay and Jovy's house. Their second child, Joshua, is one year old. They've put up their house in the market with plans of moving to Rosemount. They said the market is still slow so everything would depend on how soon they can sell their home. W and I we're really lucky that a friend decided to buy our house. It was a win-win situation. Though we did not get the desired price we still earned something from the sale and our friend got a good deal.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Week Past 05/14-05/20/07
Wed night 05/16 I made a reservation on line for my parents' flight to MN from CA. It'll be the first time that they'll be seeing our new home since we moved here in Prior Lake from Farmington in October last year. Tickets:$864; gasoline, food and other incidental expenses:$$$$; reunion: Priceless. Their arrival date is Fri 06/08.
Sat 05/19 was Garage Sale day at the Wilds as authorized by the Wilds Homeowners Association from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Fri 05/18 was pre sale day so a number of homeowners started to display and sell their goods. Some of W's staff who are starting their "long term" assignment dropped by our home after work and checked out the sale especially for home furnishings. They were able to buy items at a bargain. But W just gave some of our things. Now that's what I call a steal... with the owner's consent. I even gave a spare bulb to Med's who got the lampstand.
Mon 05/14 is election day in the Philippines. Senatorial, congressional, governor, vice-gov, mayor, vice-mayor, councilor positions are all up for grabs. It's well and good that it's over and done. Politically motivated killings will now cease. The Philippine Daily Inquirer counted the tally at 147 deaths since the political campaign started 14 January. Deplorable. But its lamentable and insane that in the final phase of this electoral process a victim would be a dedicated teacher who was just performing her duty of safeguarding the ballots. Its not even part of her job description when she applied for the teaching position. Seeing the anguish of her 12 year old son in the front page of a paper as she was being buried just breaks your heart. What is going on in his young mind? I cannot understand why our polticians would bribe and even kill just to get elected to the office. Is it really worth it, the power, influence and pork barrel? Talk about the character of these people who are about to assume office if they are willing to go that extent. And we expect them to lead. Ironic and sad that as the only pre-dominantly Christian nation in Asia the kind of people we put into office to be our so called leaders worship mammon.
# posted by Rey A @ 5/20/2007 11:16:00 PM
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Week Past 05/07-05/13/07
At The Pump
Tue 05/08 gasoline prices broke the $ 3.00 mark. Ouch. Thu 05/11 the price went up to $3.29. Aiieee. My pocket hurts. I saw on TV news the other day that in some states there are not a few people pawning their valuables for gas money. Unbelievable.
Mother's Day
Sun 05/13 was Mother's Day. It's a multi billion business. I read in the papers that people would be spending on average $135.00 for the event. Approximately 85% of the population would be celebrating the day. Total estimated expenditures: $ 1++B. The Philippines no doubt is fast catching on the commercialism. Father's Day is not as big an event, yet. Like last year, I called my Mom in LA after work. I caught them celebrating at a Thai restaurant with my bro-in-law Mervin and the rest of the family. They are part of the 85%. Last year when I called to greet her they were driving home from AZ. Since I had to work W went to a get together at Rosemount to celebrate Mother's day. They are also part of the 85%. Were you?
The Garden
Lately I've noticed that when I get home from work when there' still light I always try to tend to the four trees that I planted . Check the condition of the lawn and plants and do "spot" watering. I find it relaxing to watch the trees and perennials I planted grow. Spring is really here and there are still many areas in our backyard to work on. The woods at the back have turned green again. It's nice but it's now starting to conceal the lake view.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Week Past 04/30-05/06/07
House Blessing
Sat 05/05 or Cinco de Mayo we had our house blessed by Deacon Darryl. Three houses were actualy scheduled that day. First (11:30 am) was Ross and Axel's home. Then ours at 1:00 pm. The third house at 3:30 pm was Fred's and Ayesha's. We are all about 10 minutes drive from each other. We are very grateful that the Deacon was kind enough to accomodate all of us. It was a long day for him and his wife. I hope they did enjoyed the company. The Deacon even showed his singing prowess by doing a number on the magic mike before they finally got to go home.
The guests had to shuffle from one place to another. It was like a fiesta for them. The weather also cooperated. It rained mid morning then the sky cleared rest of the day.
We are also grateful for some of W's co worker who helped out in preparing the food and cleaning the dishes: Barry, Jen, Perl, Jason and other new faces whose names escapes me. Mea culpa.
The food. There's plenty of them. Days before, W would consult me on what and the amount of food to prepare. I would listen to her suggestions and give her my recommendations. But I know for a fact that none of it would happen. Once she's in the kitchen doing her work better clear out of the way. After giving food to take home to most of our guests I'm still looking at about a week or two of left over food to consume. Following day...
Sun 05/06 I drove W and Lucy to the airport for their flight to Chicago. Then went to work. Reality.
Pics below shows the Deacon leading the prayer to start the house blessing. Left pic (in color) some of the new faces in W's staff. Bottom pic (in B&W) the not so "new" staff. Most are now here for a long-term assignment. Bottom right pic are the "seasoned veterans"; l-r: Anna, W, Lucy and Linus.
