My sister's wedding

My younger and only sister Lea got married last Saturday, 27 August, to her best friend and long-time boyfriend Ray. It was a beautiful wedding and a happy day, despite the drizzle late in the afternoon. I honestly thought I would be incapable of crying that day because of my duties as her maid of honor. But when Lea started walking down the aisle with my parents, and in such a solemn atmosphere, I couldn’t hold back my tears (and of course with tears come, oh never mind). What’s worse was, I didn’t have tissue paper. Thank goodness for my shawl.

Lea and I are only one-and-a-half years apart, and our youngest was born five years after Lea. So she and I were constant companions in many activities like aratelis tree climbing, frog and tutubi hunting, cookie baking (attempts at it), bargain shopping, schooling, etc, etc, etc. Our Mom, like all other moms I suppose, loved to dress us alike - Lea usually in pink, and I in blue. I am grateful, though, that this practice of dressing alike stopped early enough.

We can’t stop life from changing and people from leaving or moving on. It may be sad but there is beauty and growth in change. And there will always be love if we choose to nurture it.

P.S. I wish sports shoe makers like Merrell, Adidas, etc would come out with formal occasion shoes that are stylish, comfortable, and merciful. My poor feet suffered from my “no mercy!” shoes last Saturday. Kung puwede lang talagang mag-tsinelas...

In your eyes

Notice how prominent and lovely children's eyes are. As well as the eyes of those deeply in love; and eyes that speak of kindness, humor, depth, acceptance. Peter Gabriel's song, "In Your Eyes", is one of my all-time favorites. As well as Sarah MacLachlan's song, "Ice Cream". Ay, iba pala yon.

In your eyes, the light the heat
In your eyes, I am complete
In your eyes, I see the doorway to a thousand churches
In your eyes, the resolution of all the fruitless searches
In your eyes, I see the light and the heat
In your eyes, oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light, the heat I see in your eyes…

--- Peter Gabriel

Lady bug

So pretty isn't she? Bebert and I saw her at the Enchanted Kingdom parking lot and I just had to take her picture.

Dale and Karina

"Keep the child in you alive and playing"
--- As shared by one of Leo Buscaglia's program participants (name not mentioned though)

Wise words

Today was our second to the last day in class. Our professor, Elfren S. Cruz, shared with us a quotation he paraphrased from a poem. The poem's author, however, was unknown. This is what Professor Cruz said, "Keep reaching beyond your grasp. If you keep reaching, you would be surprised how far you can go."

Bamboo

Looking at this bamboo tree, you would think its life is easy - still, peaceful, relaxed. In fact, however, it is not. This tree is planted in front of the beach; thus, it has to bear the might, anger and power of storms, strong winds, and rains. Yet here she stands glorious and strong. Yes, there is much for us to learn from the beautiful bamboo tree.

P.S. Mukhang bread sticks 'no? By the way, it feels great being able to blog again.

Black bird

This sure looks like a black bird to me. Don't you think so? Pilitin ba namang gawing ibon ang aso. Have always been fascinated by the Beatles' song Black Bird. Since I don't have a picture of a black bird, then I suppose John Lennon and Paul McCartney wouldn't mind a black dog instead. My favorite version of Black Bird is Sarah McLachlan's, found in the "I am Sam" soundtrack.

By the way, in fairness to the dog in the picture, he was a pretty friendly fellow. Here he was playfully chasing after little fish. Ganda ng pose niya diba. His owner is an American who looked like Walter Matthau - the guy who played Mr. Wilson in the "Dennis the Menace" movie.

Black bird singin' in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Black bird singin' in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free

Black bird fly
Black bird fly
Into the light of the dark black night