Graduation celebration at the Old Spaghetti House, Antipolo.

Congratulations, baby!

Andee graduated from the 6th grade at St. Scholastica's Academy.  Ganon talaga pala ang feeling.   You get teary-eyed all over again.  We had an early lunch before I brought her over to my favorite hairdresser, Dante, at Alter Image for her hair.  I just had to make sure that she feels special today.

At the ceremony, I called up the Old Spaghetti House (TOSH) along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo to confirm our appointment, and advise them that we'll be running a little late.  Good enough, when we arrived, we were escorted to their original restaurant just below Grilla, and we had the place all to ourselves.

We took advantage of ordering both from the menus of TOSH and Grilla. Andee and Diego opted for pasta (as usual).

Okay.. I forgot what this is now...

We also ordered Grilla's Family Barbeque Feast platter

And lastly for dessert, Grilla Smores.  A hit with the kids!

Pan de Amerikano merienda

Enrollment nanaman!

We started our day early.  Andee and Diego tagged along.  Was at St. Scho before 9am and finished fast.  We took a detour to Pan de Amerikano for a quick merienda before heading over to San Benildo for Diego's enrollment.

This has always been a favorite breakfast/ merienda hang-out whenever we had to go to Marikina Heights, or sometimes after shift for an early morning breakfast.  The kids love pasta and as expected, this is what they ordered.  I indulge in my favorite cornbeef pandesal with coffee.

While Andee and Diego were having a quick game of chess while waiting for our food, I can't help but admire the way this place looks.  Though I've been here a dozen times, it doesn't fail to leave me just sitting here and silently wishing I had a place like this.  Oh well.  Taya muna ako sa Lotto.

Birds and the Bees

"Mama! ganon ba ginawa ni Papa sayo? Pinasok ang penis niya sa vagina mo?!?"

OMG!! Tumbling ako! That definitely took me off guard! 10 year old Andee came home last week from school and bombarded me with questions about this. It was that time in school where their lesson now evolved from menstruation to reproduction.

(I remember a similar scene in a movie, not too sure of the title ..was it "Maybe, Definitely" or something? The dad picked up his daughter at school and was met by a scene of children in various state of disbelief, coolness or upsetness because of this lesson at school).

"Is it really like that, Mama? Yuucchhhh!!! Ganon ba ginawa sa yo?" Andee looked almost teary-eyed. It's as if she sees the female as being violated somewhat, and the male, dominant. "Pero kung di nangyari yun, di ba wala kami ni Diego?" That's true. "Pero, Mama, YUCHHH!!! ayoko niyan!"

"Baby, you only do that kung mahal niyo ang isa't-isa -----".

GULP!-- It took a lot for me to say that...

Andee's turn

Andee showed me a certificate she received at school for placing first at their Grade 4 level Science Quiz Bee at school. Naks naman! With this I can proudly say na mana sa akin hehe! Science was a favorite subject for me in grade and high school. I remember sometime this month when she got home really upset because she was not able to answer problem solving Math questions. She cried. I think she got embarassed because her classmates were counting on her. Not to hard to appease her though as I recalled a stint when I was at 5th grade where I represented our class for a Math quiz-- and this was on stage with the whole student body present! (that time I was thinking, why the hell was I chosen for this?!?!) "Wow!" Andee was smiling. I only answered 2 out of 5 difficult Math questions! I didn't win, obviously. And I didn't cry. Andee was now laughing. Told her it doesn't make her a lesser person if she was not able to answer a question or two, as long as she was able to do her best (I don't think I did that time..eheh). And the best thing here is, she still has friends and they are still there for her! I did ok, right?

Andee at 10

Andee celebrated her 10th birthday at home. Cousin Angge got her a Kim Possible birthday cake (kelangang color purple eh) which to my surprise was enormous!!!!

Honor's Assembly

It was report card releasing at St. Scho between 7-9:30am, and the Honor's Assembly followed at 10:00am.  Awards and recognition were given out for Prep up to Grade 5 students. Aside from the Merit Award she garnered during the first school semester, Andee also qualified for the second semester as well as year-end ---- "Semestral Awardee with High Honors". Naks!

Andee and those footprints

Rushed Andee to the hospital this evening. She was vomiting for 2 days now (apparently because of coughing) and has gotten weak. Now that she's home asleep, I would have wondered if I should've had her admitted to the hospital. The attending doctor at the emergency room placed her on nebulizer and she seemed better. Will be taking her early tomorrow to her pediatrician again. Sob.... Though it's true mama is always there with me but then again, iba e. I get soooo emotional in situations like this, mag-isa nanaman ako. Maybe I'll get used to it-- hiding the the fear of 'being alone' in cases like this. Like what happened when Diego was rushed to the ER because of a cut. Oo nga.. be strong for them, and yet I still tremble inside. I try to find strength and pray. But I still hoped that there was a warm hand on my shoulder.
As a child I remember how good it feels to see both mama and papa with me whenever I was confined at the hospital -- mama with her touch and embrace and papa with his manner of being there as if saying " don't worry, I'll always be here..nothing bad will happen...". I was never ever so close with my father and even before he died there really wasn't any opportunity that we even had a chance to 'bond'. Unlike Andee...
She was close to her dad. If she's not feeling well she'll choose to cuddle up with her dad instead of her lola. (I'm really not first on her list). Sometimes I wonder what's going on inside her mind. I'd just see Andee staring into space.. lalim ng iniisip. I know she misses him but what can I do? -------------------------------------
Before I got to the computer to post write this entry. Mama and I were having coffee at the terrace when Andee got up. In a few hours magne-nebulizer nanama siya. Mama offered to take Andee to my room and accompany her muna while I put away our cups. Inside the living room, we noticed footprints coming from the kitchen crossing the sala and stopped at the door. Nothing unusual coz sometimes this happens. But what is extra-ordinary about it, is that the strides are longer. The footprints were small and thin, as if it were Diego's, but the strides are longer than mine. Whose footprints are these?!!? I took a picture and I'll be posting it here as soon as I send it to my email. ---------------------------------------

Post updated 03/04/07: after 100 years, here is the picture. There are around 5 'strides ' from the kitchen through the living room and stops at the front door.