Big Brother Accolades

It's great to be a little brother because you get to share in your Big Brothers' accolades. For instance, this week Big Brother No. 2 was inducted into the National Honor Society. We all got to sit in an auditorium and watch a ceremony that involved lighting candles, big-big kids making long talks not about Bakugan, getting annoyed by my Tita Netty to practice applauding for when the time came for it, and finally my brother marching up to receive a piece of paper.

Then I got hold that piece of paper as if it were mine too!

And I got to hang out and be cool with my Big Brothers and their friends!

And all this time, I was in the lime light, like I just discovered the highest secret to destroying the dragon to save the princess in distress at the end of gruesome video game!

Then, because I was the littlest one there, I got to run around and hide amidst a forest of legs while the adults and my Big Brothers had to stand still for the camera.

Later, much to my delight, my mom chose to celebrate the occasion at a restaurant where Santa and Christmas tree trimmings were still on the mantel!

These adults ought to be so grateful for this occasion because this meant they - ahem, Tita Netty, I'm talking about you now - could break their Lenten fast since it was still Christmas there!

Dear Santa, 
Thank you for the special dispensation, which you disguised as Christmas in spring, that allowed my grumpy Tita Netty to finally stop pestering me...

[Burrrrp!]

If it weren't for the endless supply of ice cream, Tita Netty would still be in my ear about wooping and hollering for Big Brother No. 2 getting a piece of paper.

Thank you also for starting me out as a little boy who doesn't have to worry about checking Facebook updates every two minutes, and Tweeting about the fried chicken, fried shrimp, fried rice, fried beef, fried fish, and French fries on the tables.

And about my Big Brothers' accolades... can they count toward MY future accomplishments too? Afterall, Mommy did say that Big Brother No. 1 was inducted into the National Honor Society twice. The first time when he was still in mommy's belly, and the second time three years ago. These pictures show me holding that special piece of paper...

Trying Hard,
Jamesie Cat

 

I Confess: Love

The Mass has a new "ring" to it. I know - no, I KNEW the Nicene Creed by heart. I've only been reciting it since the second grade. I had to know it (I memorized it in Trukese, initially) before my First Confession. One day last year, in the middle of saying the Nicene Creed in Mass I caught myself stumbling for the right words as the rest of the congregation carried on flawlessly. Man, my memory is failing! I thought to myself. Then I noticed that everyone was reading from a placard...

This is new. "Consubstantial" and "incarnate" taketh away the poetic ring of the Nicene Creed to my ears...

But that's not what I want to write about today. This passage from the New Testament hit home with me today. I've heard many, many, many times before, but today it was different. 

Today's Second Reading is the most read and used passage in Scripture in the history of church.

Cousin Ain told me about her experience at her church three Sundays ago. A couple left before the Mass was finished. And Mattie asked his mom if they could transfer to a different church.

Iwon'ttalkaboutit.

Then the communion hymn struck up. It reminded me of the men at the St. Joseph's Church Winter Shelter, the cripple begging for alms at church, the young man in the dirty clothes at the bus stop who lowers his head to avert your gaze, the mangy dog cowering at the kids throwing rocks at it because it's funny. [Of course I believe dogs have souls! If you've ever allowed yourself to receive the adoration of a dog -  or a cat, or horse, or any other animal that smiles, thrills at your arrival, and lavishes at your presence -  then you'll know it.]

Finally, the closing hymn made me think of one person in particular, another cousin of mine, who is on a quest for Love.

By the way, this post was quite difficult for me to write. I deserve a reward!

Breakfast tacos with Morning Star vegetarian sausages, broccoli, scallions, spinach, and freshly grated parmesan cheese, washed down with glass of sparkling apple cider!

Amen!

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I Confess: That's My Photo, In Lieu of Other Things

I've been volunteering as a photographer at my church. [In lieu of other obligations... Ahem... I don'twannatalkaboutit.]

How it goes is, I get an email with a request for me to take photos. I either accept or decline, depending on my schedule and mood. Yes, mood is very important! Because if I feel just a tad ornery, and I decide during a shoot that I don't appreciate the lip I'm getting from church members offended by my presence - yes, I've gotten a few words, but mostly stink-eyes from folks who don't like a big camera lens in their direction - pictures turn out bland. For instance, this one says I'm just going to snap a few shots so I can get outta here already!

Man, did I get some glares that evening!

Next time, I asked to be given a name tag that identifies me, and associates me with the church. Man, that sure made a difference! Pretty soon, I'm a regular presence with the camera, and the parishioners begin to conscientiously put on their best smiles, even suggesting how to pose, and camera angles, etc., etc., etc. The latter is a matter that peeves me! (Well, why don't YOU take the pictures then?!) But I will opine to that no further, in lieu of other things. I'mnottalkingaboutit.

Until last Sunday, I had no idea what the church did with my photos. So when I saw this, it warmed my heart, knowing that my volunteering actually counts for something, in lieu of other obligations.

Which, Istilldon'twannatalkaboutit.

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I Confess: It's Only a Number

The day started a day early. Phone calls started coming in the day before.

On the day, the phone calls started coming at five o'clock in the morning, two hours long before the crack of dawn.Twenty-some smiling faces singing at me on Skype.

As the day progressed, I had a facial and make-over, got my license renewed, and went to yoga with a girl friend.

The night finally closed with fifteen sunny faces raising their glasses umpteen times over dinner. Salud! Dinero! Y amor!

So what that my warrior pose was more like a feeble balancing attempt, or that my driver's license photo couldn't look more like this.

At the end of the day, it's only a number.

Thank you, my dear, close people, for being exactly you on this special day. My friends.


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Un Cumpleaños de Invierno

Winter birthdays are important for four reasons:

1. They either close the year, or...
2. Start the year. 

And because it's cold out, if you live in the Pacific Northwest,
   
     3. You tend to huddle for warmth.
     4. The ambience is cozy and intimate.

Happy Birthday Raquelita!

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A Family Christmas

It's been going on four years now that the family would get together at Tita V's house on Christmas Eve. This time, it was different. Special. It was a first Christmas for...

1. Tita V as a cancer survivor. 
2. Mayet and her family as visiting Californians. 
3. Jamesie Cat as a school boy.

Ain dressed us all up in Traditional Filipino wear, and the food and annual elephant gift exchange went as before.

What a creative and fun opportunity for photos! 'Cept the kids...

Are you kidding [no pun intended], I want to open presents!

Waaaaah! Someone pushed me!

Are we done yet?

I get anything I want if I sit still and smile? Cheeeeeeeeeeese!

This year's elephant theme was Bed Bath & Beyond.

And of course, there's always toys.

What thrilled me the most was to see Jamesie Cat use my present "correctly". Remember when he was just learning to spell his name?

Merry Christmas indeed!

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A Day With Jaida

Jaida is now walking.

Let me start again.

Jaida is now running, climbing, leaping, and just short of flying (a momentary action when she leaps into your arms off of tall platforms). She's also starting to talk. In fact, compared to her big brother, her vocabulary at a year and a half years old is more advanced than Sheazie Bear's at that age. So a day with her now is a whole world different from a day with her a year ago.

9AM: 

Huskies Football forum with Uncle 5-Star. 

11AM: 

Getting Jaida's left ear re-pierced. She lost an earring. I wonder why? Hah!

She was more afraid of being pinned down than by the prick of the earring.

11:30AM: 

Pay a visit to Tia Alfonsina at her work. If only Alfonsina wasn't on the clock, Jaida would have more time to warm up to her. 

12PM:

Lunch at Sushiland.

1:30PM:

Shopping.

That's a Princess Something-or-other basket. Apparently, Jaida doesn't see it that way. She doesn't play with princess things.

7PM

Come home to overly excited dogs who hadn't had their walks since Jaida came to town.

9:30PM

Stuff ourselves with Christmas cookies, and Skype with Grandma R.

Good night!


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