On my Calendar: January 2008

It's the beginning of a new year. I was able to escape the exhausting duty of putting out end-of-year lists and it is such a relief. First of all, I am the only one who reads this blog and listing 2007 favorites will all be for naught; second, I do not think I am capable of putting one together. I enjoy reading end-of-year lists and I greatly admire all the bloggers and writers who coherently express their thoughts on why a movie, a book, or an album make it to their lists and I don't think I am not that confident with my opinions yet.

To kind of make up for that (well, I don't really owe anyone... but myself, I guess), I decided to do a monthly calendar update... just a list of things of what I'm up to for the month, really. So pretty much bore-enducing stuff and a quick peek at how boring my life is.

1) School. I'm back to school again... but this time it's serious, well, I have to be anyway, otherwise that'd be loads of money down the drain. I have three classes, two nights a week, two different institutions of higher learning.

2) Work. I still have two jobs, I am still on the fence if I should keep the second one. It's more of a drain to my resources than it is contributory, so we'll see. I've cut a deal with the regular job so I can leave early for school, they can take it off my pay, that's fine.

3) Extra-Curricular Activities. Volunteer Work - I give two hours of my time to the local SPCA. I help provide some TLC to rabbits and other critters. I love it. I'll post more about it someday.

How sad is my life? Well, I don't know, that's relative. Some people think I don't have one, but I am pretty happy with hit. Granted, I don't really go out much anymore, except for movies and dinner, but I think I'd rather see a movie and try out new spots to eat at than go out and get drunk (I'll go out, once every six months probably). I think I'm getting old.

Anyway, I did see The Kite Runner. I like it, although I can honestly say the book was better. I am still jonesing to see No Country for Old Men. Saw Juno last month, it was great, although the first 15 minutes was kinda Gilmore Girl-ish in the witty banter department. Saw Atonement last month as well, what a beautiful movie! James McAvoy is HOT! The girl who played Briony did such a great job, I'm sure she was channeling Nicole Kidman when filming... you can just feel the iciness. They did a great job adapting the screenplay, so I'd say I like the book and movie equally. On DVD, I have Hard Candy (checking out Ellen Page), saw Nanny McPhee (very cute), saw Transamerica (Felicity H. got robbed!), The Queen (Helen Mirren was good, but the movie was as boring as the Royals), will re-watch Eternal Sunshine..., I still have Kinky Boots, Lives of Others, and Eragon in my stack. I hope I can go through all of them.

Best "thing" of the month (I know, January's not over yet, but I don't think anything can surpass my love for this): THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: PHANTOM HOURGLASS on DS! OMG! It's such a great game. Love it! Love it! Love it! I bought the DS for my mom so she can play the brain games, but I might have to keep it now... sorry nanay! Also, can't wait to try Super Mario Galazy on Wii... heard so many great things about it, I'm sure I can't get past the first stage, but who cares? Mario is now in the effing galaxy! With effing goombas!

Anyway, that's it for January, I think.

Still Grieving - Part 2

I have not posted for a while because the last couple of weeks have been “eventful” that I cannot get myself to participate in any recent bloggery.

On the very same day that I wrote my last post of the year (11/27), my “Lola” (grandmother) was taken to the hospital***. There were frantic phone calls every couple of minutes and so, and I have decided to take off work early and go to the hospital. She wasn't looking very good and it was painful to see her in that condition. I didn't go to work the next two days, busy shuttling people to and from the hospital, picking people up from the airport, babysitting my "Lolo" (grandfather). Lola Juling was moved to the ICU and everyday, one little corner of the ICU wing became "our" corner. One can go visit anytime of the day and find at least one family member reading the paper, one knitting or crocheting, one playing Sudoku (well, there's at least 3 of us doing that), and several people eating. Everyday in that hospital wing became an impromptu potluck party. Similar to what my cousin Jen said, it's always a party when it comes to our Lola.

We were there in the hospital day in and out, but we knew: our Lola Juling is going to leave us all soon. Only a month gone in the States, my nanay (mom) came back Saturday the week my Lola Juling was admitted in the hospital. She was the only one away amongst the siblings, and they were pretty much just waiting for her so they could make the decision. That was also the night that we got kicked out of the ICU wing (thanks to my niece, Ella who's reaching her "terrible two's" phase a bit too fast), people were getting emotional and I guess it can't be helped if you are made to decide on whether to hold on or let go. They did make the decision to let go.

The next day (Sunday), our family packed the waiting area of the ICU wing as usual. Everyone, even the little ones, got to go in Lola Juling's room and bid their goodbyes --- the children (i.e. my nanay and her sibs) decided to take the ventilator tube out of Lola, it was to be done around noon. After praying the rosary, the neurologist came in the waiting room to talk to the family, reassuring the family that Lola Juling would feel no pain when the tube is taken out. It was nice to hear that, yet saddening that our last moments with Lola Juling was upon us. Around noon, several family members, including myself, attended the Sunday service at the hospital chapel. On the walk back to the waiting area, we found out that Lola Juling had passed on peacefully. She was 88.

The next couple of days were busy days of getting everything and everyone organized for the viewing and the funeral service, there were also the novena, prayers for 9 evenings that were held at Lola Juling's house. For my part, I did everything I could to help, I was still picking people up from the airport, and have started sleeping over at my Lola's, accompanying my Lolo and my Aunt. I have missed all my night classes, these two weeks were for Lola Juling.

The funeral service was gray and wet, but we took it as a blessing, that the heavens were crying with us that day. I couldn't say I was happy that day, but I was not completely sad as well. I guess I was just glad that she led a happy life and that she was a beloved lady (just by looking at how many people paid their respects), and that she passed on peacefully, without any struggles. (Although, I did break down a bit during the mass at church --- I just recalled how it was only a year before where we gathered with family and friends to celebrate my Lolo and Lola's 60th wedding anniversary).

One night while driving to my sister's with my nanay, I was telling her how lucky I was to have had experienced 2 Lolas in 2 different ways: My paternal Lola who we grew up with and who helped in taking care of us in the Philippines (she passed away when I was 9) and my maternal Lola who we enjoyed taking care of now that we've grown up (I moved here when I was 21). They were two different Lolas but I loved them both the same.

On January 10th, my family is going to celebrate the 40th day of her passing. It's a traditional thing, although I am not aware of its origins. It's for Lola Juling so it's definitely going to be a party. :)

***She had intra-cranial hemorrhage due to stroke. She was able to contact 911 and an aunt that day before they found her unconscious in bed.