What?! You're Leaving?!

Since leaving Manila, in fact, even before leaving Manila, I was often confronted by: "What?! You're leaving?!" Then, came the follow up question: "Why?"

When I look back on those remaining days, I now realize, those who had to ask did so because they did not have a clue as to who I am. Those dear to me, those who know me didn't have to ask a single thing. They understood.

They understood that beyond the persona, the probing queries and sometimes, attacks, I am all about family. That I would and have dropped everything for family. And that I would be the last person on Earth to pass on the opportunity to live in a strange place with the person I love... to start a new family. Ours.

Cherries and Walnut

There are a lot of reasons why I love Ben and Jerry's. Aside from caring for their employees, aside from lending their voice to the fight against global warming, aside from getting their dairy only from cows free of GMOs, aside from packaging their products in environment friendly pints and gallons, aside from staying true to their mission despite being acquired by the giant Unilever in 2000, it's all about Cherry Garcia. For those who have come to know the decadent yet refreshing taste of this lovely ice cream, you know what I'm talking about. For those who have no idea what I'm gushing about, you're missing half your life.

Pure cherry ice cream with bits of real cherries and fudge flakes...shared with Noel while lounging in our home on Walnut on a cold Philly night...

Ain, Stay!

I would've loved to bring you here, the thought of you prancing by my side as we walk along Walnut just puts a smile on my face. But that smile quickly turns into a frown as I forsee you biting off some person's butt while we're walking on Walnut. Not a pretty sight.

For my Baby Girl

This site is dedicated to my baby girl, Ain, who I miss dearly. "Ain" means priceless in Egyptian. And to me, she really is. Although she is the most stubborn African Basenji one would ever come to know, Ain is definitely the sweetest. She used to sleep with me on my bed, wake up as soon as the AC shuts down, she can smell me from a mile away and scream like a banshee as soon as I come home. I'll be home soon, baby girl... I hope you haven't forgotten how to scream for Mommy.