September 12, 2009

Today marks the 3^rd anniversary of my arrival in the US. I was 21 years old that time when I left. I can still relive the memory of that day.

As I bid farewell to my parents at the entrance of the airport, I felt pure excitement as if I'm ready to go and something new was waiting for me. Although I couldn't remember the color of their clothes, I could widely recall what their faces looked like. At first, I found it hilarious that they were walking along with me by the glass window. While I was checking in my baggage and while I was paying my terminal tax, they were there watching me. I was like “Kakahiya naman, wag niyo nga ako panuorin!”

Then, reality bit me when I realized I have to turn my back on them to proceed to the waiting area where I wouldn't be able to see them anymore. I couldn't look at them, for sorrow has begun to struck me. (It was like a movie scene where you have to look back and cry!) So I gather my self and my strength, told myself “do not cry, you'll look pathetic”, then I looked back to waive at them for my final goodbye. They seemed excited for me as if there's no sign of sadness, they were smiling while waving their hands back at me through a glass window of the airport. I didn't know that, that moment would be stuck in my head for 3 years now.

There I go holding back my tears, flying alone to LA with that memory on my mind. I didn't know that from that day on, my life would change drastically. I grew a lot from the moment we parted. Everything changed, what remained was their memory and their motivation to go through this new life.

Nobody ever asked me if I missed them. Maybe they think I'm too old to be homesick and I've been spending lots of time away from them during college. But this time is different. We're definitely hundred thousand miles apart, living at different time zones. A simple emergency wouldn't make them come here anytime. There were so much happenings that we weren't physically present for each other; Mom got sick, I got engaged, I got married, our dog gave birth, someone broke in our house and many more. But I can guarantee that neither one of us felt unsupported nor neglected. I have no idea when we're going to reunite, but definitely it will not take another 3 years of waiting.

At the end of the day, I am very fortunate to have had these experiences though it was never easy. And so life goes on, there are more bumps ahead, more things to learn and more tasks to accomplish. “Oh future! Here I come!”

A-dog-able Pepper

This is the story behind our first dog Pepper.

I was having a regular day at work when my co-worker told me that her dog gave birth and there were 2 puppies left-- a brown puppy and a black puppy. She explained to me that the dad is 100% miniature poodle while the mom is a Maltipoo. I was already imagining what it looked like--- those fluffy nose and curly grandma-like hair.

I was so damn excited to see and cuddle these puppies, but there was no chance that I could buy them because I had no place for one. I then texted my boyfriend which was definitely a good idea!!. He was so excited he definitely want one too! I told my boyfriend that I want to get the brown one because I fell in love with my co-worker's story, she told me it's the cutest, it has hazel eyes and the color is not common-- it's like chocolate brown.

We meet up after work and my co-worker showed us the puppies. The brown one caught my attention because the color was just lovely and the eyes are amazing. But due to the fact that the brown one with hazel eyes was too cute, her mom wanted to keep it-- leaving only the black one on the market. Then, we met this black puppy who was so shy, timid yet smart. She was not playful but she kept wagging her tail. She already knew how to sit and shake hands that day. I was disappointed at first because I wanted the brown one. But my boyfriend doesn't want to go home without taking home anything, so we ended up getting the black one.

We then put her in a box at the car and she was just sleeping like a baby. I fell in love with her right away when I carried her as she slept on my lap comfortably, as if no one is going to harm her because she's with her mom. We then dine at KFC at Eagle rock and we were thinking of a name. So we get to choose our drinks first, Pepsi or Dr. pepper? Then I realized my guy loves Dr. Pepper so much and the dog color is just like soda, so we called her Pepper! As simple as that, we couldn't find any other name that suits her. 

Pepper is truly a blessing! She is definitely loved by this family and our family will not be complete without her. 

I got this photo at Jennifer's Facebook.  This was Pepper's first ever picture a month before we got her!!!

Before taking her to the vet for her first puppy shots. 

Pepper's latest photo at her 1st year and 8th month.