Monday, September 22, 2008

Sickly Se

After Blue’s funeral, most of the people in our house were sick. Since September 6, I was already sick. I thought I’m already okey so I decided to go to work the following Monday. But because of the heavy rain last Monday night– September 8, I got fever the following day. I asked Ms. Lisa to allow me to go home by afternoon because I feel so cold and I had a terrible headache. I was not able to come to the office for the next 3 days. I felt so dizzy and always wanted to vomit any food I take. The following week, feeling okey and alive again, I decided to go work. But when I was in the meeting, I felt so dizzy and cold again. DES staff said that I should go home since I looked so pale. Sir Xenon even asked me not to come to office the following day and let myself have a good rest. Rodel took me to the doctor for a check-up. The doctor said I have low blood pressure which is the cause of my dizziness and vomiting. Since I am also complaining for my aching hip, I was test for UTI but found negative on it. I was given anti-vertigo capsules and multi-vitamins with iron. Dr. Borja also advised me have lots of sleep and eat well. When I came to the office the following day, they said maybe I am pregnant because I always feel so dizzy. I told them I wish I am pregnant but sad to say I just had my period last week.

Mourning for an Angel

Time is so fast. Anything happened without warning. For the past 4 days from September 4 – 7, 2008, our family was in trial… trial on our faith to God and trial how we love each other. Once again, we have proved that our family is always there for each other, that we love each other inspite of the fact that sometimes we have problem in our family especially when we started our business.

It was Thursday morning when Rodel called up informing me that Ate Weng was in the hospital and delivered a baby boy. At first I was excited to hear that but I paused realizing that it is not yet her due date. Rodel changed his voice saying that Blue, the supposed to be nickname of the baby, was already dead in Ate’s womb for almost 2 days.

I decided to go home quickly after asking some advised from Civil Registry Office. Ramil was in the house already. He decided to go home too while Reggie went straight to the hospital. Rhed had no idea what is happening, why everybody went home early. I explained to him that his mom is in the hospital and Papa Jesus took his baby brother. He cried a lot. He wanted to go to his mom and dad to the hospital. I console him by giving him chocolate. At around 4pm, I went to the hospital to visit my sister-in-law. She was sleeping. I felt sorry for the loss of her child.

Friday – September 5. Everybody has his/her own job to do. Kuya Boy was in hospital to take care of Ate Weng. Gie was his alternative. Mommy went to the church to arrange the funeral mass of Blue – the child’s nickname. She was also assigned to arrange Ate Weng’s SSS. Ramil went to the Areflor to arrange Blue’s funeral. Me and Rodel went to Cityhall, St. Peter Parish and to the Cemetery. Mylene and I were also assigned to buy foods for the Blue’s wake. It was already 5pm when Areflor took Blue out of the hospital. Mom and I took clothes for Blue. Ate Weng were able to go out of the hospital later that night.

Saturday morning, I felt so sick. I was not able to go the Areflor. Ramil and Rodel went back to the cemetery to check the grave of Blue. It was 5pm when Kuya Boy informed me that Che, Tintin and Nona were in the Areflor. Though I still feel dizzy and weak, I tried to see them. The priest and some church people went to Blue’s wake to bless and pray for him.

Sunday – September 6. My dad’s family – my grandmother and uncles – were in the house at around 6am. They will attend the funeral of Blue. At 8am, we were all in the Areflor. We took Blue to St. Nicola’s Church which is a walking distance to the funeral parlor. I thought of not going to the cemetery because I am not feeling well but decided to go since some of my friends were there to attend the funeral.

Blue was placed inside the niche of my dad. Red placed some toys inside Blue’s coffin. He said it’s the only gift he can give to Blue since he cannot play with him anymore. Some of those who seen my dad’s body said his body is still whole. His body just dried up and has not decomposed yet.

We prepared some foods for those who attended the funeral. Everybody felt so tired after the sad 3 days. Kuya Boy and his family decided to stay in our house to ensure that Ate’s health will be monitored well.

Last Sunday, September 14, was Blue’s ninth day after his birth and death. We offer some prayers for him and for my dad. We also asked the priest to bless our house since we seen some “good friends” again inside the house.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Pros and Cons of a Business

Last Tuesday, August 5, we opened our new Sari-sari Store/Carenderia. It will be managed by Kuya Boy who sells dishes aside from basic goods. Mom also sells street foods such as cheese sticks, kikiam, fishball, etc. Among the three of us, Mom has the biggest income. Me and Rodel on the other hand, we earn by selling sago’t gulaman and by delivering breakfast in the office. With this little business, we are able to have at least a small income to support our daily needs. Actually, we really wanted to have this kind of business to keep Rodel and Kuya busy aside from the income we could generate from it.

Since the opening of the store, we forgot to take care of the things we usually do like house chores. Our house is now always messy. Mom forgot to do the laundry last week. She even asked Mylene to do it for her. She never prepares breakfast, lunch or dinner anymore. We, Rodel and me, now seldom to go to church nor prays our novena together. The usual exchange story before bed is now gone. Today, before we go to bed, we prepare the ingredients of the dish to be cooked for tomorrow morning. No matter how long or short our sleep is, we need to be up at 4am to prepare all the orders. Sometimes I felt so tired. When calculating our income from this business and thinking that we are tired every waking day, we wanted to stop it. But hey! What the heck of being tired… we are just starting, right?

Maybe these are things that we can’t do or things we sometimes ignored because of our business. I hope that we could learn to work it out before it’s too late.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Lasema Spa.. A Different Way of Relaxation

In the past few days, UDD staffs were so busy preparing for the report of Makati BEST component which will be presented to the Mayor, Vice-Mayor and consultants. Last Monday night, the verdict on our works was given. All presentations didn’t pass the expectations of our higher officials. Maybe due to nervous or lack of thorough study on the proposed programs/projects, the presentation was cut and decided to revise or improve the work. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 o’clock in the evening and we are so tired. Though dismayed on the output of the presentation, Ma’am Merl said that we should let ourselves be stressed on what had happened. So without any plan, she invited us to join her in Lasema Plaza for a spa. Together with Sir Xen, Ms. Lisa and Che, we were pampered with different experience of relaxation. We availed their Swiss Massage and famous Jjim Jil Bang with dry saunas of Oak and Clay, Dome Clay Salt and Charcoal.
The Oak & Clay Sauna has loess or “yellow earth from pure natural sedimentary stone” that has been proven to intensify the body’s natural curing process.
The salt & charcoal sauna contains carbon and minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron. It induces relaxation, assists the body’s detoxification process, and speeds up the body’s metabolism.

The Dome Clay Sauna contains Chungito which is the main material used for the interior. Chungito is a porous mud, which quickly dissipates heat, and its high-alkali content is believed to release energy in the form of negative ions.

Che and I decided to go back on Lasema. We will just wait for Jo so our whole barkada could experience it also.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Birthday Celebration of the Three Francisco

Last July 24, I left the office early. Rodel picked me up and we went to the cemetery. It was my father’s 62nd birthday. Mom and my siblings went to the cemetery late afternoon. With some friends, we celebrated his birthday even he is gone for almost five years now.

In my father’s family side, there are three (3) Francisco Ricamara. All of them were born on the 24th of June. My father’s cousin, Uncle Boy, was the youngest and the first one who past away among the three. The other is my grand father who celebrated his 82nd birthday and, of course, my father.

Grandpa celebrated his birthday last Sunday to ensure that our relatives will be present. It was also my chance to introduced Rodel to my family. It was almost 3 years ago the last time I saw my grandmother. And good that she’s still healthy. Lola Doring will be in Manila until October. Uncle Ramon promised that he bring Lola Doring to spend a week in our house. It was really nice to know that some of my cousins were already married.

Aside from funeral, birthday is another venue for us to meet our relatives on my father’s side. Although New Year is set as family reunion, we cannot afford to go in Marinduque every year. I wish there is always a birthday celebration so we could always see our relatives.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Am I Jealous?

The other day, Yana called to her dad asking him to come back to Guam and be with her. Yana is now vacationing with Ate Naty in Saipan because her mom is in Hawaii with her new boyfriend. I know Rodel miss Yana so much. I understand and I know how much he loves his daughter. With his stories about Yana, it seemed as if I already knew and already met the kid. What I do not want to Rodel is he is always comparing Red to Yana. How smart and behave Yana compared to Red. It hurt me maybe because Red is my nephew and I love Red so much. Rodel explained that the stubbornness of Red made him miss Yana. Sometimes I want to meet Yana. As Rodel said Yana is his replica – from habit, attitude to face.

Yana and Rodel

I told Rodel that I fear having a child. What if Rodel will compare my child to Yana? What if my child is not as bright or as beautiful and behaves like Yana? I have nothing against Yana. Maybe I’m jealous. No, I’m not! Rodel promised that he will not compare our child to Yana. And I hope he will keep his promise.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Child Jealousy

It broke my heart when Red said “hindi na ba ako mahal ni tita? Mas mahal na ba nya ang boyfriend nya?”. At young age, he already knew how to be jealous. I know he was just “naglalambing” coz he is sick.

Before when Rodel was not yet here, all my attention was with Red. I always dropped to their house to check him, his studies, and his day. I always have “pasalubong” for him.

I’ve been busy these past few days. During weekend, I made it sure that I could have quality time with Rodel. Sometimes we visit Red if he can’t go to our house.

Last night he asked me again same question. He even offered a dinner for us in their house. I explained that my love for him is different from the love I have for his Tito Rodel. However, Rodel didn’t agree to Red’s idea. Rodel wanted to discipline the child. He told me that Red should earn anything he wanted because sometimes Red is abusive. He cries when he can’t get what he wants.

I just hope Red will understand why I need not to give him anything he wanted. He is just jealous to the attention I give to Rodel which is supposed to be for him. But I love him much.