Visiting my Lola in Tarlac, Philippines

During holy week, the cities become quiet and still while the families reunite in the provinces. I visited my grandma for 5 days in Tarlac on the old chicken farm.

I spent a lot of time painting as there was no internet, but she enjoyed watching me paint.

And boy oh boy does she have stories to tell. Often I'd hear the same one 3 or 4 times each day. They ranged from her childhood, how she was rushed to get married because of the war, how her 10 children were able to go to college because of her "house of eggs" poultry farm, to her travels to Europe. While taking a break from her endless storytelling, I found a container of old pictures, including these gems :)

My mom was adorable!!

The most Pinoy day ever!

Today I said goodbye to the province. I ventured with my aunt and her two law school friends to Tarlac to enjoy delicious food at our restaurant & say see you later to my lola.

First we were fed:

basil, yogurt & pineapple smoothie, green mango & malunggay pesto pizza

okoi & papaya vinegar

tamarind-lemongrass baked chicken

homemade dried mango

After the 3 hour lunch, we chatted about CNN, Anderson Cooper (my aunt's friends are obsessed with him haha), Glee, life in Japan & the upcoming election. Lots of chismis & laughing :)

I drew this as I digested:

Based on the sights I saw in Quiapo yesterday: kiddies playing pogs on the streets, karaoke in the hawker stands, a little toddler playing with a cockroach (disturrrrbing!!)

Fresh lettuce! It was sooo delicious :)

My aunt is tickling my lola, hahahaha. It was so funny!

Awwww bye bye lola! I'll see you in 2012 if not sooner.

On our way back to Makati/Quezon City, we stopped by the Aquino Museum. Wow. Not only was it incredibly thorough and informative, but quite moving. They actually had the clothes Ninoy was assassinated in, blood stained & all. I urge every filipino to go to really understand the country's history.

The grand entrance.

Cory's infamous dress! So pretty & simple :)

Vote Noynoy!

Reality's hitting me. I'm leaving soon. Eeep!

My lola is awesome

I hadn't been to my lola's house since the holidays so my visit this weekend was super duper. She's so funny!!! My fave moments:

• She refused to let me cut the mangos because she didn't want me to hurt my fingers. Then I asked her about her hands. She looks them over, fingers spread. Pause.... CLAPS her hands and says, "I'm EXPERT!!"
  
  
• Like a little kid modeling their new shoes, she came shuffling out of the kitchen waving around a water pitcher, "Look look! Babbot (my aunt) gave this to me in the mail. It's my new pitcher!! She said that I have to throw away the others but NO! She thinks she's smart but I'm smarter." Aaaand walks away.
  
  
• A relative recently passed away and my aunt jokingly asked my lola if her ghost had visited her. My lola scoffed and said, Ghosts... I'm not afraid of them. They're afraid of ME!!
  
  
• I was getting ready for bed & asked her for toothpaste. After spending much time clarifying that I was asking for toothpaste and not toothpicks, she shuffles over to her "office" and takes out a bright, floral lunch bag. And then takes out a GIANT box of toothpaste. I'm thinking, oh ok new box of toothpaste. Nope. It's very much used. Hahaha. So I ask her why she has essentially two containers for her toothpaste and her simple reply: so I don't lose it. I don't get it, but I think it's wonderful that she keeps her toothpaste in a lunch bag and not anywhere near the bathroom. 
  
  
• Best random outburst ever.... "I'm SHRINKING!!!" 

cutting the cake on her 87th birthday :)

My Amazing Weekend...

at my lola's house & our family's restaurant in the province :)

organic produce freshly picked from our garden

delicious green mango (it's mango season YAY!!) & chili sauce

freshly picked squash flowers for our pizzas

a little bottled goodness to take home

omg look at that two-week old FACE!!

I feel rejuvenated and alive again, ready to start working. 

There's nothing a little family time can't heal.