Dear Sawyer and Tanner,

Dear Sawyer and Tanner,

This was a trip of many first for you guys. First trip out of country, first time to meet with all your cousins from Japan and Canada, first Apple product (bought an Apple shuffle to entertain you guys on the trip). It was quite a trip and one of my most memorable vacation. I grew up surrounded by alot of relatives, i wish the same for you guys, unfortunately we are herein Sacramento alone. So visits like this one is near and dear to my heart. My sister did a good job documenting our visit. For some technical reason, the pictures she included did not transfer well so i will do another post with lots of pics.

Day 1 (June 30): Ahia & Family Arrival

I left Willan with Blanca, his beloved caregiver in Vancouver to free myself (and a car seat) up to

pick up Ahia in the afternoon. However I technically had to work 4 hours in the afternoon, so I was

trying to get some work out of the way before I had to go to the airport.

As a result, I left the house 5 to 10 minutes later than I had planned and was worried that I

missed them when I finally got to the airport, parked and walked into the arrival lounge. Parang

marami akong nakitang mga from Japan na naglalabasan so I was really worried that I missed

them so I went aroind like 3 or 4 times, asked a few people where they came from, asked the

help desk how long it takes for passengers to emerge, etc. I was told 1 hour and it was within one

hour, so I tried to sit still but at the back of my mind, baka late na ako (at baka magalit si Ahia!) so

I ended up calling Ahia's cel with fingers crossed na dala nya cel. Buti nalang dala nya and they

were still at customs, so I finally sat still and just waited.

I saw them when they emerged from the door and the first thing I notice was Len is so big now! I

still recognized him, his face didn't change, but he's a bigger version of the Len I held in my lap!

Reina immediately commented to Yumiko that I had cut my hair which led us to discuss if Reina

had seen me before. The answer was no, so she probably saw a picture somewhere.

It was cool and breezy when they arrived and Len was saying how he already liked Canada

because of the weather. His english was impressive, akala ko bako-bako. Straight naman.

Reina had to sit onWillan's carseat kasi we didn't remove the humongous monster that is the

carseat anymore because it would be a pain to remove, not to mention to put back. She couldn't

get strapped in because she was too big, so I just drove semi-slowly.

When we got home, aside from showing them their room, I don't think I did anything much as

people were just catching their breath. Like I said, it was cool and breezy when they arrived so

Yumiko even asked if there was airconditioning. The answer was no; I just had the windows

open.

Ahia ended up napping on the sofa and I went to the study room (where the computer was) and

got to "work", but I couldn't do much because the files that I needed were missing so I decided to

let myself off early. Tamang tama, Yumiko asked to drive around the neighborhood. Sa totoo lang

diskumpyado ako to let her drive alone kasi aside from I have never witnessed what kind of a

driver she was, yung direction pa -- saan sya pupunta at makakabalik ba sya -- in one piece.

I think I emailed this part -- I invited her to drive me to pick up WIllan. That's a drive from

Richmond City to Vancouver City; may highway and brdges but at least I will be with her. We

woke ahia up to tell him where we're going and his immediate reaction was that he'll coma along.

But di sya kasya sa car, so he wanted Len to stay with him, but Len looked so disappointed at not

being able to come that I asked Ahia to let him come along, 30 minutes lang naman, and so we

left. Yumiko drove me to pick up Willan, and I was never so scared in my life. After we got to

Blanca's place, Yumiko let out a big sigh of relief and suggested that I drive back. If she didn't say

it, I was going to tell her that I will drive back.

The day before pala, prine-prep ko na si willan, telling him that his cousins were coming to stay

with us and whenever I ask him if he wants his cousin Len and Cousin Reina to stay with us and

play with him, he would say no.When we got to Blanca's house, Len was groggy but awake

enough to go with us to the door of the house but Reina was fast asleep. Yumiko and Len got to

tour Blanca's daycare and by the time we got back to the parked car, Reina was waking up.

Willan was okay with Len, just mildly interested in him, but when he got to the car and saw Reina,

he kept asking me "Who's he" (excuse the wrong grammar, di pa nya alam he she). So I told him

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that that was his cousin Reina and I asked if he wanted "pretty girl cousin reina" to stay at our

house, oo na sya.

Throughout the ride home, Willan was very enamored with Reina and very quiet. Finally, at some

point, he asked me "is cousin len and cousin reina's house our house?" and I said yes.

When we got home, Ahia was still asleep and I think I offered siopao to them and it was a hit.

Then I don't remember much other than heating food to be served and setting the table. We all

managed to fit in our small dining table and then later on WIllan and Reina would start playing "is

morning time, is nighttime" -- they would just lie down with a blanket when it's night time and

when Reina says is morningtime, they would both get up and pretend to brush their teeth, wash

face, and then it's nighttime again.

They dislodged ahia from the couch (who slid to the floor) and they kept doing this over and over

again. Nung naabutan ko sila, nasa floor na si Ahia and I asked him if they've been doing this a

long time, ahia had a dry expression on his face and said, yes, kanina pa. :)

Day 2 (July 1): Canada Day

Nagkataon, the first full day of Ahia’s visit is Canada Day – parang independence day namin, but

really, di naman “independent” ang Canada – Queen Elizabeth is still our Head of State – it’s just

a celebration of Canada and the diverse cultures it now has.

It was a holiday but again, I had work in the afternoon kasi nga medyo flexi-hours ako and that

was the schedule that was drawn out. Short story is that my manager was on leave for 2 weeks

and I had a need to stay home TTh because of daycare logistics and she was kind enough to let

me dictate my hours – but I still had to work 40 hours a week because she was on leave. So I

spread out my work hours by working partly from home (gotta be honest and say I hardly get

anything done from home), going to the office weekends and holidays and staying longer hours

on MWF.

Okay din naman, kasi Ahia’s good friend from SSHS (Edward Cui) was freshly out of work and

very willing to take them around. Even before Ahia came, we agreed with Edward Cui na sya na

bahala sa July 1, 2 and 3 – but July 1 parang joint kasi Edward Teodoro was on holiday as well

and I only had to work in the afternoon, so I was planning to join them in the morning. I ended up

staying the whole day and saying I’ll work manana. Heheh

So every July 1, there is a “Salmon Festival” at Steveston (a touristy spot in Richmond close to

where we live and right where Edward Cui lives). That’s Ahia’s first full day here and Edward Cui

and us agreed to meet where he lives and walk to the festival. Here’s more info on the festival:

http://www.stevestonsalmonfest.ca/

Among the attractions at the festival are:

1. parade

2. children’s park

3. food booths, most famous is the grilled salmon with no marinade – just fresh salmon and

it’s awesome

4. trade show

5. shows (song / dance on stage)

6. inflatables park for kids

7. tons and tons of people – est. 75k to 100k people

So we met with Edward Cui, spent some time parking and slowly walked from his place to the

main festival area. Edward Cui took us the long way (a path we hadn’t been before) to show Ahia

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Lang Sai at Parade

Len and Reina at parade

Making their way to the food area

(see how many people there are?)

and family cabin-like structures that were built for the Japanese who migrated here long ago – I

forgot to mention that Steveston was also a Japanese area – that’s where the early Japanese

settlers started to build a community – now it’s kinda mixed but it has more signs of being

Japanese than the rest of Richmond and Vancouver.

After some minutes walking, Willan weewee into a cup, Reina weewee at Starbucks and we

came across the parade. We spent quite a long time at the parade and all the kids got some

freebies; everyone got small Canadian flags to wave, some candies, pencil and small Frisbees. I

couldn’t believe how into the parade Willan was. He stayed very still and even a long long time

later, when we were busy doing other things, he would give me a hard time because he wanted to

go back to watch the parade. Even after Ahia left, when we had a chance to go back to Steveston

and he saw that area, he would ask about the parade.

Len and Reina were more flexible, they just went

along. After the parade we wound our way into the

thick crowd looking for the place to eat. We weren’t

hungry yet but Edward T. was pushing for us to start

looking for the place to eat na kasi there were tons

and tons of people and from experience, we knew

getting the barbecued salmon would take forever

and finding a picnic table would be a challenge. As it

turned out Willan still gave me a hard time

hankering on about the parade so that when we

happened across a booth filled with toys (animals,

play kitchen, etc. – it’s meant as a toddler pit stop),

the toys distracted him enough to not try to go off looking for the parade on his own. The problem

with this distraction was that di ko naman sya matanggal dun so that the others can’t move on

without leaving us behind. I asked them to go ahead and that I will look for them at the food area.

Reina played a little, but moved on quite quickly. Afterall, she wasn’t a toddler anymore. Oh, and

she got a free Canada flag temporary tattoo on her face

that took about 4 to 5 days to wash away.

So Willan and I were alone. All he did was collect all the

animals and put

them in one

place, then collect

most of the play

food and put them

in a basket until

things would fall

off. It took F-O-R-E-V-E-R to get him to come with me to

look for the rest of the group. As soon as we left the pit

stop, he was back asking to go to the parade.

So. The only people who had a celphone by this time was myself, Edward Cui and Ahia

(international). Since there were tons of people, I couldn’t find anyone so called Edward Cui’s cel.

We quickly found each other. Apparently, Edward T. was lining up for the salmon, Yumiko went to

the bank to washroom, Ahia went to the inflatables park with the kids.Edward Cui was I think

paying for the food, which was separate from collecting the food. After finding out that no one was

looking for a table, I made that my task and sat Willan down while I waited for everyone else to

arrive. I think it was a long 30 minutes of waiting. First Edward Cui came back but left again to

look for Ahia and / or Yumiko. He came back empty-handed and then left again. Then Edward T.

came with 8 (count them EIGHT) plates of salmon with salad. I couldn’t wait to start on the food

because WIllan had been antsy for the last – I dunno – 29 minutes? Willan and I ate while

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Willan and Reina at the playground

Edward T. left again to look for Ahia / Yumiko / Ed Cui. (are you still following the story). Edward

T. then came back with Yumiko and I insisted Edward T. eat na because I could only hold down 3

seats and he has to be in it. So Edward T. started to eat, then Edward Cui came back and I urged

him to eat as well para tapos na. Besides, it was getting late. Still no ahia and Len and Reina. All

this time, Yumiko was already there but wouldn’t eat without Ahia. So it got to a point where The

2 Edwards, myself andWIllan had eaten but none of our guests had eaten yet kasi missing Ahia

and kids. Edward Cui and Yumiko separately tried to call his cel a few times but di yata nacoconnect

or di napi-pick up.

Then live music started and I just had to bringWIllan to watch it (he loves live music as long as

it’s a fast tune). He danced ; the people gathered, I brought him back to our picnic table and Ahia

and family were eating, so I brought him back to finish watching the live music. It was some sort

of irish music, may music that reminds me of riverdance bay un, yung sumasayaw na puro feet

movement lang. SoWIllan danced and found a partner! (An adult puti female was so aliw with

him, she danced with him, and later on her 2 other adult friends were dancing too. Willan joined

on and off. The live music ended, the crowd dispersed and some people came up to me to say

the Willan was adorable kasi sya lang ang batang sumasayaw.

After that, I went back to the picnic table and Edward Cui was buying Filipino style pork bbq for

everyone; everyone had eaten but people were just relaxing. I remember it was about 2pm na

and Willan was getting groggy and he eventually fell asleep with me carrying him. Whatever

hopes I still had of making it to the office on that day were dashed. No more office; I’ll just make

up for it some other time. I got tired carrying him and went inside the community centre and sat

down on a chai withWIllan asleep on me. I think he slept 30 minutes to 45 minutes and woke up

refreshed. Towards the end of his nap, I was joined by Edward T, by now the holder of our joint

celphone so that we had a means of rejoining the other half of our group.We called and they

were at a tradeshow so we met sa entrance nung tradeshow and REina was eating cotton candy

and Len was falling asleep standing up. Ahia confirmed that they were tired. I just have to say

how remarkable it was to see Len falling asleep whils still standing. I couln’t believe my eyes and

for a moment thought that he was just miming that he was tired. Yun pala inaantok na talaga.

There was a minor scare when we started to leave then turned around and Len wasn’t there, but

he quickly resurfaced. Yumiko found him; he just went a short distance to watch something, I

think.

We walked back to the car and while on our way there,

came across a playground and the 3 kids wanted to play

so we let them and the adults just sat around chatting.

Nawala antok nila Len and Reina. For a time Reina and

Willan were in the same area while Len, being older was in

a different area; advanced kungbaga. But Reina later went

to where Len was and Willan stayed where he was, but

they all had fun. Then Len had stomach cramps / ache and

we had to hurry to the car; we took 2 cars coming and the

car I drove was closer so Len got on that car and Yumiko

and Reina came along as well. The rest walked a little further to get to the other car and we all

made it safely back home. The car was just 5 minutes away from our house but in that time, the 2

kids with me fell asleep in the car. When we got home, they continued sleeping, and Len’s

stomachache seemed to have disappeared; I did give him a hot compress but he seemed better

even before then.

That night, for Dinner we re-met with Edward Cui at White Spot (well-known Canadian restaurant)

with his girlfriend Aubrey; this was Edward Cui’s treat and we let him; Len was falling asleep

again. It was just remarkable for me to see that. Reina was tired but not falling asleep yet. Willan

was okay; he had a nap. Throughout dinner, we were just talking about plans for tomorrow

(Edward Cui was hosting dinner at his place), and really more getting to know Aubrey because

this was the first time Ahia and family have met her and it was the first time for Edward and

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myself to be with them together as a couple (it was usually just Edward Cui and Edward T).

Aubrey is very pretty; she was a print ad model before in the Phils (di ko matandaan brands) and

niloloko sya kasi nasa Easy Dancing sya. Kinahihiya nya.

After dinner, everyone got home and called it a day, took respective showers and baths and

bedtime. Abangan ang… (siguro in 1 month at the rate I’m going).

Day 3: July 2, 2009 Th

Edward Cui and Animals in the bedroom

2010 na, di ko pa nasusulat Day 3. Mabilis lang Day 3. I will leave space for Ahia to expound on

kasi there was a lot of time na di k sila kasama.

Edward Cui was in charge of this day so after a small breakfast, Ahia and family went out with

him. I think they had brunch at a Chinese place and then they went to Stanley Park. <Ahia: insert

details>

hint: highlights of Stanley Park:

1. Totem Poles

2. Terry Fox statue

3. woman swimmer statue (nakita nyo bay un?)

4. Vancouver Aquarium – an attraction in itself but it is found within Stanley Park

I just realized upon writing this that everyone in sixongs had been to Canada and therefore

Stanley Park! SO everyone would have an idea of what I’m talking about, give or take a few minor

attractions.

I remember that Reina chose a gift forWillan from the gift shop of the Vancouver Aquarium –

Ahia was about to buy Willan sweets but Reina asked to buy him a sea otter cup instead. It is a

clear plastic cup with a lid and a sea otter that paddles his feet when you press something and it

came with a twirly straw. Willan really liked it and I approved Reina’s good sense in not getting

sweets for her younger cousin.

Everybody who’s been to Stanley Park has this photo

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I think I actually managed to work that day andWillan went to daycare. Edward T was at work

too.

Edward Cui didn’t bring them

home; instead, we met at his

place for dinner. We had

been there before but what

was new about it was a huge

painted fabric that he brought

back from Africa. (He had

been to Africa in the previous

month) You must have seen it

in the pictures – it is

predominantly red and yellow

and has profiles of elephants.

No homecooking involved;

Edward just bought some Chinese takeout food, and I think Edward T and I brought a few too.

Takeout din. Aubrey was there again.

The night ended too soon and it was everyone’s bedtime again.

WhenWillan took his bath that night

and Yumiko commented on how

cute his hooded towel was (in the

shape of a dog), I lent her a pig and

elephant one for Reina and Len to

use. At one point, all three were

laughing it up in their “costumes”.

Day 4: July 3, 2009 F

Ed Cui day again (Metrotown)

Again, Ed Cui was in charge. I think he brought

Ahia and family out for breakfast at DeDutch. I’ve

never been there before. What was the verdict

about their food?

Ed Cui brought the group to Metrotown in

Burnaby, the biggest mall in the lower mainland. I

would say it’s as big as megamall, but more

sprawling. It just so happened that they had a few

dinosaur (bone replicas) on display there and I

think they only took a cursory look, thinking that

there were bigger and better ones in Calgary.

Enjoying E Cui’s hospitality

Len the elephant, Reina the pig and Willan the dog

Dinosaur display at Metrotown

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Then I think Edward T picked them up somewhere (Lansdowne

ba?) and brought them out for dinner at The Old Spaghetti

Factory. Willan had to go to a birthday party (the party at Goin

Bananas I previously wrote so scathingly about where they

made us go up and down, up and down) but that party place was

right across the street from The Old Spaghetti Factory. I thought

I was going to have to refuse food at Willan’s party, having to

say that I’m having dinner with family at the restaurant across

the street pero wala palang food ang adult sa kiddie parties dito!

Then we made our way home again, took respective showers

and headed for bed.

Day 5: July 4, 2009 Z

Shimp!

KJ that I am, I had to work on this day. So after breakfast

at home, Edward T was in charge of the group. He took

them back to Steveston, to a well-known seafood

restaurant and they probably walked along the harbour

where some boats sell fresh seafood that they just caught.

There are usually some wild swans and ducks (sometimes

geese) swimming about there, so I think Reina and Len

met some. For some strange reason, Ahia wanted to cook

that night. Either na-inspire sa fresh seafood that was

being sold cheaply or nagsasawa na sa mga lumang

Chinese takeouts ko.

Anyhow, I got gome to Ahia puttering in the kitchen. That

was a strange sight indeed. He boiled some shrimp with

some ginger and whatever <Ahia insert commentary

again> and I was amazed that aside from buying the

shrimp, it looked like they went to a grocery store and bought some other ingredients as well. (I

really have to apologize for that; my kitchen is really bare)

But jump back to before the shrimp cooking, Edward

managed to bring them to the newly built Richmond

Oval, where the figure skating and Speed Skating in the

Winter Olympics ended up taking place. Len and Reina

were able to skate for a little bit before they closed.

Sayang they didn’t have more time there kasi my stickler

husband insisted on making two trips instead of making

a kid (probably Len) sit down on the floor of the car –

against the law daw. So because of that, nabawasan

total oras nila to be at the Oval.

Jump back to the shrimp dinner. I think I sent an email

before where Willan was asking for “mo shimp!”. It was

this meal. Sa bilis nyang kumain at magdemand ng mo

shimp, I ended up giving him the whole shrimp, shell and

Parking area at Old

Spaghetti Factory

Along the docks at Steveston

Marina

The Richmond Oval:
Venue for

2010 Olympic Speed & Figure Skating

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all, and told him to peel it himself… which he did! He was clumsy with the first one, not knowing

what to do with the head, but boy did he learn fast!

I think Yumiko got sick this day and with tomorrow being a big day (supposed to fly to Calgary), I

was unsure about what will happen.

Day 6: July 5, 2009 S

Travel Day

This was the day Ahia and family were supposed to

fly to Calgary. Yumiko was still sick and definitely

couldn’t come with them. Ahia decided to take on

the 2 kids and go on anyway. (You know the story)

My living room in the morning

On the bus going… somewhere
(where?)

Look at that landscape.

That’s definitely

not Vancouver. (what’s Len doing?)

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Day 7: July 6, 2009 M

To Banff

Yumiko sick; not eating (it was stressing me out that she wasn’t eating, but I guess that’s her way

of coping with it)

In the meantime, Ahia and the kids are in Banff. Ahia’s email dated July 6:

Email 1:

I'm just writing to let you know

len, Reina and I checked in at

the

lodge at banff and have wifi

access.

Yumiko says she's feeling better

and will try to take the plane

from

Vancouver to Calgary so we'll

rendezvous at the Calgary

Stampede.

It's raining and we still have to

do some activty and sighseeing

been waiting for the bus all day

kasi.

Email 2:

I'm having Alberta steak and wine and the kids are

having their pick of the menu. We just came back

from a dip at the hot springs where the kids'

fingers and toes turned pasas from being too

much in the water. The perfect relaxation after a

long day's travel. Fresh mountain air pa!

We wanted to try horse riding but Reina was too

young so we could not join. Either way, it will be a

family trip to remember - just me and the kids.

Tomorrow we'll have to wake up early to get to the

bus for calgary then we'll meet up with Yumiko. I didn't know she asked you to let her drive. But I

guess she's insecure about US-style driving so she asked you to let her drive alone in case may

mangyari. We'll just have to risk it by driving carefully and using four eyes on the road. I'm sure

we'll get back alive - we've gone through so much to make our Canada trip happen - come rain or

shine we will have fun!!

Day 8: July 7, 2009 T

Reina Gets Sick

Ahia and kids in Calgary

Yumiko getting better slowly; she follows to Calgary.

Is this the spring?

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Reina gets sick – Yumiko got to them just in the nick of time, with Reina very dramatically

convulsing just as she was pulling up, and so Reina was rushed to the hospital.

Emails from Ahia dated July 7:

Email 1:

Reina is hospitalized:

She had high fever (39.7) and had a seizure/epilepsy as we

arrived

from Banff to Calgary and met up with Yumiko and the car.

I called 911 and she was taken to Alberta Children's Hospital by

ambulance. Paramedics did a good job stabilizing her. Now she

stable but still waiting for the doctor for the diagnosis.

No insurance and had to pay $500 on credit but that is not our

biggest

concern at the moment.

Will update you all later.

Email 2:

The hospital discharged her after taking blood and xray tests without positive signs of the h1n1 flu

- just a stomach flu but she has slight fever nonetheless. May take couple days to get her

stabilized.

I said epillepsy but the correct term is febrile seizures.

It's been quite a day. I don't know how I could have managed without Yumiko getting here with

the car. I still don't know if this is the end of our rollercoaster trip - anxiety-filled one day fun-filled

the next. Len is complaining about slight fever and reina is having rashes and hives.

Email 3: (technically sent on July 8 at 2am)

Thanks wen for all the support. Sorry to keep you busy with this when you have willan's party and

other stuff to look after. We just got back from the same hospital twice in a day. This time it was

the hives (arrythimi-somethin g multi-forma) which turnsout can be releived with benadryl.

Then the exciting part comes. The hospital clerk says we'll have to be charged again knowing

that we admitted Reina earlier in the same day - either we pay the same amount now or we will

get billed by mail, as if there was a choice. So now I have to drag myself again to the hospital to

argue my case that it should be treated as an extension of the earlier admission and not two

counts kasi they were both within 24 hours of each other and was related to the stomach flu they

diagnosed.

Besides all Reina got was ibuprofen and benadryl, both of which are over the counter I could buy

for $20 tops. I should have read your email earlier and made a go to the drugstore instead of the

ER. Man, when is this going to get more fun than worrying?

We had to miss out on the stampede rodeo and the dinosaur fossil adventure and now we might

have to get home by plane instead of the greyhound.

Wen, I'll try to get back to you by phone this morning. And say hi to lulu-chi and family for me. We

will have that fun-filled reunion still! :-)

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That was AHia. In the meantime, here’s Luluchi’s drama:

Luluchi’s email:

Got there at 4:30 this morning to be told my ticket is no good since it doesnt match my

passport. After calling customer service and this and that, we finally have to come home and get

my marriage certificate and take a later flight (10:05) we will be arriving at 2:45 instead.

Switch back to Ahia:

Ahia’s email:

Won't risk an overnight bus ride so booked flight to Vancouver. Itinerary is below.

Greyhound has a no refund cancel policy and I had to talk to the agent patiently and concede to

give us half refund - but need to send paperwork (tickets and doctor's note) to get the half refund.

Phew! Looking back on all this, it feels to me like they went to Banff and Calgary to get sick.

Sayang. You really should come back next year, and no planning to go anywhere but Vancouver

anymore, and I can show you around more. You still missed a lot.

By the way, while all this was happening, a cleaning lady came to clean up before Luluchi’s

arrival para she would think the house is clean all the time. That cleaning lady was cheap and

after a few more visits from her after this one, she went MIA. Oh well, it was good while it lasted.

Oh, and that was the last time the house had ever been clean like that.

Day 9: July 8, 2009W

Luluchi, Go-E, Sawyer and Tanner Arrive

Luluchi, Go-E, Tanner and Sawyer arrive. I am still KJ and am at work. As mentioned previously,

Luluchi had a slight change of plans while trying to come over here and on top of that, when she

got to customs with the precious box of Harry and David’s pears for Edward, tinapon pa ng

customs! Sabi k okay Luluchi sana kinain nalang nya. Sarap yun eh. Mahal pa.

Anyway, Luluchi had to get the key from my backyard. And apparently she missed taking down

my unit number and there are like 30 units of the same-looking townhouse where I live, so she

had to call me to find out what my unit number was. But prior to that, Go-E was asking a neighbor

(to this day I don’t know who) about her niece who lives there, and the neighbor, of course, not

knowing who she was couldn’t help her. (Most of my neighbors didn’t know me because we just

moved in in May)

I called home from work to find out how they

were doing and I asked about the kids. Luluchi

said Tanner was aliw kasi Willan’s toys are ageappropriate

but Sawyer was starting to get a bit

bored.

I can’t remember much anymore other than I

came home from work as usual and made sure

to pick up some takeout Chinese food and

Willan on the way.

Ahia and family is set to arrive the next day (July 9) at about 330pm.

Rare Treats for WAT: Friends, TV & Rice

Crispies

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Day 10: July 9, 2009 Th

Everybody Here! Impromptu Picnic at the Park

This was also the day when I had to buy something from Osaka

and Superstore in preparation for Ahia’s family getting back here

and I brought Luluchi and Sawyer along because Luluchi has fond

memories of Superstore; she had been to a Vancouver branch

before and thought we were going back there, not realizing that

there’s one in Richmond as well. Luluchi was the most amazed at

the huge size of our marshmallows, which I had always assumed

was also available in the US. She said no, she’s never seen them

so big, and the selection of chips we had impressed her.

We also went to Osaka (which Edward and I keep calling TNT,

confusing our guests who notice the writing on the shopping bags

that say “Osaka” – we just started calling it the wrong name and

continue to call it by the wrong name).

Osaka is a big chain of Asian supermarket and luluchi loves it because she loves asian stuff,

especially if it had to do with food. Sawyer was so nice and stayed where he was supposed to.

I’m so used to WIllan running loose all the time that I was a bit unnerved by Sawyer’s behaviour.

Whenever Luluchi would turn her back from Sawyer, I would instinctively keep my eyes on him,

and would always be surprised when he didn’t run away. Is this what 7-year oldWillan will be

like? Thank goodness!

On the way back home, We snuck in a side trip to the local Salvation Army (thrift store). I wanted

Luluchi’s input if it was the same as the American thrift stores she talks about. I always feel that

the ones I go to are somewhat bare and junky. Sabi nya pareho lang naman.

On to Ahia’s return. I was scheduled to pick him up at 345pm. I was so relieved when I pulled up

sa airport and Ahia and family were right there waiting. It seemed like forever. I remember

thinking kung magkakasakit lang sila sana at least here nalang in Vancouver where I physically

am and can truly help.

Anyway, I finally have Luluchi and Ahia and respective families under one roof.

When we got home, Luluchi gave the Kazama-Ong family a very warm welcome (i.e. screaming

from the doorway even when not all members of the family were out of the car yet).

The remainder of the night felt

like it went by very fast. I don’t

even remember what we ate.

Standard fare is takeout

Chinese food because it’s

cheap, fast and easy. I think

this was a Chinese food

takeout night.

Of course group pictures were

taken. On the spot.

It was a gaggle of noises and

kids in the living room and Go-

E whipped out her Flip Mino to

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show us videos of the American cousins and Auntie using the Wii. We saw Sharon Cuneta in

concert as well, courtesy of the Go-E channel.

I wanted to take everyone to the park right behind our house because the weather was perfect

and we can only walk (or take the bus which I frankly never even considered at that time) with the

amount of people we now have because there was no way we would fit in one car. In fact, even if

we used 2 cars, we could never fit everyone; there would always be one person who won’t fit.

Go-e wanted to go to Costco but I ignored her. Sorry Go-e. We did go to Costco at some point

during her visit. I think she wanted to buy supplies to cook, but I thought the park was more

important since everyone was here and the weather was great.

We live right beside a school and public schools here normally have playgrounds and some sort

of grassy park attached to it. The park / field starts after walking (kid-pace) for 5 minutes, so it

was really close.

That time at the park turned out to be a wonderful highlight of the trip. The weather was perfect,

the kids could run around, there were very few people around (no school – it was summer break).

That park and playground is always virtually unoccupied anyway, which was why I never made a

habit of bringingWillan there when he’s by himself without the cousins. It somehow feels empty.

But on this day, once our view opened up into the field, Len and Tanner were running far ahead

of us and we happened to bring a ball around so they can kick it around.

At first Yumiko didn’t want Reina to come with us. In fact, naka-face mask pa nga silang mag-ina,

but Reina couldn’t be denied and so they came along. For which I am glad. For the first time,

complete kami. Well, wala si Edward but he’s just related by marriage. Hehehe

The playground area with the slides and climbing stuff was a bit of a walk into the field and I was

surprised to see Willan hold Ahia’s hand the whole time walking there. Oh yeah, Willan calls Ahia

Aku (tama ba?). Even Go-e commented on it.

The kids attacked the playground and the

adults had time and space to catch up and

talk a bit more. I was watching Ahia play tag

with Len and Sawyer when I started to get

hunger pangs. I tried to hold it off but I felt

really really hungry, so I told the group that I

had to go back and eat something.

Go-E said, babalik ka rin lang, bumalik ka na

with pagkain.

A buzz of activity around Tanner’s

restaurant

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Go-e brought some

yummy pastries with

her pala from the

states, di ko pa

nakakain dito, and

there were some

crackers and stuff at

home. So that’s what I

brought back along

with water and some

dried blueberries,

again courtesy of Goe

and we sort of had

an impromptu picnic. I

could say that

everyone had a good

time there.

When it started to get a little bit dark, we walked home and Edward was there when we got home.

He already prepared some food for us, I think, for dinner – reheated Chinese food leftovers. I

know that there was crispy roasted pork that tastes wonderfully like lechon kawali but better, that

Ahia and Luluchi liked. And there were some crab rolls that Len liked. And white rice.

Oo nga pala, when we don’t have guests, we eat brown rice.When Ahia and family got here, they

were forced to eat brown rice and they didn’t say anything. But when Luluchi got here, she tried

the brown rice for one day and then took issue with it making the ulam taste bad, so we switched

to white rice. Willan loved it!

I think while the food was being prepared, Luluchi was the chief kiddie entertainer, setting up a

bubbles station in the backyard and Tanner got to ride the tricycle (whichWillan couldn’t properly

ride yet at the time).

Yep. That was a great day.

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Day 11: July 10, 2009 F

Richmond Centre; Tanner and Reina Miss Out

Edward and I both went to work and left our guests on their own. Willan went to daycare for the

day. Luluchi ended up watching over the Tanner, Sawyer and Reina at home while Go-E, Ahia,

Len and Yumiko took the bus to Richmond Centre (the largest mall in Richmond).

<Ahia: insert comments – this must be when you bought those swimsuits from Hilfiger that you

later on had to return? Did I pick you up or did you bus home?>

I don’t remember the rest of the day, basta when I got home, the usual round of dinner, play with

kids and showers then bedtime.

I do remember Luluchi saying that she planned to go back to the park behind the house with the

three kids but first Tanner fell asleep (nap) and then late into his nap, Reina fell asleep so even

when Tanner woke up, Reina was asleep. That’s the way it is. We were never able to return to

that park anymore and there was a big park / waterpark I wanted to bring everyone to (about 6

minutes drive from the house) that I never got to do too. Sayang talaga.

Day 12: July 11, 2009 Z

Army & Navy, Delicious Cuisine and Lansdowne Mall

I don’t know about Ahia, Luluchi and Go-e, but at this point, Edward and I were feeling the time

slip away from us. We both had things that we felt that we should absolutely do with the visitors

before they leave.

One of the things Luluchi had been telling me that she loved the last time was NewWestminster,

a neighbouring city – oldest city in the lower mainland, I think – it used to be the capital of BC,

and is full of lovely heritage buildings, but in particular, she wanted to go to Army and Navy store.

I would say para syang COD sa atin in terms of age and feel – that is unless nagbago na ngayon

because Cubao got revamped, I heard. Anyway, back to the story.

Tanner and Reina Waiting for the bus

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If I can only do one thing with them, I wanted to bring them to Army and Navy. I can’t recall now

why I didn’t bring the whole group and only Yumiko, Ahia and Luluchi went with me. I think it was

too early for Go-e. Yes, now I remember, tulog pa si Go-e kasi umaga kami umalis and it would

be too big a production to bring the kids along, so kami lang ang pumunta, leaving Edward and

Go-e to man the daycare. hehehe

Things are really nice and cheap at Army and Navy so it wasn’t surprising that Yumiko found

some children’s clothing there that were waaaay lower priced than the ones she had bought the

day before at Richmond Centre (Tommy Hilfiger pa). Tommy vs. unbranded… hmmm… hehehe

Anyway, she got a really nice swimsuit for Reina, and I don’t know

what else and it turned out that Ahia had to go back to Richmond

Centre the next day to return the Tommys.

I got a cute pink “velvet” chair jewelry box for Reina. It was

something that I would have wanted as a kid and it was pink and

Reina had a doll that was just the right size to “sit” on it, I thought it

was the absolutely perfect gift for her. But I didn’t find anything for

Len yet. I later gave him a Lego bionicle that someone had given

Willan but Willan was too young for it, so I gave it to Len since he

likes puzzles and building.

Hmm… I didn’t even think of getting anything for Tanner and

Sawyer kasi I thought that they had more of everything in the US

and they get constant pasalubongs and cash from Go-E. But

really, the only person I got anything for was Reina (shhh…)

Later, while packing to go home to Japan, Ahia would question this chair gift kasi mahirap i-pack.

Hehehe

I hope Reina still likes that chair. I was really tempted to buy one for myself, you know, but it

really is inappropriate for me, kaya I lived through her nalang. Tamang tama pa Luluchi had given

Reina a pack of heart rings, and she immediately put them in there.

I don’t think Ahia was able to buy anything kasi nga no brand

store ito eh, or kung may brand ang benta nila, usually yung

wala sa season. But I got him to pose in a cowboy hat (don’t

worry, he didn’t buy it).

After Army and Navy, we had time to cross the street to head

for a dollar store. The visitors wanted Canadian stuff to give as

pasalubong back home (mga shot glass and whatnot). Si Go-e

din pala nagpabili nito kasi nga din a sya kasama. But we didn’t

find anything nice, I think, I can’t remember – did Yumiko buy

something from this store, Ahia?

Then we drove home to Richmond. Because of logistics

(remember, isa palaging kulang), Edaward and I decided (more

of Edward, like I said, I would have made Len sit down on the

floor) to leave Ahia and Yumiko close to the restaurant where

we were having lunch and I went back home to help Edward

round up the rest of the crew.

<Ahia, insert what you and Yumiko did at this time>

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So if Army and Navy (shopping) was my thing, eating out was Edward’s thing.

Edward thought that everybody should have a nice big meal together with good food at a nice

restaurant. He wanted to invite Edward Cui as well since so far, we had been enjoying his

hospitality and we haven’t had a chance to treat him to any food yet, and he wanted to introduce

his closest relatives to my relatives.

He absolutely loves this taiwanese restaurant called Delicious Cuisine, so a few days before, he

got everyone’s schedule to agree, booked the restaurant and we had lunch at Delicious. In

addition to the regular cast of characters, Edward Cui was there and Bernice, my Edward’s

cousin and her Taiwanese fiancé Daniel were there. Missing is Bernice’s younger brother Ben. I

think he was out of town at the time. Bernice and Daniel were going to visit Japan soon and

Daniel had taken up Niponggo as a foreign language, so they enjoyed a bit of fun learning

Niponggo from Len.

Oh, and we ordered soup that we normally order from this restaurant but I was surprised when

Ahia wouldn’t touch it kasi pala may ampalaya! I had long gotten over my hatred for ampalaya,

and I found it so curious that Ahia would not touch it but would eat stuff that I find yucky (like

Twalya and sea cucumber). Of course many of the kids vetoed it too. That was a dud.

After lunch, nagyayaan sa nearby Lansdowne mall. We had 3 cars now since Edward Cui

volunteered to drop off people there. I think I had to bring WAT home for his nap but did like Ed

Cui and dropped off people. There was a little disconnect about whether or not Yumiko was going

or not because she wasn’t feeling that well yet but in the end she ended up going and she was

my passenger, along with her 2 kids I think. Edward Cui dropped them off and I think Edward T

may have stayed with them at the mall. Please correct me if I’m wrong.

I don’t know what happened to them there but looks like Tanner and Sawyer got to ride a train

and probably every other ride-on machine at that mall.

Sawyer took this picture

At Lansdowne Centre

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<Ahia, Luluchi, please insert what you did here>

That night, after the kids had gone to bed, the adults gathered around the dining table to catch up

and Luluchi started to bake a gazillion cupcakes forWillan’s party tomorrow.

Day 13: July 12, 2009 S

Willan’s Birthday Party

This is D-Day.Willan’s birthday party.

But first, in the morning, Ahia and I and Len and Reina went to Richmond Centre to return those

expensive Tommy outfits. The mall was having a sale and Ahia got a pair of branded shoes for

himself (I can’t remember the price, but I remember that when he told me, I felt it was cheap) and

a pair of sandals each for Len and Reina. Reina also got a pair of sunglasses and Ahia was

grumbling about how unappreciative Len seemed to be. He did indeed look like Edward T while I

shopped for ladies clothes.

Willan’s party was at 3pm. It passed by so fast for me, and let me say now if I still haven’t said it:

Was I ever grateful that Luluchi and Go-e were there. I was disorganized, didn’t know what to do,

ended up cutting fruits the whole durn time in the kitchen of the venue. Go-E helped cut the fruits

and Luluchi almost singlehandedly did all the setup. And of course took care of the cupcakes.

She also cooked Filipino spaghetti and Yumiko made onigiri. Naka-face mask nanaman sya

today, so it looked like she was feeling bad again. Honestly, I wanted to say that she shouldn’t be

handling food when she’s sick, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it since she was already in the

middle of doing it. Mukhang wala naming nagkasakit. Ang-cute pa ng mga onigiri. Surprisingly, at

first, although many people admired them, they passed it by, probably unsure about what it is and

how to eat it. But they were all gone by the end of the party.

Willan’s party – I rented what they call a “Family Place” – what here is a house converted to be

devioted to kids, and kidsWillan’s age were the best suited for it. They had all the facilities and

toys that 3-5 year olds would be interested in. You guys saw the invitation.

Sand table, chalk, paint, books, trucks, train table, arts and crafts area, pretend kitchen / home

and for parties, they have an inflatable jumpy castle which Sawyer loved.

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The party was many things. It wasWillan’s reunion with his

Vancouver caregiver and old friends from there, who were

also invited and 80% showed up. Willan was so surprised and

so happy to see Blanca (the caregiver). He was caught on

tape jumping up and down and saying “It’s Banca, it’s

banca!”. Her 8-year old daughter who lovedWillan was there

and spent some time with him, which warmed my heart. Even

Luluchi noticed that mabait yung bata kasi she protects the

younger kids.

It was a reunion for Ahia with his highschool friends. Edward

Cui had been mentioned many times, but it was only now that

he finally met Dennis Ting and Man-Bun. They would get

together again the next day in fuller force and include

Jefferson Lao.

I think by the end of this day, nagkasakit na

si Luluchi (Go-e had been sick too at some

point, pero di ko matandaan which days).

Yumiko had always been slightly sick; she

didn’t come to the party.

Ahia and Yumiko and family got the master bedroom when they arrived while Edward and I slept

inWAT’s room. When Luluchi and Go-e arrived, they slept in the living room, and they were all

squishing together in 1 mattress (I think there was one sleeping bag, but I don’t know who, and I

think malikot matulog si Tanner so Luluchi hadn’t been sleeping properly. Now with her sick, she

moved to the mattress-less couch (the mattress is the one being used on the floor) but we

padded it up with a yoga mat and a comforter and what she said the first time she lay down was

“haaay salamat” … makakatulog ng mahimbing.

Day 14: July 13, 2009 M

Picture Day

This was the day right after a high activity day and people were in various stages of unwellness

so I think people stayed home this day.

By this time, I was feeling a sense of “where did the time go”? Ahia and Luluchi were leaving the

next day. Ahia had been wanting to get a professional portrait of all the cousins for some time, but

we never even really made it to any portrait-taking store. I planned to do something like that at the

party but was too disorganized to remember.

WAT stuck close to his pals

from Blanca’s daycare

Ahia and friends

Tanner and cupcakes

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So it was this day that we set up in the backyard and tried to get the kids to stand still and of all

people we would expect to give us trouble for this, I personally didn’t expect WAT to be the one

who would absolutely refuse to stand / sit still. Even when I caught him and held him in place, he

hung his head down. But I think we managed to get one or two reasonably good pictures. You

have all seen the “perfect” picture. Here are just a few of the outtakes (WIllan is the yellow blur):

The kids played in the backyard and the “annex” – right outside the backyard where no car ever

comes. They were doing their own things and having fun – bubbles, tricycle, I think Len and

Saywer were playing badminton. Reina had a slingshot. At this point, I have to say na ang

daming umuusbong na laruan sa bahay ko na di ko alam kung kanino, saan galing, etc. I think at

some point Ahia bought his childhood obsession – parachute man – but it didn’t work properly,

the man was too heavy for the small parachute and it fell instead of floated and the strings got all

tangled up. I don’t have a picture of Willan in this scene; I don’t know what he was doing, baka

nasa loob ng bahay or tumatakbo-takbo lang. I remember nagka-sumpong after the picture taking

and le kyaw gwa lo kasi ayaw daw nya magpa-picture.

Anyhoo…

Ahia went out with highschool friends this

night and he didn’t come home til late. But

even though he got home late, naabutan

pa nya yata kami ni Luluchi sa dining table

nagkukuwentuhan.

Old Friends: (L-R) Ed Cui, Jefferson Lao, Ahia,

Man-Bun Chan, Dennis Ting

Tanner, give Willan a hug. Oops

Exercising every last inch of freedom

Stand next to Tanner, Willan, stand next to…

Stand next to Tanner, Willan, stand still!

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Then he went upstairs and proceeded to pack. Luluchi had to rest and I followed and talked to

him throughout the packing, asking him about schooling plans for Len and Reina among other

things. This was when I got the complaint about the pink chair being difficult to pack.

If Edward Cui hadn’t volunteered to drive Ahia to the airport, we would have gotten a taxi. Buti

nalang nagoffer sya. So the next day was a done deal, he would arrive in time to pick up Ahia and

nagkataon, sabay kasi flight nila Luluchi, so sabay-sabay sila aalis.

Day 15: July 14, 2009

Goodbye

Since I was up so late the night before (I think I was up til like 4am or something), I was in bed

and slowly woke up to some commotion. Some kids were jumping on my bed and all the kids

were finally gelling! They knew each other, were comfortable with each other… too bad they had

to go their separate ways.

I emailed before nga na Willan and probably Tanner were jumping on my bed while I was nakakulambo

and Sawyer came up and said who’s that and no one answered and I think he tried to

peek and I hoarsely said “it’s me” and the blanket dropped down so fast and there was a long

silent pause before activity began again.

Everywhere I look was a buzz of activity, people doing their own

thing and packing and everything. Edward Cui came to drop off

Ahia at the airport; there

were some last-minute

picture taking going on by

Go-e with the pamangkin sa

tuhod that are not in the US

but Willan wasn’t in the

mood to be nice about pics,

so he didn’t get to pose with

Go-e. All too soon, it was

time to get in the car to go

to the airport.

Oh before we can actually

get on, someone somehow

realized that that big

luggage that I watched Ahia pack the night before was overweight and there was some

rearranging done right on my neighbor’s driveway before we left.

Edward Cui took Ahia and family while I took Luluchi and family along withWillan.We had

“illegal” numbers in our car but policeman Edward wasn’t around, so we did it to the tune of

Tanner / Sawyer not standing to be close to one another.

J I think it was the same music playing

on the airplane home to Sacramento.

I followed Ed Cui to the airport but I went the other direction (to departures) when he seemed to

head for parking. Why was that again? Bat kayo nag-park, Ahia?

So I said goodbye to Luluchi and Go-E and someone (I cant remember if it was myself or Luluchi;

I think Luluchi) asked Tanner if he would like to haveWillan over to his house. He didn’t say no,

but he didn’t say yes either.

J Sawyer said yes, which warmed my heart. Thanks, Sawyer. We’ll

see you again sometime.

The end. Till Next.

Dear Sawyer and Tanner,

Sunday, June 26, 2022

Monday, August 12, 2013

First day of school 2013

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

2009 Canada

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Self portrait

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Yogurt bar/2011

Take your child to work day

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Soy as Finn