Embracing Everyday

While we were in Malabon last weekend, D was in his adventure bike ride to Infanta, Quezon. He had tons of stories to tell. As much as I would like to tell you people, I’m letting some of his photos, check out more here.

I’ve been attending Simbang Gabi since Tuesday night. It was fortunate that an 11am mass was being held in Tiendesitas last Sunday, and I was able to attend it as a make-up for the one mass that I wasn’t able to attend for the Simbang Gabi Devotion.

For these past days, I have been praying relentlessly for SIGNS if I should work it out with D…Things have not been rosy with us lately – we seem to clash at every single thing. And I have been staying with my folks now for these past few weeks.

And then come Monday morning, I get a call from D – asking if we would like to go to Cebu and spend the holidays there… Asking me, if we could start anew. With a brand new year just around the corner, being together for Christmas sounds like a very good idea… I said, I’ll think about it.

About 4 hours ago, I attended the 8th night of the Simbang Gabi devotion. After the choir sang their last song, I went straight to a life-size Mama Mary at the corner of the church. Talking with Mama Mary is what I do, after every mass since Simbang Gabi started.

I grasped her left hand and prayed to her. For strength, for forgiveness, for thanks and for A SIGN. ANY SIGN.

As I was leaving the church, one of the male ushers acknowledged me with a smile.

And I smiled back.

And then he asked, “Saan ka ba umuuwi?” (Where do you go home to?)

“Sa Araneta Village po”, (In Araneta Village sir) I replied with respect.

“Doon din ako nakatira dati…” (I used to live there too…) He replied and proceeded to tell me how he was transfered to another parish and all…

We were talking while we were walking towards my car. And I said, “Dito na po ako. Sige po, magandang gabi.” (This is my car. Thank you sir and Good night)

“Okay iha, Ano pala pangalan mo?” (Okay young lady, by the way, what’s your name?) The usher asked.

“Gigi po, kayo po?” (My name is Gigi. How about you sir?) I asked back.

“Ako pala si Arthur.” (I am Arthur) He said with a smile.

I shook his hand and went inside my car… And tears just streamed down my face as I drove myself back to Araneta…I have two hours to pack – so Sky and I can leave for Cebu in the morning and be with D…

Because D’s first name is ARTHUR.

This is also posted at TheFitMommy.

Our kasambahay had to go to Marikina on Saturday afternoon, she had to go visit an uncle who suffered an accident while he was doing his runs in the morning. Ate Ging’s (our house help) uncle is a runner like most of the readers here. She was in shambles when she learned the news because apparently he’s in critical condition. I gave her some money that may be of help and told her to go.

“Paano ka bukas? May takbo ka?”

“Marami pang darating na takbo. Mas importante yan kesa sa takbo ko.” I replied to her.

Both my husband and I were registered to run for VSO. Duane was registered for 5K, me in 15K. However this is D’s first race. And it was an easy decision for me to make.

“You’re running dad. We’ll watch you go at the starting line.”

I woke up at 0420H, heated some hot water for hot chocolate and got all Sky’s paraphernalia in the car. I woke D up when I was about to get Sky dressed. We left home at 0445H. Sky was wide awake on the way to The Fort.

D was driving and didn’t know if he needed to pee or what. He was so anxious and nervous at the same time. He runs regularly and sets great times on his own. My husband is far more athletic that I am. He runs with boxers occasionally and spars as well. He used to mountain bike too. (Which we’re planning to add in our mix of outdoor activities.)

He just didn’t know how it felt to be running in a sea of runners like himself. He is a pretty quite and admittedly anti-social. He knows it and his okay with it people knowing that. To those who met him, hindi ba sobrang obvious that we’re complete opposites when it comes to socializing?

After getting a decent parking space, D was pinning on his race bib as we walked towards the starting area.

The place was abuzz with excitement. Knowing that Coach Rio and his team of associates organized this race. I’m pretty much sure it’s going to be an awesome run for everyone here.

I had to give Jaimie her race bib for 10K, since I registered for her. She had to go find Coach Rio to change her race bib from a 10K to a 5K. For reasons of lack of training the past week.

I felt a twinge of jealousy seeing Jonel and the other runners in the starting pit for 15K. I didn’t have a chance to talk with the 15Kers. I know most of them are psyching themselves up for the long run ahead.

We saw Chris, D’s friend from work. And D’s faced softened a bit in seeing a familiar face. After the 15K went off on the first wave, they queued after the 10K runners in the starting pit.

Armed with a toddler on my left arm and a camera in one hand. I clicked away.

- D and Chris waiting for their turn. -

- And then they were off! -

After the 5K runners, I didn’t know there were walkers for 2K!!! If I knew, I would’ve just registered for it! Darn!

I watched how busy these organizers also become as they set-up the Finish line. Coach Rio was always moving around and checking on something during their time “window”.

- Sky trying to nibble my nose -

Around 15 minutes has passed since the 5K runners went off, and all of a sudden a couple of runners came charging to the Finish! I wasn’t prepared with my camera! I was able to get a shot of this little girl with bib #968, she finished 3rd in the women’s division with a time of 23:58! Whoa!

D came in with an official time of 25:58 and 35th in the Men’s division! Another Woohoo! I was so happy for him. It was a great time for his first race. He said there was ample water, but he was kicking himself for not being able to give his best. And I tell him, he still gets a prize tonight!

- D’s first post-race photo –

After I took D’s picture, I went back to the Finish line and waited for some familiar faces. I saw Mikey finish his 15K with a great time of 1:19:18. Also saw Quennie and Jinoe setting yet another MR (Mutual Record) for 10K. TBR ran to the finish like a gazelle with a time of 1:33:35 for her 15K.

I was able to chat with Vima “the Kulit Runner”, who coined Duane as “The Fit Daddy” after me As usual, I can’t help but LAUGH with all the positive energy this lady gives out. Also met up with Roselle, Vinnia, Aljo and the rest of the Happy Feet group.

D was busy watching some of his friends from work finish their races too. He beamed at me when he saw me talking with my running friends.

And I also met Ms. Nora, “the golden girl” for the first time! Of course, I had to have a photo with her There is a certain warmness about her. One of these days, I’ll ask her to run in the South with me.

I also saw a glimpse of Wayne, flocked by runners for a photo-op. He seems to be enjoying himself.

 - With Nora, the Golden girl -

- Jaimie finished her 5K in 36:51! -

- Aljo, Jaimie, Me and Vima -

- Wilbert -

- Doc Gigi -

Even if I didn’t get to run my 15K this morning, I feel that I ran 15K with a 22 pound weight! Sky was a handful as usual. He was so busy climbing the rails, arranging and re-arranging the cones and dancing to the tune of “tootsie roll”.

Sky had a number of fans during this run. Thank you for all the runners and spectators who find him adorable despite his hyperactivity! What can you expect? He came from D and me. It’s in his genes.

Today, we opted to stay in the house instead of braving Cemetery’s and Halloween parties… Sky’s been feeling under the weather and threw up twice today. I am supposed to be at Cha’s house for an all out Halloween party as I write this. But, Sky is my priority right now. So, home is where we stayed.

This morning, Sky and I walked around the village to get some sunshine and a breath of fresh air. I think Sky got tired from playing with D and me over at Alabang Town Center yesterday. Nope, we didn’t do any trick or treating; we just let Sky jump around the play ground and checked out some arcade games over at Timezone.

Maybe that’s why he’s not so feeling well today

When Sky and I came back after an hour of me just carrying him around strolling; I was pleasantly surprised to see chocolate and coffee crusted pancakes set on the table with freshly pressed coffee on the side. I didn’t have time to take a photo, I was more excited than Sky to eat D’s creation.

I placed Sky in his booster chair and when I started to say Grace, I was ecstatically happy to see Sky do his own version of “Signing of the Cross” and gingerly clasped his hands together when I said Grace.

D couldn’t contain himself and gave our little one a tight hug after we prayed. We didn’t need a camera to capture that one – it will be forever printed in our minds!

That was the highlight of the day… Tonight as Sky sleeps in slumber and recuperating from a slight fever, I lit up a candle outside out humble home and said a prayer for all our loved one’s up in the heaven’s now. Happy Halloween Everyone!

Been busy this week, with Sky, organizing the house and reviewing. I squeeze in my running in the mornings. And when D’s not working on a late afternoon, I let him run while I watch and play with Sky.

After running, jumping and doing his own version of “exercising”; Sky was fast asleep by 8PM. He looked like an angel, that played in the clouds and fell on our bed from the heaven’s above.

It was raining the whole morning yesterday, playing at the nearby park in the afternoon seemed to be a long shot. So, we thought of going to Festival Mall late in the afternoon – after I did most of my errands by myself.

D and Sky took a long nap to recharge themselves before we went out. I had to drive, Sky and D are inseparable when it comes to PLAY.

It was a pleasure just watching the two laugh, run and jump together.

D and I have been craving for Hungarian Sausages since last week. We went straight to this small joint on the 4th Floor, cinema area of Festival mall. We would recommend the Hungarian sausage with everything on top for just 80 pesos! It’s a meal in itself and COMFORT food for D and me… Meanwhile, Sky had spaghetti I made from home.

Sky was fast asleep by the time we got home. He was exhausted! And that small yellow stuff toy? Sky got it through a kiddie “claw skill crane machines” by listening to D’s instruction! Everyone who saw it was applauding the two. I, on the other hand, was dumbfounded with joy that I gave them both a hug! It was awesome!

Today I saw a LOT of SIGNS for me. But the text that I received this afternoon was the biggest of them all.

1. I saw an article featuring "Batanes" in a Coffee Shop Magazine that I was browsing through.
2. Heard "Unwell" playing on the background while buying Watercolor paint for Sky.
3. Sky suddenly just kept saying "Daddy" while I was changing his shirt.
4. Sky cried when he saw D’s picture in my wallet.
5. And D sent me a text message if we could possibly spend two days together – so we can TALK.

I asked 5 women friends and only 1 said that I shouldn’t meet him.

My gut says otherwise.

I know this will not be resolved overnight. But it is a start.

Despite all the things that I’ve went through these past year. I’m more than OK. I don’t feel the need to cry a bucket every second and I don’t need to see a therapist once a week and all that. (No pun intended for those who’ve seen a therapist or popped a pill. Okay?)

I’m glad D and I are going through this phase this early in our married life. Rose, my close friend from high school said the other day: "Nakakatawa kayong dalawa. Away kayo ngayon ng away. Pero miss na miss niyo naman isa’t isa." (The two of you are so funny. You guys keep on arguing. But, you both miss each other very much.) And another close friend said; "Masyado kasi kayong passionate. Diyan kayo parehas. Masyado kayong nagli-liyab sa emotions niyo." (Both of you are too passionate. That’s where you’re both so similar. Both your emotions are constantly in flame.)

True.

But, we need time for just the two of us to talk things over and really COMMUNICATE. We didn’t have enough time to be a husband and wife when we got married. Sky was a "honeymoon baby." We dove into being a Dad and Mom early on. We forgot about us.

D texted last night "Are you still angry?"

Me. "No, I just miss you."

D. "I Miss you too. But you’re too hot to handle. Just think of the rain. That will cool you down."

Me. "You’re too hot to handle too. I ran in the rain the other day. It was nice."

D. "I’m sowi I made you angry."

Me. "I’m angry because I’m not heard."

D. "Let’s not text while it’s still raining."

Me. "Okay."

D. "I Love you mom. I miss you so much. I’m sorry."

I see some of me and some of D whenever I look at Sky. However, he looks a lot like D when my mother-in-law gave me some of D’s baby pictures. They look so much alike!

D.

Sky.

D.

Sky.

Dino with "Papa" (his grandfather).

First impression when I met him, I thought he was either queer or snobbish. He doesn’t talk much when I met him – he just smiled or rather “smirked”. It will take a while for him to warm up to people. He’s not the usual I-want-to-hug-everyone-and-be-everyone’s-friend. He will not talk to you – unless you seem interesting to him. He’s very different.

He’s 38 – but he looks very hot for his age. I’m glad he is the way he is. I don’t have to worry about other women “eyeing” him. Because he doesn’t “eye” back… Unless he see’s Diane Castellejo or Jessica Biel.

He’s an artist. He can paint paintings, draw sketches, do carpentry, and shoot awesome photographs. All the while I thought, his love is the Arts. But the truth is, HE LOVES LIVING. HE LOVES LIFE.

A pancake is not just a pancake when he makes it for me. A movie becomes an experience when I watch it with him. A newspaper clipping with the title “God”, “Love”, “Kindness”, etc… are snippets of our family values. When we workout – he trains me because he believes I can do it better all the time. When he plays, when he talks with Sky – it leaves such an imprint in Sky’s mind – that Sky dreams about him. The mere sound of D’s voice would tickle Sky to laughter.

Part of him will never grow up – much like Peter Pan of Neverland. He sees what Sky sees and knows what Sky would like. I have never seen a bond so strong between a 38 and a 1 year old.

I’m sure glad he’s different. Happy Father’s Day!