Lua Hagedorn

Haven’t been writing blogs lately.  It’s not that there’s nothing to share.  Simply,  not enough artistic juices running in my veins lately.  Am I burnt out?  I don’t think so. It’s just that ever since school started,  I simply don’t have enough time to do everything that I have to do.

Last night I thought I could oversleep today.  But at 5:30,  my alarm clock rang. Had to turn it off.  Was planning to sleep right after.  No deal.   Mark was already buzzing around the room getting ready to go to the annual treeplanting festival "Pista y ang Kageban".  Gave up all efforts to go back to sleep and just stood up and headed to the kitchen.  Just prepared him his breakfast and proceeded to downloading some music from limewire. Now I’m just waiting for all the music.  Hope i get them all.

Watched 300 the other day and am dying to have it’s soundtrack.  Beautiful movie.  Very graphic, nicely done.

Went to Port Barton last weekend with the kids and some friends.  Enjoyed the vacation immensely.  Will go to Quezon with Neva and Loic next time to visit the Tabon Cave. I have to touch up on the caves history or the visit would be senseless.

After a few months,  we’re planning to go to el nido  with, again, some friends and the kids.  Hope Mark can endure the trip. Patience has never been his virtue.

I am hoping to be able to bring the kids to the tourist spots every month.  It’s a shame to be growing up in one of the most beautiful places on earth and not be able to explore it early in life. Never mind my discomfort.  I really don’t enjoy the feel of sand in my underwear. But seeing my children’s happy faces,  makes it all worth it.

Two weeks ago,  the whole family, along with U.Boyang and Mama went to the Underground River.  It was the kids first visit to our # 1 destination of puerto princesa. 

Leon,  has been asking me when the next trip will be. He further asked me why in every trip we always go through rainforests.  It’s funny,  because it’s true.  In all our trips most of the travel is through thick rainforests. Next time,  I will insist that we stay in sabang overnight and the kids take the monkey trail.  They would love it. Walking through the trees,  passing a snake,  or a rare bird on the way.  It will be an experience. Sleeping on the beach,  I think is a must. Waking up to the sound of waves is euphoric.  Soon. I promise.

Anyway,  that’s it for now.  For all my blog visitors,  do go to the Underground River.  The roads are better.  And it’s one place where all should visit.  It is,  after all the longest underground river in the world. It’s better if you stay overnight and really explore the place. Next blog would be a guide for people who are planning to visit palawan.  Watch out for it. All my friend who visit always come back.

Lyn came to work for us 5 years ago. Her sister Ningning have been working for me for three months when she approached me and volunteered her sister for a job position that I was offering. They stayed for 2 years.  Ningning then got promoted to be head cook for the shop.  She was talented in cooking. Both sisters were good in their jobs. Ningning stayed in McCoy’s until she got happily married to a nice man.  Now they are living in Roxas. Jaja the husband is a responsible young man and they were blessed 1 year ago with a bouncing baby boy which they constantly bring to us when they visit.

Lyn,  after almost 3 years of being with me left. Reluctantly, her friend told me. She was sent to manila to work with an aunt. It was her mothers’ decision said the friend. Lyn couldn’t complain anymore since the Aunt already gave her mother money for her sevices. So basically she was a "pambayad utang".

Lyka naman, She worked with me about 3 1/2 years ago.  Left midyear last year. Was also sent to her uncle in fairview to help out in their carinderia and study. She admitted going to manila was an adventure and she would love to go. I didn’t ask her to stay.  And we kept in touch.  Well,  she would txt me once in a while and I’d reply accordingly.

About 2 months ago,  Lyn got in from manila.  2 weeks ago, I got word that she wanted to come back and work for me again.  I said anytime.  They were good kids and they left properly.  Our parting was pleasant.  I was actually sad to let them go each time.  Because I felt they were like my family already. Last thursday Lyn came. We surprised Lara. Lara couldn’t believe her eyes. She ran to Ate Lyn and hugged kissed and did whatever.  The reunion was sweet. We shared a lot of stories. Basically just catching up. Ningning was here also,  of course with Jaja and Renz( the cute baby boy ). I left them to themselves and did my daily jogging. When I came back Lara would’t let Ate Lyn go home.  She was afraid Lyn wouldn’t come back again. Lara was kawawa talaga.  We had to reassure her that Lyn was coming back the next day. We explained that Lyn just had to make sure that yes I said that she can come back anytime. Anyway,  now we’re back to normal. No….. still not normal.  Lara for the third time now is sleeping with ate Lyn in their room.  Just making sure Ate Lyn wasn’t going anywhere.  Lyn,  I could see was flattered.  She can feel that yes,  we do love her here in this house. That we like having her around. Ulya and Leon was also extra good these past few days.

This morning another surprise came to our doorstep.  Lyka came for a visit. She also got back from manila and after a visit to her mother in roxas came back to puerto the other day and visited us this morning. She’s looking good. Hated manila she said. After 2 weeks of being in manila she said she was raring to go back to puerto.  It was a beautiful athmosphere in the house.  We were so noisy.  The kids were shrieking with excitement. They were so noisy that I developed the worst headache I had this year.  But I couldn’t spoil their fun.  So I just went in the room and tried to keep out of their way.

Anyway, they had the time of their lives. And I was happy,  even with the headache. I was happy to see that I’ve made a family out of strangers. I do love these kids.  And I’m happy that they seem to love my kids.  It really seemed like a family reunion.  Maybe we should have beach trip.