Happy Birthday, Nel!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NEL!!!

 

 

 

We have come a long way and so glad our paths always lead us to one another every now and then.

We were together in College and even joined the same activities such as Sing Out.  Those were really happy times, traveling to different places to perform. I always treasure the times that we would have pajama parties at home in Mandaluyong and all the parties held there.

 Then, most of us moved to US and we did not see each other for a long time and then like magnets, our paths crossed again. I am so happy for that because then we were able to plan annual or bi annual reunions since. The moments we spent at the beach house in Destin was unforgettable.

 Then you all came to attend my daughter Tina's wedding and that was so much fun, made the special day even more special and memorable, so much appreciated that you all traveled from all over for that. I could not even pick you up from the airport because I was so busy creating the bouquets and doing wedding preps so you took the limo to bring you to my house. And what a great help you all were before and during the wedding.

 The following week was a blast, another bonding in Orlando. Here you were at home during our oil painting activity.

 You are always so stylish and you never change after all these years.

 We all took a cruise to the Carribean and wasn't that a lot of fun?

 Just like I said, always so stylish!

 Touring the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins.

 I always have this warm feeling whenever I have you over at my house, here in Florida.

 Lyla and Anchit's silver wedding anniversary in Chicago.

 Red Rock in Nevada

 Even during sad times, we try to be there for each other.

 Finally, our latest reunion in Natchez.

Too bad I missed this when Baby visited but I am glad you all got together with some of our College classmates. 

 I hope your city recovers from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy very soon. Most importantly, I hope you get your electric power back. Take care, my friend. Happy birthday!!! I hope you can find some way to enjoy this special day, in spite of the situation, and knowing you, I know you will. Love ya!

Many, Many Thanks!

It's been exactly a month since the last batch of my classmates left and I tell you, they are all sorely missed, and yet, the memories linger.

Although, most of us were present at the reunion, not everybody was able to attend. Emily for one, had to go home to the Philippines because her mom had brain surgery. I am happy to share the news that her mom is doing very well. We missed you so much, Emily! We hope you can join us next year.

Another Spooks member, Rose, could not make it either, because she ran out of vacation time from work, after accompanying her daughter and helped her move to Europe. Baby, however, was lucky enough to meet with her in Northern California, before she came here. The rest of us had some luck too, for Rose sent along with Baby, a box of goodies to bring to us. Thank you so much, Rose. Those empanadas were out of this world delicious! We could not wait to try them. We attacked Baby as soon as she arrived at the airport, to grab the bag from her. On behalf of the Spooks, I thank you! Hmmmm, now you are making me crave for them again, lol.

We have a few more members who we recently just located but they have never been to any of our reunions. Hopefully they can join us in the future.

Don't they just look good? Just looking at them makes me hungry, I mean the empanadas, lol. But of course, Rose and Baby look really good too:-)

I would also like to thank my hubby, John for being very gracious in welcoming my classmates here. Imagine, living with 8 females plus me for a whole week? LOL! He had to put up with all of our loud laughters and all the mess created while doing our numerous crafts and projects and all the non stop cooking and mess in the kitchen. Here he is, telling them about the history of Natchez. Do you see me taking his picture from below? I did not want to listen to the lecture anymore. I just wanted to take pictures, LOL!

After everyone left, his comment was "What a nice group!" He actually really enjoyed their company. He even joined us in doing water aerobics and came with us to New Orleans.

Thanks also to everyone who came, thanks for the unforgettable memories, the jokes and good laughs, the singing, the cooking, all the caring and sharing, all the crafts that we learned and free supplies too and all the presents that everyone gave to one another. I don't think I ever laughed so much in my whole life. THANK YOU! I miss you, guys!.........................................Christine

Farewell Breakfast on Polish Pottery

We had a week's reunion and the time has come when it was time to leave. Two of the girls, Baby and Nel, left early and John was nice enough to offer to take them to the airport. They left the house at 5 AM. As soon as I bade goodbye to them, I set the table in the kitchen and cooked breakfast while the others were still sleeping.

Just a simple setting with no layering, after all, it is for breakfast, so no salads here. I mixed 2 patterns of Polish Pottery plates. I served Filipino sausage called longganisa and we like to dip them in vinegar and that is what those little dipping saucers are for.

At first, I used the origami swan that Jazmine, who was our origami making instructress gave me, for the centerpiece but I had to replace it with a fruit bowl afterwards.

 The ceramic teapot napkin rings were from Pier One, from a long time ago when I still lived in Florida.

I brewed hazelnut coffee and placed it in a Polish pottery pot on a warmer. The little pots contain condiments, vinegar and patis (fish sauce) and I placed vinegar with hot pepper in that ice cream cup on the right.

We had a typical Filipino breakfast, longsilog.....longganisa (sausage), sinangag (fried rice) and itlog (eggs).

and cut up some watermelons

There were other things on our agenda that we still weren't able to do because our week was very hectic and we ran out of time, so we tried to do them that morning, such as blogging instructions. It was a very fast and short lesson. I hope they picked it up because I really want them to contribute to this blog.

 and Karaoke was another activity that we still had to accomplish.

 Then we had to go to the airport to return the rented van and bid farewell to the rest. Jazmine and Josie did not leave until the following day so I was not alone driving home, which was good or it would have me so sad.

Goodbye, Gatch, Tess and Elsie. See you next year! It's been so nice having you all!

Linking with

Kathleen for Let's Dish at

http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Susan for Tablescape Thursday at

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com

The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at

http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Sally's Blue Monday at

http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

Marty's Tableop Tuesday at

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for stopping by and a special thanks to those who make these fun parties possible.

A Caricature Presented to the Wrights

To The Spooks: John and I would like to thank you for this beautiful caricature that you gave us. We love it!

My daughter, Tina and family with my other granddaughter AJ, spent a week's vacation here and noticed it right away. They both admired how well it was done and I totally agree.

 What a coincidence that we all picked the same color matting as what we already have on another frame, so I placed them along side each other, on top of the home office wall unit, where I spend most of my waking hours. That way, I get to see and enjoy it a lot.

BTW, I ordered the other art work from Maria of http://personalizedsketchesandsentiments.blogspot.com/, last year for John's Christmas present. It is drawn with the name "John" all over. I had her copy John's Sevres eggs which you can see displayed right next to it. Didn't Maria do a great job?

I would like to link with

Sally's Blue Monday at

http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

Susan's Metamorphosis Monday athttp://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com

Mary's Masterpieces Monday

http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Thanks for hostessing and thank you all for stopping by.

Spooks Arrives in Natchez, June 2, 2012

We were all classmates in College and we were the closest of friends ever since. We are all from all the US, Canada and Philippines. We try to have a reunion almost every year in different places. This time, we decided to meeet at Christine's house in Natchez, MS. Shown here are Baby from the Philippines and Nelia from New Jersey while on a lay over at Houston airport.

 

Tess from southern California joined them here. They all came from different places but happened to catch the same flight in Houston.

Finally arrived in Baton Rouge airport, which is the closest airport to Natchez.

 Christine and John picked the girls up from the airport. Lyla from Indiana and Gatchie from St. Louis, actually arrived first.

We rented a 15 passenger van to accomodate all of us and the numerous luggage. As soon as we got to the house, we toured the yard and inside the residence.

We stopped and relaxed and used the massager when we got to the master bedroom.

 Then, it was time for dinner. We were all in awe at the dining table set up. We called ourselves "The Spooks" in College and Christine set the table using salad plates with ghosts on them, to represent the group.

The second batch arrived and shown here also are Elsie from San Diego, CA, Josie and Jazmine from Regina, Canada.

 A close up of the place setting.

 Here is Baby showing her place card.

 We all graduated as Medical Technologists although 3 of us pursued Medicine and became physicians. Thus, the centerpiece includes a microscope, a beaker and a graduated cylinder. It was really personalized for all of us. Thanks to Christine's tablescaping skill!

Gatch went straight to the kitchen and made us this scrumptious sweet and sour red snapper. YUMMMMM!

Christine made chicken tinola, a Filipino dish.

For dessert, Christine made Cassava cake, a native Filipino dessert, served here.

 After dinner came gift giving. Here we are happily showing off some of our gifts. Baby went to Vietnam prior to coming here and brought us gifts from there. SOOOOOOPPPPER!!!!!

Ly and Gatch brought all of us a jewelry set. Here's Jazmine showing us hers.

We have the whole week to look forward too. It's just the beginning and you can already hear everyone's laughter, especially Jazmine's, all over the house. It will definitely be a blast!

We have a few more members who unfortunately did not make it this time and we miss them terribly. Hopefully, they can all join next year, scheduled in Canada.

Thanks for stopping by! We are so glad we could share this special moment with all of you.

I am linking with The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday at

http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Thanks for hosting!