Last year was an amazing year for our family. Jenni turned eighteen and everything seemed to be going extremely well. In short, we were all getting along. The picture below was taken at the Marriott during the annual Filipino dinner-dance. The first one in which I actually had fun.

I guess my definition of fun is different from other people's. Then again, I'm soo uptight sometimes you'll wonder if I do indeed know what the word means. Well, summer was a blast. Mom, Jen and I went home to Manila and I got to see some of my old friends. I was only in town for three nights, though, and the rest of the time we stayed in Dumaguete.. Actually more like Tanjay (same island, though, but Dumaguete is the capital) which is Mom's hometown.

Our days in Manila (or Las Pinas, to be more specific) were spent productively, though-- as evidenced from the picture on the right. It was just like the old days.. The only difference is now (six years later) we can afford more than just the domestic variety (of liquor). Ha. Ha. Ha. I don't drink anymore, though. I've been sober for a few months. I've been told I have belligerent tendencies when I'm drunk-- except of course, when I'm out cold-- so I try to avoid drinking alcohol altogether if I can.

The time I spent in Tanjay was funfilled (more funfilled than you can ever imagine, but I'm not going to say too much here cos I don't want to get anyone into trouble), but I couldn't help but feel homesick. I longed for the comforts of home (like a working shower, as in not de tabo-- you won't get this if you're not Filipino so don't worry about it and just move on) which Mama Iyay's house could not provide. But all the people were kind and generous and very hospitable so that made up for any and all of the inconveniences that I had to endure. Maybe I will return one day.. But I told Mama I probably wouldn't anytime soon. Perhaps after ten years, maybe five, probably even sooner.. Who knows? But don't tell Mama-- so it'll be a surprise.