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| Sunday, 9-May-2010 12:00 |
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Mother's Day 2010
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We took Nanay to have her haircut and to Denny's after
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Troy's present
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Reanna's gift
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Reanna and Lance show me their presents.
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The giant Mother's Day card
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attached to a clear Mother's Day balloon
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all my Mother's Day presents
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including coffee!
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Daddy masterminded my Mother's Day surprise!
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| Friday, 12-Feb-2010 18:00 |
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Joey's Wedding Rehearsal
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Lila and Reanna, the groom's sisters!
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Bride, Groom, Father of the Groom
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Reanna joins the ladies
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Reanna with the Pastor who married Joey and Brandy
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with her Ate Maxina
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Lance and little Lorenzo join the boys
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| Thursday, 14-Jan-2010 22:15 |
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Goodbye, Lola
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Hello. My name is Renee Sereno, a.k.a. The Harbinger of Doom.
I knew it. I just knew it.
For weeks, a little voice in my head kept bugging me to call Lola Viring. But something always kept me from doing it. It was the memory of my last phone call with my other grandmother, Lola Luz. It was a wonderful, light-hearted conversation. She asked about my kids while I asked her for the recipes of my favorite meals in Mindanao. After over an hour on the phone, I said goodbye, making sure to tell her “I love you” so many times. That was the last day of her life. She fell asleep later that night and never woke up. I would like to think that Lola Luz fell asleep with a smile on her face. Nevertheless, I was deeply saddened by the fact that one of the people I admired most in this world was gone.
And so, when I finally called Lola Viring exactly a week ago as I write this, it was with a feeling of foreboding. I knew she wasn't in good health. I knew the flooding from Typhoon Ondoy had taken a toll on her. But I also knew it was time to make that phone call. And I’m glad I did. To my surprise, she sounded good and healthy. A little hoarse, but hale and hearty, nevertheless. She talked about the recent New Year celebration and how everybody was there for Lolo Maning’s birthday, just like the old days. She was looking forward to seeing Uncle Butch and asked if my Mom’s stepdaughter would mind watching Ira so my Mom could make it home as well. She asked about my kids and we compared leche flan recipes. She even got to talk to my husband, Lorenzo. And then we said our goodbyes and “I love you’s”.
Later that day, she was rushed to the hospital, never to return home again.
A part of me wonders if she was just waiting for my phone call. I was her first apo, the one she spoiled before everyone else and the one she hadn’t spoken to in ages. Should I have called when I did? After all, with my track record with Lola Luz, I should have known there was a possibility that last phone call was a portent of things to come.
But what if I hadn’t made that phone call? Then I wouldn’t have had the chance to hear her voice again. I wouldn’t have been able to tell her she was the inspiration for my leche flan business. I wouldn’t have been able to tell her “I love you” one last time. And I would’ve missed the chance to hear her say “I love you” back.
And so for these I am thankful. Because, just like with my Daddy and Lola Luz, I was blessed to be able to say goodbye.
I know the crying will come later. I’m still too busy remembering the complicated woman that was Lola Viring.
I miss you, Lola.
Love, Rima
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| Thursday, 13-Aug-2009 18:00 |
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Dad's Surprise 40th Birthday Party
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We surprised my husband, Lorenzo, with a small party for his 40th birthday. I had our choir director call him to invite him to choir practice, but when we got to the church our friends surprised him with a special "Bumblebee" birthday cake designed by my favorite cake decorator (we call our kids our bumblebees). We then proceeded to the fellowship hall for vegetarian pizza, a special tossed salad made by our friend, Debye, and a delicious berry bowl from another church member, Judi, and of course, yummy birthday cake for dessert!
Happy Birthday, Daddy. We love you!
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| Monday, 20-Jul-2009 16:00 |
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Waiting Room Ballerina
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It all started with a simple hair tie.
There we were, waiting to be seen by Reanna's pediatrician for what turned out to be Swimmer's Ear (a souvenir from Troy's birthday party), when I decided to put her hair up. She was getting bored and I needed a distraction fast. Reanna loved it. "I look like a ballerina!" she smiled, and started dancing around the room.
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| Friday, 17-Jul-2009 15:00 |
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Troy's 8th Birthday Swimming Party
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Troy with Timmy and Alexander, his classmates from CVCA
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Playing poolside as Dad looks on
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Troy's Transformers Birthday Cake
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My son, Troy, celebrated his 8th birthday with another swimming party. Venue was poolside at the Salvation Army Red Shield Community Center in Modesto. This is the third year we have held it here, after moving from our old home which had a pool of its own. I much prefer it this way: no pool maintenance costs and cleanup's a breeze!
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| Sunday, 28-Jun-2009 21:08 |
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Welcoming Our First Grandchild!
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It's official: Lorenzo and I are now grandparents!
This latest blessing is courtesy of Joey, Lorenzo's son from his first marriage, and he also happens to share his father's and grandfather's name:
Lorenzo Jojo Sereno
That's "Jojo" pronounced "Joe-Joe", American-style. Jojo is my husband Lorenzo's nickname, which he imparted to his first son, Joey (nee Lorenzo Jojo Sereno, Jr.). Joey and his girlfiend, Brandy, decided they wanted to name their son exactly the same, so technically speaking, the baby should be known as "Lorenzo Jojo Sereno III", but I think they'll be keeping the "Jr." in there because that's what the baby's nickname is, "Junior".
I just call him "Li'l Joe", because he looks so much like his father.
Congratulations, Joey and Brandy!
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| Sunday, 24-May-2009 12:00 |
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Capitola Beach
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Venetian Hotel
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Love in the Beach
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Love in the Beach 2 (our nephew Adam and his wife Maly)
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It was a very hot day. Very, very hot. Our nephew, Adam, and his family were staying with us at the time. By midday, we coudn't stand it anymore so we headed for Santa Cruz but changed our minds and ended up at Capitola Beach. Adam treated everyone to McDonald's. We bought the kids ice cream cones. It was a good day.
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| Saturday, 28-Mar-2009 12:00 |
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Mom's 41st Birthday Part 1: Santa Cruz, CA
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I celebrated my 41st birthday with trips to two of my favorite places: the beach and the mountains.
The first one was a fluke: Central Valley Christian Academy had its Spring Break earlier than the rest of the schools this year, so we practically had Santa Cruz to ourselves. We managed to find rooms at this inn right across the street from the beach and the boardwalk. The only thing separating us from the sand and surf was a strip of concrete with crossing lights in the middle. How sweet is that?
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| Saturday, 28-Mar-2009 11:00 |
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Mom's 41st Birthday Part 2: Reno, NV
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Lolo and Lola's room at the Silver Legacy Hotel in Reno
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our room with giant ball in background
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Circus Circus monorail
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My second birthday celebration this year was even sweeter because it was free, courtesy of my parents-in-law, who treated us to a 2-day stay at the Silver Legacy Hotel in Reno!
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