Little Do You Know

My lovely niece with her lovely voice. <3

Some things are better left unsaid

As I was rummaging through my things looking for the necessary papers that I need to bring Monday to work (yes, I landed a new job, and oh boy, am glad!), I came across a very small envelope with some kind of card in it. I pulled it out and was so surprised that after all this time, I still have this literary composition written out on a sheet of a thin cardboard, written by someone who could be long gone by now.

I still remember... I was about twenty years old, I was working in one of those prestigious establishments in Makati city, my first job. He was one of our regular guests. He was American. He was like a grandfather to us, to me and my colleagues. He would always give us advice, he was very kind and soft-spoken. His name was Dr. Burns.

I was assigned at the delicatessen that evening and he was having dinner at the restaurant. He stood up and walked towards me. He handed me this small envelope telling me he wrote a poem for me while he was having his dinner (right there? on the spot?). "For me?" I asked. "Please read it", he said. I was surprised, didn't know how to react. So I did, and I was deeply moved reading it. I thanked him, he left and never saw him again.

Gotta move on

Gosh, two years without posting anything here. Well, typical of me. I've been and will always be busy. Really? Or just an excuse for not updating this blog? No, it's just because I would rather read during my spare time than to stare intently at my computer's bright screen. Well, whatever the reason, it only shows time indeed flies so fast. And shite, I'm aging.

My daughter's gonna be 18 next month. Pinch me, soon an adult! Just can't accept it. Not yet. Now, she keeps on reminding us that she'll soon can do whatever she wants. Excuse me? In your dreams, my baby girl. Been telling us that she'll be moving to Bordeaux for her studies. Lordy, that's hundreds of kilometers from here! As I said, I still can't accept it, and am going nuts!

I need a job, a real one.

Seb's parents have been divorced for over twenty five years now. He was about seven years old when this happened. Both got re-married and Seb has now three half-brothers. Ever since, every year, he celebrates Christmas with his mother and his mother's sisters and their families. But from time to time, his father invites him celebrate New Year's eve with him and his family.

Last Saturday, we were supposed to have his mother, together with her husband and Seb's half-brother. But in the morning (of that day), his mother called up to tell us that her husband wasn't coming. The reason, another woman. She sounded so devastated Seb tried to comfort her telling her de le laisser tomber and that this man just couldn't prevent us from celebrating Christmas.

An hour later after their conversation on the phone, his father who just got back from the south of France, called up telling us that he'd drop by to give Cléms' and Koko's cadeaux. Last year's Christmas, he was alone. His wife and sons decided to stay there in the south till the end of the year and since he (Seb's dad) owns a restaurant in Paris that he just couldn't leave closed for more than two days, he returned home alone. So, Seb, knowing his papa was going to be alone for Christmas, invited him. Voilà, after twenty five years, Seb had a chance to celebrate Christmas with both his mom and dad. And for us: moi, Cléms and Koko, our first time having the two together on that special day. Isn't that sweet? Or I don't know, it felt a little awkward actually. As for me, I hope and pray that the love of my life stays as my forever 'the love of my life'.

LOVES of my life...

---- Note that I've written this years before, can't even remember what year it was. Don't know what happened I somehow failed to post it. Anyway, I thought of posting it and added pics. ;)

Events in history

Wow. I can't believe I'd be here to jot down two things that just happened today. Not my kind, really. But I just can't help it.

When I get up in the morning, the first thing I do is to read CNN followed by Washington Post, New York Times and lastly, The Huffington Post. These are my daily reads. I've been following US news since the beginning of the presidential campaign last year. I wasn't at all rooting for Trump. But wasn't actually for Clinton. I was just curious on how it was going to be having someone in the Oval Office, like Trump, who had no experience whatsoever in politics. Well, since he got elected, he just proved to be inapt for the job.

And today, he just did another bloody stupid thing: declaring that Jerusalem is Israel's capital! What the hell? Didn't he know that Israel-Palestinian conflict/war has been about who gets what land and how it's controlled? I, as an ordinary citizen, my take on this is that the problem should be resolved through negotiations between the two nations. And despite warnings and oppositions from leaders around the world, Trump has gone ahead and done it anyway. Who does he think he is to decide that? Jeez, he just added more fuel to the fire! Stupid, really.

Then, the passing of France's best-known rock star Johnny Hallyday. I was never a fan of his. I found him rather 'passé'.  But I didn't actually realize he's this big! I mean, he's popular alright, but not as huge that television channels mobilize to pay tribute to him, clearing their regular programming. TF1 has been featuring him for almost a day now; from early this morning until... well one of his past concerts is actually on air right now. Seeing how people react;  grieving as if losing a member of their family, I start to realize how much he must have been an inspiration to them — it touched my heart and made me very emotional — I feel so much for his family, particularly his two young daughters, especially now that Christmas is just around the corner...

When stupidity hits you

I've got a lot on my plate right now and I'm not sure when I'm going to see the light at the end of this tunnel. Hmmm, that sounds so serious, you might say. Truth is, I don't know. Or I'm, maybe, just overreacting.

What to do if you think it's over? That there's nothing to be done to fix it. It's hopeless, actually. Or it's just me that thinks it is. I'm lost. I no longer want to continue but I don't know, one part of me says it would only depend on me to make things right again, another part says it's a lost case. I do feel something, though. Nothing.

And why act like a teenybopper falling for the first time? Seriously? Quite indecent. Not right. Gawd, you need to gather yourself together, Victoria.

Ok, I think I'm just gonna ditch Candy Crush 😅 (hey, what did you expect?).

A little update

Today's January 30th, 2017. So, it's been more than 5 years since the last time I wrote something here. And right now, I'm writing without editing, just scribble whatever comes to mind... So, what did happen in 5 years? A lot.

My kids have grown. Clems is almost 16 years old and a freshman in high school. Koko's 26 and starting to make his way in the world. Husband and I are still together, well, what do you expect? I see no reason why we wouldn't be. For good or for better, for rich or for richer, until "debt" do us part! ;P

 Clems is into archery, been three years that she's hooked on it. Good for her. And for us, too. At least, she's got herself busy with something healthy. She has won a lot of competitions already and the latest one, it happened in July last year, together with her team, they got the title Championnes de France, and this was held in Vichy, about 500 kilometers away from home, and of course had the taste of a bit of luxury in the hotel where we stayed, the Marriott.

 It's been three months that classes started for Clems and to have lunch at home as what she used to do is no longer possible — her school is about 15 minutes drive from home and she's got a very tight schedule; not much time left for a decent lunch. So she's got no choice but to join her other classmates "indulge" with foods her school canteen serves. Problem is, now that she doesn't eat her lunch at home anymore, my days seem to be very long, I'm bored. Although my hubby's here every day to keep me company (he works from home, he's a freelancer), I'm still bored.

Honestly, I want to work again. I want my job, my old job. I even told my husband that I'm willing to work again even if it's for free. I terribly miss it. The interaction with people, the comings and goings... To be of service to them — giving them and myself full satisfaction. A bit odd? Nah. That's what you call, vocation.