moments like these

A few years ago, I was able to capture this view while on board a plane.
The picture is one of my favorite shots. Until now, I haven’t captured a sunrise shot again while airborne.
A copy of this picture is on my desk in the office. It is a reminder of a moment where I was in the “correct” side of the plane at the right moment. These moments are rare, I realized. It’s really up to you to make the most out of every opportunity that comes your way. These rare moments may come as surprises so you just have to be ready.

30

It's my 30th birthday. I’m on a plane headed home. Things didn't turn out the way I planned it. I was supposed to be somewhere up north on my birthday. But God seems to have other plans on my birthday.
A week before my birthday, an airline representative advised my travel companions and I, of the cancellation of our flight on January 23. It turned out they are cancelling all flights to my birthday destination (for my birth month at least) because of an aircraft situation. I have no idea what that exactly means but the message is clear. I won't be northbound on the remembrance of my natal day.
Although I have been planning this for a long time, finding out that the trip wasn't pushing through wasn't as heart-breaking as I expected it to be.
I was supposed to be in Batanes from January 23 to 28. However, my grandmother’s burial was scheduled on January 24. If my trip pushed through, I would’ve missed the burial. However, God had other plans. He wants me to be home for my Lola’s homecoming. Batanes will always be there. Someday, I would set foot on this dream destination. For now, I will be with my family to take my Lola to her final resting place.

My Lola

On my mother's side of the family, my Lolo's name is Nicolas. my Lola's name is Luz. The resemblance to my real name (which was randomly picked from a book of baby names) is a coincidence. My Lolo died a long time ago (I think I was just four years old then). My Lola has been living with my uncle in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

On December 29, 2008, my mom, siblings and I decided to visit our Lola Luz in Sta. Barbara. It will be the first time she will see her "apo sa tuhod". At first, we were hesitant to push through with the visit because of the distance we would subject 5-month old Yohan to travel. But, visit her, we did....Thank God, we did.

On January 4, 2009, my grandmother passed away. Life is short. And it pains me that I often take for granted its brevity.

Here's an old picture of me, my brother and our Lola in front of our house in Ajuy.

So little time

Try to understand that I'm

Trying to make a move just to stay in the game

I try to stay awake and remember my name

But everybody's changing

And I don't feel the same

You're gone from here

And soon you will disappear

Fading into beautiful light

Cause everybody's changing

And I don't feel right

December in Pictures

December passed by too quickly. It was time well spent with family and old friends back home.

With my brother Jun Jun in a carinderia in Villa, Iloilo (my first Iloilo lunch after nine months)

With my sister Rizza after her dance contest (They were 4th in a contest with four participants)

Spent time with Yohan, my first nephew

With oh so cute Yohan

With mom, Lucel and Yohan

With the Vanguards in our most well-attended Christmas get-together of late

P13 peso/game bowling in SEBA

Vanguards also hit the beach