31 October 2009 - Sister and I really wanted to go back to the surf site to witness Day 2 of Surfing Break, but Aunt Julie asked if we could just stay at home because if we would be out in the sun again, she was afraid she might not recognize us anymore (we got really dark after watching the surf break yesterday).

We basically just spent the day at home - read the paper, write on my notes, watch tv... and get an afternoon nap. We don't really do that, but since there wasn't that much to do at home (tv only having 2 channels, no computer / internet), we just fell asleep.

Late in the afternoon, cousin Weng came over with her daughter Louianne. He said cousin Mhai will pick her up after her work because Louianne will be spending the weekend with the grandparents. Since Louianne and John Vince (Uncle Caesar's grandson) were kids, they got along just fine, and in one of their plays, John Vince got to be this ghost, which I thought was cute since it was halloween.

01 November - Uncle Caesar and John Vince traveled back to their hometown (Bangui, Ilocos Norte), Aunt Julie went to the church early in the morning, and when she got back we went to the church to hear the mass. Aunt Julie had a small problem back at the hospital, so we told her that we will head straight to the cemetery.

Our first stop was the town's public cemetery where we visited the graves of our paternal grandparents and our Aunt Zorayda. We offered some candles, flowers, and prayers, and we just stayed there for a while. We met Aunt Lorie there, who said she already visited daddy's grave. She told that dad's epitaph needed a little cleaning.

When we got to the cemetery where dad was laid to rest, the epitaph surely needed some cleaning. Good thing sis and I had some wet tissues in the bag, so even if it wasn't that clean, it looked okay. This was the third All Saints Day that we were visiting dad's grave (I was absent last year - was on a trip with my friend K), and it was the first time that it was just sis and I visiting. It was a hot, hot day and the cemetery didn't have lots of trees, so sis and I had to make use of the little shade the umbrella was giving.

Sister and I surely talked and laughed, but deep inside we were saying things to dad - things that were too personal to say. We stayed until all the candles were burned, and afterwards we went to San Fernando to eat late lunch.

We went straight to the surf site to witness the last day of the Surfing Break. There was a surf competition scheduled, but because we were late - we weren't able to witness that much competition. Well, a chance to take picture is still a chance and we grabbed it and savored it while it lasted.

Cousin Mhai was supposed to join us, but her Aunt arrived and they had to come with them at the cemetery. We wanted to still invite her if she has time, but as soon as the sun set the festival was basically over.

Before sister and I head home, we passed by the plaza first to eat some street foods. I was wearing my "beach clothes" and we looked kinda weird, but hey, life's short. =)

*** Jenn ***