Ok... it's been a long while. A week, I think. I know I am supposed to upload Alyssa's snapshots but I got so busy. But it is finally here and there are hundreds of it but I just selected few photos to share... Most of these photos were taken after she had her tooth chipped after bumping into the hotel table. I was frustrated. I still am... We went to the dentist and I was so dismayed with their service and so as Rolly so he said he will call other dental office tomorrow.

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We had so much fun for the past four and a half months with Tatay and Ate Raquel. I just realized how much I am part of the Alcantara's after we spent endless dinner nights as a family... I am actually sad to see them leave. With Tatay being 82, I still wonder how many more times can he come back in pretty good health... One thing though that I am thankful for is that Rolly's relationship with Tatay has gone better than the last time.

Rolly is the youngest in the family and felt really abandoned growing up after Nanay and Tatay migrated here back in the late 60's. When they petitioned Rolly, he was already a teen. And at this age, we all know a lot of filial relationships tend to diminish in time. It didn't help that Nanay died years after and Tatay got married (with Raquel) the second time. I can feel Rolly's pain seeing Tatay treat the younger siblings differently. He thinks that his Dad was never really that good with all of them... and at one point was in denial that these kids are even his Dad's. And I for one find it really absurd that he thinks that way.

But Tatay and Raquel's vacation changed everything about the way Rolly feels. I now honestly can sense peace in his heart whenever he talks about his Dad. And tonight, I felt his sincere sadness seeing him leave again...

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When it comes to her being healthy, I couldn't ask for more. She eats cheese and eggs, rice and veggies, drink milk, orange juice and water. She takes a nap at noon time and we walk about five miles a day to the park. She gets along better with other kids and behaves when with strangers.

I just love how everything is turning up specially with the way she is growing up. Though very slim, she is a lot taller than most kids her age at the park. She speaks two languages and two dialects. I just want to start her schooling already but I think it is still a little early. I want her to enjoy playtime first and drop her to school at the right time...

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Alyssa was very excited we're going out of town. On the road, she kept asking questions as to where we're going and why. It was endless inquiries and I sometimes just answered "uhuh" because she just won't stop. We got to the hotel a little late but because it is still not dark, we stayed at the pool before getting dinner. It was quite cold... I am not sure why. I guess it is because we're up North that the temperature is a little cooler than Southern California.

The Chinese Seafood and fried rice was good. Alyssa really likes noodles so she ate a lot! Rolly also got a huge piece of Black Forest Cake for dessert. Really good with coffee!!! Now, it is almost 12 midnight. Rolly is getting ready for his day tomorrow. I am doing my blogging as usual... and Alyssa is fast asleep. She just looks to peaceful and cute! Here are some pictures of her taking her afternoon nap two days ago...

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Today was a good Sunday, I thought. A trip to San Juan Capistrano for the early Latin Mass, my first one and a breakfast at IHop afterwards. But of course, if the day was just that simple, I wouldn't be blogging right? So something must have happen that landed me here on my laptop typing while Alyssa is sleeping...

Going back to the church as it was the highlight of the day. It was one beautiful old church, and they still do Latin Mass, which I honestly DON'T understand at all! I spend my time browsing thorugh the misalette in hopes of at least catching one single phrase so I can go with the flow of the mass, but of course that didn't happen. And where's Alyssa? Rolly had to take her out because she started mumbling and making baby noises that echoes around. So I sat there with Ate Myla. Ate Lynne, TJ, Tatay and Racquel on the other hand were two rows in front of us...

So after sitting there just wondering and looking around since I don't have any idea at all what the Priest was sermoning about, finally came the offering and I didn't have a single bill with me. I left Alyssa's bag and my purse in the car. And of course (again) Rolly missed it too... so that made me feel bad. Then came the Communion so I called Rolly and Alyssa outside to join us. We all all stood and lined up... Rolly and Alyssa, then me and Ate Myla. As we approached the front where the priest was standing, one of the older men that assist parishioners came to me and said to cover up, signaling my blouse and my skirt. I was so embarassed and I just smiled, I actually wanted to frown. Ate Myla looked at me, I know she wanted to laugh. They still gave me the "bread" of course, but I was just smiling. I didn't think what I was wearing was too revealing... I know this morning when I woke up that I am going to church so there is no mistake that I picked my outfit for the day.

So when the mass was finally over they made fun around what happened, of course to my expense. But I will still go back to the Mission pretty soon. It is a really nice, quiet church... but since it is almost winter time so when the next time I will be there, I will be bundled up for sure.

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We test drive Ate Lynne's new Mercedez to LA today. We had lunch at Porto's, and Ate Lynne bought 8 boxes of cheese rolls. After that we went to get Tatay's passport at the Philippine Consular Office. He just applied for dual citizenship and his passport should be available in two weeks but because Ate Lynne knows the Consul, we were able to get it the next day. Anyways, the Consul General was not there as it was lunch time. But I was so pleased to meet Vice Consul Yulo.

This meeting took me back to my Political Science days. This is one of my dreams aside from wanting to be a Lawyer. But I guess, no dream is permanent. And I must admit I am but a leaf, the wind leads me to wherever I should be. I believe things happen for a reason, I embrace that in my heart. I still have strong desire to practice Law and looking forward to going back to school one day...

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