Grandmother's 90th Birthday Milestone

My grandmother Maxine was born on February 8, 1920. However, I didn't get to meet her until I was 5, when my family moved from the Philippines to NC. My father had just completed his draft obligation for the Vietnam conflict, and had moved his family back home. Since the first time I met her, my relationship with my grandmother has been a familial love affair. She has always been the family's staunchest supporter, and has loved my siblings and I twice as much, because she reasoned that our other grandparents lived too far away to spoil us. I can't fathom what I would be like at 90, but if I could have a quarter of her grace, spunk and charm, then I would be one happy 90 year old!



I was the emcee at the event, and had happily put together over 100 pictures of my grandmother for a slide show presentation. I made sure there were photos covering all 9 decades of her life. It was a labor of love piecing it together. Following the slide show her two children Ann and John, my aunt and father, helped her cut her large birthday cake. Her party was a good turnout, considering NC received a record snowfall that hasn't happened in 10 years, and ironically, one that hasn't blanketed our Nation's capital as much in 90 years! About 80 guests were expected to show, and 52 attended. Still, it wasn't a shabby attendance!





My two nephews Skylar and Zeb were the mini darlings of the event. Such cuties!



Unfortunately, I only had time to take pics at the beginning of the event when people were filtering in, but I did manage to snag a few before the party got fully underway.

I call this pic "THE GRANDMOTHERS". It has my Aunt Ann with her grandaughter Caitlin, my mother with her grandsons Rex, Zeb, and Skylar, and my grandmother Maxine.

My grandmother was SO HAPPY at her 90th birthday party. She kept saying over and over again that "this was the best day ever!" It gladdened my heart to know we were able to bring her so much joy. Grandmother deserved every bit of it!

Children's Christmas Party

Last week-end was a busy, busy, busy one for me as I attended several Christmas parties. One that was loads of fun [READ: ones without me in an askewed santa hat after several rounds of spiked egg nogg], was the Children's Christmas Party that the Spouse's Club (and honorary members, i.e. moi) put together for the kiddies of our U.S. Cairo community. I was there with my santa hat on and sleeves rolled up, ready to help with the festivities!

We started out with the gingerbread pinata. Our verrrrrry junior kiddies didn't know what to make of it at first, until they saw what the big kids were doing to the poor li'l gingerbread man.

Then they really got into it!!! LoL.

I had to hand it to the gingerbread man, he "hung in there" until all the kiddies had about 5 rounds swatting him, before candies finally started flinging out of him. It took li'l Emma's final swat before all the candies gushed out and all the kids dove in and picked up candies frantically. LoL. They were like hungry birds looking for bread crumbs! Tooooo funny.

My friend Carol was a party fave, as she used her graduate degree in arts design by being the party's resident face painter. She, by far, was the BEST face painter - EVERRRRRR! Check out her art work below.

Even little Jake woke up in time to get his precious face painted.

But "bigger kids" -Aimee and Brent- decided to go with his and hers Christmas tattoos instead. LoL.

And then it was time to decorate Christmas cookies!!!

Next we made Holiday bookmarks.

Then the kiddies colored for the best Christmas Coloring Contest.

Followed with making really kewl angel ornaments.

The angel ornaments turned out sooo well!

The party concluded with a string concerto, and the rest of the children and santa's helpers singing Christmas carols.

Little Sarah's face said it all ----Loved, Loved, Loved the Children's Christmas Party!!!

Summer Yacht Party

Last night all the Americans from work attended a private yacht party on the Nile that I got roped into doing coordinated. It was a welcomed break, especially after a hellish month of meeting work initiatives, funding deadlines for global research projects, and a slew of folks to suck up to high profile visitors and international inspections that we've had to endure. In the midst of pulling my hair out dealing with the caterer, bus company, and yacht crew, I had a senior moment left my camera behind. I was so bummed! Otherwise, it was the perfect evening for a sunset cruise. The yacht had three levels, but the majority of the time was spent doing Jello shots on the top deck, as we took advantage of summer breezes and the magic of Cairo at night. Looking out to the horizon we watched the sun dipped into the Nile, and the twinkling lights from the other water vessels and high rise buildings along the river banks complemented the evening's backdrop. I had time to reflect on not getting mauled by a lion at next week's safari, and started feeling the fear, anxiety excitement of the trip again. Now, I just have to whine like a little girl get through this next week before my adventure begins. I can't wait!!!

Bon Voyage to Egypt

Last night my family threw me a farewell party at my brother's house. We had such a good time. Kyle and Khristin came over and the evening was packed with a lot of laughter, great food, and a lot of love. My family cooked all my favorite Filipino food: Pancit, Lumpia, Fried Rice and Adobo Chicken. Yummers!

Here I am posing with Khristin in my Martha Stewart apron. LoL.

My sister Mely, Khristin, and Mom took a break

from cooking to pose for the next cover issue of "Kitchen Vogue".

Skylar getting spoiled by Auntie Mely and Nana.

John & Holly: Thanks for throwing my bon voyage

party at your house! I love ya guys!

Li'l Miss Photogenic.... but I'm not biased. LoL.

Skylar could've done this ALL DAY long! He was so funny.

Pamela, Yassy, and Holly had a swingin' time.

My blonde haired blue eyed Filipino boy...

Yassy and Skylar had so much fun with this,

until Skylar's little noggin got stuck. LoL.

Mely gave Yassy a few pointers on the impromptu

Mother-Daughter Pool Tournament.

Khristin brought Champagne and Boone's Farm;

the latter was a shoutout to our earrrrrly 20's. LoL.

Come And Get It! Dinner Is Served!!

Here's my other cutie patootie nephew... don'tcha

just love Zebbie's new haircut?

Holly n' the boyz ate and watched football....

Zeb is a true Filipino boy. He LOVES Pancit!

....and the pool tourney ended in Mely's favor. Poor Mom!

Skylar rode the train and then switched to the arcade

game in the corner. Zebbie played too. They were so cute!

Kyle and Khristin hamming it up for the camera. Beers up!

A champagne toast of well wishes for my journey to Egypt. "CHEERS!"

Time at home was joyous and sweet, and my vacation is officially over now. As I travel onwards to Cairo, I have the memories of home to comfort me as I acclimate to a new culture... job... and country. Siggggggh... so, why am I already homesick? :(