I will always celebrate my friendship with you . Regardless of time ,distance and age I will always embrace our fond memories .
Growing up with you , shaping our beliefs was easy because you were there to listen and share your uncensored thoughts .
How miss our “stair conversations” at your house years ago with coffee in our hands .. How you describe our love and differences . In your own words
” There is this two souls that are facing a cliff in able to continue with their respective journeys they must jump over the cliff to see the other side . The carefree holds the hand of her friend and asked her if would like to just jump over the cliff with her . Her friend said Carefree one just go ahead and wait for me at the other side . Without any second thoughts the carefree soul took the leap over the cliff and made the most infectious giggle while the other one stands there calculating that what are the possibilities that might go wrong .” You look at me and said .. “I sometimes love your lust of adventure ” and I answered ” I wish that I have your ways in handling situations logically. “
I know you love hearing my craziness it is a given ..I want to believe I somehow colored your life as you have mine in every single ways .
Manay , I am always grateful for our friendship and for allowing me to come home in every adventure .
Our friendship is beyond words , distance and time ..This is the rock that holds my heart. I love you Manay ..
We both love this poem . For it describes our individuality and friendsip
This journey started back in Dec 2018 when a couple of my highschool batchmates came to Belgium and have a small meet up. Some of them I have already met a couple of years prior to this gathering while the others …. its was ages that we have seen each other and one in particular reaaaaally don’t know me . 🙂🙂🙂 ooh the good side of it is that she is now one of my good friends .. ( love you Viv 😘)
A gathering that I thought would only be a one time affair. As a private awkward person as I am. I have gathered all my social skills for heaven knows I am quite uncomfortable in these kinds of gatherings. One of the many reasons that I seldom attended a reunion.
To my surprise it turned out to be a very fun tapok . There was no moment dullness nor have I felt uncomfortable . So , at the end of this reunion we have agreed to try to do it yearly ..
2018 the start of more travel stories to be shared . Belgium , The Netherlands and Germany Dec 2018
Copenhagen here we come
2019 same month but with a much larger group. Three old aquintances joined the 2019 tapok .
Seeing Noel, Ralla , Jadine for the first time after all these years made me a bit of emotional . Getting to know the lovely personas of Roselyn , Bong and Reymund adds another shade of color to this gathering . Unfortunately some of us were not able to join Copenhagen but we have tried to connect through video chat .
Hugs , bit of tears of joy makes the streets of copenhagen bit warmer and louder .
I believe that Bong and Reymund were not as comfortble at the start of the tapok but at the end of the week both have become the Prince of this tapok .
We have explored the food markets, trivoli , christmas markets and of course visited the little mermaid of Copenhagen . While we ate chinese food at Malmo , Sweden 🙂
Like the in 2018 , there was no dull moment only memories were made and the friendship that has been build back then have become stronger . We can’t get enough , we have then planned the next travel gathering for 2020 ..
We always see to it that we will have a dramatic ,iconic group picture, Copenhagen and Sweden , Dec 2019
It should have been Bilbao
High from the Copenhagen get together we then planned for our next trip . 2020, we would explore the home of the golden beaches , Guggenheim museaum and delicious pintxos ( local tapas) . Yes! We were planning to explore Bilbao with a side trip to the culinary world capital of Donastia or San Sebastien .
Planning was on going until the unforseen circumstances came … COVID 19 rule the world and taught us to plan day by day .
We hang on and hope it would be over before our actual trip . By late September gave in to reality 2020 will be not our year to have a get together ..
We would wait up for this pandemic to passed and the world to reopen …
While waiting up for the world to re open we did what we could to keep in touch . And of course our traditional dramatic picture whether we are on exploring or just simply stating a statement , Pandemic 2020
Taking our chances, Making memories in Santorini Greece
Santorini trip was so far one of the most personal get together that I have experienced . It was very intimate . We have lived in one house and did everything as one group for we must create one social bubble as one of the safety measures that we have observed during the 6 days gathering . We even share one shampoo 🤣🤣🤣
Only those who were ready to travel joined this gathering .. it was a very small group .It was here that I have developed a much more deeper fondness of both Jen and Ralla .
I love the Sim’s morning news ( covid 19 related ) updates , Viv’s coffee and who would ever forget the night that Liv prepares for Sim’s surprise party ( pre 50 party). The respect that we have for each others personal space and stories was admirable . I just know that I love cooking for these people for cooking is my way of expressing my love for someone.
Happy faces , happy hearts … Santorini Greece 2021 was more than magical thanks to these amazing people .
Mini get togethers
Because we simply love the friendship that we have build . Each opportunity given to us we will always try to make the best of it ..
From Rotterdam shoppings spree , Ju’s grand fab 50 bash and Irelands st.Patty we bond we document and keep it in our hearts.
Making every moment memorable … Rotterdam , Belgium and Ireland 2022
Where to next …
Keeping our fingers cross, end of this year we will be exploring the land of fire and Ice …One of the homes of Aurora Borealis and the legendary Blue lagoon . Yes Iceland ! And we are ready for it … We would be embracing the new one’s that would join us . This will be on on the 25th of November till the 1st of December ..
End note
Here is what I know, in every place that we will be exploring , it will always be magical because of the connection that we build . To more intimate breakfast and dinner talks .. to the laughs that we will share … let us make memories together .
I read somewhere that in life’s survival we need to see the eight years old version of us and the eighty years old to guide us.
In my case I would like to reflect on that little chubby four or so girl who refuses to conform to what the society asked her to do .
I started early on going to school. At one point , I was not allowed to attend the classes because I was too young and there was not enough chairs for the legimate pre-schooler . But I love the free calamansi drink that the Protestant kindergarten school gave to their pre schooler that I have convinced my mother to buy me a chair . The following I walked confidently to the classroom bringing my own chair and a glass ( for the calamansi ) . There was no more reason that I was not allowed to attend those delicious and fun classes . For the next 4 years I have attended the kindergarten ( started as visitor at the age of two or something then nursery , kinder 1 and 2 )
Before my kinder 2 ends I have accompanied a cousin of mine who would take an entrance exam at a private elementary school .. at the end of the day I was accepted to joined the first grader for the following school year . I was five almost six I feel like I conquer the world 🙂
By March 1980, I was invited together with my parents to attend the recognition day since I was one of the top 10 in my class. My mother was still doing errands and I got anxious that I have to be late for the awarding ceremony that I took the matters in my hands I wore a green long dress ( I felt so pretty ) and wore my slippers ( not the fancy ones ) and halted a tricycle (a public transportation typical in the Philiplines) that brought to my school .
This is the typical me , I dont wait for things to happen .. as much as possible and if I can I will make it happen . You see me with my wide smile easy to talk aura and I would most of the time give in easily … But the one’s that I would say NO are non negotiable .
My bounderies have a clear cut if you step on it I would politely ask you to step back but if you persist…with a smile I am closing my doors .
At eight or so I have my own rules .. These rules that has guided me through the rough patches of my journey . When I would reflect the eighty in me I know I will have no regrets .
My heart is big , full of kindness and my trust is difficult to win .. But if and if I think its too much I have no second thoughts of taking people out of my life . For I believe that the last person that I should disappoint is ME .
I am scribbling randomly because I feel like it .. My way , my Rules ..
To those who have never stopped caring .. thank you for light of Hope that you have shared .
Dearest Ter ,
God is Good and has been showing us His grace all the time . You are one of His miracle. Ter ,thank you for allowing us to be a part of this journey of yours . We could never been prouder of how you fought and survived in all of this . Yes ! Everything is possible through Love and Friendship. This week is different than the other weeks , for you are home bound . Treatment has been done and you did it with flying “balbal colors”. A gift of life should now be enjoyed with His Grace. Here is to New life , friendship and Love …
How are you ? I don’t asked this question to often towards you , instead I just keep on deamanding on you . So many expectations that I have from you.
Despite of my discontenment , my demands you have still showed compassion and endurance towards me .
There was a time that I have starve you to make me feel good and be in the “perfect body image” or at times you endure my impulsive eating and later purge it out .
After a long working days I asked you to ran with me a little bit more .. or when we slept late I expected you to not give me any tantrums if we will just have 3 hrs of sleep so we can do our “morning routines”.
As the years gone by I am spoiled by you.. You have always thrive to make me feel good . Your immune system protects me from the unwanted illness . I took all these for granted . It is not yet to too late to honor you .
Free ourselves from body expectations
My dearest Body here and now I thank you for taking care of me .. For being patience of my acceptance of the image of you.
Here and now, I know at the end it is only us . We will try to walk in this journey with me accepting Our Beautiful Imperfectness .
Here and now , we will exist , live a life with joy . My dear Body YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL .. Thank you for enduring me . I LOVE YOU .
For someone who does not consider herself as a writer.
For someone who have a very chaotic thoughts .. So chaotic that at times she needs to silent them . Writing is her theraphy . It is in this zone that she can mirror herself and the lessons that she have learned both from direct experiences or from stories being told ..
She would try to wear different kinds of spectacles in approaching life … Appreciates the kaleidoscope that reflects her heart .
One hundred strangers from different parts of the world liked her thoughts . She is deeply humbled , grateful and now having an illusion that she can after all write …
To those who have read , liked ,shared and left some inspiring comments .. Thank you
❤
Hmmmm, maybe I can write something worthwhile after all ❣️
In every organization lies a story to be told . The Moonwalkers89 is no different from this , We are full of stories to be told to give each one of you an overview of our Identity let me give you an overview of us.
We used to be high school classmates that has graduated from Agusan National High School way back in 89 . For 30 years we haven’t had the chance to reconnect with one another we have go on with our lives dealing with our daily challenges. Until that morning of January 6, 2019 magic have happened . Our former class mayor remembered that she was the class mayor of an amazing class ( Thank you Mrs Maricar Lomada -Inchoco for reminding her ) . She wishes to have a simple get to together and so the initial formation of Moonwalkers89 have been made . May 10 , 2019 a simple class reunion turned into a brainstorming . A pact was made that we will have a joined 50th birthday celebration . To be able to keep that fire of reconnection burning , we have chosen to have a purpose while waiting for 2022 . Thus, community services in form of gift packs had been done . The Moonwalkers89 who are working and residing abroad would show their support through monetary contributions. While the one’s left behind 😀 were the one in charge with the implementations of the ideas that has always been presented by the managing officers to the core . Early 2020 the Moonwalkers89 sponsorship educational program was born. At the moment we are sponsoring two chosen students who were a graduate of ANHS and they are now at their 2nd second year college one in FSUU and the other one In CSU both of them are in the dean’s list. Mid 2020 we have been faced with a challenge as one of our classmate has been diagnose of stage 3 breast cancer . Without any hesitation we together with her family and friends have helped her battle the big C through moral and financial support . Thus Care for Hope a Jennifer medical assistant program was born. To date , we have already raised 119, 000 that has helped her with her chemo and paid for her house rent during her 1 month and half stay in CDO as she goes in the last phase of her treatment Radiation theraphy . As our 50th birthday celebration aproaches ,we are thankful for the chance and blessing that are given to us both to serve the community and the friendship that has been developed amongst us. We refuse to be define by our educational achievements but instead embrace us with our zeal to help and serve the community . We serve with purpose and kindness and we are one .
The Moonwalkers89
Tsinelas drive we have distributed at least 300 pairs of slippers for children ages 4-11 years old Start of our 50th birthday celebration thanksgiving activity Care for hope Friendship amongst usCore Loaf breads for the typhoon victims Christmas party 2020Noche buena drive 2020
Last saturday , my dear friend turned 50 .. She wanted a huge party that would celebrates her life up to this point .
She invited 50 guest .. Each one of them marked a special place in her life . They are more than just a friend .. They are her family in this foreign place .
It was a night full of not only good food but also amazing people . One of the many surprises of the evenning was the edited video of our highschool friends ( including me ) . We sang our friendship song “That’s what friends are for” .
I have watched the video multiple times since my son and myself did the edited version of it .. Everytime I watched it my mind would utter a word or two . So let me write them down …
Friendship knows no distance or time. It only speaks the words of Love , Respect and Understanding . It embraces Acceptance of who we were , who we have become and who we will be . It treasure moments the good ones for the laughters and the challenging ones for the lessons to be learned .
Friendship is knowing when to stand for , yet still holds that Boundary and Accountability of the sacrecy of a secret .
That Saturday night as I sang our friendship song I know that my dear friend is surrounded with people who appreciates the beauty of friendship, love and life ….
Life continues here ….
The surprise video
Note :
To my highschool bffs who have grew up to be amazing human beings ( Kyaw, Nory ,Cio ,Son and Al ) , to my second family ( Tatay, Manang and Ate Ju ) thank you for making this video with me ..
Not so long ago , I wanted to surprise a very good friend of mine with meal delivery by her favorite mediterranean restuarant .
I tried the link that her favorite resto had on its website but with no result. So, I dm the chef / restuarant owner herself . I have introduced myself and explained that I wanted to surprise a good friend of mine .
She gladly entertained my request until we have started discussing on the payment method, since the online delivery on her website doesn’t work in my region . We made a back and forth payment suggestion . Until the unexpected happened .
She suggested that instead of paying her I should donate my payment to a charity . I have suggested to her this small private group in the Philippines called the Moonwalkers89 who are having an ongoing ” Give a child a slipper ” campaign . She agreed and the rest is magical .
These were some of the creation of ms.Sanaa that she gave my friend
Yesterday , 100 less previlage children were given a decent footwear , steamed meatbun and orange juice snacks .
Allow me to expound a little bit about these slippers . For some us its just one of the many fashion footwear that we can wear . Here in the western world where we are previlage enough to have all kinds of season footwear.
In some areas in the Philippines or third world countries a slipper is a very important daily wear . Let me share to you a story told by a good friend and fellow Moonwalkers89 Ms.Felda a grade one teacher in Afga Central Elementary School of Agusan del Sur Philippines . A rural area where poverty is one of the socio -economic problem ( aside from illiteracy ).
Her story goes , She have recieved a newly donated cubies for her pupils and each box had a name of her respective pupil back then . One boy from her class asked her if he can put anything to his box . Ms. Felda answered ” Each one of you can place all the things that are valuable to you in your box” . The boy took his slipper off and place in his cubie.
Ms . Sanaa have not only made 100 children happy yesterday but she also made a mourning friend of mine smile through her food .
At the end of the day, its not how big or small the act of kindness that you are making . Just remember in every ripple of kindness that we shared in this world , we have brighten a yearning soul and that is all that matters .
Steam meatbuns and juice for the little ones The Moonwalkers89The excitement of to be able to choose their new pair of slippers Nothing beats the joy of an excited child 100 different sizes of slippers good for children ages 4-10 yrs old Proud owners Maam Lore and one shy boy
To ms.Sanaa Abourezk thank you for sharing the magical moment to both my friend and the 100 children of brgy.Sumili Butuan city. To all your endevours we wish you good luck and my the greater force guide you and your family always
Note : you can check ms.Sanaa’s creation through here instragram Sanaacooks27 . Or her healthy vegan recipe book at amazon ..
