Among the last four generations of women in our paternal and maternal families, my mother, Concepcion, was the one with a most ardent wanderlust which sadly, like an unrequited love, was a dream unmet. She always liked cold temperature and the smell of pine. (Hence, I grew up with the smell of pine- from house cleaners to fresh Christmas tree.) […]
Amid the COVID-19 threat, self-incarceration can be bearable when we stay grateful.
EVERYTHING AL FRESCO EVENING DRINKS WITH OUR NEIGHBOR ON A SATURDAY NIGHT @ our home (we call) #CafebytheForest. Rest assured we strictly observed Social Distancing and here’s how we did it, without spoiling the fun: Self-incarceration does not mean we cannot enjoy the things we used to do when times are normal. As Italians sing to spread love and positivity […]
Everything that’s been happening in the world today is preparing us for the Zombie Apocalypse and we think we’ll be okay, as long as there’s laughter in our hearts.
EVERYTHING THAT’S BEEN HAPPENING IN THE WORLD TODAY IS PREPARING US FOR THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE AND I THINK WE’LL BE OKAY. Last night after the kids left us at the dinner table, I told Dutchie: “I never thought I would live to see this day where people all over the world will share a common scare and health threat of […]
My Dutchie and I, 10 Years Together and Counting
Journal entry. January 8, 2020. 10 YEARS TOGETHER, MARRIED 6 YEARS. Since January 8th, 2010, we’ve been spending life together. Four years after that, on January 8, 2014– at the quaint and lovely El Kabayo Stables, our dear friends read selected love letters that we wrote to each other to remember how we came together as Wiel and Jen. That […]
The Greatest Superpower.
Journal Entry: April 9, 2019. While I was making salad for lunch today, I asked Dutchie to open a jar of olives, a pasalubong from my best friend Kaye. By just pressing the lid with his palm, he did it in just under 5 seconds! Wow. I used to think that opening a stuck lid of any jar is one […]
On There Can Be No Right or Wrong Religion.
Our shared journey through life is one big church of our love for each other, love of our family, our home, our community, art, music, food, travel, environment, writing, creating, written and spoken words, ideas, hope, giving and receiving; of random acts of kindness by strangers; of all things that bring amazement and gratefulness to our hearts. Our loved ones […]