@Lady Prism- yes he said I was like a rock. At that time I thought it was so sweet

@Viona- thanks for thinking I am in my early 40s

@Lemon- sneaky siblings eh? I never sneaked out. I was not interested to partying out late at night.

Now as to the creeping out of the door, drinking and going home at dawn-though I was the manang of the four of us, I did my share of that.The gate-climbing and pushing the motorcycle silently down the driveway at 2am-one of my sisters did that. The only goodie two shoes was our eldest-except that she had a bf during college and earned the wrath of our dad.

I must say though that you haven’t lost any of your charms..though hmmmm…I have a feeling you are even more spunkier now than you were ever before ;>

And it truly is quite refreshing to hear someone so positive and settled and looking towards the morrow with a bright chirp’..truly inspiring..

I pray that you always always always have this peace in your heart..this peace that has settled in mine as well just by reading through your posts ( I should really be finishing my training materials coz’ I have a deadline but reading here is more fun he!he!)…

Happy birthday…:)

The Lady Prism’s last blog post..I saw Happy Today

I swear I still have the address of this Korean friend we had at Rotary International. If he is still working there, I’ll find out for us… Hey, could you find those old photos please (since you kept the photo album) and scan them for us at our private family blog? I remember my sulky face because everywhere we went, all Dad wanted to do was take our photos — and all I wanted to do was check out what interesting activities there were for the 20-something crowd. I have no regrets, though. Our experiences with Dad helped us become more “ambassadorial” in attitude especially when it comes to community service advocacies and intricate business politics.

Wasn’t I the one who took the photo of you at one of the Cloister Inn’s lobbies at the very ritzy-ritz Boca Raton Hotel — the one with the leg over one chair?

Anyway, thanks for giving up my secret (Belen was the other one; Myrna was more like you — real goodie two shoes) because I certainly did break many rules all in the name of debunking stereotypical expectations of what women can and cannot do. In fact, Joji Deduque and I were chatting the other day on skype (he’s in Canada) and he remembers me being the “sosyal” activist, and here I am, thinking that I am a “social” activist. Dang, what old friends can remember — including my naughty sense of humor!!!

Here’s an up-side to my rebel streak during my younger days… Today, our nieces and nephews cannot get away with it when I grill them with questions. I would say, “You’re talking to the original rebel in the Lardizabal family — been there, done that, did this — minus the drugs! So, if you think no one understands how you feel, that’s not true.” It feels good being able to empathize with rebellious young members in our family — and having open discussions with them, helping them grow as empowered, responsible individuals.

One incident I remember was when Oscar went home at 4:00 am after drag-racing. As he went up the stairs, Dad was waiting at the top of the steps. Dad hollered, “Do you know what time it is?” and Oscar drunkenly looked at his watch and replied, “One o’clock,” to which my dad became even more mad and yelled, “Stupido! It’s four o’clock!” and the scolding would continue while Oscar made his way to the Boys Room… Memories!

As to your being a manang, you really haven’t changed much in some respects. Every time you ask your daughters if they’ve made the beds, I recall when you always asked us to make the beds — and I’d totally ignore you (and I’d fill up my bed with more books and novels, believing that through osmosis, I would get good grades and find my Prince Charming)…

What I do enjoy is observing your metamorphosis into one of the most incredible, amazing women in my life — so keep moving forwarding, beloved sister! Our adventures are just starting… and I know we’ll keep our families rocking!

And heck, if you’re turning 51, I’ve just earned my 32nd birthday (remember, 50 is the new 30)… It’s wonderful being 50-something. You don’t take S4%@ from anyone!

love,

Lorna

P.S. Noems, we actually didn’t climb over the two front gates. We knew how to put our fingers through the gate and fiddle with the latch. Then, we’d creep toward the maids’ quarters’ window and knock for one of them to let us in… Later on those early dawn hours, Dad would check our door. If the door was locked, it meant we were inside the house. Poor Dad, that was probably when he was finally able to get some sleep…

@witsandnuts- aging graciously is fine with me.

lady cess’s last blog post..From the Supermarket

pareho pala tayong gemini. i just had my b-day yesterday. hindi rin ako wild, i don’t smoke or drink and I never have. advance happy birthday!

Belle’s last blog post..Green Valley Park w/ Daughter