Kids, Part 2

My daughter, the second of three siblings who is six years old, will graduate in Kinder 2 next week. She sent me a text message yesterday telling me and her mom that she is the third in the honours list. Of course we were elated. We already know that she will be in the honours list, but getting the message personally from her is another thing. Coupled this with the other fact that her elder brother - our eldest - is currently also the third in his batch's honours list (in Casa Level 4) and the news becomes even much sweeter.

But that is not the whole point of this story. What really knocked us down is my daughter's second text message: she and her 'kuya' wants to have a swimming party. Well, what can we say... the least we can do is grant their request. At least, it will be three celebrations in one party: the graduation, my eldest son's birthday on April 1, and all of them being in the honours list... I was not able to tell, by the way, that my youngest son is also in the top ten in his class.

It reminded me also of another thing... that it is already summer. In the Philippines, it is again the time when everybody goes to the beach and spend some funny and memorable moments there... in the Gulf, well, it's summer most of time... I remember our usual activities during summer: spending a day or two in Puerto Galera, frolicking on the beach and just having some quality time with the kids... it will be a different summer this year with both of us far away from them... but then, if you will think of it, there are still other family members that can celebrate with them... I guess the swimming party that my daughter wants will also be some sort of a reunion - bonding time - for both my family and the family of my wife, since they are the ones to accompany our children to that party...

For both of us, well, I guess we'll just wait for their pictures in email...

Driving Lessons

I passed my first two tests towards getting a GCC driving license three days ago. The tests were about backing up the car - using reverse, that is - and trying to maneuver it on several drums. I also did the slope test - one in which you first will be kept hanging on a slope and check whether you will not back an inch when you start climbing the slope again. It was fun, and even though sad to say, a very different way to get a license from what I experienced in the Philippines. Before the tests, I was doing some practice lessons for the past 1 and 1/2 weeks. I had been driving for the last 16 or 17 years or so already, but my friends here told me that it will be better for me to have some refreshers before going to the actual tests. My trainor, a local man named Khalifa, is a very good tutor and a funny man as well. I had spent some quality hours with him familiarising road and traffic rules as well as the important drum and slope techniques. Well, what can I say? The man really helped and it showed by my passing the first two tests...

Right now, I am still doing some practice lessons with Khalifa. We are now roaming around three times a week for one hour each, Khalifa teaching me all the right parking spaces, one way streets, entrance and exit roads... it will be necessary for the last and the most important test - the road test. Hopefully in the next two weeks I could take that test and pass it as well... and then finally get my GCC driving license.

Alice

Alice is a better half... we began our journey together some fourteen years ago, and throughout that journey, Alice had been a guiding light and a source of strength, especially during trying times... husbands and wives normally experience bumps in their relationships, and with Alice, these bumps haven't been difficult to overcome... I would say that our relationship is excellent, not perfect because there is no such thing as a perfect relationship, but one that you can be proud of... I am proud that all throughout the journey, Alice had been there... I am equally thankful that I have chosen her to be my partner throughout these years...

Alice is a proud mother... and a very good one, too... through the years, we had produced three bright and vibrant kids - all are currently in the honours list. I have seen how Alice nurtured and protected them... and developed them to be very good children and students... I remember the days when I wake up at night and she's still up doing reviewers in school for the kids... I also remember her enthusiasm and commitment to bring the kids outside: walking and playing in the malls, eating in restaurants, visiting parks, during weekends and whenever we have some free time from work... she loves our children very much, but she also makes it sure that they will grow up respectful and disciplined... I don't think there could ever be a better "Mommy" than her.

Alice is the perfect working Mom... notwithstanding her job as a wife and mother, Alice had been a dedicated teacher and an IT professional all these years... she is also a continuous learner, taking masters degrees in IT and e-Learning and is planning to pursue a doctorate degree... Alice is so committed with her craft that sometimes, she stays up very late just to make sure everything will be perfect - her lessons, her course materials, everything. And I admire her for that... there are only a handful of people that can combine perfectly being a mother and being a working woman and Alice is one of them... I have seen her do it when we are still in the Philippines caring for our kids (the situation now is different)... and I am sure she can easily do it when that time comes again...

Alice is a friend... I always think of the reason why our relationship and our family had been this great through these years... and I found out it is because of her - she had been our mediator, our guide, our tutor... she had been the one that bridges the gap when our kids have their differences and also when I quarrel with them (sometimes) ... she had been the 'glue' that is making our family stick throughout this journey... and she is doing it by being a friend to all of us, by always communicating with us and making sure the family members understand each other... Alice is our best friend...

I would say that my (and my kids') journey with this great, beautiful person had just started... and we're very thankful that she's with us in a greater journey called life... there will be more interesting scenarios that will come ahead of us... there might probably be one or two hitches and bumps along the road... but for sure, my kids and I are assured of memorable experiences and the best days of our family life with her...

Happy Birthday!