Home away from home...

We're going back to the Philippines in 2 days but I don't feel excited. i am anxious, terrified, and stressed.

: Will the trains and tube in London be safe for us family to travel?
: Is the weather ok for the planes to Qatar and Cebu and for the boat to Surigao?
: Will there still be dengue-carrying mosquitoes in the Philippines?
: I will see my big family and loads of friends within 4 days. Will I cope?
: I left the Philippines when my Nanay and Papa were still alive. I'm going back to see their graves. Will I be able to cope?
: We're going there to sort out some problems with the family business. Are we going to be successful?


And most importantly: Would one suitcase of chocolates as pasalubong be enough for everybody?

72

It's mum's 72nd birthday. We had a little party and it was fun although zak spent the whole time eating the cake and reading his book to everybody.

I don't know what to expect

Tonight, we're going to Stainsby Festival. I'm familiar with only one folk musician in the line-up, Vin Garbutt, whose music we kept on playing when I was pregnant with Zak. It's a 3-day event and Vin Garbutt, who I'm hoping to see perform live, will perform on the last night! So I guess I'll just be staying in the tent with Zak for two whole days. I hope it will rain...

Anyway, I'm looking forward to visiting the Philippines for a week. I can't be away too long because of work but this i'm sure is going to be exciting. My brothers and sisters there don't know this yet as I plan to just appear in their doorstep without warning. Karl is thinking of going with me as he missed all the fresh foods but we have to wait and see if he really should. He has loads of 'things to do' waiting at his desk and it would be overwhelming to come back with the list doubled.

We'll see.

Hot

It's very hot; pretty unsettling this time, especially in the night. But who am I to complain? Only the British do. (Is this a fact or a usual occurence?)

I'm used to the heat where I sweat because of the humidity but not when it's stiffling and it's like fire is engulfing my chest and there's no way out. Anyway, I think it's always like that when hormones go haywire and just everybody and everything seem annoying.

Because I am Pinoy, sometimes I expect my family here to react the way pinoys do. And that's when it becomes annoying. Our pregnancy news didn't get a positive welcome. "Is it true? That's great." And that was it. End of news. No discussion whatsoever. No jubilation that Zak is going to have a baby sister/brother. When I asked if they were happy about it because K and I are, I was told that they were terrified. 'Oh my God, what will happen now? How about your job?' It's revolting actually, to encounter this type of attitude, as if having a baby is the end of a career and a waste of money.

This I can't understand. They love Zak so much and spoil him to bits and I can't see any reason why they can't welcome another grandchild.

London blasts

Gruesome. Utterly gruesome. Whoever did this and those who were behind this appalling act have twisted minds.