Dumating at lumisan na ang mga Soroptimist na Ruth at Maripaz.

Nauna ang Ruth na galing Chicago, dumating nang 7/9 kasama si Ric. Nagkita kami nang Friday 7/12 sinundo ko sa Rancho Palos Verdes. Ang objective for the day was Getty Museum. Of course we had to start our day at the mall. Three purses and one bikini (kay Rachel kuno) later, we found ourselves at a Mexican lunch buffet at a near-by Acapulco, it was delish! Tatawag daw si Ric pigtapos nang kanilang golf ni Junjun (nephew) but I never heard the phone ring dahil naka kabit pa pala ang ear piece sa phone! Balik-bahay kami ni Ruth and sure enough, minutes later eto na ang Ric, putikan ang golf shoes. It was past 4 when we left Palos Verdes. Right about 5, nakasakay na kami sa tram nang Getty paakyat sa museum. "OOOH" ... "AHH" naintindihan na raw ni Ruth ang beauty nang Chagall (snow and fog effect) si Ric hindi maubos maisip ang $$$$ tag na nabasa sa magazine nang "Irises" ni Monet. By 8, busog ang mga mata, gutom ang mga tiyan. "Malapit ba rito ang Universal City Walk?" tanong ni Madam Ruth. "Lahat malapit dito sa LA" say ko naman.

There was a decent wait ... we were ushered through the kirsch of "Buca de Beppo" (Joe's basement daw in Italian). May mga vintage undergarments na naka frame in the ladies room! The wallpaper had a lot to say, it was entertainment while we waited. Ric, Ruth and I savored the "moan inducing offerings of il Buca" (salad, chicken parmigianna and stuffed ravioli) a serving can feed five people really. Masaya ang atmosphere nang family restaurant na ito (I can just picture us all there!). My clock read 12:20 (am) by the time my head hit the pillow, Noel was quietly snoring.

Saturday, 7/13 ... 2 pm, I opened the door for Ferdie, looking even better than the last time around, may hawak pa ring baston. Medyo natagalan yata ang company... later eto na ang Ressie, may dalang baby back ribs and BBQ chicken, rolls, mashed potatoes and cole slaw. Wala pa rin ang mga Flores.
Kumain na ang mga Matic, si Ressie at ang Trolly. Tumawag si Aida, "nandito kami sa Artesia Goldilocks, pagkaluto nang sotanghon papariyan na kami".
Aida brought a large tray of the noodles which we all enjoyed (plus the folks at our church where I took the left overs the next day). Kodakan ... "Watch his birdie" ika ni Ferdie ... by 6:30 pm, paalam na si Ferdie. Res, Aids, the Floreses and the Matics took to Hollywood. We made it in plenty of time for the 8 pm show of the Lion King at the Pantages. Spectacular! About 10:30, busog na naman ang mga mata at tainga, gutom na naman ang mga tiyan, Aida spotted "Thailandia" on Hollywood Blvd, may entertainment pa! Nag-apoy ang dila ni Ressie sa tom yum at sa Larb salad but the peanut sauce for the satay, the spring rolls and fried vermicelli were divine. Aida was dancing in her seat, the evening was a hit! The clock struck 12:30 am when I shut my eyes.

Sumunod na get together was on Tuesday, 7/16. Actually 18th birthday nang anak kong si Michael - he was sweet enough to indulge his mom, kasama ang dalawang anak at ang apo sa dinner at the Kim Loan Vietnamese restau in Fullerton. Nauna pa yata ang guest na si Maripaz sa restaurant. Nandoon na rin si Abet, Willie and Beng Dequina noong dumating kami. Nahuli si Verne and Hector and Aida (may dalang pies for dessert). Mas nahuli pa si Ruth and Ric (mali raw ang nakuhang instructions). New dishes ...for most of us, all good (lalo na sabi nila ang crispy garlic shrimp - which of course I can't validate cuz
I 'm allergic to crustaceans). Hindi pa nagkasya sa pies na dala ni Aida, naghanap nang kapihan. Maripaz and later Willie begged off. Napadpad kami sa old town Fullerton na mukhang hangout nang mga kaidad nang mga anak natin (si Verne and Hector ang nag pakana). Wala na ring kapihan but we settled for a pub with half gallon size mugs for their drinks and bags of shelled peanuts which you unshelled right on the floor! Abet's Harley was absent but in its place was a shiny silver Boxster (talagang nag murang kamyas na nga!). Beng who totalled his car at the last gathering was also sporting a new shiny gold Altima ... akala ninyo mga binata kayo ano?

My kids were asleep in the van when we left Fullerton. I didn't even check to see what time it was when we got home. I wore eyebags to work the next day.
My staff think I'm crazy. I think they are so right! I made it up to Michael with order in pizza (his choice) for dinner Wednesday night.

For all of the happenings, arrangements were made in short order. If you plan to visit LA, you know you'll be in good hands! Si Ressie ang bahala!

Daddie

Daddie,

Maraming Salamat at ikaw ang nag-ulat ng mga kasabik-sabik na happening 
dito! 
 Na-wipe out ang aking address book!!!  Nabura lahat... (hindi ko alam 
kung 
anong nangyari..- pati yung sa aking sister)  Magsisimula na naman ako!

Dagdag sa Soroptimists---

Pa-berday po sa akin ni Daddie and Noel yung ticket ko sa The Lion 
King!!! 
Maraming salamat... enjoy na enjoy ako!  Pati yung Thai dinner -- 
advanced 
30th berday dinner ko! courtesy of Ruth and Ric.  Umusok ang ilong ko 
at 
tenga.. hindi ko kaya ang kaanghangan ng Thai food!  masarap kaya lang 
VERY 
HOOTTTT!!!

Ressie