Pa's Chinese Ascension

I'm laughing at the title I chose, but I think it is the essence of today's ceremonies. It was Pa's second year death anniversary last week and today is the second year on the Chinese Calendar. I have no idea how they calculate this, but they say its today. So today, we went to China town where the temple with Pa's Chinese sprit is kept ( I suppose I know nothing of this, I just play along) or more accurately--where his portrait is kept to wave incense at. 

Out of all the mornings of late, I chose to oversleep today-- when I actually had a purpose to wake up! Well, I didn't really oversleep. I just woke up as my alarm rang for 6am. I usually wake up WAAAY before that. But today, when we were supposed to leave at 6, I woke up at 6. Hmph! At least I got a proper night's rest.

We left at 630. Dong passed through Ortigas to Aurora all the way to Binondo! I have never been on that street before-- there were so many new things to see which made for a very interesting drive. I love looking out at what businesses are out there. New condo's in the middle of nowhere, Harrison Plaza, SM Sta. Mesa. I should drive around more often, see whats out there. What markets can be tapped.

We got to the temple at around 715. and set up the goodies to be offered. Today Lanie prepared 5 sets of fruits, cookies and pastries and 5 different food I think. We had to light incense and sort of waft it at the buddhas and then stand and bow as the monks chanted for half an hour.

I entitled it "Ascension" because after today he's no longer "newly dead" and is now to be at the higher heaven, i suppose. He no longer gets yellow incense, now red like the rest of the Ty family at the mausoleum. Why does it take 2 years for him to join his ancestors up in Chinese Heaven? I know he is happy there :)

We all ate at Grams Diner for Breakfast afterwards. Chi, Mom, Lanie and I. Chi was getting irritated with me as I kept changing my mind about what to order. Should I order the omelet or steak and eggs? I settle on Steak and Eggs but realize that they're both proteins and should be 1 kind of protein at a time and veggies. So I quickly change to the Omelet, with Mushrooms, Bell Pepper and Tomato-- sounded like what I made the other day. Chi says "Labo Mo!" and argues with me. "You can't diet when you eat out!" "OH YES I CAN!!" Everyone else got the Patriotic Breakfast, Tapa-- my favorite tapa in the world that I couldn't have. ( Secret: I had one bite hihihi )

Leftover from my Breakfast Omelet

with Mushrooms, Bell Peppers and Tomatoes

The Patriotic Breakfast : Tapa

Ina: "Did you like the tapa? That's my favorite tapa!"

Chi: "It tastes like bacon"

Ina: "I know, bacon and tapa in one!"

Chi: "If I wanted Bacon I would have ordered Bacon!"

Lanie: "Hihihihihih :))"

The secret is in their vinegar, i think.

Chi is still stressing over his Philosophy predicament. See, my brother does not speak much tagalog. Or he just dislikes the language. It started with Pa, he forbade anyone to talk to them in Tagalog and told them never to speak it. Pa was made fun of as a kid not being able to speak proper english so he didn't want Chi and Julian to speak tagalog. Hence, their aversion for the language. Julian even went as far as escaping to study in the States to avoid it. Chi is now stuck in Tagalog Philosophy with a certain John Uy who is batch mates with our cousin Mikko and apparently does not give anyone high grades. His Facebook status the other day said "Saying bye to all my hopes and dreams for the first sem! Trapped with Philosophy in FILIPINO T.T. Death." I tell him that he should prove to everyone that he can do it instead of whining and complaining. He should prove to us how big of a genius he really is-- even if it is tagalog. And I know he can do it. But he says "But I don't like-- I hate this I'm going to get a C" ( and anything lower than an A is not a good thing for my brother) I tell him that not everything in life he will like but he still has to pull through it and rise to the challenge, it will build his character and resolve. Let's see how he does. :) I don't think he'll let himself fail.. I know Chi can do it :)