THREE REASONS TO CELEBRATE!

Oli on the 28th, moi on the 29th, and Edge on the 30th! No wonder the three of us are inseparable. Edge and I met Oli at Xavier School, where we were all teachers. Little did we know that both our families had pending applications to migrate to Australia! In March 2004, Oli's family left for Sydney. We promised to follow in 9 months' time. However, we did better than that, we got here in 6. We've seen each other through the ups and downs of the first years of a migrant's life. We've burned the telephone lines 'til we just got cut off because our cordless phone's batteries had run out. Oli and Arnee met us at the airport when we first arrived, even if they had to catch a very early train (I think it was an hour's ride). We help celebrate each other's milestones and achievements as we both travel down this lonely rode we have chosen.


Last night, we gathered at Oli's new house (still in Ingleburn) for dinner and drinks. We had sinigang, steak, salmon salad, quiche and for dessert, Oli made peach float (we remembered Sheila Valencia as we were preparing it that afternoon). Oli also invited her cousin, Tony, his wife Noni and daughter Christine. It was a relaxing evening, spent talking, reminiscing, planning for the future. Noni gave us a pep talk, encouraging us to just keep the faith, and telling us not to settle for anything less than what we are qualified to do. She and Tony have been here for 20 years now! She told me not to fret because I will never feel this low again. She says there's no way to go but up!

We just talked the night away, until we realized that it was already midnight and the kids were masungit na because they were sleepy and tired. It was a night well-spent, full of laughter, fellowship.....and alcohol!