BITS AND PIECES

I am a ninang again! I was asked to be Aja's ninang for her confirmation yesterday, how could I say no? This is my first time to be ninang for something other than baptism. I hope I will be worthy of the task given to me! Bottom line, I will always pray for you Aja, and you can always approach me to talk about ANYTHING! In this picture, we are all posing with the Bishop of Wollongong (tama ba?), Bishop Peter Ingham. It was a triple confirmation day for the Mangahas family, with Tracy and Katie having their confirmation as well.

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The road before me bends
I don't know what I'll find
Will I meet a friend
Or ghosts I've left behind

from Greater Scheme of Things

My life here in Australia has been one of taking life one day at a time. Everyone who knows me well enough knows what a planner I am. If I could plan my life 5 years in advance I would. But I like to plan, and I like to have control over my life.

I guess God is really trying to make me learn how to let go and just trust in His plan. No matter how much I plan, I can't even come up with a plan, because there are so many unknowns. I feel like I am walking in the dark, and I have only a flashlight with weak batteries, which illuminates only a few steps ahead of me. I cannot see further than that, and thus, I cannot make any plans. So whenever something comes my way, only then can I make a short term plan.

Anyway, I really don't know what's going to happen to us here. I really, really want a permanent full-time job so that Edge can quit his shitty job. I also want a job where I can grow and make it a lifetime career. But Edge and I have been burned so many times already and we really are very cynical about teh Aussie job market, especially the Cahtolic School system. No matter how much they advertise and declare that they are an Equal Opportunity society and they believe in multicultural ek-ek, it's just that. EK-EK. Whites still reign supreme.

But I'm going to make it here. I don't know how I'll get there, but I'm going to make it. And I'm going to help migrants find their place here. Especially Filipinos. Especially teachers. We are all conned into thinking there are good jobs waiting for us here. I want to make that a reality for migrants that come after me. But first, I'll have to make that real for me and Edge!

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Edge and I have a new food trip! Indian food! Yum! We tried some chicken curry and buttered chicken at one of those Indian fast foods in the mall, and wow, it was so sarap! With Garlic Nan bread! Yummy yummy! Up to now, I can still taste it in my mouth, and I want some more! Edge has asked his Indian friends what other Indian dishes are good because we are planning to try out the Indian restaurants on Queen Street one of these days, or maybe when Mom and Pop are here so we can leave the kids with them. Kasi the kids won't appreciate the food anyway!

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And before I go, I just want to share these adorable pictures of Luis and Miggy, Chinny's son. Usually, these two fight but for some reason, they got along perfectly last Saturday. Luis even helped Miggy take off his socks and shoes and Miggy very politely said "Thank you!" to him afterwards.