Will everything fit?

What? The first week of my vacation gone? That was fast. Really, really fast! I know I've been in and out of stores trying to find a matching gift (pasalubong) for everyone we expect to see when we get to the Philippines. In fact, our problem now is how to fit everything in our Balikbayan boxes - from a pair of jimmies for a 6-month old grand niece to a night gown for a ninety-year-old aunt. Yes, my Tia Paring delights in receiving one everytime. And the soaps and lotions for my high school classmates? And, oh, yes, the pahabols (last minute take ins)!

But, this "problem" is part of the thrill of visiting one's motherland.

Tuesday we treated Rachelle to a belated birthday lunch. Her birthday was June 16 but she was in the midst of her finals. Matthew and his parents joined us.Then on Wednesday Patrick and family invited us to a barbeque and to watch the fireworks at Claremont from their garage. Yeah, they are that close to the real thing. Isn't that neat? Jacob and Joshua had a great time biting into their corn and watermelon.

And before I forget, Paul, my godson who joined the Navy after high school and is now with the medical corps as a nurse, is on home leave and came to visit me and his ninong. We had a great lunch at Chilli's. He came with his mom, and nephews Sean and Coby. Kirby went along with us, too.

Then, we were back to packing.