Busy as bee

I am in a scurry beating all datelines before vacation time which is in March, yet you'll be surprised to know that I was able to weather a whirlwind of activites by trying to host a contigent of Canadian tourists composed of Tony ( Lucas brother ), Bibi the wife, Jessica and Sharleen the  daughters and Mexia the grandchild.
Luckily my other sister-in-law Conchita played her important hosting role too, but the visitors got to stay with me. I guess you can say my house is the ancestral home of the Tan family hahaha!
They stayed in Cotabato for a total of eight days. Eight days? Where in the world would they go?
day 1 - arrival
day 2 - picnic at Kusiong Beach with Lucio and Conchita
day 3 - Bibi and the girls moved and stayed at Comart. They visited old friends in Cotabato
           City in the morning and went out with Peck Ngo in the afternoon.
day 4 - Visit to Datu Piang, Maguindanao, to their old home town with Lucio, Eugene and
           Yoyong Bansuan who led the way.
day 5 - picnic at Kusiong Beach again with Conchita, Lucas and I in tow.
day 6 - Day tour to hot spring in Agoc, Kidapawan and a resort in Kiwani,Midsayap.
           Courtesy of Cotabato Governor Jesus Sacdalan and wife Rebecca Sacdalan. Other
           parties were Peck Ngo, Peck Giok, Conchita, Lucas and I.
day 7-  Morning tour to Parang and Polloc, followed by cotabato city tour. I got
           to be the tourist guide.
day 8- departure
           

Closing jitters

I am all panicky because school end is so close. Our pupils will be graduating kindergarten this March before the holy week season begins. Literary I am closing St. Martha School because of a deadlock deal with my business partner and landlord. My first concern however is to finish my teaching task which covers my 4th quarter syllabus. I hope with all my heart, the children learned a lot from me.
I have already surrendered my business license in preparation for the closure. I have actually prepared for this 2 years ago and have had informed the parents of the possible scenario, so their children won't be misplaced. My teachers were also properly informed and they are semi ready to move on to new employments. Yet, there are many other things to do before finally closing a school chapter. Personally, I am at a dilemma as whether to retire or teach in another school..
And I have yet a 15th year commemorative yearbook to make. So much tasks in so short a time. I hope to get them all done before I go to Manila. Pray for me.

3 day visit

Lehua, the youngest sister of my husband came to Cotabato for a 3 day visit from Feb. 11 to 13. She is now a US immigrant and has not come home for a long long time. Her short stay was a whirlwind of activities: such as catching up the latest news, eating her favorite food, meeting good old friends, visiting graveyards, dinner with relatives, protocol meetings, bearing gifts and receiving gifts and unending talking and talking etc. I was happily distracted. I couldn't do my homework well. I didn't realized that she being petite and small could have such an energy and appetite. Her sister Lechu kept her company all the while. As I told Lechu while fetching Lehua from the airport,  "You have only one sister. How long and how soon will she be back again? we do not know." They slept together at my home last night. It was nice having Lehua here even for three days only. Lucas surely felt her absence tonight. But in a week time, another contingent from Canada will be coming for a visit: Luson and his wife Bibi, his 2 daughters and a grandchild. Until then,

Greetings of Prosperity

Gong Xi Fa Chai !!!
Peace, Good Health, Good Luck, Happiness and Prosperity to all!
Gong Xi Fa Chai !

Arrrgh

I lost my luggage! All three of them were sent to Butuan by the girl who checked me in at the Philippine Air Lines Cotabato flight counter. I went to the airport early to avoid hustle but I got real hustled upon my arrival in cotabato.  One of my luggage contained frozen turkey which I bought in preparation for the Chinese New Year's eve celebratiion. Arrgh! They better put that luggage in the frreezer overnight. My medicines too and my brother-in-law medicines! They were all in another bag! Arrgh.............why me!

Things getting better

After a week in Manila, things are getting better. The ref was repaired, the telephone unit replaced, the dish washer's had a new motor installed, Marion continued with her track training and this morning, we had a new housemaid. I am going back home to Cotabato soon :) Happy Chinese New Year everyone!!!