Homecoming Frills

Eileen Quimpo

January 23, 2008, 9:45pm, LAX

I'm so excited to be going home again!  Looks like we'll be here longer than we expected, 2 hour delay!  So many friendly faces here - looks like I'm not the only one that's excited!  We chatted with a PAL Stewardess, apparently this will be her last flight, she's pursuing her career in nursing & moving to Norwalk to be with her new husband.  I also met a very pleasant woman from Chino Hills, we traded stories about fruits - apparently I have not even tried a fraction of the fruits in the PI!  I am so deprived!  Guess that adds more to my to do list!  She talked about how surprised she is with Filipino's & all the random acts of kindness that has been extended to her & her family.  Nice, feeling...YEAH!

We're finally boarding!!!!

January 22, 2008, 5:15pm, at home in Granada Hills, CA

I'm sitting here just 48 hours away from my trip to the Philippines, trying to think of all the things I need to do -- funny thing is my thoughts keep drifting back to all the food I intend to consume! I've already lined up with my cousins all that I want to do in the 17 days that I will be away from my family. Of course, I will have to get my nails done at Dashing Diva in Makati! They plan on surprising me with a new hairdresser -- supposedly someone that does celebs -- wow wow wee!

I'm traveling with my mom, and of course, like a typical Filipino, she has allowed me no room for my personal effects! Last night, my sister and I went to "inspect" -- low and behold, what did we find in MY maleta? Cans of Vienna sausages, coffee, creamer, parmasian cheeses and salad dressing!!! Who eats salad in the Philippines?

I'm dreading the plane ride there, non-stop -- flying economy!!! AH!!! Sitting next to my dear mother! Of course, my thoughts drift back to our family trip to Subic, we are taking about 35 family members with us for the weekend -- where we will rent a yacht to go around Subic Bay...nice, quiet, beautiful scenery -- I can picture it now! And of course, shopping trips -- can't forget about that! I really need to get working on my list -- gotta stop day dreaming!

Heck! I'm so excited!