In an ideal world..

..your skin would be glowing and you'd have dark, thick, luxurious and shiny curls on top your head. You're plump and happy. You'd smile at me and say.."Neng, good job."

I'm getting there, Ti Menchie. Everything you wanted for me, I'm making progress to get there. It's hard not being able to just dial your number and tell you that I passed my classes for the semester- or better yet, that I'm finally able to sign up for the nursing program!

We'd talk about our plans for the holidays, what we are getting for our kids, and you'd tell me not to worry about buying anything for your daughter..but like every year, I do.

This is so unbelievably difficult. In less than a week, it's Christmas, then soon after, New Year's! Major holidays without your cooky customs for good luck, health and prosperity. Major holidays without your voice..but most importantly, just you.

I'm wearing one of the perfumes you gave me. You couldn't stand the smell during your pregnancy and even after Hope was born! It's a little bit comforting though, that your hands once held the very same bottle, your finger pushed down on the very same spritzer, and you smelled the very same as I do now.

You wished the best for me so that I may take care of my family- Achilles, your grandson. You always urged me in my studies to become a nurse, that that's what I needed to be. In all honesty though, Tia, what I need to be..is like you.

You had a heart of gold, pure gold, bound by the finest sheets of silk and velvet. You had a face that was kind, warm, always welcoming and your generosity was beyond peaks I've ever known. That is what I need to be, Tia. A nurse? Yeah, maybe one day, but to mirror the same aspects of humanity that you did....that would surely be something I'd be more proud of.

Losing touch..

..with this blogging thing, aren't I?

WELL, Christmas and New Year's are upon us! December also marks the end of the fall semester. This semester is special to me though- it's the last of my pre-requisites. I'm just waiting on my school to mail me my official transcripts so I can finally sign up for the nursing program. :]

Yeah, I'm stoked.

So, this holiday season is going on swimmingly. Usually they stress me out with the gift giving and shopping. BLEH. But this holiday is also my first without my Tia Menchie (RIP) so I'm taking a lesson from her death and trying to enjoy as much of life as I can. I have to admit, although I miss her like crazy even more so because of the holidays, I'm feeling pretty festive this year! Especially since my son is older and able to grasp this time of year more. It's so cute how he asks me about Santa, presents, and how excited he is!

It's crazy how when I was younger I was all about presents for ME. Now that I'm a parent I could care less about what I receive, but rather what I'm going to get for my son!

WELL, since there will be a wait to get into the nursing program I am going to go ahead and start working on my classes to transfer next semester. I'm pretty excited about taking Spanish. I've always enjoyed that class in high school. You know what? I'm just excited to take other classes that are not dealing with biology PERIOD. Can you say 'over-saturated'? Yeah, that's me in a nutshell right now.

I'm taking the winter off! It'll be my first REAL vacation since Spring of '08. I have close to 2 months off! What am I going to do with myself??

Until next time, I assume. I ran out of things to talk about.