I made it.  I guess I never had anything to worry about at all, but better safe than sorry.  It was a relatively quiet birthday.  Thanks to the folks that sent their greetings.  Other events on my birthday were that I started with my new position in the Superintendent Jack O'Connell's executive office and that I discovered that one of my friends, Uncle Mel, used to work with Roberto Noble Roy, my father, for about ten years at his previous company.  I showed Uncle Mel a picture of my dad, and he confirmed a positive identification.  What a small world.

Uncle Mel told me a little bit of what he knew about my dad, that he was a conscientious worker, very accurate, and quiet.  I guess my dad had been with that company since it started and is doing pretty well.  He has his own family, which means I might have half-siblings out there.

Uncle Mel called my dad and asked him if he knew who Edita, my mom, or who Bobby Roy was, saying that he knew us.  My dad said, "Maybe that's my cousin."  I'm sure it was quite a shock to him, and that he hadn't thought of us for quite some time, thinking that chapter in his life was over.

It's awkward because I had heard on a psychic level that he was asking for forgiveness.  Maybe it was in his dream.  I had thought maybe he had passed.  However, we enter the psychic plane when we are asleep, so maybe he was asleep.

I'm not sure what percentage of people are still very superstitious or believe in spirits and ghosts, but it seems to always be a good topic of conversation among friends late at night. 

One of my coworkers showed me this recipe book.  It is entitled: Stir Fry, by Jocelyn G. Denega.  It is part of the "Cookery Class for the Filipino Helper" series.  I think this includes domestic workers, and not necessarily chefs or culinary experts, although these two professions are not mutually exclusive.  I could be wrong though. 

I understand that the largest export of the Philippines is human labor, and that an estimated P2.6 billion gets sent back to the Philippines each year.  That's about $50 million.  I'd like to take that and invest it in some worthwhile agendas in the Philippines.  Obviously something over there isn't right.  There are too many people not making ends meet, and the situation doesn't seem to be getting any better.  At least not from what I read in the papers.  It's one of those situations where, if you want to know where you're at now, see what you've done, and if you want to know where you're going, see what you're doing now.  If you want different results, then do something different.  Maybe you don't know what change to make, but figure out and evaluate what else you can do, and then try it.

I'm constantly on a search for something better, so I go through this fairly often myself.  I only hope that I'm going in the right direction.  I've somewhat alienated myself as of late.  There's so much going on.  How can I be strong for others, when I am barely keeping myself up.  Last night I was thinking, "I have nothing else to give.  I've given my all."  It sounds really cliche, but there isn't a better way to put it.

The anticipation is really killing me.  "I believe a man does what he can until his destiny is revealed."  I will do what I can until the very end of my epoch. 

Happy Birthday mom.  I miss you sooo much.

RIP Conrad Panganiban, Sr. 

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends, in this time of adjustment.

Not only does March mark the spring equinox, but it is also Women's History Month.  I am proud to recognize it, because American society has tended to put women in the backseat, and then proceed to call them "backseat drivers," complaining of their position to even be there.  I'm making it my responsibility this month to thank women each and every day, for contributing to society in so many ways, and surviving the constant lack of recognition for doing just that.  Maybe a simple gesture as saying, "Thank you for all that you do and all that you are," can make a big difference in some people's lives.

RIP Magdaleno Sanchez Duenas

May 27, 1914 - February 27, 2005. 

A hero among heroes.