Sea view front….great service at the hotel….wonderful sun shining….my daughter – Hannah with me on a Jet Ski – awesome bonding time!

That’s Phuket for me and where we stayed was simply close to paradise! Chill, not so noisy, lots of cool Europeans (imagine that?), and less Asians on the spot where we were.  I loved the concept of staying at chill-out spots and then be pampered with some great food and really busy retail therapy! 6 pairs of jeans and a couple of shirts, some stuff for my helper and folks at home, a little bit of spa, a little bit of massage, a little bit of japanese facial at less than half the price of what I’d pay for If I’d spend it here in Singapore – I’m trigger-happy! 

Not many know that I’m aquaphobic. I got drowned once in a deep pool because of giving in to peer pressure. I’m not giving into peer pressure no more coz it nearly caused my life. On two ocassions I’ve conquered it with the help of a life-vest! Years ago, I snorkled in Palawan, Philippines and my balls were over my head thinking that I won’t float. I did float! Silly me!  After being assured by our lifeguard that I’ll definitely float, I then started having fun seeing what’s beneath the waters 100 meters deep or more!  

Moving back to Patong Beach, I took the courage again to hit the waters! This time, with my 5 year old Hannah! We wore our life vests and hit the waters!It was awesome!I’m not a racer and I don’t want us both to be thrown away by the motored jet ski so we just cruised and enjoyed the sights, the yachts, the waves, the deep blue waters of Patong Beach! It’s a wonderful experience that my Hannah entrusted her life to me knowing that we’ll float either with our jet ski or with our life vests. She was screaming with joy sayin  “WOO HOO!!! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT DAD!” Deep in my heart, I was telling God to please guard us with his Angels and that my Angels be not as silly as the one driving this jet ski (me!).  God’s been nice so far and we landed with pure joy and simles on our faces! The secret to enjoyment really relies into moderation, keeping a clear head, and try not being an idiot! In my case, more than anything else it’s my kid putting her faith in me that we’ll be ok. We did just fine we’re still alive!

That’s all at the moment.  Hope you’ve got your break as well. If not, there’s always tomorrow!  Hey, www.tigerairways.com offers 50%off on various destinations. Go check and book your seats asap!

          

I’ve been silent lately. Lots of things running all over my head, my heart, my soul. More than anything else, more than my own family – my kids and all…it’s my Nanay, my mother who’s now 75 years old.

Cecilia is her name and she married my Dad – Mario Lajarca Senior (I’m the Junior!) when she’s barely 33 and was running a high fever due to all the madness and beatings from her own Mum. My Granny is a weirdo!  Years ago when they tied the knot it was really hard just to go along with my horrible Granny. To think that she’s had 2 weddings and had 2 husbands! She doesn’t approve of my Mum to be married at that time! What a Bee-Yatchhh right?! Mum gets locked-up after being beaten by Granny when they were younger (even if she’s already qualified to get married, she’s 30++ at that time no?!) Dad was a hero! He’d buy food for Mum, thow it on their window so she could eat some nice bread or food thrown by Dad. Isn’t that heroically-romantic! Dad’s a good guy, gentle, strict, but gained the respect of his peers and the whole neighbourhood. To date, If you want to find my house in my town, you can simply say “You know the house of KA MARIO?” and you’ll be directed to my house. 

Nanay (Mum) has suffered for years. Her medical condition isn’t getting any better. What makes me sad in many ways is that often, my elder sisters have no patience for her. It breaks my heart to even write this and share with you a bit about my life.  I ask myself, “how can you be really this hard to your own Mum?” I can’t fix the puzzle on this chapter of my life. All my life, all I dreamt of is to be able to give my Mum a better life, provide for her medicines, give her a better roof over her head and pamper her whenever/wherever. But at times, I don’t see eye to eye with my sisters on this.  I’ve probably done what I could for them, but reality is “it’s never gonna be enough.”  At one point, I phoned my Mum during one of her most depressing moment some weeks back. I can’t help but cry just thinking about her and I cried harder when she expressed to me “son, you’re my last hope…” How do you react with that? I tried to contain myself while sobbing a little and told my Mum “while I’m around, I’m here for you, don’t worry….” 

What really hurts me a lot is the fact that I’m having a much better life here, a more comfy life than my Mum. That hit me bigtime coz there were things I was unaware of that’s happening with her until recently.  I’m not sure how I’m gonna be able to make up with my Mum.  I’m praying to God that He’ll give me a chance and some time to be able to spend more time with my Mum and bring her here to play with my kids, cook for her, bring her to some body wellness treatments, the works.  I may sound like a Mama’s boy, but – she’s all I got.

It’s not Mother’s Day. But it’s something you can think and reflect on as well while reading this.

Big hugs!

SM