One evening, while hanging out together doing chores, me folding clothes and he ironing, I thought it would be fun to quiz him, cause it's been a while since he brushed up on his tagalog..

Me: what's "tiger" in tagalog?
Pranav: "TIGRRRE!"

Me: what's "lion"?
Pranav: "hmmm...i forgot..."

Me: "rat"?
Pranav: "uhmm... i forgot..."

Me: how about "dog"?
Pranav: "PUSA!"

*me laughing*

Me: "ant"?
Pranav: "PATO"!!!

(The funny part is, I have never mentioned the word "pato" to him before, so it was hilarious that he actually said that -- i have no idea where he got that from!)

The conversation ends with me telling him what the correct names for the animals were.

The next day...

Me: Do you remember? what's "pato" again?
Pranav: (in super pabibo mode, with matching big proud smile) "DAGA!!!"

*again, i have no clue where he heard "daga" from! Such a funny guy. I smile and laugh out loud whenever I remember this conversation.

I always thought you were the best, I guess I always will.
I always felt that we were blessed, and I feel that way still.

My heart overflows with gratitude, that I have you in my life. Through the years, and changing seasons, I know you and I will always have each other. It's been a Great 8, babe. Who would've thought, huh? And they thought we'd never make it.

I love you much and thank the Lord for you everyday.

Jaanu, today you turn a year older (hah!). I wish for you every good thing Life has to offer... may you have all your heart's desires and may all your (good) dreams come true. You have been the best friend, partner, ally and companion I could ever hope for. Every day I have spent with you has been a blessing. You make my life complete and I wouldn't have it any other way. Happy Birthday, P. Love you much.

Last night was sleepless. I tossed and turned literally the whole night. I was trying to catch my sleep when the strangest thoughts started playing in my head. I started to panic. I rang Pranav (I was in the bedroom, he in the living room -- I'm lazy like that) to come quick. I started to babble on and on about how, in 16 years, I would be 50.



50! Half a century old, and at the moment, with nothing, still, to prove. I have yet to get married, and yet to have kids. I need to find a job where I would be really, really happy. We need to buy our own property, and visit each others' countries. I started getting emotional, and he started...laughing. Tsk! I wasn't being taken seriously, but he explained that 16 years was still a long time for a lot to happen in between. We need to just focus on the day to day, and it will all work out. After the impromptu long talk we had, I finally drifted off to sleep, although it really was a short and mababaw sleep.



I realize now how funny I must have sounded, to have a panic attack out of the blue, but a part of me deep inside is still really scared. At 50, both our parents (his and mine), were accomplished, settled, fulfilled, and had been and done everything. I am overwhelmed by the thought of so much to do in 16 years, and my heart becomes anxious. But I am comforted by the reassurance that I will have the next 16 years with him, however and wherever. I thank the Lord for Pranav everyday.

When my computer crashed a few months back, along with it went all my saved photographs. I don't back up, so now they are lost forever. I know! I know! Thinking about it makes my heart ache. When I saw this on my friend Kiko's friendster site, I wanted one of my own, and so I had no choice but to uploaded the limited (and blurry) photos saved from my friendster and facebook profiles, hence the major repetition of the images. As you can see, most of them were taken a long, long time ago.

I miss my bubba, and can't wait to have him back home. This has been a long 3 weeks, and it's today I feel most alone. Counting the days till I see him again.

...My Bubba, for the 7 wonderful years we've spent together. I will always be grateful you came into my life. I am blessed to have been a part of yours. Looking forward to the next 7 (and more)!