Daddy and his Little Girl

December 3, 2013

Early morning, JR got home from work early. He will be dropping me off to the airport for me to fly to Chicago and see my daddy after more than 10 years of not being with him..

But, before I left, I smelled JR's mom's kaldereta freshly cooked in the kitchen, I just couldn't leave without having a taste (or maybe a lot of spoonfuls) of the ulam. 

It was my first time to fly alone, but I wasn't really worried or anxious because in a few hours I'll be seeing my dad. I'll miss my baby because I'll be away from him for 2 weeks..

Then off I go to Chicago.. 

My flight was supposed to be a 4 hour plane travel but it was a quick flight that I got to Chicago an hour earlier than my expected arrival. The airport made me miss home because of the Christmas decorations and songs!

I was already outside the airport at the waiting bay. When finally Pa's car stopped right in front of me, we hugged each other and iyakan nalang talaga.. 

Our first selfie in the car :) As we were driving on our way home, iyakan lang kami sa car. hehehe.. I guess now I know where I got that crybaby in me.

Our first stop was one of his stores at Navy Exchange. He just basically checked on some stuff. Santa Claus was there (of course not the real one) so we were able to take a picture.

After that we went home to drop off my stuff and went to go shopping for my essentials at home. Also got to take a picture sitting on the driver seat of my dad's sports car - which apparently we can't use because it's winter.. sayang!

Father works as the general manager of around 12 branches of Subway in Illinois, so that night I went with him as he do his usual payroll and inventory.

When we got home, we just watched TV and hung out like the old times. Missed hugging Pa and his belly. hehe!

December 7, 2013

During my first trip there, I also got to meet up with my friend from highschool. We had lunch at Cheesecake Factory and had a long chicahan. It was nice seeing old friends :) Father dropped me off at the place and my friend dropped me off naman at downtown chicago because Tita Terry is waiting for me :) I slept over their house for 2 nights.

Lunch with Taan

That night, Pa went to Griffith so we can have an eat all you can dinner at Michigan at Blue Chip Casino. Pa wanted me to try their seafood! But before we left, we took some pictures first at Tita Terry's beautiful home..

December 8, 2013

My first morning in Griffith Indiana at Tita Terry's. It was also my first experience of snow. It wasn't really snowing, it was more of ambon ng snow. haha. We went to the mall to go shopping :) When we got out of the mall, it was snowing real hard already. Tita's car was covered in snow already so we had to clean up the windshield. 

December 9, 2013

It was time for me to go back to Waukegan. I missed my dad but I will also miss Tita Terry. I had so much fun sharing stories with her.

Excuse the selfies, but I got no one to take pics of me. haha! anyways, snow was really a few inches already when we got home. At that time, I am not enjoying winter already. haha! snow is just good for the first 3 days I guess. 

December 10-11, 2013

These two days were just spent with my dad, me tagging along with him wherever he goes. We plan to do our tours on Christmas week when JR is with me already. 

December 12, 2013

It's time to head back to LA for me. We left early so we can go around and hung out more..

Growing up, after every Recognition Day in school, Pa woudl always ask me where I want to eat. And my answer will be a quick "McDo" and we'll grab french fries and Coke for bunso. Well this time that I'm in my 30s, I would need cheeseburger to fill me up. 

After some driving around in Illinois, we headed to Rosewood Restaurant and Banquets for us to have an early dinner before my flight back to LA. Tita Terry joined us. Even though I know I'd see Pa after a week, I was still feeling sad knowing we'll be apart for a while. 

And off I go to LA...

Being with my dad for 3 weeks consecutively made me realize more how lucky I am despite the many years of us being apart. I never really thought that I'd only get to see him when he finally comes home and visit us, or when I visit home. I didn't realize the wonderful plan that God has in store for me, that I'll be just a 4 hour plane ride away from my dad by 2015. Again, it's Jeremiah 29:11 kind of realization.

Hello December!

I can't believe it's the last month of the year! But before we focus on this month, I wanted to share first my first Thanksgiving Week :)

November 24, Sunday - Disneyland
I couldn't explain how I was feeling on our way to Disneyland. It's like that little girl inside of me is about to pop out and jump up and down upon entering the wonderful place. I have always dreamed that someday I will be going there. I didn't expect it would take me a while, but hey, it was all worth it.

On our way home, I was still ecstatic! I even told JR that once I am finally in LA, we should get an annual pass. haha! I told him we are coming back because we missed the parade.

November 26, Tuesday - Sunny Day

For the first time, I went out not wearing jeans! I guess I have adjusted to the SoCal winter weather! I belong! haha! on our way to get the car, I just had to take a picture. :)

November 27, Wednesday - Cousins. Mexican and work

Today, right after work, JR and I headed to the area near Anaheim. Why? I'm seeing my favorite cousin!!! It's been gazillion years ago since the last time we saw each other. She is like 8 years younger than me (I think) but we are too close like we're sisters. She lives in Utah with her husband, but just visited Ca for Disneyland. We had lunch at Gerry's Grill - yes, they were craving for Filipino food.

Later that night,  JR picked me up for dinner at a (non authentic) mexican place - Chipotle. 

After dinner, I got to see JR's office! :) yay! I was able to see where he normally would sit when we "talk" when he's at work. hehe.

No, that's not his desk, I dropped by the reception just so I can take a picture with their company logo :) Who knows, I might also be working here in the future! 

JR worked from home this night so we got to hang out as well with the boys. They had beer while I had root beer. By far the best root beer I've had. I'm definitely gonna stock up on this in our future apartment.

November 28 - Friday - Thanksgiving Day

It was my first time to celebrate Thanksgiving. Not that I am not grateful in the past, but it's just that I've always thought that Thanksgiving Day is just for the people who live in the US. (which is why I'm such a hater of those people living in Pinas who would post "Happy Thanksgiving". smh) Anyways, so after the program at church, we al headed to the Lastica's to celebrate with the whole family.

With Sophie and Chloe, and their pasalubongs.

Sophie and the gwapong Lucas

The Obciana Girls (I am a soon to be, hehe)

November 29 - Friday, Hello again, Disney!

Today, we were supposed to head to San Diego and see Seaworld. But boo, there's a typhoon in that area so we opted to go back to Disney. I was ok with it coz I know I'll have another chance to come back - once I'm in LA for good.

So there, that sums up our November days together in LA. Next week, I'll be flying to Chicago to see my dad. :) JR and I will be having a long distance relationship for 2 weeks. 

First Week in LA

I would say, I'm looooovin the weather in LA. It's winter and I get cold easily but I love it here. I love the convenience and I especially love how customer service is here. Anyhoo, just an update of how our first week was in LA - together.

You see, before this workacation (as I work on weekdays remotely), JR would always say that this will be a preview of how our life will be once I'm here - for good.

November 17, 2013 - Sunday: Universal Studios
Yes, we didn't waste time to go out. Luckily, no jetlag for me! Woohooo! So headed to Universal the earliest time that we could.

I kept saying that the reason why I wasn't able to go to Universal in Singapore was because my first will be here in the US! Haha! "We can go with that".

And thanks to "Ninong" Andrew for this gift of 3 day hopper pass to Universal, Disneyland, California Adventure and Seaworld! Woohoo! We had a lot of selfies and it was nice that we won't have to worry about strangers snatching our phone when we ask them to take our pictures. If that was in the Philippines, oh boy!

 

In 4 hours we were done with our tour! We didn't realize we would be able to go around everywhere in less than 5 hours! At some point during us being tourists, it made me miss my nieces and nephew. And I seriously had to stop myself from crying. 

That night was my first time too at Cheesecake Factory. Andrew treated us for dinner! Yum!

January 18, 2013 - Monday

It was back to work for me. Yep! No vacation. But after work, we had lunch with JR's friends at CPK. 

January 19, 2013 - Tuesday: 21st Month 

We're not really the type who would celebrate our monthsary like in a special way. Hehe. As long as we are together, it doesn't matter. So we had brunch at Ihop - again my first time. Hehe :)

And we also watch TVD's episode from the previous week! 

January 20, 2013 - Wednesday

I just couldn't handle the cold anymore, so I told JR I need to get some warm clothes. So we headed to Galleria and bought some jackets and sweaters, and a beanie. :) After that, we had dinner at In n Out! Yes, I am officially in the US. haha!

January 21, 2013 - Thursday

It was a lazy day for us and we just decided to stay at home after my shift. But since I have been craving for strawberries, we headed to Trader Joe's for some goodies! 

January 22, 2013 - Friday
Lunch date with Ate. After my work, JR, me and Kuya Dawn drove from Glendale to Long Beach Ca to pick up Ate from work. We had a feast Parker's Lighthouse! Yummy food! It was nice hanging out and getting comfortable with JR's siblings. The food was really good, especially the clam chowder. yum!

January 23, 2013 - Saturday 
Happy Sabbath! It was my first time to go to church with their family. JR and I drove with his parents. It was a 30 minute drive from Glendale to Orange County. It was a bit overwhelming to meet their church family.

Ok, so that's it for now. It's Thanksgiving next week but I've been really soo much grateful for everyday here. I can't wait to live here and be with my future family.