Sabado (de) Gloria

In the Philppines, we call this day, Sabado Gloria (roughly, Glorious Saturday). It is still a Holy Day and is observed with the proper solemnity.

Other things, however, are also associated with it with a mix of little superstition and a little religious tone.

For one, this is the day that all aspiring young boys are waiting for, to be transformed into"men" or at least, "little men". For comparison, I will say that this is the "bar mitzbah" for Filipino boys. They gather around early in the morning in a little stream for a lot of soaking (to soften up the soul, perhaps) while chewing some type of leaves for use later. Each one is holding a little twig (perhaps to guide them where they are going). With them is an elderly person who will perform a ritual with them. Each one takes a turn in the ritual and with one or two (or three) whacks (or is that "thwack") and a quick application of the chewed up leaves, the boy becomes a "man". The irony is that for a few days after that, he will be wearing a skirt. Kids, if you do not know what I'm talking about, ask your dads to explain.

For another, (where I grew up, at least --more on that later), everybody is supposed to take a bath early in the morning, specially little kids, boys and girls, if they want to grow tall. They can achieve this by jumping up and down while pouring water on themselves and shouting "loria, loria" (Gloria, Gloria.) For older folks, specially women with no more chance to grow, they just do "golgol" or wash their hair with water that filters through burnt rice straw in a coconut shell container. On this holy day, the golgol would be like a religious ritual but on other days, it will be their version of a shampoo treatment.

Note that in the first, the boys hope to have a growth spurt after the event. In the second, the boys and girls hope to just grow taller. In my case, I did not undergo the stream ritual as I went to a doctor for it. As for the bath ritual, maybe I did not do enough of it or did not jump high enough or did not scream "loria" loud enough. That's why I did not grow like Shaquille.

I could write more but that's enough for now. And by the way, I think I might have found a good role for me in this blog: that is, to steep you all kids in Philippine culture.

gOoD fRiDaY

hey all...today is the start of the easter weekend...i hope everyone is able to celebrate this weekend with loved ones to reflect on the sacrifices that were made so that we could all be here today. Thank You Jesus...

anyhow, on a lighter note...it's supposed to be beautiful today...haven't been outside yet b/c mom and dad have me doing chores i have been ignoring to do for the past 2 weeks (and dad has been doing...lol) you know, the usuals...bathrooms, vacuum, kitchen...BOOOOO to all!!

anyhow, i work tonight and tomorrow night until closin...that kinda stinks...who's actually going to go to Swiss Chalet today?? well we do have the regulars...but still...EVERYONE should be going to church!! and eating fish tonight...or veggies...lol!!

i see albert has been VERY busy with blogging...especially from school...that was illegal when i was in comp class...boy has highschool changed since i was there...but i guess the teachers are more trusting than before!!

i have nothing really to blog about today...that's the first...i think i'm going through multiple brain farts...this whole week i have been like this...dazed and confused!! i think i've been drinking too much red bull!! HA HA!! it's affecting my thinking process...there is WAY too much caffiene in me!! but it is SOOOOOO good!! yummy on coffee, tea, pop and red bull!! WOOHOO!! whoa...that's crazy!!

anyhow, i hope everyone else is having a more eventful day...hope everyone's week has been good and safe as always!! i'm gonna end it here b/c i have nothing more to say...LOL!!

Happy Easter Everyone!!!

Kisses to all!!

Spring

The last time I wrote about snow, I thought that would be the last this season.

WRONG!

Here we are, the third day of spring, after two very springlike days (as they should), it is snowing again; and not a paltry flurry but a full snowfall.

But ever the optimist that I am, I will make a daring prediction, for my own sanity and perhaps for others' in this place as well.

This will be the LAST snow this season.

There!

I'm tired too

hey guys...i'm back. I just took a vacation, i went to this place called, "HOMEWORK LAND".

Congratulations to the Hugheses of NC. I hope that we (Cabotajes in Canada) can meet Noah soon, and also finally meet Maria too (my god-daughter whom i have never seen before! only in pics!).

Happy birthday Uncle Libby, if you're even reading this. Your brother is very weird, are you like this too? Maybe Joey, Jeff, or Mike can tell us some stories about their dad. haha.... just kidding pops! you're the best, even though you're weird.

I have nothing really to say. School is almost over for me! three more weeks and i'm outta here....woohoo... What lies beyond....who knows? Wish me luck. =)

okay...well i gotta jett....i have extended my vacation... but I am going to another hot spot, its called "ESSAY WORLD". Its almost as fun as Homework Land but not as exciting. Manang, i think i will see you there.

Later dAYS....
joyce

ps..i am delirious.

Happy Birthday Manong/Uncle

The Cabotajes of West Virginia and the Galicias of Illinois are right now in California for a very important occasion. It is the grand birthday of Little Felix's Grand Daddy tomorrow. (Don't worry Manong, your sisters and brother are not too far behind from you in terms of years gone by.)

Happy Birthday!!

We hope and pray that you have many more to come.

Love from Jessie, Baby, & JBCA

and the bloggers

it's like that yo, it's like that yo....

ha ha...i'm feeling wacky today...i don't know why...maybe because i had a GREAT weekend...or maybe because of the lack of sleep i have been having!! who knows....but today is a GOOD day!!

anyhow, the weather is nice...actually BEAUTIFUL on the first day of spring!! i can't wait to go out and play in the puddles!! LOL!!

my first class was cancelled today so i think i'm heading home...or to the mall...YAY FOR SHOPPING!! i have to $ but i like to window shop!! LOL!!

so i see the weekend was VERY eventful...blog wise and family wise!! YAY FOR THE NEW BUNDLE OF JOY!! i love babies...i hope to have LOTS when i get the chance to!! All mother's are blessed to be able to create and sustain this life in them for 9 months...i hope to be one day be blessed with that kind of joy!!

anyhow...i think i'll print some stuff for school and head towards 'sauga...hope everyone had a great weekend!! i will blog (or be a spectator) again soon!! BYE FOR NOW EVERYONE!!