1) Talking with Natasha. We talked for more than an hour on the phone on Saturday playing catch up. She shared with me what she has been doing for NTME Photography and it was that push of inspiration that I needed to hear!  If you haven’t checked out her site, click here!!

2) The Food Fest! A really fun activity that I am glad to have been a part of. It was nice seeing everyone preparing their booths and the food from the countries they were assigned to.  However, the winner of the day was the Latin America booth that was prepared by the Buklod Organization in our local.  We decided to go with the country of Mexico because of the country’s lively and colorful culture! PLUS Mexico is our next door neighbor!

3) Spending Time with the Rosquites! Ryan was picking me up from work on Tuesday when he happen to hear the car next to him honking uncontrollably! When he looked to see who was trying to get his attention, it was our dear friends (but we consider them as our family), Ka Rex, Ka Tat, and Linlin! When Ryan picked me up and told me that Ka Rex was officiating the W.S. in Irvine, we decided to pass by and say hello, but we ended up attending the worship service there instead because for me personally, I just needed to feed my soul.  I’m so glad that we got to hang out with them afterwards that Tuesday evening as well as Wednesday evening after Ka Rex officiated the W.S. in Long Beach local. While he officiated the W.S., Ryan and I decided to take Ka Tat and Linlin to the park and signal hill for a mini photo shoot.

The sun had already set, but I really wanted to take some shots of Linlin there so she can enjoy the view and run as much as she can! It was worth it!

Next time we’ll do another family photo session with Ka Rex :)

It was already dark, but I wanted to push my camera to it’s limit. I know this image is blurry, but it’s one of my favorite shots of Ryan and Linlin playing peekaboo :).

Well, that pretty much sums up my memorable moments these week!  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!! Be sure to enjoy it with the ones you love!

Bro. Nhel, we are truly going to miss you and your family very much! You have been with our local congregations through it all. We are so blessed to have a minister like you assigned to our local congregation. We know that whichever local you are assigned to, that local will also be blessed to have you as their minister.

Thank you po for entrusting Ryan and I with different tasks and activities. Those activities have not only challenged us, but they helped us to also grow strong in the faith. We will never forget all you have taught us po.

Most of all po, thank you for giving me the opportunity to photograph you and your family. Every time I am able to photograph a ministers family, it is a blessing for me po. May our Father in heaven continue to bless each and everyone of you in your ministry. We love and will miss you po!

I tell him I’m fine, but we needed to exit because I saw the sign. The Vista Point sign.

A few weeks ago, on my way home from Santa Maria, I saw the same sign on the 101 South Freeway. As I was driving, I had a mini conversation with myself on whether I should take that Vista Point exit and enjoy the sunset or go straight home. Usually my conversation with myself at making these decisions would be, “Nah, you can just do it NEXT TIME”… But I realized that I always concluded to that thinking, so I decided to just exit and enjoy the sunset. Even though I was alone because Ryan had to go to work, I figured to treat myself to something beautiful.. something relaxing.. a simple joy in life since the following day was my birthday. I decided from then on that I was tired of saying, “NEXT TIME” because truthfully, what if there was no next time?

So as we exited, I told Ryan that I promised myself that if we weren’t in a hurry to get somewhere and I saw a Vista Point sign, we should take that exit and see what it is to see. I turned off the engine, turned up the volume, and kept the music playing as we enjoyed the views on that Vista Point.

Yesterday, I had to prepare a little program sheet for my lolopa that told a short story of his life. It also contained some short memories that my cousin and I have of him and I wanted to post them on this blog. Also, a few of my cousins are no longer living in Long Beach, CA, so I wanted to be able to share their experiences with our lolopa.

Amado “Dick” Endique was born on November 2, 1919, in Pilar, Sorsogon, Philippines. In his teens, he decided to join the United States Army during World War II because he knew one day it would be of benefit to his family. Like many of his fellow soldiers during the war in the one area of the Philippines, he was captured and was part of the Bataan Death March. He always recounted being forcibly marched for so many days with no food and water.

One day, while he was lined up with his fellow prisoners of war, a Japanese soldier had asked who among them could cook. With Amado’s quick thinking, he raised his hand. He was very fortunate because he was chosen to be a cook for the Japanese soldiers and considered it a blessing from God because he was able to stay in the kitchen where he would cook large quantities of rice. That gave him the opportunity to also eat some food. Many people died during the Bataan Death March, but Amado always mentioned that God was always good to him because he was able to survive the war and he also became a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ).

Many years later, Amado and a few of his family were able to migrate to the United States. Their first stop was in Honolulu, HI where they lived for a few years. Later they traveled to the mainland, to Long Beach, CA. It was in this city where he and all his family have lived since.

Amado lived a full and blessed life and his family is grateful to God because he has finished his race of faith. As much as they are proud of him for becoming a US Soldier during WWII, what they are even more proud of was that he finished his life as a soldier of Christ. He was a deacon in the Iglesia Ni Cristo in the local congregation of Long Beach, CA.

Amado passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2011, in Long Beach, California. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren from the Fomocod, Florento, Penano, Esguerra, Gatbonton, and Endique families who are also active members and officers in the church.

Here are some memories we have of our grandfather:

Lolopa and lolama both lived a fulfilled life and was very strong in the faith..wish I could be there..I love and miss all of you… -Virma Endique Florento Loreto

I remember Lolopa always telling us to be quiet cause we were too loud when we would be playng. He always gave us cup-o-noodles & wonder bread with peanut butter and also vienna sausages. He always had a clean & organized room, which I admired about him. - Yolleta Endique Fomocod Burgonio

Lolopa loved all his family members: His children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all the in-laws. He made everyone feel like they were part of the family. Ryan and I remember when he came along with me to pick up Ryan from LAX when Ryan arrived from the Philippines. He was excited to meet his new grandson-in-law. – Joan Endique Solitario

Lolopa was very generous. I remember him taking my family in his home when we first got to America. He taught us the value of hard work and helping those who are in need. – Retah Endique Florento

Lolopa always made us cheese sandwiches and made us drink V8. I didn’t really like the drink but because he was watching me, I would try my best to drink it anyway. He was always giving and thought of his family before himself. I will miss him so. – Janice Endique Blanco

My first bus ride was with Lolopa. When I was in kindergarten, we went to the bus stop and I asked him, “Does the bus driver know how to get to school?” He responded, “Don’t worry! I’ll tell him where to go.” After boarding the bus, and waiting for a few minutes, I was amazed that we arrived at school. I said to Lolopa, “Wow! The bus driver listened to you.” He said proudly, “Of course!” -Jodick Endique Esguerra

I remember Lolopa’s treasure chest. It was large and green with silver locks. He had a key that he would hide somewhere in his room. Whenever we came to visit, He would go through the process of opening up the chest by finding the magic key and unlocking several places to open up multiple goodies inside. Candy, a dollar bill, old tshirts, or worn hats. It was a wonderful chest and it reminded me of how giving Lolopa was. – Fred Endique Esguerra

I remember sleeping over at my Lolopa and Lolama’s house when I was 6, and not being able to sleep due to noises made by my sleeping cousin beside me. As it got later I started to see things, and so, became frightened. It was 1am when I began to cry and tried, but failed to wake my cousin up. Lolopa walked in a few minutes later. I wiped my tears and pretended I was sleeping. He knew I was awake but played along, so he didn’t say a word. He just sat there, turned on the tv, and watched until I fell asleep. Actions speak louder than words, and I felt so cared for by him. He cared for all of us, whether it be forcing us to wear a Members Only jacket when it’s cold, or making sure we had something to eat, even if it’s just a cracker or cough drop. We will miss you. It’s your turn to sleep, and I’ll do my best to care for this family now. Thank you for everything! – Johnson Villanueva Endique

When I was younger, I would stay with Lolopa on Sunday mornings while my mom performed in the worship service. He would make me ramen and sing the Japanese National Anthem because he learned it when he was a prisoner of war and they would sing it every morning. He always told us his Army stories (which is probably why I joined the Airforce instead :)). I am glad he was able to see my children. We will miss him! – Marinda Endique Penano Puckett

Lolopa loved to sing Maalaala Mo Kaya, the Japanese Anthem, and Hymn No. 58. He sang in happy moments and sad moments, even in his last breaths. – Joy Endique Esguerra

About 20 years ago when Long Beach local congregation was still located near Downtown, many of us cousins would hang around Lolo’s house which was located at the back of the chapel. Everytime we would hear the twinkling music of the ice cream truck, we would become frantic, hurriedly asking lolo for 50 cents to buy some cold ice cream. We’d burst through the doors yelling and waving our hands for the ice cream truck to stop. – Gerard Endique Gatbonton

I remember how Lolopa would think of and try to help out lolama to make sure they were both comfortable – Geralyn Endique Gatbonton

We love and miss you lolopa!

I considered yesterday as, “My Day”. It is not often that I get to drive up the coast and enjoy a beautiful day.  I had such a great time listening to my favorite songs and just absorbing the scenes. Yes, I missed my husband, and I wish he was there with me yesterday, but I believe God wanted me to have some alone time. So there I was, driving on the 101 Freeway with my thoughts of thankfulness to God for blessing me for the past 33 years.

“Maraming Salamat, Po!”

Thank you, for making me smile (inside and out).

Thank you, for reminding me just how special our brotherhood is in the church.

Thank you, for inspiring me.

Thank you, for today.

most of all…

Thank you, for reminding me to move ONWARD…

I’m so thankful to God for each and  every one of you!

I wasn’t sure if Ryan understood what I meant. I thought he would say something like, “Dear, we ARE DRIVING home.” However, the only thing he said was, “Okay” and from that, I knew that we both knew what “HOME” really meant.

My Lolama was a sweet and simple person. A woman who I have always looked up to. A woman who loved her family.  She was the first person in her family to join the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ).

After she learned that worshipping idols or graven images were against God’s commandments, she went home and threw away all the idols and graven images that she and her family had ever owned. When my grandfather found out what she did, he persecuted her; but despite the persecutions she faced for joining the church, she never wavered in her faith. Instead, she  always held on to the promises that God had in store for her.  Through God’s mercy, her husband and children joined her in becoming members of the Church. As one of her grandchildren, I can proudly say that our membership in the Iglesia Ni Cristo is truest wealth she could have ever shared with all of us.

I miss her so much! My heart and my mind is full of so much memories with her. Here are a couple of memories that have been playing over and over in my mind today…

1) The book she kept in her room. It had a list of names of her family, from her children, grandchildren, to great grandchildren. She would list these names and beside each name you will find the date of the person’s birthday, wedding anniversary, home address, and phone number.  It was her way of keeping a family tree. Even as a young child, I knew that book that she kept was special and important.

2) When I was younger, and my parents had to work to late night, she would accompany me and my siblings to our room and stay with us while we slept. She really cared for each and every one of her grandchildren.

3) She taught me how to play Do-Re-Mi on the piano and when she found out I was taking piano lessons, she was happy for me. She made me feel like I was a talented child pianist. :D

4) After my baptism, I went to her house and I told her I just got baptized. A few minutes later, she gives me a $2 bill wrapped in a plastic with a post it note that says: In Remembrance of Your Baptism, April 14, 1990 – From Lolama.  I thought that was the coolest gift ever (being that it was the first time I saw a $2 bill) and it really did help me not forget my baptism date.

5) The last time I got to hold her hand. I was holding her hand and rubbing her arms and her skin felt so soft. I told her that she didn’t have that many wrinkles as Lolopa.  I stayed by her bed side thinking how lucky I am to have her in my life.  I kept showing her photos of the family on my blog through my iPhone.

6) Her smile. I miss her smile.

My grandmother, my Lolama, passed away this morning. I still can’t believe that she is gone, but I know she is just resting from her journey and one day we will see her again.

In December of 2001, I had the opportunity to visit Ryan after 3 years of not being able to see him in person.  It was really difficult, but we believe it was something we had to go through.  It really made us stronger and it made us realize how much we meant to one another.  So before I had to leave Ryan again, we talked about how it would be a great idea that we started talking about marriage and that was it.  It was a plan. We would be getting married. There was no ring involved, but I knew when I got back to the US, I had Ryan’s promise that we would be getting married sometime in 2003. That gave us about a year to plan for our wedding.

Fast forward to a couple of months before our wedding.  We had already set a date to be wed on January 7, 2003.  We decided that our colors for our wedding would be Periwinkle and that our wedding would be held at the Central Temple in the Philippines. The only thing I had to do on my end were the giveaways, choosing my dress as well as the bridesmaids dresses, and convincing about 30 family/friends to travel to the Philippines to witness our special day. Ryan was taking care of the details in the Philippines with the help of our Ninongs, Ninangs, and family members there.  He was also taking care of another project that I had not known about… his proposal to me.

I remember talking to him one morning on our Voxphone software and he kept asking me if I got a package in the mail. I told him not yet but I would call him once I did receive it. It was getting late for him and I wanted him to sleep, so we said our goodbyes and ended our conversation. A few hours later, I received the package that Ryan had sent to me, but I didn’t know it was from Ryan at that moment because the return address on the package was from our friend, Kuya Jojo De Guzman, who was visiting his family in the US. When I opened up the package and saw the little blue bear with Ryan’s name on it, I realized it was the package Ryan was expecting me to receive. I called him right away and woke him up from his sleep to let him know I got the bear. That’s when Ryan asked me to marry him.  I kept telling Ryan that he was crazy, because we were already planning to get married.  What I didn’t realize when I opened the package was that was Ryan’s way of proposing to me because behind the bear was a small pocket. And in that small pocket, hid an engagement ring.

Our relationship is really not your typical kind. But I like knowing that we have a story unlike many others.

Today marks our 8th year Wedding Anniversary.

Happy Anniversary Ryan! I love you so much and if I could, I would marry you all over again.

I am looking forward to what this year brings and I hope and pray that all our family, our friends; all our loved ones, will have a blessed 2011 year. Happy New Year to all!

- from the Solitarios