The D Spot

One day before Pauline’s 15th birthday (26 May), she asked to spend time with family and friends–at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. What a pleasant surprise to get a positive response from her 6 other siblings, my hubby and my mom. Summer was so full of activities, that most of the time, I was home alone, with the kids having their own summer activities, hubby in trips and my mom going for short trips to her hometown. Yes–they were free to join us for 2 nights, and that included Angelo’s wife and 2 kids.

All it took was 48,000 miles from my Royal Orchid Plus membership, plus applicable service charges, local taxes and VAT to book 2 rooms (connecting at that) for 2 nights at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, with 6 hours notice.

It would always be like this when we check in at hotels–the kids’ friends coming for a visit, swim in the pool, go to the gym and spa, listen to the hotel’s live band’s beautiful music, just chat away in the lobby, go to the malls for shopping and meals, or even go to the hotel’s rooftop just for the kick of it. There is also free WiFi in some places, like the Lobby Lounge and some restaurants, if they wanted to go online. They would linger till late in the evening, some would even check in with their families or come to the hotel with their families for lunch or dinner. What fun it is to see my kids with their friends–special friends and best friends, meeting each other and bonding with each other. I myself get to meet my friends over lunch, or they come to the hotel for tete-a-tete. Actually, these mini family affairs generate income for the hotel and the malls nearby.

Pauline with friends.

What delight it is for a mom like me to see my large brood all together at the same time in one place. I could only shake my head, sometimes in disbelief–did they really come out from me? These beautiful creations, aged 27 (Angelo), 24 (Monica), 20 (BA), 18 (Vince), 17 (Angela), 15 (Pauline) and 11 (Alan Jr), plus 2 sweet and charming little tots, aged 5 (Pia) and 3 (Cate)–they’re God’s special gifts, actually wonderful presents, to me and my hubby.

Birthday girl, Pauline has grown so fast. She is so full of talent and energy. She plays the piano so well–she reads notes and even plays by ear. How I love listening to her rendition of Winter Sonata, Canon, Moon River, I Believe (theme from Sassy Girl), Clementime (theme from Spring Waltz), Thousand Miles (by Vanessa Carlton), and many others. She would download the notes, print them, watch or listen to the tunes in You Tube, practise playing them on the piano, and perfecting her act. I could not believe what I saw when one day, I found her reading the notes that she photographed on her cell phone because the printer had run out of ink. This is how serious Pauline is with her music.

Most often, she is my companion in the evening. While I work, she either watches movies (how she loves Korean and Taiwanese telenovelas which she watches in marathon for hours), plays the piano, plays the guitar (both electric and classical), dances, does high energy PEP exercises and street dancing, or humors me with her punch lines–she simply entertains. When she is at home, especially with friends, we would hear peals of laughter every other 5 minutes. She is best friend to Chato and best buddy to Monica–they share secrets, clothes, shoes, and many others. Her brothers love teasing and hugging her, and she is tolerant of them. Pauline burns her desktop chatting away, listening to her own type of music, does fancy designs, graphics and edits pictures in the computer. And yes, she writes well–lately she has written a very beautiful heart warming story book (evidently taking after me). I see myself in Pauline in many ways when I was her age.

Academics? Pau can be serious and not be serious. She is able to take care of her academics–she knows her capability and limitations. When she wants to get high grades she gets high grades. Otherwise her grades range from average to above average. She is happy that way. I remember about 4 years ago, she would make notes for me for my MBA class, and the notes that she wrote were very useful, and like her, I got high grades. Thanks, Pau.

Happy 15th Pauline! a child, but not anymore, a lady, but not yet. Just be yourself, live your life the way it should be–HAPPY, thankful to the Good Lord for all the wonderful blessings and the ability to handle the challenges that come your way.

WE ALL LOVE YOU!

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