Mother Nature certainly helped our reunion : she cooperated. There was some snow on Thursday and the weather prediction stated there would be snow Sunday afternoon but in between - Friday and Saturday - the weather was auspicious for touring and getting together. The recent New York/New Jersey mini-reunion was an unqualified success. Dean and Santi flew in from England Friday December 7. Sammy T.and I flew in from Austin, Texas and Hunstville, Alabama respectively, arriving at the Newark Airport at about the same time, 8:30 PM. Miriam picked up Dean and Santi at Newark Airport - they arrived earlier that evening - and transported them to the home of Tessie Saturnino, where they were later joined by Nadiene and Tootsie. Sammy T. and I were picked up by Jane Gensaya (CPU High School Class 1971), the sister of my sister-in-law Japhet . Since it was almost 10 PM by the time we got our lugagge, we decided to rest up Friday evening and join the group at Tessie's house the following day, Saturday. We proceeded to Jane's house for some Ilonggo delicacies: batchoy, dinuguan, adobo, pan de sal, and of course steamed rice! Then to unwind we watched the Pursuit of Happiness on DVD, finally going to bed at 2 AM Saturday morning.
Friday evening December 7, Miriam, Tessie, Nadiene Tootsie, Santi and Dean shared wonderful stories over pizza, peach cobbler and unlimited beverages. Miriam said it was early AM Saturday when they parted - Nadiene and Tootsie drove back to New York and Miriam drove home. Dean and Santi spent the night at Tessie's place.
Saturday December 8 ,bright and early, Miriam picked us up at Jane's place at 7:45 AM. We proceeded to Tessie's house where we met up with Dean and Santi, Tessie and Eleuterio Laud (he goes by Teeh). Teeh Laud is a mogul, like Trump,and plans to retire in 3 years! If you need investment planning, talk to him. He is selling a residential lot in the Orlando Florida area, a house and apartment complex in Manila and plans to retire at his Resort - the Laud Resort- in Subic.
Teeh was very familiar with the New Jersey area and had a Highlander, so he was our driver and Tour guide for the day. After eating a hearty breakfast prepared by Tessie (eggs were made to order), we all got into his vehicle for the trip to Princeton University - passing the Governor's Mansion along the way. We spent some time at the Princeton University Campus (where parts of the movie A Beautiful Mind was filmed) and even bought some souvenirs at the University bookstore. Then it was off to the home of Elmo and Fe for a late lunch. We had a healthy and hearty salad, some chicken nuggets, lasagna, hotdog sandwiches. Dessert consisted of pecan pie, key lime pie and other delicacies. After lunch it was off to the Oulet for shopping galore - to satisfy Santi's ever present desire to shop. That was a good excuse for Miriam and myself to do some shopping ourselves. Then it was back to Tessie's place where we said goodbye to Teeh and Miriam drove the group to New York City for dinner at Saigon Grille and a visit to the Rockefeller Center.
Although it had been cold in New Jersey, it was much colder in New York that evening. Nadiene and Tootsie joined us at the Saigon Grille- as did Santi's sister Susan and her son Sonny (a doctor practicing in New York City). After a delicious meal at Saigon Grille - all the dishes were expertly selected by Nadiene- we took the subway to the Rockefeller Center. There we admired the beautifully decorated giant Christmas tree and the Christmas display that included angels and toy soldiers. A lot of people were skating at the ice skating rink. Many costumed figures were in the area, and Elmo Familiaran found his Elmo - look for the picture of Elmo and Elmo (coming soon at the photo section of our website). Lina Agreda and her husband Julius also joined us at the Rockefeller Center.
We finally called it a night at about 1:30 or 2 AM. Miriam drove us all back, dropping off Dean and Santi at Tessie's place, then dropping off Sammy T and myself at Jane Gensaya's house. Only then was Miriam able to drive home - she must not have reached her house until about 3 in the morning.
Miriam woke up early Sunday December 9 to bring Dean and Santi to the airport for their flight to Orlando, Florida. Jane Gensaya brought Sammy T and myself to the airport for our respective flights - mine on Delta,. Sammy T's on American Airlines. We all had this inner glow of contentment having just had such a productive and fun weekend with friends. The glow of friendship kept us warm through the cold New Jersey and New York days and nights. We are all looking forward to getting together again in Vancouver in barely 6 months!
To our wonderful New York /New Jersey hosts- Thank you. A big THANK YOU to Miriam's taxi service and to Teehs' tour van, to Tessie's bed and breakfast and Elmo and Fe's diner! Thank you to Nadiene and Toots for expertly choosing the dishes at Saigon Grille and to Lina and Julius for your warm company at Rockefeller Center. And of course a big THANK YOU to Jane Gensaya as well.
We enjoyed the weekend and we go back to our routine today, Monday, fully recharged! Dean and Santi are basking in warm Orlando Florida sunshine, rubbing elbows with Mickey and Minnie....
Until the next mini-reunion... Let us keep the fires burning!