THANKSGIVING 2008

My youngest sister in law at the dining table with my mother in law.

Mike, my niece Kristen's boyfriend with their friend Allison and his boyfriend.

My brother in law in the middle and my nephews, left Noel, Drichmond and Vincent.

My Irish brother in law Owen and his children Cora and Aiden.

My niece Kristen and her boyfriend Mike.

Me with Wanda, Jake and my nephew Kevin.

My wife with the rest of the relatives.

My mother in law with her some of her grandchildren at the dinner table.


Dear Auntie Patti Koh,

It was a tiring day for me. I was working in the morning of Thanksgiving until 12 noon and then I have to rush cooking and helping with some finishing touches with the Thanksgiving party that was held at my sister in law's house which is only four blocks away from my house.

The relatives, especially the nieces and nephews came. They are hungry and made some space in their stomach for the feast that they know will all be for them. It was a lot of eating and drinking and most of all, plenty of sharing stories and other happenings in their lives.

Kristen with her boyfriend Mike flew all the way from New York city just to be with the family. They will driving back to New York city with a U Haul because Kristen wants to sleep in her own bed. Everybody was joking her, that she does not need her own bed. But she still insists that she can only sleep in her own bed.

Aside from the traditional Turkey, we have also pork loin roast, leg of lamb, mussels in angel hair pasta soup with baby bokchoy, spicy chicken wings, lentils, mashed potatoes, greens and lots of desserts in the sweet table.

It was a good Thanksgiving Party, Auntie Patti Koh. It was a time of being close to all the nieces and nephews and friends. I was not able to eat all of the sweets and desserts at the sweet table.

SINCERELY YOURS,

INFRATERNAM MEAM

MAN'S BEST FRIEND

Dear Auntie Patti Koh,

Today is the birthday of my dog Bombolino. He is now three years old. A mix Maltese and Shitzu. Very obedient dog and properly trained. I always put news paper in the basement, together with his water and food. When he needed to drink water, eat or relieve himself, he goes down to the basement and do his thing. Then I will just remove the newspaper that has been soaked or where he relieved himself.

I cannot ask for anything about this dog. He is a member of the family and always guarding me especially I am sleeping during the afternoon when I arrived from work. He sleeps with me in the evening and does not make any noise or mess up the bed. Truly an amazing little dog.

The veterinarian said this dog will not grow big anymore. I love it and like it so that I won't have a hard time cleaning after him. The vet called this dog a MALTESEZHU. We named him Bombolino, just like the Italian name for a small boy.

And so Auntie Pattie Koh, since my two boys have decided to be on their own, I now again have a little boy in the house.

SINCERELY YOURS,

INFRATERNAM MEAM

WINTER IS COMING!!!!

Dear Auntie Patti Koh,

Yes, winter is coming. It is getting colder everyday. In fact this afternoon, the snow started to fall but it did not stick onto the ground. Thank God!!

I went yesterday to visit my favorite forest preserve and check out the migration and movements of the geese and I took pictures of these trees along the river. They are not dead, but the leaves have all fallen to the ground. Winter is coming. These trees are like bears that will be hibernating for the winter and will come alive again come springtime.

I sat down in my van for some time and was in deep thought. This place is so nice and so quiet to do some deep thoughts and meditation. I will be coming back come spring time and check it out.

And so Auntie Patti Koh, I can't say if I am welcoming winter. But I live in a place that sees the four seasons of the year so I don't have a choice.

Sincerely yours,

INFRATERNAM MEAM

NOV. 2,2008 COSTUME PARTY THAT I ATTENDED

I came as a Mandarin Merchant and also the Emcee for the evening.

Here are some of the entire participants at the Costume Party 2008.

Senora Flamenco Dancer.

Gondola (Bob) man from Venice.

Master Shaolin (Reggie) Monk.

Anna and her Polish Boyfriend Damien. Anna in a typical Malaysian outfit, Damian as a Polish football player.

The Goddess Athena or Fathena (Fat)

Native Mexican Dancer.

Bollywood (Alex) Dancer.

Mr. & Mrs. Omar Shalicom Barbaro (Tess & Jun).

Japanese Kabuki Warrior and myself.

Her Princess Jasmine Rice (Sandy)

Dona Hermana Puti (Mommy Balcita)

Mark Anthony and Cleopatra (Lisa and Boyfriend).

Madame Butterfly and Mr. Wong (Mr. & Mrs. Jing & Sharon Yap)

Dear Auntie Patti Koh,

My wife and myself decided to unwind and attended a yearly November Halloween Costume Party that is being hosted every year by our close friend Alex and Bob at their house. It was a very nice evening and as usual I am always called to be the emcee for the evening introducing the participants with their colorful costume.

It was a nice affair and everybody that came to the party brought a special dish that they shared to everybody. We have Chinese cuisine to American, Spanish, American Fried Chicken, Malaysian, Filipino favorites, Indian Curry, Japanese and most of all a bountiful of desserts and other sweet things.

Some of the participants brought along their children with them and all children that came in costume automatically was given a prize. There prizes given to individual and most authentic costume. Pairs was given also selected prices.

We ended the party past midnight and everybody was tired and exhausted but very happy. All of us are working class and we were able to unwind ourselves for this particular evening and we went home happy. We even have to bring some of the food that was on the table because it was so much and there's plenty to share to all.

And so Auntie Patti Koh, another night of fun and of course my wife and myself was able to unwind and had a wonderful evening. Wish you were there too.

Sincerely yours,

INFRATERNAM MEAM