MY FAMILY IN ASIA

Finally I flew to Asia via Tokyo to Manila.   I flew Business Elite all the way from Atlanta, GA one of the perks with my job.   Having few hours in Tokyo it reminded me of my stop over there 17 years ago on the way to New York from Hongkong to get married.  I remember my childhood girlfriend IAN who was also my Maid of Honor,  our son Vladimir who was left behind in Hongkong to run my business and wrap up the life we built in that country.  I remember Vlad's challenges to get his visa to USA to be able to walked me down the aisle.  I remember my cousin Becky and her family from Newark, NJ that made the effort to travel with 3 young kids.  May the little girl and the youngest that stole the wedding event.  She captured the guests attention.  I remembered Cindy Near that gave me the warmest embraced upon arrival and became one of the most treasured extended family I got as I started my life in USA.  Tokyo seems to be my stop over every time I made a journey from East to West and West to East!    The place also gave my yearning for sashimi/sushi/odon noodles a complete satisfaction.   Added to that are those KitKats with different flavors that  you can only find in Japan.

Midnight in the City of  Manila is like other big cities, the lights, the buzz ling and seems no one sleeps that includes our 7 year old Bea who was the birthday celebrant .   Our loving daughters May and Beejay came over and met me.   My short stay were filled with so much activities and memories that will last a lifetime.   I was able to see Cris Victoria my forever friend and finally met her 2 grand daughters, Portia and Scarlett.   I love Cris so much and her daughter Ynna I consider my niece is so gorgeous.   Wow 26 years later Cris Nery another great loving friend of mine made it happened, our mini reunion.   It was bittersweet for me to see us together again but the time was against us and we also need to bid goodbye.   The funniest thing we acted like we were just once again fresh from college....  laughter's, teasing and talking of bullying on those days, our group was so guilty of that!  Well we were the chosen few, we were young, intelligent and yes PROUD little rascals!!   I will definitely plan to get off work longer next time.  

Cris wanted me to stay at her Condominium which was so beautiful and a world class setting overlooking the biggest gold course in Manila and one of our friend wanted me to stay at Manila Peninsula as well.   I opted to stay at Vlad and May's home to be near Enzo and Kevin and a short distance to Beejay, Nelson and Bea.   At the same time JR is a near proximity.   Cris sent her driver and car to pick me up and take me back home whenever we got to meet up for dinner/sauna/shopping or simply spent time together.   I experienced first hand the life of May and Vlad.   It was hectic but they are not stress nor unhappy.   It was more like a dance.  Whatever the tempo, they gracefully glide to it.  I was very amazed of their calmness but at the same time their motivation to make the day productive.   I love my morning coffee time with Vlad and May.  The best though was with Enzo.   I will never be able to describe our conversation and time together.  Why?  I had in many occasions a technical and precise description of every submarine, tanks, aircraft etc.  with the history of each that I got no clue where to start and what to say.   When 6 years old kids love to watch cartoons, he is watching the discovery channels or reading books.   Kevin on the other hand is sweet and although he prefer to be left alone with his crafts there are times he will kiss me, priceless!!!!    Bea is so much a lovely clingy girl to her mother.   I supposed as they grow up they will start to be more independent.  When I was at their home, she was preparing for a Quiz Bee Competition and she did great and got the 2nd Place.  Considering I don't consider our time we were left to study as study time!  I find out I cannot be really be trusted taking care of kids.  Bea's  7th Birthday Celebration was "wow"!   Should I say more.   The event gave us an opportunity to also gather all the families that I have not seen for a long long time, so it was after all a great moment in time.   With all these now I know I came from a family that will make any opportunity to PARTY!   I came from a family that are  HAPPY and GENUINE!  I love the positive vibes and the togetherness.

We missed JD, Mark and his family, Vic and his family this time.  JD was not allowed to travel due to his back problem but he is ok now.  Mark is expecting his 2nd child soon and Vic still in the process of completing his kids permanent residency in USA.   Nevertheless we are all looking forward of being together one way or another.   God willing when the time comes it will be our gift of life to one another!

My time in the Philippines got extended for a day, the life of a non-revenue passenger !  Luckily it was another day of happiness with my family!  (January 20 to February 4, 2012)

WORK STARTS

Either work to be done with yourself, at home or in the office, on the street, today is the day that I officially forcing myself to be productive.  After all the holiday season have given us so much joy and time to enjoy the way we wanted it to be.

I wasgoing through my communications and the one that I can't help share were the following:

Drinking water for Sendong survivors

I received several gifts this season of giving. But nothing is more precious than the gift of smile from people who received the desperately needed drinking water. Thanks to all who made it happen, you are all heroes, especially in the hearts of IDPs. I wish you could all see in person how happy they were. CFSI (www.cfsi.ph) distribution of drinking water (donated by Coca-Cola Foundation)

By: Vladimir Arcilla Hernandez

Photos: 9

 

 

Find Amy Ahonen

Our dear friend Amy Ahonen has been missing since Friday, July 8th. Her Jeep was found off of Hwy 6 at the 264 mile marker west of Golden, CO with her belongings still inside. If you have any information, please call 720-913-2000. Find Amy Ahonen page is about good thoughts, vibes, prayers, fun memories and positive i...ntentions. We want everyone to get an idea of what an amazing person Amy is!! If you have any scenarios, leads, or what ifs please contact the Denver Police. For more information please read all the articles, media press and facts we posted under the Notes section. Thanks. See More

 

Both needed the public's help,  it means you and I.   There are works to be done.   Each one of us posses that GIFT of giving not just monetary nor exorbitant time.  Pause for a while and think how you can help.   I did that and I got lots of friends from the Philippines that live in USA.  So I shared the need for basic necessities of the Tsunami victims in the Philippines.   I am sure even one person that will respond to the need is a help that will not happen if I did not work and use that gift.   For Amy I forwarded the information to friends that live in Denver, Colorado and all my Social sites.   It did not take that long but somehow, somewhere there is a witness or a knowledge of her disappearance.  Put yourseld in the shoes of her parents, her siblings and those love ones that did not enjoy the festivities like us for one family is missing.

 

Now that I've done at least 2 good deeds, I will go to my hairdresser to be sure I look presentable and professional as I soar to the friendly sky and meet hundreds of my passengers for the next 3days.  I have to work to assure them they are safe flying with me.  Assure them in the unlikely event of an emergency I am focus and will do all in my power to keep them safe.  That is the gift of aviation that every crew are committed to do....  saving lives! 

 

WELCOMING 2012

First time in 10 years that I don't need to organize a community New Year's Eve Party.  It was a bitter sweet feeling.   I enjoyed seeing a lot of neighbors getting together and cheering the New Year but at the same time it gave me the freedom of time to reflect and plan for the coming year.

Our good friends Dave & Gail Newman hosted the New Year's Eve Celebration at their home I fondly named Chateau Newman.   It was a great evening.  We played dice, eat sumptous meals and consummed vinos.   I love the 12 MN CHEERS  !!!!!  I love the fact that JD and I have always been together for the past 17 years and being thankful for the past and anticipating with excitement the New Year 2012 !!!

This afternoon I met good friends Stephanie Watson and Eva Duvall at Daniel Sklar and Grace Lin's beautiful home.   I felt so good after our meeting for I knew I started the year right.   We brainstorm on a project that we all feel strong will make a difference.  Probably when things progresses I will be able to put on this journal details.  Basically it is a GIFT that we wanted to be globally acknowledged.  A GIFT that will make a difference, a GIFT that matters to our soul and to the receiver.   The best part of our meeting were the jokes and friendly comments that make me laughed.   I love being around my good friends.