Quote of the Day

"Dream like you mean it." - Anonymous

2005 Holiday Cheer

Janice's annual Holiday Party took place on December 23, 2005. I heard through the grapevine that it was wonderful fun for the kids and adults. For those of us who weren't able to make it, here's Janice's e-mail to me and some cute pictures for you to enjoy. : )

Thanks again, Janice, for hosting a year-end celebration for everyone!

Hey Mary.......

We missed you at the party.......we had a great time.  All the kids are
growing up so fast.  And of course, since the kids see each other a few
times a year.......they have a ball catching up.

Gladys, Geneva, Mabel, Christina, Karen, and Bernie were here.........along
with some other familiar faces......Arnold, Nancy, Jeannie, Edmund, Kim, and
Julie.  Everyone brought their kids and spouses.  There was ALOT of
food.........I was able to give everyone who stayed later a plate or two to
take home.

Gladys, Gene, Victor, and Tomas left late......around 11:30 or 12:00 but
Christina, Gianna and Julie stayed til 1:30am.......the girls were TIRED
but they had a ball!  They loved having their friends over.

I've attached pictures .....mostly of the kids.......

Hope you have a safe New Years Eve........see you in 2006!

Janice

Mrs. Elizabeth Quezon

Do you remember Betty Yambao? Well, thanks to Gladys, I had the pleasure of re-connecting with her again via e-mail last November. She is now Mrs. Elizabeth Quezon, married to a wonderful guy and blessed with two daughters. Here is one of her thoughtful e-mail messages to me and a photo (that she kindly let me post). Elizabeth, thank you again!

From: "Quezon, Elizabeth"
To: m_convento@hotmail.com
Subject: hello
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2005 09:38

Maryanne Convento!!!!

Of course I remember you! Weren't we the best of friends in high school? And
no, I don't remember our skit in Spanish class.... I'm losing my memory, so
you have to refresh me on that one. I also have many fond memories- can't
believe how silly we were, actually, I'm still silly and to top it off, I
married a clown, therefore, my eldest is a clown.

How are you, and what heck you been doing these past 20 years? It's been
that long? It's ashamed that it's taken me this long to get hold of you. I
guess there was a reason for me to be at my mom's house Sunday night- I was
able to talk to Gladys who gave me your information...... and if you're
trying to hide from me, too bad! I found you!

There is just too much to catch-up on, for starters, I married in 1995 (as a
matter of fact, our anniversary is Veteran's day) to an ex-army guy who used
to go to school at USF while we were in high school. We have 2 daughters,
Faith (9 yrs) and Jordan (7 yrs). We moved to Fairfield cuz we couldn't
afford the home prices in the city. I work for Social Security now. I used
to work in the city for the longest time. I'm surprised I never ran into
you.

I still keep in touch w/ Corinne Cadag (married to John and I won't even try
to spell his last name), Linda Gagui, MaryAnn Lapuz and Marites Lomboy (now
Bobila). I haven't spoken w/ these guys in awhile--- I'm very lazy when it
comes to calling people.

There's just too much to update you on, so I hope we'll make an effort to
get together one of these days.

I'll email you pictures in a couple of days.

Love,
BettyQ

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Janice's Birthday Wraps

Last year, we celebrated Janice’s birthday. A few of us offered to take her out to a restaurant, but she invited us over to have a warm get-together at her place instead. Bernie, Mabel and I came to celebrate with a hodge-podge of food (Mabel brought pasta, I brought lumpia and pancit, and Bernie brought a delicious cake with other goodies). Even though Janice didn’t have to make a dish, she took the time (hours!) to make fresh delicate Vietnamese wraps for us (it was her first time making them!). I forgot my camera that day, but here’s a picture I found on the Internet that somewhat resembles what she made. (Yummmmmmy!)

Karen and Keith say "I do!"

Karen and Keith exchanged wedding vows and kisses on September 17, 2005. A few of us drove up to Lake Tahoe to witness the special moment in a small chapel at one of the large hotels. After the ceremony, we had a cozy reception with some of their family members and friends.

Here are some photos that I e-mailed last fall. Also, if you didn’t get a chance to check it out, here is the link that Karen e-mailed to us, so we could see pictures that her friend took during the celebration:

• http://johnnygphotography.com/kk/index.html

Congratulations, Karen and Keith. We wish you many years of happiness together!

Excerpt from Remembrance of Things Past by Marcel Proust

"…a porcelain bowl with water and steeping in it little pieces of paper which until then are without character or form… the moment they become wet, stretch and twist and take on colour and distinctive shape, become flowers or houses or people, solid and recognizable… so in that moment all the flowers in our garden and in M. Swann’s park… and the water-lilies on the Vivonne and the good folk of the village and their little dwellings… and the whole of Combray and its surroundings… taking shape and solidity, sprang into being, towns and gardens alike... from my cup of tea.”

Charlie's Angels?

This photo was taken at my sister's wedding last September. Janine mailed it to me after the wedding. It made me smile when I found it in the mail, so I wanted to share it with you. Of course, Charlie couldn't make it.

Biscuits & Blues in Antelope

It was a Biscuits and Blues party, minus the biscuits (we had rolls instead) and blues (various concert DVDs, ranging from Prince to the Beastie Boys to Madonna, visually and musically inspired us). William enjoyed a private massage session with Karen under Carla's watchful eye (okay, she talked more with the massage therapist than watched). Keith and I felt like the owners of a bed and breakfast, except that we party with our guests. Food was abundant (kudos to Carla's layer dip and Janine representing the Filipino community with her bibinka) as was the liquor. We want to thank everyone for coming and look forward to partying again on Sept. 17th!!!

Karen

Bits from the Bibinka Baker

When I called ahead to say I was stuck in traffic, people already Sounded drunk. When I finally arrived and was greeted with a loud cheer, people were Definitely drunk. As the night went on, people got More drunk. And after one beer and 2 very strong and tall margaritas, "I" was drunk. But our hosts used nothing but the best tequila in them margaritas, cuz lo and behold, no hangover the next morning!

Libations aside, Karen & Keith's place is a must see. They've created a home stamped with their personalities, and I think they could open a B&B some day! Our stay included:

*meeting our hosts' friends Jen & FJ (cool & entertaining people themselves)
*a massage by Karen (for a more in depth description, talk to William)
*Madonna in concert (topless dancer and onstage hotness included)
*Beastie Boys videos
*outdoor patio chatting (mostly for the smokers?)
*a rousing poker game of Texas Hold 'Em (brought to us by Convento's Casino)
*chowing down on Karen's yummy potato & macaroni salads, Keith's scrumptous BBQ'd chicken, Carla's tasty layered dip, and the BEST Bibinka EVER (wink-wink)

AND, guests with a "late check-out" were treated to a full and delicious breakfast the next morning, thanks to chef Karen.

If you haven't visited the Phoenix King Hotel yourself, photos don't do it justice. You've got to book your reservation soon!

Lady J

Thanks, Karen and Keith!

After driving for about two hours in HOT, I mean HOT weather(105 F), it was great to be greeted by an air conditioned room and a smiling Keith & Karen. It was great to meet new people and be with old friends. The Smirnoff Ice variety pack is a godsend(great buy Karen), it's just like eating a jolly rancher candy but with a bit of liquor(not for kids). There was plenty of food, it was all great and had us munching through the night. The atmosphere was just like being at home, except with a lot more people and a little more liquor!!! Love the way the place is decorated, great job! Thanks Keith & Karen for organizing a great weekend for all of us.

Highlights:
* I had a great time watching videos and chatting with everybody.
* There was plenty of liquor and food. (of course liquor goes first)
* I would love to have another get together soon, but cooler weather(please)!
* I loved meeting new people and seeing old friends.

Carla

Priceless

Do you remember Madonna singing "Holiday...Celebrate"? We saw Madonna live in concert (DVD) in Karen's and Keith's living room. It felt like a holiday...especially to the ones intoxicated. ; )

Beastie Boys (DVD) also played in the living room. FJ likes the band. FJ is one of Keith's friend -- a sweetheart. He was also the bartender for the night. At one point in the evening, I asked him for a glass of milk. (Karen made these cookies that were deliciously addictive.) FJ offered to make chocolate milk for me instead. How did it taste? Like Nestle's Quik with vodka!

While Beastie Boys played, we played Texas Holdem. I love the game and I usually don't like to bluff. William, Carla's boyfriend, is a good poker player AND bluffer. During one round, he raised his bet to me. I feared the grin on his face so I folded. Later I found out he didn't have anything -- nada! I felt defeated as I watched him take the winning pot -- a pile of miniature Hershey bars, Twixs and the like. : )

I think it was past midnight when we all went to sleep. Sunshine greeted us in the morning. Carla, William, RJ and his sister Jen left early to start their day while Janine and I stayed for breakfast. Karen prepared eggs, hashbrowns, and sausages for us. While she cooked, I had a nice conversation with her in the kitchen.

If you haven't been to the Phoenix Hotel (AKA Karen's and Keith's place), I hope someday you will get a chance. To see the way they made their place a home (with model airplanes and trains) is a special treat. To be among friends (as well as to meet "Bobbie" the cat) is priceless.

Mary Ann

Quote of the Day

'Tis folks like you who keep the world smiling
In spite of grief and bitter tears.
'Tis folks like you who make the world go round,
When everything seems hopelessly out of vein.
'Tis folks like you who can straighten things allright
When troubles come and break our peace.
'Tis folks like you who conquer hate and anger
When others brood, pine and weep.
'Tis folks like you who sing and go merry
All the year round, rain or shine.
Oh! How can folks like me get along
Without the help and cheer of folks like you?

- Carmina B. Anonuevo, Student, University of the Phillipines, 1958