BACK..but not..

can I tell you just how crazy the landing has been?! so we finally get back to the states on monday (july 13th) spend the night in monrovia and make our way back to San Diego in time for my parents’ 50th Wedding Anniversary. Just think: Tuesday was the arrival day in San Diego and Saturday (July 18th) the party. This wouldn’t be a big deal if…I didn’t have to do anything else but decorate the night before BUT not only did I have to do that (with the help of Megan, Arielle, Aunti and Mom), I had to finish the montage, meet w/the dj/mc, figure out how the party would and could be documented (thanks mike, reanne, winter and megan), orchestrate the program (with the help of arielle and my sister) and play taxi for out of town guests (and the Oribello-Barrios clan ain’t small). I’m super duper glad my sister took care of the seating arrangement and the BIG toast! But let me tell you….I had no time for jet-lag. Days were spent running around and evenings were spent editing until 3 or 4am. Needless to say – I’m so exhausted I don’t know what exhasuted is…OH yeah – did I mention the first meeting of the newborn (my great-neice – Kamea?) too! The house was a zoo but ultimately I survived….actually Megan survived (a HUGE endeavor!). The party went well, was festive and it was super nice to catch up with old friends and relatives that I haven’t seen in like 10-20yrs. Since coming from the PI – i’ve been on this “connecting with relatives” tip. Turns out..while speaking to my aunt who was a mid-wife in Davao back in the 40’s..I discovered that my lolo (grandfather) was the driver for Marcos when he first came into his Presidency…..can you believe that?!! Anyways….here are some pix from the soiree..but click here and here for the entire album.