Association of Calapenos-USA International

October 25, 2008 at Marriott Airport Hotel Burbank, CA, the Association of Calapenos-USA International held its 2nd Dinner-Dance Fundraising Event. It was a very successful activity meant to raise funds for its projects and for all of us to get together again. The event was chaired by its SoCal Coordinator, Dr. Ting Luna and the Calapenos Int'l President Jimmy Chua. Roger, my son Ohskar, and I went to the party and mixed around with old friends and acquaintances. I met Eleanor Collera and sister Estela with their respective families. They were my childhood friends in Ilaya. My Kumadreng Letty Cueto was in attendance too, with some of her friends from Alameda, CA. Other friends who graced the occasion are Juliet from NY, Luz and family from Las Vegas, Orville from Las Vegas, Mrs. Garong and family from Cerritos, CA, and many others. It was a fun-filled evening and it ended with a "Big Treat" at the suite of Ting Luna at Marriott. Filipino dishes were served, lots of drinks, and most of all, the never ending kuwentuhan. Roger and I retreated to our room at almost 1AM. Quite an exhausting week-end! Sunday, at 11AM we had a Committee Meeting presided by Jimmy and Ting. Next fundraising event will be in Las Vegas, our group's chance to host the occasion!!!

MY NEW FRIENDS IN TOASTMASTERS

I am back in Toastmasters. I recently joined the BURNT TOAST II TOASTMASTERS CLUB. We meet every Wednesday at 6:00 PM at the Desert Pines Golf Course located at the corner of Pecos and Bonanza, North Las Vegas. I am fortunate to have met a good group of Toastmasters headed by its founder Jerry Simon, President Max Hooks, officers and members Shandra Edmond, Allan Frank, William Stover, Wayne Lueck, Anthony Aguillard, Lynn Jasames, and Timm. The club is quite small in membership, however, the quality is great. The membership is diverse. I am fortunate enough to have met this group of dedicated and service-oriented people. I am sure I will be learning a lot from this involvement as I had always been in my Toastmaster's career.

To my readers who may have no idea of what Toastmasters is all about, Toastmasters International is a worldwide organization whereby a person is helped develop and enhance his speaking skills. The member goes through a step-by-step development of his communication and leadership skills. In the process of his association with Toastmasters, he meets all kinds of professional who have the same intention of improving their speaking skills. He speaks in front of his club working on his speech projects to reach competency. He is evaluated by another toastmaster or toastmasters and in the process he learns, improves, and becomes more competent in speaking. He has the opportunity to compete in speech contests namely: Humorous Speech, Evaluation Speech, Impromptu Speech, Tall Tales Speech, and the International Speech Contests. Attending speech contests in area, division, and district levels is an advantage and an opportunity. Meeting people from all walks of life is another advantage for networking. Having fun meeting new friends and speaking in front of an audience are two most important skills one can learn through Toastmasters.

THANK YOU LORD

Thank you Lord for Thy loving kindness
For Thy guidance and light
For Thy intercession and direction
Of which without YOU
I wouldn't be what I am now...

Thank you Lord for loving me
For taking care of me every second
With or without difficulties
You are there ...
With or without questions
You give me answers
Of which without YOU
I wouldn't be what I am now...

Thank you Lord for all the good times,
as well as the bad times
For without knowing them
I wouldn't be the way I am now ....

Thank you Lord for everything
that happened to me
For my family and friends
For the people around me
who have touched my life
and who have made the difference ....

Thank you Lord for everything
I praise Thee and continuously pray
for happiness and success
to always come my way.

I also pray for everyone
That their lives be filled
with so much love and care
learn to give and forgive
For loving, giving, forgiving
the peaks of love in action.

Minnette, Sept. 13, 2008

13th of September 2008

PRIYA & BUNNY

Priya is the youngest child of Ohmar & Portia. They flew to the U.S. last August 12 to visit us and attend Marju's wedding in Minnesota. It has been one month and this morning ( 1:15 AM ) as I am composing this, the family is on a jetplane flying back to the Philippines. It will be a 15 hour trip. By afternoon at around 2:00PM ( Las Vegas time ) the family would be home in Makati City where they reside.

I called them last night in Sta. Monica, CA ( Ohskar lives there )and Portia was telling me that Priya would be hand carrying her doll, Bunny. Bunny sings when you press her hand. Priya had learned the song, a love song, from the time Roger, my boyfriend gave it to her. That doll was special because Roger gave that to me last Easter, and consented to give it to Priya. She is a cutie and a very smart kid. I know deep in my heart that she had enjoyed her trip to the US with her Mom and Dad. What a lucky girl!! I LOVE YOU ALL! THANK GOD FOR ALL OUR BLESSINGS AND LOVE. PEACE!

The Family in Action

Family Wedding Picture

Wedding Pictures of Marie & Ryan

The Wedding of Ryan & Marie

A new life begins as my only daughter, Marie weds Ryan Anderson of Proctor, MN.
They had been classmates since Ninth Grade at Proctor High School and had been the sweetest best friends ever.

Presently, Ryan is a Manager of McDonald's in Cloquet, MN while Marie works for United Health Care in Duluth, MN as its Membership Recruitment Specialist.

The couple has bought Ryan parent's house where he grew up. That house would be their permanent residence. The wedding took place last August 15, 2008 at the Enger Tower Park in Duluth, MN attended by family and friends.

We wish Ryan & Marie success and happiness as they embark this new chapter of their lives together. God bless!

A New Chapter

A NEW CHAPTER

The book is getting full
Halfway to the sky
The memories that last
Good, bad, ugly and best.

The masterpiece haven't been drawn
Not sketched, neither been designed
It will take almost a lifetime
For the best is yet to come.

Life is a constant struggle
A game I have enjoyed to play
Winning is always a yearning
Losing is learning after all.

A new chapter is soon approaching
Another door is on the way
Knowledge, wisdom and all life's treasures
Are soon to color the world and mine.