I just got home. We left Don Bosco in Bicutan at 4:30PM and I just got home 30 minutes ago. What a horrendous experience that I am slowly beginning to convince myself was all a dream. Though my sore legs beg to differ.

I remember during Ondoy that there were so many stories of people being stranded for hours and hours in their cars. And during storms after that, there would be stories of bad traffic jams. A few years ago I got stuck in a 3-hour one exiting Skyway at Magallanes. Though I was just a passenger then, and it was during a storm. We were also coming from Don Bosco at the time.

This afternoon, it rained hard for about an hour. Then stopped. Then rained again. We left Don Bosco at 4:30PM, after Mass. And, I was going to go pass C5 to be able to go to my meeting, but I thought that it was still early, so I could actually pass EDSA and drop off some of the missionaries who needed to go there.

Everything was going good until we exited the Nichols Toll Booth. And we stopped. In traffic. For FOUR hours.

And just like any situation, we made the best of it. Telling jokes. Making fun of one another. Sleeping. Walking (yes, along SLEX) around. And anything we could think of. Even pictures:

But, it was a huge parking lot. I had to turn off the engine, and we ended up inhaling fumes from buses beside us. Thank God the rain stopped by the time we got stuck. And only began to rain again when we got out 4 hours later.

I tweeted the Skyway. We looked at pictures of the huge traffic jam. It was disheartening. We got no reply too. So I searched the telephone number of the Skyway office and called. In fairness to them, they were calm and they answered my questions. They told me to U-turn if I could, and use C5. But at that point it was impossible. They said the rains caused a huge flood at Magallanes (waist high), and so cars could not pass until the flood subsides.

After so, about 3 and a half hours, we decided to pray the rosary. Yes, I know, we should have done that first. But we didn’t know it was going to be THAT bad. And while we prayed, the cars started to move. And after we prayed, we moved faster… and got out of the traffic jam / parking lot. It was an answered prayer. I also WeChatted Des to tell the kids to pray for us too. And that all worked. Faith works wonders.

What an experience. I never thought I’d go through something like that again. And while I was driving. But I had a good time with friends making everything lighter. And more fun. I was Van Diesel in the movie the Slow and the Furious. And I am glad we are finally out of there.

Thank you King of the highway. King of the road. We can now all attest to Your power. (thanks, Paul!)

After the Dove beauty sketch YouTube came out, and touched us in the process, of course parodies came out as well. This is my favorite one. And it’s true.

It’s been three days into 2013, and I have been stuck at home. Sick.

It started after Christmas with a sore throat and a cough. Maybe because of the cold weather and rain in Tagaytay? Or because we hadn’t been there in a long time, and the house was “unlived” and dusty. The kids got sick as well. Fever, cough.

And come January 1, it became a full blown fever. I have been taking Robitussin, Biogesic, Lagundi, Calamansi juice, Zithromax. Anything to make me better.

Yesterday was the worst. I was in bed, shivering under piles of blankets. With the sun shining in my window. I didn’t feel hot at all (weather-wise), but I sure was burning up. But, through the work of prayers of my Facebook and Twitter friends, and through the prayers, concern and kisses of my kids, the fever broke late last night.

I woke up this morning still weak. With a lingering cough and runny nose. But no more fever. I just have to rest this off for one more day (even if that means missing my College barkada dinner tonight… yet again).

But with all this, there are blessings. I got three whole days with my kids. One of our yayas didn’t come back after 2012. And our new yaya won’t come in until tomorrow. So I spent three sick days with my kids watching me.

And what a bunch these three are.

Our son is a ball of energy. From the moment he wakes up all the way until he falls asleep. Running, jumping, climbing, grabbing, throwing. It must be because he is a boy. We didn’t have this much chaos with his sisters. He also has the temper of a two year old. He has to get what he wants, OR ELSE! Don’t let his cute smile fool you. Ha ha! He knows what’s up.

Our second daughter is as independent as ever. She knows what she wants and she goes and gets it even if she has to do it all by herself. She chooses her clothes. And knows exactly what dress to wear. If she doesn’t see it, she goes looking for it. We currently have an issue with her eating habits, as she doesn’t want to eat. She just likes cereal and milk. Well, we all go through that. I think I am still in the picky eater phase, actually.

Our eldest is still our most emotionally invested child. She loves looking after her siblings. And she reports everything that happens in the house. She loves her long curls, and won’t have anyone cut it. She loves ballet and arts. And she can use some encouragement with the regular track of studies. She likes making friends, and just loves her life [except in the pic below where she is a bit under the weather].

Come to think of it, the first three days of January weren’t so bad after all. Spent it with my three gifts. Gifts money can’t buy. Can’t wait for number 4 in 57 days.

>

Every game has a TIME OUT. When the players gather and recoup. Make plans stronger. Just rest and relax before hitting the road again. Lick wounds. Everyone needs a TIME OUT once in a while.

I had mine yesterday. It was a fun day with fellow missionaries, enjoying each others company, great food and swimming. I love swimming

That was enough to refresh our tired bodies (from a lot of anniversary activities) and soothe ourselves – especially our minds – waiting for and wanting a break.

Back to work today