The Flu

 I've missed school for 3 days now because of the flu.  It's not fun to have it...

...by myself, so I decided to share it with my mom.  

Grief and Joy

How does a kid process grief? How do you even understand the loss of someone? On Friday, my mom picked me up from school and told me that my other lola, Lola Aurora, my Lolo's sister, died that morning.  I asked how she died and she said that she thinks that her heart was just really tired and it stopped. She died peacefully in her sleep.  She was 80 years old.  Later that evening, we headed over to Lola Aurora's house where the family decided to meet.  My cousins, aunts, and uncles were there.  There was confusion and tremendous sadness.  There was crying, but there was also laughter because we're celebrating her long life and remembered good memories.  As I'm surrounded by this, I typed this on my iPod.  It's the only way I could sort my feelings out.

(Picture courtesy of cousin Arianna.)

Here's a picture of us with mommy.  I was a few days old here and she held me.

Here's our last family picture with her on Christmas Eve.  She's sitting in the middle of the family in a red jacket.

Goodbye Lola Aurora.  Although we grieve your loss, we also rejoice because you are now reunited with God, with the love of your life, Lolo Bert, and your beloved daughter, Mariles.  I know you will be watching over all of us. God bless and may you rest in peace.  We love you.

First Day of 2013

 It's all about family.

The Kaplans.

And another one.  You have to understand. Our family is like the paparazzi when it comes to holiday pictures.

 The big family on New Year's Eve. We're trying to pose in front of a makeshift photo booth in my uncle's garage, but obviously, there's too many of us.  Haha!  And that's NOT all of us, by the way. (All photos courtesy of my Uncle Gel. He's sitting in front with the pointy hat.)

Uh...not sure what's going on with the green guy next to us.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!