This picture was taken during our wedding reception. Jeff and I had our church wedding the Philippines last Oct. 8, 2005. We had the wedding ceremony at the walled city in Manila. I'll post a few our wedding pictures soon! But this blog is not about my wedding but its all about my family that lived thousand miles away from each other.. literally!
Below (L-R) Jeanelle, Jasmine, Sis-in-law - Ate Raechelle, Eldest Bro - Kuya Jing, Oldest sister - Tracy
After 16 years my family are finally complete! To all those who don't know, my family is all over the globe before this picture was taken. Everyone flew to the Philippines just to be in our wedding! My wedding is also, kind-of a reunion for us. Why?
Let's start it with my dad. My dad worked in Japan for almost 16 years. He was there working with no working visa in hand. With the help of some good family and friends my dad survived without being caught and put to jail. His salary will go to his needs (foods, house rental, etc.) and some are sent to us to pay for our tuition fees and for some other miscellaneous stuff. (this is oh so normal in the Phils. esp. to average families - parents are working abroad sacrificing their feelings of leaving their kids.) Anyway, my dad decided to come home just days before my wedding. I guess one of the reasons why he went back home is because their youngest daughter, ME, is already finished with school! When he got home we were the only ones ( Jeff & I ) haven't arrived yet in the Phils. Then, My mom was with us before I graduated from High School. She used to work abroad for years. Before, mom and dad used to work in Saudi Arabia, then they had me. Went back to the Phils. so that my aunts and uncles will take care of me. they went back to SA to work again. After SA, they went back home with us. Years had gone by and then my Dad left for Japan (1989) then didn't come home till 2005, as said. Anyhow, mom stayed with us but she decided to work in HK as a domestic worker. She worked as a nanny. It was hard for her to leave us and instead of taking good care of us shes taking good care of someone else's kids. But we all understand why. Then after HK, mom decided to work in Japan and to be with dad. She worked in a Filipino store as a store manager etc. :) Sacrifices were done but it's all worth it because my mom finally came home for good! 
About my brothers story, He left the Phils i guess when I was still in grade school. I still remember the day when we were at the airport saying goodbyes to each other! Me, my sisters and brother were all crying! :) This is one of the saddest days of my life! I didn't get over it for days! My bro had a tough time living in US. But of course with the help of our parents he got his life back! He met my sis-in-law when my brother was staying at his childhood friend. They both fell in love and now they have 2 lovely daughters, Jasmine (11) and Jeannelle (10). They have a beautiful house in Sacramento and living a life! He used to be a supervisor at the Coca-cola Co. then he quit his job to be a LVN. The first time that he came back to the Phils. was last Oct. 2005. almost 10 yrs since he left.
Next is my older sister, Tracy, she already finished college when he went and live in Hawaii with her husband. She met her husband on the internet. Kuya William is a very beautiful person, inside and out. We got along very well! He petitioned my sister and got married Nov. 2003. They are very much in love! They send emails, videos, and pictures to each other! She went back to school and took another degree. Shes now working in a bank in Honolulu, HI. They now have a 7 month old baby boy, Jacob. 
My sister, Ate Jennie, is always there when I need her. We always do stuff together. Good thing that she didn't leave me and work outside the country or else I will be devastated! We may have differences and some misunderstandings but we are still sisters who both love each other! We will be sisters forever!I was so glad that all of them were able to attend my wedding. After 16 years we're finally together! It was hard for me to leave them for our honeymoon but we will definitely see each other soon! I would say no distance will keep us apart from each other! I'm pretty sure that this won't be the last picture, where all of us are in it. I still have a sister that hasn't married yet! All of us will definitely attend her wedding even if we are all over the place! If my sister, Ate Jennie, is already here is US I will definitely organize a family reunion!! Can't wait for that to happen! cheers!
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