China recap

This year has definitely been TRAVEL YEAR. My passport has had so many new stamps and visas, it's quite amusing :) The last time this happened to me was in year 2007-2008, when work-related travel was also monthly, if not bimonthly. Hehe.

OK, our latest trip was to China, on my family's annual pilgrimage trip + trip to see my dad's extended family who are still living there. It was Dennis' first trip with my family, and it was a resounding success. I loved the fact that we got to bond so much during a 3-day period, and I could clearly see how much my brothers enjoy his company and respect him as an older brother. Respecting Dennis as their brother-in-law is automatic and a given. But respecting him as if he were their actual blood kuya is another and a totally optional thing, so for that, I'm very happy and very grateful.

We went to the temple of our patron buddha, as well as 3 other temples of different buddhas. It was also during this trip that we prayed the hardest to be blessed with a child soon. I don't know if this makes sense to people who are not or have never tried waiting for a child to enter their life, but once you start on that path of wanting one, it can oh-so-easily consume every corner of your praying life. You can still ask for the usual keep-us-safe-from-harm and always-guide-us requests, but you will notice that your pleading and asking, sometimes reaching the point of begging, will always revolve around this deep desire. It's not that we're desperate, because we're not (yet) and we've only been really trying for 4 months, but I guess that's just how it normally develops (or at least I hope that's how it really is for everyone). Your heart naturally bares itself once your knees touch those padded red pillows, and since that's the one thing that consumes your heart's desires, it's what will automatically come out from your mind and your lips.

One of the key memories from this trip also involves my dad, and all the funny moments we had with him. I tell you, my dad is one of the most amusing travel companions ever, and I would like everyone to have the pleasure of traveling with him. Even the smallest quips from him were so funny, and I guess a big part of it is because he was so relaxed and stress-free. I'm glad Dennis got to see that side of my dad as well :)

I know we'll do this every year, it being a tradition in my family. But I'm glad that our first outing with Dennis was a huge success and it made him closer to my family. I hope next year will be just as happy, for my brother, since his fiancee (by then his wife) will be joining us :)

Here's to family! *click glasses*