missing the oyeks

found an old family photo while clearing my lappy-clutter. taken during one of our clan dinners. we would have these spontaneous get togethers when, i.e., someone comes home, somebody's turned a year older, or someone's about to go away (again).

of my cousins, at least 3 of us are working overseas. there's debbie (standing, 5th person from the left) who's in taiwan, alex (standing behind me, 2nd person from the right) who's in the US, and me. me-ann and jojo (couple in black, beside debbie) met and got married in the states but has since come back because they decided it's better to raise their family in the Philippines. they're dad and mom to 2 of my prettiest nieces, too -- lauren (the girl debbie's carrying) and nicole (front, seated, in white).

three of our cousins (jeffrey, julie and sallie) have gotten married and permanently relocated abroad -- in Canada, Russia, and San Francisco, repsectively. come to think of it, parang coming-of-age ritual samin ang paglalayag. must be our inner migrants (the o'yek patriarch and matriarch came from china).

since this photo, two babies have been added and the rest have been growing. (& i'm missing it! shets.)

*note to self: i looked so much thinner here! there goes my next hair-goal.