Dear Loved Ones,

Pleasant Greetings from Sacramento, CA! Belated Happy Christmas and a more Blessed New Year 2010, as we praise and appreciate God’s generosity and kindness for all the graces – good health, peace, joy, among many others!

On our monthly Catholic Lunch Club held on December 18 at the Radisson, the guest speaker was the most Rev. Jaime Soto, 9th Bishop, Diocese of Sacramento. His topic was Marriage and the Mystery of the Incarnation, very relevant to the Christmas season – the birth of Christ Jesus and the holy Family. Today, more than ever people are asking if it is possible to make a lifetime commitment in a marriage. The Catholic Church has a vision of marriage that can sustain a couple through good times and bad. Bishop Soto complemented his discussion on the joyful mysteries with a power point presentation on the young Jesus’ life with the strong family support of Mary and Joseph.

The text of the box of invitations Sean brought home from CSUS read as follows: ‘The faculty and graduating class of California State University, Sacramento announce that Sean Bongoyan Gerardo is a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at the commencement exercises Saturday, the nineteenth of December two thousand and nine, two o’clock p.m. at Arco Arena.’ We sent invitations to significant people in Sean’s life journey like ninongs / ninangs, relatives and close friends in Sac. Thus, by 1 pm Dec. 19, we (Sean, his friend Red, my kumare Cora who came from Pinas, and me) were on our way to Arco to get good seats for our group of 20. Led by Liklik, Sean received the loudest cheers and applause, prompting the huge crowd and graduates to look at our direction. After the pictorials and greetings, we had our graduation Japanese buffet dinner at MIZU Natomas with 28 guests. Together with 5 friends, Sean continued his grad celebration at home - drinking Belvedere vodka, played mahjong and Rockband, and stayed/slept till 9:00am the following day – better option than risk being caught DUI.

Excerpts from the CSU President’s message to the graduates: ‘You have conquered a great deal of challenges to arrive today, and for that you deserve our utmost congratulations. Remember that this achievement is only as important as you make it. After you hear your name and receive your degree, you begin an even longer journey, one that is filled with even more choices and opportunities. Let me be the first to say that you are ready.’ Thus, Sean’s life journey continues to another phase; and mine too. How time flies – I have nurtured an American university graduate in 4 years; meaning, time to move on to another phase of life – Pinas / U.S.A., back and forth.

Due to snowstorm delays, my daughter Sarah changed flight from New Jersey (via Atlanta) to San Fran (instead of Sac). Her cousin Maria fetched her and brought her home Dec. 24 to spend the holidays with us. Sarah dined immediately on her favorite Max’s fried chicken and pancit canton which she requested to be readily available upon her arrival.

I am also happy to share that I completed the traditional 9-days novena Masses (tho’ not dawn masses like in Pinas) but our regular 8:30am mass. After attending Christmas Mass and listening to carols, which the season is all about to mark Jesus’ birth, we had lunch with my Ate’s family at their home in Roseville. When the opening of gifts and photo session were done, we had fun watching super 8 films of their trips to Pinas circa 70s (when Maria was 6yrs old and Sarah was 2yrs), laughing at all the psychedelic colors and outrageous fashion worn then, bringing back those beautiful memories!

Dec. 27: Sean, Sarah and I watched the hit movie Avatar at Folsom, then had lunch of dinuguan, halo-halo at the Pinoy Teriyaki station. Later, Sarah joined her cousin Maria back to SanFran to continue their bonding; Maria has a condo in the Berkeley Bay area, so being just 4 years apart, they share many things and joy keeping updates on their lives. They will come back to Sac for New Year for Sarah’s flight back to NJ on Jan 3.

Attached are 4 photos of: Christmas get-togethers and Sean’s graduation. Let us continue to pray for our country and people. Peace and Joy to You and God Bless Us All!

Much love and Best Regards!!!

SUSAN BG