January 14, 2024. Sunday.
estimated reading time: 6 mins.
It was the 3rd morning that I woke up from a dream about Mama. I dreamt about her before but not for three consecutive nights like this. I realized Mama’s death anniversary is coming up.
With my eyes half-opened, I felt compelled to message my brother and father just to tell them this and ask them to say a little prayer for her. They said they will pay a visit to the memorial gardens.
‘I should light a candle and offer a Rosary for her,’
I thought.
I glanced over to the bedside alarm clock that says 6:00 am and woke Marvin up. I suggested we go to the first scheduled Holy Mass today, instead of our initial plan to attend later at 4:00 pm.
We also agreed to go back to the car rental service to replace our vehicle. The dashboard displays an engine icon that was not normally there before. Google said ‘the potential issue could be as minor as a loose wire, an ill-fitting gas cap, or worn solenoid,’ on which we have no idea how to take care of, besides returning them altogether.
I started the Rosary on our way to the church. We arrived a few minutes early to supposedly light a candle and say a little prayer. There were no available votive candles anywhere, so we proceeded to take our seats and prayed from there. We went on celebrating the mass at 8:00 am and finished one hour later.
“Do you know what time Costco opens today?” the old lady at the restroom asked.
“I don’t, but I can google it for you,” I said while washing my hands.
“I left my phone, rushing on my way here. I don’t know if I should go back home or if I could just go straight there,” she said mumbling, almost spacing out.
“They won’t open ‘till 10am today ma’am,” getting her attention.
“It’s still early, you could first probably grab a coffee,” I suggested further.
“Yes. Thank you very much.” The sweet lady said, beaming and left right after I said
‘You’re welcome.’
We stopped by the gas station after leaving the church. Marvin noticed the error icon was gone after filling up the tank. It probably was an ill-fitting gas cap, which maybe fixed itself when touched by the tip of the gas pump, we don’t know. Anyway it saved us a trip. It’s time for our newfound favorite cafe then – Peet’s Coffee.
“What can I get you?” the pleasant lady asked behind the counter.
“One hot medium latte, please. Half decaf,” I said.
“I’ll have the same, medium latte, half decaf,” Marvin followed, figuring out how to pay with the Peet’s app. The lady helped him punch in our new member discounts. Sweet.
We sat on a distant corner facing the big windows. It was cold today and the sun’s still not out. For almost two hours we sipped our coffees. We talked about random things like we always do; the present moment, what happens at work, how we are feeling, how we view this life and our dreams.
We also looked over at the new sneaker drops from Salehe Bemburry and a few apparel shops over the internet. Of course we didn’t buy anything. They’re just fun to look at.
“Do you want any pastry?” Marvin asked.
I said no, saving a space for ramen noodles later. I’ve been craving it for a week now. We usually fast for 16 hours daily, but we broke it two hours earlier today with the latte. I said no to the pastries, trying to minimize what we did.
We started walking out of the coffee shop past 11:00 am, just when it slightly started to get warm outside. It has been windy and chilly these days.
We went ahead to Walmart and bought a little bit of what we will be needing for the week. Few moments later, I was standing next to the exit with the cart of grocery bags while waiting for Marvin to get back from the restroom. That’s when I received a video call from our friends who we were about to visit next weekend. I kept messaging them, hence prompted the call.
“Where are we headed?,” I mouthed silently at Marvin while still on the call and on the passenger seat.
“Ramen,” he mouthed back while driving.
I was hungry and excited. I even started imagining what it tasted like.
Arriving at the restaurant, I bid my ‘goodbyes and see you soon’ to my friends and chose the table next to the glass walls bathed with the afternoon rays of sunlight. We long for warmth.
There was only one table occupied besides ours – which we find rather unusual on a Sunday lunch. But here we are, definitely enjoying the space for ourselves. But, we did notice that delivery people have been picking up orders at the entrance. This food place was probably more popular with GrabHub and DoorDash.
Anyway, we ordered Avocado Tofu Bowl, Takoyaki, Garnet Vegan Ramen, Spicy Garnet Vegan Ramen and two seasoned eggs. I remember the big banner outside that boasts their ‘healthy and tasty ramen made with 100% Plant-Based Broth’ to which we were convinced after leaving full and satisfied. Their food looked and tasted very good. We had a nice experience. Props to their servers who were polite.
“Arigato gozaimasu!” the crew, every time customers walk out of the restaurant.
Around 2:00 pm, we settled ourselves back at the hotel and dozed off for an afternoon nap. I woke up earlier than Marvin and scrolled away with my phone to order gifts from Amazon for our friends.
Marvin woke up hours later and had a cup of coffee and invited me to join him at the gym. I never liked the gym. But I still came and hit the treadmill straightaway. I did the highest inclined steps and was already sweating after 30 minutes. A few moments later, I left Marvin there just because I needed to start fixing something for dinner.
Nothing fancy, only light and easy. I fried the salmon neatly this time. Usually the skin tends to peel off and some flakes break apart. Marvin and I ate our dinner together, cleaned up the dishes, took showers, watched and stayed in bed for the rest of the evening until we fell asleep.
I can only thank God for a life as peaceful as this one.
So proud of you, palagi!❤️