Happy noodles!
January 16, 2005 | 12:00am
My dear readers, please allow me to go sentimental this time. It’s been quite a year gone by and as I welcome the new one I cannot help but be filled with a sense of awe and wonder by what the Lord has blessed me so abundantly with in 2004.
I am writing this in the silence of my hotel room – a few hours before midnight – at the JW Marriott overlooking the splendid Hong Kong harbor.
My sister Christine who is the travel bug of the family insisted that we all spend the holidays here to welcome the new year just as we did when our late parents Ting and Mila Dayrit were alive. My Ate Jaqui (who looks more youthful than I, hahaha!) likewise agreed that it was about time our kids experienced what we had when we were their age. Of course belonging to a dynamic and strong-willed family with characters like mine, I have learned that sometimes it is easier to go with the flow than against it. Secretly, I had my own hidden reasons and fears for not wanting to go to the former Crown Colony but the family had to be together and I was not about to break the tradition.
My late mom loved Hong Kong because she considered it one of the great shopping capitals of the world. My dad was ever fascinated by its unique property market and of course, the food! "There’s no other place in the world like it," he said. I remember the very first time Dad took me here when I was seven years old. He surprised me by picking me up from school and we went straight to the airport with my bags that had already been previously packed. He was going on a business trip and I was his travel companion for the weekend. On my first plane ride, he taught me how important it was to fasten my seatbelt and guided me in accomplishing my own disembarkation card. Hong Kong was still rather backward then but he intuitively pointed out to me that it would be a dynamic haven one day. We stayed at the Ambassador Hotel on Nathan Road. We ate noodles and dim sum at the old Jade Garden and enjoyed the cuisine at Spring Deer in Tsim Sha Tsui. This was just the first of our countless Hong Kong trips. After college we even became Hong Kong residents where I lived in a condominium on Garden Road at Midlevels, Hong Kong side. Yes, Hong Kong was a special place for Mom, Dad and me. They renewed their wedding vows at the St. Joseph’s Church. I even remember someone who spotted Mom at the altar in a private ceremony. The woman who saw a guy putting a diamond studded wedding band on my mother’s finger concluded that my Mom had secretly run away to Hong Kong to get married to someone else. She spread the rumor not knowing that she actually saw my own father (who was then sporting a new hairstyle with a daring little ponytail sticking out of his collar) celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary with my Mom, and me, as their sole witness.
Welcoming those past new years with the whole family and our friends was a tradition Mom and Dad enjoyed up until the day they died. Ever since they passed away, I have had my reservations to welcome the new year here. I was afraid to face the beautiful memories for fear that they would eventually pain me... and so I simply avoided it... up until now.
Well, my little Vincent was so happy on Christmas Day when he opened his presents and found a plane ticket to Hong Kong in his box. I explained that this was his reward for having worked so hard and keeping himself a consistent "A" student. He hugged me so tight as he jumped up and down with glee. Deep inside me, however, I still had my little fear of going but I managed to keep a brave front.
The next day, as we packed up and headed for the airport to meet my siblings and their kids, Vincent could not contain himself with excitement. Everything fascinated him as he sat between Benny and me on the plane. I found myself telling him stories of his Papa Dayrit and Mama Mila when we used to go to Hong Kong to celebrate New Year. As I told him my many beautiful memories of Hong Kong, warm feelings inside me started to grow.
By the time we got to the state-of-the-art Hong Kong airport, boarded the trains and checked into the hotel, we were animatedly planning where to have our first meal. (Where to eat has always been the first in our itinerary being the foodies that we are.) The weather was great as we put on our leather jackets feeling the familiar cold breeze on our faces as our kids squealed at all the lights and sights. My brother Mark and I smiled joyfully as we spotted all the old and new familiar places that held all the dear memories of the Hong Kong of our childhood. Each place again had a story to tell and we had much to share with our kids. I saw my Mom at each jewelry showcase in Pacific Place and my Dad in all the new hotels and bars on the streets where the old ones used to be.
As we walked the harbor that night admiring the avenue of stars, I marveled at the changes and the beautiful places I had long chosen to ignore.
At bustling streets of Hong Kong, we were met by the inviting aroma of Chinese noodles wafting in the air. We quickly rushed into the doors of a cozy little noodle shop to give in to our sudden cravings.
Our kids quickly emptied steaming bowls of Wonton noodles, yang chow fried rice, sweet and sour pork, fresh leafy greens in oyster sauce and platefuls of delectable duck dunked in sweet plum sauce.
My brother and I watched them contentedly with a big smile on our faces. This was the exact feeling and the same meal we had the very first time our own parents took all of their children to Hong Kong.
At that particular moment, I happened to look up and saw the name of the restaurant: Happy Noodles. Suddenly I knew what God was trying to tell me and why he brought me here. That moment, I was filled with an overwhelming happiness I simply could not contain it.
It took Him a while to make me realize that facing my fears would eventually heal me. Looking back, this past year was truly a turning point in my life. He filled me with challenges that I had to face like taking over of our family jewelry business, rekindling it with passion and eventually creating my own line. Last year also paved the way for me to get back into my own circles and rediscover new friendships I thought I had no longer needed but now realize I cannot do without. I welcomed new changes and things I thought I never would. I learned the joys of using a computer which I thought I never could. This precious column is another blessing I got last year. With this space, I have the chance to share my thoughts with you while harnessing the talents God has given me.
In 2004, so to speak, I danced like I’ve never danced before, without inhibitions, without qualms, without reservations, filling my surroundings with joyful songs and riotous laughter. I was completely able to move on without my parents yet able to follow their directions and fulfill their great expectations without those debilitating fears. Because of this, I was able to maintain my good health and spirits up despite the grueling obligations and schedule that I keep.
Have I finally healed? Yes! I feel free to be happy and happy to be free. I am now out of the box of uncertainty, and yes, I have overcome my fears.
Had I persisted in shying away from beautiful memories rather than reliving them, I wouldn’t have been able to celebrate life with the very people I hold so dear in my heart.
I have learned to embrace life and welcome all that it has to offer with a thankful heart, a humble spirit and an open mind. When my fears, doubts and misgivings were blown away, I discovered that happiness is a choice, and being happy is the best medicine of all.
Happy New Year with all my heart!
(I would love to hear from you, too! Post me a note at miladayjewels@yahoo.com)
I am writing this in the silence of my hotel room – a few hours before midnight – at the JW Marriott overlooking the splendid Hong Kong harbor.
My sister Christine who is the travel bug of the family insisted that we all spend the holidays here to welcome the new year just as we did when our late parents Ting and Mila Dayrit were alive. My Ate Jaqui (who looks more youthful than I, hahaha!) likewise agreed that it was about time our kids experienced what we had when we were their age. Of course belonging to a dynamic and strong-willed family with characters like mine, I have learned that sometimes it is easier to go with the flow than against it. Secretly, I had my own hidden reasons and fears for not wanting to go to the former Crown Colony but the family had to be together and I was not about to break the tradition.
My late mom loved Hong Kong because she considered it one of the great shopping capitals of the world. My dad was ever fascinated by its unique property market and of course, the food! "There’s no other place in the world like it," he said. I remember the very first time Dad took me here when I was seven years old. He surprised me by picking me up from school and we went straight to the airport with my bags that had already been previously packed. He was going on a business trip and I was his travel companion for the weekend. On my first plane ride, he taught me how important it was to fasten my seatbelt and guided me in accomplishing my own disembarkation card. Hong Kong was still rather backward then but he intuitively pointed out to me that it would be a dynamic haven one day. We stayed at the Ambassador Hotel on Nathan Road. We ate noodles and dim sum at the old Jade Garden and enjoyed the cuisine at Spring Deer in Tsim Sha Tsui. This was just the first of our countless Hong Kong trips. After college we even became Hong Kong residents where I lived in a condominium on Garden Road at Midlevels, Hong Kong side. Yes, Hong Kong was a special place for Mom, Dad and me. They renewed their wedding vows at the St. Joseph’s Church. I even remember someone who spotted Mom at the altar in a private ceremony. The woman who saw a guy putting a diamond studded wedding band on my mother’s finger concluded that my Mom had secretly run away to Hong Kong to get married to someone else. She spread the rumor not knowing that she actually saw my own father (who was then sporting a new hairstyle with a daring little ponytail sticking out of his collar) celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary with my Mom, and me, as their sole witness.
Welcoming those past new years with the whole family and our friends was a tradition Mom and Dad enjoyed up until the day they died. Ever since they passed away, I have had my reservations to welcome the new year here. I was afraid to face the beautiful memories for fear that they would eventually pain me... and so I simply avoided it... up until now.
Well, my little Vincent was so happy on Christmas Day when he opened his presents and found a plane ticket to Hong Kong in his box. I explained that this was his reward for having worked so hard and keeping himself a consistent "A" student. He hugged me so tight as he jumped up and down with glee. Deep inside me, however, I still had my little fear of going but I managed to keep a brave front.
The next day, as we packed up and headed for the airport to meet my siblings and their kids, Vincent could not contain himself with excitement. Everything fascinated him as he sat between Benny and me on the plane. I found myself telling him stories of his Papa Dayrit and Mama Mila when we used to go to Hong Kong to celebrate New Year. As I told him my many beautiful memories of Hong Kong, warm feelings inside me started to grow.
By the time we got to the state-of-the-art Hong Kong airport, boarded the trains and checked into the hotel, we were animatedly planning where to have our first meal. (Where to eat has always been the first in our itinerary being the foodies that we are.) The weather was great as we put on our leather jackets feeling the familiar cold breeze on our faces as our kids squealed at all the lights and sights. My brother Mark and I smiled joyfully as we spotted all the old and new familiar places that held all the dear memories of the Hong Kong of our childhood. Each place again had a story to tell and we had much to share with our kids. I saw my Mom at each jewelry showcase in Pacific Place and my Dad in all the new hotels and bars on the streets where the old ones used to be.
As we walked the harbor that night admiring the avenue of stars, I marveled at the changes and the beautiful places I had long chosen to ignore.
At bustling streets of Hong Kong, we were met by the inviting aroma of Chinese noodles wafting in the air. We quickly rushed into the doors of a cozy little noodle shop to give in to our sudden cravings.
Our kids quickly emptied steaming bowls of Wonton noodles, yang chow fried rice, sweet and sour pork, fresh leafy greens in oyster sauce and platefuls of delectable duck dunked in sweet plum sauce.
My brother and I watched them contentedly with a big smile on our faces. This was the exact feeling and the same meal we had the very first time our own parents took all of their children to Hong Kong.
At that particular moment, I happened to look up and saw the name of the restaurant: Happy Noodles. Suddenly I knew what God was trying to tell me and why he brought me here. That moment, I was filled with an overwhelming happiness I simply could not contain it.
It took Him a while to make me realize that facing my fears would eventually heal me. Looking back, this past year was truly a turning point in my life. He filled me with challenges that I had to face like taking over of our family jewelry business, rekindling it with passion and eventually creating my own line. Last year also paved the way for me to get back into my own circles and rediscover new friendships I thought I had no longer needed but now realize I cannot do without. I welcomed new changes and things I thought I never would. I learned the joys of using a computer which I thought I never could. This precious column is another blessing I got last year. With this space, I have the chance to share my thoughts with you while harnessing the talents God has given me.
In 2004, so to speak, I danced like I’ve never danced before, without inhibitions, without qualms, without reservations, filling my surroundings with joyful songs and riotous laughter. I was completely able to move on without my parents yet able to follow their directions and fulfill their great expectations without those debilitating fears. Because of this, I was able to maintain my good health and spirits up despite the grueling obligations and schedule that I keep.
Have I finally healed? Yes! I feel free to be happy and happy to be free. I am now out of the box of uncertainty, and yes, I have overcome my fears.
Had I persisted in shying away from beautiful memories rather than reliving them, I wouldn’t have been able to celebrate life with the very people I hold so dear in my heart.
I have learned to embrace life and welcome all that it has to offer with a thankful heart, a humble spirit and an open mind. When my fears, doubts and misgivings were blown away, I discovered that happiness is a choice, and being happy is the best medicine of all.
Happy New Year with all my heart!
(I would love to hear from you, too! Post me a note at miladayjewels@yahoo.com)
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