Ash Wednesday 2019

Whew, where did the first two months of 2019 go? I can't believe it's already March and it's Ash Wednesday, the start of lent.

Honestly, I want to be a more "active" Catholic kaya gusto ko sanang magsimba at magpalagay ng abo bukas kaso may pasok si Ford kaya hindi kami makakaalis ng bahay ni Tantan. There's a church nearby (2 minute-drive pero mahaba-habang lakarin) kaso it will be very cold tomorrow. Uulan yata at magi-snow, mahirap lalo na at may kasamang bata.

Credits: https://encounterchurchofpalmyra.org/event/ash-wednesday-service-2/

So naisip ko na magparticipate na lang "personally." Narealize ko na never kong inobserve ang abstinence from eating meat during Ash Wednesday and all fridays of lent (I am not a good Catholic, I know) kaya sisimulan ko na talaga ngayon. Yung fasting, medyo ginagawa ko naman na talaga normally kasi I only eat one full (rice) meal a day tapos small portions na lang throughout the day. Ayon sa Catholic law, dapat daw one full meal plus two smaller meals (that together don't add up to a full meal) so I will try to abide by that. Except nga lang kapag nag-low sugar ako (which happened to me yesterday) syempre.

Sana mapangatawanan ko ito. Madali lang ito for most people pero carnivore kasi talaga ako at meat ang pinakamadaling lutuin/bilihin/kainin dito sa Canada eh.

I am glad that I will be celebrating the Holy Week again in the Philippines (three consecutive years na). This might be the last for the meantime kasi mag-school na si Nathan come September at hindi na kami makakauwi ng Pinas around this time. I am excited. Kahit mainit, susubukin kong gawing meaningful at memorable ang 2019 lenten season experience namin.

It's holy week!

I admit to not being religious but I love the observing the season of lent. I am a sucker for traditions "holy week" is filled with it. 

Today is Holy Monday and I couldn't help but wish that I am in the Philippines right now. Ibang-iba kasi ang pakiramdam ng holy week doon eh. Ang saya, ang kulay. Dito parang wala lang talaga (though people here 'celebrate' Easter). Buti nga ginawa pa nilang holiday ang Good Friday eh. Second holy-week-in-Canada ko na ito so I know.

Oh how I miss my mother terribly. We used to watch the Holy Wednesday and Good Friday processions together for 33 years. I feel guilty na iniwan ko siya. I am hoping na someday, magkasama uli kami sa holy week kaso parang hindi ko kakayaning umuwi sa Pilipinas kapag summer dahil sa sobrang init.

Anyway, we are going to my aunt's place in Bristish Columbia this coming Good Friday. Ford got bored and wanted to do a long drive this coming long weekend. Para daw kunwari nasa Pilipinas lang kami at uuwi sa probinsya dahil Mahal na Araw. Kaloka, hanggang ganito na lang kami -- papretend-pretend.