Holiday

A Memorial Day Holiday to Remember

[28 May - 6 June, 2025]

In late May, on and around the Memorial Day weekend and through the first week of June, three of my oldest friends, Jun, Ricky D, and Ricky L, came all the way from the Philippines to visit and stay with me, partly to attend the Memorial Tournament held annually at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, OH, but largely to spend some good time together and a little bit of road-tripping.

Going to two rounds of the Memorial Tournament saw us witness Scottie Scheffler win his 2nd consecutive title, along with plenty of spectacular (and not so spectacular) shots from the very competitive field.

Scottie Scheffler at the 2nd hole of the 2025 Memorial Tournament, Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, OH, May 29, 2025.

Our road-tripping took us to the US Air Force Museum in Dayton, Cleveland, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and finally, Ann Arbor. Of course, this entire holiday “bro-cation” stretch was not without all kinds of food, with plenty of chicken wings, steak, donuts, and ice cream all around.

Before long, it was time for our get-together to end, but for sure, the memories from this reunion will definitely last. Already, plans are in the works for the next one. In the meantime, here’s a video that captures the fun of these, our fellowship days.

Family, Food, and the Christmas Holiday

[23-25 December, 2023]

With a bigger-than-ever family gathering this year, more Filipino food is again on order than ever as well, along with some old reliable holiday desserts. Also new this year, fun games and an exciting white elephant gift exchange. None of the white stuff this year but nevertheless a very memorable Christmas in the books!

Christmas Holiday Weekend

[24-25 December, 2022]

No bomb cyclone (see this) can ruin this year’s Christmas weekend’s celebrations, despite the bone-chilling, sub-zero frigid weather. As is customary with our family holiday celebrations, food is front and center. As the photos below show, a more traditional, boodle feast-style Filipino cuisine-focused menu was enjoyed by all.

"No-Turkey" Thanksgiving Holiday

[22-25 November, 2022]

Thanksgiving has always been about spending time and eating all kinds of food with family. And in this family, “no turkey” is the holiday’s tradition. In the past, it would be seafood dishes, and beef, and crispy roast pork, and all kinds of noodles. Add to that the plethora of desserts from banana egg rolls fried in brown sugar to all sorts of sweet rice cakes. This year was no different.

Because of everyone’s different arrival and work schedules, the feasting started on Tuesday evening and went all the way through Friday, with the traditional big event on Thursday. This year’s eclectic, homemade-from-scratch dining selections included meatloaf and mashed potatoes with gravy, French toast casserole, green bean casserole, yakisoba, fried veggie rolls, eggplant omelet, fried marinated milkfish bellies, beef short rib caldereta, peach and mandarin orange pavlova, rice cake drizzled with a sweet coconut syrup, and a notable vegan selection (moussaka, roast tofurkey, and cranberry cake) for the vegan nephew.

Another year with much to be thankful for, another non-traditional Thanksgiving family holiday in the books!

4th of July Cookout

How’s Korean BBQ for the 4th of July? Not too patriotic? Perhaps, but definitely delicious.