Letter between Jordan and Lola – May 2007

(When Jordan was in 7th grade, he was given an assignment to write to a family member.  He and Grandma exchanged letters over the next few months – these will be transcribed and marked as “Jordan and Lola Letters” for the blog.  Here is the 4th – and last – letter in the series.)

Dear Lola,

How are you doing Lola?  This will be my last letter.  I am so glad we got to talk and bond like we did.  In this letter I will be describing important lessons about life I gave learned so far.

One of the lessons I learned in life is how lucky and spoiled I am to have such a great, supportive family.  There are a lot of kids who aren’t as fortunate.  I also learned how lucky I am to live in a great neighborhood.  I can walk to school in safety, and go to the park at night without worrying about getting hurt or kidnapped.  Many kids live in an area where they can’t do that.

For spring break I went on a cruise with my friend Ryan.  One of the ports on the cruise was a city in Mexico that was very poor.  Their speed bumps are ropes tied from one pole to the other the cross the street.  After seeing the poverty that some people live I became very grateful of where I live now.

What were some of your greatest joys in life?  Based on lessons you learned about life, can you give me some advice on what to do or not to do in the future?  Also can you give your point of view on how you should live life?

Lola you are the best I love you so much.  Write me back!

Love,

Jordan

I’m too old this time 96 years old.  I’m happy.  God gave me all this years in good + happy life, with my seven children + many grandchildren, all are good by God’s help + guidance

I like to live in Concord.  Louie + Gloria’s house.  I have my own room with TV, near Livermore, when God call me I like to be in the side of my husband.  Quintin Ramil in Livermore.

Jordan, good you go on cruise with your friend Ryan.

Be good, peaceful, polite, happy, love your friends

Pray always, God will help you, take care of you.

loves you very much

Pocket money cash $20.00

Letter between Jordan and Lola – May 8, 2007

(When Jordan was in 7th grade, he was given an assignment to write to a family member.  He and Grandma exchanged letters over the next few months – these will be transcribed and marked as “Jordan and Lola Letters” for the blog.  Here is the 3rd letter in the series.)

Dear Lola,

Hey!  How are things going at home?  This letter is about the challenges I face towards the future.  Some of these challenges will definitely change my future.

Some of the personal challenges I faced when I was younger was when my mother pasted away.  That horrific moment changed my life.  I have never cried so hard in my life.  My mom dying made me realize life is too short to live afraid or hold back.  I am determined to well in life for my mom.  I know there is no way to fix this challenge or bring my mom back, but to absolutely try my hardest and succeed in life I hope will make my mom proud.

What challenges did you face when you were my age?  How did they change your perspective on life.  Did these challenges change your future?  What sacrifices did you make to fix these problems.  After these challenges did you change as a person, if so, how?

Please try and respond as soon as possible.  I am really glad we are getting to know each other.  This is the first time we really got to talk.  I can’t wait to see you, aunty Gloria, uncle Louie, Peyton, Kylee, Jason, and Rachel in Concord soon!  I love you and miss you so much!

Love,

Jordan

 

May 8, 2007

Dear Jordan,

I’m very very glad of my life, God take care of me, so all my family take care of me.  All of my family loves me, + I loves them very much.  I too was so much in cried, when your Mom passed away.  But let us bear in our life, Every humane will live life, but everybody has a call by God, so take it easy of your Mom passed away.  Each people has a call, so your Mom get her call early.

Loves you,

Grandma Ramil

Letter between Jordan & Lola – March 19, 2007

(When Jordan was in 7th grade, he was given an assignment to write to a family member.  He and Grandma exchanged letters over the next few months – these will be transcribed and marked as “Jordan and Lola Letters” for the blog.  Here is the second letter in the series.)

Jordan Ramil

3/19/07

PM

Dear Lola,

Hey!  Thank you for writing back!  This letter will be about my dad and I.  Last night we had a big argument about who was cooler as a kid.  He always says he was more athletic and smarter, but I say I’m funnier.

I was flipping through his high school yearbook and saw he was a big sports star.  I can’t wait until I get to high school and break his records!  When my dad was growing what was he like?  Was he a nice kid?  Did he get good grades?

My dad is very intelligent, and athletic, just like me!  We both love sports, and love to laugh at each other.  Those are the similarities.  We don’t have many differences except I am more of a goof ball then my dad.  I love to joke around, which can get me in trouble sometimes.  my dad can be very serious at times, but always knows when to crack a joke.

Did you have any goals for my dad when he was a kid?  If so, did he achieve or exceed any of those goals?  Did any of those goals change my dad’s life?  What did you want my dad to be when he grew up?  What were some bad choices my dad made that affected his future?

Thank you Lola so much, I can’t wait to see up in Lotus, or at the house in Concord.  I love you with all my heart!

With Love,

Jordan

 

Dear Jordan,

Be happy, lucky of your life, you are going elementary school + going High school.  study hard enjoy yourself going high school.  I myself did not go high school or finish elementary school.  All my children + grandchildren are lucky to finish high school.  Your Dad is smart, good boy when he was a small boy. like sports + obedience

Loves you,

Grandma Ramil

Letter to Jordan – Feb. 15, 2007

(When Jordan was in 7th grade, he was given an assignment to write to a family member.  He and Grandma exchanged letters for the next few months – these will be transcribed and marked as “Jordan and Lola Letters” for the blog.  Here is the first response from Grandma – for this one, we do not have the original letter he sent that prompted this reply.)

Feb. 15, 2007

Dear Jordan,

When I was teen age, this my things I’m doing everyday. about 50 us, all teen age, boys + girls, go work from our place to Binakiak, bario of Norsa (?) to (word) mango plantation of Mr. Carpenter pulling weeds, happy walking about 4 kilometers from our place to Binakiak, everybody is happy. Manager pay us. Grandpa my father is very smart.

We are very happy walking together to work, nothing about school thats my life when I was 16 years old.  When I reach 24 years old, I met your Grandpa Quintin A. Ramil. he in the Navy since 1929.  We were engage for 6 years.  Then in Dec. 2, 1934, he went to Philippines + asked to marry, so 1934, Dec. 2, we were married.  We were very happy life so we have seven children.  Quintin Jr., Norma, Mario, Alohalindo born in Hawaii Tripple hosptial, Gloria, Cesar, Mike.  I’m proud all our children are in good life + healthy so all grandchildren + great grandchildren. thank God for all of this.  I’m very very old of my life, happy.  God give all strength of my life + everything.  Thanks God I pray for all you.

Don’t forget to pray all time, + make everything right.  Thanks everything.  God give us everything we need.  I’m very old + hope + pray God will take care of me.

Hope all of our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren will be care, happy of our God.

Take good care of yourselves + be healthy.

Thanks God for Blessed we received everyday!

Grandma Ramil

Nov. 16, 2002

Saturday wake up 6:00 a.m. exercise take a bath, dress up, comb my hair, packed my things going to Sacramento to see Roxanne having her second baby, Jr. + Tessie are there. eat raisins bread, yam, hot chocolate for breakfast, wash laundry, dry, fold put in places, watch TV put dishes in place shelves, wash dishes, Gloria cook oatmeal for breakfast, we ate breakfast, chew 2 tums to digest my food 12:00 take a nap, up 1:30 4:00 p.m. go to Sacramento I throw good today, 2:00 p.m. eat rice with picadillo for lunch, 4:00 p.m. ready to go to Sacramento.  Rox house, arrived 6:00 p.m. eat rice – for dinner – chicken nilaga with potatoes + cabbage, pechay, Tessie is cooking.  We at Louie’s truck me, Gloria + Louie, Jen + John reach Sacramento 11:30 p.m. we sleep at Rox house, me, Leslee, Louie, Gloria, Cesar, Mike, John Jordan.  On the morning, Jr. Tessie cooked fried rice, eggs, sausage, bacon.  I eat chocolate, coffee orange juice for breakfast, we ate at 8:00 a.m. all of us, Rox is fine, At 9:00 a.m. all of us left Rox house, except Jr. + Tessie stay waiting for Roxanne give birth, God help her to have her baby.  Arrive Concord safe + sound at 10:3o a.m. eat heavy breakfast.  Tessie cooked Rox house.

Jan. 11, 2006 – Wednesday

Jordan’s birthday, up 7:00 a.m. wash face, brush teeth, make up 7:30 a.m. eat breakfast, Gloria made french toast, hot tea, orange juice, I eat all. change clothes, watch TV, Gloria go to work, 11:00 I take a nap, up 1:00 p.m. watch TV.  I give Gloria $200.00 her share Mario Judy gave me. 12:00 p.m. I eat lunch. rice, fried fish, fried yams watch TV 6:30 p.m. we all eat at the dining table for dinner. watch TV 8:00 p.m. go to bed + sleep.

Jan. 10, 2006 – Tuesday

6:00 a.m. take a bathe, dress up, make up, 8:00 a.m. eat breakfast.  Gloria cook eggs + cookie, she goes to work.  9:00 a.m. Watch TV, I’m still coughing hard, 11:00 a.m. take a nap, up 3:20 p.m watch TV I throw regular, watch TV 5:00 p.m.  Gloria is not home yet I gave the check to her to cash, I’ll give her 2 hundred, me, 3 hundred from Mario + Jude for my Birthday gift, I give 2 hundred to Gloria her share.  5:00 p.m. read letters, watch TV 5:30 p.m.  Gloria arrived Tomorrow Jordan’s birthday Jan. 11, 2006 have a party here for his birthday, 7:00 p.m. we eat dinner on the table 8:00 p.m.  I’ll go to bed + sleep.

July 19, 2000 – Wednesday

wake up 6:30 a.m. wash face, brush teeth, exercise eat fig pie + 2 toast, hot chocolate for breakfast take pills put dishes in place, watch TV 11:00 take a nap up 12:00, Gloria left 9:00 a.m. to work Louie left 9:30 to work I take a good sleep, 12:30, eat pie, water for lunch, watch TV Jude was here we cry about Sandy, Mike + Jordan fly to Hawaii this morning to see Sandy. she can’t breath, waiting for call from Hawaii, Kung ano ang Kalooban mo O Dios co ay siyang mang yayari (Auntil Fil & Auntie Tessie translation:  Whatever you wish my Lord, shall happen)

4:00 p.m. I make Turkey suop + torta eggplant for dinner, eat apricot for snack put dishes in places, wash dishes put in dishwasher, make Turkey soup, eggplant torta heat the rice, watch TV 3:00 p.m.  Sandy died in the hospital in Hawaii, 3:52 p.m. call here Jude + Gloria answer the phone.  Jude eat turkey soup I eat dinner + Gloria at 6:00 p.m.  Don eat soup + crackers go to bed 9:00 p.m. + sleep.

December 1, 2001 – Saturday

Wake up 7:00 a.m. wash face, brush teeth, exercise, eat crackers + hot chocolate for breakfast, take pills, wash dishes in dishwasher, put dishes in place. watch TV 10:00 a.m. Gloria me to drive Bank of America To cash a check to for 100 dollars all five, only 95 gave teller gave me, for my small grandchildren on Xmas by Tylenol, 150 tablets, powder, lotion, hair spray kit kat 2, paid cash 27.00, passed by Longs mail to day Bradleip (?) 2 months Edu. ins + Asbury church Pledge, $45.00.  Heat rice, squash for lunch, Gloria is home.  Jen in Sacramento.  Louie go to work. 11:00 take a nap. 12. I eat rice + squash for lunch. 6:00 p.m. Don + Judy pick me John (Jon) + Jordan to Antiock high school gym to watch dancing by pupils + speech by Jack Llane, Tom Regina Jacobs, eat there vege, salads, spagethy, bread cookies + apple, Went home go to bed + sleep.

November 3, 2001 – Saturday

Wake up 6:30 a.m. wash face, brush teeth, comb my hair, eat champarado hot chocolate for breakfast, take pills, watch TV wash dishes put in dishwasher.  This afternoon 2:00 p.m. go to Livermore, put posenthia flowers on Honey’s grave, passed by Safeway to buy Tylenol, crackers, raisins bread, batteries to put in my flashlight, pick the ginataan at 3:00 p.m. (not ready) after from Livermore pick ginataan tomorrow Sunday Nov. 4, 2001 On dishwasher today, place dishes on shelves. To night I’ll cook pakbet, ingredients ready, from Livermore. we visits the grave of Honey 1/2 hour, put flowers, watch Jordan’s basketball game, they win, then to Chinese restaurant to eat dinner, every body share for the cost $106.00 we are 13 people, Jen + John (Jon) stay in Livermore in Fil’s house, they went cine.  Crystal, Leslee, Jen, John (Jon).  We of Gloria went home, arrived Louie is home. go to bed + sleep.