Thank you, Uncle for the wisdom, wit, and unwavering warmth
Conversations with Uncle Ces didn't just flowed; they cascaded from one topic to another, all rich with wisdom, sparked by inspired ideas, and punctuated by masterfully delivered punchlines. Masterfully, Uncle steers conversations to offer equal airtime to every soul seated at the table. These meals and visits forged my fondest memories with him.
His life was a testament to hard work and commitment. His genuine humor and profound humility made him the perfect companion for any occasion.
Uncle Ces championed a healthy lifestyle, passionately pursuing good health and nutrition. His vibrant love for life and unwavering devotion to family inspired everyone around him. In the academe, his pioneering contributions to duck raising, he was an exemplary dean of the college of agriculture, set a standard worth emulating.
But above all, his boundless love and the full, open-hearted welcome he extended to Ma Dahls and her family truly completed and rounded out our home.
Thank you, Lord, for the enduring gift of Uncle Ces' legacy. He has now found his peace with you and our dearly departed loved ones. May we, too, carve out meaningful, well-spent days, just as Uncle Ces did.
Defining Moment
The Challenge: A college entrance essay. The constraint: a rigid 750-word limit.
The Context: This monumental task collided head-on with the his school’s summative exams.
The Style: True to form, it was a race to the finish—a classic, eleventh-hour sprint. But from that pressure cooker, an essay ignited.
My heart simply swells to see the quality of the work he wrested from the deadline's grip. He didn't just meet the requirement; he conquered it.
I'm sharing his powerful output here:
One experience that has helped define me as a person was performing as a bassist for the first time. I did not know it at the time, but playing instruments in bands would become a regular part of my life. It was all because of that first performance. In December 2019, there was a church youth event, and one of the people who was involved in organizing the event asked me and my friends if we could play songs as a band. At that time, I was just beginning to learn bass. I wanted to learn bass because I had watched so many YouTube videos of people playing bass, and I became inspired. To prepare for the event, we had practices where we would play the songs together repeatedly, fix mistakes, and refine our parts until we could play them well. During the practices, I realized that playing in a band was not just about focusing only on my own part, but about paying attention and listening to everyone else's parts so that it would sound good. We kept practicing until the day of the event, and when it finally came, we were ready. It was a small gathering, but some people cheered and clapped for the songs we played. The performance went well. It was something that I had wanted to do ever since I started playing bass. It led me to continue to play bass after that. I kept playing bass and started learning new songs. By learning songs, I discovered that if I put enough effort and time into it, I could learn and master things that I thought I could never do. Breaking down hard riffs and solos into smaller parts, slowing them down, and playing them over and over again until I could play them properly showed me that I could be patient and persistent--two things I wasn't good at being. After a few years, I became a regular musician at church, playing bass, drums, and guitar. I also then joined a band at school and made new friends through music by meeting different musicians who shared my musical interests. It all started with that first performance, which led to many experiences that helped define who I am.
Forge ahead in your walk. Your faith is your compass.
And here’s to an abundance of great music—a lifetime soundtrack of praise that rings out for Him!
We love you, always. Budi!
Pickleball journey
One fine day in December 2024, I traded the corporate grind for something wildly unexpected, my husband’s beginner pickleball class.
I’d teased him for those suspiciously long “games with friends,” warning that his new obsession might have family-wide consequences. Who plays sports for six straight hours, anyway?
Then I picked up a paddle and that was it. The sharp pop of the ball, the rush of movement, the laughter on the court, the sleek gear, the surge of endorphins. Everything clicked. I was hooked.
Fast-forward: we bought a ball machine (now “for rent” to fellow addicts), I’ve played in tournaments, earned a DUPR rating, and found a sport I can chase, sweat, and grow in.
Here’s to a life of pickleball—thank You, Lord, for the serve I never saw coming. Here's to meeting new friends, reconnecting with old ones through pickleball games.
Superhost badge
Two homes. Two stories.
One in Bay, another in Nuvali. Both born for different reasons, both now thriving on Airbnb. And just like that, Superhost status unlocked.
Grateful for family and friends who made it happen. May every guest find the rest and comfort they deserve.
