Balancing Act

My Own Memory Playlist

2015-09-10T18:04:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, I chanced upon a post on Instagram that led me to an article written by Lucy Torres-Gomez in her newspaper column “Love Lucy”. This got me hooked and every morning since, I have been going through the archives as I sit on my 45 minute train ride to work.

Her short, sweet and poignant stories have inspired me to try writing again. In one article, she was talking about her memory playlist and posed this question to her readers- “When you’re old and gray, what would you like to have in your memory playlist?”

Lately, I noticed that I have become more forgetful and this has been cause of so much frustration not only for me but for the kids and Armand as well. It’s even worse at work where there is no real motivation to remember all the boring details of corporate finances.

So before my memory totally fail me, these are some of the things I’d like to remember…

As a child, our family’s early morning trips to our bunsod on weekends followed by sutukil sessions and playtime at the beach with relatives and family friends till dusk.To this day though, I still don’t get why I haven’t learnt how to swim.

Naughty little adventures with my classmates and childhood friends, sneaking out of school mid-day, going to An-an’s bakery to grab some bread and going on unauthorized picnics to Bukana and Aloha beach and to the highly restricted log pond. I’m glad I was born at a time when kids were allowed to play on the streets and walk their way to school.

Summers at Nanay Ida’s little farm in Looc, learning how to plant and harvest cassava, picking sour starfruit, playing hide and seek with my cousins in that huge old house owned by a relative and locking ourselves out inside a humungous rice cavan. That one day when my cousin Pilo set an entire row of fruit-bearing banana trees on fire. Classic!

Weekends and summers at Lola Encay’s helping her run what I believed then was a massive store that practically has everything the locals needed. It always made me feel so grown up manning the till and making entries into the vale notebook. Lola was ever so generous. We were free to take anything we fancied. I remember looking forward to getting my fresh stash of pad paper and mongol pencils every week. She loved hearing us sing, recite a poem or break into dance that she’d pay us twenty-five cents for every number.

That one night when Fran, Chiqui and I desperately tried to harmonize “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”. Don’t ask me why.

Our rickety old jeep that has served us so well. On long road trips to visit relatives, me and Fran pulling each other’s hair at the backseat without our parents noticing. And that day when we crashed in Looc. It was scary but the memory of our pamutong with relatives before it happened was worth remembering.

Trips to Dimaluna and Balintawak in May for the annual fiesta where we’d meet all cousins. Papa always reminded us that we were not there for the food but for us kids to meet and bond with the relatives. There were always hundreds of names to remember and I knew I was pretty good at tracing how each one is related to us. Until I moved to Australia...

Bayle, diskoral or community dance at Tilyo’s in our elementary years. Papa would take us and let us dance before the event formally started. Aron dili makurat. However, this stopped when I became a teenager. I think the threat of us possibly meeting boys in these dances was becoming real to him.

The list goes on. This isn’t even half of my childhood memories, yet. Writing these down has brought me back to that particular time in my life when everything was much simpler. There were sad days, a lot of them. But looking back now, it’s only the good times that I actually remember vividly. The sad parts, maybe I have tried to bury them long ago. I’d say that is a good thing- to only keep happy memories.

2012

2013-01-05T02:39:00.001-08:00

It was another big year- 2012.

I had hoped to blog more but by now you know what my excuse is. So I will just have to make do with bullet points and photos to remember this year by...

Moving into our own house

This is easily the highlight of the year. While the whole process was not as smooth as we had hoped it to be, blessings still poured and I'd like to think that we came out of it with a lot of good lessons learned and worthwhile experiences that have only made us stronger.

House keys of varying shapes and colours came in a cylindrical black leather bag.

We are grateful to family and friends who have prayed for and helped us get through this challenging time. Thank you is never enough. We hope that someday, we too, will bless others the way you have blessed us.

10th Wedding Anniversary

I can't believe it's been a decade! Probably because technically, we've really just been together for 4 of those 10 years? Lol! I'll spare you the mush but this line from a song best sums up how it is in my world--HOW SWEET IT IS TO BE LOVED BY YOU!! (giamigas)

Citizenship

After being in Australia for 4 years, we have qualified to apply for citizenship. We passed the exam and are now just waiting for the oathtaking ceremony. We kinda hoped we'd have that in 2012 but the wait is now at least 6 months so we'll have that in early 2013.

The CD and book we had to study for the exam.

Passing my 4th CPA module

I passed Strategic Management Accounting. Phew! I have planned to finish 2 modules this year but the date of the exam coincided with our big move. I'm glad I didn't push myself because I would have lost sanity from too much stress.

While these big things happened, there were so many other little blessings on the side that made this year a good one. Good health for me and the boys and our families back home, fun times with new and old friends, mini vacations, picnics, get-togethers, great food and of course time with our boys and being there to guide them.

Great book and red wine at La Perouse during our Mother's Day picnic.
I am hoping for more days like this in 2013.

I thank God for the many things on my list that have been ticked this year. I am excited for the things to tick in 2013! Cheers!

Barefoot

2012-12-01T02:15:00.001-08:00

Last week, I left home wearing this pretty pair of sandals which I got from a cheap store in the Philippines for around P200 ($5).

Put on my favorite nail polish.

But two minutes from the office, I broke the straps.

I ended up moving around all day walking barefoot.

Flowers galore!

2012-11-30T16:22:00.000-08:00

I am loving my morning walk to the office. Whatever the season, there are always beautiful flowers in bloom. Sadly, I don't know their names but I always feel being cheered on as I walk past these flowers to face another full day at work.

This time being spring and heading to summer in Australia, the lovely Jacaranda tree is once again making people stop with it's charming display of purple petals.

In some suburbs, there are entire stretches of streets lined with these gorgeous trees. It could very well be the equivalent of Japan's cherry blossoms.

Me stopping to take a photo

Walking on petals. Love!

My bus stop

Under this lovely tree, enjoying the soft drizzle of purple petals, who cares if the bus is late?

Tender Moment

2012-11-27T01:36:00.001-08:00

Because I had to write something to remember this moment by

2012-09-13T05:11:00.002-07:00

Well, hello there!

Life has taken over again, thus the blogging hiatus. So many stories to tell, so little time.

But, I am taking a short pause to just savor this moment.

Busy, stressful and full-on days ahead but our hearts are filled with gratefulness.

Thank you, dear God for blessings big and small.

Lunch to Go

2012-06-07T05:13:00.001-07:00

This was last week's packed lunches cooked on a Sunday evening, placed in containers and chucked in the fridge ready to take to work.

Beef stroganoff, Humba and Bistek

And this week's....

Roast pork with gravy and bistek again. Not in the photo are Stir Fry veg and chicken curry

Now we have more time to spend with the kids at night. We are also trying cook-free breakfasts with me just eating oatmeal and Vince, bread or cereals. I must admit though that with all the walking we do in the morning, I am already starving by the time I arrive at work. So I have to eat my bread. LOL!

Fingers crossed we can sustain this.

Deadly Combination

2012-06-02T02:22:00.003-07:00

Durian and Chardonnay.

We had this in the middle of a crazy week.

Worked so much quicker than sleeping pills and more effective than the heater, too!

Sinugba

2012-05-25T06:04:00.000-07:00

Sinugbang ulang. We had this at The Entrance the weekend after our CPA exams.

Brought back so many wonderful childhood memories of weekends spent at our bungsod with relatives and friends. Of nights when we would eagerly wait for Papa to come home from a fishing trip with his uncle, excited about the night's fresh catch. There's usually enough for fish tinola, sinanglag na crabs and grilled prawns, my sister Fran's favorite.

A, had similar memories of his childhood, being raised in a seaside home and with a fishing dad to boot.

Thanks, A for giving me what I have been craving for. How did I get so lucky that you always know how to please and irritate me all at once? LOL!

I agree, these tiger prawns marinated in Thai lemongrass paste is the best this part of the world :P

4/6

2012-05-25T05:23:00.000-07:00

Finished my fourth CPA subject three weeks ago- Strategic Management Accounting.

And so I have now invested two years in this endeavour, costing me countless hours of unrecovered sleep, possibly cancer cells caused by stress levels at their highest, hard-earned dollars that could have given me quicker returns from the stock market, millions of expletives flying out my mouth and the saddest bit- wrinkles fighting for a place on a face already crowded with pimples.

Hoping against hope and calling on my sweet angels in heaven that, as with the past three subjects, I can get away with the cramming and half-hearted studying I put in.

Can't wait for this to be over in 2013. I have marked my calendar. Bahalag mangabungi, fight!

To Riches!

2012-03-24T05:04:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how a box of fortune cookies can put things in proper perspective.

At 6am today, Vince insisted I try one cookie from a box his dad bought him last night. I obliged just to shut him up and look what message I got!

A financial investment will yield returns beyond your hopes.

Aha, the assurance I needed after buying more shares the other day!

When the hubby came home at 6pm, he too tried a cookie to find this...

All your hard work will soon pay off.

Whoa! Cheers to $3 worth of motivation!

Did they really say that?

2012-01-26T03:14:00.000-08:00

Me: Vince, we should enroll you in karate. It will be good for you. You know, for self defense.
Vince: Why would I need that? I can use a gun or a knife.

Aguuy, anak jud ka ug sundalo oi!

----------------------------------
Vince: Mama, are we rich?
Me: Yes...rich in love, my dear!
Vince: What?????!!!!!!

He had a very funny smirk on his face. Bida jud ning bataa.

--------------------------------------------

Jumping on to bed, getting ready to sleep..

Rafa: I want to sleep here. (Squeezing himself between his papa and me)
Me: No, no! I can't sleep without Papa beside me. (Nag-inarte lang ko to see his reaction)
Rafa: (Hugging me) It's alright, Mama. You can sleep now.

Australia Day 2012

2012-01-26T02:53:00.000-08:00

Pouring rain cancelled our plans to go fishing in Kiama today. Instead, we were stuck at home, watching tv and surfing the web. Bummer!

So as not to totally miss out on the celebrations, the hubby grilled sausages and beef patties indoors, plopped them into burger buns and added cheese, lettuce and bbq sauce. Not that bad.

We watched the celebrations in Canberra on tv and I couldn't help but tear up during the citizenship ceremony. Bittersweet. We will be doing ours this year and I often wonder how that will make me feel.

Julia Gillard, Australian Prime Minister, said it very well in her address to the new Aussies," For whatever is left behind, there is so much more to be gained."

Bring it on 2012! :)

Hammock na Di Hamak

2012-01-13T03:45:00.000-08:00

Excuse my title. That's the first thing that came to mind while writing this :)

This being summer and with temperatures just right (still feels like spring), we've been taking every chance we get to go out.

And wherever we go, the hubby never forgets to pop into the car's trunk two hammocks.

In December, on our way to the Hunter Valley, we stopped over for bbq lunch at The Entrance and took a short nap. Yes, on the hammocks, where else?

Note that one of the hammocks is in camu, obviously he misses his days in the military. Hhhhmnnn, not!

The Big 2011 Recap

2011-12-26T12:42:00.000-08:00

I haven't been able to update this blog as much as I want to. Either I am too busy or just plain lazy. There's so many things I want to write about because there's so many things in my life worth writing about- hahaha! I do feel important sometimes, and there is this urge to share my story to the world...like me thinks people can learn a thing or two from my experiences. Lol! Feeling jud!

Warning. I will be blabbing so you may spare yourself the trouble and stop reading right now.

But Mama Inday, I know you will patiently read this so here you go...

The biggest blessing this year would have to be managing to get members of our family to come over to look after the boys and help us at home. What a big relief this has been. I've been struggling with the fact that the boys are spending so much time in childcare while Armand and I work. You know, the usual guilt working moms feel. I will be eternally grateful to my inlaws and my sister Ck who have shared their time with us even if it meant giving up their own plans for awhile. I owe them big time!

"P" has become my favorite letter in the alphabet. From passing Audit and Assurance and Financial Reporting to passing the actual driving exam. Never has the letter "P" sounded so sweet! This year has been a busy year of worthwhile learning, exams, acquiring life skills, readings and self-learning. My stress levels were at their highest, I think, but I can now say I am glad I made time for these things.

There's been plenty of travels this year. We've been to so many new places and revisited our favorite spots. We've done a lot of mini-vacations which I know have created wonderful memories for our boys. And the best trip was visiting the home country and spending quality time with my parents and sisters. It is my prayer that we will be given the means to visit home more often.

Work-wise, it's been a very rewarding year for the hubby and me. He's been promoted at work and would have been promoted again in barely two months but we both felt it was too soon. We have other plans for the family still. As for me, losing my other job at DC proved to be a blessing in disguise. It was a reminder that there are so many opportunities out there and it affirmed the reason why I am actually killing myself doing my CPA exams :)

As in all years past, I am most grateful that I am blessed to be a mom. It is heartwarming to see my boys grow up before my very eyes. Amazing how much they learn everyday. Rafa has learned plenty of words and phrases. I would say the best is "This one's really good!" Hahaha! Murag korek! Kuya Vince, on the other hand is now 8 and is growing up to be more like his Papa. I am both happy and a little apprehensive with that. Haha Kidding! Of course, I want him to grow up idolising his dad!

There have been bad days, too. But I choose not to dignify them here. As they say, "What you focus on multiplies." So I am only focusing on the good things.

Four days to a new year. It's time to RE-ORGANIZE, RE-CHARGE, RE-ARRANGE and RE-PRIORITIZE.

Bring on 2012!

Two Faces of Christmas

2011-12-26T02:09:00.000-08:00

I am having mixed emotions this holidays.

I am crushed with the floods that have affected two of my homes- Iligan and Cagayan de Oro. It's been several days since it happened but I can't seem to shake off the sadness this tragedy has brought. It doesn't help that everyday, there are photos and vids of the devastation posted on Facebook. There are just so many of my friends and relatives affected that although we are so many miles away, it feels like we are there, experiencing this tragedy with our kababayans. I have spent four and a half years of my college life in Iligan and established a home in Cagayan de Oro for ten happy years. I just can't begin to imagine the devastation, much more the pain and uncertainty people have been facing back home. It is massive beyond belief.

I watched Philippine news this morning and I am amazed and very proud of the resiliency of the victims. I haven't seen anyone blame God. Instead, there is just gratefulness to be alive despite having lost everything and more importantly, there is hope that they will rise above this tragedy. Makes me proud to be a Filipino, really. We are truly among the happiest people in the world. Praise God for that!

And I take my cue from the flood survivors. To be grateful and count our blessings because whether the world has turned upside down around us, there is so much more to be thankful for.

Gifts under our tree this year.

I am grateful for the tremendous love in my life. Everyday, I am reminded how blessed I am to have so many people who love me- my husband, my boys, my parents, sisters, in-laws, relatives and friends. Yes, friends who are very dear, they are like family. As cliche as it may be, at the end of day, only LOVE matters really. The rest are just a bonus.

So I praise my God for this big, powerful gift of love. If there's one special wish I can give out to you all, it will be that all of you may have so much love in your life. Let's all spread the love. Only that makes a real difference.

Saturday Afternoon in Cronulla

2011-11-20T02:35:00.000-08:00

With exams done, I finally get to hang my feet and spend lazy weekends.

Two saturdays ago, we went to a secluded beach in Cronulla, put up three hammocks under the trees and spent the afternoon reading, eating, sleeping.

Me in my hammock with a very good book. Bliss!

We were in dreamland when this bridal party arrived to take some photos.

Hubby just 2 meters away from the bridal party.

They were very apologetic for disturbing our peace and quiet. But I would say it was a very nice distraction.

It was my perfect Saturday afternoon. With summer here, we might just have more of these.

Are you kidding me????

2011-11-20T02:10:00.000-08:00

One piece of pandan leaf for $ 1.99 (P 90) !!!

Back in the home country, we grow these in our backyards. It doesn't cost a cent. You didn't even have to buy a seedling. There's always some well-meaning relative or friend who would have been only too glad to share. Those who don't have backyards get it from their neighbours.

It is when I see how insanely expensive Australia can be that I fleetingly entertain doubts about my decision to move here. Nothing here comes for free. I miss free tanglads, malunggays, avocados, silis.

Aaarghhs, some things you just find so hard to let go. But as they say in Australia, you just have to suck it up, baby!

Last day @ DC

2011-09-22T16:27:00.000-07:00

Today is my last day at DC after a full year of working here. When I joined this company, I thought I was retiring here. Haha! But the universe had other plans and as I have now come to accept as an essential truth in my life, I am again moving on.

I will miss DC and the relaxed environment of vibrant young people. I will miss having lunch with my friends who are working in the area. I will miss hitching a ride with Carol every afternoon and getting a loaf of bread everyday. I will miss meeting with Gracy at the round about, sharing latest updates and me getting pancakes from her :)

Gracy's and Carol's building at the back of the tree where Gracy and I meet for short mid-day updates.

That's the view from the other side, where DC is.

Beautiful tree in the spring.

I will miss this place a lot and the people that I associate with North Ryde. But as the flowers bloom this spring, I know I am headed to a better place. I have been blessed abundantly, so much earlier than I had planned. Change is always good. I am humbled and deeply grateful. Thank you, Lord.

Barely Keeping My Head Above Water

2011-09-16T00:14:00.000-07:00

"If you want to move to a new level in your life, you must break through your comfort zone and practice doing things that are not comfortable."

CPA Exams
Trading
Driving

All difficult but just thinking of future rewards keep me motivated.

Good luck to me!

Big Holiday 2011

2011-08-15T23:22:00.000-07:00

I know, I know… I deserve a big whack in the head for not writing about our three-week holiday back in the home country. Three weeks, baby! And I thought, three weeks was long enough! Apparently, we need to stay longer if we want to squeeze in everything we want to do. Perhaps we might just need to live there again then? Geez, what am I saying? I need another whack! Hehe

Like in our previous holiday back in 2009, the hubby and I prepared our itinerary a month before we left. The big list included the things we needed to do (i.e. pay advance property taxes, renew licenses, visit Pag-ibig office, sort and dispose of old stuff), things we need to buy, people we wanted to see and places we wanted to visit. The “to do’s” and “to buy’s” were all ticked but too bad only about 20% of “places” and “people”. There is just not enough time.

There are so many things to remember from that trip:

• Getting items from the Duty Free shops at 10% additional discount because A works at the airport. Yey!

• Stop over at Brisbane International Airport. We left a very cold Sydney and arrived at a very humid Brisbane but couldn’t change our winter clothes because everything was checked in.

• Meeting the Kuas and Acuins in Manila despite the very short lay over. I also got to see my very good high school barkada, Badah, after 11 long years.

• The many trips to the spa with hubby for the massage that’s aptly called “hagod”- wash out jud tanan kakapoy and worth more than the measly P600 charge.

• Filipino food- lechon, mud crabs, fresh prawn kinilaw, chicharon, mangoes, suman, native chicken, and the list goes on

• Food again but this time our favorite kanding. Papa Nick got one for us which he and the hubby made into papait, kaldereta, sinigang and adobo. I’ve never had too much goat meat in my life! All so yummy—all cooked from the heart.

• The many hours spent at the duyan in Tubod and the never ending exchange of stories over extended meals with my family.

• Trip to Davao, for that unexpected cash (weee!blessing!) and seeing good friends from our military days. We also made a quick visit to hubby’s cousins who have made big businesses in Davao, inspiring us to dream some more. Haaaayz! Big thanks to the Dongail family for being our gracious host- for organizing two dinners with the mistahs and their families, for lending us their Pajero so we can visit Tagum and even go all the way up to Mawab. Grateful for the mistahs who came to see us and stayed until the wee hours of the morning for the big catch up. And if you’re reading this Marnellie, thanks to you and Julien, too 

• Visits to MOA, Divine Mercy Shrine and Dahilayan. Short but really memorable.

Short drives on hubby's big bike- adrenaline rush!

• My boys bonding with their relatives- priceless! I took a lot of photos so the kids will always remember their family back home.

• Boating inside the fish pond, Kuya Vince learning how to paddle and Rafa doing his bit by putting more water into the boat. Haha!

• The boy’s excitement over seeing real eggs hatch from Lolo Nick’s chickens.

• Crosswind XUV 2011 Moroccan Gold (big, big smile and big thanks to you oh, Lord!)

• Short meet ups with old friends. I promise to see more next time.

We squeezed in as much as we can in those three short weeks. I am grateful most of all for time well spent with family- the very reason for the holiday.

And now I’m counting the days to retirement so I can go back. Haha C’mon y’all, give me a huge smack!

Move over Manny P!

2011-06-28T16:03:00.000-07:00

Remember how I wished i was Manny Pacquiao? Well, I know I will never be.

But my boys might...wehehe!

Starting 'em young :)

Firm, strong punches

Determined to win.

I'm kidding, of course!!!

He's just too cute to go into boxing.

Mag-artista nalang. He! He! He!

Speech

2011-06-28T00:06:00.000-07:00

Vince arrived from school last week with a huge announcement.

Vince: Mama, guess what? I’ve been chosen to represent my class in the school’s speech competition!!!

Mama: Hey, that’s great! Well done, kuya! That’s amazing!

I gave him a tight hug. Deep down, images of the huge task ahead was spinning in my head. Three weeks ago, I guided him in making his speech. I put an emphasis on “guided” because it was actually Vince who came up with ideas for his speech. I just made a few tweaks, coached him when to pause and stress words and he was ready. He was sad when he came home…

Vince: Mama, Ms Garrity said I made a very good speech. She liked that I waited for everyone to get settled before I started. I made it to the next round!

Mama: Yey! That’s great, kuya! I knew you’d make it!

Vince: But I don’t want to do it again..Ah! I know! I will not make a good speech next time so I don’t win!

How does a mom react to that? Of course, I made a long speech about how we’re all supposed to do our best all the time, blah, blah, blah.

I think he put my ‘speech’ to heart because he prepared his speech with his Papa with so much gusto and practiced with his Tita Anne over and over again.

And so he came home today with news that he’s been chosen to represent his class.

What a proud moment! And I am happy that he’s overcome his shyness. He’s more confident now and enjoys school so much.

He’s come a loooong way from his prep days at Pineapple Country School.

At Pineapple Country School when Vince was only 3 yrs old.

Credit is good…

2011-06-21T21:57:00.000-07:00

…when it relates to your rating in the CPA exam! (Big grin and doing the silly dance)

For those who do not know, rating in the CPA exam looks like this:

HD- High Distinction

D- Distinction

C-Credit

P-Pass

N- Fail

DNS- Did not sit

RW- Result Withheld

I know I should be aiming for HD but with my current state where I have to juggle so many things, I would have been over the moon with a humble P!

My boss’ reaction: “You got “C” for Audit and Assurance?!!! My God, you’re good! I know a lot who failed that subject!”

Hmnnn…never has the letter “C” sounded so sweet!

To God be the glory!

Tale of the Rusty Ski

2011-06-20T16:05:00.000-07:00

We came home from our much anticipated trip to Mt Selwyn over the Queen’s Birthday weekend with so many stories to tell. But I am not going to tell you how fun it was to be with four other families with eight overly eager kids between us. Or how much food we brought, complete with a very yummy Pavlova and coffee brownies courtesy of Carol. And how the dads sneaked our magic kalans to the back of the motel so we can cook a complete breakfast and re-heat left-overs. I won’t even go into the details of how hubby threw up a whole day’s worth of meals at 3am. I’m sure you’re not interested  It will probably bore you if I say we had such a long trip, driving over deserted mountains I was beginning to think we got lost and was about ready to call for help—except there was nary a trace of signal. No, I’m not telling you that. Aaaah, did I just tell you that? Teehee!

There was one story from that whole trip which stood out for me…

When we first moved to Australia three years ago, we went through the usual ‘pulot’ phase. I don’t know about you but most of my friends who just landed in Australia experienced this. It’s when you get excited and all pumped up when you see a pile of rubbish on the street-thinking about the possible treasures just waiting to be unearthed - TVs, old computers and printers, components, dvd players, clothes, bags, beds and the list goes on. More often than not, this phase could be born out of sheer necessity or as how my cousin and good friend call it- ‘sa ngalan ng pagtitipid’!

Anyway, on one such ‘pulot’ day, hubby excitedly came home with a pair of rusty skis and made a promise that the skis will have it’s day in the snow as soon as we can afford it. I just shrugged him off. He’s got the weirdest and most impractical ideas, I tell you. After more than 10 yrs of being together, I know when he wouldn’t budge. And this is one of those.

I have totally forgotten about the skis until last Sunday, when I saw it packed along with our snow gear at the back of the car as we were unloading our things. I must admit there was a slight tug in my heart. The look on hubby’s face as he carefully placed the skis on fresh snow was priceless. I was sucked by the drama of it all. It was like the skis coming full circle.

We all took turns having our photos taken with the skis, coming up with every imaginable pose and pretending we actually went skiing.

Hubby trying on the skis

Vince's turn...

Rafa loved it so much!

The skis with our snowman.

When it was time to go, hubby carefully placed the skis on the snow under an old tree. It will sit there until the next “pulot” guy takes it to it’s next adventure. Who knows where that will be? The possibilities are endless.