I have used this phrase to describe different beautiful
places that I have been to. But the truth is, I know that in my heart, the
place that I always think of every time I use the description is California.
Currently, I reside in the Washington, D.C. area where
winter is never fun. It always reminds me of California Dreaming and its
lyrics,
“All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey
I've been for a walk on a winter’s day
I'd be save and warm if I was in L.A.
California
dreaming on such a winter’s day”
Most recently, I was
in California again as I was in June and July. My June trip was sad because I
had to attend the funeral services for my youngest sister, Mila Maynigo Denton
Goldberg.
My July trip was both nostalgic and memorable. It was also
joyful as I attended the 50th Reunion of my Huntington Beach High
School Class ’64. Then I proceeded to
San Diego to fulfill a family and legal obligation re the Estate of my sister.
The latest trip
(October) took me to both San Diego and San Francisco. It was a very productive
and fun trip both for personal, professional, and business reasons.
I went to San Francisco in order to attend the Dreamforce
2014 Conference being held at the Moscone Center. It featured as Keynote
Speakers former US Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former US
Vice President Al Gore, Salesforce President Marc Benioff, and other CEOs of
several successful innovative companies.
Entertainers Bruno
Mars and the Beach Boys were at hand to perform while Musician and Technology
Entrepreneur Will.I.AM launched a new wearable product and technology.
I must admit that I almost canceled my San Francisco trip.
Although the registration fee costing over a thousand dollars was waived for
credentialed members of the Press like me, hotel accommodations turned out to
be “mahal”
in hotels near Moscone Center – site of the conference. It went from $400
-$800/night.
Judith and Lino Yoro
A call to my favorite
cousin Judith Miguel Yoro, married to Lino Yoro suddenly changed the meaning of
“mahal” to something more agreeable
to my liking as an Ilocano. I was invited to stay in their residential home,
which is not too far from Moscone.
“Uber will just take care of my daily local transport needs,” I
thought. Well, Judith and Lino were off at the time and happily drove me to
Moscone. How lucky can one Ilocano like me be?
While previously, “mahal” meant expensive, it’s meaning
became “love” because free accommodations were provided with love. :)
Author with sister
Nellie Maynigo Rabara
Attending the Dreamforce 2014 conference was really a joy.
But joining the birthday celebrations of two relatives of mine was even more fun. My lone surviving older sister Nellie celebrated her birthday in a
Buffet style restaurant. My niece on my father side, and cousin-in-law on the
mother side, Lydia Miguel, celebrated her birthday at her beautiful home with
two guest rooms available for me next time I go back.
Lydia Miguel
Indeed, “mahal” signifies a different and deeper
meaning as relatives offer their homes to accommodate your needs for a brief
period. High in value materially, but
much higher in value spiritually and emotionally.
A big thanks to Judith and Lino! I enjoyed my stay at
their home in San Francisco.
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