Oh, the very Filipino and very local JR

Today was WA Olympians Day in Seattle with a "rally" at our signature rally place, Westlake Center in Downtown. My monthly $130 cable and high-speed internet bill seems justified now: thank you, Comcast.

Move over youngins, this veteran is coming through. Been there, and definitely done that (2002: Apolo Ohno Day at Westlake). This event was simply a reminder of how quickly time flies by and how I'm getting old (should I be grateful?). While groupies (who should be at school, by the way) screamed and giggled around me, I was just there looking on and glad to witness a day in honor of a Pinoy Winter Olympic medalist. I still can't get over that little fact. And yes, I even wore my Adidas Philippines shirt to this event because my Pinoy Pride was just oozing out of me. LoL.

I spotted Nanay Celski and Tita Virginia in the crowd, but I was holding my front-row spot for when the Olympians came out of the mall (which became a not-so-nice front-row spot within seconds because of a huge security guard who had his own camera out). By the time I was ready to put down my camera and make chika, KING5's Lori beat me to the family members. Eventually, Daddy Celski joined them. I found it amusing that I knew who they were, thanks to those signature parents shots during the Olympics.

While people filed in line to get an autograph, I decided to go into the mall to see if *ahem a certain family member was around. I didn't know that the food court at Westlake is packed during lunchtime (duh, Mina). While walking towards the escalators, I noticed a few people turn around and looked at me. I was like, "Oh hell no, did I not wipe my nose?" Then I quickly realized that I was sporting red, navy blue, and white; people probably thought I was one of the Olympians. Sorry folks, I'm Queen Mina and not an ice princess. LoL.

I eventually went back to the parking garage to make sure that I only had to pay for one hour's worth and drove myself back to work. Again, I'm getting old, because back in 2002, I devoted a whole day for Apolo festivities (rally, Nike store to get the lowdown of his whereabouts, picked up Sonics tickets, attended the Sonics game because Apolo was there). Today, I had work. Blech!

Since I never had a younger brother, I'm claiming this boy as a family member. Ate Mina is proud of you, JR. Hopefully, in four years, the City will be devoting a whole day in honor of your continued success. I just hope that when I attend that rally, I'll be married and toting a kid around. ;P