In the dusty town of San Isidro, where the sun baked the cobblestones and the sea’s salty breath clung to the air, lived a boy named Pepito. Barefoot and clad in a patched shirt, he roamed the market, selling fish from a rickety cart. His voice, sharp and hopeful, called out, “Fresh fish! Caught this morning!” But his pockets stayed empty, his meals meager, and his dreams small—except for one: every Holy Week, the grand church at the town’s heart held a retreat, a sacred gathering where God’s word echoed through candlelit halls. Pepito longed to attend, but the entrance fee was a fortune he could never scrape together.

If you are familiar with the Matrix movie, there are two worlds that co-exist – the blue pill world and the red pill world. Our world (where we exist) is supposed to be the blue pill world --- a façade – a fake but more palatable world. On the other hand, the red pill world is the dark reality of the evil around us. Given a choice, what pill would you take?

I think I'm out of shape. The other day, I had to squat (to work on a painting) and I got dizzy and I had to hold on to the door knobs to get back up. This isn't normal. I guess it's official: the countdown to my expiry date has begun. Unless, of course, I get serious and exercise my way back to my former glory --- when I had the body of a Greek god (isn't Hepatitis B a Greek god?). Back in High School, I was swift as a deer and lean as a noodle. Now I'm more of a pregnant noodle with bobbing man boobs. Last Sunday two young guys at church invited me to mountain climb. An incongruous picture popped up in my head --- moan-time climbing would be more accurate.

This week I volunteered to do caricatures for our church Summer Bible Studies. Kids from all over the neighborhood flocked in for a fun time. I was stationed where the parents waited for their kids and I got to meet and draw new faces. Oh, the things you learn about people.

Big brother Thomas and little brother Charlie are a year apart. Thomas is gifted with natural intellectual and physical abilities. He could pick up concepts easily and is naturally coordinated. He is over-confident at times and for good reason --- it’s easy for him. On the other hand, Charlie is not as agile and it takes longer for him to figure things out. But what he lacks in physique and talent, he makes up with determination.

Raoul’s Two Cents: May 30, 2025 My Buddy I stared at the text message from the wife of my old buddy, Ed Landry: “I have a report on Ed.” The last time I heard from Ed, he had trouble breathing so I knew this wasn’t good. A former fireman turned full time missionary — Ed mentored me in my early …

Meet Agent Triple Eight (888, because it’s luckier than 007), played by a chiseled Chinese action star who moonlights as a patriotic pop idol. He’s got the charm of Daniel Craig, the martial arts chops of Jet Li, and a gadget-filled Huwawei smartwatch that doubles as a noodle cooker.

Thoughts of my age hit me again this week. You know you’re getting old when your body starts sending you hate mail every morning. Popping joints, mystery aches, and a lower back that’s staging a full-blown rebellion—welcome to the daily grind of aging. I swear, I went to bed at 30 and woke up feeling like a creaky 80-year-old antique.

For many in this world, Sunday is Mother’s Day. But for our family, it’s an annual complicated day of celebration because we have two grandmas, two Moms, a Dad’s birthday and a Mother’s birthday. How do you make them feel special when they share the same cake? Get separate cakes that no one will eat? I don’t think so.

As you read this email, know that I am currently in Ventura County, California, accompanying my wife in one of her business trips. It’s the first time I’ve ever been here. I asked my good friend Ed (a travel aficionado) what Ventura County is famous for and he said “Thrift Shops.” Immediately, gold nuggets started pouring out of my eyes. I got excited because I love the bargain hunting game. It's one of the simple joys of life.