I was a "cast away" for two weeks. No electricity, no news from the outside world. At night I would rely on the cool breeze to lull me into sleep in the absence of air conditioning. Yet, the mosquito net that shields me from mosquito bites would also shield me from fully enjoying the breeze. However, in my own SURVIVOR episode, I have the luxury of a mosquito net, some candles, the softness of my bed and the comfort of our home MINUS the ELECTRICITY.
Power was cut off on the afternoon of May 17, Saturday and was only restored on May 30, Friday. Storm COSME landed on my province in the afternoon of Saturday, while I was busy fulfilling the role of an usherette in my friend's wedding.
In the early morning of May 17, I was having second thoughts in attending the wedding due to the nonstop rain. What made me decide to attend is my yellow gown and my golden shoes =). And so, armed with an overnight bag, I braved the rain. The wedding is set at 5:30 in the afternoon. I was supposed to arrive before the guests and the entourage, so I left our house at eleven in the morning. It was a one and half hour ride, but I still have enough time for make up and changing into the yellow gown. But halfway from having my make up done, the power was cut off. And when my friend and I were about to go to where the ceremony would take place, the wind was blowing so hard, the glass door of the salon was pushed open. Somehow, despite the wind, we managed to arrive safe, sound and beautiful. It was quarter to five. We have settled the guests in the ceremony hall and the entourage in the coffee shop adjacent to the hall. By six in the evening, the ceremony started. I was teary eyed because finally, my friend has found the right woman. While I was trying to control my tears from falling, typhoon Cosme did not spare us from his wrath. He continued blowing strong winds and showering us with non stop rain. When the ceremony was finished, the bride and groom were rushed to the reception hall. But only the two of them managed to get through the strong wind. The rest of the entourage and the guests were ushered to the coffee shop. And there, we spent almost two hours waiting for Cosme's wrath to subside. The guests were calling and texting the family and relatives they left at home. We were agitated because the wind was so strong we can hear galvanized roofs being blown away. Some were concerned about their car being hit by branches of trees, others feared that their place could be flooded. Yet, after an hour of waiting and being stranded in the coffee shop, water came flowing inside. And slowly it started rising that I have to put my feet up on a chair. The water reached my ankle, then above it. The kids were restless. They were hungry and angry. It was a little past nine in the evening when we were ushered by the hotel personnel to the reception area. Everyone took off their shoes, lifted their skirts and pants and walked through the flooded corridor, water reaching half my leg. We no longer care how we look, all we wanted was to move in a safer and drier place, and a place where we could ease our hunger.
My ordeal did not end there. I have no place to stay. The hotel could no longer accommodate me for an overnight stay because their rooms were flooded. Same with the other hotel i called. I chanced by a tricycle and decided to sleep at my aunts house which is 3 kilometers away. But halfway there, we were stopped. We can no longer pass the road because the water was starting to rise, numerous trees were uprooted, roofs were thrown, electrical lines were cut and billboards were all blocking the road. I was shocked. I have nowhere to go. I was in the middle of a signal number three typhoon, caught in the debris of destruction and with no one to rely on. I can only answer the driver with my tears when he asked me where to take me next. I decided to try the other hotel I called earlier, and luckily, they were able to clean the flooded rooms and accommodate me.
It was midnight when i arrived, but I was not able to sleep at once. When I woke up, I was uncertain if I could go home, the bus I was to take suspended their operation. When I went out of the hotel, the sun was shining. The wind was calm. But the degree of destruction is evident. On my way home, I saw houses that were destroyed, missing roofs, walls, and some, only posts were left. People were walking in the flooded road, water reaching their waists. Trucks, buses, cars were stranded on one side of the road. Only big buses braved the flood. Trees were uprooted, branches were cut, fruits were blown away. I was in disbelief. The destruction was so wide and until now, some parts of my province is still living in the dark.
But what is evident is that despite the destruction and misfortune, the people in my province tried to live normally. After the storm came the sun and with the sun the hope in every one's heart. Hope that something could still be salvaged from the debris and hope that everything will be alright, eventually.
I survived Cosme. Our province survived Cosme. Some things might not have been restored to this day, but it will be, eventually.
Someone from above is watching over us.
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Sad News
Former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino was diagnosed to have a colon cancer. Her family, represented by Senator Noynoy Aquino and talk show host Kris Aquino informed the Filipino people yesterday that their mother was diagnosed with colon cancer. President Aquino is a well known political leader. She is also known for her strong faith in God.
I admire the former President so much. Her life is full of challenges but she always get through the trials. Her husband was a political detainee during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. For an ordinary woman, what she went through during her husband's detention is difficult to surpass, but she is different. Aided by her strong faith in God, Cory Aquino survived this trial in her life. Her faith and strength was again tested when her husband, the well known former Senator Ninoy Aquino was assasinated when he braved to come home to his beloved Philippines. She has been a picture of a strong wife and mother. Then she became President of the Philippines in 1986, after the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos was overthrown by people power or "EDSA l". Even during her term, her leadership was tested by two coup attempts, all of which she emerged victorious in the end. But I guess, the greatest test of her strength and faith in God is during this time, her battle with colon cancer. But according to her family, her faith in God was not shaken.
The former President is really a picture of strength. She has proven her strength as a wife, a mother, a political leader and as a child of God.But I guess, it wouldn't hurt her and her family, if we pray for her fast recovery.
I humbly ask those who would stumble upon this blog to offer a silent prayer for President Cory Aquino's fast recovery. She is a pillar of strength in my eyes and to the eyes of millions of Filipino people who look up to her.
Incidentally, this is her first day of chemotherapy
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Eight lies of a Mother
I received this email from a male friend, and it touched me so much that I decided to share it here.
EIGHT LIES OF A MOTHER
This story begins when I was a child: I was born poor. Often we hadn't
enough to eat. Whenever we had some food, Mother often gave me her
portion of rice. While she was transferring her rice into my bowl, she would say
"Eat this rice, son! I'm not hungry." This was Mother's First Lie.
As I grew, Mother gave up her spare time to fish in a river near our
house; she hoped that from the fish she caught, she could gave me a little bit
more nutritious food for my growth. Once she had caught just two fish, she
would make fish soup. While I was eating the soup, mother would sit beside me
and eat the what was still left on the bone of the fish I had eaten, My
heart was touched when I saw it. Once I gave the other fish to her on my
chopstick but she immediately refused it and said, "Eat this fish, son! I don't
really like fish." This was Mother's Second Lie.
Then, in order to fund my education, Mother went to a Match Factory to
bring home some used matchboxes which she filled with fresh
matchsticks. This helped her get some money to cover our needs. One wintry night I
awoke to find Mother filling the matchboxes by candlelight. So I said,
"Mother,go to sleep; it's late: you can continue working tomorrow morning."
Mother smiled and said "Go to sleep, son! I'm not tired." This was Mother's
Third Lie .
When I had to sit my Final Examination, Mother accompanied me. After
dawn, Mother waited for me for hours in the heat of the sun. When
the bell rang, I ran to meet her.. Mother embraced me and poured me a
glass of tea that she had prepared in a thermos. The tea was not as
strong as my Mother's love, Seeing Mother covered with perspiration, I at
once gave her my glass and asked her to drink too. Mother said "Drink, son!
I'm not thirsty!". This was Mother's Fourth Lie.
After Father's death, Mother had to play the role of a single parent.
She held on to her former job; she had to fund our needs alone. Our
family's life was more complicated. We suffered from starvation. Seeing
our family's condition worsening, my kind Uncle who lived near my house came
to help us solve our problems big and small.
Our other neighbors saw that we were poverty stricken so they often
advised my mother to marry again. But Mother refused to remarry saying "I don't
need love."
This was Mother's Fifth Lie.
After I had finished my studies and gotten a job, it was time for my
old Mother to retire but she carried on going to the market every morning
just to sell a few vegetables. I kept sending her money but she was
steadfast and even sent the money back to me. She said, "I have
enough money."
That was Mother's Sixth Lie.
I continued my part-time studies for my Master's Degree. Funded by the
American Corporation for which I worked, I succeeded in my studies.
With a big jump in my salary, I decided to bring Mother to enjoy life
in America but Mother didn't want to bother her son; she said to me "I'm
not used to high living."
That was Mother's Seventh Lie
In her old age, Mother was attacked by cancer and had to be
hospitalized. Now living far across the ocean, I went home to visit Mother who was
bedridden after an operation. Mother tried to smile but I was
heartbroken because she was so thin and feeble but Mother said, "Don't cry, son!
I'm not in pain."
That was Mother's Eighth Lie.
Telling me this her eighth lie, she died.
YES, MOTHER WAS AN ANGEL!
M - O - T - H - E - R
"M" is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of gold,
"E" is for her eyes with love-light shining in them,
"R" means
right, and right she'll always be,
Put them all together, they spell
"MOTHER"--
a word that means the world to me.
EIGHT LIES OF A MOTHER
This story begins when I was a child: I was born poor. Often we hadn't
enough to eat. Whenever we had some food, Mother often gave me her
portion of rice. While she was transferring her rice into my bowl, she would say
"Eat this rice, son! I'm not hungry." This was Mother's First Lie.
As I grew, Mother gave up her spare time to fish in a river near our
house; she hoped that from the fish she caught, she could gave me a little bit
more nutritious food for my growth. Once she had caught just two fish, she
would make fish soup. While I was eating the soup, mother would sit beside me
and eat the what was still left on the bone of the fish I had eaten, My
heart was touched when I saw it. Once I gave the other fish to her on my
chopstick but she immediately refused it and said, "Eat this fish, son! I don't
really like fish." This was Mother's Second Lie.
Then, in order to fund my education, Mother went to a Match Factory to
bring home some used matchboxes which she filled with fresh
matchsticks. This helped her get some money to cover our needs. One wintry night I
awoke to find Mother filling the matchboxes by candlelight. So I said,
"Mother,go to sleep; it's late: you can continue working tomorrow morning."
Mother smiled and said "Go to sleep, son! I'm not tired." This was Mother's
Third Lie .
When I had to sit my Final Examination, Mother accompanied me. After
dawn, Mother waited for me for hours in the heat of the sun. When
the bell rang, I ran to meet her.. Mother embraced me and poured me a
glass of tea that she had prepared in a thermos. The tea was not as
strong as my Mother's love, Seeing Mother covered with perspiration, I at
once gave her my glass and asked her to drink too. Mother said "Drink, son!
I'm not thirsty!". This was Mother's Fourth Lie.
After Father's death, Mother had to play the role of a single parent.
She held on to her former job; she had to fund our needs alone. Our
family's life was more complicated. We suffered from starvation. Seeing
our family's condition worsening, my kind Uncle who lived near my house came
to help us solve our problems big and small.
Our other neighbors saw that we were poverty stricken so they often
advised my mother to marry again. But Mother refused to remarry saying "I don't
need love."
This was Mother's Fifth Lie.
After I had finished my studies and gotten a job, it was time for my
old Mother to retire but she carried on going to the market every morning
just to sell a few vegetables. I kept sending her money but she was
steadfast and even sent the money back to me. She said, "I have
enough money."
That was Mother's Sixth Lie.
I continued my part-time studies for my Master's Degree. Funded by the
American Corporation for which I worked, I succeeded in my studies.
With a big jump in my salary, I decided to bring Mother to enjoy life
in America but Mother didn't want to bother her son; she said to me "I'm
not used to high living."
That was Mother's Seventh Lie
In her old age, Mother was attacked by cancer and had to be
hospitalized. Now living far across the ocean, I went home to visit Mother who was
bedridden after an operation. Mother tried to smile but I was
heartbroken because she was so thin and feeble but Mother said, "Don't cry, son!
I'm not in pain."
That was Mother's Eighth Lie.
Telling me this her eighth lie, she died.
YES, MOTHER WAS AN ANGEL!
M - O - T - H - E - R
"M" is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of gold,
"E" is for her eyes with love-light shining in them,
"R" means
right, and right she'll always be,
Put them all together, they spell
"MOTHER"--
a word that means the world to me.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
On a Holiday!
My cousin and I went on a holiday. Well, sort of. Holiday from our diet, holiday from worries and from the kids.
We went to Baguio to at least feel the "Panagbenga Festival" although it's kinda late already. The busy street of Session road was filled with shops selling all sorts of products, from foods, to handicrafts, to even real estate. My eyes feasted on the various foods being sold along the road. I haven't fgured out till now where I got the courage to resist the temptation of tasting every food being sold.
We ended up eating at Man Han, a chinese restaurant located at SM City. We ordered broccoli with beef rice topping, spicy spare ribs and beef wanton noodles, and it was just the two of us! The rice topping was generous in amount that we ended up sharing it.
Spicy spare ribs
broccoli with beef
Yummy!
We went to Baguio to at least feel the "Panagbenga Festival" although it's kinda late already. The busy street of Session road was filled with shops selling all sorts of products, from foods, to handicrafts, to even real estate. My eyes feasted on the various foods being sold along the road. I haven't fgured out till now where I got the courage to resist the temptation of tasting every food being sold.
We ended up eating at Man Han, a chinese restaurant located at SM City. We ordered broccoli with beef rice topping, spicy spare ribs and beef wanton noodles, and it was just the two of us! The rice topping was generous in amount that we ended up sharing it.
Spicy spare ribs
broccoli with beef Yummy!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
The reality of death
If you are given three months to live, how would you spend it? Would you spend it regretting the things you weren't able to do? Or would you spend the last three months of your life sharing love and happiness to the people who mean the most to you?
If I have to chose one among all the asian drama series I have watched over the years, Silence would definitely top my list. It is not just a love story, it is a life story. Watching it made my heart ache, but it opened my eyes to the numerous possibilities in this life. One of which is death.
Death is a reality. Each one of us will have to face this truth, even if we do not want to, in God's perfect time, we will.
Two days after watching this, I experienced the worst chest pain I ever had. I feared that I might have a heart attack any moment, so I sent my husband a message telling him how much he means to me, how I want us to grow old together, how I feared dying this young. That night, the reality of death hit me real hard. I could die any moment. I could die from asthma attack, from heart attack, or I could die from an accident. I maybe well and laughing in the morning, but I will never know when my destiny ends.
After that night, I willed myself to live healthier so I decided to go for a pulmonary check up. I underwent a test called spirometry where I was made to blow air into a measuring device. The normal result is at 80-100% according to the doctor, but I only measured at 53%, way below normal. The good thing though is that my asthma is curable. My chest pain according to the doctor is brought by my asthma too.
I willed myself to live a healthier life, because I don't want to die young. My husband and I will be sacrificing 31 months away from one another. I don't want to put this sacrifice into waste.
To end this melodrama, I would like to borrow the line from the movie John Q " I am not gonna bury my son(daughter), my son(daughter) will gonna bury me"
If I have to chose one among all the asian drama series I have watched over the years, Silence would definitely top my list. It is not just a love story, it is a life story. Watching it made my heart ache, but it opened my eyes to the numerous possibilities in this life. One of which is death.
Death is a reality. Each one of us will have to face this truth, even if we do not want to, in God's perfect time, we will.
Two days after watching this, I experienced the worst chest pain I ever had. I feared that I might have a heart attack any moment, so I sent my husband a message telling him how much he means to me, how I want us to grow old together, how I feared dying this young. That night, the reality of death hit me real hard. I could die any moment. I could die from asthma attack, from heart attack, or I could die from an accident. I maybe well and laughing in the morning, but I will never know when my destiny ends.
After that night, I willed myself to live healthier so I decided to go for a pulmonary check up. I underwent a test called spirometry where I was made to blow air into a measuring device. The normal result is at 80-100% according to the doctor, but I only measured at 53%, way below normal. The good thing though is that my asthma is curable. My chest pain according to the doctor is brought by my asthma too.
I willed myself to live a healthier life, because I don't want to die young. My husband and I will be sacrificing 31 months away from one another. I don't want to put this sacrifice into waste.
To end this melodrama, I would like to borrow the line from the movie John Q " I am not gonna bury my son(daughter), my son(daughter) will gonna bury me"
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Life changing move
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, and too
strong for fear, and too happy to permit the
presence of trouble.
I have been experiencing recurrent chest pain the last two days - squeezing, burning sensation on my chest that extends to my arms, neck and back, and also brings dizziness and weakness. It's like a definition straight from a medical dictionary, but it is what I feel. So tomorrow, I will be seeing a doctor, to erase any doubts on my health.
That plus a more positive outlook in life. Because lately I have been dwelling with stressful situations, and again, my health is the one suffering.
I hope to have a more positive post tomorrow after my visit to the doctor
strong for fear, and too happy to permit the
presence of trouble.
I have been experiencing recurrent chest pain the last two days - squeezing, burning sensation on my chest that extends to my arms, neck and back, and also brings dizziness and weakness. It's like a definition straight from a medical dictionary, but it is what I feel. So tomorrow, I will be seeing a doctor, to erase any doubts on my health.
That plus a more positive outlook in life. Because lately I have been dwelling with stressful situations, and again, my health is the one suffering.
I hope to have a more positive post tomorrow after my visit to the doctor
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Blog Your Bleesings: Voice
I suffered a terrible asthma attack last week and I am just regaining my strength now. To my luck, I have wonderful people, my mom and my aunt, who took really good care of me. I feasted on milk and egg (according to their doctor, eating at least 2 eggs per day is good for the health. I'll write more about this next time) and my favorite Asian drama series ( my all time favorite stress buster =>).
The latest series that I watched is Silence, a Taiwanese drama series shown in the year 2006. The story is about a young girl and a young boy who met in a hospital and found happiness during the week they were together, although in silence. The girl was involved in an accident that traumatized her and makes her unable to speak. In one episode the girl asked, using hand language (with english subtitle of course => ) this question.
" Why do people who have a voice always hide the most beautiful words in their heart?"
Why do we indeed?
At least at one point in our life we meant to say good things to someone, wanted to say words we know deep in our heart would bring smile to someone, but opted not to.
What if an unexpected thing happens and robs us of our voice? How will we be able to express out loud with emotions the words we kept in our heart?
The latest series that I watched is Silence, a Taiwanese drama series shown in the year 2006. The story is about a young girl and a young boy who met in a hospital and found happiness during the week they were together, although in silence. The girl was involved in an accident that traumatized her and makes her unable to speak. In one episode the girl asked, using hand language (with english subtitle of course => ) this question.
" Why do people who have a voice always hide the most beautiful words in their heart?"
Why do we indeed?
At least at one point in our life we meant to say good things to someone, wanted to say words we know deep in our heart would bring smile to someone, but opted not to.
What if an unexpected thing happens and robs us of our voice? How will we be able to express out loud with emotions the words we kept in our heart?
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
An Angel in Disguise?
The number of customers coming in was fewer than the previous days. I was feeling down and thinking that maybe I made a mistake. I was losing confidence again. Then, out of nowhere, an old man passed by our canteen. He appeared to have suffered from a stroke and has difficulty in walking. Then the old man approached me and told me not to mind the people from the other canteen infront of us. They appear to be taunting us for having few customers. But the old man told me not to mind them. And to not say "wala" or nothing/none in english. Saying "wala" is like being dead, because you are giving up already he added. Just persevere and God will help you he said. Then he went on tellng me his life story. Of how he was blinded by power and money,but when he suffered a stroke, he instead thank God for giving him the opportunity to rest his body. He says he does not have much, but he does have strong faith which keeps him alive and able to live day by day.
Isn't this a great coincidence? When I was feeling doubtful, God made sure that I receive encouragement. Not from the people around me, but from someone i don't know.
Which led me into thinking, is he an angel in disguise?
Isn't this a great coincidence? When I was feeling doubtful, God made sure that I receive encouragement. Not from the people around me, but from someone i don't know.
Which led me into thinking, is he an angel in disguise?
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Cusina Ni Tiya (Auntie's kitchen) is now open for business
After five months of dreaming, conceptualizing and budgeting, my little dream is finally turning into a reality. Cusina Ni Tiya had it's soft opening yesterday. I was dead tired when I got home last night that even if I wanted to write how I felt on our first day, I fell asleep after I said goodnight to my little girl.
I was having second thoughts about pushing through with opening a small canteen. I doubted my capability, and I still doubt it now. I am so afraid to fail. Actually, I don't want to fail. Partly because I don't want others to look down on me, but the biggest reason why i don't want to fail, is because if I fail, I would think low about myself again. My greatest critic is also myself.
Initially, I was supposed to open last December 2007. But I was so busy procrastinating.
I read Paulo Coelho's the Zahir, and he wrote something which exactly describes how I felt then..." My dream is now realizable, but if I try and fail, I don't know what the rest of my life will be like; that's why it's better to live cherishing a dream than face the possibility that it might all come to nothing."
I'm trying to realize my dream now. I need all the courage I could extract from my heart to continue realizing my dream.
And the mantra that i keep on reminding myself is "Just believe, and it will happen."
I was having second thoughts about pushing through with opening a small canteen. I doubted my capability, and I still doubt it now. I am so afraid to fail. Actually, I don't want to fail. Partly because I don't want others to look down on me, but the biggest reason why i don't want to fail, is because if I fail, I would think low about myself again. My greatest critic is also myself.
Initially, I was supposed to open last December 2007. But I was so busy procrastinating.
I read Paulo Coelho's the Zahir, and he wrote something which exactly describes how I felt then..." My dream is now realizable, but if I try and fail, I don't know what the rest of my life will be like; that's why it's better to live cherishing a dream than face the possibility that it might all come to nothing."
I'm trying to realize my dream now. I need all the courage I could extract from my heart to continue realizing my dream.
And the mantra that i keep on reminding myself is "Just believe, and it will happen."
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Standards
A six year old child was crying. But before the mother could reach her, one mother asked her what happened. A two year old slapped her arm, the child explains. " Does it hurt?" The mother of the two year old asked. The six year old child just cried, and the mother of the two year old did nothing.
Does the degree of pain defines if the action is good or bad? In the absence of pain, is the action justified? It doesn't hurt anyway.
It's like eating fatty foods and not have hypertension.
...smoking packs and packs of cigarette everyday and not have lung cancer.
...driving beyond the allowed speed and not cause an accident.
...like a philandering husband who doesn't get caught.
It doesn't hurt them anyway.
Does the age of the aggressor excuses him from the action?
It's like a teenager eating too many fatty foods, he is young and looks healthy anyway.
...A twenty something gentleman smoking 2 packs of cigarette a day, he is starting to enjoy his life anyway.
...A car racer driving beyond the allowed speed in a densely populated district, he is a racer anyway.
...A thirty year old man who sleeps around but married to a forty something woman, he is young anyway.
That six year old is my daughter.
Does knowing that I am the mother added color to my story?
She is thinking that way because her daughter is involved anyway...
Does the degree of pain defines if the action is good or bad? In the absence of pain, is the action justified? It doesn't hurt anyway.
It's like eating fatty foods and not have hypertension.
...smoking packs and packs of cigarette everyday and not have lung cancer.
...driving beyond the allowed speed and not cause an accident.
...like a philandering husband who doesn't get caught.
It doesn't hurt them anyway.
Does the age of the aggressor excuses him from the action?
It's like a teenager eating too many fatty foods, he is young and looks healthy anyway.
...A twenty something gentleman smoking 2 packs of cigarette a day, he is starting to enjoy his life anyway.
...A car racer driving beyond the allowed speed in a densely populated district, he is a racer anyway.
...A thirty year old man who sleeps around but married to a forty something woman, he is young anyway.
That six year old is my daughter.
Does knowing that I am the mother added color to my story?
She is thinking that way because her daughter is involved anyway...
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
One kind tree
There was once a tree alone on top of a hill. It was happy on it's own. Drinking water from the pouring rain, nourishing from the earth's natural minerals. The tree lived in harmony with the birds and animals that come and ago. Then one day, a wanderer found the tree and fell in love with it's strength and beauty, thus, the wanderer decided to stay. The man, respecting the beauty of the tree decided to keep it the way he found it. The man, the tree and the ocassional bird-animal- visitors lived in harmony.
But one day, the man needed to go down the hill. Being a proud inhabitant of the hill with a beautiful sturdy tree, he brought wanderers with him when he went back. They too fell in love with the tree. But beyond their admiration is their desire to avail of the comforts a sturdy tree could give them.
One wanderer was not contented with the comfort the leaves bring. " I can weave a bed with all that leaves" he told the man.
" But the tree will lose it's beauty" protested the man.
" Oh, you can look at it from the top, and you'll never notice that the leaves are thinner in number" He reasoned.
The other settlers heard this and and they too wanted a bed out of the leaves of the tree.
The man and the tree, although hurting, accepted the settler's reasoning. And then, they lived again in harmony.
One day, another settler talked to the man and said "I can build a house with those branches"
" But we can be protected by the branches just the way it is " The man protested. If we remove the branches, it will not be as sturdy as it used to be.
" But we will be more comfortable staying in a house." The settler reasoned. "Besides, we can be protected by the house that we will build."
When the other settlers heard this, they demanded a house be built from the branches of the tree.
The man and the tree gave in. The man thought that maybe after this, the settlers will be contented. He will instead tend to the tree so that it's branches and leaves will grow back. And it's beauty and strength restored.
So every day, the man tried everything to nurture the tree, while the settlers lie on the bed of leaves in the comfort of their houses. Until one day, although not fully recovered from the broken branches and missing leaves, the tree started to grow flowers.
The man was so pleased with the tree. " Tree, you may not look as beautiful as you used to be, but the scent of your flowers will draw the birds and the bees.Ahh, your beauty is restored". Contentment and relief can be seen on the man's face.
Then the settlers caught the exquisite scent of the flowers, and one by one the flowers started to disappear.
" If you remove the flowers, there will be no fruit later on." The man protested.
"Oh, stop being foolish" one settler smirked at him. " There will be enough flowers to grow into fruit." Then they went on, plucking the flowers that they could reach.
The man and the tree, contained their disappointment in their heart.
Then the days passed and the few flowers bloomed and became fruits. The man and the tree was pleased.
The man then decided to go down the hill for some things.
When the settlers saw this, they tried to get the fruits. But the only flowers that were left to grow into fruits were on the top most part of the tree, the settlers could not reach it from the ground.
" I will climb so we can get the fruits." One settler volounteered. Then he climbed. But he was tempted to try one fruit, just one fruit he thought. But he was so pleased with the sweetness of the fruit that he took another one. The other settlers saw this. Thinking that the settler up on the tree is outsmarting them, they demanded him to go down. So absorbed with eating the fruit that he did not notice the clamor of the settlers down the tree. No settler would settle for anything less, so one by one they climbed the tree, each wanting to come up first, each wanting to get more fruits than the other. There were very few sturdy branches, and the little branches that were starting to grow were stepped on. Many branches broke. Plenty of fruits were smashed and fell to the ground.
The tree stood there, helpless. With every settler pushing it's trunk and stepping on it's branches, the tree grew weaker and weaker.
Then the man arrived and saw what was happening. He got so mad and shouted at the settlers. " Look what you have done!" The man's voice was starting to quiver with so much anger. " You wasted the fruits with your selfishness." The man was trembling in rage and was close to tears as he stared at the crushed fruits lying on the ground.
" You are only sorry for your self because you will not be able to sell the fruits." One brave settler asnwered back at the man.
" Whoever thought I will sell these fruits? he asked with astonishment in his voice. " I came down for these baskets, so each house could have one to place the fruits during harvest time."
The settlers, having realized their mistake, retreated to their houses with their heads bowed down.
The man was left on his own, picking up the crushed fruits and the fallen branches.
During the night, the man, eyes closed, lay motionless under the tree, the roots keeping his back off the ground. When he opened his eyes to stare at the leaves of the tree, his gaze was met by the dark clouds that enveloped the sky. Then he cried unashamedly.
" Sorry tree, I was not very good to you. You have been so kind to me the moment I stepped on your hill. Your leaves sheltered me from the burning sun, your branches protected me from the rain. You gave me enough twigs and leaves to use for my fire, even provided fruits that I and the birds share." He spoke to the tree in between sobs. " You have been so kind to me, but your kindness was taken advantaged of. Because of me, you were exploited."
In the middle of the night, the man left the hill. Ashamed and in pain. He couldn't bear to look at the tree again, for he can see his failure, in every part of the tree. He failed in protecting the tree that gave him everything.
When the settlers learned that the man left. They rejoiced. No one will stop them from doing what they want. So they gathered more leaves to make as beds, and more branches to build more houses.
Then one day, a strong storm came. The houses that the settlers built were blown away, the bed of leaves flew with the wind. Each settler tried to seek the comfort of the big tree. One by one, the settlers gathered around it. But the tree is not as sturdy as it used to be. It grew weaker and weaker each time it's branches were cut off and everytime a settler climbs on it. Then, a sudden gushed of wind brought the tree down. The settlers stood there, wet, shivering and uncaring that the kind tree was almost lying on the ground.
Disappointed that the tree could no longer provide them their needs. The settlers left the hill and wandered again. Looking for the same kind, beautiful and sturdy tree.
But the man, realizing what could have happened to his beloved tree, went up the hill. He cried in anguish when he saw what happened to what was once a beautiful and sturdy but did not lose hope, it is a sturdy tree, he reasoned out. So every day he nurtured the tree. He tended to it. The man, the birds and the animal.
Until finally, the tree bounced back to it's health. "Ahh, you are still my beautiful and sturdy tree, even if you are lying down now." The man, a smile on his lips, laid his back on the trunk of the tree.
The man, the tree, the birds and the animals lived there in harmony.
But one day, the man needed to go down the hill. Being a proud inhabitant of the hill with a beautiful sturdy tree, he brought wanderers with him when he went back. They too fell in love with the tree. But beyond their admiration is their desire to avail of the comforts a sturdy tree could give them.
One wanderer was not contented with the comfort the leaves bring. " I can weave a bed with all that leaves" he told the man.
" But the tree will lose it's beauty" protested the man.
" Oh, you can look at it from the top, and you'll never notice that the leaves are thinner in number" He reasoned.
The other settlers heard this and and they too wanted a bed out of the leaves of the tree.
The man and the tree, although hurting, accepted the settler's reasoning. And then, they lived again in harmony.
One day, another settler talked to the man and said "I can build a house with those branches"
" But we can be protected by the branches just the way it is " The man protested. If we remove the branches, it will not be as sturdy as it used to be.
" But we will be more comfortable staying in a house." The settler reasoned. "Besides, we can be protected by the house that we will build."
When the other settlers heard this, they demanded a house be built from the branches of the tree.
The man and the tree gave in. The man thought that maybe after this, the settlers will be contented. He will instead tend to the tree so that it's branches and leaves will grow back. And it's beauty and strength restored.
So every day, the man tried everything to nurture the tree, while the settlers lie on the bed of leaves in the comfort of their houses. Until one day, although not fully recovered from the broken branches and missing leaves, the tree started to grow flowers.
The man was so pleased with the tree. " Tree, you may not look as beautiful as you used to be, but the scent of your flowers will draw the birds and the bees.Ahh, your beauty is restored". Contentment and relief can be seen on the man's face.
Then the settlers caught the exquisite scent of the flowers, and one by one the flowers started to disappear.
" If you remove the flowers, there will be no fruit later on." The man protested.
"Oh, stop being foolish" one settler smirked at him. " There will be enough flowers to grow into fruit." Then they went on, plucking the flowers that they could reach.
The man and the tree, contained their disappointment in their heart.
Then the days passed and the few flowers bloomed and became fruits. The man and the tree was pleased.
The man then decided to go down the hill for some things.
When the settlers saw this, they tried to get the fruits. But the only flowers that were left to grow into fruits were on the top most part of the tree, the settlers could not reach it from the ground.
" I will climb so we can get the fruits." One settler volounteered. Then he climbed. But he was tempted to try one fruit, just one fruit he thought. But he was so pleased with the sweetness of the fruit that he took another one. The other settlers saw this. Thinking that the settler up on the tree is outsmarting them, they demanded him to go down. So absorbed with eating the fruit that he did not notice the clamor of the settlers down the tree. No settler would settle for anything less, so one by one they climbed the tree, each wanting to come up first, each wanting to get more fruits than the other. There were very few sturdy branches, and the little branches that were starting to grow were stepped on. Many branches broke. Plenty of fruits were smashed and fell to the ground.
The tree stood there, helpless. With every settler pushing it's trunk and stepping on it's branches, the tree grew weaker and weaker.
Then the man arrived and saw what was happening. He got so mad and shouted at the settlers. " Look what you have done!" The man's voice was starting to quiver with so much anger. " You wasted the fruits with your selfishness." The man was trembling in rage and was close to tears as he stared at the crushed fruits lying on the ground.
" You are only sorry for your self because you will not be able to sell the fruits." One brave settler asnwered back at the man.
" Whoever thought I will sell these fruits? he asked with astonishment in his voice. " I came down for these baskets, so each house could have one to place the fruits during harvest time."
The settlers, having realized their mistake, retreated to their houses with their heads bowed down.
The man was left on his own, picking up the crushed fruits and the fallen branches.
During the night, the man, eyes closed, lay motionless under the tree, the roots keeping his back off the ground. When he opened his eyes to stare at the leaves of the tree, his gaze was met by the dark clouds that enveloped the sky. Then he cried unashamedly.
" Sorry tree, I was not very good to you. You have been so kind to me the moment I stepped on your hill. Your leaves sheltered me from the burning sun, your branches protected me from the rain. You gave me enough twigs and leaves to use for my fire, even provided fruits that I and the birds share." He spoke to the tree in between sobs. " You have been so kind to me, but your kindness was taken advantaged of. Because of me, you were exploited."
In the middle of the night, the man left the hill. Ashamed and in pain. He couldn't bear to look at the tree again, for he can see his failure, in every part of the tree. He failed in protecting the tree that gave him everything.
When the settlers learned that the man left. They rejoiced. No one will stop them from doing what they want. So they gathered more leaves to make as beds, and more branches to build more houses.
Then one day, a strong storm came. The houses that the settlers built were blown away, the bed of leaves flew with the wind. Each settler tried to seek the comfort of the big tree. One by one, the settlers gathered around it. But the tree is not as sturdy as it used to be. It grew weaker and weaker each time it's branches were cut off and everytime a settler climbs on it. Then, a sudden gushed of wind brought the tree down. The settlers stood there, wet, shivering and uncaring that the kind tree was almost lying on the ground.
Disappointed that the tree could no longer provide them their needs. The settlers left the hill and wandered again. Looking for the same kind, beautiful and sturdy tree.
But the man, realizing what could have happened to his beloved tree, went up the hill. He cried in anguish when he saw what happened to what was once a beautiful and sturdy but did not lose hope, it is a sturdy tree, he reasoned out. So every day he nurtured the tree. He tended to it. The man, the birds and the animal.
Until finally, the tree bounced back to it's health. "Ahh, you are still my beautiful and sturdy tree, even if you are lying down now." The man, a smile on his lips, laid his back on the trunk of the tree.
The man, the tree, the birds and the animals lived there in harmony.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Thank you
Since my mom was hospitalized, I have been inactive in submitting a post for Blog Your Blessings every Sunday. Again, this does not mean that I stopped counting my blessings. I have received countless blessings during my "hibernation" period and included in my blessings are the people who constantly visited this site and those who expressed positive thoughts when mom was recuperating.
Sandy
Blue Panther
cybercelt
paulie
stev
msdemmie
marilyn
and to the nameless bloggers who checked on me but opted to remain anonymous
B I G T H A N K S to all of you.
And now, IM REALLY BACK!
Sandy
Blue Panther
cybercelt
paulie
stev
msdemmie
marilyn
and to the nameless bloggers who checked on me but opted to remain anonymous
B I G T H A N K S to all of you.
And now, IM REALLY BACK!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Hello!
I'm back.
And I am sorry that I missed one Blog Your Blessings Sunday. But this does not mean that I missed counting my blessings.
My mom is regaining her strength after spending three days in ICU, and two days in recovery room.
I was able to spend quality and quantity time with her. I came to know more about her illness. When I rushed her to the ER, I couldn't answer questions about her illness. But now, I know by heart her blood pressure, pulse rate and medications.
My planned business was put on hold when mom was hospitalized. But this again turned out to be another blessing, because I found a cheaper and a better place for my venture.
Blessings. Sometimes they are candy coated, sometimes we have to look beyond what is presented to us. Dwelling on the negative side will make things worse, so I always try to look at the brighter side.
And I am sorry that I missed one Blog Your Blessings Sunday. But this does not mean that I missed counting my blessings.
My mom is regaining her strength after spending three days in ICU, and two days in recovery room.
I was able to spend quality and quantity time with her. I came to know more about her illness. When I rushed her to the ER, I couldn't answer questions about her illness. But now, I know by heart her blood pressure, pulse rate and medications.
My planned business was put on hold when mom was hospitalized. But this again turned out to be another blessing, because I found a cheaper and a better place for my venture.
Blessings. Sometimes they are candy coated, sometimes we have to look beyond what is presented to us. Dwelling on the negative side will make things worse, so I always try to look at the brighter side.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Blog Your Blessings: Time
Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't
own it, but you can use it. You can't keep
it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it
you can never get it back.”
Harvey MacKay
I had a heart to heart talk with my cousin yesterday. She was already in her forties, an accomplished career woman who chose to leave the corporate life for her family. She shared how she missed so many things in her daughter's life, and the success she achieved with her job cannot compensate with those things. Her daughter once remarked that even if she is blessed with material things, her happiness is not complete because her mom was not there for her. Now, being a full time mom in just a little over a year, she still has to learn a lot about her child. She is starting fresh, hoping that she could still bridge the gap between her and her teenage daughter. But still wishes to turn back time so she could change the past.
Indeed, time is free and priceless. We are blessed with time, with an opportunity to use it. Though it is free, it comes with a great responsibility too. That is to make sure that we spend it the best way we can. Sometimes, when we have not acknowledged the most important thing in our life, we take time for granted. we spend it carelessly. And then when realization strikes us, we would like to turn back the time. Not all of us are given another chance. So while we do not know how many chances could be given to us, why not spend our time wisely?
Happy Blog Your Blessings Sunday!
own it, but you can use it. You can't keep
it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it
you can never get it back.”
Harvey MacKay
I had a heart to heart talk with my cousin yesterday. She was already in her forties, an accomplished career woman who chose to leave the corporate life for her family. She shared how she missed so many things in her daughter's life, and the success she achieved with her job cannot compensate with those things. Her daughter once remarked that even if she is blessed with material things, her happiness is not complete because her mom was not there for her. Now, being a full time mom in just a little over a year, she still has to learn a lot about her child. She is starting fresh, hoping that she could still bridge the gap between her and her teenage daughter. But still wishes to turn back time so she could change the past.
Indeed, time is free and priceless. We are blessed with time, with an opportunity to use it. Though it is free, it comes with a great responsibility too. That is to make sure that we spend it the best way we can. Sometimes, when we have not acknowledged the most important thing in our life, we take time for granted. we spend it carelessly. And then when realization strikes us, we would like to turn back the time. Not all of us are given another chance. So while we do not know how many chances could be given to us, why not spend our time wisely?
Happy Blog Your Blessings Sunday!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Installing love
Just want to share this story with you...
Tech Support: Yes, ... how can I help you?
Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process?
Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?
Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first?
Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?
Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running?
Tech Support: What programs are running?
Customer: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.
Tech Support: No problem, Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer disrupt other programs. Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem with a module of its own called High Self-Esteem. However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programs prevent Love from being properly installed. Can you turn those off?
Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?
Tech Support: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.
Customer: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?
Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.
Customer: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, "Error - Program not run on external components." What should I do?
Tech Support: Don't worry. It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.
Customer: So, what should I do?
Tech Support: Pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive-Self; Realize Your Worth; and Acknowledge your Limitations.
Customer: Okay, done.
Tech Support: Now, copy them to the "My Heart" directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming. Also, you need to delete Verbose Self-Criticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.
Customer: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files. Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?
Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running. One more thing before we hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.
Customer: Thank you, God.
Tech Support: Yes, ... how can I help you?
Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process?
Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?
Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first?
Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?
Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running?
Tech Support: What programs are running?
Customer: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.
Tech Support: No problem, Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer disrupt other programs. Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem with a module of its own called High Self-Esteem. However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programs prevent Love from being properly installed. Can you turn those off?
Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?
Tech Support: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.
Customer: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?
Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.
Customer: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, "Error - Program not run on external components." What should I do?
Tech Support: Don't worry. It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.
Customer: So, what should I do?
Tech Support: Pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive-Self; Realize Your Worth; and Acknowledge your Limitations.
Customer: Okay, done.
Tech Support: Now, copy them to the "My Heart" directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming. Also, you need to delete Verbose Self-Criticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.
Customer: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files. Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?
Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running. One more thing before we hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.
Customer: Thank you, God.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
What matters most?
I was very disappointed when my laundry woman delivered my laundry today. She accidentally poured a bleaching agent on my black top. Well, yeah, it happens. But this is my new favorite top and I was only able to wear it twice. Now, i couldn't wear it.
Did I get mad at her?
No.
It is just a top. I can always find another "favorite" top. My point is, these are just material things. they can be replaced. The lady was brave enough to admit her mistake. It took her a lot of courage to approach me and tell me about it. Scolding her wouldn't solve the problem, won't repair my black top. But scolding her would probably put her feelings down a little bit more. I know the lady personally. her husband is a drunkard, and she spends her time doing other people's laundry to support her family. Does this give her an excuse? No. But I think she has a lot to worry about and I didn't want to burden her emotionally.
In our every day life, things do not happen the way we always want it to be. Sometimes we are burdened by a lot of things that we feel like giving up, breaking down. And one wrong move by someone could make us snap. But what if the other person is feeling the same way too? Worse than the way we do?
Before we let off the steam, can't we try to assess if it is really worth it? Or are we just complaining because of something worth a hundred peso or less?
Which do you think is more important?
Did I get mad at her?
No.
It is just a top. I can always find another "favorite" top. My point is, these are just material things. they can be replaced. The lady was brave enough to admit her mistake. It took her a lot of courage to approach me and tell me about it. Scolding her wouldn't solve the problem, won't repair my black top. But scolding her would probably put her feelings down a little bit more. I know the lady personally. her husband is a drunkard, and she spends her time doing other people's laundry to support her family. Does this give her an excuse? No. But I think she has a lot to worry about and I didn't want to burden her emotionally.
In our every day life, things do not happen the way we always want it to be. Sometimes we are burdened by a lot of things that we feel like giving up, breaking down. And one wrong move by someone could make us snap. But what if the other person is feeling the same way too? Worse than the way we do?
Before we let off the steam, can't we try to assess if it is really worth it? Or are we just complaining because of something worth a hundred peso or less?
Which do you think is more important?
Friday, October 26, 2007
A ray of light
Another friend is scheduled to leave the country to try her luck in a foreign land, Canada. When I heard the news, I only felt happiness for her. She has been through a lot and she deserves this opportunity. When she was still working with me in the same company, she had been put through hell. Her integrity was questioned. But she managed to overcome the trials. And now, she is rewarded with a working visa in Canada, a start of a brighter future for her and her family.
While contemplating on my friend's luck, something came over me. Why should I question God's plan for me when I can see Him doing wonders with other people's lives. People who suffered too and now are emerging victorious.
God's works are everywhere. I may be having a difficult time in a certain aspect of my life, but I should remain hopeful, and faithful. His assurance is through the lives of other people. I may not receive the answer that I want to receive from HIM now, but I know, my prayers will be answered soon. Just like everybody else around me. In God's perfect time, He will give the answer that He knows befits me
While contemplating on my friend's luck, something came over me. Why should I question God's plan for me when I can see Him doing wonders with other people's lives. People who suffered too and now are emerging victorious.
God's works are everywhere. I may be having a difficult time in a certain aspect of my life, but I should remain hopeful, and faithful. His assurance is through the lives of other people. I may not receive the answer that I want to receive from HIM now, but I know, my prayers will be answered soon. Just like everybody else around me. In God's perfect time, He will give the answer that He knows befits me
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Blog Your Blessings Sunday: Back to basics.
I would like to share something from Robert Fulghum's thoughts in his book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back when you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt sombody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life-learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world, watch out for the traffic, hold hands, and stick together.
Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the styrofoam cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even little seed in the styrofoam cup- they all die. So do we.
And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned-the biggest word of all- LOOK.
These are simple rules. So simple yet so useful. When life gets so complicated, let us go back to our childhood and learn all over again these basic things.
Can we say we are better now in following these simple rules than we were in kindergarten?
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back when you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt sombody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life-learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world, watch out for the traffic, hold hands, and stick together.
Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the styrofoam cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even little seed in the styrofoam cup- they all die. So do we.
And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned-the biggest word of all- LOOK.
These are simple rules. So simple yet so useful. When life gets so complicated, let us go back to our childhood and learn all over again these basic things.
Can we say we are better now in following these simple rules than we were in kindergarten?
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Desperate Housewives "insult" on Philippine Medical Schools
On school days, I usually would wake up at 6 am to prepare the things my daughter would need for school. A cup of coffee plus the latest news on ABS CBN Umagang Kay Ganda morning show is what wakes up my senses. Yesterday was quite different, it was not a cup of coffee that gave me the adrenalin rush, it was about the news on an episode of Desperate Housewives where Teri Hatcher made a remark on Philippine Med Schools.
"Can I check those diplomas again? Because I would just like to make sure that they are not from some med school in the Philippines." —Susan Mayer - Teri Hatcher's character
It may be "just a stupid script", we may be overreacting, but reality is, there are approximately 115 million viewers whose impression of Philippine Medical Schools would be affected. Like it or not, if we hear something like this, a teeny tiny doubt
would cross our mind, even for just a second on the qaulity of Filipino medical professionals.
For someone whose husband is a nurse, whose relatives and friends are in the medical profession working in the US, I feel quite insulted. The people I know did not just buy their diploma, they worked hard for it. To insinuate that the Philippine Medical schools are inferior as compared to US standards is unfair. Statistics would show that there are growing number of Filipino nurses and doctors who are working in the US. Not only because there is a shortage of nurses but because these professionals are also world class. The Filipino nurses and doctors were not just hired out of need but they passed the requirements needed for them to work there legally.
Filipinos are not perfect, neither is Teri Hatcher, or the writers of Deperate Housewives, nor it's producers, not even the US President. No one is perfect. But to step on someone in order to make a point is quite unacceptable, even a not so perfct person would know this.
"Can I check those diplomas again? Because I would just like to make sure that they are not from some med school in the Philippines." —Susan Mayer - Teri Hatcher's character
It may be "just a stupid script", we may be overreacting, but reality is, there are approximately 115 million viewers whose impression of Philippine Medical Schools would be affected. Like it or not, if we hear something like this, a teeny tiny doubt
would cross our mind, even for just a second on the qaulity of Filipino medical professionals.
For someone whose husband is a nurse, whose relatives and friends are in the medical profession working in the US, I feel quite insulted. The people I know did not just buy their diploma, they worked hard for it. To insinuate that the Philippine Medical schools are inferior as compared to US standards is unfair. Statistics would show that there are growing number of Filipino nurses and doctors who are working in the US. Not only because there is a shortage of nurses but because these professionals are also world class. The Filipino nurses and doctors were not just hired out of need but they passed the requirements needed for them to work there legally.
Filipinos are not perfect, neither is Teri Hatcher, or the writers of Deperate Housewives, nor it's producers, not even the US President. No one is perfect. But to step on someone in order to make a point is quite unacceptable, even a not so perfct person would know this.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Deal or No deal?
“Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to”
George Seaton
A young actress named Maja Salvador was the contestant on tonights episode of deal or no deal at abs cbn channel 2. Since the start of the game, the offer kept on increasing because she was able to choose the lower amounts. Until what was left was five pesos and three million. The bankers offer was 800,000. It is already a huge amount. So it was no wonder why she cried while contemplating whether to deal or not to deal. Then she explained that she asked for a sign. If someone in blue will come inside her dressing room, three million would be in briefcase number 5,but if someone is in orange, the jackpot would be in briefcase number 3. It's as if fate and faith was testing her tonight. Because the two briefcase left was numbers 3 and 5. She chose number 5 for her briefcase because of the sign she asked. She was torn between her faith and the people she could help with the offer. What if her briefcase doesn't have the 3M? What if it does? Her heart told her to go for it, but her mind chose to accept the offer. Her briefcase contains 3 million pesos.
Faith.
We have often asked God for help, for some divine intervention, but when we are given the sign, we fail to notice it, and sometimes, we are just too stubborn to accept that it is actually God's way of answering our prayers.
Again, faith.
More often than not, we recognize God's sign, but instead of following it, believing in it, we chose not to. Because we are afraid that God will disappoint us. Rather, we are afraid to discover that our faith failed us.
You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.”
Mary Manin Morrissey
George Seaton
A young actress named Maja Salvador was the contestant on tonights episode of deal or no deal at abs cbn channel 2. Since the start of the game, the offer kept on increasing because she was able to choose the lower amounts. Until what was left was five pesos and three million. The bankers offer was 800,000. It is already a huge amount. So it was no wonder why she cried while contemplating whether to deal or not to deal. Then she explained that she asked for a sign. If someone in blue will come inside her dressing room, three million would be in briefcase number 5,but if someone is in orange, the jackpot would be in briefcase number 3. It's as if fate and faith was testing her tonight. Because the two briefcase left was numbers 3 and 5. She chose number 5 for her briefcase because of the sign she asked. She was torn between her faith and the people she could help with the offer. What if her briefcase doesn't have the 3M? What if it does? Her heart told her to go for it, but her mind chose to accept the offer. Her briefcase contains 3 million pesos.
Faith.
We have often asked God for help, for some divine intervention, but when we are given the sign, we fail to notice it, and sometimes, we are just too stubborn to accept that it is actually God's way of answering our prayers.
Again, faith.
More often than not, we recognize God's sign, but instead of following it, believing in it, we chose not to. Because we are afraid that God will disappoint us. Rather, we are afraid to discover that our faith failed us.
You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.”
Mary Manin Morrissey
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