Giving is Glorious

Our Family Sportsfest finally opened last Thursday!  It was postponed twice because of unavailability of venue so when Mr. Ronnie, the school coordinator called me up offering the venue for half a day use, I readily said yes, not thinking that the timing will be from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm only.  I just decided it upon myself and grabbed the slot right away because we might lose that elusive opportunity to use it.    I then hurriedly called for a meeting with the Sports working Committee to prepare for the Opening Ceremony.  The program was drafted rushly, discussed on how to go about the ceremony.  One thing we agreed and to emphasize to all the members to come promptly.  Because if we will start the parade behind the scheduled time, without any doubt, the  whole proceedings will be dragged and we don’t want to let those precious time tick away just waiting for others.  We made it clear, at 7:00 am sharp, the parade of colors will start!

Thursday, we were not expecting the 100% attendance at 6:00 am but the members began to swell in numbers around 7:00 am just before the parade starts.   Members came with their children who obviously are still sleepy but looked very excited.  It was a colorful activity  with all 6 colors- green, yellow, blue, black, blue and white teams that eagerly participated and loudly yelled out their team chants.

After the short program, we continued to the the first game which is Fun Basketball for Ladies.  The team was composed of 5 participants who did free throw shooting and the team which had the most numbers of balls shot in 60 seconds wins.     All of us, obviously need to do practice shooting  because most of our balls only reached halfway the ring.   My white team won second place- thanks to our team mate who earned 3 scores.  I only contributed 1 successful shot but I know it was only a lucky chance!   The next game was Badminton but due to our restricted time till 1 pm,  the teams only had one game each and to continue this weekend.

Overall, it was such a happy event, we were able to relax and enjoyed  family bonding time.  However, the next day, I can hardly get up from my bed, I was aching all over.. too sore muscles… Initially, I took pain reliever and rubbed on some mint oil on my body hoping the aches will  be gone in a day or two.

The happy face turned into a sad face when I called off sick in the office.

When an enterprising cousin decides on something, expect her to do her utmost best!  Operating and running a big and sophisticated hospital in the city seemed to be a very ambitious dream but it became a reality when finally, a general hospital in memory of her mom opened last year.   She needs  to treasure her share of inheritance by pouring her heart into her business and making good at it.  So for almost a year that  I haven’t seen her,  most of us her relatives,  wondered  how she works at the top, how her meeting is  like and her earnings.   Some even commented that she appeared untouchable or unreachable.    ”Lady luck” seemingly had not left her side from then on.

When cornered one time by an elder relative who too owns a Maternity hospital, she unselfishly shared the “secret” behind her success.   She was quick to share that even though she and her sister did not made  it through their careers in Medicine, because they opted to pursue Business Administration studies and earned a degree tucked on their sleeves, nonetheless, their medical frustrations were fulfilled by the hospital business they both  loved so much.   Initially, she started with a dozen high caliber nurses from Soliant Healthcare staffing agency and  an obviously extremely satisfied client that she is, her hospital is presently staffed by health care professionals of various discipline from the agency.

Undeniably successful, Therese showed up in a chauffeured -driven limo to a family reunion we had last week!  While waiting for her, we can’t help but talked about  how prestigious her hospital is,  citing  patient’s testimonies about the exceptional services provided by qualified and conscientious staff  under her Administration.

An aunt was quick to get her endorsement to Soliant Health.  It seems that she too is going to give her Maternity hospital a much needed facelift and it will start with her staff.

Some  people can be so lucky with their careers!  I will wait for my turn… soon….

I reluctantly tagged along with my returning overseas relatives to a newly opened Resorts World casino.  Gambling is one thing I thought I would never do but due to my curiosity  on how a casino is like, I hopped into the van of my uncle after his last call for me to join them.  And since it was my very first time to set foot on a gambling haven, I was like a small child lost inside and was very much in awe seeing players mostly elderly who all looked “rich”  ready to throw their cares away in betting from hundreds to thousands.  There was this so -called “Beginner’s luck” so along with my cousins they showed me how to play black jack and the slot machines but I guess machines that night were all against me.   I was unlucky unlike two of my Uncles who were able to earn and collect credits and I I was hoping that  they will treat us to a really good dinner afterwards which they did.   Answered prayers!

Well, we did not stayed that long because some friends invited us to unwind in a comedy bar just across the street.   My 2 uncles would like to still stay and take advantage of the “lucky streak” they claimed they had that night but my aunt beckoned them to leave and promised they will come back some other time.   I’ve learned too that back home,  that they were responsibly betting in online casino games they favored much because of convenience.   They don’t need to travel far to the city to avail of land based casinos and my aunt said she is very much at peace having them around while playing online games.  But Aunt Gina was quick to inform us that all were done in moderation and occasionally.

Really,gambling maybe to some is a sin but others think otherwise.   As long as you will not go overboard then it is of lesser evil .  Just like with the case of my relatives who do online betting not because they were tempted to the “getting rich quick” idea but because on their free days, they found the lure of the games a bonding time (minus the minors of course) with friends and senior relatives.

Someone whispered to me that “lady luck” made my uncle hit the “jackpot” one bonding night with friends and so, the whole family are now in town for a grand vacation.   That is why!

Finally, I’ve heard about my wealthy Uncle Tim from Texas who has been touring from coast to coast!  I’ve known him to be a very generous, opinionated and hardworking man and the nature of his work as a roadside manager of a promotion/entertainment company alienates him from all of us and the younger generation only have the slightest hint who he is.   I hold the fondest memories of him as one generous man who always come to our house with Ringling Bros Circus Tickets because he knew well that family bonding for us was circus time and we grew up very much amused with various stunts and acts like one favorite of mine was the man on a trapeze.  Our children have heard my countless stories about Uncle Tim over and over again and they are looking forward to meet him too.   His wife told me that he will be coming over for his son’s wedding and that will be an opportune time for me and my hubby to get discounts for New Meadowlands Stadium Tickets since the game season which we have been anticipating will start soon. All of us in the family has varied interests, some favor circus, sports and concerts and my brother who can’t wait till Uncle comes and he would just purchase Jersey Boys Tickets online. I am having second thoughts now that hubby signified his interest to just purchase either New Jersey Devils Tickets or the Chicago Blackhawks Tickets online because anyway he can buy the tickets with discounts too!

So, I have to forego for the meantime the circus because I wanted to experience the thrill of watching live in the stadium the hockey games they’ve been raving about and so where hubby and the children are, I will follow…

Now that Uncle Tim will be staying in the city for good,  I can definitely avail circus tickets from him at my dispense.  And I will make sure that my hubby and my children will come with me.  There should be give and take arrangement.

The family bonded last month in an out of town trip and one activity on the itinerary list is to Zipline.  I decided not to join hubby and my 3 children since I had tried that last year when my High School batchmates meet up.  I remember now how I gave in to persistent public (my HSb batchmates) pressures and bravely tried the zipline craze at my age of 50!   Well, though I was really nervous and almost backing out of the activity, reluctantly I tried it hoping taking such bold move will help me conquer my fear of heights.  Side by side with my classmate, we were strapped and secured by harness and was pushed through a 15o meters long zipline and 250 feet off the ground.  It was  two way trip so we have to pass through the same fear again when we were pushed back to where we came from.  My friend all along thought I had already calmed down but she didn’t know that I had my eyes closed all throughout.   Cheating huh!  Others find this activity fun but not me now.

scared but tried it anyway!

At least I had tried it and the experience will be etched forever on my mind and there will be stories about zipline that I can share with my grandchildren if someday I would become a grandma.   Whoah!  But it was just a thought.. my children are still bent in finishing their studies.

We traveled out of town with our 78 years mom just recently and since we had enough preparations, the trip went on smoothly.  Expectantly, we have to slow down with our pace to assist her because long walks tire her easily and she was having occasional muscle cramps.  There were frequent bathroom trips too.  But never mind, we were already prepared for such interruptions!   In the airport, though she walks slow, she doesn’t require wheelchair at all.  She was her jolly self and was very excited!  The only set back we had was when we had to ride a coaster instead of using the tube and there she struggled climbing the stairs but she managed it anyway though some people at the back seemed to be getting a bit impatient because we climbed so slow.   Take off and plane landing made her unusually nervous and agitated and I wonder why because that was not her first time to travel.  Her medicines are on stand bye too and it’s good that she did not suffer from motion sickness.   I chose an aisle seat for her because she needs to go to the bathroom quite often so as not  to disturb her seatmate and that was me!

yey.. wandering 78 years old mom

Traveling with an elderly needs patience and extra planning.  It might be a hassle to some but for me, it gives me joy knowing my mom enjoyed the experience.  She deserves the best and some luxury in life in the remaining days of her life.   Actually, initially, she was not really keen in joining us but I insisted that she should come and explore some places she have not seen yet.   I explained to her that she should do it while she is still able and can still walk, rather than feel sorry for not being able to experience things while she is still strong.  I had seen how excited and thrilled she was when went for a sight seeing trip in an Orchids farm for she loves gardening!  She was very much engrossed looking at and posing with beautiful flowering plants and orchids as props and background as well.  Back home, that is her therapy…. tend her garden.

obviously enjoying it!

What is this that I’ve heard that she wanted to go to Singapore next year?  She will be 79 by then and I will gladly give in to her request.

My family had finally experienced the rafting adventure in the wild waters of Davao City in the island of Mindanao.  Timely that it was semestral break of the children from school so we had planned ahead to then travel South.  And rafting was in the “top of to do list”  in our itinerary.  I’ve done my research of this extreme sport and as per Wiki “Rafting or white water rafting is a challenging recreational activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water.   I became undecided to join and I don’t want to put up a brave front upon seeing the video clip of  what it is all about.  It was then, I readily backed out.  I believed that I can’t really do it and I might not be able to sustain the adrenaline rush of the young ones.  So, I told them to go ahead and enjoy.

adventure of a lifetime.. it was all worth it!

Out of excitement, they woke up unusually early because they were told to be on time for rafting orientation before they head to the starting point.  I’ve met their guide, Mr. Onin when we went to the office to pay for the adventure package.  Admittedly, it is quite pricey but based on the joy and pride they had for accomplishing and conquering their fears.. it was all worth it!

Their helmets, life vests were distributed among them, they were taught how to use their paddles properly, oriented them with the rafting lingos they will hear as instructions, and were given valuable tips about rafting.  I know their initial feeling was fear of the unknown… since it is their first time to have tried this extreme sports.   And their initial fear grew when they were asked to sign a waiver.   It is a 13 km raft ride and they had encountered numerous rapids which tested and challenged their strength and team effort to sail through the wild waters.   The group in one raft was professionally guided though the whole activity.   A bonus CD record of their adventure was a real bonus!   At the end of the day of them went home all sore and too tired, hungry, suntanned and windburned.

Undeniably, it was an adventure of a lifetime.  Two thumbs up!

He will be forever in our hearts!  He was long been buried 6 feet under the ground! .  It was Dad’s birthday yesterday and he would have turned 77 years old if he was alive today….He died at a young age of 54 when he succumbed to heart attack.   Well those days when he was working as a consultant ( he was a Civil Engineer) in a Japanese firm “Summa Kumagai Gumi”, his lifestyle was something you will really expect to give him health problems.  It became habitual for him along with his engineer friends  to frequent bars to entertain their Japanese counterparts after a long day in the job site.   Especially after the contract has been finally awarded to them, it will the time for merry making….pretty much during their project turn over…..  So, really, it did not surprised us when he had hypertension which eventually led to his early death.   Poor eating habits, too much socializing, fatigue, no exercise, stress… poor lifestyle….

Oh no… not blaming my dead Dad (lol), just having these thoughts that only if he had taken care of himself, then he should have seen all his grandchildren…. It was only my son whom he had seen (being the first grandchild).   He was survived by my Mom who never remarry and now had 11 grandchildren from us.

Last night… I believed that he made his presence felt… but it’s alright… (scary huh).. anyway he was (he is ) my daddy…

Every artist has a favorite spot – usually a serene place where their interesting ideas are drawn out  fast because of the inspiration they are getting from the place itself.   And my artist brother is no exception!  He built along with the financial back up of our mom a small art gallery where his talent for oil painting is showcased.  I am not talking about a grand gallery but a modest gazebo where you will see him painting (if in the mood) day and night….It is his territory!   The place is rustic, plain but richly adorned with his artworks.   It is also the place to meet his other artist friends and a suitable venue for their meetings.

When I was there, the gazebo also served as a buffet area when we had a get together with friends.  On the sideline and backdrop are paintings prominently displayed especially the ones that earned him recognition and monetary prizes.  It somehow amused my guests who can’t help but praise him for his paintings and one also took interest to buy a piece of art.

His collections (LP records, old coins and paper bills, pictures, campaign posters) were also displayed for people to look back in time.  It always bring back good old memories of yesteryears especially the LP records that he collected through the years.  When I was there, the air  was filled with classical music, the good funky sound of the Commodores, Stylistics, Bee Gees, Diana Ross.. a lot… and I did enjoyed traveling back in the 60s-70s era.  I was very young then (just to let you know…lol).

My 2 brothers loves to paint, my 2 sister blogs and digiscrap and I am more into dancing and blogging on the side.  So, no wonder all our children are artistically inclined.  Art runs in the blood….