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 need a well deserved break after our successful Cardiovascular conference held in Marriott Hotel last Wednesday.  A long sigh of relief that all we can mutter and I will pat my back for being able to pull through all the hassles and pressures in preparing for the conference.  My task was to arrange invitation, visa, hotel accommodation, transport of International speakers and it was no a mean feat!  It was really a stressful work of communication and coordination that, there was a time I had a row over some speaker issues with one colleague.   However, both of us were both quick to say sorry realizing that stress has gotten into our nerves.

All the hard work paid off, everybody were all praises and well, we received a handsome bonus for what they said ” a job well done”.  Since my vacation will be this December, I would really love to try that “spa experience” which my friend was raving about.  Since I was really bent with the conference preparation, I did not pay much attention to all her stories about her recent vacation.   But she tagged me a picture and it was only last night that I was able to check on it.

My next mission is find out the place.   Interesting and intriguing!  Hubby said he wanted to try this primitive or local version of spa.

Whew!  This will be an experience!

True! Hubby is upset!  Who wouldn’t if one is already geared up and ready for work out only to find out that the electronic treadmill is not working?  He wondered why there was no power though he checked on it  many times, plugged it on and off.  He was evidently getting irritated and impatient figuring out why all of a sudden it was  out of service,when he had just used it few days back.

Hubby was busy tinkering with the power supply while I was also busily thinking of reasons on the sideline.  He was silent but I bet he already knew who caused the problem.   It was only the me and him in the house and who else would he suspect?   Alright, it was me!  But for some reasons I hesitated telling him beforehand that I had mistakenly plugged the 110 V to 220 V.   The machine sparked and that was it!     I was actually looking for a chance to break the sorry fate of the treadmill and thought of telling it this week end but it came too early that he found the problem.   Funny, but I was like a small child trying to cover up the whole story!

So, a technician was called.  The motherboard was found burned and need to be replaced.  For the meantime, what else can I do but do my stretching and jogging in place while the treadmill is awaiting repair.  And hubby understandably got lazy to work out.  He too is out of service… lol.

Oh dear.. it was all my fault!

James, the teenage son of our neighbor is known to have been struggling with drug addiction and he is fast becoming a headache in the village.  The boy is richly provided for by his well-off parents who hardly have the time to look after their only son because they were busy tending their business in the city.  I’ve seen how the boy’s life is predictably doomed and as a mother it pained me to see such a young life be wasted in the name of drugs.  It was never too late to reform and rehabilitate him when his parents found out about his addiction after he got involved in a petty crime.  Well meaning friends of the family intervened and helped the couple understand that having their son enter Alta Mira Drug Rehab in San Francisco wherein their  rehabilitation programs can help the boy get out of the trouble with drugs that has been crippling and eating away his young body and mind.  But we believe that there is always hope and there’s every possibility to be reformed, be happy and free from dangerous drugs.

Initially, the Clarke family was in denial and could not accept the harsh reality that their son fell victim to drugs but eventually after counselling, they just hold on to the promise of a renewed life for their dear son when they finally give in to have him undergo luxury drug rehabilitation program in the bay area.

Now, the neighborhood is surprisingly quiet minus James and although he caused too much trouble to most of our neighbors, still all of us prayed and wish him well and we are all looking forward to see him finally back home full of life, happy and completely drug free.

One fashion designer in a fashion segment of a local TV program when interviewed last night announced that this season polka dots will be the “in” thin.  His models paraded gracefully  in dotted dresses in different cut and designs.   I was so excited when I saw one blouse worn by a pretty model happened to be similar to what I bought a week ago.  In fairness, she did justice to the blouse as she carried it very well.  I then remember the blouse which I hid in the cabinet because I felt I erred in buying one.   I did not come to like it when I tried it on because I felt I looked more of a Dalmatian with it’s black and white spots and my family might tease me.

Admittedly, I usually regret purchases did on impulse, like the dotted blouse.   I searched for it  after watching the show hoping that maybe it will now look good on me.   I’ve learned too that there are some rules when choosing dotted clothes like:

• only wear one polka dot item at a time and the best option is to wear dotted blouse paired with a solid color pants or skirt
• don’t wear biggies or loose styles and if you will wear dotted dress,  make sure that it is body hugging
• try to stay within the small to medium size of dots because big or large dots will make you look like a target
• don’t go overboard…don’t allow yourself to be overwhelmed with dots because they might tease you as a clown

Just last night, I tried on  the hooded dotted blouse and  how come I can’t still shake off the thought  that I looked more of a dalmatian dog.  So again I tossed it far behind in the cabinet .. the usual hiding place for all my impulse purchases.

the Dalmatian look!

I thought of posting an interesting picture below I was tagged at.   The one who took this picture must have really prepared to shoot  and had surely equipped his/her camera with protective gears against wind, dust and water.

… taken in Roxas Blvd. Manila when part of the sea wall gave in…

Some people are happy when rain pours while others are happy when the sun shines.  It all depends on how you look at it!    And in the face of adversities like the storm that recently devastated most part of the Philippines, people still  maintain a strong positive attitude regardless of  anything else.  Hard times would remind us to buckle up and tighten our belt and stay strong in the face of calamities because, once you’ve been through it all, you’ll become stronger and that would build one’s character.

I’ve read one article survey that Filipinos are the 2nd happiest and optimistic people in Asia and we’re only edged out by people in India by slim percentage.   Despite earthquakes, fires, storms which had hit the country in the past, still we come out strong and brave amidst tragedies.

And I am one proud and happy Filipino!  Lalalalala… hahahahah…

News about shooting incidents in malls are very alarming and it posed safety concerns to people.  The latest incident that happened was just the other day when a  13-year old boy shot his allegedly 16 year old lover first before he ended his life.   The police said it was a “crime of passion”. Investigation is ongoing on how guns passed through security guards undetected.  The first incident was over a week ago when a jilted wife shot his husband who was working in the mall because allegedly he abandoned her for another woman.  And the security guard who intervened and in an attempt to stop her from shooting herself was the one who got killed.  A

What is alarming is that how a .22  and .38 caliber guns passed through security guards unnoticed?  Are there no metal detectors?  I’ve seen guards in some establishments who only used sticks to pry into bags and packages.   Sophisticated hand held or walk through metal detectors should be installed to ensure public safety.  Because such gadgets would deter those with  plans to bring in deadly weapons and people can rest with the thought that there are no threat to their lives whatsoever.  Maybe some would get annoyed to frisking and getting scanned but this would be the best way to find concealed weapons of anyone who would attempt to bring them in.

Sadly, we noticed that it was only after the recent murder suicide that authorities started to revisit and hopefully they will work on, upgrade and improve safety measures that way it will safeguard the the safety of all.   Every establishments be it government or public should be equipped with metal detectors.

2 days had passed,and as if nothing happened.. people seemingly has easily forgotten that bloody incident because they are all busy doing their early Christmas shopping.   Well, nothing can’t stop them… Shopping is shopping!

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.

I think there are still some beauty pageant fanatics who can’t get over yet with the results of last night’s Ms.Universe 2011 pageant.  And in my humble opinion, it was a well deserved win for Leila Lopez, Ms. Angola.   Though our bet, Ms. Shamcey Supsup did not bag the title, still, we are mighty proud of her to have graciously and represented our country well.  In our eyes and hearts, she is a WINNER!

Early morning when I got up from bed still sleepy from staying up too late waiting for the announcement of winners, I got so amused with one post from a friend who tagged me an interesting pic and it helped me blew my sleepiness away.  Admiringly, I thought of how cleverly it was edited by someone who undoubtedly with good sense of humor.  I believe that it will somehow lessen the pain of people who is still hurting because their bet did not win.  Check the picture below:

… just for laughs!  Technology has gone a long way!

If you will notice it was the picture of  Mommy D., the loving mother of  world’s boxing champ, Manny Pacquiao that was used to replace the original face below.  You will be amazed somehow on how technology works or with the mere use of Photoshop it can instantly produce a different picture.   And you will also wonder why some people have to do such things?  Amusing!

the true beauty.. Ms. Angola

Hmmm… Mommy D is also a beauty in her own right!