Taco Bell

After a long while, I finally went to a mall! I went to Gateway. But guess where my friend and I stayed the whole time? Taco Bell which is just the first restaurant near the entrance of Gateway.

You see, my back is still aching and I have difficulty walking.

My friend, Marica, treated me to taco, nachos, churros, and two glasses of Diet Pepsi.

We talked for about two hours about all sort of things...family, work, life.

When I reached home, it was near dinner time. My son and mom just came from the supermarket for the monthly supply of groceries.

Mom and I ate marang. Now, I am sooooh full I feel like throwing up!

Sometimes, I have to listen more closely to my tummy.

Bellini's

My friend, Sylvia, was supposed to visit me at the condo today. Instead, she invited me to eat out. She fetched me in the afternoon and we decided to go to Bellini's.

We ordered pesto spaghetti and seafoods pizza. I ordered Coke Zero. Yummy!

Sylvia is a batchmate in UP CBA. We talked about the past, present and future. We also talked about other batchmates and what has happened to them.

Then, we decided to organize a get-together with a few other batchmates this November 14. So, Sylvia immediately texted the other people and looks like its a go.

Funny, the last time I was in Bellini's, I was with another friend also named Sylvia. Both Sylvia's paid for the bill (as is usual when I go out with friends).

I had a nice time!

Projects Current and Future

I have projects! Current and some are lined up for the future. Yehey!

I worked today (formulated an in-depth interview guide and analyzed data) but I also had plenty of time for sleep.

Best of all, I will be having a McDo dinner of mcnuggets and french fries. I already had merienda of ginataang monggo and turon. I eat a lot, don't I?

Free Again!

Recently, I texted my doctor if I can do three things:

...facilitate groups again for marketing research projects

...attend parties

...go to the mall

She texted back with a simple "ok".

Today, my doctor confirmed her declaration of freedom. Yehey! Free again! I can't wait to do these three things again.

Thank You, Lord!

A Very Nice Sunday

I feel good today because...

...I was able to eat KFC again

...I was able to finish a long report

...my best friend dropped by to give a love offering. We chatted for a while.

Three simple reasons to be happy. Need I add more?

Three Acts of Kindness

Today, I received three acts of kindness.

Rexy was supposed to visit but could not make it. Instead, she sent a bag full of mangosteen. Hmm, yummy!

Then, I had to go to my psychiatrist. My mom wasn't feeling well so I was supposed to go alone. Instead, I called up a few friends to accompany me. One friend, Rannie, was available up to a certain time. So she fetched me at 1:30 pm. My appointment was supposed to be at 2 pm but the doctor's secretary said that my psychiatrist would be late. Rannie stayed with me till about 4 pm but she had to leave because they have a family meeting and dinner.

My psychiatrist arrived at about 5 pm and I needed a ride home. So I texted five friends. Of the five friends, three could not make it but took time to respond. Two could make it but I said yes to one (Jobert) already so I just said thanks to Felix.

Jobert fetched me at about 6 pm. Then, we had dinner at the Japanese restaurant downstairs. He even paid for the bill. And brought me up to the 25th floor.

Ah, friends! I am sooooh blessed to have so many of them.

Which leads me to ask: Maybe I have been a good friend, too, after all!

8Th Cycle

Today, after two weeks' delay, my eighth cycle of treatment starts.

Wasn't it just six months ago when I was first told that I have cancer of the bone marrow and that I have to undergo six to eight cycles of expensive treatment?

Now, the medicine is obviously working. Much less pain. I can sleep on the bed. I can walk without a cane. The wonders of science!

======

Today, my friend Sylvia was supposed to visit me but when she "texted" me, I didn't text back. It so happened, she was texting my landline! She will come and visit next week instead.

And tomorrow, another friend, Rexy is passing by. She says she misses me. She is going to give me fruits.

What would life be without friends?

Another Friend Visits

Today, Adel dropped by to visit. She brought fruits (apples, oranges and bananas). She also gave canned durian for my mom.

We chatted for a while. Some time this year, she is going to give me a project to work on. Yehey!

We ordered several viands from the restaurant downstairs. There was dinuguan, beef with mushrooom, paksiw na bangus and pakbet. Plus, we had kaldereta. A feast! We ended up with mangoes.

Adel's visit was eat and run but I enjoyed every minute of it.

The Lord Continues to Provide

Just today, a close friend of my mom gave P65,000 to help with my medical expenses. The money came from somebody she knew who was just given a salary raise. So, in effect, the money came from a stranger!

And now, my former boyfriend called up my mom. He is assisting her in getting financial help from PCSO. My mom got to talk to somebody who will help in getting an audience with the chairman.

This lunch, we ate a feast of lumpiang ubod and kare-kare from Max's. Dessert was lanzones.

The Lord provides...in big ways, and small.

Future Visits

In the near future, I will be visited by...

...Adel, a long time friend who gives me projects in marketing research. She will bring stuff from Davao including canned durian

...Colleen, a friend I met because of an FGD, she is the mother of one of the participants. I have been giving her transcription jobs and she has been giving me love offerings. Her daughter even made me the beneficiary of their fundraising project in school.

...Sylvia, Mike and Emily are batchmates in UP Diliman whom I have not seen for a long time

...Ronald, Kune, and Noel are friends from way back when we took the same scriptwriting workshops under sir Nestor Torre...Ronald and Kune are scriptwriters while Noel is an HR manager

Yippee! I just love being visited by friends.

Visited!

I always look forward to visits by friends, no matter how short.

Today, Jobert passed by. He again used my mom's parking slot because he drove. (I learned his car is a Fortuner - the dream car of my son and my mom!)

He stayed for just over an hour. We played online scrabble and won against the computer. We watched interesting videos on YouTube. We chatted.

Before Jobert left, he gave me a kiss and a hug.

Then off he went to Makati. He was assigned to take photographs in a product launch. Product? Lingerie! (Or call it underwear) Many a guy would envy him.

I thank God for friends who take time out from their busy schedules to spend time with me.

Yey!

Manna from Heaven!

My Auntie Fe visited Lemery, Batangas recently and today, she passed by to give us suman.

My sister and niece accompanied her to the condo and they also brought other food, namely:


....Lumpiang togue


....Turon with langka


....Dinuguan


....Binagoongan


...Adobong pusit


Foods galore! Manna from heaven! Thank You, Lord!

Giving Up A Book Project

Some five years ago, I started a book project entitled "Mission:Possible!".

Today, I decided to give up on the book endeavor because it has become a mission impossible. Ha ha.

There are two reasons: First, the mission-aries I was supposed to interview are so difficult to
"catch". Second, I don't have the money to pay for printing.

Too bad.

But sometimes, you have to give up on some things that are not meant to be to give in to other more worthwhile projects.

Aahhhh! My Back is Aching!

Aaahhhhh! My back is super aching!

I worked the whole day in front of the computer. I didn't even have time to play online scrabble.

My reward was that I was able to eat pancit Malabon and sapin-sapin.

Ouch! I am going to have a looooong sleep tonight!

My friend was not able to come today because he has colds, but I soooh look forward to his visit next week....

The Lord Provides

Just last week, my mom and I were worried because we did not have money for my last cycle of cancer treatment...worth a whopping P180,000!

Now, that problem is solved. One phone call to an old friend who called up former clients of my dad and we have the entire amount.

Time and again, God has proven that He is Father and Provider.

Thank You, Lord!

I Love Today

I love today simply because...

...I got to sleep

...I got to play online scrabble and won most times against the computer/robot

...I got to work on two reports

...I enjoyed taking a bath

...It is my son's day off

...I recently was able to collect from two clients and am expecting one more payment

Again, my constant theme is simple joys make a happy life.

Online Scrabble

I didn't get to work today because the data were erroneous.

So I did three things - eat, sleep and...to my delight, online scrabble!

Online scrabble is even more wonderful than playing scrabble by myself. I get to choose how many "robots" I want to play with. And, I don't have to compute the score. The only "hassle" part is there are 30-second intermissions to give way for the sponsors. That's how little you suffer for getting to play the game for free.

Log on to pogo.com for free games!

Romantic Music Without the Romance

As I write this, I am listening to Rod Stewart serenade me with love songs.

Ahhh! Romantic music but alas, without the romance.

I can only reminisce of past loves...the happy times...the tender moments...the fun experiences...holding hands, kissing, hugging and more...

I quote that often-quoted quotation: It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

Today, I take delight in living with the two people I love most - my mom and my son.

And I have family and friends to care for in my own special way.

And I have Jesus Christ, my perfect Man.

Sleepy Yet Productive

I slept almost the whole day today.

I woke up at 9 am just in time for morning TV mass.

I was asleep again by the time the mass ended.

I ate a quick lunch.

Back to sleep till 2 pm.

Then, I worked on two reports with a vengeance. I finished both in record time. Just took time out to eat merienda and dinner, and to take a bath.

I live a simple life. But I'm glad I still get to work.

Now, shall go back to sleep?

Family Time

Today is family day.

My mom and I were fetched early and we passed by for my uncle.

We played mah jong the entire afternoon till early evening with my balikbayan aunt. I won only about six times the whole time but I enjoyed playing.

Dinner time, the other members of the family arrived with food - chicken inasal, steamed fish, barbecue, pancit bihon, rice, lanzones, mangoes, biscocho, coffee, soft drinks. Yummy!

I got a big bag full of pasalubongs consisting of a watch, a necklace with crucifix, holy water, CDs, two deodorants, one perfume, bath soaps, calendar/calculator, fruit cake, sugar-free chocolates, etc.

I look forward to times with my siblings and other relatives. They are always fun!

Somebody Loves Me

Today, I received a strange email from a friend.

He professed his undying love for me.

I am his first love, he said, and his feelings for me remain.

I quote:

Serendipity

I recall that you said that you could never meet your special someone or that perfect man because 1) he does not exist 2) Jesus Christ is your perfect Man 3) if I beg to disagree, pray..ha,ha.

Once

You asked,
"How long did it
Take you to get over me?"
"A verrrrry long time," I responded.
Well, the clock is still ticking, actually.
Either I have not gotten over you yet, or
I was so love drunk that I have this massive hangover;
That my first love never died. Or, there is always this special place
In my heart for you. Or, I have this unconditional love for you.
Or, an ineffable affection and attachment. Or, that it is
Unselfish unrequited love. Many an OPM
Composer and British poet wrote about
Me. Regardless, the answer to your
Question is, yes, someone
Could love you like that.
Moi. It is

What it
Is.

Naks. You are loved. Very much.

I am loved!

...But too bad, he's already married. Sigh.
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Joke for the day:

Knock! Knock!

Who's there?

Ondoy.

Ondoy who?

Ondoy first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me...

No Electricity

It's funny how we take important things for granted.

Like electricity.

Last night, this morning and this afternoon, we experienced power interruptions or brownout.

I had to endure the heat.

I had to find things to do. (Just when two reports came in ready for analysis)

So, I ended up doing the following...

...eat, eat, and eat

...take a bath

...play two games of Scrabble

...color my coloring book

...talk to a friend over the phone

...pray the rosary

...read the Bible

...take a nap

So, it was a productive brownout if you can call it that.

When the lights came back, I immediately went to work and finished a report.

---------
Hey, someone commented that I don't give justice to my blog's name. Where's the humor? he asked.

Okay, okay. It's joke time....

Use "electricity" in a sentence.

Elect-Ricity and Mr. Rick C. Ty can promise, no brownouts!

That Time of the Month

Yeah, it's that time of the month which every woman dreads.

That's why I feel lousy...dirty...yet, I am reminded, I am still woman.

Oh when will menopause come? I can't imagine myself getting pregnant again so what's the use of having this monthly visitor?

I'm glad though that I don't have the full-blown dysmenorrhea that some women suffer from. And my periods don't last as long as before.

Oh well, I just have to sleep this one out for the rest of the day. It's early to bed for me.

Someday...

I am already halfway through with my marketing research manual.

I am not earning much these days, but someday, I will be able to work again more productively - write more reports, conduct focus group discussion, do in-depth interviews, write more, more and more!

My spirits are up for no particular reason.

I talked to a couple of friends. With both, I talked about work and play. The more interesting part of course is the play. One will bring me to a mall and we will watch a movie and eat somewhere. The other will visit me and will teach me how to cook. Yehey!

Last night, I watched "Serendipity" - one of the best romantic comedies I have ever seen. It's an old movie alright but old movies stand the test of time.

Today, I listened to the best hits of Earth, Wind and Fire. Brought back fond memories.

I got to listen to Bible reflection, attend an online mass, and read the Bible.

Correction, my spirits are up for all the above reasons.

Thank You, Lord, for days like these.

Package from a Friend

Today, I received another care package from my friend, Greg.

It consisted of ...

...a Giorgio Armani perfume

...2 DVDs (romantic comedy)

...3 CDs

...a note with some money

How thoughtful of him! I immediately watched one of the DVDs, "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" starring Uma Thurman and Luke Wilson. Very funny movie! Just my type.
Thanks, Lord, for friends who care enough to send the very best.

Ho hum Sunday

This has been a ho-hum Sunday...a bit boring.

Worked on my marketing research manual.

Colored my coloring book.

Played scrabble by myself.

Listened to music.

Talked to a nurse-friend over the phone.

Is this there is to life?

When I get well, I swear...

I shall go to the malls and watch all the movies I can.

I will do all the volunteering I can do.

I will visit different places.

I will eat out with friends.

I will work harder on more projects...so I can earn more...so I can help others more.

There is a God. He hears my prayers and will answer each one of them. Just you wait and see.

Ms. Procastination No More

This month, I resolve to do things I have been putting off for a long time.

Today, I finished editing 204 pages of written work.

Today, I started doing the Marketing Research Manual I was commissioned to do. I was able to do 18 slides equivalent to one chapter. Seven more chapters to go!

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I write this poem...

Here I am
Tied to my chair
I wish I could be out there
Helping those in despair

Here I am
Trapped in my room
When outside there is gloom
All is bleak and doom

I can also say
A little prayer
I can only offer
A rosary

In my own little way
I lift up others' tragedy
I can turn this dark day
Into a happy one

God bless the hungry
and the needy
God bless the homeless
and the hopeless.

Like all storms,
this, too, shall pass.

Cleaning My Inbox

Finally! After 10 weeks of cleaning, I have reduced my inbox to zero. As I deleted item after item, I felt good. It can be therapeutic after all! I realized I've received a lot of "trash" in my yahoo account.

But I need to do other kinds of cleaning, mainly spiritual. So, I listened once again to Bible reflection for the day, an online mass, and preaching by Bro. Bo Sanchez in Preacher in Blue Jeans.

I got to do some work today but not as much as I expected.

Not bad.

Reward for A Productive Day

I wrote portions of a long report today.

And I continued editing my friend's work.

Reward? Bags of groceries! After what seemed a long time, mom went to the supermarket and bought lots of food!

Yehey! Talk about shallow pleasures!