End of the Year

It's the last day of the year.

No work. Time to look back at the year about to end.

The year 2009, is the year...

...I was diagnosed to have cancer, multiple myeloma to be exact. I went through the pains and sufferings. Yet, I experienced the love and caring of so many people who visited me, prayed for me, gave donations. Now, I am feeling A-okay, with just a little pain and some walking difficulty. A far cry from the worst, when I couldn't even go to the bathroom and I couldn't sleep on a bed because of the pain.

...I was confined in Recovery.Com for a relapse of my bi-polar condition. I stayed for a number of weeks. It was a result of lack of sleep so I turned manic again. I got myself a new psychiatrist because my mom and Dr. Lesaca fought.

...I met new friends, Jobert, Lovely, Noe, Evan...I enjoy their company. We write poems together. Play scrabble. Watched concerts...Jobert has become my textmate and we do text poetry.

...I was able to have research projects even in my condition enough to pay for my medicines and to survive from month to month. God truly provides!

...I rekindled my friendship with Greg, a long time friend. And we have been corresponding by email and by phone.

...I appeared on DZMM and interviewed by Fr. Gerry Orbos regarding my son, "Mama, Let Me Live"

...I decided to give up my "Mission: Possible!" book but that does not stop me from writing other books and to resume scriptwriting.

...I was not too far from God, nor was I as close as I should be. I promise to draw closer to the Lord come 2010.

...I became closer to my mom and to my son.

...My son graduated this year and soon got a job as Branch Manager of Folded and Hung. I'm so proud of him!

...I enjoyed going out with friends and family this year.

All in all, it was a pretty great year! I survived yet another big trial in my life and served as inspiration to many.

Lord, thank You for using me to bless others, for being an inspiration to others, for serving as example to others on how it is to have faith in You. I love You so much, Lord! Thank You for loving me unconditionally, immeasurably, immensely! You are my everything!

Burgoo with a Friend

Today, my friend Rexy fetched me at the condo. We exchanged gifts. She gave me ham, grapes, pineapple juice and Coke Zero.

We went to Burgoo in Podium. We ordered their special offer for five people. We had two appetizers - cheesy fries and onion rings - and two entrees - linguini with clams and mexican pizza. We didn't finish the onion rings and pizza so I asked RR to give them to his staff.
We talked about work and common friends and ourselves.

We then went to Edsa Shrine. I lined up for confession. The others took long. But when my turn came, it didn't even take five minutes! Nevertheless, it feels soooh good to get the forgiveness of God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Rexy brought me back to the condo because she helped me carry the stuff she gave me. We drank some juice before she left.

I just read a beautiful email entitled "Live a Life that Matters". It read like this:

Ready or not, someday it will come to an end.
There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours, or days.
All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.
Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.
It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear.
So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire.
The wins and losses that once seemed important will fade away.
It won't matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived, at the end.
It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.
Even your gender or skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will matter?
How will the value of your days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought but what you built;
not what you got, but what you gave.
What will matter is not your success but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned but what you taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered, or encouraged others to emulate your example.
What will matter is not your competence but your character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.
What will matter is not your memories but the memories that live in those who loved you.
What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.
It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.

Choose to live a life that matters.

- Author: Michael Josephson

Beautiful, isn't it? So inspiring!

Hoping, Praying

Today, I called up a friend to greet her Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Then, out of nowhere, I asked, "Do you know of a company looking for an in-house research consultant?". She said yes. She learned from a friend in Facebook that SM is looking for one. She said she will forward my resume to SM.

What luck! But I wanted to take a more active role in applying for the position. So even if I had to make several attempts at contacting the HRD department of SM, I was finally able to get the email address and emailed my resume to them.

I hope and pray that I will get the job! Oh, SM, here I come!

I just analyzed part of a report which came in yesterday. It didn't take me long to write the partial report. I will wait for the balance data tomorrow.

Gettogether at Cibo

Today, I had a small gettogether with four other Maryknollers, three of whom are doctors.

We ate at Cibo. We ordered salad, pasta and pizza (never mind their names)...and coffee and tea.

We stayed long - from before 3 pm to past 5 pm. We talked about the past, present and future. About us, and about other batchmates. We talked about medical matters.

Sandy paid for the food. Lisa for the coffee/tea.

A nice way to spend the afternoon.

A new project just came in. Just in time!

Nice Book

I just finished reading a nice book. Very inspiring. Even if it's New Age stuff.

Here are some positive affirmations worth repeating:

...I approve of myself

...All is well in my world

...The past has no power over me

...Truth is the unchangeable part of me

...All my relationships are harmonious

...Everything I touch is a success

...There is plenty for everyone, including me

...There are plenty of customers for my services

...I am blessed beyond my fondest dreams

...Riches of every sort are drawn to me

...Golden Opportunities are everywhere for me

...I move into the Winning Circle

...I establish a new awareness of success

...I am a magnet for Divine Prosperity

I don't agree with everything that the author wrote but I've always believed in positive thinking.

Thank You, Lord, for inspiring me once again!

Day After Christmas

It is a quiet day, after all the festivities.

My friend, Fina, dropped by to visit. She brought fruits and a book on healing. We talked for a while but she couldn't stay long.

I took long naps in the morning and afternoon.

I checked my inbox.

I re-watched "Serendipity".


I think I shall do some coloring right now. And maybe some writing.

Quiet day.

Christmas Day!

Today is Christmas day and as usual, I celebrated it with family.

We were fetched by my Uncle Danny and I sat in front.

We went to my sister's house. We were early but that's always okay.

The food consisted of steak, chicken inasal, embutido, fresh lumpia, chicken salad, Asian salad, buko gelatin, fruit salad. There were chocolates, marshmallows, chips, softdrinks.

We didn't play mah jongg this time.

There was a lot of kwentuhan and picture-taking, of course.

There was gift-giving. I received a USB Flash Drive, two hair clips, and black eyeliners. Little things give me a lot of joy!

All too soon, we had to leave.

I am still in the mood to go out but I couldn't find anybody to go out with. So here I am at home, facing the computer...

What are my Christmas thoughts?

When I was a little girl, I soooh looked forward to Christmas! I was excited, I could barely sleep, I wanted to know the presents that I will be receiving. And the all the delicious food I was bound to eat!

Now that I am 48 years old, the excitement is gone. But the spirit is still here in my heart. Because the reason for the season is Jesus Christ. And I am glad that we are celebrating Christmas because we are all glad that Christ was born to save us.

I love my family and every opportunity and time I have with them, is time well spent.

So, although this day's celebration is quite "bitin", I still greet everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Yet Another Party

Yesterday, I attended yet another party. I was able to hire my friend, taxi driver, Jun-Jun to bring me to the party and to fetch me there.

I was the earliest so I just hang around.

The food was okay. I liked the pancit and the lengua.

There was karaoke. I sang one song, "Yesterday Once More".

There was a mass going on so we tried to lower our voices for a while. I asked for the priest's blessings as he was about to leave.

The party attendees played about three games before I had to leave.

I was able to get some money before leaving.

I fetched RR on the way home.

Nice party.

Two Parties in a Row

Well, what do you know? I was able to go to the party last Sunday after all. My friend, Olan, picked me up. He brought his son, Red.

The party was in Urdaneta Village. It was very well attended. I counted the attendees among my kappa pi pi gang and there were 18 of us.

The food was great! I especially enjoyed the lengua and the cheesecake.

There was much laughing and talking. The guys kept discussing about their road trip on February 4 next year. Part of their bucket list.

Bucket list? Should I make one myself?

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Then, last night I attended the company Christmas party of Market Relevance. Jobert fetched me and brought me there.

I was early but that's okay.

The food was good, too. I love the lechon!

They made me one of the three judges to the three contests - one fashion show, and two dance contests. I tried to be kind and strict at the same time.

It was so much fun! There was a lot of laughter all around.

The Children's Joy Foundation kids gave a performance - song, dance and musical instruments.

There were raffle prizes. I didn't go home empty-handed either. I received a gift pack of ham, sugar free biscuits, and notebook. I also got P10,000 cash. Blessings!

Going home was not a problem either. One of the judges, Grace, brought me home. She lives in Cavite. Only when I got home did I realize that she went out of her way to bring me home. She went the opposite direction! How kind of her!

I just said in my last blog that I'm in the mood for parties. God answered my prayer. There's another one on Wednesday (tomorrow). Shall I go?

In the Mood for Parties

I am in the mood for parties. I missed the one yesterday here in the condo building because I had to finish a report.

There is another one tonight and looks like I'm going to miss it, too.

There are two others, tomorrow night and Wednesday night.

My basic problem? Transportation. It is soooh difficult to get a cab these days. And with my condition, it is doubly difficult.

Oh well, I might as well have my fun somewhere else. Online scrabble? Coloring book? Why not?

End of Another Project

Whenever I come across a long project, I can't wait to get it done. Now, I have just finished one such project and it feels so good!

So, I can proceed with my new editing job. This one looks rather easy.

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Christmas is fast approaching and do I feel the Christmas spirit? Hmm...to a certain degree, yes. Because the reason for the season is Christ Himself. And He will always be my reason for being.

But truthfully, I miss shopping, buying gifts, attending parties, going to malls...Oh well, when I am better off, I will do these things again.

A God of Perfect Timing and Provision

God works in wondrous ways!

Today, I thought I had two projects in conflict. One due today, the other due tomorrow or Sunday at the latest.

Turned out, the one due tomorrow was cut short such that I only have to add a few details and my work is done.

The other one due today was extended because the agency did not finish giving me the data. And they gave me an assistant to do significance testing.

Because the first project was cut short, the money I was expecting isn't forthcoming. Until, my friend once more came to the rescue. He gave me another editing job for almost the same amount I was expecting!

God is indeed a God of perfect timing! And He is God, the Provider!

Thank You, Lord!

Growing in Patience/More Poems

Once in a while, I come across projects that make me grow in patience. I have to do a lot of significance testing and I wonder if even the Client would find meaning to what I am doing! Oh well, but at least, I do grow in patience.

Here are two more poems Jobert and I wrote via text. This one is entitled, "To Mother Mary"

We are but children of God
We have a Mother who loves us so
She guides with kindness
She cares with tenderness

Then our love for Baby Jesus
Binds us as one holy family
Motherly affection that we received
We share with all other people

Heaven belongs to our family love
We are grateful for having a sweet Mother
Care for Baby Jesus we give
We are all united by love for eternity

And this one is entitled, "Heaven":

A place called God’s home
A place I wish I can call my own
Where love abounds for all
Where peace is everywhere

But through family love in Humanity
Through genuine care for others
God’s Love becomes heartfelt
We all feel safe and warm

God found in everyone’s love
The same God in my heart
Heaven as loving families
Heaven as caring people

*poetry by Nimia Gamo (purple lines) and Jobert Abiva (blue lines)

Happy Anniversary!

Today is the anniversary of this blog. Yehey! Happy first anniversary to all my blog readers!

The past year, I have chronicled what I have been doing from day to day. Sometimes, I post poems. Other times, jokes. I also captured my dreams and goals.

I was also able to tackle the time I discovered I had cancer, my immediate reactions and my subsequent attitude towards it. How many friends and relatives helped me as I battled with the disease and the medical expenses required.

What a year! Thank you, Lord!

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Today, Jobert fetched me. We went to Makati. First at St. Paul to get the books of Fr. Armand which he ordered. We also browsed around the bookstore. My book is sold there!

Jobert gave me a book of Fr. Armand which I immediately read in the car while waiting for Noe. Nice book, an easy read. And the pictures/paintings are all so lovely!

Then, we went to I Republik restaurant in Tomas Morato. I ate bagnet with garlic rice. Delicious!

I met Evan. Swell guy.

Jobert bought me white roses.

I went home late already. But I enjoyed the day.

Brother's Birthday

Today is the birthday of my brother, Norenz. He is the second to the youngest. He lives in Malaybalay, Bukidnon where he has a farm, a cafe and a gym.

I'm proud of Norenz. Even if he did not take business management, he is the businessman in the family. Ha ha.

I worked today on a report. It's not yet finished because the data are not yet all in.

My friends were supposed to visit me but decided to go tomorrow instead. I have another friend who would have fetched me to go to Eastwood had he known that my friends could not make it. I was meant to stay home.

While waiting for the data, I shall listen to Bible reflections, online mass, Preacher in Blue Jeans, read the Bible and pray the rosary.

Visit to Doctors/"Thoughts"

I went to see two of my doctors today - my internist and my hematologist. Both were happy with my lab results. I'm doing fine, they say. Both are all praises of Thalidomide...but it's soooh expensive!

We didn't have a hard time getting a cab but had to pay extra because it was an airport metered taxi.

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As I write this, I'm having thoughts of my mortality. I keep asking myself, "Exactly how long do I have left to live?" No one can tell. But with my illness, I'm not likely to reach 97, like the woman I visited a few days ago.

More than ever, I want to be good and do good. I want to serve others. I want to be closer to God and please Him in everything that I think, say and do. I pray to the Lord to give me many opportunities to reach out to others - the sad, the lonely, the disturbed, the depressed, etc. - all those who need my help and my love.

Yes, I may not know just how long or how short my life will be. But I want to live the way God would want me to live. I want to live for Him because when I go, it is to Him that I will return.

Heaven awaits me!

Somnolence

My maintenance medicine, Thalidomide, causes somnoloence or drowsiness. So I keep sleeping! I'm already gaining a lot of weight. Oh no!

I slept after breakfast till lunch time. After lunch, Jobert and I wrote another poem, "To Mother Mary".

Then, I worked on my report.

Hohum day.

Sleep, Work and Poetry

I still lack sleep so I slept after breakfast. I woke up past noontime already.

I worked on a report that is not rush but is quite long so I better get going.

Last night, Jobert and I started a poem entitled "Loved". But I fell asleep! Today, we finished it. So here it is:

In our search for happiness
In our need to belong
Yearning for care
We long to be loved

Wherever we may go
Where we may find ourselves
How countless people there are
Waiting to be loved

Then the answer to our quest
Lay within ourselves
Love shared with one another
Selfless giving leads to happiness

*poetry by Nimia Gamo (purple lines) and Jobert Abiva (blue lines)

Report Finished

I had to do a rush report last night. Stayed up till past midnight.

Then, I woke up at past 6 am today to continue the report. I was able to finish by lunch time.

A rush report is a rush report. I received the notes only yesterday. I gave a partial report mid-morning today. But the full report with conclusions I was able to give shortly after lunch. All 18 pages of it.

Then, I had the luxury of taking a looong nap! After which, I took a bath. How refreshing!

Now, I'm ready to work on another report.

Visiting "Grandma"

After lunch, Jobert and Lovely fetched me. They first did a few errands.

Then, we passed by a McDo drive-through. We ordered french fries, fillet o' fish, mcnuggets, burger and softdrinks.

Our main goal was to visit their grandmother. She is the sister of their grandfather on their mother's side. But it took as a while to get to her place. We got lost and kept going around for about 30 minutes or so.

When we finally reached the place, I got to meet their 97-year-old grandmother. Lola turned out to be very kwela. She has a great sense of humor. She is also full of wisdom.

She talked about the use of talents while still young. She said that we come from God, belong to God and will go back to God.

She made Lovely sing "Mariposa" a number of times, and even sang along. She also translated the song into English.

Jobert played the piano for her. He also showed her two of his books.

There was picture-taking, of course.

When we wanted to leave, Lola would not allow us. We had to stay some time longer.

When we finally left, we decided to have dinner at Jin Junikos because Jobert loved the tempura and rice there. So that's where we ate. We were able to write a poem, entitled "Grandma".

Nice day!

Still More Work and Poems

Finally! I finished writing the report for Project Stage! It's a work of love, all 144 slides of it.

Then, I resumed writing the executive summary for Project Avenger. But it is due some time next week.

I did some other work for RSC today.

Busy, busy.
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Last night, Jobert and I wrote a poem, entitled "You". Here it is:

Where do I see your heart?
How do I know for whom it beats?
I yearn to understand the person you are
I long to know you more

Beyond smiles and laughter I feel
More than gentle touches I sense
A child in you that yearns for care
A child that the mother in me loves

Different people we may be
We can be one in our need for affection
The care you need is a joy I give
You are one reason I live

In the midst of work, we wrote another poem today, entitled "Poem in My Heart". Here it is:

As I look upon the sky and sunshine touches my eyes
As I gaze upon the beauty that the heavens has lain before me
The splendour of God’s greatness found in joy and happiness
Oh I am filled with awe and wonder at all of nature’s grandeur

Because God’s glory that brings awe is beyond what we saw
It is an expression of the deep love of our Father above
The blessing of families when God’s Love sets us free
The blessing of living that He granted every human being

In gratefulness we believe for the care we receive
We ought to share to all people everywhere
Countless good deeds abound where Heaven is found
And there is so much joy and cheer when genuine love is near

*poetry written by Nimia Gamo (purple lines) and Jobert Abiva (blue lines)

More Work/"Someday"

It's all work today. I worked on a report that is due tomorrow. Looks like I will meet the deadline. Yehey!

Here's another poem via text from Jobert and me, entitled "Someday":

Someday the birds will sing
They will sing for you and me
Someday the flowers will bloom
Just as our love will blossom

As long as the sun rises at daytime
And the moon shines at night
Stars will always twinkle for us
Our friendship will forever grow

Because what is truly important
Are hearts beating for God
Gratefulness for one another
Someday is here to stay

*poetry written by Nimia Gamo (purple lines) and Jobert Abiva (blue lines)

More Poetry Via Text

Here are more poems by Jobert and me which we composed by exchanging text messages.

“The Joy of Living”

Every heartbeat and every breath I make
Every move and step I take
Your happiness is in my thoughts
Your welfare is always what I have sought

From morning until evening I care for you
Loving you is something I was meant to do
From every minute and every hour
Moments are sweet when they are ours

Everything in life becomes meaningful
All things have become beautiful
Because of a love between you and me
It is such a joy to live, our love sets us free

*poetry written by Nimia Gamo (purple lines) and Jobert Abiva (blue lines)

Visited by Two Friends/"Song in My Heart"

Today, Noel and Rica visited me. They brought cake and bread. Rica gave a gift.

Noel ordered Shakey's Pizza - one large Manager's Choice thin crust. We got a free Pepperoni pizza with Coke Zero.

We talked about common friends, work, love life, health, etc.

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Last night, Jobert and I did something different. We wrote a poem by texting lines to each other. Below is the finished product, entitled, "Song in My Heart" [blue lines by Jobert, purple lines by me]

A melody of love I could hear in my heart
A love so beautiful from the very start
The harmony of affection that we share
The symphony between us showing that we care

Notes that sing loving tunes of high and low
With lyrics that express deep feelings that we know
Sweet melodic sounds of kindness pleasing to the soul
Words of gentleness soothing to us all

For love is a chorus that praises all that is good
Love is a constant refrain regardless of mood
Stanzas that blend the poetry of an artist’s love
This never-ending song could come only from above

What can you say?

Pottery and Poetry

Today, Jobert and Lovely fetched me early. We passed by KFC first to buy food.

Then, we went to a house in Blue Ridge where their cousin, Mia, holds her studio. After lunch, Mia taught us pottery...especially me, being the first timer.

I learned pinching and coiling. I made three bowls and one vase. Not bad.

Lovely made 30 pieces of "pendants".

Jobert created 8 pieces of various artworks. Beautiful and very imaginative!



Then, Mia joined us in writing a poem entitled, "An Afternoon of Art".

All too soon, it was time to go home. Sigh. Time flies so fast when you're having fun.

When I reached home, two projects were waiting for me. I immediately worked on one. I have the rest of the night to work on the other one.

Oh well, back to business...

Holy Mass and Work

Today, I attended first Friday mass. It's great to be able to go to mass and not just rely on TV or the internet all the time.

I worked on a report. It's a long report so I am far from done with it. But I am eager to do it because I have been "vacant" for quite some time already.

Looks like I will be working till later this evening. That's okay because tomorrow, finally, is pottery and poetry day! Yehey!

Free Lunch At Aristocrat

My mom buys groceries from Shopwise. One of their promos is a free lunch at Aristocrat.

I got four coupons good for pork barbecue with java rice. I invited my friend, Colleen, to join me. She fetched me. We each had two sticks of barbecue. I ordered Pepsi Max. For dessert, we had buko pandan and halo-halo (Colleen's treat). Delicious!

We talked about family, Christmas, work, friends. Nice company.

Before going home, Colleen bought me Lapid's chicharon. Yummy!

Sleepy

My maintenance medicine, Thalidomide, does make me sleepy.

I took a long nap after lunch and now I am sleepy again!

I finished the template of the report I am supposed to write. But the data will come in on Saturday so I have time to go out tomorrow and on Friday.

Too bad the pottery and poetry sessions were moved to Friday. I was so excited already. Oh well...

I'm thinking of writing my memoir or autobiography but can't settle for a title yet. Hmm, what's a good title?

Stayed at Home

It's my second day so it's just good that I stayed home.

I had an extended sleep and took a nap again after lunch.

I listened to Daily Reflections and a Daily Mass on the internet.

I worked on a report...more of preparing the template for it.

I helped mom put away the groceries she bought.

I'm excited for tomorrow's pottery and poetry sessions!