Date with My Son/Lunch with a Friend

Finally, for what seemed ages, I went out with my one and only child/son. We just watched a movie, "Inception" (starring Leonardo DiCaprio) at Gateway. We arrived just when the film was starting. It was kinda deep, I must admit, but pretty okay. I had wanted to eat out. After all, we were already in the mall. And I had some money. But my son just wanted to go home. Awww, too bad. Maybe next time.

Today, I had lunch with a friend who owns a marketing research agency. We ate in Zensho, eat-all-you-can Japanese food. There was sashimi, sushi, sukiyaki, kani salad, ebi tempura, hagedashi tofu, fish fillet, oysters, etc. We were not able to finish all the food.

Conversation was about business, family, the Mores Congress, and more.

Two projects came in today. And more are coming. Thank God!

Collection, A Meeting, A Friend's Kindness

Today, I collected from a Client and immediately encashed the check.

I had to be in another marketing research agency by 10:30 am but I was early. So I observed an interview.

When the boss, who is also my friend, arrived we left for Hotel Intercon. We attended a meeting of the Philippine Marketing Association. The main speaker was Dr. Ned Roberto who spoke on "Are Your Most Loyal Customers the Most Profitable Ones?" The answer? Not necessarily.

We left right away after the talk. Anyway, we've already had our lunch of molo soup, salmon, vegetables, steamed rice, iced tea and coffee. I had two pieces of bread and butter.

Back to the office, I observed one more interview. I was supposed to conduct one myself. But since I barely had sleep the previous sleep, I was not up to it.

My friend, in her kindness gave some money and even told her driver to bring me home!

I feel so blessed!

Funny Email

This came through email a few days ago. Just wanted to share it with you to make you laugh.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN GUILTY OF LOOKING AT OTHERS YOUR OWN AGE AND THINKING, "SURELY I CAN'T LOOK THAT OLD!"?

WELL . . . YOU'LL LOVE THIS ONE.

MY NAME IS ALICE , AND I WAS SITTING IN THE WAITING ROOM FOR MY FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH A NEW DENTIST.

I NOTICED HIS DDS DIPLOMA ON THE WALL, WHICH BORE HIS FULL NAME. SUDDENLY, I REMEMBERED A TALL, HANDSOME, DARK-HAIRED BOY WITH THE SAME NAME HAD BEEN IN MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS SOME 30-ODD YEARS AGO.

COULD HE BE THE SAME GUY THAT I HAD A SECRET CRUSH ON, WAY BACK THEN?

UPON SEEING HIM, HOWEVER, I QUICKLY DISCARDED ANY SUCH THOUGHT.

THIS BALDING, GRAY-HAIRED MAN WITH THE DEEPLY LINED FACE WAS WAY TOO OLD TO HAVE BEEN MY CLASSMATE.

AFTER HE EXAMINED MY TEETH, I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD ATTENDED MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL .

'YES. YES, I DID. I'M A MUSTANG,' HE GLEAMED WITH PRIDE.

WHEN DID YOU GRADUATE?' I ASKED.

HE ANSWERED, 'IN 1975. WHY DO YOU ASK?'

YOU WERE IN MY CLASS!', I EXCLAIMED.

HE LOOKED AT ME CLOSELY.

THEN, THAT UGLY,

OLD,

BALD,

WRINKLED FACED,

FAT-ASSED,

GRAY-HAIRED,

DECREPIT

SON-OF-A-BITCH

ASKED,

'WHAT DID YOU TEACH???

It Feels So Good...

Yes, it feels so good to work again. After weeks of no project! I spent many hours yesterday, working on a qualitative report. I sent two versions. One with pure text. Another with pictures.

Today, another project came in. This time, a questionnaire. I'm rather rusty in making questionnaires but I welcome the challenge.

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As I listened to Pres. Noynoy's SONA, I had mixed feelings. Anger and disappointment at the past administration and all those who personally "benefited". At the same time, hope in the new government...that things will indeed become better because their intentions are good. We can all dream but we must act and do our share as well. Which leads me to ask, what can I do for my country?

Food Trip!

Yesterday, I had dinner with my friend Rexy. We ate at Butter Diner. We ordered cream of mushroom soup, ceasar salad, steak and baby back. Hmm, good food but not great.

We went to Shopwise and I got chocolates for my mom and Cheetos for my son (and myself he he).

Today, I continued my food trip after we visited Daddy's crypt. It's his birthday today. Since it is also mom's "anniversary" we asked her what she wanted to eat. Between Causeway and Dampa sa Libis, she said "any". But I knew she just loves crabs so I said Dampa.

We ate inihaw na baboy, calamares, tempura, crabs, fried fish, and halaan. Delicious!

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At last! I have a project which came in today. But it's a rush report since the agency has to make a presentation by Tuesday. So that means I have to work today, tomorrow and until Monday. It's a difficult project but I like challenges.

And there will be more projects lined up. Thank God!

A Movie, A Book, and A Telenovela

Last Sunday, I watched "Angels and Demons", starring Tom Hanks. I've read the book by Dan Brown. I prefer the book but the movie isn't bad. It did justice to the book, I would say.

Finally, last night I finished reading "Last Man Standing" by David Baldacci. It took me months to read the book. I don't know. It's not a page-turner until the last third. I'm glad I completed it. Turned out to be worth reading after all.

From Monday to Friday these days, mom and I look forward to watching "Magkaribal" in Channel 2. I like it because my current crush, Derek Ramsey, is there. Also, the story is interesting and exciting. There are funny moments, too.

As I write this, I have just taken a bath. I am so glad we don't have problem with water here where we live. So many people in the metropolis don't have water. That would be torture for me! Thank God for precious water!

A Really Nice Day

Today was a really nice day.

My friend fetched me. Since we were early in fetching her son, we went to the nearby chapel. After a long time, I visited an adoration chapel! I prayed including part of the rosary.

Then, we went to Amici. We ordered fried mozzarella, lasagna, pizza, and we each had a dish. Mine was oil-based seafood pasta. It was good but I prefer the one in Bellini's. There was free gelati so I violated my diet and ordered choco hazelnut. Yummy!

It was good seeing a friend and being updated. I also liked talking to her son.

When I reached home, I took my medicines.

I turned on my computer and checked my inbox, watched/listened to Youtube, played online scrabble, went to Facebook, wrote in my spiritual journal, and wrote for one of my book projects.

I am thinking of teaching the "computer illiterate" on how to use the computer. I have enough knowledge and patience. Ha ha. Any takers?

I Love My Computer!

I just love my computer! I can't let a day go by without turning it on and doing a host of things such as...

...check my Yahoo inbox and see who has emailed me. I get jokes/funny emails, inspirational stories/quotations, informative accounts, messages from Facebook, photos from family and friends, updates/communication from my various Yahoo groups and so on.

...read interesting stuff in the Yahoo site and other websites

...get my daily Bible video reflection at www.usccb.org

...hear mass at www.themass.org

...learn the news at www.philstar.com

...listen to music/watch videos at www.youtube.com

...play scrabble at pogo.com or at Facebook

...check my Facebook account

...surf the net for whatever interests me - writing, games, movies, photos, self-improvement, religion, etc.

...write in this blog

...analyze data and make powerpoint presentations

...write poems, books, story concepts, scripts, etc.

And so on and so forth. I feel so lucky to be around in this age of information, the Internet and the computer. There is so much to learn and no room for boredom!

Thank You, Lord!

Know Thyself

The following quote came by email:

“The most excellent and divine counsel, the best and most profitable advertisement of all others, but the least practiced, is to study and learn how to know ourselves. This is the foundation of wisdom and the highway to whatever is good.”
--Pierre Charron

Earlier today, I took an online survey to measure my level of happiness. My score? 57% ha ha. That's "above average". That means I'm happier than many or most but not extremely happy. Well, not to sound redundant, I'm happy with my score.

How well do I know myself? Pretty much since I'm quite introspective. I am friendly and can make friends easily. I find it easy to love people because I focus on the positive in every one. I can tolerate even difficult persons. I am glad that I have no enemies in the world (at least, none that I know of).

I have a sense of humor, corny though it is. I am fun-loving. I know how to entertain myself and have learned how to have a good time even in the confines of my home.

I am kind and compassionate. I am patient. I am a good listener.

Pardon me for boasting but "modesty" keeps me from adding to the long list of positive traits that I have.

I do have my flaws. I am guilty of "ningas kugon". I can be lazy. I eat too much. I don't know how to cook. I am very poor in current events, politics, history and geography.

I could go on and on but the path to self-knowledge is far from over.

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Here's a beautiful quote:



Another quote is from Larry Page (one of the founders of Google) when he said that he learned this phrase in college:

"Have a healthy disregard for the impossible"

Yes, even sick people like me can dream the impossible...and make this world a better place. Ha ha sounds corny but who knows what lies ahead?

Simple Acts

We don't have a maid. So oftentimes, my mom acts as my "personal" maid. She goes to the wet market, buys groceries, cooks, cleans, washes dishes, sweeps the floor. She also acts as my messenger and purchaser of items.

All because of my condition. I cannot bend. My back aches all of the time. I cannot take public transportation.

The things that my mom has to go through! Poor mom!

So, whenever possible I do simple acts of love like wash the dishes (I cannot stand for long periods of time so I do this at an "angle"). I also massage my mom's feet from time to time. And since she loves playing mah jongg, I play the game with her even if I end up with a very painful back.

When one is sick, it is easy to think that he/she is worthless or no good. But no! That is far from the truth. Take my case. I am afflicted with several illnesses but I believe that just by staying home, I can cheer up other people through text messages, phone calls, chatting.

I also use this blog to send inspirational thoughts and funny messages.

Here's one I got through email:

An Arab student sends an e-mail to his dad, saying:

Dear Dad

Berlin is wonderful, people are nice and I really

like it here, but Dad, I am a bit ashamed to arrive

at my college with my pure-gold Ferrari 599GTB

when all my teachers and many fellow students

travel by train.

Your son, Nasser

The next day, Nasser gets a reply to his e-mail

from his dad:

My dear loving son

Twenty million US Dollar has just been transferred

to your account. Please stop embarrassing us.

Go and get yourself a train too.

Love, your Dad

Free Lunch

I have been blessed with many friends. So, whenever I want a "free lunch", I just text my friends.

So, I have not one, not two, but three lunches with three different friends in the coming week. Yehey!

It's not that I'm taking advantage. I'm sure they enjoy my company, too. I am a good listener. And most of my friends can tolerate my corny jokes ha ha.

In this stage of my life, I am in a desert. Not much income. Relying on others for my medical expenses and other expenses.

But I am not losing hope. Who knows? I could be a best-selling author! I could be an award-winning scriptwriter! I can be anyone the Lord wants me to be!

Lord, thy will be done.

Electricity Deprivation

Last night, while reading "Google Planet", the electricity went. Blackout! It was so hot I kept fanning myself. I could hardly sleep! I tried opening my laptop but it had no battery. Torture!

The good thing about being deprived of anything is that you appreciate it more when it comes back. The electric fan, air conditioner, computer, the Internet, television, refrigerator, etc.

Today, I went out with Jobert for lunch at Crisostomo Restaurant in Eastwood. We ordered button mushrooms with garlic, laing, bangus belly, and fried fish (pla-pla) shaped in a bowl.

We had a poetry session. And here's our output, "I Wish":

Everywhere I have searched
For a friend like you
Amongst many places and many people
It was you I found to be true

Amidst all the sadness and fears
You were there to comfort me
Happiness I have gladly found
With you, I am truly free

I am sorry if at times I wasn’t there
But you understood why
You accepted me and helped me grow
And that is how I get by

I feel happier when I’m with you
In my heart there is so much peace
From loneliness to a companionship we need
From worries, a welcome release

I wish you all the happiness this life could give
May you find fulfillment and success
Hoping that my loving prayers be answered
So here’s wishing you the very best

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

Always Mind

If you're wondering what my title means...it's the opposite of "never mind" (Get it? Haha).

I regularly play three games. They are all "mind" games.

1) Scrabble - I learn new words. I learn how to strategize in order to get higher scores.

2) Mah jongg - I learn how to play my tiles to increase my chances of winning.

3) Sudoku - It's a game of logic, plain and simple.

We are all equipped with a brain and we ought to use it to the fullest. With time on my hands, I use it to exercise my mind. I don't want my brain to "atrophy" for lack of use! Ha ha.

Dear Reader

Dear Reader,

Today was a simple day but I just want to tell you that even simple days can be wonderful!

Nothing spectacular happened today except perhaps we had prawns for lunch. Ha ha.

Here are the things I did which may seem ordinary to most people...but for me, there are blessings attached.

1) I slept. In fact, I have the luxury of sleeping for longer hours than most people. My medicines make me sleepy. But even if they didn't, I appreciate the time to visit Slumberland and stay for an extended period of time.

2) I checked my inbox. I'm glad I have a computer with an Internet connection. I regularly receive Bible reflections, tips on "how to be happy", blogs from friends, messages from Facebook, etc. To keep in touch with friends and loved ones. To be able to communicate with others in a fast, easy way.

3) I listened to YouTube. I just love music! And to be able to just type the title of a song, one is able to get access to the song and desired singer. Wow! Old songs, new ones. I even tried clicking at random and got some nice surprises.

4) I played online scrabble and kept winning against the computer! Ha ha. Big deal. It challenges my mind to be able to spell out words that would give me the highest scores. I especially love it when I am able to come up with 7-letter words with or without the dictionary. That is 50 extra points! What fun.

5) I left a message in our FB batch page regarding our gettogether this July 31. I tried calling up some batchmates but was unable to talk to any. I look forward to the party even if only a few have confirmed. To see old friends again...

So there, five simple things yet giving me joy. What about you? Don't you find life fun and wonderful?

Bless My Doctor

Today, I went to see my doctor...my hematologist. She was so concerned that I haven't been taking Thalidomide for almost a month already.

She gave us free Thalidomide good for 14 days. Yehey! How very generous of her!

She said that if I don't take the medicine, I might have a relapse.

I pray that that won't happen.

Lord, I claim that You have healed me already. Thank You so very much!

There are Days...

There are days when you just feel that you have not "accomplished" anything.

Like today, I did not have work.

So what did I do?

...I slept longer

...I ate lechon kawali for lunch and chicken fingers for dinner

...I did some reading

...I checked my inbox

...I emailed a contract and bill for a project

...I played several games of online scrabble

I was supposed to go out with a friend. But his car is in the repair shop. So stay at home I did.

Oh well, there will be better days.

Ms. Selaneous

I haven't been able to blog since Sunday because my wireless mouse and keyboard were acting up. My son was able to replace the mouse with a wired one. I had to buy a new keyboard yesterday at SM Cubao, this time wired. My technician, Noel, recommended the brand Genius. It was only P400.

Before buying the keyboard, I was at the Ortigas Center. I collected my fee for a project and immediately had the check encashed. Then, I rode an old cab. Well, the cab was so old it stopped in EDSA. The driver had to make a right turn then a U-turn on that road going towards White Plains. I had to take another taxi to Cubao to fetch my mom and then to SM.

My mom bought lotto tickets and her massage lotion. Then we crossed to Alimall. We ate at Old Spaghetti House. We ordered Seafood Alfredo - hers was spaghetti, mine was fettucine. The servings were large so neither of us finished our food. Mom had wanted to eat cheesecake but decided on a small cup of Dairy Queen instead.

I read a book my friend Lo gave me. She wrote it. It's about the balanced diet approach to reading the Bible. Makes sense. I am trying out her schedule of reading the Bible in six months time. But for starters, I shall read one Psalm, one Proverb, and one Chapter of John for 21 days or so.

Last Monday and today, I worked on a project. Not so difficult stuff.

I'm seriously thinking of applying for part-time work for one or two marketing research agencies. I want to work 2 to 3 days per week so I can have higher regular income per month. I need money for my medical expenses. But I know, God will continue to provide!

One Down, One More to Go

I just finished a report. It is due tomorrow but I emailed it to Client already.

I need to work on another project. Not exactly a report. But it requires "thinking".

I think I will take a bath first...to freshen my mind.

Another Maryknoll Get-Together

Last night, Grace fetched me. We went to Chili's Greenhills for another get-together with fellow Maryknollers.

We have two Balikbayans. Aside from Mimi, my cousin, there was Vina Guytingco-Anderson. There were 12 of us. Here we are:

Food was mostly pica-pica. I loved the calamari. There was bottomless nachos with salsa dip. Almost all of them drank margarita. I just had Coke Light.

Conversation focused on such topics as: our children, plans for 50th birthday celebration, teachers in high school and grade school, crazy things we did in school, what we remembered about each other, and more.

Lo gave away her second book and signed them. She wrote "Nothing is Impossible with God" in the copy she gave me.

We ended up going home past 12.
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Today, I was supposed to hear first Friday mass. But I wasn't feeling well and had a bum stomach so I just stayed in my room.

I checked my inbox. Then started working on my report due Friday.