This blog aims not only to make people laugh, but also to inspire others, instill positive values...in short, to make this world a little better, a little happier. This blog is meant to bless (in my own little way) all those who read it. It's my way of saying "I love you more and more".
Whew! I counted the projects that I have/will have this month and next and it numbered about ten! That's a wow!
That means two things: I will be extremely busy and (more importantly hehe) I will have a lot of money. We could save as much as we can, maybe splurge a little (eat at Cabalen perhaps), and/or ask our regular donors (family members) to stop giving money in the meantime. I leave the decision to my mom.
So today, I am supposed to revise a report, come up with a questionnaire or two, and prepare tab specs based on two questionnaires. Busy, busy...that's me.
Mom seems to be feeling better these days, after consulting her doctor and taking muscle relaxants and pain killers. But the pain recurs though not to the same degree as before.
My brother just had his gall bladder removed. His laparoscopy was a success. Thank God!
Life is great! And I have the Lord to thank plus all my loved ones and clients.
Yesterday, I was busy formulating two questionnaires based on drafts prepared by client. I offered to be present in the next meeting to discuss the project.
Yesterday, mom went to the hospital to undergo a citiscan...Today, she got the results but we could not understand the findings. At least, we did not see the scary words "tumor" or "cancer". The word "cyst" though was there. I plan to google all the terms.
Today, I continued lifting excerpts from "Beyond Disruption". I also played Book Worm and listened to YouTube. I discovered a super talented young guitarist by the name of Sungha Jung. He's great!
Yesterday, my friend discussed a possible quantitative and qualitative study. Today, she said that both projects were approved. Yey.
I used to have a daily mantra which goes, "Every day in every way, I am getting better and better." It is now more true today than before. I can feel myself becoming better - health-wise, socially, intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and so on. And I have the Lord to thank! (Praise You, Lord!)
It makes me sad to hear the news that so and so has died. One such person is my niece (daughter of my deaf and mute cousin). She had cancer, stage 4. My brother and sister are going to the wake today. I wish I could come.
I do enjoy playing word whomp at pogo. com. I have been playing for hours these past days! But when I recognized that it was getting to be too much, I willed myself to do something else.
Embarrassing to say, I poohed again on my underwear yesterday and today. It's one of the side effects of my medicine - diarrhea. Oh well, as my doctors says, it's the lesser of evils.
I've been listening to YouTube and I just love the song, "I Will Follow Him" from Sister Act. (Wish I could see the movie.) Also, I often listen to Fatima Soriano sing "Mahiwaga" - the theme song from "100 Days to Heaven". [The blind girl was the same one who sang my song, "Mama Let Me Live. And just to remind you, it's on YouTube entitled "Nimia Gamo song only".]
Mom got mad yesterday at me for agreeing to get a check under my name but part of it goes to other people. I don't have a bank account except a checking account. So she was furious that she would have to go through so much trouble just to get the money. She talked to the agency's staff and yelled at her. Poor girl! And so I thought of a solution. I asked my son to pick up the check last Thursday and on Friday he had it encashed (he couldn't do both on the same day because he will go on overbreak). So, problem solved.
Today, mom was able to pay her credit card bill.
I'm expecting more payment within the month. Hope all months were like this.
Yesterday, mom bought pancit palabok from Little Quiapo plus chicharon and suman. Yummy!
Today, she bought fresh lumpia from Goldilocks, plus other food (shrimp and fried fish). I was able to eat the lumpia without puking.
A client-friend is asking me to read two interesting books. But I have to get instructions first from her before I start reading.
Looks like my pain killers, Velcade and Recormon are working. I have much less pain these days although I still need assistance in rising from bed. Thank God!
I'm glad when mom goes out to spend time with her friends or relatives. She needs the "recreation". Today, she went to Greenhills with her sister, niece and grand-niece. They ate in a Chinese Restaurant. She said the food was delicious but did not order food for me because she did not want to carry it around while they went shopping. She bought espasol, puto seko, and tableya.
It is my son's day-off today. So, he cooked liempo for lunch. We had a little time for bonding. Then he left to watch a movie and help out in the store because they have a big sale tomorrow.
I used the time to read a book I started yesterday, "Deadly Grace" by Taylor Smith. Interesting. But I'm not half-way through yet.
I had some work yesterday but none today. So it really is rest day today.
I heard mass in the Internet. I was once more reminded to trust in God.
One of my projects was postponed till late July. I was supposed to do a report today and tomorrow. I hope more projects will come in.
I really enjoy watching "100 Days to Heaven". I hope it doesn't end anytime soon.
I might be visited by two marketing research friends this Saturday. I am looking forward to their visit.
Yesterday, I should have added tasks which my inner voice told me to do:
...wash the dishes
...fill up the pitcher
...pour water on the dispenser
...pray the rosary
...pluck white hair from my mom's eyebrows
Today, I threw away the nails that my mom clipped from my toes. When she was cutting my big toenails, I screamed in pain. It appears that I have in-grown nails in both toes. Oww!
So how was my day? Today, being Wednesday, is Fosavanz day. I have to take this medicine 30 minutes before breakfast. So, I was able to check part of my inbox and chat briefly with a friend.
Breakfast consisted of liver spread on a slice of bread and water. That simple.
After washing the dishes, I made saing.
Then, I took a nap.
I changed my sons pillowcases.
For lunch, I ate two pieces of tawilis, rice, and tortang talong.
Then, I washed the dishes again.
I took another nap.
Upon waking, I turned on my computer and...
...finished checking my inbox
...listed the lotto winning numbers for my mom
...listened to bible reflection for the day
...prayed the 3 o'clock prayer
...attended mass on the internet
...played one round of online scrabble against an expert robot (I lost of course)
...took a number of tests in the Authentic Happiness website (my scores were pretty good; discovered that Curiosity is my character strength)
...reviewed one of my student groups final presentation on CD
I texted to of my friends if we could meet up. One is going to Spain so she can't make it. Another wants to meet in MOA (Mall of Asia) but my mom did not allow me because I would have a hard time.
I also wanted to borrow my friends' mom's wheelchair. Her mom just recently passed away. My friend asked me if I want to borrow her mom's wheelchair but my mom was against it due to three reasons - difficult to board on cabs, have to have somebody to push, no place in the condo.
Oh well, mothers know best.
I texted my boss to remind me of receivables due. But no response yet. If he does not comply with our agreement, I would have to resign. Sigh.
---------- Word for the day:
esoteric - understood by or meant only to the select few who have special knowledge or interest
Usage: Law and Medicine are fields full of esoteric terms.
Another usage: Nothing to do during Halloween. Esoteric or treat na lang.
This morning, mom and I went back to the hospital. I first had CBC taken. Then, we went to my doctor's clinic which was in the annex. Thank God, there were plenty of wheelchairs. I didn't have to walk!
But I had to wait as usual. I fell asleep. Then prayed the rosary. Mom bought me Wendy's shrimp sandwich and Pepsi Max. This time, Sharon found a vein in one try. Yehey!
There is a new supplier of Thalidomide. I will call them up tomorrow. Hope the price is the same if not cheaper than before.
There was no traffic to and from the hospital because it's a holiday today.
Nevertheless, I decided to "work" by revising the report of Marica, my friend and fellow consultant. I enjoyed changing the background, adding pictures, correcting the grammatical errors and other editing stuff. She is going to send me more reports.
Today is National Heroes' Day. My personal hero is my mom. She does many things for me. What would I do without her?
As mentioned in an earlier post, it's my turn to be charity patient. I received Velcade for free today. Even if it was directly administered, there was no pain.
To compute for the dosage, I have had to be measured - weight and height. My weight is 66 kgs. and height is 4'7". That's how heavy and short I am! Oh no!
I wrote a short report- part of a topline.
I was supposed to go out today with a friend. But our merienda and movie date didn't push through. Too bad.
So I just played online scrabble. Oh well...
Mom is out. She visited her sister to get the pair of pants given to her by her niece. She's on her way back but will pass by the market to buy fruits. I requested for pancit canton or anything that would be convenient for her to buy.
Today, I watched a DVD of "The Other Boleyn Girl" starring Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johannson, and Eric Bana. "The ambitious Anne Boleyn and her sister Mary rival for the bed and heart of King Henry VIII", says the DVD cover. An interesting, moving film altogether.
A friend visited me today. I couldn't offer her anything but a listening ear and some food. She wasn't actually sad. She just wanted to see me. My friend talked about her son, her family, her chatmates/textmates. I'm glad she passed by.
My mom is sooooh sweet! I've been begging her to make me spaghetti and her famous chicken salad. Today, she made both. The spaghetti isn't bad and the chicken salad is great as usual. I feel so blessed to have a mom like her!
Last night, I finished reading "The Great Train Robbery". Nice book even if it contained a lot of "antiquated" language because it was set during the Victorian times.
Today, I did a proposal based on our meeting yesterday. Hope we get the project.
Bad news. My mom's obstinate kidney stone has lodged on her gall bladder. She has to undergo still another procedure costing P50,000 to P70,000. Where to get the money?
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
Hi I'm Nimia. Just turned 50. Single again. Not desperately seeking (but secretly longing). Notorious for my corny jokes. My mission in life is to be a joyful instrument of God's love and a loving instrument of God's joy through TAWASSS - teaching, appreciating, writing, affirming, speaking and serving with a smile.
That means two things: I will be extremely busy and (more importantly hehe) I will have a lot of money. We could save as much as we can, maybe splurge a little (eat at Cabalen perhaps), and/or ask our regular donors (family members) to stop giving money in the meantime. I leave the decision to my mom.
