Celebrating Easter

I remember when my son was very young, we would go to my ninang's place. She and her family would have an Easter egg hunt and what fun we had searching for eggs in the garden!

These days, my son is too old for egg hunts. In fact, he was not able to attend our family get-together because he had to go to work.

I wore the pants that mom gave me. Funny, she bought it not knowing it was for pregnant women. (That's how big my tummy is.)

Food was inihaw na liempo (a big hit), KFC chicken, lasagna, manggang hilaw with bagoong, ripe mangoes, chicharon, suman, and mais con hielo.

Pictures were taken, as often the case.

All too soon, people had to go places. But next week, we are going to Tagaytay for our summer outing. Yehey.

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Here are some nice messages, I received through text:

1) Always make your future greater than your past, always make your contribution greater than your reward, always make your gratitude greater than your success, always see God greater than yourself!

2) As Christians, we take delight in the gift of knowing Jesus shed His blood to save and to set us free. Let's rejoice for this is the day the Lord has made!

3) Put God on top of everything today, and let HIM take charge of all your plans. Then you will see how beautiful His ways are and how unending His love is.

4) Nothing pleases the Lord as much as praise. Thank God for the countless blessings He has bestowed on you. Praise Him even for the trials in your life, which are actually blessings in disguise.

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The other day, I watched a movie entitled "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past". I almost did not continue viewing it because the lead role was such a chauvinist p**, obnoxious and all. But then, I endured and turns out it was not a bad movie after all. One of the few guy flicks I've seen.

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I was in a bikini. On a beach. When suddenly I had to go...as in go to the bathroom! I couldn't resist it anymore so I...how shall we call it..."went" right there on the beach.

Was I embarrassed? Don't think so.

I was only about 3 years old then. Ha ha.
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Good Friday

Good Friday is a day when commercial establishments and offices are closed.

I don't have work either.

And I am at a loss on what to say on this day of all days.

This is supposed to be a day of fasting and abstinence...but well, I'm exempted.

I watched part of the 7 Last Words on TV but we reached the sixth word already. So I read some reflections on the Internet.

My own brief reflections?

1) "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

Jesus, in His supreme mercy, asks for forgiveness for those who tortured Him. Such great love!

2) "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)

A cry of agony on the cross. To be forsaken by one's own Father must be the deepest pain of all...yet He bore it.

3) He said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" (John 19:26-27)

Mary was right there as Jesus was dying and Jesus saw to it that someone would take care of her. Till the end, He was a devoted son, and she, a loving mother.

4) "I thirst!" (John 19:28)

Christ was thirsty...He thirsted not only for water but for the love of mankind. How many times do we make God thirst by the way we live?

5) "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)

Words that give hope to those of us who lead a less than holy life. Sinners hang on to these comforting words when it seems they are beyond salvation.

6) "It is finished!" (John 19:30)

Mission accomplished. How wonderful to say these very words at the end of our life.

7) "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." (Luke 23:46)

As Christ breathes His last, He surrenders to the will of His Father. From beginning to end, doing the will of God was His goal in life. What about us?

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We, Maryknollers, used to add the word "make" in every sentence such as...

...Hala ka, I will make you sumbong to the principal.

...Can I make you paki-usap something?

...I will make you pukpok in the head.

...Wait, I need to make asikaso something.

And so on.

Funny how an entire school of girls could mangle the English language that way.

But thank God, I don't hear my batchmates speak that way anymore...likewise, the younger generations.

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Back to Good Friday. Here's a picture worth reflecting on.

Holy Week Reflections

Yesterday, I worked on a report. Short but interesting enough.

Then, I watched a nice romantic movie, entitled "The Deal". Starring my favorite actress, Meg Ryan. There will always be a market for romantic films so long as there are girls like me who are forever in love with love...no matter how vicarious.

I asked my mom what she wants me to do/be...be neat, learn how to cook, massage her feet. Her number one answer was be neat! So today, I started fixing and cleaning my stuff. Got to start somewhere.

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It's Holy Thursday and I haven't officially done any "rituals". Come to think of it, why does it have to take Holy Week to do "holy stuff".

I'd rather be close to God all year round than reserve special time with Him for a few days.

I am continually grateful to Jesus Christ for dying on the Cross for me and for mankind. We have a God who loves us immensely, tremendously, and unconditionally.

Unconditionally. What a word! It means, no matter who and what you are, you are loved.

I have done many things in my life which I am ashamed of. But the Lord has erased them all through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. And should I sin again, He is ever willing to welcome me in His arms again.

I remember two movies about Jesus which had a strong impact on me. One is "Jesus Christ Superstar". I was very young then when I first watched it. Boy, how I loved the songs! But if you listen to the lyrics carefully, they are not quite reflective of how things were then.

The other movie is "The Passion of the Christ". No singing. Some light moments. But mostly drama. I cried watching Jesus suffer. For me, it was the better film.

"Jesus Christ Superstar" is for entertainment. God did not mean to be a superstar.

"The Passion of the Christ" is truth and reality. It depicts Jesus as sufferer for and savior of all mankind.

Thank You, Lord, for Your supreme sacrifice of self.

Authentic Happiness

I came across a website called Authentic Happiness. They have lots of questionnaires to measure your degree of "happiness", depression, and the like. I have taken two of them and did fairly well.

So what makes me happy?

Oh, I can list many things that I used to enjoy which I no longer can't. Like coffee, chocolates, dancing. But no use grieving over such things because there are still plenty of other things that make me happy.

Are you ready for a long post?

Here's a partial list of things that make me happy (sorry, impossible to list them all)...

...it is seeing my son at the end of the day and bonding with him as he takes his dinner

...it is chatting with my mom during meals or at bedtime as she talks about the past or current incidents

...it is having get-togethers with the family and friends, just being with loved ones

...it is having one-on-one lunches or dinners with somebody I care for and vice versa

...it is talking to a friend over the phone or chatting with someone at FB

...it is catching the beauty of a sunset or a rainbow

...it is receiving a bouquet of flowers from someone

...it is solving a sudoku puzzle or winning a scrabble game

...it is coloring in my coloring book

...it is reading a suspense-filled mystery book without being told the ending

...it is watching a good romantic comedy on DVD or television

...it is listening to music I can sing along with

...it is eating delicious food (too many to mention) and refreshing drinks

...it is writing in this blog when I know I have nice things to say

...it is finishing a report, knowing I did a good job

...it is being able to make people laugh with my particular brand of humor

...it is spending quiet time with God, feeling close to Him and experiencing His love

I haven't said enough. But the important thing is the realization that despite all the trials in life, there is much to be thankful for.

Things I Learned From...

my boyfriends...

Boyfriend no. 1: There is always a first time. Things are sweet - not necessarily sweetest - for the first time.

Boyfriend no. 2: If you must enter a relationship, be faithful. It hurts too much to be somebody's girlfriend simultaneously with two other girls.

Boyfriend no. 3: Be careful of men who talk too much.

Boyfriend no. 4: True love isn't true love if it comes and goes.

Boyfriend no. 5: You must never be ashamed of your loved one no matter what.

Boyfriend no. 6: If you love a man enough to marry him, learn to serve him as a wife should.

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I have been playing scrabble again in FB but kept losing so my average is down to 49%. Oh no!

Been chatting with friends in FB. Good to keep in touch.

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I just learned that somebody died of cancer. She was the same person who approached Fr. Suarez along with me. Father told me "May pag-asa pa" (there is still hope). But to the young mother beside me, he said nothing. True enough, her time is up. Too bad, she had two very small kids.

God has a purpose for taking her this early. She lived a full life so they say. She did acts of charity. I am sure she is in heaven.
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Which leads me to ask - what exactly is a "full life"?

I would say...

...it is a life lived for others without sacrificing one's well-being

...it is appreciating all of God's blessings without failing to count trials as among such blessings

...it is taking time off to smell the flowers, gaze at the sunset, and drink clean, cold water

...it is knowing who your true friends are and being true to them as well

...it is listening to soothing music while relaxing on a comfortable chair

...it is putting your heart and soul on a job you love and enjoy

...it is thanking God always for your loved ones for without them, life is a less fun and more lonely

Oh I could go on and on. For indeed, a full life, cannot be described in just one post. It is best lived one day at a time.

Finished a Report, Ready for Holy Week

Today, I completed my long two-part report. At long last!

Now, I am ready for Holy Week.

Time to meditate. Look back at what the Lord has done for me and for mankind.

Watch meaningful shows on TV.

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My friend says my posts are too short. "Bitin", in other words.

So here's my attempt at writing a lengthy post.

"My Life So Far"

At age 50, I could say I have lived a wonderful life. Full of joys and fun, with my share of sorrows and pains.

When we were growing up, we led a comfortable life. Since my parents were both lawyers, we belonged to the upper class but not the super duper upper crust of society. So we were not the target of kidnappers and carnappers and holdappers and other appers.

We went to good schools. My sister and I were consistent honor students. The boys admired us. And the girls envied us. We were both pretty. I could dance, my sister could sing. (I wished I could sing, too.)

Then the boyfriends came one by one. So were the heartaches.

Work was exciting and fun. I enjoyed marketing research - found it very interesting and challenging enough.

At work, I met my husband. Tall, handsome and handsome.

But it was a match not made in heaven. We split up after only five years.

Partly my fault. I didn't take good care of him. So he found somebody who did.

Our son, was so young when his parents went their different ways.

But life must go on.

My career was doing fine when the illnesses started coming. First was diabetes. Runs in the family.

Then, bi-polar mood disorder. Over the years, I've had 18 confinements in hospitals and half-way homes. That's why, I couldn't have a full-time job anywhere. I could not be overly stressed. And my medicines make me sleepy.

There was a time when I was bed-ridden. I was initially diagnosed to have sciatica.

But later, it was linked to osteoporosis and finally, multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow).

Where am I now? Sick and not earning enough for medical expenses and living expenses.

But God is good. He provides. He has given me friends and relatives who continue to help to this day in whatever area I need.

I don't want to exchange places with anyone. I am happy though not perfectly contented. In my own way, I think that the world has been a better place just because I existed. Through my books, through this blog, through my other writings, through my special brand of humor, through my genuine kindness, through my attitude of gratitude, through my positive thinking and more.

My name is Nimia. Age 50.

A Quiet Saturday

My, what a quiet Saturday, I thought to myself. No rush to finish my report so I woke up late, slept after breakfast and then slept again after lunch. The lazy life!

I was able to do some work. I'm sure to finish by tomorrow.

My mom gave me a blouse and skirt. She fixed the blouse to make it fit me.

In the evening, I visited Facebook and chatted with an old friend. She said a common friend is online and wanted to chat.

So chat we did. I enjoyed the exchange of jokes. Learned that he had a crush on me way back in college. Ha ha. Now he is some big shot abroad. And happily married. So no names, as promised.

He gave me a piece of advice I ought to remember. I should stop using my illnesses as excuses. Thanks, friend.

Another reason I'm grateful for Facebook. It connects you with people in the past.