Friday, July 31, 2009

Pretty Women






We were classmates in grade school- or elementary school as we knew it. We were graduates of the year 1966- the era of the twist, Elvis and the Beatles.

There are eleven of us in the group which we call Batch 66. Abeng, Alice, Elvie, Guy, Liza and I make up the girls. The boys include Hermie, Lito, Bandong, Geny and my hubby, Ding. Among us girls, Abeng is our designated Nanay. Most of the time she brings us to places she’d been to and she feeds us the specialty of the place. She is the most kalog among us . Her one-liners always elicit a lot of laughter among us girls. ( Funny how four years short of being senior citizens, we still call ourselves GIRLS) Alice is the tagatawa. All jokes are a hit with her. She always brings us her specialty-adobong mani with lots of garlic. Guy used to be the sakitin in the group. I grabbed the title from her. ( 3 hospital confinements in 6 months, kaya nyo yun?) Now she’s our doctor. She’s armed with a med tech degree, anyway. She and Abeng are sangang-dikit. But no worry, there is no space for jealousy in the group. Liza is the wife of an OFW. In her husband’s absence, she spends her free time for church activities. Elvie used to be a teacher like me. But for health reasons, she decided to retire early. Now she works in her hubby’s engineering office. ( Parallel lives kami. I also work for my hubby, but it’s about time I quit. So stressful. The only bonus is I get to sleep with my boss).

We girls make it a point to meet regularly-with or without the boys. And we so enjoy each other’s company. We each have our own individuality, but together, we are one in terms of caring for one another and sharing each other’s highs and lows. God really has a way of giving us what we really need. At this point in our lives when our candles are slowly being consumed, He gathered us altogether to make the light brighter as we go along our way. Life may really be coming full circle for us now.


In pictures, from the top- Saling ( your blogger), Abeng, Alice, Guy, Elvie & Liza, the pretty women of Batch 66. Pictures taken at Abeng's Rennaisance condo unit in Ortigas July 27, 2009.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

my jewels












In January, 1978, God gave me a garnet. The following year, in February, 1979, He gave me an amethyst. Finally, in November, 1980, God gifted me with a topaz. They are no diamonds nor gold, but they are God's most precious gifts to me. I love my jewels- beyond the stars!



























Sunday, July 12, 2009

Desiderata

My father was a man of few words. Yet, he spoke to me eloquently in silence. Through his deeds, I learned so many good things. Through his barely spoken words, I learned to learn.

I wanted very much to be like my father to my children. Sadly, I can never duplicate the man who molded me to become a good human being. When he died, I knew I could never show my children the goodness I saw in him. He was not a preacher nor a teacher, but he ably taught me the whys and the wherefores of life.

I can hear my father's voice as I listen to a poem set to music by some musical geniuses. The poem Desiderata has everything that parents should be able to impart to their children. If only children could recite the poem by heart, they wouldn't lose their way.

Desiderata

-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

sick and tired


It's been eleven days since my last post. I would have written about any topic of interest to me had it not been for the very bad cough and cold that i caught. Last weekend, I was placed under observation by my doctor and on Monday, it was determined that I had dengue. So, it was time again to check in at the Padilla Resort and Spa in Plaridel, Bulacan ( he he he). I stayed there only until Wednesday afternoon. Whenever the doctor does his rounds, I always tell him I am ready to be discharged. Nakulitan siguro, pinalabas na din ako.


It's my third confinement in six months, first in January, after Amang's burial, for hypertension, then in late May, for hypotension and now, for dengue. Seems like I am becoming a good specimen for medical students. And Dr. Padilla is getting richer and richer because of me.
Seriously, these latest experiences make me think that I am probably in the last stretch of the race. At the risk of sounding morbid, I have become so courageous of facing the inevitable, yet, i still pray that I be given enough time to finish what I want to do before my time is up. Some of those things I can't do by my lonesome self. I need the cooperation of the significant people in my life. At this point, I no longer desire material things and any form of validation. I simply wish to smell the flowers once again.