Celebrating Friendship

We had a "Friendship Feast" in Carrie's house right after school today. It's supposed to be held next week for Thanksgiving but since many in the group are going to Khao Yai for the Sunflower Festival next week, it was decided to move it to today instead. The feast was a celebration of friendship, of the good and tough times we've been through as co-teachers and as friends. It simply feels very good to be around this 'family' in this part of the world. We enjoyed the food and more so the turkey, which despite arriving late, was well worth the wait.

Nailah and I had to leave early though because we had to watch the Upper School Wind Ensemble Concert. And wow, our students really made us proud! They were great!

This week has been the most trying week, it started in tragedy, it ended in a celebration of friendship, a celebration of life.

I'm off to the Bangkok Teacher's Network at the New International School of Thailand (NIST) tomorrow. I'll only stay until after lunch though because I'm going with Val and Belle to Pairin's cremation and burial ceremony.

Rest in peace, little one, rest in peace, Pairin!


Ave Maria!

Moving on

I'm not quite sure how I'll approach today but one thing I'm certain though is this: I have to be strong for my students (again, little do they know that it's from them that I draw strength from).

While waiting outside for the elevator, a grade 9 (G9) student from my Physical Science class approached me and asked whether I'm going to push through with the scheduled chapter test today and I asked yes, but why? (I know what his answer will be but I still would want to hear him say it.) True enough he mentioned Pairin and the service, etc. I heard the elevator ding and so I told him, we'll see. I then asked for a second opinion from our guidance counselor whether I should push through with the test or not and he said, yes, I should. Losing someone to death is a reality that they have to contend with and yes, there's a time to mourn, but it's always best to keep things run as normal as possible so that the loss will not be even more blatantly held before them.

So came first block and my G9 students, they were a subdued group and again, staying true to my resolve to let this day pass as normal as possible for them, I laid out the schedule of things they must do prior to taking the chapter test - I do this every time I give a chapter test or long test so there's nothing out of the ordinary there. Of course, I saw 2 or 3 teary-eyed students and I approached each discreetly and asked if they need time off and stay in the guidance office to which they said no and in less than five minutes, were engaged in a discussion of some concepts that will be included in the test. Are the younger ones really more resilient? Yes, they are! The middle school and lower school guidance counselors dropped by my class while they were answering the test and asked if everythin's okay and I said yes - which is true. Also, I made it a point give them a graded homework just to make sure that their time away from school will be occupied.

And then my last class for the day came (last block) - this is the class that had Pairin. They were more 'talkative' when they came in compared to my morning class. One male student said that he's not feeling well so I told him to go to the clinic but he said no, he'll be fine. Another male student approached me and I was kinda surprised to see that he's really teary-eyed and he told me that he doesn't think he's in the proper mind set to take the chapter test today. I told him to discuss with this classmates concepts for 10-15 minutes and then after that, we'll take it from there. Again, less than 5 minutes after that conversation, he was very engaged in the discussion that I took it as a sign that he's okay after all.

Today, I, again, am humbled by human nature. Losing someone is certainly not easy but we do move on. I don't know what will happen tomorrow or the next day but I know we all did good today, and I know that the time when we can finally accept Pairin's permanent absence is dawning. Rest in peace, Pairin!

(I also learned today that two more of my students were in that car. Jay (G11) and Frank (G11), both are in my AP Chem class this year. Jay's younger sister, Ann, is in my Physical Science morning class on Blue day and it is from her that I learned this additional info and that there were also younger students who were with them when the accident happened. All are fine. Also, Ann told me that Jay will not be in school until next week so can I give him homework through her? And so I told her that I'll email the homework to Jay since I have his email address but she said that Jay's not home, he's in a monastery, meditating. And Frank, he came to school today but a teacher and some of his classmates said that he's not himself and continuously talks about nonsense things. A G11 student came to me during lunch break to ask for an explanation on a lab report that I asked them to make and she told me the bit of news about Frank and that they, the G11 students, decided not to mention anything about the accident when he's around. Yes, they are sensitive students and I admire them for that.

Frank did come to see me after school today asking about the homework. He did sound not his normal self, I asked him twice if he's okay and of course he said, yeah, yeah. How I wish he stayed home until today though but maybe the presence of his classmates and again, getting into the routine of school work will do him good, keep his mind off things.)

Overall, this day in school passed by even better than I have expected - not that I had so much expectations in the first place. I started the day resolving to be strong for my students and to just take things as they happen. Thank God things went by smoothly!

Ave Maria!

Rest in peace, Pairin!

It is a sad day at school today and will remain so for the next days. This afternoon, we were informed by our head of school that we lost a student due to a car accident last night and another is fighting for his life in the intensive care unit. The student who died was Pairin, a charming and diligent Grade 9 student. She was my Physical Science student this year and two things always come to mind when I think about her: her smile and her crying (early in the school year) during one of my classes because she was deeply troubled by a problem with one of her friends. From that experience I came to see her as a passionate individual - someone who values friends. And it is sad that we lost her. I do believe that she will become one of our angels - one of those priceless diamonds sparkling in the sky. Pairin, may you rest in peace!

(The student in the intensive care unit, Rick, an 11th grader, is also currently one of my Chemistry students. He is smart, soft-spoken, and very respectful. I am looking forward to the day when I can again see the dimples on his cheeks when he smiles. I pray that he will bear this storm and join us again.)

May the Holy Triune God live in our hearts and in the hearts of all peoples, AMEN!

It's my birthday, today :)

I turn 32 years old today! My second birthday where I celebrated overseas, away from family. My day was just like any normal school day but the best thing was when my friends at work treated me to dinner after work. I am blessed to have this 'family' away from home. Thank God for friends! And oh, I also celebrated (in advance) my birthday last Sunday in Hong Kong when Jane treated me and Nang Panyang to dinner in one of the best dimsum houses in the Kowloon area. I am blessed, thank you God!

from left: Pearl, Kay, Vanessa, Romel, Ruby, moi, Christine, Nailah

this time with Marose

The Legacy That IS Justine Henin

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than a year ago. I wrote this 6 weeks after Justine Henin decided to hang her racket for good. I thought of re-posting this blog here because there have been talks of Justine possibly going back to professional tennis. She is now a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and her face will become the face of the UNICEF tetanus campaign this fall.)

http://cristyjones.blog.friendster.com/

1, July 2008

The Legacy That Is Justine Henin

Filed under: Allez! — cristyjones @ 10:13 pm

No one can hit that backhand, one-handed, to perfection. No one, that is, except JUSTINE HENIN. She upped the women’s pro game several notches and she showed what a diminutive player like her can do. She said goodbye to the professional world of women’s tennis though, two weeks before the start of the grand slam one can likely say she owns (winning it four times, three times in a row) - the French Open. She hangs up her racket while leading the tour with the rest of the players way, way behind her in points, in charisma, in elegance.

Sure it’s hard to imagine tennis without her. Being her supporter way back near the turn of the 21st century, it sure is difficult to follow the game knowing that I cannot see poetry in motion in the tennis courts any more. Perhaps it’s that passion and determination to conquer and be the best that convey to me when I first saw her on TV in a tennis match way back in 1999. She just debuted as a professional tennis player during that time and the years that followed sure were exciting years. I can still remember the newspaper cutouts that I had of Justine and that of Marcelo Rios, Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, and yes, Marina Navratilova. Yes, I’m one of those who have been following the sport, and a few athletes, way back since I was in highschool. I so enjoyed those moments I spent with Papa watching a tennis game on TV. And boy, tennis, like any sport, has so much improved since then. And then came Justine and my interest in the sport (although I don’t play it - volleyball’s the game that I play - I can talk a lot about volleyball and then some) reached new heights. Wow! The things that she does on court and off evidently inspired not only me but thousands.

And then she retires. Oh well.

I have been waiting for more news that would really give more weight to the reason she gave when she decided to quit being a professional tennis player. She said then that the fire just died but I wasn’t that convinced - then. Now, I realized that I need not look any further for reasons because Justine is little by little living her reasons. A few moments ago, I watched the interview that she gave to the Laureus Awards Academy organization (she’s the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year, a very prestigious awarding body that is the Oscars of sports) and it was a very enlightening interview. Of course, she now focuses much of her time in her tennis academies, to her foundation: the 20 Hearts of Justine Foundation, she is also realizing another promise she gave her mother: to finish high school the moment she hangs up her racket. I salute her before; I salute her even more now.

Yes, we won’t be seeing her pick up her racket and go back to competitive tennis any time soon (though I still hope that she will) but we sure will be hearing about these more meaningful things she’s doing and will be doing in her life after tennis. Justine is giving back more now than ever. And of course, she will still breathe tennis, and engaging yet others to go beyond borders. Justine continues to do her part to make this world a better place. This is her legacy. Allez!

For the Laureus interview, please visit this site: http://www.laureus.com/laureustv/justinehenin

For articles about Justine, please visit this site: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article4244175.ece

For more about Justine Henin, please visit her website: www.justine-henin.be/

I assure you, you’ll be entertained. Even more, you’ll be inspired.

French Open title #3 (she won a total of 4 French Open titles)

Olympic Gold Medalist - Women's Singles Tennis, Sydney 2004

2008 Laureus Sportswoman of the Year Awardee

She's diminutive and feisty and she's mentally tough. One of the most mentally-tough players ever.

the famous one-handed backhand

Poetry in motion. Described by John Mc Enroe as the only player with the most beautiful one-handed backhand

in the history of tennis. This holds true even to this day.

(All photos courtesy of www.justine-henin.be/)

Incredible Experiences

(The following blog appears on my Friendster webpage. I am reliving and praising God for the experiences that I have gone through almost a year ago from today in a foreign land, all on my own, and how quick thinking and God's grace saved me from what could possibly have been a very fatal event.)

21 September 2008

I woke up at around 5:45 am today even though it is a Sunday because I was planning to visit the Grand Palace again and other beautiful places in main Bangkok to try out my newly bought Olympus camera. I woke up to a slight headache though and without thinking twice, I took a 500-mg dosage of aspirin tablet. Then I went on to prepare my breakfast of microwave-reheated rice, sausages, and Chinese chorizo – I know - not a healthy choice but I indulged myself this morning thinking of the physical and exciting itinerary ahead. About halfway through my breakfast preparation, about 10 minutes after I took the aspirin, I felt an itchy feeling inside both of my eyes that immediately caused a light bulb to switch on in my head. I am so familiar with this itchy feeling: I had this approximately more than a year ago after I took a drug containing ibuprofen because I thought it would relieve me of the fever that I had during that time (yeah, self-prescription is VERY dangerous). I immediately went to the mirror and looked at my eyes and of course nothing is visible at that time and I sort of “dimmed” the light bulb inside my head a little bit and went back to preparing my breakfast. Then about 5 minutes after, the itchy feeling was now accompanied with tightness around both the lower portions of my eyes. It got me back to the mirror in no time and yes, the areas that I mentioned were indeed a little bit bloated now. I panicked – yes! I don’t know what possessed me but I immediately went to the refrigerator and got a piece of Hershey’s black chocolate and drank the coffee that I prepared before I started preparing for breakfast. That was so dumb of me – I should have stayed away from chocolates (and instant coffee) since I also had two allergic reactions about 4 years back on chocolates (the ones which contain so much artificial ingredient though like the chocolate powders back home in the Philippines that many local bakeries use to coat/add to their chocolate-flavored bread). As for instant coffee, it’s one of those beverages that contains natural salicylates and acetylsalicylic acid is aspirin – the culprit to the itchiness and bloated areas around my eyes. So, I didn’t eat my breakfast that is ready at this time. I went to the bathroom and got myself ready for the hospital. I was so much in a hurry that I didn’t bother to shut down my laptop and unplug the speakers (thank God nothing happened like electrical short circuits or anything). It’s a good thing too that I didn’t transfer my stuff yet to my knapsack so I practically have everything in my school bag: passport, health insurance card, work permit, and my wallet. I grabbed my bag AND shades and run out of my apartment towards the elevator (yes, I still have the sense to lock my apartment on my way out). During this time, the areas around my eyes were so bloated that I find it harder to see by the minute and I am having difficulty breathing already which is a bad sign because this means that my nasal passages are now constricted due to the allergy. Thank God there was a lift a floor above me (8th floor) so I only waited for a few seconds for it to come to my floor and was inside the elevator and going down to the ground floor in no time. I was hoping to see the guard of my tower on my way out and sure I saw him and told him to help me call for a taxi but he isn’t equipped with conversational English so we just ended up telling things to one another without really understanding each other. I know that he was concerned though gauging from his reaction when he saw my eyes. So I just gestured to him that never mind, I’ll get my own taxi right outside of Parkland. Sure enough, there were plenty of taxis waiting outside and the first taxi in line was driven by a man who looked to be in his mid-50’s and yes, cannot understand what I told him in English but then again, one look at my face and he said, “Thai Nakarin?”, which was the name of the hospital nearest to where we are. I gratefully nodded my affirmation, opened the door, got inside the taxi, and got ready for the ride to salvation. A 3-5 minutes cab ride to the hospital took about 20 minutes for two reasons: the U-turns in Thailand are far and it so happened that the hospital is at the same side as where we’re coming from thus the need to take the U-turn – 2 U-turns actually AND we were stuck in traffic for about 8 minutes because there was this group of motorcyclists who were so into drag racing at 6:30 in the morning and not minding the traffic congestion they are causing. By now, I was really having difficulty breathing and tried to tell the driver that maybe he can alight from the vehicle and tell those motorcyclists that there is an emergency many cars back but of course I cannot tell it to him due to the language barrier. Thankfully, after what seemed like ages, the lines of cars moved and moved and moved and I was right in front of the hospital. I immediately went to the reception area where I asked where the emergency room was but wasn’t pointed to it right away since the gentlemen from reception asked for my passport and health card insurance first and also asked me to fill in a form which I was unable to do so because I really had difficulty seeing already. Sensing this (which they should have right away since my eyes were way so chinky during that time that it would be impossible for someone to think that I was born with it), they pointed me to where the emergency room is. So I rushed inside and was immediately attended by a very soothing nurse – thank God for this! I didn’t even wait for her to ask me questions, I just told her that I took aspirin and got these allergic reactions in less than 30 minutes after taking it. She then led me to an ER bed – and it struck me how silent it was in the hospital at this time of day. Anyway, she immediately attached an IV of dextrose to my left hand, took my blood pressure and monitored my heartbeat. After about 5 minutes of lying there, she injected an anti-inflammatory steroid to my upper right arm that really hurts. The doctor then came and told me that I should be able to breathe easier in about 10 minutes and that the palpitations that I will feel minutes after being injected the steroids are just side effects of the steroids. Then the “people” started coming: people from the reception/admission, nurses, nursing assistants, and they all have one thing in common: QUESTIONS!!! I don’t want to answer these questions until I feel somewhat relieved of what I’m feeling and I bluntly told them that. They respected this and came only again after about 15 minutes. At this point, the doctor told me that she wants to keep me in the hospital so that she can monitor me closely because there is still a chance that I can go into anaphylactic shock, a very life-threatening effect of allergy. My immediate reaction was please, no, I had this before and even though the first time I had this I was also brought to the emergency room (the first time when I found out I am allergic to ibuprofen) and injected the same steroids, the doctor then discharged me after about an hour and simply gave me medications of steroids and other anti-histamines. THIS doctor however, was firm on her decision of having me admitted in the hospital so I told her that okay, she can have me confined but if nothing bad develops or if my condition continues to get better (which I can feel during that time), I will only stay until 5 o’clock. She smiled and asked me if I had something important scheduled for after 5 o’clock and I told her no, I just don’t like the idea of being admitted to a hospital. Again, she smiled and agreed to what I asked. Someone then came with a stretcher but I told him if there is a wheel chair available because I would be more comfortable on it rather than on a stretcher (I told you I am feeling better already and I know that once I was administered the drug, I will be on my road to recovery). Of course there was a wheel chair and I was then marched to my room on the 9th floor of the hospital amidst smiles and get well wishes from the 5 nurses and inside the ER. Little do I know that I will be led to this quite large and well-furnished hospital suite. (I wasn’t really concerned about the bill at this time because my health insurance will take care of it.) Once inside, I made phone calls to two of my colleagues, informed them where I am and told them that I am okay. I also called my head of upper school (principal) and informed him (I actually talked with his wife, our head of school, because my principal was out swimming when I called) of where I am and why. At this point, I didn’t inform anyone member of my family back home because I don’t want them to panic (especially my mother who was so concerned the first time I had this that she had heart palpitations). Until now as I am writing this, they still don’t know. I just don’t want them to worry – that’s all – there’s nothing that they can do that hasn’t been done already and I know that I am always, always in their prayers.

So the long wait until my 6 hours are up starts (which should be at around 1 pm) and within these times, I got 2 visits from a specialist who was so kind and explained to me all about aspirin and NSADs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) which include ibuprofen (of course!) and visits from nurse assistants who took my vital signs, two nurses who came in every 1 and ½ hours, and the cleaning team. One o’clock came and went and finally at around 2:30 pm, the doctor specialist came back along with the head nurse and examined me again, asked me questions again, and told me that I can go home – in about 3 hours yet since my papers have to be processed by the hospital and sent to the health insurance. This actually only took about 2 hours and at around 5:10 pm, I am on my way home! J Oh, I was given medication, which is good for 3 days, by the hospital’s pharmacist and when I asked if there is any medicine that I ought to buy aside from the ones she’s giving me, she said no. Okay, this is great! I also get paid-for medicines! I got home at around 5:20 and rushed to my laptop to save it from it’s running on reserve battery agony and to write this experience. What should have been a sight-filled Sunday turned out to be a “blurry” sight Sunday. :-)

The Kingdom of Siam – where everyday is an adventure. I have so many firsts here: first time that I ever had problems with the labor department during my first 2 weeks (this is solved now though, I am legally working here in Thailand. I have work permits and all.), first time that I lost a new colleague to death due to an accident in a water fall during our staff bonding activity (during the last week of August), first time that I experienced wading through flood on my way to our school bus in the morning and in the afternoon (this started during the 2nd week of September), first time that I am denied a visa to a country (China – due to the strict regulations brought about by the Beijing Olympics and the Paralympics), first time that a dove dumped its early morning gory “glory” on me (and I have to go back up to my apartment and change which caused me to miss the school bus), first time that I explored a place on my own (especially during Saturdays and Sundays-and enjoyed it so much), AND first time that I am admitted to a hospital. Whew! So many firsts – bring it on! Hmmmmm, what could be next? All these are teaching me a lot though on living on my own abroad and creating my chances. Also, my experiences tell me that indeed, experience is the best teacher ;-) On top of that, nothing really is impossible with God. Invoke His name, ask the Virgin Mother to mediate, along with the angels and saints, and everything will fall into place like pieces of jigsaw puzzle falling into place.

Ave Maria!

ebidensya (21 Sept. 2008, Thai Nakarin Hospital)-btw, wrong DOB ;-)

outside Room 903 (21 Sept. 2008, Thai Nakarin Hospital)

outside Room 903 (21 Sept 2008, Thai Nakarin Hospital)

outside Room 903 (21 Sept 2008, Thai Nakarin Hospital)

outside Room 903 (21 Sept 2008, Thai Nakarin Hospital)

view of Parkland (yellow and green bldgs) outside Room 903 (21Sept2008, Thai Nakarin Hosp)

(I still live in Parkland)

Bangkok Traffic

Today was Professional Development Day for us at the international school that I am currently teaching.  This means a work-day for us teachers while it's a no-school day for our students.  After a fulfilling day working on the Understanding by Design model in preparing our units for our Atlas-Rubicon Curriculum Maps, Christine, Nailah, Pearl, and I decided to go to Tacos and Salsa, an authentic Mexican restaurant along Sukhumvit Road just a little past Phrom Phong BTS Station for some nachos and enchilladas.  We left school at 2:15 so ready for a well-deserved respite (and much more for the weekend ahead).  Little did we know that we will be stuck in traffic for almost 4 hours along Sukhumvit Road approximately two BTS Sky Train stations from our destination.  It was the longest stuck-in-traffic experience I've ever had and I know that it is also true with my friends.  We cannot just abandon Christine, she brought her car, and go to the nearest BTS Sky Train station and solve our dilemma.  So we made good of our situation and told jokes, people-watched, talked about stuff (and some people-yeah) at work, listened to Christine's soundtrack for at least 6 times during the entire experience, and me clicking away with my camera (it's a good thing I brought my DSLR today, too!).  Oh, all these amidst Pearl's sneezing! :)  She finally dozed off for a few minutes after Christine gave her some of her medicine for allergies (which Nailah told her later, "Never take someone else's medicine because you are bound to fall asleep!"  LOL!)

I know our patience were tested during this entire ordeal but we kept our cool.  I myself can say that looking back, those hours in traffic weren't wasted.  I had takeaways like the memory of the entire experience and I got to spend time for my friends - time which all four of us never thought we'll be asked to give in that way. :)   

It was a good experience overall.  And of course, the nachos, enchilladas, and good company were worth the almost 4-hour wait.

What follows are some of the many photos that I took during the ordeal.

Nailah and Christine

Pearl

the story of our lives for a time:  0 kph

corner Sukhumvit Soi 28 - where we were stuck the longest

vendor plying Soi 28

a monk "blending" to city living

all four of us are

Baby Bugs was with us the whole time

my Baby Bugs adorned seatbelt (which I never got to use that afternoon)

that's us in the white Honda

same-same

her ride was stuck in traffic too, that's for sure

his' too :)

and almost four hours after, we were almost there! :)

Melanie Oudin: A Pocket of Tennis Tenacity

She stormed into this year's US Open with an angelic smile and the heart of a lion.  She defeated four Russian tennis powerhouses in succession, three of whom are seeded players:  Elena Dementieva, the current Olympic Champion and seeded 4th, Maria Sharapova, a three-time grandslam winner, and veteran Nadia Petrova.  Melanie Oudin, the feisty 17-year old from Marietta, Georgia, USA, wowed tennis fans the world over with her mental toughness, good coverage of the court, and killer forehand.  She proved again that height is not a hindrance to best the game, just like what Justine Henin (always my idol) has proven by staying on the number one position for a long time until her premature retirement from professional tennis.  Oudin's fairy tale may have been ended by another graceful Dane, Caroline Wozniacki, but I know that this is just the beginning of her long and successful tennis career.  Watching her play the first time against Dementieva, I cannot help but notice some similarities in her game with that of Justine Henin, more so her feistiness.  And indeed, during the press conference after that match, I learned that Justine's her idol while she was growing up.  She also still has the same coach that she has since she's 9 years old, very much like Justine's long-time coach (practically her whole career), Carlos Rodriguez.

Seeing Melanie's run in this year's Open gives me a good feeling that at last, the game is picking up from where Justine left it over a year ago when she announced in May last year that she's hanging her racket for good, at an early age of 26.  Also, Caroline Wozniacki's calm and keen tennis mind capable of adaptation even while she knows that the whole crowd was rooting for Melanie (being an American) even more cemented the fact that women's tennis is going to new heights.

I am excited, that's for sure.  You ask why.  Because I know that Melanie Oudin is not a teenage prodigy straight from the production line.  She is mentally tough even at such a young age, she has personality (ah, how I love those self-designed Adidas shoes!), she has a fighting spirit, she has what it takes to go beyond what she accomplished today.  This is only the beginning, only the beginning.

Melanie's adidas self-designed shoes display her motto:  BELIEVE

killer forehand

photos courtesy of www.usopen.org

Back @ Work

After 7 weeks of summer bliss I am back to the drawing board again and this time with one more preparation (Physical Science for Grade 9) AND 48 students more compared to last year's. And oh, one more class to teach, too! (One AP Chemistry class, 3 upper school Chemistry classes, and 2 upper school Physical Science classes.) We are only in our second week of school and already I am to my forehead with papers to mark. It's not that I am whining (actually, I am, but only to myself), it's just that I still have to "learn" how to NOT go through my students' handed-in in-class or bring-home assignments thoroughly. One would think that after almost 10 years of teaching I'd learn the art of skimming over students' papers but no, I still don't and when my lesson reaches Stoichiometry, oh boy, you rarely can find me online. But oh well, I love my job (what job can give you a 2-months paid summer break, a one week break in October, a 2-week vacation in December, a one-week vacation for the Chinese New Year, a one week spring vacation, plus all those free Saturdays and Sundays and many long weekends? And oh, the opportunity to travel, travel, travel?) that's why for most part of the year, I say to myself (albeit convincingly) that I love my job and I don't want to be a chemist confined to the walls of the laboratory again. I love teaching, teaching, teaching!!!!

Oh wait, how many days until the October break again? Ugh!!!

(Originally posted on 18 August 2009)

Feliz Dia de las Madres

This year's Mother's Day is one of the first mother's day celebration that I will miss celebrating with the rest of my family back home. It's quite sad as this is one of those celebrations that our family always make a point of celebrating (the other being Christmas, father's day, town fiesta, and each of our birthdays - all 5 of us - mama, papa, elder sister, me, and younger sister). I called my mother early Sunday morning though and I was able to hear her vibrant voice and I can gauge that she is happy but that she misses me. Oh, how I would have wanted to be right beside her and hug her at that moment. Distance though makes that wishful thinking. My choice of a career and how to live life can sometimes really get in the way of things but I accept these as part and parcel of my choice. I consider myself blessed to be granted one of the things that I have dreamt of since I realize the joys of travel (way back in my early teens) and this is to live overseas and not just get stuck in one country but be presented with another chance to stay in another country after 2 or 3 years. Like a nomad, yes, but not quite. This blog though is not directly about me but about Mama Cita, my mother.

She and my father got married when both of them were 29 years old. She was a public school teacher and was successful both in her career and her main job as a mother. I can still remember those afternoons when we were still very young and she would arrive from school bringing lumpia or what-have-you to us her 3 daughters. She always have something delicious in her hand bag that if one goes through the contents of her bag, you won't come away disappointed. You'll always find candies or bite-sized chocolate inside. She even has this 4 0r 5-L volume of plastic container stashed under her bed with chocolates inside - yes, chocolates! She was very keen in pointing out though that in no way are we going to abuse that plastic container of chocolates. That's my mother, a disciplinarian. I grew up with something akin to fear with her because she's the disciplinarian in the family - she goes about setting things straight and in my immature way of looking at things at that time, I mistook this as her being strict. Things changed though when I was in university. I got to open my thoughts to her and we started having long conversations and as my outlook in life became more mature, I was able to fully appreciate and admire her more. Now, I can say with perfect confidence that the person who knows me more is my mother. Not surprising yes, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Mama is also regarded by many of my cousins (and I have a lot) as their favorite aunt and I think this is because there is something in her that invites confidence, that invites trust. She respects our views and do not impose her beliefs on us, she lets us be but she also makes it a point that we know her views. We are not that big on showing our love and care through hugs - we are learning though - but the way she shows how much she loves and cares for us is immensely greater than any physical touch can give. It takes time sometimes, though, but like I said, we are slowly realizing that a hug can provide temporary relief. She's soft spoken at the same time stern, both her and Papa are, and her voice have calmed so many turbulent feelings, so many raging emotions in the past.

I miss Mama, I have always missed her. I miss her familiar scent, the way she calls us to tell us that dinner is ready, the way she recites the formulated prayers when we say the Holy Rosary, the way she would tells us, "Ayaw pagsamok!" ("Don't bother me!") when she is doing something that requires her full attention, the way she would call me, "Cristy!" in a singsong voice whenever she has something for me or there's something that she wants to share with me, the way that she would ask for the TV remote control or DEMAND that the TV channel be switched back to the television series that she is keeping tabs on (otherwise she'd just tell us to go to the other room and use the TV there), the way she cooks mais (corn) or rice, pancit, caldereta, humba (pork stew with vinegar and spices), inon-unan (fish stew with vinegar, onions, and garlic) na bilong-bilong (moonfish), lechon kawali, otan bisaya, etc., I miss everything about her. Sometimes, I would miss her so much that I would ask myself why do I have to live so far from home. I'm always faced with the same answers: because it's my choice and my mother have prepared me for it (both her and papa did). Life is indeed interesting - not so much a mystery really but interesting!

Mama Cita, happy mother's day and I thank you for giving me YOU. I love you!

Papa Ben and Mama Cita: my all.

(Originally posted on May 11, 2009)

mish mash

Family traditions are family traditions. That’s why even if I am on my first New Year’s celebration away from home; I still forced myself to overcome my laziness (hey, it’s still Christmas break and I am entitled to being lazy) and went to the supermarket this afternoon to buy 12 kinds of fruits and other stuff to usher in the new year. When I got to the supermarket, I realized that it’s not only me who is preparing for tonight (I thought Thais celebrate New Year in April during the oh-so-famous Songkhran Festival), there were a lot of people doing their last minute buys. I even saw David, my department head, following a line to the cashier’s!

As always, I ended up buying more than the stuff that I was planning to buy. It’s a good thing that TOPS Supermarket offers free home delivery for purchases beyond 1,000 baht.

And when I got home, I tackled the house cleaning and then arranged the fruits in the fruit basket and offer these for a more bountiful 2009. Oh, I ended up offering some eggs, too! And some mint chocolates and cookies! J

Happy new year and all the best for 2009! The present year is full of learning experiences for me and there wasn’t a dull moment especially during the second half of the year. I cherish every heartbeat of 2008 and I am as always thankful to God Almighty for my family, aunties, uncles, cousins, friends, colleagues, everyone whose paths crossed mine in any way. I love life and I love living it, and am thankful for this chance to live it the way I wanted. Nothing is perfect and that is precisely why life is spectacular!

Hail Mary!

(Originally posted on 31 December 2008)

Love Day

Approximately 3 hours ago, I became an aunt and I am so happy. My younger sister gave birth to a beautiful 7 lbs. and 11 ounces baby boy. Not that I saw my nephew already but according to my elder sister, my mother and my brother-in-law cannot stop looking at the precious little bundle of grace. And not that I’m surprised either since my brother-in-law and my sister are gifted with good genes thus an offspring should also be good looking. That’s the adoring aunt in me speaking – the truth – that is.

This wonderful event made me reflect how important family is and how important life is. As soon as I received the news yesterday afternoon that my sister is undergoing labor pains and is in the hospital labor room, I cannot understand what I was feeling. It’s a mix of anxiety and excitement. Anxiety because I want my sister to not go through so much pain, to give a painless birth (limited my knowledge may be at child-bearing still I know that a painless birth is impossible), for the baby, whose gender we knew months before, to come out without any hassle, and excitement because finally, me and my elder sister will become aunties, my parents become grandparents, and my sister and her husband become parents themselves. However, it was not going to be an easy ride (especially for my sister) for all of us who are awaiting the baby’s birth for he came wailing into the world almost 24 hours after my sister’s water broke. Thus begun the frantic lub-dub and I may be thousands of miles away from where the action was unfolding but still, I was beside myself with worry for morbid thoughts attempted, and some successfully, entered my brain. All these were quelled with prayers, though. I bent my knees in prayer, especially asking for the intercession of Mother Mary and Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. And everything turned out perfectly well.

I cannot wait to go back home in less than two months. The newest addition to our family will be there, the best gift of love that we all could possibly receive today, Valentine’s Day.

Ave Maria!

Jush Matthew M. Ricaplaza @ 2 months old

cradled in my elder sister's arms, Jush's Auntie Melet

cradled in his mother's arms, Mama Sha-sha

cradled in my arms, Auntie Cristy (I finally got to hold him in my arms when I went home for Spring Break in April - he was 2-months old then)

intently focusing on me while I took his photo, our Baby Jush Matthew

(Originally posted on 14 February 2009)

Symbols and Foreign Letters

fabric softener (pink) and dishwashing liquid (yellow)

I mistakenly opened a pack of dishwashing liquid taking it for a fabric softener. It's a good thing that I realized my mistake while mixing it with water: it formed so much bubbles and the smell wasn't quite right - you know what I mean. Confused, I looked at the pack closely and realized that it's dishwashing liquid - the symbol on the pack says so! Oh, if only I know how to read Thai. It's a good thing though that I wasn't THAT excited to put my washed clothes right in, it would have been additional load (not that my clothes mind the second washing).

(Originally posted on 19 December 2008)

Siem Reap

I have always been drawn to KAMPUCHEA (Cambodia in Khmer) since I was a little girl partly due to my then stamp collection which had so many stamps of Kampuchea and what I later on learned about the country's plight thanks to the books my mother used to share with me. The 3-day trip to Kampuchea with Ms. Ces right after Christmas 2008 may be too short but we had fun! :) We visited the famous Angkor Wat, Ta Phrom Temple (where Angelina Jolie's Lara Croft was partly filmed), and other temple ruins. Many countries are contributing in the effort of restoring the temples to a resemblance of their former glory and two of these are India and the Netherlands. We also had a boat ride along the Tonle Sap where we saw many floating houses along the riverbanks. I also had the chance to do reflection photography thanks to the many moats that surround the ruins of the temples that we visited. From the under-nourished children selling trinkets in a sing song voice of "One dollar, one dollar!" to the friendly tuktuk driver telling you how he has to feed his family with his daily income to the interesting respite offered by Blue Pumpkin (a very good restaurant) where tourists abound and laze around after a long day out and to the mass burial grounds of those victimized by Pol Pot's regime, one can say that Siem Reap is a beautiful and interesting place.

Here are some of the photos I took with my Olympus FE-340. More photos can be found in my Flickr account http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifeofone/sets/72157618615213824/

and even more in my Facebook photos page

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=77630&id=743294883

The majestic Angkor Wat

broken slabs leading to Angkor Wat

bullet-ridden column (part of Angkor Wat)

highest level of Angkor Wat where the public can access

stairway to "heaven" ... the last level is where the king used to pray

only the king and his ministers can mount the stairway to heaven (Angkor Wat)

what used to be a library undergoing restoration

three generations of Cambodians taking a respite inside Angkor Wat

grand-dad and grandson selling souvenirs

young monks checking out what's for sale

Angkor Night Market sign welcoming everyone

inside the night market

cultural dancers at Tonle Sap Restaurant

a Cambodian tuk-tuk

yours truly in front of the East Gate of the Bayon Temple

temple ruins

part of Bayon Temple

a smiling Hindu Buddha

stone carvings of Royal dancers

a scene in the Ramayana carved on one wall of the Bayon Temple

tourists listening to guides inside the Bayon Temple

a faithful being given blessings by a monk

elephants standing guard on the steps leading to the Temple of the Leper King

Temple of the Leper King

the Leper King

Temple of the Leper King

an unfinished 12th century Hindu temple

a group of blind musicians making beautiful music

temple ruins

site of the filming of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie

humungous

head of an Apsara dancer (royal dancer) partially framed by a tree's trunk