Wake up call

Fascinated with the word "sensuous"! 
Sonya's Garden, Alfonso, Cavite

I dreamt of Luke last night.  Set in a  familiar mall hallway  while patiently waiting for a few former co-workers to arrive, Luke suddenly appeared in his usual work clothes seemingly sporting a rounder stomach. The growing roundness was my alarming concern prior to his early departure.  In fact, Christmas gifts for Luke had deliberately transformed into unsalted crackers to simply make my point.  I  fed him loads of noodles when I still lived in the city.  I ceased the feeding but he didn't. 

Luke's bag of Shing-A-Ling from Rowena's Tarts. 

In my dream, I shared the same sad and pissed emotions while awake.  And when Luke appeared, a happy yet disgruntled screaming LUKE!!! was all I said.  I remember having stomped my right foot too, a typical act I do when  teased by Luke.  Though I was aware enough even in my dream that he now lives in an entirely different spectrum, I surprisingly ignored. But being the  Luke that he was, he replied with his usual mocking "HE-HE-HE, Tri-kikay!", then walked away.  Yes, he often called me by that name.  He had sabotaged my name by capping it off with a slang word that best describes what a "girly-girl" is all about.   Luke passed away on the day I was en route to Baguio for J. Bond's Globe Cordillera Challenge. He was 43.  We have been friends for close to two decades.

Patti's celebration at Conways

Last Sunday, we celebrated Patti's end of a decade and toasted to a life that begins at "40".  We had fun, but there's no denying of having missed Luke during such special moment.  I'm sure he would have loved to be there and be part of the celebration.  Tears flowed for a short while, but life and the party just had to move on. 

Patti and Luke.  All about F.O.O.D.

In some way, situations happen for a reason. I said the exact same line in a previous post that talked about celebrating 93.  Despite the denial, Luke's departure had somehow triggered me and my friends to review, realize and desensitize our life's routine from the unnecessary.  A friend focuses on stress from work, the other aims for a healthier life, while the other regard friendship more than ever.  Little things, yet significant. I, on the other hand, target to embrace the undeniable concept of age and ageing.

Christmas 2011, Our last hang-out with Luke.  A July 20, 2012 dinner is set and surely Luke will be missed.

I turn on a blind eye when faced with the topic of ageing.  I fear turning 40 as much as I feared 18, 20, and 30.  Shallow yet I am amazed on how a number can define boggling thoughts which then translate into fear.  I am pretty sure that you have thought of age and ageing at some point in your life too.    But in reality, there is nothing to fear and that neither single or double digit number are in no way applicable to defining life. Luke's departure  made me realize that.

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

When Luke passed away, I thought of him as too young, in contradiction to my absurd notion of age and ageing.  Yet, he lived a good and jolly life.  I was shook from my deep slumber when that unfortunate day happened, which in reality was a wake up call for having long entertained unnecessary and useless thoughts. At this point, I constrain myself  from entertaining more, and instead look forward to living life.  I look forward to my Travel for Beads Project, to building dreams with J. Bond, to celebrating joyous moments, to exploring and discovering more.  I would have to agree that a life well-lived best defines our being, not age, not ageing. 

And I thank Luke for having led me to realize that.

All about "B"

Busy yet looking forward would best describe my weekends lately.

First, we finally made the Bold move of ending our "sightseeing" and closing the deal.  I'm sure our property specialist felt ecstatic to have closed his first deal ever.  I thought of him as young and fresh from college.  But how timely he was within my reach  while having dinner in Sentro a couple of weeks ago.  I will share more details of this project in a separate post soon.  This is in relation to investments and building dreams.

And like any other weekend, Bikes and at least three hours of Biking are part and parcel of J. Bond's program.  He's thinking of a 4th bike fit to conquer the slippery trek of the Mountain Province of Sagada soon, while I think of possibly opening a (2nd hand) bike shop someday.  Too much bikes, bike parts and bike-related dvds are lying all around. 

J. Bond's "calming" drink, Tsing Tao Beer.  A bottle a weekend is a must, wherever we are.  Have you tried this?  J. Bond prefers this beer over the usual San Mig Light these days.  I think there's not much of a difference.  Both are called BEER and spelled out B.E.E.R anyway =)

Meanwhile, Beads must be part of our weekend program too.  Here's a typical scene of what happens when I meet with a client.  Client goes over my works.  Bugsy runs around, climbs and jumps on the client.  I reprimand, then carry.  He squirms and escapes.  I run after, then we go through the same process. In a nutshell, I multi-task by controlling Bugsy from being excessively hyper and dealing with the client simultaneously.  I have applied a  variety of discipline techniques.  Unfortunately, not even an inch of progress have manifested yet.  At least, he doesn't bark. 

Bold, vibrant and creative are three words I would describe Happy Starchild's owner.  Her handpainted works on fashion garments (shirts and dresses) is the main reason why I regularly drop by Legazpi Park Sunday Market.  I adore and support crafts that are handmade and handpainted.

A bit of info on who Happy Starchild is.

Really excited over my handpainted Jane Austen top.

Amazed and Inspired.  I'll surely make a purchase this weekend for a dear "happy starchild"  friend who is turning 40.  The 40 roll call has officially begun by the way.  Some are in denial, yet some are looking forward.  I fear it, but I look forward at the same time.  But here's what I think of 40...not young to repeat the same crazy mistakes, yet not old to keep building dreams.  I'm sure my happy starchild friend would make 40 Beautiful.

And Before I cap this post, here is the 4th necklace that fall under By Beaded Story's Flora Collection.  Visit Facebook for more details.

Cheers!

Wow 93

There's no doubt I fear the unescapable thought of ageing.  Who doesn't?  This year is a big year.  An end to a decade, then off to the next.  I am swamped with wonder on what's next.  What's in store.  What then.  What-ever! I have nine more months.

Yet, events happen for a reason.  In this case, forcing my five shut senses to grasp as to what ageing is truly all about. 

Wow, my grandaunt (my maternal grandfather's sister) just turned 93! How time flies. 

It seems like only yesterday when I  spoke how beautiful 90 is.

With Mom and my cousin.  Strong and continues living life to the fullest.  She looks forward to celebrating her 94th birthday already. 

Blessed with a loving family...

Ten children...

and, a lot of Grandkids.

I cross my fingers that more of these events come my way.  An assurance on what perks come with  ageing, and how beautiful it can be.  But in the meantime, I am preparing. For what?...defying and smashing fear.  I can do this.  Besides, there's no other way but age.

Aging=BLESSINGS

I feel J. Bond's exhaustion from my neverending nightmare called aging.  He says..."Age is only but a number! Why not dwell on your blessings instead of age!".  Fine! So, I stare and stay on mute mode for a couple of minutes. Then in a flash, I  go at it once again. On his end, long silence. Oh men!

It truly pays off to have girl friends who simply know how to perk things up. Patti and I met up two nights ago for a burrito/steak sandwich/french fries/onion rings dinner.  After much talk and before we said our goodbyes, she handed over in advance a floral pack of L'Occitane bath products and this birthday card.  

The card says it all.  It had shoo-ed away the no sense issue of aging from my thoughts, my heart, practically my whole being. So before my birthday arrives (a week from today), I will follow J. Bond's words..."dwell on your blessings!".  I will list and share with you a few of my BESTS as we go along each day, then culiminate on my DAY.

Here you go...*In no particular order by the way.

FIRST, Buggy (with real name Bugsy) and his new habit of LICKING (my face and feet). 

Growing Old and How to stay Young

I'm not into forwarded emails.  I think of them as "junk" and automatically push the delete button  without even taking a glance or two.  Really!  But once in awhile, something interesting does catch my eye and makes me stay on ... for awhile then delete.   Yet there are times, I read til the end then move the file to archives thinking that it may one day be a  probable good source of inspiration most especially during "doubting moments".  In case.

And such as the case of this forwarded email sent by my "forever young" mother.

ON GROWING OLD .....

click to enlarge

It doesn't finish here. But yes, the above words had hit me hard. Lol.

Now let's move on to HOW TO STAY YOUNG =) ... with my few insights in this color.

1.  Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them'. 

Age and Height, I can live with.  I think.  But weight is a different story.  I've gained too fast (and still am) since this fateful day.  Eek!  But seems like the doctors are not worried.  So why be worried? I'm worried.  Period. 

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. Adios!!! Guess who???

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer (done), crafts (beading!!! done), gardening (no thank you), whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'

4. Enjoy the simple things.

NOTE TO SELF:  STICK THIS REMINDER EVERYWHERE!  Complex things are detrimental!

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge. Yes! I've been to much of a home-hermit these days because of the love for beads.  Ok fine, and love for J. Bond too.  Eee-ha!

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.  Oh-oh!  The good is definitely not applicable. Unstable is more like it.  But today, I went beyond!  Yuck!

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall (Check. As in, always.  In fact, I used to work there -- for 14 long years.), even to the next county (yup, maybe sometime next year); to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. xoxo 

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:  Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. AMEN.

Now, here's the part which makes me "dislike" forwarded mails... And if you don't send this to at least 8 people - who cares? But do share this with someone. We all need to live life to its fullest each day. Worry about nothing, pray about everything.

Good luck! I hope you're one of the lucky 8 who gets to read this post first. Spread the word!!! And remember, live and breath.  Tagaytay, see (and kiss) you tomorrow =)

Boy Oh Boy

Teenage talk:
Boys. Thesis. Crushes. Parties. Flings. MUs (get it?).  UAAP!!! h.h.w.w. (holding hands while walking! eek!!!). Sleepovers. ... (and Onin ---  the famous ensaymada!  peace mac!).

US three in our teens with the rest of the gang. Scroll down to know which three I'm talking about.  

In our 20s, the talk evolved to: 
Work hard, Play HARDER!   Relationships.    "What's up tonight?"    Engagements.    "Makati, Malate"   Love Love Love!   "Party-hopping here, there, everywhere"   Spur of the moment travels.    "Booze night!"    Diet!    "The world is mine mine mine!"    Trends.   Bands!   In a nutshell, let's Parteeeeeeyyyyyyyy!!!!

US three in our 20s. The rest of the gang, M-I-A!

Fastforward to present times...the 30s, chika-talk last Friday (8.20.10):

Lunch or Afternoon coffee dates.  Less! on the evening get-togethers.

What's for dessert?   Kids. Cribs. Good schools. Vaccinations. Yoga. Wellness. Home renovations. In-laws :) Travel. Finances. And a teeny-weeny bit on our "forever and ever flings" Chuck, Myke and James (lol!).

US three in our 30s. From left:  meet Mac the teacher and storyteller, Ric the Mommy and Ms. Pic-a-Pizza (yup, pizza is her specialty) and Me the beader in a Flora (dancin in the moonlight) arrangement!  The rest of the gang??? ..... They are now living their lives elsewhere :)

BOY OH BOY!!!  Time does fly so fast. The chika  says it all.  Makes me wonder what the talk will be all about in our 40s. 50s. 60s....  Looking forward!

Dum de dum dum DUM@@@!!!!