Birthday thoughts

My day happened five days back.  No big bang fireworks.  No fancy dining experience. Instead, a simple celebration happened here.

Binondo

To die for

Yet, prior to any celebration, it has long been my ritual to recap  and reflect all that had transpired over the past year.  It is in  this way I culminate the old year with gratitude for the blessings I have received, extend my sincerest acknowledgement for the learnings from bitter mistakes, then move on to the next with new dreams guided by brighter inspirations.

With obvious lack of commitment to continually grow my best list, I am grateful for having been blessed over the past year with great health (as claimed by my endocrinologist)...

a blissful marriage (spicy at times)...

great support from family (even with bouts of MIS"es"--MISunderstanding, MIScommunication)

long-time friends (thru thick n' thin)

a multi-personality staff (who stands firm and strong in highs and lows)

and of course, the effervescent love affair I have with beads.

In my deliberate move for a long time to remain in silence out of shyness, I opt to share with you how grateful I am for these bests this time.   Life has its own way of taking its course despite the multiple attempts to do otherwise, but I have learned that all are left with no sense and misguided direction without these bests.   Yet, as grateful as I am over all these, I give much thought as well  on the what ifs, what abouts, whys, and how comes.

In this case, I speak of GIVING. 

What is it in giving that a few others are sparked to ask for more?  When given, demands are born and dissatisfaction is raised.  Not a simple thank you is said.  And when denied, nothing is to be expected except for a tounge that could lash one's heart.  

On the day of my birthday, I faced these.

The FIRST happened while at the height of the Pharmacy's medical mission.  Like in previous months, we extended our usual care to those in need of medical assistance and lifetime maintenance by providing free medical check-up and few medicine samples.  Specific to this medical mission,  we took things a notch higher.  Homemade snacks composed of   ham and cheese sandwich and a cup of coffee were provided to all patients as well.  A handful were sincerely delighted and had extended their gratitude.  However, majority spoke otherwise ... "Ay, gusto ko ng tea!".... "Wala bang gatas?".... "Bakit ham sandwich? Sana may iba pa!". Instantly, I thought, "Never again! What's with the demand considering all these are given for free!". 

SECOND and THIRD revolved around financial concerns.  First call came early morning, and the next came  late at night.  Both wishes granted.  Yet, I cannot deny myself of that  wish for a birthday greeting while both calls went on.  No one to blame.  I kept my day hush.  Facebook broke the secret.

Similar situations had crossed my path in the past. But lately, I find myself preoccupied with this matter even more.  I could have bluntly put the blame on aging as  main culprit of pinching the most sensitive points of my nerves.  Yet, I was taught and consistently reminded of  the act and benefit  of giving  since childhood. As the saying goes, Give and you shall Receive.   And as what Mom and J. Bond's Mom tirelessly impart, Give and it shall return Tenfold.

The truth is, giving can hurt.

Giving hurts when expectations are set.  No thank yous, just harsh words. It hurts when unsatisfied whims take on the lead.  Immediate financial assistance in exchange for greetings. It hurts when desires lie on bigger returns. An investment anticipated to gain back a huge heap of load in time. Instead, what is gained is loss.

I began writing this post 5 days ago with no clue on how to begin, how to go, more so how to end. All I felt was a strong urge  to ramble on such matter. But as days went by and as my writing of this post had  slowly progressed, I see things clearly now.  

Whims, harsh words and unfulfilled expectations have long  been part of  giving. It will always be.  However, none should matter, nor be bothersome,  as long as the way of giving remains  true and sincere. It is this that I wish for this coming year...The heart of giving. Give without hesitation, without expectation, without  anticipation for gains and returns.   

But returns do happen by the way.  Without knowing and through this post,  I came to realize that  I have long been blessed with  beautiful and heartwarming bests...definitely way beyond a tenfold return.  So I leave it at that and continue on :) 

          

 Trixie ...

LONG Typhoon ramblings

There's a lot of catching up to do.  Typhoon Pedring ceased life momentarily, including my internet connection.  Now, I'm  back in the groove.

Pedring worried the hell out of me.  First, for J. Bond's safety while at work. He knew NO worries and strongly stood firm by his "pseudo-name".  I, on the other hand,  gulped and gasped worry. The sound of howling wind and gushing water knocked me off.  I was born this way, a major worry wart!  But who's not to worry with images like this flashed on your TV screen the whole day.

Roxas Boulevard during Typhoon Pedring

Photo credit HERE

I thought of my Pharmacy staff and their families too.  We worked and operated with no power that day. On days with good weather, we depend and enjoy the light and warmth coming from the  sun's rays.  Lights are only turned on upon sundown. But Pedring brought about heavy darkness, and expectedly took a toll on all our battery-operated lamps.  So, store operations  was called off  early despite the swarm of patrons in need of medicines throughout that nasty day. The staff rushed home and stayed safe within the confines and comfort of their loved ones. Power returned next day, but still with frequent interruptions.

How it is in the Pharmacy when it rains.

With that, I was reminded of my medical booboo last year, the day when Typhoon Basyang left multiple uprooted trees on top of my car and street.  Early that day, I thought of myself as strong and energetic.  A-ha!  I voluntarily helped  pull branches and leaves away.  Then in a blink, it took great effort to pick and lift a single leaf.  Next, I was ICU bound. Since my booboo happened, I have habitually associated typhoons with booboos, obviously putting more  un-needed stress on such fearful situations. Again, I'm a worry wart!

In a regular hospital room, after 2 days in the ICU. 

Back to my old self, on the phone.

Even with the Pharmacy's early closure while Typhoon Pedring rambled, we knew of  the need to provide immediate medical assistance to our nearby communities.  Days after Typhoon Pedring and exactly on the day Typhoon Quiel landed,  we pushed through and survived our rainy medical mission at Georgetown Heights Subdivision.  The next round by the way is scheduled on October 10, 2011/8am-12nn at Generika Bahayang Pag-asa, Molino 3, Bacoor, Cavite. Call (046)4772692 to register.

The list grows.  Close friends know how terribly fearful I am of dogs.  But here's the thing--imagine me  nursing a 5-month old sick puppy, facilitating his cough and antibiotic medications every 12 hours, and giving him  his dose of energy booster every 5 hours.  I for one have never ever imagined myself doing all these. But oh-yes, nursing Bugsy occupied my time, day and night, and while at the peak of both typhoons. The medications have helped, but I give huge credit to my Aunt's prayers for Bugsy's speedy recovery while further enriching her spiritual self at Lourdes for 3 weeks. Now, Bugsy is back to his hyper self.  In fact, more hyper than usual.  And, my Aunt is  back.

While waiting for my Aunt emerge from the arrival gates.

Hello Typhoon Quiel!

What I asked for.

My heart melts for these two.

Last year, I launched  By Beaded Story's journey with Mother's Heart necklaces.  All pieces were sold during and after the Christmas Bazaar at Alabang Hills Village.  But as promised, I commit myself to making more.  Unfortunately, the medals  from Lourdes won't be put up for selling. A promise I gave my Aunt upon handing over the medals.  Besides, it's about time that I gift myself with an extra-special  arrangement conceived from the heart and made by my two hands. (at times, feet too.  really!).

I made ten necklaces of the below design last year.  All sold, with one given as gift to my Aunt.  She wore this on the day she visited Lourdes.  The nuns who did volunteer work in Lourdes gave high praises for this arrangement. Well, it seemingly sounded like praise according to my Aunt.  They spoke in French while holding on to the necklace wrapped around my Aunt's neck.  You may wear this arrangement by the way either long or choker style (double loop).  My Aunt wore it choker style that day. But not a single word did my Aunt understand.  Funny scene I think.  Nevertheless, I am deeply touched and continue to beam.   I feel very inspired.

Amidst these typhoon ramblings, I happily managed to bead. Here you go, LASO necklaces are back.

If you follow By Beaded Story in multiply, thank you.  But I invite you to visit and like our Facebook page as well.  This year's designs are all posted on Facebook. Click HERE.

That's about it.  A big sigh of relief and fear out of my chest.  For now. Here's hoping and praying no typhoons will soon come our way.  Stay safe and dry, everyone! 

Out and About since Wednesday

Funny that my NY-based BFF, Pinky,  posts a congratulatory  note on Facebook for my new choice of quick getaway instead of the usual Tagaytay. *Haha.  I say funny because what she doesn't know was I was exactly where she expects me to be the day after I returned from Baguio....

...Saturday lunch with the fam at Bawais ... in TAGAYTAY!

Dark photo, but proof.



Tagaytay obviously remains on the top spot of my list.  And in a couple of days, I'll be hanging around my usual spot once again.  This time beads related. 

Come to think of it, I have been out and about since Wednesday last week.  On top of Baguio and Tagaytay, I've been running all around...

The Pharmacy's participation in Molino 2's basketball league parade on Sunday, at 6:00AM! So, I was practically on the phone most of the day planning out my little entourage while at Baguio.

Then, ran off to Baby Gia's christening in the afternoon.  For the very first time, I volunteered to be a fairy Godmother.  Must be her chubby cheeks!  Just like her Kuyas' cheeks =)

Immersed myself in a cemetery near the Pharmacy on Monday morning.   I was surprised to see lots of early morning exercisers stretching, brisk walking and jogging around the cemetery.  A few even played Volleyball and Badminton.  There are no decent parks nearby, so  this cemetery stands in as a good alternative despite the presence of the "dead". *Haha.  I was there by the way only to observe and plan for the Pharmacy's next activity promoting good health.

And with that, we kicked off our early morning exercise on Tuesday morning with the Senior Citizens of Molino 5...



...followed by a free medical check-up.

That's it (as of this post).  Catching my breath now :)

Then and Now

Lately, I have been asked by family and friends how I spend my days as an early retiree.  Controlling myself  from shouting out loud FABULOUSLY FREE, I often reply with a rundown of activities from Monday to Sunday.  Most often, I receive a mix of responses. A stunned response upon hearing my jampack list of things to do even as a retiree...or a dreamy reply of wanting to be in my shoes someday.  Well, one thing is for sure.  My Tuesdays are my Saturdays and Sundays combined.  And the rest of the days fall under a weekday. Busy, oh yes but in a much rather fulfilling sense.  I am my own master and my own slave!

I think the inquisitive minds (*haha) are nothing but curious.  So here's a bit of comparison of what was then and now...

THEN

Let's start with events.  Ayala's delegation in its first ever participation in the Makati Day Parade.   Despite the long wait, the end-to-end fashion walk along Ayala Avenue (with floats, characters in costume and celebrities) and the rain that poured mid-walk, I ended high that day...for having survived everyone's whines and complaints.  *Hahaha.

NOW

Medical Missions, my Monday and Saturday events from the day I retired.  This morning's medical mission held at Molino 5's barangay focused on children, while next week is solely for senior citizens.  In this event, I am fulfilled yet emotionally involved.  It is a fulfillment to give and to provide services for the benefit of health.  But it truly breaks my heart to witness firsthand the aches and pains by most especially those in need.   Nothing like the whines and complaints I got from Makati Day Parade's delegation.

THEN

Lunch-ing around Greenbelt's casual dining restos with my closest girls in the office. Missing them right this moment.  But yes, this happened often :)

NOW

There's no such thing as casual dining resto from where I spend my days regularly.  The discovery of street food joints, like the Buy 1 Take 1 hamburgers of Angel's Burger, is marvelous, tasty and cheap.   Sarap!

THEN

Acting goofy with the girls right in front of the big boss's office.  

NOW

This morning's medical mission with the Pharmacy girls and Molino 5's Kagawad Vilma.  Gone are the goofy days, but the talk while at the midst of a medical mission keeps me alive.  All about love and happiness.  *Hahaha.

So to family and friends who asked, hope that bit of info helped.  My days I believe run on the same busy mode and still with a semblance of what was then, but with a much more meaningful sense NOW. Nothing has changed with the beading by the way --- then and now, it happens after my day's affairs.  Aside from Chunky Beads, here's what's coming soon...

 Cheers!  Have a great week ahead of you :)

Bahay-Kubo Medical Mission

Today was rather quite  unusual but truly enjoyable. Previous medical missions were held in cemented and covered venues.  This morning, on the other hand, was all about entertaining 65 patients in this Bahay Kubo.

Odd, but it suprisingly brought a relaxed and organized feel.  And, I loved it!  Even Dr. Alvin stayed put and finished the half-day medical mission in this Bahay Kubo despite the invite to relocate to a more decent nearby space.  He must have enjoyed it there.

Dr. Alvin with patient # 1.  See the green mangoes resting on the rooftop?  I marvelled on them. 

Here's a closer shot of the mangoes for your drooling pleasure. *Haha.

It was nice of the Barangay Captain to offer ripe mangoes.  But I shamelessly requested for those green ones on the tree instead and with the condition that I do the picking. *Haha.  He said to come back in two weeks time.  Cool!

The vital signs, fasting blood sugar, cholesterol and uric acid station in front of the Bahay Kubo, with our Pharmacy nurses in-action. 

Way up to the Bahay Kubo.   And, thanks to this Kid's curiosity ....

... I discovered these sights found at the back of the Bahay Kubo ...

Pigeon(s) perched on the Bahay Kubo.

Rolling uninhabited land with fruit trees, flowers and vegetables, somehow seen in this photo.

Duck pond.

Must be the Mother Duck?  It stood still for a long time while the rest drank.