...biggest mystery of life? PEACE (Mark Harmon)

A Good Reason why I Blog for Peace

....for a kid and his wisdom.........

I.      On  a rather long trip to a nephew's place,  my cousin Tess and her husband Jun, decided to  listen to oldies but goldies songs.  When the song "Blue Skies"  was halfway through, their grandson Jordan (6),(who they thought was asleep at the back seat),  out of the blue, asked:
"What's that song saying, Lola Tess?"
"Blue skies, smiling at me, nothing but blue skies.... " Jun started to sing.
"That doesn't make sense." Jordan cut his Lolo Jun.
"What doesn't make sense?" Tess asked.
"Why does it say 'skies' when I can see only one sky?"

II.     On their way home one  night, Jun wanted to reinforce what Jordan had learned from his Sunday religion class which he started that weekend. 

Jun:  " Jordan, do you know that God made the moon?"  

Tess:  "And  He made the stars too!"   Jun was about to add some more when..... 

Jordan:  "Pop why don't you just say, He made the world......it's easier!"

 

 

 

 

9/11

Joshua Defending His Case

Last Friday, I was given the assignment of taking and picking up Joshua from his Tae Kwan Do class. He had been very quiet at the back seat while we were slowly cruising along Mountain Ave. when all of a sudden he asked:

       "Uhhhmmmm, Grannie, may I ask you a question?"
"Of course you can, What is it?"
      "Uhhhmmmm....Tomorrow is my birthday."
"I know. Are you excited?"
      "Yes, Grannie.  hmmmmm, what gift are you giving me?"
"Have you forgotten?  Your sparring uniform, remember?"
      "Yes, Grannie." 

Then, silence.  I was humming to the music playing on the radio  when Joshua cut into my reverie!

     "But, Grannie...."
"Yes, Josh?"
     "You gave that to me when I was still 5 years old and  tomorrow I will be 6 so that uniform is your gift for my 5th birthday and you still have to buy me one for my 6th birthday tomorrow."
And he ended his argument with:
      "There is a TRU store by your house, Grannie.  We can go there before we go home."

Who do you think won?

And I learned my lesson:  give the gift at the right time!  lol











      

More Reasons Why I Blog-4-Peace (60 to go)

I blog for peace beacause:
~~~~ I want to have my grandkids walk the streets without any fear of being hurt;
~~~~ I want to erase the blots caused by shortshightedness about people who seem not normal to "the normals";
~~~~ I want more human beings to continue what Princess Diana thought was hindering world peace;
~~~~ I want a borderless world;
~~~~ I want music to be an aid in opening up peoples' minds  so they may be made aware on how world peace can be achieved;
~~~~ I want peoples to commune and follow the good in their Gods'  teachings;
~~~~ I want discoveries that will slow, if not completely eradicate, what we now term as terminal illnesses;
~~~~ I want all mothers to have no fear in bearing children;
~~~~ I want children to grow happy that they were born;

~~~~ I want those who govern us to understand that not all of us earn the same amount they do;
~~~~ I want people in the government to stop quarrelling because they are spending the citizens' money for every second that they do;
~~~~ I want people in the government to stop working just so one can be more popular than the other;
~~~~ I want people in the government to start working because they want to  bring America its lost glory;
~~~~ I want people in the government to stop legislating towards more increases for their own retirement entitlements;
~~~~ I want my athletes to be organic;
~~~~ I want to eat food that will not alter or mess up my hormones;

~~~~ I want to take a medicine that will really cure irregardless of whether it will reap a company humungous profit or not;
~~~~ I want to see all the flowers bloom in their full colors and all the birds chirping in gay abandon;
~~~~ I want companies to think twice, even thrice, before they put carcinogenic products on sale;
~~~~ I want to travel by air without calling on all the saints! 

my 20th reason why I blog for peace (80 to go)

....i blog for peace so I can share JFK's words on PEACE.....

blogblast4peace

my 20th reason why I blog for peace (80 to go)

True Friendship Never Dies Nor Fades

I don't know if it was boredom that drove me to look for names on my FB header but that one afternoon one name kept popping up in my head. I thought:   'she might  be listed, or someone who may know her', when lo and behold, a face popped up that was unmistakably that of the little girl who used to play with my first little boy and with her was the very person I wanted to get in contact with!! !   Persevere and you will get your answers, I must have read that somewhere lol.  So I sent  a message including my phone numbers.  When I received a message back with a number, I hit the phone right away.  It was no denying it was she who was on the other end.... I could picture her smiling face and the gentle voice with that unique accent.  We started laughing as we reminisced about our yesterdays. We set a time to meet,  And we did!

Her 2nd girl (the face that took my attention) drove her and an aunt to our place. I would recognize her anywhere.  She's still as slender as the last time I saw her, which convinces me the more that I should follow a DIL's advise to cut on my carbs and sugars and change to brown rice (hahahah).  She still has that gentle chuckle as we looked at browned and faded photos. We talked about the years in between.  Oh, there were so many things we still wanted to talk about but the time was too short!
The highlight of our meeting was being reminded that I am a godparent to her 2nd daughter. Oh my, how could I forget!!!  I owe my goddaughter a lot and asked for her forgiveness.  I am grateful that she understood with a smile.  We have a lot of making up for lost time.  At least, we hurdled the first step - knowing where each other is lol.

And the girl who used to play with my little boy?  I still have to see her!

A Day with My GOD

"This is my prayer group.  If you can... do join us!"  the e-mail said.

How could I say NO?  But to be honest, when I first read the invitation and later, the day's program,  my first thought was "Oh, my,  can I stay focused listening to sermons for 8 hours!"  Even the promised breakfast, lunch and snacks couldn't convince me enough.  But she is a very good friend.  Letting her down would be cruel! So,  I hovered my mouse over the YES option and, with a heavy finger, hit the Enter button!  That's the beauty of this tech world, it shortens your agonizing time.
Since I arrived in America, I had been accepting invitations to attend renewal meetings, bible studies, masses, services, etc. from various faiths and denominations. I try to get the best from each session and take it with me with an open mind.  And everytime, I feel more secured in my own religion.  My chosen faith.  My GOD!
Or, should I say, OUR GOD!!!
The day started with setting up the room and breakfast.  Then before I knew it, it was lunch time.  The journey we took thru the presentations of God's words were so engaging,  and funny at  times that, along the way, I almost wet my underwear from laughing. After all I am not that young anymore!  After a sumptuous lunch, we had some sharing moment where I experienced through others' testimonials how God makes and lets us know, feel, and see HE exists. I didn't experience any heat or cold sensations, or an out-of-earth feeling during the pray-over, but I knew HE was there with me, guiding me, looking after me. I went home happy, energized, enlightened.

My friend, thank you for the invitation to experience my GOD, our GOD!!!

More Reasons Why I Blog=4-Peace (81 to go)

~~~ so scientists can have more funds and time to research on how to clean the environment for the next generations to enjoy;
~~~ so politicians can concentrate more in talking and discussing, planning and  deciding for the needs of their own peoples;
~~~ so that casualties of wars will be lessened until eradicated; 
~~~ so that the unborn will not be denied a  friendly,  tolerant, clean,  and beautiful world;
~~~ so we won't need double locks on our doors;
~~~ so there will be no need to put a grill on our windows;

~~~ so all parks will be safe for all children to be around the world; 
~~~ so events associated with Sarajevo and Hirosima will not happen again;
~~~ so everybody will find the roses beautiful and smelling good once more!!

Blog4Peace - Why? (91 to go)

~~~I blog for peace because I want to live in peace.

~~~I blog for peace so the trees around me will stay verdant and tall for all the grandkids in the world to enjoy.      
     (When I was small I used to climb trees and pretend I was on top of the world as I looked down on the     chuckling chickens and feeding hogs in our yard.)

~~~I blog hoping that peace will come to those who are running away from war because of their leaders' ideologies.

~~~I blog for peace because peace means happiness.

Really??? That long already?

                 This post has been inspired by a post from a retired friend.
                 I've been retired one full year today.  Yeeeyyyy, another anniversary to celebrate... NOT!!!
Unlike my friend I was only half, or let's say, a quarter prepared to retire when I did. Four years earlier I set out a plan, just like my friend.  But 2 years later my plan turned lopsided because of  an unforeseen event in the family.  The main column of my balcony collapsed unannounced.  I had to find a replacement.  I lost my footing, concentration, my resolve. I got very, very nervous. I was lost!
                But what is meant to be meant to be.  One week before  my first day of retirement, I formed in my mind the things that I would be doing, tackling, finishing, building. Today, those are still in my mind!
Hurrying, organizing, pleasing .... these are  NOT in my list of favorite words anymore, after all,
                to quote from an e-mail I received this morning:

As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

and besides, I have all the time at my disposal,. 
LOL!!!

 

The Item

"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it." ~Mary Engelbreit 

     This quote reminds me of how animatedly a friend and I discussed  an item displayed in my house.
At first, I had misgivings, even sadness,  about putting up the said item because how could I, if I was in my right mind,  show something that is incomplete. But after analyzing and dissecting and finding reasons why what happened  happened I didn't think anyone would, or should,  mind or complain.
     And, of course I had planned of changing it.  But while waiting for the right time, I somehow managed to  find  a way of  "completing" the item. 

     And that is why another quote came into mind:

To be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have. ~Ken S. Keyes, Jr., Handbook to Higher Consciousness

P.S.While my decision may not appeal to everyone I am satisfied that it was embraced by me and all those involved.

100 Reasons Why I Blog for Peace (96 To Go)

Make your own Countdown Clocks

I blog for peace because I want all the kids in the world to walk without fear anywhere and everywhere.

100 Reasons Why I Blog for Peace (97 To Go)

Make your own Countdown Clocks.

So that my sons will have no qualms in raising their own families.

Caught in a Quagmire

I love my blog layout, that is, until the curious cat got into me!
I was intrigued by the new design template button. And so I clicked!
Then before I knew it I was in a totally "different blog" and I couldn't get back to my original design! I hit Edit to go back several times but nothing happened.  In a panic I called my niece who designed my heading and she couldn't do anything either. Only an 'error' message came out she said.
Of course I had to go to HELP section only to find out that several bloggers encountered the same problem and haven't found, or, been given, any solutions yet!!!

Now I can't feed my eyes on my grandkids helping me in the kitchen as I read my posts!

Is there anyone out there who can help those Blogger engineers or designers or programmers (however you call them) get me back my original layout design?  I will be very grateful!

100 Reasons to Blog-4-Peace

#2--- I blog for peace so that everyone will have a chance to live in a peaceful, happy, tolerant world!

                  









                                                                                   ((Image source: http://www.thinke.org)

100 Reasons to Blog for Peace: Mimi's Challenge

I am starting my countdown to Mimi's challenge to give 100 reasons {(for each of the 100 days until her Blog Blast for Peace campaign)} why I blog for peace.

One reason is because:

Happy Birthday, Manang Purita!!!

First time I met Manang Purita was in 1978 at an Alitalia  sales office in Manila. We were both following up on our itineraries so we could be with our husbands in Africa.  While in Nigeria our families started a  friendship that continues to today and I am sure beyond!
On this your 82nd birthday (July 27th), together with another member of our "clan",  Gloria, we wish you, Manang,  a Happy, Happy Birthday and we are praying for many many many more years of celebrations and togetherness like this.

BTW, she has started a blog !   Check it out!

The Piano

Playing the piano is every girl's dream.  At least that was how I felt when I was a little girl. Almost all my cousins and two of my sisters were taking piano lessons so why couldn't I?  An aunt took it upon herself to enroll me and I was ecstatic.  My cousin and I would wake up early every Saturday morning so we wouldn't  miss the train that would take us some 20+ miles into the city.  From the station we would walk the rest of the journey to our  piano teacher's (who we called Profesora) house.  She was an interesting piano teacher.  Every time I watch Harry's Law, Kathie Bates  reminds me so much of her.  I was amazed at how she could sing the solfeggio note for note.  How did she know that every note sounded so? Even the sharps and the flats?  Even more amazing to me was the way she ran her nimble fingers through the keyboard making me wonder if I could ever reach that level.  Well, I never but I enjoyed every moment of my lessons with her.
Every trip to her was an adventure for me and my cousin.  Each Saturday we would take a different route until we remembered where the dentist's house was, the pharmacist's, even the hairdresser's. We even discovered a beautiful church and were told it was a Cathedral!  More thrilling was when we would go our separate ways to see who would reach the Profesora's' house first!  We were very daring then. We didn't care if we were alone on the street after all, we didn't know anything about pedophiles or child molesters. All we cared for was to enjoy our independence!
Last week my husband and I brought home our very first piano.   I've been looking for one that I could afford and I was lucky to see one advertised in a local penny saver magazine.  It also showed that it had been well taken cared of.  Could it be because  the previous owners were teachers, too?

Where have all.........

"Where have all the flowers gone......."

This opening line from  a  'Peter, Paul & Mary' song will always remind me of my date with my blog today.
I wanted to re-connect so I clicked on a name on my list.  Relieved, happy, cuz Antuken's last post made me angry and laughing at the same time. Then I went to About 70+ and I could picture a friend to the last mole as she was writing the post.
Then I visited my friend from OKIE and her last post was dated 2008!  I felt lost.   I could not "find" her even after trying all the links on her site.  I suddenly miss our exchanges of comments, even laughters, you know, those LOLs.
I tried another blogger friend who, inspite of her suffering from bipolar disorder, manages to inspire many other bloggers, including me. Her last post was also in 2008.  Has it really been that long ago?
I was afraid to click on another name!
Suddenly, a sense of guilt engulfed me!
 
How could I let it happen?  Now I will never know where all those flowers have gone!

If and more ifs.....

If  this blog could complain, it would say: "Why have you forsaken me!"

If  this blog could feel romance, it would whisper: "I miss you terribly!"


If  this blog could physically talk, it would shout: "Feed me. I'm famished!"

I thought retiring would mean more time to do things, only to find out  on a daily basis that the opposite is true.  The rooms are still as they were; drawers and cabinets are still untouched; dusty corners still, well, as they were, dusty, duh!!  And i don't have any answer to my Whys!!!


I am not complaining, lol (as they do it on FB)... just making a point.... hahahaahah

I have a lot to make up for, I know.
Please be patient with me as I resolve to do better!

Jacob's piano recitals

Wonder how the 3rd one will go...... I am sure even better.... ohhhhh, just the grannie in me....
First recital
Second recital

A Precious Portrait

While they all come, getting them all together for a picture is always a problem. One family may have left earlier, or come later, or a family may have one member absent, and oh, so many other reasons I have forgotten to remember! So when a picture like this gets in between shots taken during an affair or event, like their dad's birthday, I consider it precious - short of being miraculous.
..... and for such Hallmark moments, I am very grateful!

(This picture is from Mylynn's camera)

Childhood Memories

A nephew and his wife, from the freezing East Coast, spent a night with us before they started their journey to Down Under. They brought some "pasalubongs" (gifts) for us one of which was a steamed sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf. We call it "suman". The moment hubby unwrapped one and the familiar scent wafted in the air, I was automatically brought back to my childhood!
Isn't it amazing how a simple sight like, color, or scent, or sound can transport you to another "era" in your life?
That "suman" sure did!

My Favorite Things

If you are like me then you must have an item in your house that you just can not let go!
When hubby and I first arrived in America to stay, we had to learn fast so the little amount we brought with us would last until we found jobs. A cousin-in-law introduced us to weekend yard saleing in Beverly Hills where I found a mother-n-daughter frying pans (the name I coined myself). It has become an absolute favorite of mine.
Through the years, we received frying pans as gifts for our birthdays, anniversaries or Christmas. Glass or ceramic pans, non-stick pans, cast iron pans... but I would always go back to my stainless steel yard-sale pan. It never broke on me. None of its finish ever scraped off to give my food unwanted color. It taught me to be patient. I learned to wait until it reached its correct temperature before dropping or pouring any ingredient so none will stick to the bottom. And as long as I remember to soak, rinsing is always a whizzzz!!
If I had a golden friend, this pan of mine is the one!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!