Sari-Sari (Anything)!

I seem to be adjusting well. I think I have gotten out of that jet
lag. It was for a number of days that I did not have a good sleep. I
am slowly getting the tempo of sleeping with the time here. I
still feel uncomfortable sleeping while it is not dark though. I associate sleeping with darkness because it is how I have been used to in my home country. It gets dark here at 10 in the evening
which makes me think that the real time of going to bed should at least be at 11 or 12:).

The processing here seems fast. I just had my SSN in 10 days which is good.

My wife brought me to the Old Country Buffet as a treat on my birthday. I
I was feeling nauseated after eating:(. I think because I ate a lot of
sweets:). Nevertheless, it was fun. The next time we went there, I ate less of the sweet ones and it worked:).

My lap top got infected with virus. I have trouble accessing any of my files. A window keeps popping up telling me at the end that I need to purchase their product. It blocks
any program that I try to open. Grrrrrrr!!!!!!!

One time, my wife went out for a walk. On our way home, we saw a birdie that was trying to fly but couldn't soar high. I picked him up and held him gently in my hands although he was trying to escape from my hands. I took a picture of him before I would let him fly. He finally got comfortable in my hands that he did not want to fly anymore. It was even sleeping. So I had to put him on one of the branches of a tree near us. Still, as if he was lonely and did not want to fly. So I thought of taking a picture while on the branch.

To my surprise, before I could take a picture, with the camera on his face, he flew in full swing as if he was not a novice in flying. He might have thought the camera was a big bird who wants to eat him. I though he might get drowned in the river he was flying over but he managed to fly safe until we could not see him. I know I will not be able to hold him again, but I am glad that he flew and was free...... free to fly! (Will post the pix later when I am able to download it!).

Mountains

I am very glad that I am able to be with my wife after almost a year of being separated. I am adjusting well with the weather. It is a good time to arrive here this summer or it would have been too cold for me to endure if I arrive in winter.

Whenever I look out through the window and see the trees and mountains, I am tempted to think that I am in the province but would often soon realize that I am in a foreign country. How long will I be a foreigner? More so, the very cold weather and people around tells me that I am not in the Philippines anymore. I had to buy something to wear because I was not able to bring any jacket. In my first stop over on my way here, the feeling of being a foreigner sank in when I was with the crowd who were speaking different language than mine. They were fellow Asians but still they were not Filipino or Kalanguya in particular.

Assessing myself, I observed that whenever I go to a place, I would scout or either ask my wife if there are Filipinos in that place. Is it natural for anone who is a living in another country to look for his own tribe?

Yesterday, my wife accompanied me to a store. We were greeted by a greeter with "How are you doin'?" with a very formal face. I asked my wife if he was talking to us. He should not be a put in that section:). He might draw away customers:). While we were in the store, I kept looking at two persons who were of my color (nangisit:) ah, nem ansan) measuring up if they are Filipinos or not. They threw a look at me too but I did not have the courage to ask them. I was not sure if they were Filipinos but definitely Asians.

I took four items and was looking for the fitting room when a lady (I think a customer too) came near me to direct me after she noticed I was trying to look for something. Thank God for his angels-kind people. I bought 2 items. When I was to pay, the cashier said something, fast and slang that I did not hear well so I just smiled and nod a bit. He did not ask further quetions so I assume my gesture matched what he said.lol

There must be more to understand, learn and maybe even adapt.

What?

I received an email before similar to this that I have lifted from a friend's note. I did a bit of revision and added another one.

This should probably be taped
to your bathroom mirror
where you can read it every day.
You may not realize it,
but it's true.


1. There are at least two (or more) people in this world
that you would die for.

2. At least 15 people in this world
love you in some way.

3. Perhaps the "only" reason anyone would ever hate you
is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone,
even if they don't like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you
before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don't even know loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever,
something good will come from it.

10. When you think the world has
turned its back on you, take another look.

11. Always remember the compliments you received.
Forget about the rude remarks.

12. When everyone have deserted you, remember that Jesus, out of his love for you, he died on the cross while you were not yet born.

Side Trip...

I had the chance to go out this week end. I have been wanting to visit this place two weeks ago but it did not work out because the people I am suppose to go with had different schedule.

It was quite far but not as far as my village. After about two hours ride, as I was told, we still had to hike up and go down for more than an hour before reaching the place. As we enter to the the thick forest, light begins to disappear. It took more than two hours because it started to rain making the road muddy and slippery. The place is a part of Kasibu, known to be the citrus capital of Nueva Vizcaya.

While hiking, the chirping crickets, the different sounds insects produced were music in my ears, and the smell of the forest carried by the very clean air is a natural perfume that left me like I was floating in the air. The water is not as sweet as and not as clear as the commercialized distilled water sold in stores. The place I stayed has no neighbors on sight. The deafening silence as night matures brought me to into feast of welcoming the night in deep sleep. I was dreaming when I found out the night was over and had to get ready for a time of worship with others who will were to arrive very soon.

The number of hours I spent with nature was too short but was a meaningful one. I felt like I was out of the world. It was invigorating to be "out of this world" for a while. I wish there are more places like this where people can feel what is to be with nature.

Finally.....at home!

It has been ages that I have not written on my blog site. I thought writing a little update might be good:).

After staying in Manila for about 5 months for my tuberculosis treatment, I have finally gone back to the province second week of February. I am grateful to the LORD that I do not have to report everyday to that clinic anymore just to take that medicine. It was not a pleasant experience but I am still thankful for family and friends who have been there through their support in many ways. Thank you to each one of you!

Although I am not really done yet because I still need to know the result of my cultured sputum test sometime in the second week of March. I feel relieved that I am out of the city now:). If it turns out negative, they told me that I need to have a repeat medical exam which means paying about P11,000.00 again. I did not think this is fair but it looks like it is part of their policy and that nobody is complaining. Why will we have to pay again for the medical exam when we just have had the medication and if the recent test say it is already okay? I wish the higher authority will check on this. Is this how this well known hospital operates?

The Charles Schulz Philosophy

The following is the
philosophy ascribed to Charles
Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.

You don't have to
actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them. Just read the e-mail straight
through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five
wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five
Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five
winners of the Miss America pageant.

4. Name ten people
who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half
dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last
decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of
us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish.
Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their
owners.

Here's another quiz.
See how you do on this one:

1. List a few
teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends
who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people
who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few
people who have made you feel appreciated and special!

5. Think of five
people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a
difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials... the most
money... or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most!

Pass this on to those
people who have made a difference in your life.

"Be Yourself,
Everyone Else Is Taken!"

This was sent to me via email. I thought this is true.