I saw this 8 year old boy's story on Good Morning America Thanksgiving morning.
E-flowers for the victims of the Mumbai attacks. A city under siege. Yet again. When will it end?
Our thoughts and prayers go out to those in mourning, and to the wounded. May those who lost their lives rest in peace.
21 November was my one year blogaversary! As I look back on the past year, I'm especially thankful for having my family and friends' support during my medical ordeal. I'm thankful my job was held for me while I recuperated. I'm thankful for everyone's strength and patience. I'm thankful I got this wake-up call so now I can live an enlightened, meaningful and healthier life. Here's an email I got from my friend Liza that epitomizes an attitude of gratitude:
I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.
FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS
AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND
GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END
OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED
WITH TRANSPORATION.
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.
FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE
EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.
Live well, Laugh often, & Love
with all of your heart…
And always have an
“ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE!”
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving.
I am sometimes still dumbfounded by the limitations of some Americans' world view. They are surprised when I tell them that I've never eaten certain foods or fruits (simply because they don't grow in the Philippines or because we have a different cuisine), or why I've never seen certain American classic movies or television shows. And my favorite, especially at this time of the year, why we don't celebrate Thanksgiving. Umm...the Plimoth settlers NEVER came to the Philippines. Nor were there Native Americans to celebrate the fall harvest with.
Happy Thanksgiving y'all! Give thanks everyday.
I just realized it's been 6 months since my surgery. What else have I learned since then?
- Life truly is short. It becomes longer and unbearable only if you spend it being angry, resentful, regretful or sad.
- Being grateful and appreciative of everything makes a big difference.
- You can't spend your life thinking that, "oh once I get a better job/a life partner/a better house, etc., then I can really start living." The only time is now.
- People get angry because they don't get their way. That's why our aunts are perpetually upset with us because we never let them dictate how we think or live our lives.
- It's easier to give up softdrinks, sweets and junk food than I thought.
- Your immediate family truly is everything. Most offenses we commit against each other are small, petty and forgivable. It makes no sense to hold grudges or avoid seeing your family members. You only have each other to lean on during times of crisis. Dredging up old hurts or hanging on to negative feelings only hurts YOU.
- Your friends and co-workers ARE part of your extended family, sometimes treating you better than blood relatives.
- You can only watch so much TV.
- The body and mind are self-healing. You just need to work on it. Even if you need a therapist, a journal or a blog to do it :)
- Fear and negativity, though normal emotions, should never rule your mind and life.
- It feels good to have a good cry every now and then. Or even better, a good angry outburst!
- Not everything you do or say has to be for the greater good. It should be what is for YOUR highest good and greatest joy.
- A dog can be a great healer. (Hi Zacky!)
- There's nothing wrong with putting yourself first. In other words, it's OK to be selfish.
- Sometimes, it is what it is. Whatever IT is.
- Most people never change, or don't feel the need to change. Unless something life-changing, good or bad, happens.
- Be careful what you wish for. Like time off. You may get it but maybe not for the reasons you wanted.
- True friends are always there for you, despite distance.
- Chocolate isn't a basic food group.
- I always thought I'd be a bad patient. I was a very good and cooperative patient.
- We never realize the real value of something or someone, until we almost lose it.
- Some people are just difficult, and you can't change them. You can just change how you react to them.
- We are always stronger than we think we are.
- If you've seen the light, and others haven't, then you might sound like a weirdo, a nag or a nutcase to them.
- You should be your own bestfriend.
- The only way to deal with problems is to put one foot in front of the other, one day at a time. No day but today indeed!
- Your family and friends support you on your best days, and on your worst days.
- The postal service can be a source of much joy.
- Before I fall asleep, I say thanks.
- I wake up everyday, and say thanks.
Congratulations to my sistah Cecile! She aced her immigration interview this morning and taking her oath as an American citizen next month!
I went to see my niece in her high school play last weekend. I felt like a proud mama when I saw what her teacher wrote in the cast bio:
After he saw her in one of her shows at the local theatre group, he told her that she had to do theatre at the school or the world would stop spinning on its axis.
*weeps*
Click here to see Stephen Colbert promoting his Christmas Special on Good Morning America.
Semi-continuation of yesterday's post: I also discussed Prop 8 with the same friend. I have some gay friends, and although they've never expressed a desire to get married, I believe they should have the right to get married. Being raised Catholic, I was told that homosexuality is a sin. (And yet some of the best people I know are homosexuals.) And now that some states are allowing marriages between same sex couples, the sanctity of marriage is being threatened? I think people who don't honor their vows, who beat their wives and abuse their children threaten the sanctity of this institution. Not homosexual couples who are in a loving relationship and want to build a life together, and who only want the same rights as the rest of us. How ironic that in an election that gave us our first black president, gay people in several states got their civil rights trampled on.
Watch Keith Olbermann's passionate response to the passage of Proposition 8:
Every election, Roe v. Wade is brought up. A friend of mine told me this morning that a deeply religious classmate of ours has been wanting to send a petition email about abortions, but she hesitated sending it to me, not knowing if I would get mad. So we got into a short discussion (I didn't want a whole big debate) about this. It is a very controversial topic, and not so black and white as people make it out to be.
Growing up in a primarily Catholic country, we were always taught that abortion is wrong (I still remember those movies they showed in Religion class *shudders*). But as I got older, my views became more and more conflicted. I still believe that life begins at conception, but I also believe that a woman should be able to control her own body. Pro-choice doesn't mean you're FOR abortion. It is an option, the last resort, in cases of rape, incest, the mother's life is in danger, or the mother knows she will be unable to care for the child. Or maybe she's in an abusive marriage. The gray area keeps expanding. Women who end up needing or wanting an abortion go through enough of a moral crisis. They don't need other people telling them that what they're doing is wrong or right.
In the Philippines, the Church says that contraception isn't allowed, and if you get pregnant and don't want the child, you can't have an abortion. Who suffers? The poverty-ridden people who already have no means of supporting their numerous children, much less a new baby. The parents think that their children will be their way out of poverty. These kids end up working too early, not getting an education, begging in the streets, or even worse, prostituting themselves. Sometimes the parents themselves pimp their own children. How is that honoring the right to life and the children's rights? And because it is illegal, if a pregnant woman tries to get an abortion, she puts her life at risk by going to unregulated places with unsanitary conditions.
There have been doctors and other abortion clinic staffers murdered by pro-lifers. Again, how is this PRO-LIFE? I respect the rights of the unborn, but what about the rights of the Already-Born?
After 16 years of practice here in the U.S., today was the first time I ever had to say goodbye to a laid-off co-worker. The company I work for made the decision two weeks ago to close the other downstate clinic; 3 of our co-workers lost their jobs. Due to seniority, I got to keep my job. While I'm grateful to still be employed, although with reduced hours, it was a tough, emotional day. We lost a good colleague and friend. Being in healthcare, we always assumed we had job security. Apparently not during a recession.
Good luck L! I know you'll be just fine.
We have TVs at work, and to my surprise, today I heard Hope Lodge being mentioned during Good Morning America. Robin Roberts was actually featuring someone I met during my stay there: a courageous woman named Sherry Matthews. I used to compliment her on her hats and different stylish wigs. We took meditation and yoga (when she could tolerate it) classes together, and we walked the survivor walk/opening lap of NYPD's Relay for Life. I'm glad to see she's OK. I wish her well and pray for her full recovery.
See the video here.
My friend's sister has a brain tumor. Details still sketchy, but Tina, I pray for your healing, for you and your family's courage, strength and patience.
EDIT 11/13/2008: I heard it's inoperable. I believe in angels and miracles. May Tina get her miracle. If not, find her peace.
What could the President and Vice-President-Elect be thinking and feeling at this moment?
Fist-bump?! They both seem like cool parents. Although First Lady-Elect Michelle kinda scares me a bit...in a good way.
The weight of the world's expectations is a heavy burden.
A loving family
Strength and comfort from a simple touch of the hand from Marian Robinson, the First Grandma.
Not just a President, but a husband, father, family man.
A Republican friend of mine said I should get over my euphoria over the Obama victory. I asked him "How could I? After 8 years of getting Bush-whacked." So out of spite (just kidding E), I copied Cecile's post. Our internet-savvy President-Elect has shared his private election night photos on Flickr. These are my favorite ones.
It was a grueling, bitter and hard-fought race. But Senator John McCain was gracious in defeat. I was moved to tears by his concession speech. It was unfortunate that some of his supporters felt the need to boo and jeer. Let's hope they learn a little class from their dignified (former) candidate. Forget party lines, help the nation heal and rebuild from the mess of the past 8 years.
As a black friend of mine said, "this is such a victory beyond the presidency." May he (and all of us) be blessed.
(photo from Starpulse)
Avenue Q's resident gay Republican Rod reminding us all to get out and VOTE!
(photo from Playbill)
Condolences to Sen. Obama and his family on the passing of his beloved "Toot", Madelyn Dunham. And on the eve of the election too! May Obama Gramma rest in peace knowing that she has raised a fine man. And may he continue to make his grandmother proud.
I met my brother-in law's family dog Crash last March. Sadly, he passed away on All Saints' Day. At least I had the chance to meet this gentle giant. Have fun in that great big dog park in the sky!
I barely remember watching The Pirate Movie ( I caught parts of it on TV a few months ago...I couldn't bear to watch it again it was god-awful.) But my sisters reminded me about the song First Love. It made me laugh when they say at the end "I promise to be true to you, my first love." When you refer to someone as your FIRST love, then how invested are you in that relationship? Are you REALLY trying your best? It's like that old Brett Butler bit where she said her ex-husband never noticed that she always introduced him as her "first" husband.
Anyway, for a fun, cheesy old walk along memory lane, here's the vid from youtube:
I've had a sore throat all week and by Thursday, I started losing my voice. Yesterday I woke up: no voice at all! So I had the bright idea of doing steam inhalations. It felt wonderful, until I noticed that some of my bangs had turned a crisp, curly brown. Complete with that singed smell; some hair even fell off. I didn't even think of the possibility that my hair follicles or even scalp are still weak from the radiation.
Needless to say, I've held off on getting steamed.
