Family Of Growers: The Aspiring Green Thumbs

(The sub-title is my husband's show of encouragement to us)

This is a sequel to my younger daughter's blog:

Singing sappy songs in the shower: "Family of Growers"  here it is, just click the link. 

http://singingsappysongsintheshower.blogspot.com/2014/08/family-of-growers.html

As soon as I got back from my vacation in a Singapore, I looked up my stock of cilantro and spring onions left behind in my crisper 10 days ago. Wrapped in brown paper, I found then still good to use, so at midnight (that was when I finally had the time to do it), I trimmed off the top leaves and set them aside to use later and put the lower portion with the roots in water. 

I remembered, I also have left-over romaine, so I did the same to it as well.  But then I over- looked the fact that the fresher the veggies, the better chances to re-grow; so much so that my cilantro is in serious condition, it's in ICU, I cant take a picture., hahaha!  But my spring onions and romaine are thriving, as you can see below. 

As my daughter referred in her blog, this "fascination" started when I accidentally found this link on Facebook and immediately shared it. It's about re-growing veggie tops or bottoms first in water, them plant in a pot to propagate.  Supposedly, it should survive inside the house.  You maybe interested as well, here's that link: 

http://www.unbelievable-facts.com/2014/08/8-vegetables-you-only-need-to-buy-once.html?m=1

Then I thought, why not do it together with my sister in the US and my two daughters; one lives in another Asian city and the another lives in town.  

"Hey guys", I post on Facebook, 

"let's do this for fun",  I captioned the link and picture. I knew they will not pass up this challenge. 

"Let's start in September", I said to celebrate my sister's birthday month because I also knew that I'll be out of the country on the last week of August.  I didn't expect such enthusiasm from them that I was surprised when they immediately worked on the veggies available at home without waiting for September. 

My sister immediately post a picture of a trimmed celery, (picture in my daughter's blog) and here's the result after a week when it was time to plant. 

My older daughter started with scallions.

Then added celery upon realizing that celery seems to work best in the game. 

And my younger daughter tried an onion bulb.  It seemed like everything was going well, then, coming home from a 5-day trip, she said that her onion is R. I. P.  I recommended to take off a big part of the blossom and hopefully there maybe some hope. 

Then, I also enticed my niece, who practically don't sleep at night doing paperwork for the operation of around 30 outlets (and counting) of Aboy's Fresh Lumpia (spring rolls).   While working, I'm sure she perks up when she opens Facebook and checks out what's going on about our plants. 

"I don't do planting", she initially told us but then, she couldn't resist and tried a romaine bottom.

This created a lot of interest that we made a lot of comments on Facebook, so my younger daughter thought it was time to organize, she created a group and called it: "family of growers". 

Mind you, don't be so impressed, we are not professional growers, we're just doing it for fun, believing that in the process, we learn some, and when the need for such herb/ veggie arise, we have them on hand at home.  This is also turning out to be a good conversation point among us; I'm just loving it.  It also gives us a reason to look forward every morning to check our plants and open Facebook to see what the others have. 

Soon, my older daughter started posting pictures of seedlings, this one from the avocado they ate:

And here's the chili pepper she used and planted the seeds. (Right photo)

 My younger daughter put her calamansi (a local variety of lime) with robust fruits and even used it as a header for "family of growers". 

And boasted her garden-bought basil from where she get some leaves for her salsa and pasta. 

Not to be outdone, my sister post her papaya tree already bearing fruits in her backyard. 

 Then she also showed us the cilantro leaves she used for salsa and her intent to propagate the stalks. 

"I need to grow cilantro since I use it often".

Two days ago, my younger daughter put in:

 "I went shopping today", 

And I thought: 

"What? Another designer's dress again! ", but look at her post:

And my older daughter's posts: "I bought pots"

And my sister commented: " you guys are really serious". 

Now, we are growing all the bottoms of veggies we cook, I am  tending petchay bottoms from the leaves I used for fish stew two days ago. I just planted them today. See them below. 

Carrot tops I used for spring rolls yesterday, already soaked in water, I guess I have to wait a little longer than a week. 

My sister is also growing bochoy from leaves used in preparing kare kare (meat stew in peanut sauce)

After a week, here they are:

The enthusiasm continues, yesterday my older daughter even scattered calamansi seeds on a pot. Well, we will wait and see about that; I just hope we won't wait too long. 

At this writing, we are enticing my two nieces (my sister's daughters) in California to join in the fun. I can only say that it's getting merrier and merrier. 

Getting To Know My Fitbit Zip

Today, I "nailed it", as per my Fitbit zip!

I finally burned more calories than I took in!  This made me more optimistic because yesterday was the start of my typical day after my vacation in Singapore and the subsequent visit of my younger daughter and her husband in town.   I believe that I can meet my goal if I follow my regular daily routine and watch my diet carefully.

I was excited to own a Fitbit, remember I wrote about getting one for myself on my last birthday but while I was waiting for my son-in-law to order it from amazon, I became ambivalent due to some blogs I read about the Fitbit flex, (my original choice, it wears like a watch with a silicon strap) , that it is "uncomfortable and smelled like vinegar when you sweat". 

However when I saw my son wearing a black flex, it looks like it's fine. 

"I remove the tracker and put it in my pocket when I go to work", he says;  while showing me how to take it off from its strap.  He also didn't find anything wrong with it. 

"I can get you one if you like, come on, open Fitbit.com and look at the choices. ",  he said and went about showing me the choices from my iPad. 

I chose the Fitbit zip as I could easily hook it on my bra, that way it is unobtrusive.  I feel conscious wearing the flex on my wrist;  makes me feel like I'm "trying hard", especially since I really look over-weight; unlike  my son who has the look of someone "really fit".

Thanks to my son, for getting me a Fitbit zip last week.  Now, my exercise becomes even more exciting and challenging.  He helped me set it up; first we installed the app on my iPhone; he showed me how to log my food in-take and find the equivalent calories.  Then I was left on my own to know more how the zip operates. 

As I continue exploring the stats that my zip provides regards  my program, I can't help but be amazed how detailed the information that it puts forward every time I sync my activities. 

After a week of using it, I even got a feedback from Fitbit.com how I fared this past week of September 1-7. By the way, most of the stats it provides are in graphical form, and I'm one person who have full appreciation for graphs.  My husband has a fancy for graphs, he used to make sales proposals and reports practically based on a graph alone, and this he always shared with me, so I fully appreciate how the stats are presented. 

 Earlier on I thought I just needed a gadget to count my steps and to keep tab of the calories taken versus calories burned, but I was happy to note that the zip on its face alone shows 

. the number of steps made

. distance navigated

. active minutes 

. Calories burned and it also

. Tells time. 

What's more, "it syncs wirelessly and automatically" to my iPhone and  my data comes out in real time so I know right away how many steps I made, how far I travelled and calories burned.  The tracking is possible through a few apps.  I chose the Fitbit App.

What I am most happy about my zip is the goal setting feature.  Actually this feature can work both ways, whether you desire to lose or gain weight. Should you wish to lose 5 kilos for instance; it gives you the option to choose how rigorous your regiment will be.  There are four options provided: slow, medium, moderate and fast. 

 Depending on the pace you've chosen, it then sets your goal on the actual activities you should undertake to meet it: specifically the number of steps; distance you need to travel; water intake; the  number of calories you must burn, length of active minutes while it leaves you to manage your diet. If you log your intake, it gives you the balance between calories in and out immediately, this will also  tell you  how much more food you can take in for the day.  

I am happy to note that meeting my goal is quite a possibly since I met the requirement for a day, my typical day; with my normal activities and my eating pattern.  It was not really difficult since I chose the slow regiment.  I feel that with baby steps, my goal is easier to achieve.  Besides, my doctor wanted me to keep my weight but not to gain more provided I go slow on sugar and fatty food. 

"If you lose too much weight, your skin will wrinkle and you will look older",  he said.

 But I feel I need to lose a few pounds, and I chose "slow", so my loss will be gradual and hopefully according to my zip, I'll meet my goal in eight months, starting this current one. 

 When I started using the zip on the last day of August, I was just focused on the calories burned and number of steps I made.  I was not aware of the enormous information the zip can provide in aid of my goal.  I got a good boost when  Fitbit.com congratulated me for earning my first badge walking 5000 steps while window shopping half of the morning. 

"You walked more than 5000 steps today

Congrats on earning your first step badge. You're halfway to earning your next one".

 Since I was then on vacation, I was not so active, I missed my regular one-hour daily walk coupled with the fact that I kept eating; often in larger proportions because my son and my younger daughter together with their spouses kept bringing us out to lunch and dinner. Well, one's got to live once in a while, right?  

 But that was a blessing in disguise for it revealed a lot when my zip indicated that I really ate so much more than I burned during those 10 days. If I keep eating that way, I will gain so much weight and before I can say awww, I won't  be able to put on my skinny jeggings. 

One More Time: O----Live My Hair!

When you go to the beauty saloon for a trim, aren't you always offered to have your hair treated, either for dryness or color-damaged? Aren't you tired or oftentimes felt embarrassed to refuse lest they may think that you can't afford it or you are just scrimping even if your reason is not having enough time?  

My hairdresser has been nagging me to have a hair treatment claiming that my hair and scalp are too dry.  Though I already made an appointment to do this after lunch today;  I decided to put olive oil on my hair this morning hoping that it would work pretty much the same way so I would be spared of the commercial treatment.  

Section by section, I applied the pomace, yes, that's what I have in my pantry since I was advised that pomace olive oil is the best to offset cholesterol.  

I used a brush applicator, dipping it in a bowl of about 10 ml of olive oil.  The oil settled directly on my scalp, wetting the hair in the process.  Then I massaged it a bit and put it up with a clamp.  I thought that it would be messy because I did not bother putting tissue paper underneath, but I was surprised, it did not even drip while I was doing my chores. 

I let my hair soak in the oil while I loaded the washing machine; had breakfast and prepared lunch.  Two hours later, I washed my hair with the olive shampoo and conditioned with the same brand I use regularly.  Guess how my hair came out when dry?

Now my hair is SSS, (soft, smooth and shiny),  even the baby hair that grew due to my regular use of the olive shampoo were lying flat and tame, I'll be honest, there were still a few that were standing out. I conclude that I may need to do this regiment more often; once a week maybe? In fairness to my hairdresser, I now understand she had a good reason recommending the treatment because my hair earlier tended to go every which way and the baby hair stand out, it must be really dry. 

Didn't I mention earlier that olive oil is not only good for cooking and making salad but also for our hair? Here's the link to know more. 

http://www.newhealthguide.org/Olive-Oil-For-Hair-Growth.html

I already cancelled my hair treatment appointment but later today, I'll just go for a trim, to take off the ends. They're not split, but I heard that it is healthy to nip the ends occasionally and I kinda like a certain length that I'm comfortable with. 

I feel happy today, I'm having a good hair day!

Smileys from Pinterest. 

Our Family Doctor Is An Iridologist

Does An Apple A Day REALLY Keep The Doctor Away ? 

Click the link to find out. 

http://www.examiner.com/article/surprising-facts-why-an-apple-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away

Dr. Rick is our family doctor, he is an iridologist. He was recommended by my former boss when my husband had an excruciating stomach pain and a team of doctors at a reputable hospital wanted to operate on him; something we're not quite happy about, to put it mildly. 

"I see someone who has a very good aura, and who doesn't need surgery", 

With a pleasant smile, Dr. Rick said in welcome to my husband as we entered his office.  After a brief consultation, he prescribed a probiotic; and that's all; to our surprise and relief.  He stopped all previous prescriptions by the doctors at the hospital; incidentally there were about 8 pills to be taken thrice a day. 

"This will bring back the natural function of the stomach", he said.  He believes that the body should be restored to its natural functioning as much as possible. Even though at this point my husband was not yet relieved of the physical pain, emotionally and psychologically, he was relieved that his case was not life-threatening.  Before we left his clinic on that first consultation, Dr. Rick assured my husband:

"I am your doctor and I am responsible for your health. Should you feel anything wrong, just call me anytime, day or night". 

We learned later that he does not sleep until 4Am since he has patients all over the world, who consults with him through telephone, from Japan, Australia, Canada and the US and who knows where else?

There are many things I like about this doctor:

He does not forbid you to eat food which is not good for your condition.  Instead, he will just caution you to go slow on it; he doesn't want his patients to be deprived either.  In the case of my husband; drinking beer has become quite a habit at that time; but the malt in beer won't sit well with his stomach problem so Dr. Rick compromised; by the way, it was almost Christmas by then:

"You can drink a glass of red wine", Dr. Rick advised. 

And to me who developed a fatty liver and a pre diabetic

"Fatty foods is not good if you have high cholesterol, but you can have pork once in a while; even  "lechon" (roasted suckling pig), while too much sugar is not advisable as well if you are pre diabetic, but you can eat a little ice cream or cake occasionally".

Actually, it all boils down to our choice, really!  Sometimes though, human nature is naughty, we want to eat what's forbidden; but Dr Rick gives us the choice to decide for ourselves. It is a mature way of treating people. In my case, I need to master a lot of self discipline. 

I like Dr. Rick because I can call him anytime. Whenever I tell him our problem, he does not hesitate to prescribe medicine unless he feels the need to see us personally. 

But what is most important about our doctor is his being an Iridologist, he can tell what is wrong with a patient just by looking at the eyes with his lens. 

Iridology, according to Wikipedia:

"is an alternative medicine technique whose proponents claim that patterns, colors and other characteristics of the iris can be examined to determine some information about a patients systemic health...."

If you want to know more about Iridology click the link below: 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridology

So whenever we don't feel well, we go see him and sometimes, even without looking at our eyes with his lens, he can already tell what's wrong.  Oftentimes, we don't tell him how we feel, but when he examines our eyes, he can tell what's wrong; or assures us that everything is fine and that some discomforts are due to old age. 

Once, he looked at my husband's eyes and told him to go have an ultra-sound to confirm his observation and true enough, what he said was confirmed by the test.  It is so comforting not to go through a series of tests to rule out what's wrong.

When my husband's brother and his wife from Vancouver came for a visit, we brought them to Dr. Rick.  Upon looking at the wife's eyes, Dr. Rick said: 

"You have hemorrhoids, right?", 

of course the wife was shocked how he was able to detect her deepest secret. 

In the beginning, our three children were quite skeptical about the doctor, so one day we brought them to the clinic. We were all seated around his table, just making small talk, but I saw he was observing the children closely. All of a sudden, he told my son that he has some knee discomfort; them to one of my daughters, he said that she has irregular monthly period. He said this without even looking at their eyes with his lens. On both counts, he was right. 

Oftentimes, we don't even feel any pain or anything but when he sees something that is not right, he will prescribe medication to correct it.  But mind you, he is so conservative in prescribing medicine; and in doing so, he always take into consideration the overall well being of the patient; not just the problem at hand,  so he will not prescribe medicine that will affect the other organs of the body especially when he is closely monitoring a specific organ of a patient. 

Another thing I like about Dr. Rick is his sense of humor.   Whenever we go to his clinic, we need to use a password to get passed the guard at the gate: "PPD" (Pinaka-Poging Doctor) meaning "the most handsome doctor".

While consulting with him, he will tell stories and in so doing, the patient will forget what he went there for in the first place.  He takes his time with everyone, explains what's wrong and patiently answers questions;  he doesn't know the word "rush" when he is with a patient. 

I suspect that maybe he is a bit psychic too.  When I call, he will say:

"Oh Rita, I know you would call, I dreamt about it, what's wrong?"

And I reply:

 "well doc, didn't you also dream why I'm calling?"

And when I finally tell him why I was calling, oftentimes about my husband who wants to know something.  After that's done, having given a prescription and all; he would ask:

"How about you, I can feel that you are not quite well? Do you have a sore throat or colds? Take biogesic and drink lots of liquids" 

"Yes", I say

"Ok call again, anytime at all should there be any developments", 

And I thank him. As usual, he does not rush to end the call.  

For every discomfort, he seems to look at it as a deficiency in vitamins or minerals.  I clearly remember when I started walking for exercise and my ankles harden and I feel the pain after walking for 15 minutes; he gave me something to ease the  pain.  When I see people limping with pain as they walk, and they blame it on rheumatism or gout and they just put up with it; I'm often tempted to tell them to go see my doctor. 

Dr Rick is also a psychiatrist, so in the process of consultation, he also counsels. He believes that some patients develop illness due to personal problems causing stress.  To de-stress, he often recommends ballroom dancing, sometimes, he will turn on his CD player and demonstrates the exercise routine. 

"rhythm is very important to the body's well being that's why you need the music to be in sync:  start movement with your fingers, then the wrist, the elbows, the shoulders and finally the whole body", he says.  By the way, he can also sing and dance well, that's why he does the demonstration gracefully. 

I also heard that a lot of his patients live long, one patient I personally knew lived up to over 90 and he blamed  Dr. Rick for keeping him healthy up to such a late age.  

Now, I worry, what's gonna happen to us if we out-live him?  He is almost 10 years older than me and I intend to live long. 

Thank You For Your Birthday Greetings

My dearest friends and love ones, I couldn't thank you enough for remembering my birthday. 

Two days before my birthday as you must have seen on Facebook, my oldest brother started the greetings by posting a very nice table setting in my favorite vibrant colors, with a "happy  birthday, dear sister" caption; and that's what started the greetings pouring in.

 I can't help but thank him; though in the back of my mind, there is this myth that birthday celebrations or greetings must not be advanced since it would seem like rushing one's life.  There are many life's myths that we know and we often say: 

"You don't lose anything be abiding by it".  

My sister in the US was a bit uneasy about it, for I'm sure she knows this too; but I told her, that it is ok; it's a very nice post anyway and I'm flattered and grateful for it together with all the other advance greetings I got; they were done on the most generous of intentions. 

My birthday couldn't have been happier because of all your greetings, it made my day special, I feel so blessed. Let me take this opportunity to thank you all. I know I replied to most of you but if I missed someone, I say that every greeting and every well-wish is equally precious to me. So, thank you once again..

I did not have a party since my husband was feeling under the weather;  we did not dine out with my daughter and her family as we usually do since it was a school/office day; so this weekend would be more convenient to get-together with them.   The absence of the usual celebration didn't in the least dampen my mood; it didn't discount my joy because of the out-pouring of love and well wishes from you all. 

This year my life will surely be as exciting as ever because I intend to make the most of my time.  I look forward to pursuing activities that I truly enjoy. 

My 69th Birthday Resolution

"If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it."~~John Irving-

I was at the bookstore looking for something I don't even know what when my eye caught this book:

 

"the 100 Year Lifestyle" by Dr. Eric Plasker, an internationally acclaimed wellness expert and a chiropractic doctor.  I'm glad I bought his book, for right away it got me excited, won't you too, if you stumbled upon this treasure, this road map; a GPS for your quest for a longer life?  Besides, isn't it a coincidence that I found it right after my self-commitment to try going by the rules to live longer?

At this writing, I haven't read the entire book but his insights inspire me.  A lot.  In so many words, I read that even if I don't reach a hundred, still I can take a chance on having "a long life, well-lived", if I choose "to stay in the game and not let the challenges get me down"; that is making good choices along the way.   Dr. Plasker wrote:

 "you don't get to choose how and when you are going to die, but you can choose how you're going to live".

How I wish I got this book earlier in life (because as mentioned in the Introduction of this book);  like the world famous centenarian, George Burns, I feel the same and he couldn't have said it better:

"Had I known that I was going to live to be 100, I would have taken better care of myself"; 

I'm sure you all agree that our life is defined by the choices we make;  what we do, what we eat, whom we associate with; every action "titrates" towards a goal we set because of our choices and actions made consciously or even unconsciously. 

He likened our actions and activities to a chemistry experiment called "titration", when you put drops of a chemical to a beaker of a clear solution slowly drop by drop, there's a point when the solution turns turbid. That's what is going to happen to our health; either way, good or bad depending on our choices.

"It's not the last scoop of ice cream that takes us in, but the succession of scoops we took". 

So beware!

From the choices Dr. Plasker put forward, I made out a "road map" for my game plan in the hope that from hereon every conscious effort will redound towards my goal; I'm about to embark on the greatest adventure of a lifetime! However, don't expect anything great or sensational here because my journey will be ordinary; 

1-HEALTH is number 1 and it includes:

~a properly aligned spinal column, (to enable the nervous system to work properly). fortunately, I had mine adjusted just recently.

~a sensible diet, I have to refrain from sugar and sweets and oh yes! fatty foods. No problem eating veggies, I really can't do without and I love them leafy as well; cooked or raw.   Breakfast is always oatmeal with bananas and dried fruit bits. A basic lunch would be steamed okra (or any veggie for that matter) in shrimp paste/balsamic vinegar sauce with brown rice.

One thing though that I have to master is not only eating the right foods but also the right amount, I have to learn from the Japanese ladies who don't get fat; I read that they stop eating when they are 80 percent full; 

"how to know I've had my 80 percent?" 

This time I really have to use my "gut feel" literally.  Whether this is true or not, I learned that it takes the brain about 20 minutes to get the idea that we have reached our capacity, so the partially full stomach is logical.

 Read this link:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/480254-how-long-does-it-take-your-brain-to-register-that-the-stomach-is-full/

More about my health resolve.....

~maintain an exercise routine that is both enjoyable and sustainable. Even though I'm just walking, I can shake it up in many different ways to make it more effective and more interesting.

~avoid stress if I can, worry is a big stress enhancer.  Instead of worrying I must have faith.   If I can't help it, the book suggests to do The Serenity Prayer of St Francis: 

By the way, Dr. Plasker warns that we must not wait for a crisis to change our ways, "do it now because you want too, not because your life depends on it". In other words, I should eat sensibly right now, exercise now and refrain from worry right now; I should not wait for a heart attack or develop diabetes 2.  I must have "heath reserves" to avoid health crisis. 

 "For what is a long life if I'm not fit and healthy to enjoy it."

2-GREAT RELATIONSHIPS is another essential element. 

Increase interaction with other people; maintain a close circle of friends and cultivate better appreciation of relationships.  I must develop a multi-generation of people around me as well since younger people are so refreshing for the old. Dr Plasker guides: 

"learn to approach relationships from a place of acceptance, love and kindness and only pursue relationships with people who share the same values".

I always make the most of the time I can spend with family and I intend to keep it that way, if not better.   When my children who live abroad are in town, I drop everything to be with them; my older daughter visits, even if she lives in town,  or when my granddaughter comes over, I stay home and I hang out with them; when friends want to get-together,  I make time to meet up; when friends and relatives invite us to parties, we attend if logistically possible. 

3-PURSUE MY PASSIONS

Young children often asks:

 "mom, what will I be when I grow up?"

"Can I be a pilot, mom?"

And mom's answer is not always "que sera, sera" as the song goes, but:

"You can be anything you like as long as you work hard for it"

Likewise with me, even at this stage,  I believe that pursuing anything now Is never too late.  I read that a 92-year-old lady started writing her book and with the help of family members it got published. 

I must embrace new things. Technology is inevitably changing our lives, and we can't do anything about it but be open to learn in order to keep up with the times. Some people are self conscious to learn; "I'm too old "; "I just can't understand"; "I can't do it".

Resisting change is tiring, learning new things is a better option, a challenge I just can't resist;  besides, I am blessed that I have the full support of my entire family on this. 

~I like to write and express myself; my younger daughter opened an account for my blog and showed me the ropes; while my two other children encouraged me to go on, with great praises, and  my husband cheered me on. 

~I like to join Facebook, my older daughter helped me join and continues to teach me how to use my gadgets.

~I like to read novels; my husband bought me an iPad and my older daughter sends me ebooks, she introduced wattpad and Kobo as well.  My son lent me his USB to download 300 novels. 

~I need to walk for exercise, my husband got me the latest nike earlier; and now my younger daughter got me the new flyknit Nike because she knows I'm still very much into walking. 

Just today my granddaughter introduced  me to "The Saturdays", the British singing group of women; letting me listen to her favorite, "not giving up", one of their songs on video. Hey! That can even be my theme song for this adventure.  I like knowing about them for they are  like The Steps that had disbanded sometime ago and I enjoyed listening to some of their other songs. This is a third generation update;  I'm thrilled and even wonder, how many grandmothers even heard of The Saturdays? 

For now, trying to live longer is my "Next Big Thing". I am committed to it and to keep me going, I shall live by the principle of  Dr Plasker: 

"Change happen one choice at a time. Think progress, not perfection",

 meaning that I must not rush and get frustrated, baby steps is the way to go.

Obviously, my resolve is not limited to trying to living longer; since it doesn't only mean not dying early, but the important thing is the quality of life I will have.  And that's all up to me!   Wish me not luck, but motivation and determination to this commitment; and oh yes, the wisdom to make good choices. 

Let me end this with another quote  reminding me that I must really "live in the moment", be focused, and take advantage of every minute. I should be very conscious of what's taking place in my life, and this will guide me to make good choices.

                                                       ~~~~~~~~~~~

“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.” 

― Henry David Thoreau -

Note: phrases and sentences enclosed in quotations unless otherwise specified were all lifted from the 100-year lifestyle book by Dr Eric Plasker. 

Another Birthday?

I

July is here again! I'm having another birthday soon. This reminds me that I have to renew my driver's license.  Am I looking forward to this birthday? How do you think I feel to have another candle on my birthday cake?  Honestly?  I don't know. 

Come to think of it, maybe it won't matter much if I gain in age as long as I'm fit and healthy; then I can say that "I'm as old as I feel".  Besides it is also a good thing that nowadays people put only one candle on birthday cakes.  But who is counting anyway? Well, certainly not me!  Why fret over something that's inevitable? Instead, I'd rather give credence to this life I've been given by enjoying it to the fullest. 

Many people are so conscious about getting older; some people I know even lie about their age, especially the ladies. I can never forget a colleague at work who stopped adding a year to her age after she turned thirty. I laughed when I over-heard her best friend say:  

"see, you're already thirty three, remember you were born that year when ......  ",     

well, she forgot her actual age because in her mind she wants to believe that she's still thirty. 

I've never lied about my age, no reason to, since everyone will take a look at me and they'll know anyway.  So whenever I'm asked, I honestly tell the truth;  I'm even proud about it especially when people flatter me that "I don't look my age".  However please don't ask about my weight, since that's a different story, "that's very personal". Hahaha!  

Now that I still have a year before my "diamond" year, yes!  I'm turning 70 next year;  I still have my priorities lined up;  even if there are  "so many things to do, with so little time";  that won't stop me from maximizing my potential, continue exploring my God-given gifts and enjoy my most important relationships.  

A grandson was just born two months ago, I want to be part of his life, at least his growing up years and if possible, his adult life as well.  And why not? I'll try, until I fall.  Was it at his recent christening that my comadre, (mother of my daughter-law) wondered whether we will still see him graduate from college? That made me think for awhile and my impulse reply, (which I kept to myself) was:  "que sera, sera"; but immediately afterwards, I pledged in mind to take better care of myself from here on, so I will have a fighting chance to be there by then. 

I accept that no one is invincible and that we all have to go sometime.  When people reach my age, I believe that they are aware that they are just "living on borrowed time".  What to do then?  We must take advantage of this bonus. Who was he who when asked: 

"what's good about old age?" And happily answers: 

"living"!

 It's true and I totally agree.  

 Ask any physician or your aged grandmother

 "what's the secret of long life?", 

and most likely the answers would be:  

"adapt a sensible lifestyle", 

"get enough exercise", 

"stick to a  heathy diet". 

Though, these are very important, personally, I need more than that, if I were to live long, I must have great relationships; it should be full of learning activities that stimulate my mind and enjoyable as well, all in all, it must be full of fun! 

Now, don't get me wrong because I'm not just talking of "great relationships" as in "romance" here, but if one has that too; then so much the better.  I'm talking about loving my family more; what is not to be happy about when I have loving and thoughtful children who lead sensible lives and adorable grandchildren?  What is not to like about good friends and concerned nelatives?

I believe that the key here is to surround oneself with people who matter most in one's life; interact with friends; reconnect with long-time ones; meet new people; talk to strangers, get interested in the people around us and they will get interested as well. 

Aside from good health and great relationships, finding inspiration from a hobby is important to me.  I need to have something to look forward to;  to be lost in a pre-occupation that makes me forget time; a reason to get up every morning and be enthusiastic to face the new day.  Did you ever experience waking up and going straight to your garden to check on the seedling you transplanted yesterday? Or to see whether the long awaited rosebud opened?  Or did something sprung from the seeds you sowed last week? 

I recall when I was a little girl, my Mama grew cactus:  

"they're low maintenance; needs little water", she said. 

She planted them in colorful, decorative, small pots and used them as center pieces on tabletops. I can still imagine her pleasure whenever she arranged each plant around our home.  I'm sure that brought her so much joy.

 

Then one plant had a bud. I didn't know until  she told me:  

"it will open soon, just once and only at midnight".   

So, one night my Mama and I waited until midnight to witness the bud  open.  I was so sleepy but my motivation to witness this flower open kept me awake. It was such a wonder to see each white petal with pink streaks wake up; exude fragrance and immediately after the entire flower fully opened, it began to close,  turning into a bud again and wilted;  just like Cinderella's carriage turning to a pumpkin at midnight. 

Now I wanted to make sure that this incident I recall from my childhood isn't  just a dream or my imagination at work and found out that it's true, there are flowers that only open at midnight. You can check this link:

http://www.ehow.com/list_6535971_flowers-bloom-midnight.html

Talking about pre-occupation, my husband once told me about someone who wants to tee off ahead of the others because he wants to be the first to walk on the grass fresh with dew early in the morning.  Some say it's the smell of the grass that makes them want to play golf; others just like the sight of green everywhere and the wide open spaces or the fact that they will hangout with buddies at the clubhouse afterwards that motivates them. 

Whatever it is, look for that activity that can provide inspiration and  joy; find one that really interests you,  something  you truly enjoy and surely that will keep you going. 

So now you ask me, am I looking forward to my birthday? And why not?  I'll surely get gifts; we will eat out and many friends will remember to greet me. And oh yes, maybe I'll get a Fitbit or a Misfit band as a birthday gift to myself. Who knows, that may encourage me to exercise more. Now, isn't that something to look forward to?  

To my contemporaries, what do you say? I'd appreciate hearing your take on this and about life at this "certain age".  Watch out for my birthday resolution in my next blog; it's already in a draft.