BLUE SUNDAY BUT NOT FEELING BLUE

​Where have all the Magnolias gone; gone for duty or to leisure everyone… 

As it was in the beginning when I was walking alone until I met the magnolias one after the other. Nowadays we are thick as thieves. But today I walked alone in blue, our designated color as calendared. 

Pinky took pity on me, she took this photo

When I went out to walk this morning,  I first welcomed the sunrise. 

Then I took time to “smell”/ appreciate the flowers. I took selfies in all the familiar places where we usually take photos. 

I even took a selfie using the treetop as background. While looking downward and my phone down below, I managed this. 

What did solitude taught me today? 

Being alone won’t deter me from meeting my goal of 7 kilometers as usual.  Of course I missed my friends but solitude can be good too. 

I couldn’t count with my fingers how many people asked me why I was walking alone; even those I’m not acquainted with.  I realized that our walks are being observed by many.  

All in all, I had a great walk and it felt great to bask in the sunshine;  it was windy. 

Enjoy your Sunday everyone’ 

LEAVE A LEGACY, WRITE YOUR LIFE STORY

​When we die, our life ends and we become just a memory; was the gist of James R. Hagerty’s article in the Wall Street Journal, December 26, 2022  

“The way you tell your life story matters. Start now”; is the title. 

I was not able to read the entire article except the first two paragraphs.  I saved the link to read later.  Clicking the link again, I discovered that I couldn’t open unless I subscribe to the magazine. I didn’t do that but I got his drift; hence this blog. 

In so many words, he wrote that our life is erased after we die. Our remaining material assets: money and real estate are arranged but not our life story. 

If we want to be remembered and not fade into oblivion, we should write our life story; no one can tell it better than ourselves. 

In this age and time there are numerous ways to come up with a memoir. 

1- make a photo album relating unforgettable memories and describe incidents as shown in the photos.  For instance there’s that photo of you holding a big fish you caught while fishing with your son. Did you feel like a hero? Were you proud that your son admired you? What more happened that day? 

2- write a narrative on events in your life, include highlights, incidents that will interest others; achievements that the succeeding generations can look up too and idolize. Wouldn’t it be great if your grandchildren will emulate your good deeds? 

3- write letters to people dear to you, your spouse, your children, your grandchildren; good friends and relatives. Relate how you enjoyed being with  them or apologize if you offended them. 

4- start a blog and document life experiences you enjoyed with friends or family. Revisit how your encounter with someone have enriched both your lives. 

5- make a recipe book. Put everything that’s on your cooking repertoire. 

I am doing one now. My younger daughter handed me a blank journal when we were visiting in April.  This is where  I will write my recipes for her. All those that I  prepared through the years when they were growing up. Brilliant idea, isn’t it? It couldn’t get more personal than that. 

About four years ago my eyesight failed and I was seeing things double; my blood pressure shoot up and I was catching my breath, I underwent a lot of tests. 

My younger daughter was so worried and sympathetic.  She told me to write my journey towards my healing and gift her that journal afterwards   Well, I did cover some pages.  The good thing was I overcame those health issues sooner and the journey ended but no journal was completed. 

Sometime last year when I was into crocheting again, she asked me to crochet a tote bag for her. Somehow the bag didn’t turn out the way we expected. 

So when she gave me the journal for the recipes, I realized that maybe she wants a part of me that she can hold on to when I’m gone.  So I am determined to make it good and finish this asap   

Leaving something of yourself is tantamount to “writing” your life story; a way to be remembered.  I wonder what more about myself I can give my younger daughter?  Perhaps  I’ll come up with similar things for my son and older daughter too. 

WELCOME MAY! APRIL IS BUT A MEMORY

​May is my favorite month; it is my wedding anniversary month. May is when flowers bloom and turns gardens into semi-paradise. Whenever May comes around, I feel wonderful; as if there’s something in the air that makes me feel great; there’s that feeling of hopefulness like something good will happen. 

Jim and I were among the lucky few in our batch who were able to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary  with family and friends just a few months before the pandemic 

Today we celebrate our 54th with our daughter and her family. We miss our son, our younger daughter and their families; though we just came back visiting them in mid-April. 

Our journey was not all lollipops and roses. We surely had our share of rough patches but we managed to get through it all. Marriage is hard work but it is well worth it. 

Our reward are our children who turned into sensible citizens. They married amazing partners and gave us two fantastic grandchildren. They are our treasures; we are so blessed to have them in our lives 

April was a whirlwind!  The Holy Week set the mood on the first days of April, and my walking buddies kept on our daily walk. 

We also celebrated milestones and breakfasts sendoff for those traveling this summer. 

The highlight of my April was our trip to Singapore; it’s been quite awhile since we’ve been there; four years ago to be exact. Our children planned well and brought us to many wonderful  places, there was no dull moment. They made our visit unforgettable; something to remember for a lifetime.  Let me insert a few photos

May is just starting, and I’ll look forward to more happy days ahead! 

THE BIDIBIDI HANDBAG - Recently the most coveted bag in our circle

​For the longest time, we have been admiring the exquisitely colorful bags of Tess that she parades around town at parties or when she travels here and abroad.  Mind you, she brings a different one every time but it is the same brand and maker, by the very enterprising lady, Bernadette de los Santos from Baao, Camarines Sur. 

Here is Tess on her latest trip to Allen, Samar holding her bag with a flourish. 

Tess was lured to pass by the shop of the now popular “artist”, as I’m bound to call her, due to her ingenuity to design and ability to utilize local materials to produce such beautiful things with the help of the housewives in the community. 

On Mel’s birthday, Tess gifted her one of those exceptionally beautiful bags when we were invited to breakfast at Palms country club. 

 A few days thereafter, Tess gave Dolly a sendoff breakfast for her US trip, and because Dolly just love that bag, Tess gave her one. 

 

Then there was Juliet’s birthday which coincided with my sendoff breakfast. Since Tess has set a precedent, Juliet got one too, to her great delight. 

Meanwhile I was so flattered for my sendoff after all, I’ll be gone for just a week. There are no words to describe my joy when I also got a bag even if my birthday is still in July. But I was traveling so I presumed that’s why I got one too. 

What a pleasant surprise! But I wondered why I had no photo with Tess handing over my bag.  It would have been a nice souvenir. Instead, Tess took this photo of me holding my bag. 

 

Here we are, Juliet and I happily showing off our bags in this group photo. 

At this point I’d like to thank the assistants of Tess : AnnAnn, Baby, Diane, Gracel and Ricky who artistically put up this sendoff greetings on our favorite photo spot above and for tirelessly serving us whenever we are invited over and for Ann Ann too who skillfully takes our group photos all the time. Good luck on your CPA exams Ann Ann. 

For all intents and purposes, I brought my Bidibidi to Singapore. 

Coming back home, I carried my new pair of Hoka inside my Bidibidi. 

The breakfast this morning was a sendoff for Cheska who will fly today to Europe with her family. 

 

What’s interesting was Claire’s reaction when Cheska was unwrapping her bag. Claire’s eyes were green!  However look at her joy when she realized she got one too. 

She ran for a hug to thank Tess. 

Look at Cheska who just checked in; happily holding on tight to her Bidibidi. 

Happy landings Cheska!  We will miss you. 

WALKING THOUGH SINGAPORE’S TOURISTS DESTINATIONS - Part 4 The Long Bar - Home of the Iconic SINGAPORE SLING

​The Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel Arcade is home of the iconic Singapore Sling. It is the concoction of a Hainanese bar tender, Ngaim Ton Boon. 

It all started as a gathering hole for the community; gentlemen hangout drinking gin and whiskey while they watched the ladies come into the hotel lobby. Oftentimes the ladies joined them at their tables, so the concept of the long bar came about. 

In the early 1900’s, ladies were not allowed to drink alcohol in public. In 1915, this bar tender concocted a drink out of pineapple juice; added cherry liqueur and grenadine to get the pink color. The colorless gin was added unnoticed and people accepted this drink with a the pinkish hue as a suitable beverage for the ladies. 

And the SINGAPORE SLING was borne! 

Waiting at the veranda of the Raffles Hotel Arcade, it didn’t take long before we were seated in spite of the long queue of tourists trying to get in. We had time to take photos. 

As we sat, we noticed the small jute sack of shelled peanuts already on our table free of charge. This is in keeping with tradition when there were an abundance of peanuts from nearby plantations and the peanuts were on the house. 

What’s interesting is the absence of a receptacle for the shells; as we looked around, peanut shells were all over the place; on the tables, on the floor and everywhere. A tradition as well. 

Part of the bar decor were native fans attached to the ceiling that turned to and fro like they are making air circulate; a feature from the early days. 

When we gave our orders,I asked the server: “can you go slow with alcohol on my drink, like maybe put just half of the gin?” 

I wasn’t sure if I could take in the gin; besides we still had that river cruise and dinner afterwards. 

“Of course ma’am,. I can make you the original, sans the alcohol”. She pleasantly replied. 

While having drinks, we saw that most of the guests just ordered one drink, grabbed a handful of peanuts and they were on their way 

Just like me and my sister the  guests just wanted  to visit the Long Bar and have a taste of the Singapore Sling. No wonder one can get a table quick in spite of the long queues; most of the guests did not linger. 

Before we left, I threaded carefully to the restroom lest I’ll step on a peanut shell and slip. 

I thank my daughter in law, Tanya for bringing us there. It was a novelty to see the Long Bar and taste the Singapore Sling. 

“Today, the Long Bar is where visitors continue to undergo one of the true rites of passage of world travel- savoring the original Singapore Sling right where it was created more than 100 years ago” 

- from the published history of the Long Bar- 

IT’S GREAT TO BE HOME BUT I’M MISSING SINGAPORE ALREADY

​ All good things come to an end and time flies fast when you’re having a good time. Singapore is a bustling city, there’s always something going on; tourists arriving by the thousands; construction in every turn for a new building here, a train station there, etc. 

We gave up tickets my son bought for the river cruise due to heavy rains. Moreover, we ran out of time to see the Van Gogh immersive exhibit. My daughter in law said it is quite an experience seeing come to life The Starry Night, The Sunflower Summers and many more. 

I especially thank my son who had a busy day of meetings ahead but managed to  bring us to Changi 2 when we could have taken a grab. But of course  we welcome the extended time to be with him. 

Before our flight coming home, we messaged our children for a wonderful holiday even when we kissed and hugged when leaving their homes. 

Waiting to board. 

I can’t thank my children enough for giving us a good time. They really wanted us to make this trip unforgettable. What I appreciate most, set aside the treats, the dinners and lunches, and the sights is their patience. 

They didn’t mind making reservations for every meal we took so we could eat at the best restaurants. I learned that the Italian restaurant, LAVO, at the Skypark of Marina Bay Sands required a month or longer to get a table and my daughter really planned that. 

They gave up part of their vacation to bring us around. I know that they reserve that for their vacations abroad. 

Like most people who traveled for a holiday day say, “ back to reality”. 

My reality is welcome. I’ll be with my older daughter and her family again. I’ll be walking everyday again with the Sweet  Magnolias. 

WALKING THROUGH SINGAPORE’S TOURISTS DESTINATIONS - Part 3 The Merlion Park

​The Merlion Park is one of Singapore’s most famous landmarks. It is a must stop for tourists to get an overall view of Marina Bay. 

The Merlion is Singapore’s National Icon. Spouting water from its mouth; it stands 8.8 meters high and weighs 70 tons. It has the head of a lion and the body of a fish. 

As advised by my son, I posed by this iconic symbol at the best spot of the Merlion park located at One Fullerton, just a few steps from Fullerton hotel where we had lunch. 

The Merlion’s fish-like body tells of Singapore’s history as a fishing village, locally known as Tamasek. It’s head symbolizes the original name of Singapura, Lion City in Sanskrit. 

Legend retold that a Srivijayan Prince of Palembang landed during a tempest at sea and he saw a strange creature which he identified as a lion. 

From this vantage point, we can see the Marina Bay Sands standing in all its splendor with the boat-shaped Skypark on top. 

Also visible from here is the Singapore Flyer