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by Philipina A. Marcelo
At this point, I guess it's fair to say that I am practically running out of social options, except "single blessedness". And, no, I'm not complaining either! :) While I do understand "single", I'm not sure if I understood "blessedness" though... and whether or not those two are mutually exclusive - in my case, that is! :)
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Single, but too busy to mingle!
I've never minded being single... I still don't. I cherish my freedom and I do enjoy solitude. But no... that doesn't make me a stranger to love and happiness either. I have so much of those and I willingly give them away... and I
New York, NY! Gallivanting in the
City that never sleeps.get plenty in return as well. While I presently live in a society where one-dimensional thought process that mostly equate love and happiness to being married and having a family of your own - and that's all - is very common, I have enough faith in God, and I've traveled and studied far and wide enough to know that, there are countless other avenues where love and happiness can be found and abundantly experienced... and in real fulfilling ways, too. I have to admit, however, that I still get flabbergasted sometimes by supposedly "sympathetic" if not overly patronizing comments like, "you're not married? Oh, what a pity, 'cause you're so successful!" And, I never did understand the logic behind those comments. But I've learned to smile with all the sadness that they seem to expect from me and quietly say, "yeah, isn't it?" which is actually, "yeah (I'm not married), isn't it (I am so successful... and your narrow mind is lamentable)? Hehehe... And just leave it to them to mourn, or rejoice, over my supposedly sad existence... because I know better. :)
But do I want to be married... and be a mother? Yes - to both, of course! :) In spite of all the things that my travels and years and years of education in different places in the world to hopefully learn enough to
Iggy love. The latest addition
to our family.afford myself a fulfilling professional life, I've always pictured myself as that woman who would give up her lofty career opportunities, if needed, to mind a wonderful husband and adorable kids. I thought I had enough versatility and healthy preference for the laid back life to do so as well. I love writing, reading, cooking, gardening, and fixing and decorating the house... and I'd happily trade a high-paying career for these if a family of my own was part of the "package". While my current career status prevents me from enjoying these hobbies to my heart's desire, I usually set aside some hours per week to enjoy doing them... and this blog is a proof of that effort.
I've always treated my busy work schedule as "temporary" and I've tried to be useful and highly productive in my profession, and ejoying the single life immensely, while time permits... until, of course, the "wonderful husband and adorable kids" should come along. :) And then, the career would go, and family life and hobbies would take the front seat. I thought I'd be that woman who would tutor and chauffeur around her own kids and write freelance
Silicon Valley. Visiting the "mother ship".for a Science or a Lifestyle Magazine, or both, on the side. And that woman who would prepare home-cooked gourmet dinner for her husband, and be his social secretary as well. :) But, of course, that is getting closer and closer to just a mere picture in my head now, especially that, in my present society, the more "exotic" the salutations before a woman's name become, the faster men run away! Apparently, they equate a single woman's professional productivity to a threateningly out of control ambition. Aaargh, Mamma mia!
While marriage and bearing a child have not reached a total impossibility... yet! :) I guess, the more responsible question would be: is it still practical at this point? The truth is, I'm not sure... and for all my "success" (*wink*, *wink*), I have to admit that I'm very much of a coward to "experiment" in this area. :) But my faith in God and my experiences are way too joyful and gratifying for me to regret or resent anything, or even allow myself to be overly aggravated by what many married women around me in my society insinuate, or even shoving it to my face sometimes... that, in spite of my "success", I am supposed to be pitifully less fortunate compared with them just because I am still unmarried and without a child of my own. *sigh* Mamma mia, por Dios, por santos! :)
While I know I am (very) far from perfect (if not utterly remote from it), with my moods and my strong tendency to be agitated by mediocrity around me, I swear I am merely on the wrong side of the planet though! :)
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Children... for the lesser goddess
While I haven't experienced the physical torture of labor pains, I believe I have experienced the natural bursting of maternal love from my heart countless times. I have two nephews, nine nieces (from siblings and a
My nephews, nieces and grandkids - loveable all!cousin) and three grandkids (through nieces) that I love so dearly. The desire of sharing what I have - from mundane to special - with them comes out so naturally. My hopes and aspirations for them to have wonderful lives are so immense that they fill my daily prayers. And, they reciprocate joyfully. I've never felt alone in this "single blessedness" because of them and my siblings. They are always there to celebrate milestones in my life and in theirs... I get an abundant supply of loving kisses and warm hugs from them. I don't miss out on Mothers Day warm festivities as well because of them - they never forget. There are no voids that their love and happy giggles do not fill out... and it's so awesome, too! Aaah, Mamma mia! :)
Also, because I teach, I am a "spiritual mother" to many students whose lives are wonderfully entwined with mine as well. It's absolutely
UST Chem. E. Batch 2010. My "borrowed kids".beautiful to see them setting out from College to fulfill their wonderful destinies... and it is thoroughly gratifying when they come back after a few years to share their conquests... and to say the sweetest and absolutely joyous, "thank you". Aww... Mamma mia! Their gratitude is a most precious gift because they were nurtured, not out of mere obligation, but out of real love and sincere wishes of great things for them... and not just for the desire to excel in my own profession either.
Hmmm... wait, it looks like I'm beginning to figure out this "blessedness" thing in "single blessedness"... and no, it doesn't come with labor pains either! :)
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Footie - the mother of all ball games!
Oh, and just a quick update...
Of course, the footie world already know by now that Manchester United beat Bundesliga's Schalke 04 in their return to Old Trafford for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie, 2-1, and 6-1 on aggregate. So, the Red Devils march on to the New Wembley in London for the repeat of their 2009 Champions League Final against Barcelona in Rome. With Sir Alex Ferguson side's fantastic summer acquisition and prolific goal scorer, Chicharito, the faster than never before, Wayne Rooney, and the looking-for-the-most-fantastic-retirement-game goal keeper, Edwin van der Sar, the Azulgranas can now forget about the
The fabulous Catalan side, FC Barcelona.repeat of their 2-0 win against Red Devils in Rome two years ago! And with Fergie seeking the help of the "Special One" to combat the tiki-taka attacking game style of the Catalans and come up with a winning tactic, Pep Guardiola will have his hands full... especially with Real Madrid still relentlessly in hot pursuit of the La Liga title 8 points from the Catalans' heel, with three more games to play. No, no, no, no... mamma mia, no! No room for complacency for Barҫa now.
Speaking of Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo went on a rampage to contribute four goals in their 6-2 butchering of Sevilla before Mothers Day. In the process, CR7 effectively leapfrogged Lionel Messi in the La Liga top goal scorer Pichichi race with a total of 33 goals to Messi's 31. Barҫa responded with a 2-0 home win against Espanyol, keeping their 8 points lead, with three more matches to play. The two goals came from Andres Iniesta and Gerard Piqué, leaving Lionel Messi still two goals below CR7's total goals tally. But knowing what we know about Lionel Messi, that is of no consequence!
In Barclays Premier League, Arsenal's dismal hope for a shot of the title was completely extinguished after their frustrating 3-1 defeat from Stoke City on Mothers Day! The Gunners stayed at third place with total points of 67. On the other hand, Chicharito and Vidic goals brought Manchester United only one point away from claiming the Premier League title when they outwitted Chelsea, 2-1, bringing their total points to 76 against current second place Chelsea's 70 points, with only two more games to play. So, Mothers Day steadied the Premier League Table from last week's "wide open" status.
This week will see whether or not Manchester United and FC Barcelona would finally seal the title deal in their respective leagues! Hmmm, Mamma mia, how exciting!
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