...because I craved Thai food... therefore, grabbed Thai food. ============================================================================ by PAM It's been a while since the last time I posted a 'foodie' stuff here, not because I lost interest in foodie-ing but because I can't find the time to write a new post here. Heck, I can't even find the time to visit my own blog for the past how many weeks! I've become a full-time 'hardcore bore'... how very sad. But I digress.... While on last-minute Christmas shopping, and I mean, Iiterally last-minute... as in a few hours
Pad Thai... classic taste.
before the midnight Mass, I was dashing for Christmas gifts for my loved ones in a nearby shopping mall. And because the mall was crawling with last-minute shoppers like myself, it was 'cut-throat' out there! It was so intense that I got dizzyingly hungry, and the first thing to come to mind was Thai food! So, I made a beeline with my sisters to my trusty Thai restaurant, Lemongrass Thai Asian Food Park. It used to be called something else, Sweet Chili Thai Fish and Noodle House, and I wrote a Sunday Foodie entry about it a few years ago, also around this time. I don't know why they changed the name of the restaurant, and it didn't occur to me to ask. I visited the place twice already after its change of name, and the quality of food, in my opinion, stayed the same - very good. So, in a 'challenging moment' that can only be fixed by food, it was my 'go to' place. I knew what I wanted, and I ordered it as soon as we arrived - it was Pad Thai. I also ordered a glass of Lemongrass cooler, which was not only refreshing but it also woke the sense of taste to full activity, ready for the main dish. I also ordered a plate of fried spring rolls, which was also very good - delightfully crunchy on the outside and the veggies cooked to perfection inside. My sisters and I ended up ordering a bunch of stuff from the restaurant - for our noche buena, and spent the remaining time before the midnight Mass shopping for loved ones instead of cooking. Overall, it was good. ***
Little acts of love, and a 'splash of colors'... ...an antidote to an all-engulfing strange feeling of emptiness.
In the past two months or so, I have been receiving many presents from students and colleagues - for no 'big' reasons. I am not really into flowers or chocolates or 'cutesy' stuff, but I do appreciate thoughtfulness and kindness... those expressions of sincere and warm caring... including those in the form of 'cutesy' stuff. Sometimes a mere hint of a smile or a little nod of encouragement is more than enough for me especially 'when the going is tough', and I need to keep going even when I'm not all that tough. I work hard... like a 'maniac' sometimes because I'm driven by a sense of mission, and I am overly aware of how short life can be. Therefore, I rarely find the time to 'smell the flowers', but our students and some colleagues (and my family, of course) bring me 'the garden'... and in such impeccable timing, too, which is whenever I need it. That keeps depression at arm's length. Yes, depression is REAL, and so is the feeling of anxiety. And that strange feeling of 'emptiness' that hits us out of nowhere sometimes - that is real, too. They can pull one into a dark, frightening abyss; can plague the mind with disturbing images, distorted by self-doubt and paranoia, and can poison reasoning and emotion to illogical hysteria; can drown one's hope in a sea of grave sadness so utterly deep and all-engulfing, they can leave one in a total emotional wreck, out of control; can leave a paralyzing heavy weight on one's chest that not even the happiest of memories can lift. They are numbing, devastating, and can shatter one to pieces. But they can be OVERCOME - with love, and with faith in God. And that is MORE REAL! There is plenty of love around - in our campus... especially in the Faculty of Engineering of the University where I teach, and God's presence can be felt from all the love and deep caring. I hope that our students find them... and if they don't find these little nuggets of love and those little packets of soothing balm for the soul on their own, I hope that they'd reach out, or holler for help. I hope that they'd muster the courage to open up and reach out... and we'll be there with outstretched arms, reaching out to them, too. They need not drown in sorrow; they need not be devastated by depression; they need not be left numb by anxiety; they need not dwell in that dark abyss of grave sadness and melancholy. There is help. There is love - pure love of family and friends, of mentors and peers... true, deep and endless love that is God, and it's REAL! ***
...3, 2, 1. Welcome, October! ============================================================================ by PAM And, here we are, at last. The 'darkness' of night has faded... and a new day begins. ⛅ I'm 'awake', thank you. I wish to begin the month of October with an inspirational Message, a Homily, actually, from the Master of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), the Very Rev. Fr. Bruno Cadoré,O. P., M.D., Ph.D., who is also the Chancellor of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) where I teach. I received the great gift of shaking the hand of the venerable Master, and receiving his blessing, when he visited UST about a couple of weeks ago. After contemplating last January to April on the life and works of the Blessed Jordan of Saxony, the successor of St. Dominic, and now the Patron Saint of the Faculty of Engineering, which I lead, I felt so blessed, indeed, to be in the company of St. Dominic's 86th successor. It was, indeed, an incredible experience. I chanced upon an article on an event that took place almost exactly one year ago when Fr. Cadoré presided the celebration of the Mass to launch the General Congregation of the Jesuits in Rome. He led the Congregration of Jesuits in praying, "Lord, Increase Our Faith!" Below is the full text of Fr. Cadoré's homily, and I hope to be forgiven for borrowing it, and posting it here.
"Lord, Increase our Faith." What a beautiful prayer - "daring to aim for the improbable", as Fr. Cadoré describes it. The past five months, especially September, had been very difficult time for me... I felt it was 'improbable' to survive it. My health was not at its usual level of 'tip-top shape'... and I was afraid. I've walked 'this road' before... a road that could have been the very end of the journey. Well, at least, this part of the journey... this life. And, I walked alone this time... because I did not want to worry my family... and my supposed friends - my second family, had been very busy criticizing me... my 'temper' (as they call my admonitions), made short by all the pains, and their unacceptable incompetencies, if I'd be honest about it. And, through it all, I never made excuses, I performed my duties - to the very best of my ability, to prevent disruption in the progress we are making. It really is rather easy to see the faults of people around us... to criticize rather than to show sympathy, to ask why, to extend a helping hand... especially when we fail to realize our own incompetence, or have realized it but we're unwilling to confront it lest we see the ugly face of our own insecurities; and because it is easier to criticize someone else than to do something about our own shortcomings, or confronting the feeling of being emasculated from admitting that there are things that others can do that we cannot. In this case it might be easier to belittle what others can do and have done, twist the picture, and focus on their weaknesses instead... their 'temper' most of all! Why not magnify our little accomplishments, and make people fume over the shortcomings of others, especially those who have annoyingly accomplished so much that we feel so much lesser? That is a lot easier, isn't it? Yes, it is, for those of us 'who pursue first their own interests', that is. All good deeds are, indeed, easily forgotten with one fault - a slip, because of all the unbearable pain, the numbing fear, the silent suffering, the doubts, the uncertainties. That sounds like an excuse... but, no, it's a lamentation over the unfortunate ways of the world. And yet, it does not justify hurting another's feelings, bruising another's ego. It is still lamentable, no matter that it was accidental, or deserved because one asked for it, or out of dealing with one's pain. And it is lamentable to cause someone else pain under this circumstances, or any circumstance for that matter. My own physical pains are still here... they are not dulled by taking a 'nap' in September, and I will suffer from them for a long time... but I am prepared to live with them now... at least, for how ever long this journey was set to last for me. Most of all, I am prepared to accept the lack of sympathy, the lack of understanding, the judgements, the unfair criticisms that emanate from one's bruised ego and insecurities. For as long as the people that matter understand, I won't suffer from these things. These people may be very few... but theirs are the opinions that matter... because such opinions are borne out of fairness and love - true, unconditional love. And I will always value that love with all my heart, and it shall keep me going. I'm counting my blessings... and it's a lot! My goodness, it's a lot! 😇🙏 I shall continue to persevere, to share my blessings with others, by guiding young people so that they, too, may enjoy the gifts of God that I enjoyed tremendously, not allowing myself to be 'shut' in darkness again by all the disappointments and frustrations that give the feeling of hopelessness; to remain focused on my duties and vocation, to focus on my being an 'unworthy servant', not worrying about other things, especially those that are beyond my control, because, as Fr. Cadoré said, "everything depends on God". I wish to borrow Fr. Cadoré's prayer, the prayer that comes as a passionate whisper from my heart at the moment: Lord, I am an 'unworthy servant: I have only done my duty'. Help me make that decision, and retain the joy in my heart. 'Lord, Increase my Faith!' Amen. *** Quotation credit: Homily by Very Rev. Fr. Cadoré,O.P., M.D.,Ph.D., the Master of the Order of Preachers, during the Celebration of Mass of the Jesuit General Congregation on 2 October 2016 in Rome. ***
...when September ends." ======================================================================= by PAM I'm going to take a little "nap" here... my system is asking for a "reboot" - it's kinda reached an overload. And, I've been failing to "de-fragmentalize", too... so it kinda reached a "messy" state now, it just keeps crashing. Of course, people love napping... but not when somebody else does it instead of them - it doesn't matter the countless sleepless nights one had endured to deserve a few "minutes" of a "nap". But who cares? I've gone deep enough through life now to care about what insignificant people (who certainly regard themselves as significant... but who am I to shatter their illusions?) think. When people judge you for the little things that you missed, and forget about how you laid down your very life to help them conquer those big mountains, on the apex of which, they now stand, you know they're not worth a hoot of a bother. So, carry on... nap away! 💤😏
🎶 "Summer has come and passed
the innocent can never last
wake me up when September ends." 🎶
There is nothing that good rockin' music can't fix, I tell ya! Aw, man... Green Day, thank God for you and your incredible music! 🎸🎶 🎉 And they sound great live, too. So, it adds tremendously to the whole wonderful experience of listening to them. A raging, desperate prayer from a very melancholy soul.
And because they sing from the heart, and from the soul, we take another spin, and a serious one at that...
🎶 "Do you know what's worth fighting for...?
...Did someone break your heart inside?
...you're in ruins.
...when your mind breaks the spirit of your soul
your faith walks on broken glass...
...nothing's ever built to last...
...you're in ruins.
One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms
give up the fight." 🎶
Dang, too good! I'm desperate for a conversation with Billie Joe Armstrong right now... "how d'ya know when it's time to give up 'the fight'... and what happens after that?" Of course, in all his infamous imperfections (and perversion at times, I must add), I expect an eye-roll around heavily penciled lids, before swinging his guitar and breaking into this...
"...make the best of this test and don't ask why
It's not a question but a lesson learned in time.
It's something unpredictable but in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life."
Aw, gosh... it just evaporates the 'blues', doesn't it? 🎻🎶 It's smart, it's wise, it's rockin' fun... just awesome! 🎉🎉🎉 And y'know, no matter how troubled your life seems to be at the moment, luck will come around...
"...you can't go forcing something if it's just not right.
No time to search the world around
'Cause you know where I'll be found
When I come around."
Man, that drums and percussion beat courtesy of Tre Cool... so awesome! 🎶🏆🎉 It never gets old - NEVER for me, anyway. It's the perfect pick-me-up on a really annoyingly boring time... made worse by an incredible heap of stupidity around. It just makes you forget about the dreadful scenario when said heap is about to make a 'landfall' to mess up the whole country. God help us! And, it's best on earphones, too - the music, I mean... seriously! Too good, man!
🎶 "I walk this empty street
on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
where the city sleeps
and I'm the only one, and I walk alone...
...Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone." 🎶
Uhm, noise! Energy. Rage. Frustration. Fear. Hope. Perseverance. Wisdom. More hope. When you're in the middle of chaos, and nothing seems to make sense - from the small-scale to the large-scale issues, how can one not feel solidarity with this band and their music? Most especially when there's no one around you who seems to get it... just because they are so full of themselves. I can just listen to this song all day instead... seriously. That eloquent bassline that holds the 'noise' into one cohesive tune, courtesy of Mike Dirnt, is worth a million bucks. And he holds the 'noise off-stage', too. You gotta give it to the man, he's just great. So, yeah, I'm just here... "napping" - in peace, hopefully... until the "category 5" stupidity is dissipated by wind shear. Hopefully, with less catastrophe than expected. And, yeah, do "wake me up... when September ends". *** Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video links. ***
If only all mothers were like you... full of love, lives in humility and selflessness rather than self-centeredness, then this world would be a better place.
These days, many mothers use their kids as "accessories" - only diamonds, the size of a dice, and poreless face are of higher value. In this age of social media where people can invent their lives in a parallel on-line world, they flaunt their kids as the kids' very existence is 'just a part' of their personal achievements - making a pretty profile pic on social media... which 'should' be far greater than any 'successful' single woman's around. Single women, or married but childless women, are very poor losers whose existence will never be 'complete' - according to our society. They have no one else to continue pursuing and fulfilling their unfulfilled dreams - according to society. And that's the way it is, the way it must be in a world where women should 'spawn' kids, in whatever and however way, to become 'complete' - according to them, 'wonderful mothers' in this society anyway. And yet, do they know their kids at all? Do they know what makes these kids laugh... or cry? What just broke their hearts? What just made them all pink and giggly? What fascinates them? What are they passionate about? What makes their hearts beat fast out of exhilaration and awe? What sends them breathless in admiration? What they dream about at night, and what they dream of every single day? What just offended them and made them lose their cool? What kind of music they listen to, and whose... and why? What disappoints them? What frustrates them? Who just hurt them... just now? Do they have time for their kids? Do they even pay attention?
I remember what Khalil Gibran wrote in "The Prophet", a book I reviewed back in High School - when I didn't know any better:
"Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows through which your children as living arrows are set forth.
The Archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the Archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable."
Some points are worth pondering, some are too tentative in referring to God as the giver of the gift of children, and of life itself. But I do agree that children must be cherished as the most precious gifts from God as they are... and that Mothers, or parents for that matter, should serve as a 'steady bow', the vessel of love, through which these 'arrows' are sent forth to their mission in God's plan. Wasn't it the Master Himself who gave Mary to us to be our mother, looking upon us from the cross where he redeemed us all (and I mean, 'all', not just what this society refer to as the 'lucky ones' who have been blessed with children) from the bondage of sins? If God sees all of us as equally deserving of His love, and the love of a mother, why can't we do the same with one another?
Holy Mary, mother of God... where's your Son? Did He leave our hearts? Can He not stand the filth anymore, all that self-centeredness that makes us to look at ourselves to be better than others? Pray for us, sinners... because we need it.
Too many wishes - for ourselves... when we should be giving you 'gifts' because it's your birthday. Accept our love, our imperfect humanity... but the very imperfection that your Son came to mend, so we can be worthy again of the Father's love. Hold our hands, dear mother... and lead us to the way of your Son. May we learn His ways, may we be one with Him in the Truth... the Truth that is God's Love, the Truth that is God. Amen.
...reminiscin' because, do you remember, September? ======================================================================= by PAM Some say 'time flies when you're having fun'... and yet, when days are lousy and dry, you 'sleep it off'... before you know it, time has ran out, too! And then you begin again. Whew, August went fast! I just realized that I only had one post here for the month of August this year... and the first day of September will be over in a few minutes, too. Where did all the days of August go? I actually don't remember much... but I am sure many things happened within the month. I guess, I was just rushing from one 'big plate' to another... and I kind of remember, there were many 'ugly' things around. In fact, I believe many things were quite intense... and I had very intense reaction to each as well... and yet, I tried to keep the rants, grunts and the sighs of frustration low. And that reminds me of one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands in the '80s: "Thinking of you" by The Colourfield.
🎼🎶 "...so walk where angels fear to thread for everything you've ever wanted...
...I could be the one thing left in your hour of need,
so if you decide to change your views, I'm thinking of you.
...we should take a bus to somewhere else, to something new
thank God we're alive and bite off more than we can chew.
Do the things that just don't matter, laugh while others look in anger,
stumble over four-leaf clovers, and say goodbye to lonely banners!
If you ever think of me, I'd be thinking of you
through thick and thin, I'd bear it and grin
and never give in.
...so if you decide to change your views,
I'm thinking of you." 🎶🎵
I know, if you watched the video without the sound, it could surely be the most stolid performance you could ever have watched in your whole life! And yet, if you listened to the lyrics of the song, my goodness, how so very profound! I love how their fabulous frontman, Terry Hall, tried so hard to look bored... and yet, he can't seem to help making those cute eye-rolls, and giving hints-of-smile... very charming, indeed!
Yep, back in the days when I was at the height of my teenage cynicism and desperately wishing for profundity from my 'boring' environment and circumstance, I absolutely adored The Colourfield! I felt an incredible affinity with their 'sadder than sad', skeptical, cynical and bored songs... only because listening to their songs then was the safest and most benign way of expressing rebellion, boredom and angst. 😠🎧🎶 Uh, yeah, teenagers then were quite responsible and considerate even in expressing their anger and dissatisfaction, so why should I deviate? 😂 I guess I was aware then that it was just a phase... and there was no point in creating permanent damage to relationships (and to my image lest I become famous someday 😜) while I went through a phase.
Now, I wish I had that 'teenager's excuse'... that I'm going through 'a phase', therefore, I'd like to be left alone so I could listen to 'my sad songs' in peace!
🎶 "...I really wanted to share forgotten dreams
go though the motions of loving from afar
and feel as if I'm reaching for the stars.
But each drop of hopelessness amounts to what could be a raging sea
It could be spring time, I'd meet her at the gates
if beauty ever comes to those who wait.
Castles in the air,
if only they were there...." 🎶
Oh, oh, oh... oh, how so beautiful! So sad and yet so 'secretly' hopeful, so cynical and yet so poetic, so angry and yet so lovingly tender. And that beat... ah, my goodness, whatever happened to music? Wherever this sort of beautiful concoction of emotional desperation and intelligent play of words have gone these days? No wonder, people kill themselves when they're sad these days... they do not have these songs to wallow on... and then, the very same songs to inspire them to embrace the sadness of life... because underneath the sad, sad tune is a profundity whose depth and breathtaking beauty is so worth spending our whole lives pondering! My goodness, life is good, why waste it? Why throw it away?
🎶 "...I kissed goodbye to an ugly youth
leapt off the world and followed you. ...you took my hand and led me to a magic sign and we found love on a stained glass plate you touched my head and gave me faith and said I must be strong in this world of hate. You kissed my lips and took my breath away." 🎶 How they can sing about political issues, expressed their views fiercely in an upbeat tune, and made them sound like a love song, too, was impressive. We used to 'slam dance to "Confession", not knowing exactly how Terry Hall was editorializing the political situation of Great Britain when the song came about. That's their strength, y'see, when they wish to 'editorialize', they did it in a fun way that left their listeners freedom to disagree with them... and yet, giving enough room to agree - on the dance floor. They avoided preaching, and were not afraid to look like they were singing with tongue-in-cheek... because they knew they have intelligent enough listeners to know the difference.
But, yeah, they were at their very best when they offered their listeners a shoulder to cry on. It was absolutely irresistible then, it's totally irresistible now...
🎶 "...Why did summer go so quickly, was it something that you said? Lovers walk along the shore and leave their footprints in the sand. Is the sound of distant drumming just the fingers of your hand? Pictures hanging in the hallway and the fragments of a song Half-remembered names and faces but to whom do they belong? When you knew that it was over you were suddenly aware that the autumn leaves were turning to the color of her hair." 🎶
See, whatever 'misfortunes' I may be experiencing or have experienced before, I guess they are nothing compared to the wonderful experience of finding this band and their music at the height of their creativity. Their music was inspired... and so, they also inspire. I didn't always subscribe to the ideas that they offered... but the subtlety by which they stated them manifested respect to their listeners. And that heightened my admiration. Every word and note was a treasure... a little pearl that seemed like a tear, the manifestation of sadness... but it was actually a gem - a fortification of the treasures of the seas, hidden in a hard unremarkable shell. And that further heightened its otherwise understated beauty. Indeed, 'time flies when you're having fun', thank goodness for classics... and classic memories! *** Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video links. ***
Sometimes, the best way to figure things out is to just ask a mother where to go, how to get there, and when is the best time to make a go for it. But then, even the very best of mothers do not always have the answer. Just the same, that doesn't mean that the answer is not out there... and on its way to brighten things up. Until then, we hang in there... we cling to our mother as we shrug off the undesirable things of today, pray for strength and fortitude to withstand the undesirability that won't go away... and look forward to a great tomorrow - full of beautiful things that shall make for wonderful memories in the future.
***
Photo information: a photo of the image of 'Our Lady of Manaoag' at the Shrine of the Most Holy Rosary in Manaoag, Pangasinan where my family is from.
...because the rainy weather calls for it. =========================================================================== by PAM I don't think I've paid enough homage, if at all, to Coldplay... and their amazing songs. Come to think of it, I don't believe I'd written anything on Coldplay in this blog! And it's weird because they are all over my iTunes and Spotify playlists! Their songs are beautiful, sincere and heartfelt, intelligent and fun, and 'easy' to listen to... and yet, they carry a load of 'good stuff' that deserves contemplation. I guess my 'favorite' is still "Fix you"...
🎶 "But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth..." 🎶
I know it isn't justifiable to call any of the songs as one's 'favorite' just because all are great songs. And yet, one can only do one's best to cram all the good stuff in one package, and pull out the one with the most features that represents the rest. In that case, another song comes to mind, "Paradise"...
🎶 "In the night the stormy night she'll close her eyes
In the night the stormy night away she'd fly
and dreams of para-para-paradise..." 🎶
If one wishes to know how Coldplay sounds, I guess one could play "Paradise", and say, "this is how". The 'surround sound' quality, the mix of melancholy and magical, the intelligent vibe... the 'sparkle' and the 'crystallinity' that one hears, if that was at all possible! The whole music production takes one to the awesome vastness of space... and then dives into the deepest caverns of the earth, and emerges on the surface of a crystal-clear water that plays cheerfully with the sun's fingers. In some of their songs, they follow that sequence, others the complete opposite; in others, they re-arrange the steps in unique ways, with changing emphasis on certain steps; still in others, they turn them to a 'clutter' of all the steps at once. Listening to their music is an experience like no other... they let their listeners wander in their own thoughts as the band provides the apt background, and one finds a surprise or two at every turn. It's exciting... can be jarring at times, but it's always potent in stirring the soul. It's a music that's so different from anything one ever heard in one's life. Perhaps, that's the reason why theirs is often referred to as the 'defining' music of this generation. And, it's just about right... and just about fair. Coldplay and their music deserve to be celebrated like how one says, "Viva La Vida"!
🎶 "For some reason I can't explain
Once you'd gone there was never
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world..." 🎶
And you know, it isn't 'just music'... it's the hymn of this part of history, it's the soundtrack of the mostly on-line life... an encapsulation of the collective thoughts and sentiments of a generation that Chris Martin so masterfully extracts and distills to an impressive level of purity. To some it's a 'religion'. It's an ode to a generation. And it is, indeed, awesome and beautiful! *** Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video links. ***
...'cause I need a 'moment'. ============================================================================= by PAM I know I should be talking about Roger Federer's record-setting 8th Wimbledon Title - his 19th Grand Slam over all. Yep, his 19th won at SW19 - a feat that only he has achieved so far in the Open Era of the sport. I posted something on Facebook... but I can't even write a proper caption. I re-tweeted something from @Wimbledon on Twitter, but I know it's not enough. I need a moment... surely, any tennis fan must understand, it's an emotional occasion for me: I just witnessed tennis history unfold. I mean, history, man!It's probably worthy of World History, too, given that Sports has become a big part of 'pop culture'... and the world has become a big 'pop world'. So, yeah, I'm gonna need a few days to drink it all in... keep re-playing that magical moment on Centre Court of the All England Club - on my computer, and in my head. It's just way too special to be treated as 'just another summer' in Wimbledon. So, while I allow myself to be all-sentimental about this latest history-making achievements of RF, please allow me to share with you a few laugh-out-loud, aaaww and 'whoa!' moments in Tennis 2017 that I've enjoyed tremendously so far.
Fan: "Go, Roger!"
Stan: "He's not here. You go to Rod Laver."
Stanislas Wawrinka (Stan, "The Man") is hilarious! 😂 My goodness, I almost choked laughing at this. I didn't see it coming, I just kept the videos roll... and then this one above from the Australian Open (AO) 2017 came up. It seemed that somebody confused him with RF when it was announced that he was Switzerland's #1 male player, which was correct, given that RF took six-month hiatus prior to AO 2017. Or, perhaps the fan was disgruntled that he was unable to get a ticket at Rod Laver Arena. I love it that Stan didn't miss a beat, and just replied matter-of-factly. And he even made an effort to point to the Rod Laver Arena. 😁 Seriously hilarious! He was runner-up to RF at the BNP Paribas Open 2017 last March. His trophy acceptance speech, in which he called RF an "as---ole", also cracked me up. Seriously, "The Man" is funny!
While I was gallivanting in Italy last January, the first Grand Slam of the year was happening in the land down under. The AO is a special Grand Slam in its own right because it heralds the new year of big occasions in the tennis world. Of course, the highlight of that occasion in Oz was the meeting up of the old 'rivals', RF and Rafael Nadal in the men's singles final. And, because it's the most 'epic' rivalry in tennis history... and, perhaps, one of the most gigantic in all of sports world, there were many "whoa!" and "aaawww" moments and other stuff... which begin with their matching pink tennis shoes. Aaawww! 😊 But, this one here was one of those so unforgettable"whoa!" moments...
Whew!
An epic 26-shot rally, played as if it was happening nine years ago! Their speed was blinding, the intensity nerve-wracking, and the excitement heart-stopping. The guys just seemed to have gotten better... and they're both over thirty years of age! It was a competition that could've gone any other way, given the level of intensity in how both men were playing. But this rally was extra-special because RF fired a gorgeous winner and won the point - on Rafa's serve. And, AO 2017 was extra-special because RF won his 5th AO title, which was his 18th Grand Slam title - a record. But, of course, as we all know by now, he just topped that with a bolder stroke in history books in Wimbledon. But before we get to that, I think I'm going to have to shut this blog down if I didn't put the 5th set of the men's final at AO 2017 up here. So, here it is...
"It's perfectly amazing...Federer flying in the court again now...
...oh, yeah, we are all really fortunate to be seeing this right now...
...the remarkable Roger Federer!"
But more than the trophies, historical wins and all the glamour of being 'Roger Federer, the Champ', what draws multitude of loyal fans to him is his grace... good looking and carries himself well, so urbane, talks intelligently, funny at times, and seems to usually do the right thing at any occasion. He simply commands respect. I'm going to update this post at some point. But for now, this will suffice because... 'I need a moment', truly. Excuse me. *victory dance* 🙌🎊🎉✨🍸👌
*** Video credits: Thanks, YouTube, for the video links. ***
...in Wimbledon! ========================================================================== by PAM It's been a while, and I need to really do this! I need to write about Wimbledon 2017, especially that so much drama has been unfolding. It wasn't even quarterfinals yet, and Rafa Nadal has been ousted already... and it was in 4.5-hr five-set epic of a match with Gilles Muller. My heart went to Rafa... seriously. And yet, I'm very happy for Gilles Muller. He did fight a good fight at SW19, but it wasn't so much his tennis as his resolve to win that was absolutely impressive. What with Rafa, who just snatched an unprecedented 10th title at Roland Garros, on the other side of the net? Rafa Nadal was looking and moving imperious on court - looking absolutely unbeatable. Muller really packed a steel of nerve in his mental game, and just fired away. He was rewarded in the end... but to the dismay of the multitude of Nadal fans who watched their idol walk out of Center Court in defeat at the end of the match, and it was only the Round of 16. Gilles Muller was eventually beaten by Marin Cilic in the Quarter-final. And then, one by one, the 'big four' bowed out. The defending champion, Andy Murray, fell in the hands of Sam Querrey in another
Garbine Muguruza: A new ladies tennis superstar is born... and she took on both Williams sisters in the 'big courts'.
five-set slug-fest in their QF match. A few minutes later, Novak Djokovic retired from an elbow injury after losing the first set on a tie break and the first two games in the second set to Tomas Berdych in their own QF. That left Roger Federer as the only 'survivor' of the 'big four' into the semi-finals after beating Milos Raonic in straight-set. Yesterday was the big Semi-final matches between RF and Berdych, and between Cilic and Querrey. RF beat Berdych in a straight-set while Cilic was given a run for his money by Querrey in a four-set thriller. These leave the Gentlemen's Championship match to be truly special with RF on the verge of making history with a record-breaking eighth win at Wimbledon, and 19th Grand Slam titles overall to his name. On the other hand, Marin Cilic could be the first player in fifteen years to win Wimbledon outside the formidable 'big four' in Men's tennis. So much is at stake... so much to look forward to. Game on! But, today, the spotlight is on the women. The really charming, Garbine Muguruza of Spain, set up a championship clash with five-time Wimbledon winner, Venus Williams. Garbi, the 2016 Roland Garros winner, clashed with Serena Williams at SW19 two years ago, and she finished as a runner-up to the mighty Serena. Now, with Serena on leave, Venus was dominating the All England Club among the ladies. But, Garbi was unstoppable today... she walloped Venus, big time, 7-5, 6-0, and snatched her first Venus Rosewater Dish. She carried her trophy as if it was meant for her... one would think that she was born for this... to be a Champion at Wimbledon. And, what a beautiful champ she is, too! 🎾🏆 Congrats, Garbi! 🎊 Here's a piece of that adorable Spanish charm...
"...once I go to a big court, I feel good. I feel like that's where I wanna be. That's where I practice for. That's where I play good."
*** Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the Wimbledon video link. Photo credit: The photo was snapped on tv screen during the live coverage of Ladies Championship match in Wimbledon by Fox Sports via Skycable - thanks. ***
QOTD #25: Isn't it ironic? ============================================================================ by PAM
"Bad things happen to good people... all the time."
- by Everyone... all the time Perhaps, it's not enough that people tell you this. Perhaps, it's not enough that you repeat these words to yourself over and over again. Hearing them, saying them... it may
Faith... the light that's even more vivid in darkness.
not be enough. I know. I thought I'd write them - here, so I'd believe, too. So bad things happen... to us. Even if we don't believe we deserve it. Does that make us bad? Does that make us lacking in humility? Are we guilty of owning a heart so fattened by pride and conceit? Is it bad to imagine one's self as good? Is it wrong to expect to never suffer from bad things because we work hard to be good? You do good things, you wish for good things for other people, you dedicate your life to doing good things - as much as you can, as hard as you can. And yet, bad things happen - to you. Unfair? Maybe. I guess we'll never know. And yet, we dare to hope... even when we're afraid. Courage. Isn't that what they say? The antidote of fear? Faith. We cling to it - steadfastly. Because in the end, our hands are empty... without faith. And it's only really, really bad... when our hands are empty. ***
...in the South of mainland China. ======================================================================== by PAM
Chinese snacks define 'assortment' in a different level.
I recently traveled to mainland China, and people found it strange that it was my first time to travel to the mainland. To be honest, apart from visiting the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City someday, the tourist in me haven't really given China much thought. I enjoy Hong Kong and Macau, and it was enough for me. I've also visited Taiwan, which was a fascinating place, and I thought these were enough Chinese experience for me. Many of my friends, of course, do not agree, especially those who've traveled or lived in the mainland. So, I kept my options open. I thought one of these days, I'd visit mainland China and do all the 'touristic' stuff... but I didn't realize I'd do it soon enough. I traveled for work to Shenzhen, a major city in the
The Wuzhou Guest House: where State Visitors in Shenzhen stay.
Guangdong Province in the south of China. It is considered the "gateway" to mainland China, via Hong Kong. But because I was traveling on very tight schedule for work, I did not really get to explore the City. I did stay in the famed Wuzhou Guest House on Shennan Road, which gave me a view of one of the best parts of the City. But I felt 'cocooned' inside. The place was surrounded by high-end Malls, towering buildings of Shenzhen's financial district and a huge golf course. The hotel food was very good but was not in any way 'traditional' Chinese. They served mostly continental food with some Asians thrown in here and there. Or, perhaps, we were given the 'continental treatment'. On the last evening of my stay, I did check out more popular eating places that locals frequent. I loved the eating places, especially those located in buildings where one pass through labyrinth-like passage ways finding hip Chinese restaurant at every turn. The passage ways opened up occasionally to coffee and/or tea shops on open decks, adorned with vertical gardens. And then, the hallways seemed to invite you again to the 'labyrinth', to winding stairways that went round and round the building with walls that were a work of art... and it was hard to resist. More eating places lined up hallways. The colors and decor of some are truly striking - a mix of traditional Chinese and very modern glitter. There was one with purple decor and very posh smallish chandeliers. It had wing-back seats, ottomans and bean bags that were in purple velvet sewn with glassy studs. And there were vases of pale colored blooms everywhere you turned, which balanced the striking purple. Some played music... that I didn't recognize, but definitely sounding current and edgy. Perhaps, from local artists with international aspirations. I never imagined that "hip" and "Chinese restaurant" would ever be used in one sentence... but there was no other way to describe the scene. You wouldn't believe that you were in mainland China (at least, based on how people describe mainland China) because it had that vibrant Hong Kong vibes about it...
When in China, gotta buy authentic chinaware.
and some restaurants felt like some hip restaurant in Berkeley, California. Very surprising, indeed. I had a huge dinner in the hip side of town with colleagues that I met in the conference that I attended. Authentic Guangdong food was quite spicy but very tasty. They had a variety of reptile meat dishes, which I was not feeling too adventurous to try. So, I went for the more traditional choices, which were all delicious. After dinner, I squeezed out time to explore the local shopping center where locals hangout and where locally made products were sold. People, mostly young people, were dressed like "Westerners", and they were tinkering with their gadgets like most people in cosmopolitan Western cities do. They had an assortment of products that looked very tempting to buy, and they were mostly very affordable. I got myself a pretty paper fan painted with traditional Chinese scenes, and a set of placemats and chopsticks - so pretty. I explored one supermarket just to see what people buy... they have tons of snacks and lots and lots of tea products! Just amazing! I took one of each kind that I can find, and that I can afford 😊 - mostly out of curiosity. Some of which I brought home so my family and friends at work can have a taste. The fruit tea and the flower tea was more than fascinating, and they taste wonderful. And, since I was in China, I did check out posh chinaware stores. My mouth watered at the sight of those beautifully crafted stuff they have, but all were very, very pricey. I bought a memento... just a little something that someone like me can afford, which wasn't all that much really. 😐 Did I like my first visit to mainland China? Yes, I did. It was actually a good visit. Most people did not speak English, but they were very accommodating, they tried communicating using figures and numbers in their cellphone. And they were very patient, too. Do I want to return to China for more 'touristic' activity? Certainly. When? Oh, work comes to mind... and I feel stressed out again. *sigh* Writing here usually has that 'magical' therapeutic effect on me... but, this time, it's not working all that well. I guess, stress from work has reached an insurmountable level, I completely lost work-life balance. I've grown dull, lost my sense of humor, and my love for adventure and fun. I need a break - very badly. And I intend to take one. ***
