Something new, something green...

 ...something beautiful and living!

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by PAM

'Mother and kids' - the green version.

The past months have been very busy.  I am happy though that despite this, there have been many opportunities that allowed me to work with my hands and with our natural environment.  It's 'grounding', very relaxing and truly satisfying.

A month ago, my sister trimmed one of our San Francisco plants (Codiaeum variegatum).  The name San Francisco is the common name in the Philippines of the plant (in many varieties, actually) pictured above.  Elsewhere, the plant is more commonly known as croton.  In our Home #2, we have four San Francisco plants of different varieties.  Three of them are located close to each other while the smallest one (the yellow and green variety) is located close to the gate, but they are all lined up at our open garage on one side of the house.  I am proud to have watered them for more

Colorful, vibrant, amazing!

than a year to become their 'mature' selves presently.  When a strong typhoon passed through our region last year, I thought the plants will not make it through all the rains and strong winds.  They did survive.  Now, they grew so big, so colorful... and yes, so beautiful!  

When the rainy season came in June, after a downpour, the thick leaves of the plants got soaked in rainwater.  This weighed them down, that their branches bent so much, they almost reached the ground.  I would usually shake the branches of the plants to rid them of rainwater.  When the sun heats up the atmosphere as the day progresses, causing the water to evaporate, the plants slowly regain their upright position.  However, when the rains came while I was at work, when I returned home, I would usually find the plants almost kissing the ground... and their branches almost breaking!  So, one weekend, when my sister came home and heard of the plants' 'ordeal', she decided to trim them.  I had mixed emotions about it.  So, I decided to pick up the trimmings.  I chose four that looked mature, and soaked them in water for a few days.  Once stable, I planted them on the ground on the opposite side of the house, and watered them 'religiously' twice a day for a few days. Although it's rainy season and it usually showered in the evening, it was quite hot during the day, and I wanted to make sure that the little 'clones' are given the fighting chance to survive.  

Two of the four clones kept their leaves although slightly drooping.  The other two looked struggling to survive - all their leaves browned and fell.  One showed shoots of leaves on its 'head' after a while.  The last one looked all dried out, I was resigned to seeing it perish.  After its leaves all fell, a couple of days later, green shoots showed, and I mean 'shoots' with an 's'... and it was happiness! 💚

Now, all four clones looked stable... and I feel that I have accomplished something.  It's a new nature of accomplishment.  These days, I understand why passionate plant growers and gardeners talk to their plants.  I found myself 'talking' to my San Francisco clones while coaxing them to 'drink up', and hold on to the ground... and live!  Fortunately, they did survive, and now, they look like they are on their way to flourish... and that's without the help of any inorganic fertilizer.  The 'mother' plant has bloomed so beautifully, too, with even brighter colors!  And it has become more resilient from the weight of rain water... its trunk and branches seemed thicker and stronger.     

As I care for our plants in our small garden plots around our home, I feel that I am extending my 'second parent' role with my students to our plants.  I feel responsible for their steady growth and beautiful flourishing.  Seeing the birds and the butterflies frequent our small garden plots with the former's cheerful tweets and the latter's pretty colors, invigorates me everyday.  I consider it my mission these days to see the plants, the birds and the butterflies thrive and flourish... and seeing them do so brings me so much happiness! 

Ah... God's creations... are, indeed, extremely beautiful, no matter how small and seeming insignificant!  They bring simple joys that fill my days with satisfaction and meaning.  I thank God that my simple heart remains tempered and content, and not desiring flattering gratification and over indulgence that corrupt.

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Image credit:  All the photos in this post belongs to me.  I took all of them and processed minimally for this post.  They may not be used by others for other purposes.

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Saturday photo

 by PAM

Nature... naturally!

I have a few places at home where I enjoy working (WFH whenever needed), or spending some quiet time - 'me time'.  One of my biggest favorites is our lanai area - pictured above.  It's like an extension of our dining area with only the glass doors and metal rails separating them.  So, when the birds start to chirp in chorus loudly, invitingly, in the morning, I'd usually bring my coffee outside and enjoy listening to the birds while I think about the day ahead.  I have to admit though that, these days, my 'me time' at the lanai is quite limited due to ongoing construction at our next-door neighbor, making the place quite dusty... and the noise of their construction equipment overpowers the melodious chirps of the birds.  But on Sundays and holidays, when the construction is paused, I'd take advantage of the chance to enjoy the place.  My old phone probably didn't do justice in capturing the coziness of the space but I tell ya, it's plenty cozy. 🪴💚 

These days, as one of the most undeniable causes of floods and what-have-you in Metro-Manila that are detrimental to all aspects of human health becomes obvious - garbage (and, yes, corruption, which is... uhm, yeah, the most repulsive kind of garbage!) - I thank God for the opportunity to have an option even when our 'home #2' is so humble that the space it provides is 'tight' even for our daily living alone.  While 'home #1' can be considered green, given its location - right smack in the heart of Metro-Manila - we make conscious effort to maintain the green nature of 'home #2' if it were to become our better option.  It is not just about caring for our plants but also about waste minimization, waste segregation, recycling and reuse, and everything that simplifies life, lifestyle and living.  

I hope that we, as a people, can turn things around as far as environmental degradation is concerned... and yes, as far as massive corruption in the government is concerned as well since corruption does not only lead to natural environment degradation but also to the degradation of our moral fiber as a society.  The solution is in our hands, it is within our power... and  it begins with the ballot in 2028.  We deserve a better alternative, a better life, better living conditions, better health and well-being.  We deserve so much more than what the incompetent people in our government (and, I mean, all three branches) presently can offer, given their foolishness and, yes, their inclination to corrupt acts and actions!  

So, yes, we must demand better public service from our public servants.  Let's make it work, fellow Filipinos!!  Let's seize the moment... let's choose wisely in 2028!  Let's pray for guidance, wisdom and the courage to choose wisely.

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Image credit:  The featured photo belongs to me.  I took it and processed minimally for the purpose of this blog.  It may not be used elsewhere.

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Hello, July!

 It's the middle of 2026 and you're looking... uhm, exhausted, er, excited!

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by PAM

Ambient temperature, check.  Ground nutrient, check.  Special occasion, check!
Finally completed all the 'permissions' to bloom!

My favorite month has landed!  Welcome to 2026, July!  Woohoo, let's go!  

I have been waiting for our Vietnam Roses to bloom since April this year, just like last year and the year before last, but they haven't.  Well, until today, that is.  It's wonderful that the 'pretty little  

things' showed themselves on the day that I am celebrating the anniversary of my introduction to the world through God's love and goodness.  This year... uhm, I move an inch closer to 'dual citizenship', which is closer than I ever imagined. I have mixed  feelings, but most of it is gratitude, a big chunk is happiness, and, not surprisingly, a considerable amount is excitement.  I can't wait, actually!  

The last months have been so 'chaotic' in the Philippines.  People in the government kept hurling extremely stinky rubbish at each other, while the Filipino people run back and forth to avoid getting hit by rubbish in the face.  And yet, no matter how much we avoid it, we get hit anyway.  It's incredible how utterly useless people in our government are... well, most of them anyway, especially those who have no notion of decency or self-awareness, and those who are so unfortunately devoid of common sense and the ability to think - and think well and intelligently.  The word 'service' is not in their vocabulary and mission in life even if they occupy the 'seats of public service'.  They turn the 'seats' to a place for self-indulgence and personal gratification... and, yes, corruption - exercised in the most brazen and extremely shameless ways!  

Lately, the whole country is being pummeled, too, by nature's forced reaction to humanity's unmindful actions to try lording over nature.  Filipino people are reeling over earthquake, typhoon, and what have you.  But the biggest hardships are the man-made ones, and the most catastrophic are those caused by people in our own government.  It has become so frustrating to watch them unleash one foolishness after another as if they have no responsibility to... at the very least, avoid being foolish!  I guess, this is the biggest peril of democracy.  We get the foolish leaders that foolish citizens choose... and the whole nation suffer the consequences.  

So, yeah, while July brings with it the freshness of our blooming Vietnam Roses, the country look exhausted, frustrated and ambivalent.  And yet, I believe that the very message of God in allowing our pretty little Vietnam Roses bloom at a time when I am beginning to feel disappointed is HOPE.  We must not lose hope.  There is hope... Jesus is hope, and He is alive!  He is in our midst, and our faith in Him shall see us through to this dark days in our country's politics.  One day, when the time is right, the Truth shall emerge from the darkness, and we, as a nation shall recognize it.  And the Truth shall unite us in hauling our country from the rut it's in, and we shall emerge victorious!

In the meantime, I shall celebrate this special day, rejoicing amid the colorful beauty of our Vietnam Roses.  I shall offer a prayer of thanks, and I shall allow God's grace to fill my heart with hope, faith and joy!

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Image credit:  All the photos in this post belong to me.  I took all of them, and processed them minimally for this post.  They may not be used for other purposes.

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Saturday Photo

 by PAM

A burst of sunshine inside the house!

A few weeks (or is it months already) ago, I was talking about 'decluttering'... and finding, uhm, no, not finding but experiencing joy in it.  I also talked about using pieces of home decor that are beyond just 'pretty' but also functional and blend in with everything else in that decluttered space.  

Later, a few months after positing that piece, and just as soon as springtime came, and the flowers started to appear in our surroundings, I had the reason I need to re-dress our throw pillows in the TV room as well as at the receiving room of 'Home #2'.  My inspiration?  Simple.  It's 'texture'... once again.  The color is

The cosmos flowers outside our TV room
peep in with their 'silent giggles'
echoing in the room.

simple - the color of sunshine.  It's cheerful, pretty, and quite stunning.  I see these pieces in the morning after I say my morning prayers with my eyes still closed, and as I grope my way to the kitchen with my eyes half closed.  The sunny color makes me feel that the day is promising me something good and happy... and that helps start my day right.  And even when the day falls short in fulfilling its promise, when I get home, these cheerful pieces restore good vibes.  They make me feel like I am basking in sunshine inside my home even when it's actually the moon that's shining outside. They remind me of the great blessings that I am so fortunate to enjoy, and that I am so privileged to share with others.  In fact, these pieces and the positive vibes that they invoke are part of those many blessings.  In the end, my determination to continue hoping for the best is renewed.  Indeed, the blessings of the Lord does not stop pouring in every single day.  We can continue enjoying them if we are only faithful enough to keep paying attention and to keep our hearts open to recognize and to be grateful for these blessing.  I know that for the skeptics, it's odd that I am talking elaborately about simple throw pillows... as manifestations of God's love and blessings.      

These days, the 'sunny' throw pillows are accompanied by matching new curtains.  However, this is not the only one that makes the whole scene lovely.  There's the fact that the pretty cosmos flowers of similar colors as the throw pillows and curtains seem to peep inside the TV room from outside.  They simply lighten the mood everyday as I listen to terrible news after terrible news at breakfast time, and they bring sunshine in and the 'laughter of the grounds'.   

So, yes... our home can be designed in a way that reminds us of God's love and blessings every single day.

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Image credit:  All photos used in this post are all mine.  I took them all.

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Sunday Foodie

 by PAM

'Hacienda style' arroz caldo at Arroz Ecija

Sunday is the day of putting faith front and center. Sunday is the day when we spend at least an hour in the Church to partake of the Word for the sustenance of our souls. And after that soulful celebration of the Word of God, it's time to nurture the body with healthy and delicious food. 

This Sunday, I 'feasted' with a bowl of traditional Filipino comfort food: the arroz caldo. This has many versions. What I had was that warm soupy rice porridge cooked in rich chicken broth with onion and powdered black pepper. The rich porridge was topped with pulled lean chicken meat, halved egg, chopped fresh spring onion, and crunchy browned garlic. A halved calamansi was provided on the side to render citrus flavor to the mix, which heightens the already mouth-watering combination of flavors and aroma. 

Each spoonful of Arroz Ecija's version of the arroz caldo tasted not only of that familiar Filipino mindfulness of carefully measured flavors with nutrition, and the intentional joy of eating, but also of nostalgia. As a child, the arroz caldo was my Lola and Mama's warm embrace and love, expressed in delicious food, whenever we were sick. We were spoon-fed with that rich rice porridge, cooked with thinly sliced ginger

A mix of goodness, crunch and freshness

and ground black pepper, and the very tender chicken meat, freshly pulled from the bone - absolutely delicious! It was their 'magic potion' of getting well and feeling loved. Ah, love... we had so much of that as children. And that shaped us into what we are today, and we are grateful.

The 'feast' this Sunday did not end with that tasteful lunch but continued on with another nutritious bowl of goodness but this time a homey concoction of mine: green-and-lean and many more in between.  It is my salad bowl for dinner. It has lots of greens, fresh fruits, nuts and slices of smoked ham, tied together by a drizzle of my own version of the Thousand Island dressing. It was delicious: salty and sweet, lots of crunch, colorful and flavorful, interesting and refreshing.

Ah, to be a foodie... on a Sunday - what a joy! 

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Image credit: All the photos in this post belongs to me. I took them all.

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The joy of living in decluttered spaces...

 ... amid various textures, colors, patterns and forms.

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by PAM

As my sister and I try to work on our new little secondary home to transform it to a place of some coziness that nurtures the soul and feeds creativity and good vibes, I have been checking out a few YouTube channels on sustainable living in 'tiny' homes.  When I think about purchasing a piece of furniture or the smallest of kitchenware for the house, I usually ask myself, "will this help me attain my goal towards sustainable and meaningful living?"  And, it's amazing how a simple question like that leads me to re-thinking my spending, consumption... and overall priorities.  Most of the time, I end up simplifying my needs (and wants) and assessing whether such needs (and wants... again) can be addressed by what I already have at home... and I think that's meaningful.

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Simplicity, creativity, peace, mindfulness... joy

One of the things that I am learning these days is that simple living is not about choosing the 'boring path'.  In fact, it is the exact opposite!  We live simply in order that our resources can be spent on experiences that are meaningful and memorable... and this usually is a great adventure!  The mere act of simplification, is an adventure in itself because it is about learning new things and using these things to design a more 'integrated' life where everything is a part of a whole, a whole that fits the wholeness of one's being.  Each time one uses a furniture or an appliance at home, it is not a mere act satisfying an immediate need - a need to lie down, a need to sit, a need to boil water... but it's a deliberate step towards sustainable living. And I think that, over time, that develops to mindfulness.  And when one is mindful, every step brings inner peace... and joy.  And because joy is infectious, one can plant a seed of 'shareable' joy that, over time, can transform the world... hopefully.

So, how does one begin a less wasteful, more integrated life of simplicity that is abundant in adventure and joy, and definitely not lacking in style and elegance?  I learned that it all begins from a 'decluttered' life.  After listening to many lectures and vlogs on YouTube on the joy of decluttered 

At the receiving room, a splash of colors. 

life and trying to actually live what I listen to, I am learning that abundance in life does not necessarily mean having tons and tons of material possessions... limited edition this, limited release that, deluxe edition this,  and what have you!  It's all about being creative in maximizing the use of the few but high-quality things that we have, and drawing joy from the results of the effort.  Therefore, choosing our material possessions should be thought of with care, creativity and imagination... bearing in mind that 'we only need one', and we choose that one with the most potential of becoming a classic - in functionality and elegance. 

In curating our home with simple possessions, one of the things that satisfy the 'we only need one' mindful mantra is multi-functionality... well, for obvious reason.  The other is the integration with other pieces in the house.  And one of the most fun in the integration process is blending textures, colors, patterns and forms or shapes. Say, a wooden chair in classic Scandinavian minimalist design with a cushion in the color of sage green, matched with a throw pillow with a cover of playful colors and design, and the chair located against a background of understated but refreshing grayish green curtain with an inner layer of sheer panels of minimalistic design, letting in light from the windows that amplifies the calming but playful harmony of the integrated design.  Form, patterns, colors, texture... a harmony that fills the home with joy and optimism.  Everyday, when I sit on that chair to sip my morning coffee while checking messages from my family on my phone, I cannot help but smile at the pretty colors that seem to greet me and wish me a good day.  And, indeed, the joy from every word that I receive from my family is amplified by my surroundings. 

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And among them all, texture...

As I continue to learn about integrated designs, and keeping the pieces at home embrace one another through colors, patterns, forms and textures for harmonious vibes, I find texture as the 

At the TV/family room... cozy, colorful and pleasing...
but inexpensive.

most fascinating.  I am discovering that even when we have the same color in one place, just in varying shades, the design can remain interesting rather than predictable, and fun rather than boring and monotonous, by blending different textures.  This is the theme that I have been experimenting on in our small family/TV room. I have most of the pieces in predominantly sage to grayish green with little surprises of yellow against white.  And yet, the varying textures seem to give the room a character... an inviting vibes that encourages one to relax and just enjoy... and let the various textures provide harmony, and fun, too.

These days, I do not only see the interesting effects of texture in the items and plants in vases of varying shapes found in the interior of the house.  I also see it outside the house, in our small garden at the front yard, and plant patches around the house.  The velvety texture of the petals of flowers against a lush background of gently spiky leaves that seem to explode from the coarse branches that playfully extend here and there, restrained only by the roots held tightly by the healthy and giving soil... they all constitute a most interesting blends and layers of textures.  Just watching the plants sway with the gentle breeze in a lazy afternoon, the flower petals occasionally allow the breeze to take them in a most graceful dance in the air can give so much calm, contentment and joy.

Outside, a butterfly is having a 'field day' while a bright orange flower 'smiles' broadly.

Ah, joy... this is what a simple and 'decluttered' life is all about.  We become more aware of the 'textural beauty' around us, and it fills our hearts with joy.  I guess this is what it means to live joyfully in a decluttered environment at home, we become focused on what is more important, beautiful and worth our while.          

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Image credit:  I own all images.

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Saturday Photo(s)

 

Yep, "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"... well, at least in my second home it is only 'beginning' to look a lot like Christmas, 'cause it's been looking a lot like Christmas in most parts of the Philippines since after 'Undas' (All Saints Day and All Souls Day).  In most part of the country, it's been looking (and sounding) like Christmas since September!  

We love Christmas in this part of the world.  In fact, we did display our new little Nativity Scene

with a bunch of 'Christmassy' little things in our second home... also after Undas.  Well, what can I say, we are Filipinos to the core, especially when it comes to celebrating Christmas!  

We do believe that Christ is, indeed, the 'reason for the season'.  And so, what is more important is preparing ourselves to renew our being one with our Lord.  We prepare to accept the Baby Jesus in our homes, in our hearts and in our lives... and be renewed by the immeasurable love that is the very meaning of His birth.  Therefore, before we get lost in the twinkles of glittering Christmas lights and the razzle-dazzle of Christmas parties, we remind ourselves of the true reason why we celebrate Christmas.  And, usually, the Nativity Scene is the most important 'physical reminder'.  So, in our family's practice, the nativity scene always comes first.  Along with it is the Christmas wreath with advent candles - a reminder of how the whole Christian world come together in prayer to prepare for the birth of Jesus.  All the rest of decorations come later.  And, anyway, it is so complicated to put up Christmas tree and hang Christmas lights and other decorations... and getting them down and storing them away is even more painful!  So, even if I did give in to 'national pressure' and put up Christmas tree and lights today, sometimes, I question myself about putting up Christmas decorations... well, aside from the nativity scene and Christmas wreath thats is.  We only have two kids in our huge family now who still appreciate sparkly Christmas decors (uhm, at least, for a few minutes... and then back to their gadgets).  All the rest are just a bunch of 'big kids'... who just want to sleep all day during Christmas break! 🙋😅

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Image credit:  All photos in this entry belong to me, and may not be used without permission. 

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Saturday photo

...of my "alternative workplace".
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by PAM

Uh, nah... I don't hang out in the attic all day long like some recluse these days.  That's not possible, of course not!  I'm "retired" from my previous work, not retired to a hermit life!  Haha.... I'm still a 'practicing geek' at the Research Center though... and I probably need to figure out a way to keep it that way for as long as possible... just because this is one "fire" that no amount of "water" can extinguish.  At least, that's how it feels these days... and I'm sure it'll stay that way for a long time.  

Alternative workplace... "the doctor is about". Welcome! =)

But, yeah, generally, I'm taking a break... and I do have an "alternative workplace" at home when I'm not "geeking it out" at the Research Center and at the... uhm, yeah, the attic!  It's a little corner in our front yard, under a kind old tree.  A "furry friend" (who can't keep still for a photo) keeps me company, too (and entertained... or maybe distracted? hehe...), while I, uhm, "work". :) 

I know... it's a 'good life', and I love it!  :)  God is good... He is!  I know, too, that I probably do not deserve any of these blessings... but I'm enjoying them nevertheless, like all graces from God should be enjoyed and be thankful for. :) 

But, yeah, I probably need to get back to the 'grind' in a little while... maybe in a few months.  I'll be back in full steam - hot, hissing with the highest possible enthalpy, flowing powerfully at full speed... starting a "new chapter" in my professional life! :)  Until then, I resolve to just enjoy my little break... and that's what I do now.  Slowing down, pausing to savor the sweetness of an incredible life of blessings... and figuring out this new path in front of me, to use God-given gifts in a way that allows me to give back - more - and enjoy life to the fullest at the same time.  Exciting days, indeed! :) 

Oh, and speaking of exciting stuff, EURO 2012 is just about to wrap up the Group stage and soon getting into the Quarterfinal stage... Wimbledon is just around the corner, too... and the 2012 Olympics beckons - London calling, baby!  :)

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Summation of simple joys = A delicious week

...hardwork + play + joyful mini reunion + a little surprise = happyness
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by Philipina A. Marcelo


The past week has been one of those times when it felt like some nice angels trying to overcome boredom on the clouds took notice of me - after a few months of neglect, and decided to wink at my lucky stars... blowing a breath of truly refreshing air in my direction. It felt like I was rained on by the proverbial magic dust... it was a lovely feeling - it more than made up for the months of neglect! :)

Last Monday, my senior research students got back from their weekend recollection held at the Dominican Retreat House. Nestled among the breathtaking hills of Caleruega in Nasugbu, Batangas, the House was both serene and beautiful, the students loved it there. They brought me presents from their trip, which caught me "emotionally unprepared". :) After my lectures in the morning, I was ready to spend the whole afternoon holed up in my office at the Research Complex. I wasn't expecting my research students for I knew that they were coming back that day, and therefore, may need to take the day off from school. I was surprised when they came into the lab quietly in the afternoon and went about their work... and then just before they left in the early evening, they knocked on my door and handed me my presents: a lovely little plaster sculpture of St. Dominic, a box of my favorite cashew tarts, and a box of cashew polvoron. I accepted the presents with my mouth open... and a tentative, "thanks, guys" - I was lost for words. After a few minutes of staring at the presents, I realized that they came with letters... I read the letters, and that's where the emotional unpreparedness manifested itself by the gentle tugging at the heart... a pure but subtle energy that almost condensed to tears. All I could see were thank you's - lots of them... they swam in front of my eyes, in my head... and in my heart. Surprisingly, while it felt as delicious as drinking a fine Italian wine, it wasn't intoxicating... it felt rather calming - blissful!

***

Tuesday and Wednesday lightly went by in a breeze... no complications. I felt like both days were made for serene existence - just being in harmony with what each second brought. It felt like a fluid dance where the body merely went with the flow of music, like it had a mind of its own, like both were meant for each other. And, I glided, and swayed, and twirled - allowed myself to be swept away... paused to catch my breath... and went again - and again! Ah, delicious! :)

Thursday was special in that one group of my research students and I finally found what we were looking for in our work!! Our ploy, care of father Science, to cajole Mother Nature with a slew of relentless and methodical trials to reveal another one of her secrets to us paid off... she softened, and she spilled the beans! Hurray! :) And then, as if the angels were delighted by my squeal of excitement, they seemed to turn up the magical dust flow... somebody sent me an e-mail. Every word and punctuation in the e-mail, and especially the professional position of the sender - all of it made up a promising research-related partnership in the offing. Sweet! :)

Friday was heaven! In the morning and early afternoon, I gave lectures on my favorite engineering topic these days - flux modeling and process design in Membrane Technology. It went very well.... I thought I knew how much I loved discussing the topic, but even I was taken by surprise by just how "crazed" I was with it - I got completely lost in the lecture myself. I felt like I was going to burst in the seams... I needed several horsepower of sheer will to restrain myself from gushing! =) I lectured with brute force until I was blue in the face! I think that the students were close to clapping after the two-hour lecture... but they seemed to realize clapping would be weird in a regular class lecture - I would think the same, actually, even if the thought was delicious. :)

***

Friday evening was a Wonderland... just because it involved the (sizzling) hot John Mayer! A sister, three nieces, a friend and I went to see "John Mayer Live in Manila 10.01.10" at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. The venue was open-air... and it was raining - cats and dogs! Undeterred by rain, we went and sang the night away with the fabulous John Mayer... talk about delicious! =) We had reasons to celebrate, too... it was a belated birthday celebration for one niece, a first job celebration for another, and a belated "congratulations" celebration for another who just passed the Nurse Licensure Examination - in one try, of course! :) So it was a good time to let our hair down and enjoy the music of one talented musician who came to perform in Manila - for the first time.

John Mayer was amazing... we had so much fun singing with him, and dancing to a number of his songs - in the rain! He treated his Manila fans with his "Room for Squares" songs, some with new arrangements and updated vocals, peppered with impressive guitar solos. His voice was husky, low, and "quiet"... even when he's all a-rockin' and fired-up - totally S.E.X.Y. Of course, the enthusiastic crowd was wowed... and they screamed, howled and twirled in the gushing rain! :) My personal favorites were "Love Song for No One", which he sang beautifully, and "Why Georgia" where he reiterated his hypothesis on "quarter-life crisis"... it's amazing how the emotional chaos in the lyrics could send shivers down one's spine - deliciously - by the carress of his voice... *gasp*... but, of course, just like everyone else, I died a little bit with "Your Body is a Wonderland" - colossally romantic and, oh, so sexy! Whew! :) It was great to hear him do a cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" as well... adding the John Mayer touch - new arrangement a la "Neon", complete with his signature drawl, titillating discreet moan (oy!), and awesome guitar playing - whew, hot! So, that was probably why it was raining - some cooling effect was (badly) needed! ;) It looked like even the angels were pleased by JM that the rain stopped and let us enjoyed the last five or six songs with our umbrellas folded... the air all tasted of JM's music - and it was sweet and delicious!

We got hungry after expending tons of energy to contain the electrifying performance of John Mayer. So, we capped the night feasting on a really classic Pinoy treat - lugaw, in ... well, where else but in Lugawan Republic at Tomas Morato! =) I wanted to keep it "pure and simple", so I ordered a "basic" lugaw while everyone else got adventurous and ordered the more intricate variants. We also shared two servings of the mouthwatering tokwa't baboy while we viewed our photos and videos from the concert, laughing at each other like mad and eating like there wasn't enough lugaw in the world. :) We parted ways at the Lugawan... and made plans for another escapade con bonding soon. Needless to say, we went home all satisfied... wonderful experience - concert in the rain, great bonding time, celebrating milestones in my young nieces' lives with great music in the background, and belly-satisfied as well. Delicious!

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Careful not to wake the village, I restrained myself from belting out "Love Song for No One" and tiptoed to my room from the JM Concert. Mindful of my "date" with former students the next day... well, on the same day, actually 'cause I got home after midnight, I went to bed trying to imagine what the mini reunion would be like. In the morning, staggering to the kitchen to fix myself my morning "shots" of coffee, I almost squealed at the sight of my "wooden finds" in the TV/living room - from my bargain hunt with my sisters two weeks ago! The shiny hardwood center table with laminated drawers greeted me with a truly smug artsy elegance... and I made a double take and wheeled towards it! :) I shook my head to think about how it got there... and remembered that the day before was the end of the 10-working day wait until its delivery. Aww, wow! And then, I remembered, I purchased one more... I turned, and there it was - my wooden console table! It wasn't as smug as the center table... but it stood with quiet and classic elegance, too.

I turned to grab the little table-top pieces of decor I picked up here and there while I waited for the new furnitures to arrive, and tried them on the center and console tables. The kind angels seemed to be paying attention to what I was doing, and what it did to my mood... the morning sun peeked through the windows to touch the top of the center table, and it shone beautifully - I was dazzled, it made me giggle! :) Suddenly, there was a surge of delicious energy that almost cancelled out my need for morning caffeine and I bounced around. I went about eating breakfast and listening to the morning news, admiring my "bargain finds" at the same time... as if the fresh memories of the JM concert the night before wasn't enough to bring smile to my lips. I was so happy, it made me look forward to my "date" with great anticipation!

***

Aah, Saturday!

After fulfilling a "daughter's duty", I raced to the University to attend my senior students' "Career Talk" Seminar. The speaker was my former student and thesis advisee who currently holds an intimidating position - regional level (Asia-Pacific) - in a giant multinational that is known for innovation and excellence... and she's married with two kids... and is only 35!

The moment I saw her... with her whole family in tow, towering waves of emotions hit me - joy, pride, longing, excitement, thankfulness... I floated with glee! She gave a really engaging career talk, simply because she's spoken on a very personal note... chronicling her journey to where she is now, learning very good lessons from every experience, and using all the lessons learned to move to the next phase of her career - better and wiser each time. The students and I were completely absorbed... deliciously awed! From a teacher's perspective, it was beautiful to watch her showing my current students how her present could be their very future... and I was surrounded by the delicious air of meaningful success! She made me feel how the past 21 years of committing myself to my profession was so worth it!

She went on to interact with the students until her family came back to remind her of the "real reason" why they were there - my ice cream date with the kids. :) I promised to treat her little girl to a cone of ice cream in the campus after getting one of the highest grades in her class in the second quarter... and her little boy for the wonderful progress he was making in his school, too. Her husband, who is making waves in his workplace as well, is also a former student of mine... in fact, they worked together in their undergraduate thesis, and I stood as their adviser together with a colleague. I was very young and extremely aggressive back then, and they matched my every step, my every leap as I sprinted tirelessly to accomplish as much as I could as the Laboratory Supervisor of my Department. Together, we made up the very young and productive group of Thomasians who had nothing else in mind but to make a difference for our Alma Mater in terms of modernizing our Laboratory facilities and programs... and we're successful, too! :) Working with them back then, I saw how they grew and matured to be promising engineers... I saw them get married and build their home a few years after graduation. Now, after several years, I was overjoyed to see them fulfill the promise I saw in them when they were still students - even surpassing them so impressively! But even more gratifying was the fact that they turned out to be very good parents... their lovely kids bounced around them cheerfully with a great sense of security in the warmth of their parents' nurturing affection. Obviously, they are very well reared and thoroughly loved lucky little souls.

Ah, the air tasted of the most delicious flavor of love! And, yeah, our ice cream date was a success - yum!

***

Compliments to "The Chef"!

I had an extra-special week, and therefore, I went to give thanks - extra-special way, too - to The One who prepared a sumptuous week-long menu and put those angels on a cook out mission! Rather than hearing mass in our Village church - a few meters away from our place, I went with a sister to hear mass in the Sto. Domingo church, about 10 km from our place. I offered prayers and lit candles for my current and past students, for my loved ones, and for my angels and myself. As I watched the smoke rose to the clouds... I found myself wishing that the angels turn them into magic dust once again. ;)

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Hmmm, those kind angels must be giggling happily on that cottony and delicious Cloud 9. I just knew it... 'cause I was! :)

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