Musings Aboard Superferry Five

It’s nine in the evening. I’m mulling over the fact that if I didn’t take this trip, I would have missed the splendor of the sea. Its sights, sounds, sensations, feelings and thoughts have embraced my awareness throughout this journey.

The Sights – From the sea, the land becomes a mass of dark contours – with mountain looming majestically at a distance. The skies, so blue and enchanting, beckon the connoisseur of beauty. The birds riding the breeze punctuate the marvelous natural kaleidoscope.

The Sounds – The rhythmic splashing of the waves and the crisp hum of the breeze are like an orchestra. Out here, music is not so much of the ears but of the mind.

The Sensations – Akin to a fickle person, the sea exhibits many moods. Sometimes warm, bright and especially calm then it could become brooding, dark, and foreboding. Like an awestruck child, I can be filled by a sense of wonder one moment and dread in the next.

The Feelings – Amidst the sea’s immensity, I could sense my vulnerability. The sea could bring joy and gladness, a feeling of well-being and unbounded optimism for the beauty and majesty of nature.

The Thoughts – With time in my hands, there is no greater pastime than pensive introspection – pondering the essence of my existence and destiny. On certain moments, I seem to see my life unfolding – at once looking at the highs and lows of life and about what could have been and what could still be.

Feeling the elements and communing with this great panorama, I am at once made aware of the human condition, in fact, my own.

At sea, aboard Superferry 5 going to Bohol, January 27, 2009, inspired by Musings of a Sea Wanderer by Cav. Suarez, The Cavalier 2008

Home Sweet Home

It has been a little over a month since my last post. The reason for my silence is that I and my husband wanted to fully enjoy our extended rest and recreation in our hometown. We made a deal to make most out of it through steering clear of internet, cable TV, and yes, even cellphones. In other words, we just took pleasure in the total simplicity of life, warmth of home, sumptuous meals, sound of crickets, and lush green all around.

Allow me to fill you in with some of the events that made me feel that I have the best life ever.

On the 24th of January, after we settled the bill of lading of Mark’s bike (he said we could literally leave all our packed possessions behind except his beloved bike) at Manila South Harbor, we went strolling at Luneta Park as our weekend date.

water buffalo at quirino grandstand

the famous rizal monument

my man, my lover, my date

Then we visited Kalikasan Park at Fort San Felipe the following day. (Mark and I love to discover a lot of things together and one of our favorites is history.)

the gatekeepers

the weapon and the beauty

april and datski

In the evening of January 26, we went through thorough body and baggage checks by machine, human, and sniffing dogs at Manila South Harbor as we boarded Superferry 5 departing to Bohol. Week before that, I booked a PAL flight for myself (Mark has to take the ship because of his bike) since I was afraid to take the sea trip due to the disaster of MV Princess of the Stars.

In the end though, I decided to travel with Mark because I was inspired by Titanic (the movie) particularly when Jack said to Rose, “Why did you do it, Rose?” and Rose answered, “You jump, I jump, right?”

Anyway, it seemed we had a second honeymoon on board. The food served for our accommodation was so appetizing and our suite was so conducive for sea romance. We just spent most of our time making love if not watching the Australian Open. (I was happy because Nadal won yet my heart went out to Federer when he cried during his runner-up speech as well. Better luck next time, Rog.)

musings aboard superferry

in the middle of the deep blue sea

caught in the act (playing chess titans)

When we arrived at the port of Tagbilaran City (after a short stop in Cebu where Mark dropped off his bike and some of our luggages), I felt dizzy and exuberant at the same time.

My mother, mother-in-law, and Mark’s cousin fetched us.

Mark drove to Candijay right away as he had to attend the funeral of his aunt while I accompanied my mom to one of her appointments in the city.

Afterward, I treated my mom, brother, and the apple of my eyes, NJ, at Jollibee. While choosing our meals at the counter, I unexpectedly bumped into my friends, Chuck and Karen and their daughter Chy. (Karen and Chuck, if you happen to read this, sorry I wasn’t able to talk with you longer but it’s just a small world, right? I hope to catch up with you again one of these days.)

family treat

nj, mom, and bro

my jolly bee

Eventually, I was able to attend the funeral of Mark’s aunt because it was moved in the afternoon. It was bittersweet; bitter because I attended a sad memorial service and sweet because I took in the loveliness of our place during the interment.

six feet down under

the rice field and the scarecrow

enjoying at the backyard

Aside from just bumming around the house (some days at my parents’, other days at my mother-in-law’s), I also reread some of my favorite books until the wee hours. I got into the worlds of Stephanie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn, Sheldon’s The Stars Shine Down and Sands of Time, Robin Cook’s Outbreak, and Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook (I read it for the third time because I simply never get enough of it).

Indeed, coming home is always being on cloud nine. Mark and I even plan to retire in Bohol after we are fulfilled in traveling and working in other places.

visiting my high school

relaxing at the beach

babysitting my nj

driving around with our doggie isay

spending quality time at bohol tropics on valentine's day

Vacation is unfortunately over for now. I am obliged to set in motion the next episodes of my life - city life, that is.

Keep posted!

Parable of Frog in a Milk-Pail

Life is not always fair so I need to be strong when everything goes wrong. One of my ways to arm myself with solid strength is to read inspiring stories. Today, I read parables and this one inspires me most..

A frog was hopping around a farmyard when it decided to investigate the barn. Being somewhat careless, and maybe a little too curious, he ended up falling into a pail half-filled with fresh milk.

As he swam about attempting to reach the top of the pail, he found that the sides of the pail were too high and steep to reach. He tried to stretch his back legs to push off the bottom of the pail but found it too deep.

But this frog was determined not to give up, and he continued to struggle. He kicked and squirmed and kicked and squirmed, until at last, all his churning about in the milk had turned the milk into a big hunk of butter. The butter was now solid enough for him to climb onto and get out of the pail!

The moral of the story is "Never Ever Give Up!"

Introspection

I was running wild gasping for air, asking heavens for release from the gnawing pains inside of me. I know I couldn’t endure more as the nights were getting colder and the days were getting fiercer. I had to make a life-changing decision before it was too late for me to be free. I stopped and looked the other way. Eventually, I found the end of the dark tunnel and had become emancipated again. I then realized that happiness indeed comes in broken pieces. I couldn’t have it all, no matter how hard I persisted.

Welcome to the World, Daniel!

The 20th of January commemorates not only the inauguration of President Obama but also the birth of an angel to our family.

Last Monday evening, my younger brother informed me that his wife was scheduled for an immediate premature delivery when the Ob-Gyne found out that their baby had cord coiling and low heartbeat. I and my family were so worried yet we commenced our prayer brigade at once. At three in the morning yesterday, we received happy news that the operation was successful. We were ecstatic.

Daniel Marcus (named after his two grandfathers) came into this world at the most historic time indeed. My brother said the baby looks like our tatay. I can imagine him to be a mirror image of my first nephew NJ who resembles tatay as well.

(NJ at 1 & 1/2 years old)

The not so good news is, our little angel is still under observation. He is still depending on dextrose monohydrate, pulse oximeter, and oxygen mask. This morning my mother told me that the baby has contracted pneumonia.

I've never begged in my whole life but right now I’m begging to all of you who read my blog to please help me and my family pray for the recuperation of our baby Daniel. Please. I really need your prayers. Thanks.

I Celebrate the Obama Era

It’s everywhere.. the Obama madness I mean. History is being made and it’s happening not only in America but also in every part of the globe. I want to do my part by sharing with you the videos that has moved me in one way or another.

Almost all big stars from movie and music industry gathered at We Are One Concert at the Lincoln's Memorial to celebrate history and the future. You’ll Never Walk Alone sang by Renee Fleming with US Naval Academy Glee Club made me cry. It stroke deep chords of my emotions and it made me missed my great grandmother so much.

The sensational Charice Pempengco graced at various Obama Pre-inauguration Balls in Washington, DC. She made every Filipino proud when she brought the house down with her world-class performances. She was also dubbed by Oprah as The Most Talented Girl in the World. Mabuhay ka Charice!

And now, the turning point of our history – the swearing in of President Obama. I want the video to say it all..

Lastly, the first dance of President Obama and First Lady Michelle with Beyonce singing "At Last". (What a fitting song for the first couple! After all their struggles, they finally made it to the White House!) I could only describe it with one word - overwhelming!

Witnessing a Political Milestone: The Barack Obama Inauguration

Barack Obama will finally swear in as the first African-American President of the United States of America! As expected, all news networks around the world are beholding at this paramount political event as it is happening in Washington, DC today.

Not only it is a celebration of a significant history of our time but also it gives triumphant finale to the struggles of the personified men and women in Amistad, Glory, Men of Honor, and my other favorite movies that depicted discrimination to minorities. In addition, it smashes the record held by Armstrong’s walk on the moon in 1969 and Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997 in terms of viewership. Millions of people around the globe are waiting for this great political milestone.

I am watching CNN right now and I'm so overwhelmed with the intensity of President-elect Obama’s journey to the White House. Commencing from Barack’s travel by train from Philadelphia to Washington that retraced Abraham Lincoln’s route taken hundred years ago, to the star-studded inauguration party at the Lincoln’s Memorial, to the big gathering of people of all colors and races at National Mall, to the preparation of Secret Service Counter-snipers on top of the buildings, to the testimonies that Barack has indeed made Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream come true, and so on. I can’t wait to see him on stage. I’m sure I will shed tears of joy.

Let’s join hands in celebrating this meaningful moment of our history. It will be streamed live on CNN, ANC, Channel News Asia, BBC, Bloomberg, ABS-CBN, Studio 23, and GMA Network at 11.30pm Manila time. The replay of Yes We Can: The Obama Inauguration Celebration at the Lincoln's Park will be aired on HBO at 7pm Manila time.

Long live President Barack Obama!

Ways to Say I Love You

Mark and I have our share of ups and downs as a couple but no matter what, we are still committed to say I Love You to each other always. It helps us revive our vow to make our marriage stay fresh till the end.

Likewise, we have our ways of exclaiming the three magic words without actually saying it. We couple words with action, so to speak. How do we do it? Let me count the ways..

* We gaze at the stars.

* We hold hands.

* We take trips.

* We cuddle.

* We listen.

* We scrub each other's back.

* We write unexpected love notes or emails.

* We schedule a day to just bum around the house.

* We don't forget anniversaries and birthdays. (Well, he does occasionally.)

* We share why we love each other to family and friends. (Like what I’m doing now.. winks!)

* We give the gift of time by performing trivial chores such as making coffee, cooking dinner, etc.

* We smile a lot. (Hmmm, I guess it’s just me but most often than not, I stimulate him to do the same unconsciously.)

* We wink to each other impulsively.

* We dance in our own living room.

* We plan and cook a meal together.

* We give each other a massage.

* We compete against each other in our favorite games like chess and billiards.

* We create fun outdoors.

* We watch TV and movies together.

* We tell jokes and laugh.

* We go joyriding on his bike.

* We watch the sunrise as well as the sunset.

* We give each other a surprising hug and a teasing tickle.

* We share memories by looking at old photographs and talking about memories we share.

* We let our hands do the talking.

* We share.

* We call and text often.

* We sing together.

* We heal our wounds.

* We surf the net and read books together.

* We update each other with what’s happening around the world.

* We view each other’s profile at Friendster.

* We go malling.

* We try new restaurants from time to time.

* We give each other me-alone-time every week.

* We debate on certain topics. (We’re thinkers!)

* We educate each other.

* We try new hobbies.

* We go to Mass and pray together.

* We kiss romantically.

Making Marriage Work

OK.. (Sigh) It was our longest fight ever. Four days. Yesterday morning, Mark kissed and hugged me then I gave in. We’ve decided to just learn the lesson from our rift and take it from there. Go figure.

There are five things that pretty much keep our marriage working.

- Number One –
We always say ‘I love you’ to each other.

-Number Two-
We don’t fight much and long. If we do, we simply give each other space and time to contemplate.

-Number Three-
We go on romantic dates from time to time. It helps us escape from routines and reminds us that we are lovers above anything else.

-Number Four-
We keep our communication open. My husband's job demands so much of his time and concentration that’s why communication is very important to us.

-Number Five-
We center our marriage to God. This way, we feel secured that nothing can go wrong to our marriage because we are always taken care of by the Big Guy up there.

Rendezvous at Greenwich Pizza.. Yummy!

Moving House, Anyone?

With the kind of job my husband does, I am expected to move with him from one place to another. I have become like a rolling stone that gathers no moss but honestly, I am cut out for it. I don’t fear changes. Instead, I like to welcome new surroundings that bring fresh feelings and I love meeting new friends. Most of all, I am pleased to revolutionize erstwhile routines that has been dragging me to monotony.

There’s one thing I dread so much though – packing!

I’m so stressed out and I’m in constant struggle to settle on what to bring and what to forego. No matter how it is done, it’s back-breaking and it takes more time than I wish to spend on such a task. I’m also amazed of how much junk we have accumulated through a short period of time.

Thankfully I have my sister to help me put prized possessions in boxes and throw away what I consider rubbishes to the dumpster. I just bribe her with brownies and Tropicana juice. She’s not whining yet, I don’t know in the next days.

Some of our clothes are now in luggages, pasalubongs in canvas bags, books and shoes in boxes. I haven’t loaded yet the curtains, beddings, PC, Mark’s cherished gadgets, and yeah, his bike too.

I’m thinking, how about if we just live in a boat like the Badjaos (sea gypsies) so that if we have to move again, we’ll just simply sail away! How about that, huh?