Few of my friends here learned that I had friends come all the way here
just to visit me, and they commented " you must be very special that
they travel that far"....

     Those words perfectly describes my friend, Lanie, who organized a joint birthday party for me, and Triz her sweet sweet daughter, last August 23.

     I, together with two other friends, Judy and Ger (and her soon-to-be-proven-genius son Evan) travelled 6 hours by train to see Lanie and her family. Another friend, Vanessa, flew in from Texas to join us in Michigan. We all knew that the trip would be worth it.

     Lanie and her family (John, the patient husband, Jonathan the pilyo, Garin the baby who is no longer a baby, and of course Triz the future ballerina)  are hosts par excellence with their genuine hospitality and generous spirit.

     Their lovely home, specially their modern and spacious kitchen, is a scene of non stop cooking (which is not good if you are watching your weight), laughter, easy banter, friendly sharing with kids running, playing, crying, laughing and asking for hugs. There was karaoke (thanks to Vanessa for saving me) and dancing (Judy's not so hidden talent). Kim, another good friend, who lives near Lanie's house was not to be outdone. She stayed with us for the night because she did not want to miss out on the "talk-eat-talk" session. 

     We were there for two days and we had such a blast that Ger made a proclamation...."going to Lanie's once every two years is mandatory!".

     I celebrated my first birthday in the U.S. at Lanie's and it was so much fun to celebrate it there again this year.

     Thank you Lanie and family for another memorable birthday. For more details, click here: http://geri.tabulas.com/ .

Tom and Jerry

(Tom and Geri's Evan)

     I have not watched the animated series Tom and Jerry but someone told me that these two cartoon characters were always getting themselves into trouble.

     Fortunately, that is not the case with the loving and harmonious couple Tom and Geri who opened their home to me when I flew to Chicago. It was refreshing to stay with a couple who are easy to be with. Spending time with Evan, their handsome small bundle of energy, was an added bonus.

     I felt at ease conversing with the soft spoken Tom who talks affectionately about their little would-be-hockey/golf-player-2-year-old at one moment, and engages in an earnest discussion on politics and spirituality, in the next. 

     Geri, on the other hand, is one of the few "women of substance" that I have had the priviledge of being a friend to. She is a creative artist with the intelligence and sensibility of the modern day woman who has managed to balance the demands of family and work.       

     I wish there were more married couples like these two special people. It warms my heart to see married couples who love, respect, admire and appreciate each other.  

     Tom and Geri, thank you for having me as a guest in your home and for introducing me to Greek food . I look forward to the next visit.

 Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

    David said, "Your birthday started with a gift card for Kohl's and ended with a coupon from Mongolian Barbecue...you must be birthdayed out"  

     Indeed, I am grateful to the many people who have made my birthday pleasantly different this year, starting with the joint celebration at my father-in-law's yard to  Lanie's party at Michigan, Judy's lunch treat in Chicago and David's welcome home birthday table back in Ohio (http://gildavid168.blogs.friendster.com/gildavid_bulletin/).

     Thank you Tatay, Leslie and Joe, Hope Ann and Steve, Geri, Lanie, Judy, Aunt Peg and Bob and of course, David, for the gifts.

  (some gifts from David, Lanie, Geri and Judy)

     Thank you too for those who sent their greetings... my family in Cebu, and my friends Daisy, Paula, Lilibeth, Luzlin, Julius Martin, Fr. Purcell, Gemma, Juvy, Nang Ruby, Lilette, Corazon, Tess, Ligaya, Rhebs, Darl, Mel,  Kim, Vanessa, (I hope I mentioned everyone).

     I am most grateful to all of you for an amazing birthday celebration. I am so abundantly blessed indeed.

Tennis is...

     taking care of your service

     returning what is not yours

     not crossing the line

     making sure you don't get broken

     having a firm grip

     keeping your balance

     digging deep within when your are down

    ....just like life.

     David and I went to watch the Cincinnati Tennis Tournament early this week and we had a fabulous time. This is a week long tournament and it is the fourth time we have been there. By now, we have it down to a science.

     We learned to forgo some games at center court and to watch the games at the smaller courts because we get a much better view at the latter. We learned to choose the games and players we wanted to see and time our schedules to make sure we get good seats. We learned the best days to go (second and third) so that we can see the higher ranked players play and practice. We learned what to bring (hats, sunblock, camera) and how to spend less at the food stands .

     The tournament  is only a little over an hour away from our place, we decided to make it an overnight trip by getting a hotel near the venue. We attended the evening games (starting at 4pm) on the first day and the day games (10 am - 5pm) on the second day.

     It was exciting to see my favorite players once again and to watch them play. I was a shutterbug, taking pictures both of the games and the practices. David was glued at the courts while I went around the grounds, every now and then,  looking for freebies and special offers. I also checked if there were special events going on. We had so much fun.

     Here are some of the pictures I took of the players.

     The best part of this road trip was taking it with David. We look forward to going again next year, God willing.

     For more accounts and pictures, click here: http://gildavid168.blogs.friendster.com/gildavid_bulletin/ , it may take time to load so please be patient.

Tag from Geri...

1. What was I doing 10 years ago? 

    - working with the Justice and Peace Desk of the Redemptorists in Cebu

    - teaching Psychology        

    - directing a counseling program for seminarians

    - giving seminars, workshops and talks

    - traveled to Europe

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today?

     - prayers

     - lunch at Mongolian Barbecue

     - water plants

     - watch "The Mummy"

     - get party decorations for Tatay's party

     - blog

3. Snacks I enjoy

    I don't usually take snacks, if I do, they range from fruit to cookies to salad

 4. Places where I have lived

     Cebu, Manila, Ohio

5. Things I would do if I were a billionaire

     - make a trust for Education for Peace so it can expand and continue serving the children in far flung mountain villages        

     - repair our church

     - create a trust fund for the education of my nephews and nieces

      - go on a first class world trip with David

      - attend some seminars and workshops of my favorite authors, and on and on

     Account of our summer vacation at this link: http://gildavid168.blogs.friendster.com/gildavid_bulletin/

     There are certain moments in one's life when one feels the presence of the sacred. This is an account of one of them.

     The first few months after I arrived in the U.S., I would ask David to take me with him when he had to go downtown. He would drop me at the steps of St. Joseph's Cathedral and come back for me after about an hour. I enjoyed those quiet moments of prayer.

     I had befriended the worker who cleaned the church. We would occassionally chat while I was waiting for David.  On one of these visits to the Cathedral, I brought a box of cookies for him.

    When I got there, I did not see him so I proceeded to the south transcept (right of the altar), knelt before the statue of the Blessed Mother and started my prayers. It was a cold winter morning and the church was not well heated so I decided to move to the apse (behind the altar where the choir would be seated during Mass) and finish my prayers seated on one of the chairs for the choir.

     As I continued with my prayers, arms crossed due to the cold, and with my eyes closed, a black homeless man sat beside me. He was shabbily dressed but not disheveled. He had a big knapsack which probably contained all his earthly possessions. He looked at me and said something which I could not quite catch. I thought he was asking me for money. I left my wallet  at home and did not have money with me. The only thing I had was my celphone and the box of cookies. 

     By this time, I was getting apprehensive because there was no one else inside the church but the two of us.  Not so pleasant and, shall we say, negative stereotyped thoughts starting running through my head. I gave him the box of cookies wishing that he would go away and leave me alone.

     Instead, he bent over, opened his knapsack and started searching for something. I shifted  from anxious to scared while trying hard not to show it. He found what he was looking for and offered it to me. It was a heart shaped lollipop. Someone had probably given him the day before (Valentine's Day). 

     To say that I was touched would be an understatement. I was in awe. I was also ashamed and a little guilty, but somehow the shame and guilt were not of consequence. What mattered was the recognition that that was a moment of grace. It was one of those moments when time stood still and I realized that I was given a special blessing.  

     I sincerely thanked him for the lollipop and he continued to sit beside me. He asked me if I was alright. It dawned on me that he was not asking me for anything when he approached me. He wanted to know if something was bothering me. I must have looked troubled sitting alone inside the church, so he came to ask me if I was ok.

     I told him that I was fine and that I was praying the rosary. He nodded in understanding when I showed him my rosary beads. He stood up and told me, "Sister, if you want to talk, if you have any problems, I am just here." I smiled and thanked him. He then took his bag, stood up and left me to my prayers.

     I will probably never see that man again. He will probably not remember me. He will never know that this new Filipino immigrant needed that inspiring moment on that cold winter morning and will never forget him. He will never know that his appearance was an answer to a question my heart was asking, "Will I be alright in this country?".

     The lollipop he gave me is still on my altar as a reminder that that moment of grace, that small act of kindness, that answer to a prayer did happen.   

     It is fortunate that I am not acrophobic because I enjoy being on high structures looking down on a lovely view.

     My first looong climb was to the spire of the Ulm Cathedral. It is said to be the world's tallest spire. I was on a road trip in Germany, with a very dear friend, Fr. Hans Hanus, CSsR and he told me that we were going to make a stop at Ulm, the birthplace of Albert Einstein. He wanted to show me Ulm's splendid cathedral.  She was a sight to behold. As I stood at the front of the church,  admiring her exquisite beauty, Fr. Hans told me that we were going to climb the 768 steps up to the top of the spire .

     I looked at the steeple again and I seriously doubted if I would make it up there alive. However, I could not refuse  because Fr. Hans was way older than me and if he was going to climb up, there was no way that I was going to chicken out.

     As we stood at the entrance to the tower, waiting for our turn to climb up, a little boy emerged from the door breathless and he said to no one in particuler, "It is a long way up there, a loooong way.". Great, that was just what I needed to hear.

     So up we went the seemingly endless steps. I remember singing some songs from the Disney movie, "Hunchback of Notre Dame" just to distract my attention.

     It was certainly a long climb but, to my surprise, I made it to the top alive and in good form. The view was breathtaking. I was glad that I did not allow my fear and doubts to stop me from making the climb.

     The next three high structures that I have been up on were in the U.S. with David.

     The first was the Washington Monument in Washington DC. Thankfully, I did not have to climb because there was an elevator (though David told me that he used to go up the monument using the stairs. We needed to get tickets to make this climb but there was no fee.

     From the top of the Washington Monument, one gets a lovely view of Washington DC. Shown above is a photo I took of the White House. This is one of the best ways to appreciate and get a good perspective of the lay out of the nation's capital.

    The next two towers were from our two recent trips.

     We were at Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks, home of America's tallest lighthouse. David and I had planned on visiting the light house but we were not absolutely sure if we could go to the top. Thankfully, we found out that they allow the public to make the climb.

     Since I have never been on top of a lighthouse, I was excited to make the climb. When we got there I saw signs posted at the visitors center warning the public that the climb was difficult and that anyone who wishes to do so must make sure that they are up to the task. It would be hot inside and the climb would be equivalent to that of a twelve story building, yikes! I started having second thoughts . I watched the people who had made the climb and they did not look exhausted so I decided that it would not be bad.

     The climb was easy. There were landings with windows where one could stop if one needed to rest. I don't think David and I stopped to rest, but we did take time to look out from those windows so we could see the view.

     Being on top of a lighthouse is such an enjoyable experience and the view is definitely very rewarding. 

     Last, but not least, you can't beat this view from the top of the Perry Monument at Put In Bay, Ohio. This monument was built to commemorate a great naval battle in 1813. While on top of the 317 feet monument, David and I tried to imagine that fierce naval battle that took place just a few miles away from where we were standing.

      Thankfully, I did not have to climb this monument because it has an elevator. David and I went there for a day trip this week and had such a great time.

     I guess the reason why I like being on top of high structures is that it gives me a different view, a different perspective of a place. Pretty much like life, every now and then we need to rise above a situation and get a different perspective of things in order to live a richer, more colorful and meaningful life. 

Happy Fourth of July to all!

What better way to prepare for this historic holiday than to visit a place ...

Where Patrick Henry is still eloquently delivering his, "...give me liberty or give me death." speech.

Where Martha Washington is still rallying the people to support her husband's efforts for a free and independent nation.

Where slaves are still dreaming to be free

Where Thomas Jefferson is still urging the people to unite behind the ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

Where the newly approved Declaration of Independence is still being read, printed  and circulated discussed in the streets and taverns

David and I experienced all that and more when we went to Colonial Williamsburg for a vacation. It was one very interesting and memorable experience to see the restored town of Williamsburg brought  back to the colonial days when America was still on the verge of becoming a nation. Colonial Williamsburg is a living museum where people dress in the costume of the period, doing their daily activities in the same manner that they would have been done at that time from the use of the spinning wheel, to making herbal concoctions to treat ailments, carriage rides, and children's games to mention a few.  

 For someone like me who is contemplating on becoming a citizen of this country, there is no better way to start falling in love with this nation than a trip to Colonial Williamsburg.

     There are times when you catch some truly inspiring moments on TV. Today's French Open finals was one of them.

     David and I would usually root for the same players and teams when we watch sports on TV. However, that was not the case this morning when we watched the French Open championships. David wanted Roger Federrer to win the French Open and I was supporting Rafael Nadal.

     For the record, we like both Federrer and Nadal. They are exceptionally outstanding tennis players. Federrer had never won the French Open in his entire career and David wanted him to get it this year. 

     I wanted Nadal to win because, by winning this year's French Open, he would tie the record of another outstanding tennis player, Bjon Borg. Federrer broke Borg's Wimbledon record last year, so I wanted Nadal to have his own record breaking moment as well. "Besides", I told David, "Federrer has already lost the Australian Open this year, let him have all 4 Grand Slams next year".    

     Like the rest of the tennis world, David and I expected an extraordinary tennis match between the world's number 1 and 2 tennis players for the championship game. It did not turn out that way, to the shock and disbelief of everyone who is closely monitoring the tennis world. Even the commentators were lost for words on how to describe the game's outcome.

     To say that Federrer was outplayed by Nadal would be an understatement. Nadal beat Federrer 6-1, 6-3, 6-0. I have never seen Federrer lost a set 6-0, and definitely not in a major Grand Slam championship. It was a bad day for one of the greatest players in the world. Even if I was rooting for Nadal, it was painful to watch Federrer beaten so badly. I think most of the people in the audience felt the same way as well.

     In the final seconds of the game, when Nadal  hit the last winning shot and knew he had won, he kept himself from "celebrating". He knew that Federrer was feeling disappointed and downhearted and he did not  want to "add insult to injury". That showed a lot of class and character for someone who just turned 22 years old. It was his day in the sun, having just won one of the biggest games in his career. He was entitled to show jubilation but his respect for Federrer came first.

     During the trophy awarding ceremony, Federrer acknowledged Nadal's victory with grace, respect and humor. He gave Nadal his due without making excuses nor berating himself. If I liked Federrer before, I appreciate him even more now and I hope he wins all 4 Grand Slams next year.

    Nadal started his victory speech with, "Sorry Roger". He knew that although he had played well, Federrer did not play his best tennis as well. This guy's humility is worth emulating. One of the commentators mentioned that Nadal's uncle, who is also his coach and trainer, gave him a motto which he has taken to heart, "Be hungry, be humble".  

     Watching these two giants, one showing grace in defeat and the other showing humility in victory, was a truly inspiring moment. A real class act, indeed.

     Click here for pictures of our first tennis practice of the year: http://gildavid168.blogs.friendster.com/gildavid_bulletin/

     These past weeks, I have been spending countless hours working outside. There were days when I would start right after lunch and keep at it  until David would call me and inquire about dinner. A few times, I would ask him if we could just go to a drive through because I was too tired to prepare our usual evening saladl. Fortunately, I have a very understanding and considerate husband who would willingly oblige his obsessive-compulsive wife  . When I start working outside, I can't stop.

     I find so much joy looking outside viewing the result of my work. I transplanted some perennial plants (mainly hostesses and ferns) and planted multi colored annuals. David and I would take turns checking out how our newly planted flowers would be doing. 

     When we moved here last year, the backyard was filled with ivy and the shrubs were overgrown. I was afraid to walk through the yard in case there are snakes and insects hiding under the thick leaves. I pulled out all the ivy (got a bad case in poison ivy too) and cut back all the shrubs. That brightened up the area. We went to a" house and garden tour" and came up with the idea of planting grass so we will have a lawn. Leslie, my sister in law suggested that we should have a place for children to play in a community like ours. That will be the next project. Meanwhile, here are pictures of the flowers that bloomed this week. 

These lovely blooms welcome us at the front porch.

I planted the pansies  in front of these purple flowers.

These lilacs are  not only attractive, their fragrance spreads throughout the garden  as well.  

This Bleeding Heart is flourishing, like there's no tomorrow, by the patio competing with the white blooms.