My Mother's Daughter

I always thought that I was my father's daughter but somebody said that we are 60 percent of our biological mother. At the worship service this morning, our Pastor asked what we remember most about our mother. What did she always tell us when we were younger? It took me down memory lane. I couldn't remember the exact words. Senior moments?

I got my love for traveling from my Nanay. She brought a book, "Nations of the World", and it became my favorite book when I was in third grade. I read it from cover to cover, memorized all the nations and their capital, and learned their geographic locations.

Nanay also influenced me to be an active Girl Scout. I was in fifth grade when I participated in a provincial camp, sixth grade in a regional camp at Mt. Makiling, second year in high school in a national camp in Naga City, and fourth year in high school in an Asia-Pacific camp in Novaliches, then a part of Quezon City.

My Nanay influenced my love for music, dancing, and cooking. She enrolled me in piano class when I was in third grade. She encouraged me to join our school's folk dance troupe and supported my performances. I was her assistant when she cooked at home, explaining to me the cuts and slices of meat and veggies for different menus, and in baking too.

I am who I am now because of my Nanay. She was not perfect. She had her flaws like all other mothers but she loved me dearly.

2 in 1 in White Beach, Puerto Galera

We were supposed to go to Cagbalete Island in Mauban, Quezon. Almost there

but due to inclement weather, we had to turn around and think of option B. And there are two criteria: fair weather and seaside. And so we headed to Batangas City pier and sailed to White Beach, Puerto Galera.

Wish granted. I got to spend my 53rd birthday and 29th wedding anniversary with my family by the sea. What's in a sea, beach, or island? I'm not a swimmer but the sea is therapeutic, kind of a stress reliever for me. It also reminds me of the vastness of God's love and His awesome power.

Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness to me. Your love never fails.

Health is Wealth

Materiales Fuertes. When I was young, I took pride in my physical health. Except for common coughs and colds, motion sickness, minor cuts, and bruises, I was always in good shape. I only got hospitalized when I gave birth. Normal spontaneous delivery in both cases. This was my state of health many years back. Not anymore.

At age 42, hypertension set in. And recently, I've been diagnosed to have chronic kidney disease secondary to hypertension and nephrosclerosis. This means more frequent consultations with my nephrologist, laboratory tests every two months, more meds to take, and a low salt, fat, and protein diet.

I may have this state of health but my Creator is powerful and greater than any trouble that might come my way. I trust Him to carry me through.

ASEAN Engineer

In less than a decade, I would be retiring and so I thought I didn't need to apply to become an ASEAN engineer the first time I learned about the process. This line of thinking changed when my colleagues discussed the challenges we face as professional agricultural engineers in light of the ASEAN integration and our pursuit of academic excellence.

In short, we accepted the challenge. Thank you, Lord. I am one of the nine professional agricultural engineers in the country and one of the hundreds of engineers from various disciplines in the region who made it to the ASEAN Engineer Register this year.

A greater challenge is ahead of us. So help us, Lord.

Vitamin SEA

It's the longest weekend this year and my mind tells me that I miss my Vitamin SEA.

Initially, Bobby and I planned to travel to Calapan, visit the cemetery, and take the much-needed dip on the nearby beach with my loved ones.  But, the weather forecast included thunderstorms during the break so we decided to stay and go instead to Munting Buhangin in Nasugbu, Batangas.

We left at past six in the morning and took our baon breakfast when we arrived at the resort. We managed to find a nipa hut close to the beach and right after our meal, we were off for the swim. Yay!