funny deposits

I have this "simple joys" journal where I write all the things, simple they may be, that am grateful for on a daily basis.

I also have this "funny" account where deposits made are in the form of amusing or downright funny moments in my life. I'd like to share a few of those moments...

My sister and I went grocery shopping recently and she was buying all these different foodstuff and assortment of goodies. I asked her what they were for and she said: "I'm trying to fill up the new cupboards."

Cupboard is, of course, pronounced as 'kuberd' - with a silent "p". But she mispronounced it and I took pleasure in correcting her for once (she's usually the one correcting me to her amusement)

I said, "Its kuberd, not cup-board".

Miles, being stubborn about it, insisted, "It's cup-board"

So we went, "Kuberd" "Cup-board" "Kuberd" "Cup-board"

So finally Miles challenged, "It's cup-board...spell it"

I challenged back, "Ok, spell psychology"

Miles said after a thoughtful while, "Sige na nga - kuberd"


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One time, I was singing to my two-year old niece, Isabel, the Alphabet Song. I sang, "A, you're adorable, B, you're so ...
K, you're so kissable,
L, is the love light in your eyes.
M, you're so...
M, we're...eeemmM....eeemmmM, is....M
Do - a deer a female deer, Re - a drop of golden suuuuun, Mi ...."

Gosh! I have to review my ABC's!!!

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Ricky, my bro-in-law, tells the story of how Isabel sings the Alphabet Song.

Isabel sings, "A, you're adorable. B, you're so beautiful...B, you're not beautiful..."

Well, at least she knows her grammar!

blah, blah, blah, blah

I remember a homily sometime ago, the priest asked us to say “love” every time he banged his hand on the podium. As his banging tempo increased, our chant “love love love love” soon sounded “blah blah blah blah” (go on, try it). His point: we ought to express our love.

Ouch! This is how I often am with family and friends – I don’t get to “walk the talk”. Come to think of it, I don’t even get to “talk” or say those precious words. I don’t know about you but I find it difficult to say the words (see…I can’t even write them). Why are we (or is it just me?) so reluctant to say them? Embarrassment? Fear of rejection or being vulnerable and hurt? We're so busy trying to protect ourselves we get too scared to take the risk. But love is a risky business.

I envy all those brave souls who are not afraid to risk it. Take my sister for instance. Her timing couldn't be more perfect. While I was writing this, she texted me just to say she loves me. Awww! Her efforts did not go for naught. Of course I texted her back. I said, "Thank you...but cash is better." hihihi

I remember my mom. Her days while she was sick were difficult for the family…that time certainly was most trying, emotionally and physically, for us. She was too weak so we dressed her, fed her, moved her to a comfortable position, lifted her so she could sit or so we could put her on her wheelchair. One time, she said to me that she hoped she got better soon so we wouldn’t have to be taking care of her. She was sick, she was in pain and all she thought of was relieving us of our “nursing duties”. It broke my heart. I hugged her and said that we were happy to take care of her…we were not happy that she was sick, but she had taken care of us and it was time that we gave back, it was our turn to take care of her. Taking care of her was backbreaking but I would do it (and more) all over again if given the chance. I said I loved her.

I wish I had expressed my love sooner. I wish we could have celebrated that love. I wish I was more patient with her and took better care of her. I wish I was a better daughter. I wish I wasn’t too late.

No matter what our relationship is with our family or with our friends, a word of love, appreciation or thanks or apology could spell the difference. Saying the words can be healing. Maybe not physically healing, but the words can heal wounds in relationships.

Life is short (as I have painfully learned) to waste our love on “blah blah blah”. Let's take a risk. I, for one, am going to risk it and express gratitude and love and appreciation TODAY. Tomorrow might never come. So... thank you!

alone

It’s Monday, 3 A.M. I received a text message from my sister, Emily, that she is finally rushed to Makati Med for D&C (dilatation & curetage or raspa) procedure. We’ve been anxiously waiting for her “profuse bleeding” ever since we learned of her miscarriage last Friday. Instead of inducing bleeding, her doctor had decided to let nature takes its own course. And I haven’t had sleep since Friday.

The loss of life at whatever stage is sad, more so for a small family like mine. And the mere thought that my sister has to go through some kind of medical procedure makes my heart pound.

I tell myself that thousands of women, if not millions, have undergone D&C procedure...that it's a simple procedure. But i can't help worrying. Emily is the only family i have left. Anything that threatens to tip the balance of our simple lives, anything that places her life at risk puts me in panic mode.

I curled up in bed seeking comfort and found none. I got up and paced the floor and walked around the house and no one was about. I even tried checking if a friend was up for a chat on the internet ...anything and anybody just to keep my mind off this worry.

It is at times like these that being alone is at its most difficult - when a hand to hold would have been most comforting; when a listening ear would have given me calm; when the sound of constant chattering would have been a most welcome distraction; when the presence of someone dear would have quieted my pounding heart.

I had set out to pray but it proved difficult. I had questions more than I had answers. I know that I should just trust in Him and believe that He's in control...that He has great plans for us. But I am afraid still. And I feel my faith waver.

Then a scene flashed before me - a scene where this man was mocked and hit and crucified. He was alone.

He, of all people, understands what being alone is all about. And He, of all people, sympathizes. He knows.

He will get me through this...He will get us through anything. I pray for strength, for faith...I pray for Emily and her family. And I ask for your prayers as well. The ordeal is not yet over even after a successful procedure. The questions will have just begun.

meet my sister

hi prenships (and not so prenships)!

this mother's day i would like to honor and have everyone (and i mean everyone including those not in my address book) meet Ma. Emily Samonte-Mariano, my sister. She is fondly called Miles by family and friends...but i insist on calling her Emily. If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting her, then you're missing a lot. She's fun and funny and talented and easygoing and smart and has the gift of gab, so there is no boring moment with her (well, if you know me and are my friend then you'd agree she takes after me ).

But aside from her cool personality, she is the most generous and considerate sister i have (well, actually, she's the only sister i have )... so let me rephrase that...she's the most generous and considerate sister there is. And i'm pretty sure she's just as wonderful a daughter, wife, mother, friend, boss, etc. She never hesitates to help where it is needed and she doesn't ask anything in return. She is not just generous with her gifts but also with her time, patience, compliments, her talents, her resources...and not just with family and friends. The elderly at the home for the aged and the orphans/abandoned children at the Boystown can attest to her generosity. She gives until it hurts.

She loves openly and is not afraid to express it. She has a ready smile and 'thank you' not just to family or friends but to drivers and waiters and janitors and vendors and sales clerks and security guards and delivery boys and the masahista at the spa or the manikurista at the parlor. She treats everyone as her friend and sees everyone as brother/sister in Christ.

Ricky, her husband, is one blessed and lucky son-of-a....mother and father (hehehe). But I believe that because my sister has been kindhearted and God-loving/fearing, God has chosen to bless her with a sister like me ....este! husband like Ricky.

this mother's day, i would like to honor and thank Emily, my sister, for....everything. Why?because I don't have a gift for her - joke! because she is all what i have said....and more!

love you sis!

ate maan
(she's the only one who gets to call me "ate", ok?)