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Sunday, 08 November 2009

  • It is simply great to be alive.


         This post is my second installment for our 6-day trip to Hong Kong. The trip could have been perfect except for a freak accident at the Hong Kong ferry terminal on day six, while we were on our way to Macau (where we would be boarding our plane back to the Philippines). One of the officers at the terminal rushed us up as the turbo jet was set to leave at 3:05 and it was already three in the afternoon and we were queued behind the wrong group. On our haste down the gangplank which was moving due to the waves, my wife tripped over the luggage she was carrying and down she went. The gangplank was made of rough iron and scraped part of her pants, below the knees, causing a deep circular cut on her right leg and a gash on the left. We just managed to pull her up then immediately went inside the turbo jet which sped off as soon as we were in. We were the last passengers to board the water jet.
         Inside the ferry, my wife was just given some band-aid strips, but no first-aid was done to her. At the Macau Ferry terminal, we were fetched by some friends and brought us to another friend's house. Our eldest daughter insisted on having her mother be seen by a doctor, so our friend brought us to the Kiang Wu Emergency Hospital at Taipa Island in Macau. Not only was my wife given first aid, but she was treated at the hosptal (a minor operation was done as the deep cut had to be thoroughly cleaned and sutured). She was given antibiotics amd a shot for anti-tetanus and instructions not to bend her right knee so the cut won't open again.
         Anyway at the Macau Airport terminal my wife received a text from a friend (who didn't know about the accident) telling her to enjoy every day and thank God for everything that comes to our life, noting both the bad and good experiences as part of being alive. With that, my wife and I could only smile at each other.
         "Some lessons to learn," my wife enthused. "For one, at this age of ours (we are both past fifty) we ought not to be in a hurry. We must always be sure of our steps," she continued. "And to set out earlier than usual so we won't be late," she added.
         For my part, I could only thank God. In everything, His loving care was truly manifest. The accident could have been worse. What is important is that we are all alive and are able to fulfill our obligations not only to ourselves and loved ones, but above all - to Him who gives us life and allows us to do things as He wills. And without much ado, I could say .....

              IT'S SIMPLY GREAT

    It's great to be alive, and be
       A part of all that's going on;
    To live and work and feel and see
       Life lived each day from early dawn;
    To rise and with the morning light
       Go forth until the hours grow late,
    Then joyously return at night
       And rest from honest toil - it's great!

    It's great to be a living part
       Of all the surging world alive,
    And lend a hand in field and mart,
       A worker in this human hive;
    To live and earn a dare to do,   
       Nor ever shirk or deviate
    From course or purpose we pursue!
       Until the goal is won - it's great!

    It's great to realize that we
       Are of a latent power possessed
    To be what we are willed to be,
       And equal unto any test;
    That of ourselves we may achieve
       To worthy deeds and high estate,
    If we but in our powers believe
       It can and will be done - it's great!

    It's great and wonderful to know
       That all we have to do is do,
    That if we will to grow we'll grow,
       And reach the mark we have to view;
    To know that we're a vital part
       Of all that is, nor hesitate
    With all of skill and mind and heart
       To work and win - it's simply great!

Saturday, 07 November 2009

  • An amazing trip.

     

         From the standpoint of a family man, our short vacation in Hong Kong (Sunday [Nov. 1] night to yesterday  [Nov. 6] evening) was truly amazing. With so much work at home (in the Philippines), spending a holiday with your family even only for six days is really much to be desired.

         I would say it was indeed providential that Cebu Pacific Air had overbooked last year so that it costed them three free round-trip tickets this year. My wife and our two older daughters got to enjoy the free ride, while I bought two tickets for myself and our youngest daughter. Two paid tickets for five holiday seekers? Truly amazing!

         It was not a direct flight to Hong Kong though. We left Manila at 7:30 in the evening (Sunday, November 1st). The plane touched down at the Macau airport 20 minutes ahead of schedule and we were greeted by fine weather in contrast to reports of a lingering typhoon in the Philippines (the fourth to visit the country). Was it not amazing? During the first typhoon named Ondoy (International Codename: Ketsana), my two older daughters were involved in relief work. They took part in packing food and other materials for the flood victims. They loved it and even rallied their friends in Facebook to participate in the operations or donate whatever they can for the hapless victims. This time around, as the typhoon's area of responsibility was far from our place, they saw no need to take part in the relief operations. Nevertheless, they monitored the typhoon's course through the internet while in Hong Kong. Their concern was truly genuine and I could only smile as it reminded me of my days when I was also active in social services. Is it not amazing that one's children should also share your passion?

         At the Macau Airport terminal, we were met by friends (four of them) who saw to it that we were safely boarded on a ferry that would get us to Hong Kong. They helped us with our belongings and against some taxi drivers who were rather rude, especially to non-Chinese speaking tourists. They even brought us packed food as they anticipated that we have not yet eaten our supper. Wasn't it amazing?

         At the Hong Kong ferry terminal we were met by a couple (a long-time friend and his wife) who offered us their place at Discovery Park in Tsuen Wan, at Hong Kong's northern territorries. They even paid for our train fares as we do not have Hong Kong currency with us.

         By the way, sometime last year, we helped the mother and daughter of one of those who met us in Macau find a temporary place to stay in Manila when they were literally driven out of the house of a relative where they were staying for reasons known only to them. On the otherhand, many years ago, when my friend who met us at the Hong Kong ferry terminal was still a student, I took him to my place and for about a semester and a half , he stayed with me as his parents lived far. Was I simply reaping the fruits of a good turn done in the past? Isn't it amazing?

         Having stayed late in the night, our host gave us enough time to rest throughout the day (Monday).  By nighttime they brought us to a barbecue party at a friend's house at Tung Chung, Lantau Island. They even invited a couple who used to play and sing in a band during the early eighties, who wowed us with the music of yesteryears. Notwithstanding a great difference in era, our three daughters aged twenty-seven, twenty-three, and eleven, respectively, gamely joined the singing, to the delight of our host and their friends. It was truly an amazing evening of fun and music!

         Tuesday found us again dog-tired and our host gave us ample time to rest. After lunch, we headed for the Hong Kong Art Museum in Kowloon. In minute strokes of the hand (stylus or paint brush) we strolled along Hong Kong's rich history lane as depicted in the arts. Isn't it amazing how the past comes alive through the mighty stroke of the fingers?

         A short stop at Starbuck's, then we proceeded to the Avenue of Stars and waited for the lights at Hong Kong Island to come out. We then decided to go home to our host's place, but the night had something different to offer. An old friend of our host accidentally came along (it was not his usual route) and offered to bring us instead to Victoria Peak through a tram ride up. According to this friend of our host, having been in Hong Kong for more than thirty years (he was a retired musician, a pianist), it was his pleasure to show us Hong Kong at its night's best. The experience was truly amazing as the tram was being pulled by large steel ropes up to the peak. The sight of the seemingly tilting buildings on the way up was truly amazing. More amazing was the view from the top. We had an amazing vista of Hong Kong by night! We could only thank our new-found friend in Hong Kong. Isn't amazing how the circle of friends keep on growing?

         Much as I would like to write more, it's time to catch the ferry to Macau for our flight back to Manila.  Bye for now.

        

        

Friday, 06 November 2009

  • For life is really short.


         Life indeed is short. Now we are here, the next moment we are gone. If only for that we ought to make sure that we do a good turn daily. That way, when we are here no more, we are remembered for the little things we did that may have benefited a soul or two.
         We ought also to thank those who in one way or another have impacted on our lives. We must remember that of ourselves we cannot do anything. Now, we may have reached the state of being able to do things, but surely there was a time when we rely on significant others, say, our parents, siblings, friends, and acquaintances, for the many things that we needed for ourselves.
         Above everyone else, we owe the Father Almighty, for everything that we have. Lest I be accused of being preachy, here is my.....

    IN GRATITUDE

    A puff of wind, that's what we are
       Our days, a passing shadow.
          Of yesterday, we know not much -
    none of what's for tomorrow!

    Today we sing, and laugh, and smile
       with every bird that flies on high;
          But birds do not stay long enough -
    leaving us all to cry and sigh!

    This shouldn't make us wonder, though -
       our life, like the bird's, is short;
          Rather, we ought to find a way
    to know how much we're worth!

    But who are we? What have we got?
       Oft times we say what we are not!
          In truth, each of us is just a lowly creature -
    a thing of dust, shorn of grandeur!

    To brag will only bring us shame -
       none of fame, indeed;
         Pay homage to our Creator instead -
    to Him, we ought to bow our head!

    "Father Almighty, accept our humble thanks.
       We know this is not enough.
          For all that we have - come from You,
    You've given us so much!"
     

Thursday, 05 November 2009

  • On breaking bread with the hungry.


         Talking about charity, dole outs, donations, and the like, a friend (a dentist who is with a civic-oriented group doing some charitable projects) came to the office the other day. As I was with social services some years back, she consulted me on how to put up a foundation so it will be easy for them to coordinate with other non-government as well as government organizations. They want all their activities to be legitimate and be able to reach out to more people - the marginalized or less-privileged ones.
         Civic-oriented groups are worth commending. Not only are they seen during and after calamities, but even during ordinary times as they make themselves available to the poor. There are those engaged in giving shelter to the homeless like Habitat for Humanity. In fact, lots of benevolent hearts are out there as they literally break bread with the hungry.
         But more than the giving of dole outs, civic-oriented groups should think about sustainable development projects. They should promote not just the giving of fish or bread but of providing opportunities to fish and  cultivate or produce their own food.
         Anyway, I believe the group  where my friend, the dentist, is a member of, is sincere as they have been doing these projects on their own for several years now, though on a limited scale. This early, I wish their organization good luck and more power. For them here is .....

    A GOOD CREED

    If any little word of ours
       Can make one life the brighter;
    If any little song of ours
       Can make one heart the lighter;
    God help us speak that little word,
       And take our bit of singing
    And drop it in some lonely vale
       To set the echoes ringing.

    If any little love of ours
       Can make one life the sweeter;
    If any little care of ours
       Can make one step the fleeter;
    If any little help may ease
       The burden of another;
    God give us love and care and strength
       To help along each other.

    If any little thought of ours
       Can make one life the stronger;
    If any cheery smile of ours
       Can make its brightness longer;
    Then let us speak that thought today,
       With tender eyes aglowing,
    So God may grant some weary one
       Shall reap from our glad sowing.

                     Author Unknown

Wednesday, 04 November 2009

  • To any newlywed couple.


         My blog for yesterday was about what was dubbed as a "peoples' wedding" for a senator and a broadcast journalist, as thousands shared the simple but elegant affair where the couple vowed to love each other for the rest of their lives. One post would have sufficed, but there was a poetic quality to the vows that the couple exchanged with each other that I deemed it proper to deal on the matter more.
        
         This is what the groom said:

         "I love you as you are.  You are precious to me.  I am happy we are together and truly thank you for taking me and putting up with me. I give myself to you as your best friend, to applaud when you succeed and encourage when you stumble. I offer myself to you as your husband in respect and in trust.  Today I take you to be my wife. I promise to be with you and be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life."

         For her part, the bride enthused in her own tongue the equivalent of:  "You are the fulfillment of all that I've waited for."

         For the two of them, I have here Anne Campbell's .....

    BEFORE AND AFTER MARRIAGE

    We used to talk of so many things,
    Roses and summer and golden rings,
    Music and dances and books and plays,
    Venice and moonlight and future days.

    Now our chief subjects are food and bills,
    Genevieve's measles and Johnny's ills;
    New shoes for Betty, a hat for Jane,
    Taxes, insurance, the mail and rain!

    We used to say that Romance would stay.
    We'd walk together a magic way!
    Though we don't talk as in days of yore,
    Strange, is it not, that I love you more?

         Of course, financial worry is far from the couple's mind as both come from affluent families. In fact they were able to donate 2 million pesos to charity, which amount was originally intended for their wedding reception. Anyway, to the newlyweds I say: Congratulations and Best Wishes!

Norcani

  • Visit Norcani's Xanga Site
    • Name: Nicanor
    • Gender: Male
    • Member Since: 4/23/2008

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About Me

  • A husband and father rolled into one; a pen-enthusiast who likes to connect with others who have the same interest. He and his wife, and their three adorable daughters pray and worship the Almighty Father together as a family.

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Chatboard (4)

  • Norcani
    @jassmine - I hope so too. And I just wish she'll come back soon to share her good write. Always insightful as they are inspiring.
    • Posted 7/21/2009 11:12 PM
    • by Norcani
  • jassmine
    I can't post comments today so posting here. Oh I am behind did not know she bid us all ado. This is a wonderful write. I am sure she would love it. Judi
  • Norcani
    Today, i joined two blogrings. One for the fifty and above, and the other for those interested in poetry. I hope that through these groups I may just be able to connect to other people in the world. I may in fact join more groups.
    • Posted 4/27/2008 9:42 PM
    • by Norcani
  • Norcani
    This is my second day to blog at xanga. So far I only received one comment since posting my first message yesterday. Anyway, I am not in a hurry. Success may not happen overnight.
    • Posted 4/23/2008 7:44 PM
    • by Norcani