Jean Valjean

Fit and Fab February 19,2014

7:20am

Ruel woke me up with a question.

I hesitated to move from my very comfortable position, my right side. Thanks to the Clofen, I liberally applied on my right shoulder last night, there was nary a pain.

I felt light and a bit sluggish.

Anyway, by the grace of God, I was able to cook rice, prepare  Ruel's   breakfast, pressed  his office clothes in 30 minutes flat.

Usually, I rise earlier than 5 giving me a longer period to do all of the things required of me in the early week morning.

Before attempting to iron his cargo pants for tomorrow, I had to psyche myself fully…I kept telling myself, being an adult and mature means, doing the things, I normally wouldn’t like to do.

And lo and behold,  almost upon completion of the task at hand, I did not like to stop. The repetitive motion, almost lulled me into a soothing and calming meditation, where all negativity, faded into oblivion.

Watching my beautiful angels in their sleep, in my 15 minute break, surely energized me…and doing something challenging for the sake of another, is surely invigorating…and is the reward in itself.

** ** **

Today’s gospel is about Jesus healing the blind man with His spittle. Jesus had to touch the man’s eyes twice to complete the gradual healing.

It is the same with us, most of the times, we don’t really accomplish great big goals or tasks in 1 click.

It requires, constant, regular and continues progress to attain perfection and or success.

In the spiritual walk, it is too, the same case.

Many times, our eyes, our blinded.

Our ears, deaf to the cries and needs of other.

And it will take an extra kind of grace to come out this stupor or illness or indifference to kindness.

Let me end my reflection today with a line made famous by many and numerous West End  and Broadway productions as penned and inspired by one of  Victor Hugo’s most memorable work:

“ To love another is to see the face of God.!”

The be all and end all is LOVE….where God abides, love resides is another beautiful quote I just encountered yesterday.

If you please, spend the next moment reflecting on this poignant and inspiring scene of the same production…where  we can all get the proper perspective of things…At the evening of our lives, when we take our last breath.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dFIz5ZG4DQ

And this next one…to ponder on the powerful words and life of wretchedness and redemption.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp35urQpWQs

May God be always glorified in each and every breath we take especially the last.

 REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you see the face of God in others?

Lord Jesus, heal me of my blindness that I may see You in others.( Fr.Erick Santos OFS from TKFDBR)

Dazzling Qatar Total Open 2014

Fit &  Fab February 16,2014

8:57am

Simona Halep!

Hanep sa galing!

Translated as:  Amazing  greatness!

I kept  asking Ruel, hey, why am I so into tennis lately? I have never been so zealous in watching matches …even in  the time of Cris Evert, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Billy Jean King,  Martina Navratilova or  Andre Agassi or Hinges ,Seles or Graf.

Ruel too was at a loss for a possible explanation.

Last  Feb.10, I did not go with the kids and Ruel to Khalifa Stadium to watch the games cause, like I said, I was lukewarm to the game.

Now, since the Qatar Total Open 2014 is live on Ooreedoo sponsored  TennisTv here in Doha, where you are able to see and know more about the players, catch them in slow mo for the important point or serve, one cannot help being bitten by the tennis bug…and I am definitely hooked.

My goodness, I just wanted to see in live action the Williams sisters. But, since Serena is injured, my only chance was Venus. And so, yes, I was able to watch her loose to the rising star, Petra Kvitova  of Czechoslovakia. And, I have not wanted to miss anymore games.

Last night was so exciting between Simona Halep ( Romania) and Agnieska Radwanska( Poland)..and am so looking forward to the match tonight between Halep and Kerber of Germany.

I missed the game between Kerber and Jankovic ( Serbia) but so enjoyed the game between Jankovic and Petra Kvitova.

** ** **

This weekend was so jam packed with this and that.

We all missed an invitation to go back to Sealine in Meissaied  to try out the dunes with an ATV and  or the camels again. Ruel and I  had these troublesome headache  Thursday night. I guess too much of his roasted peanuts while watching the tennis matches.

Also, we were expecting workers to come and repair once and for all ( 1 year in the waiting) our bathroom ceiling which has it’s mouldings  peeling off and  ugly due to a water leak from the upstairs flat.

We are so happy with the outcome. It so nice to LOOK UP each bathroom visit!

I am also happy that finally, my constipation, due to all the flurry of activities and excitement, has finally ended. It gave me such a  discomfort last night.

photo credits: Simona Halep (Romania) 1st picture, Agnieska Radwanska ( Cze) and  Jelena Jankovic ( Serbia) 2nd and 3rd photos all in Qatar Total Open 2014.

Lovely Day!

Fabulous February 11,2014

10:05pm

Today was another wonderful day full of awe and wonder at the how beautiful Qatar is!

The  weather is so wonderfully cool while the sun is shining so brightly!

On our way to Lusail International Circuit today, for the Dolphin Energy Doha Dash for Qatar’s National Sports Day, I marveled at the  beautiful round abouts  filled with wonderful flowers…different styles of  topiaries  and hedges designs. Oh so wonderful!

It was super fun to see where the  car races our conducted, where the Equestrian games ( next town away) are ran and see the  seaside once again in Al Khorr in search for  lunch after the 1 km walk we had.

Chinkie and her friends were so fun to be with. Marina and Marcelina sure enjoyed being part of this loud, funny and just wonderfully cool people!

Thank God for this event which is a good reminder to be more healthy with our lifestyle choices to be healthy for life!

** ** **

I want to end with King Solomon’s prayers in today’s bible readings:

“Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below; you keep your covenant of mercy with your servants who are faithful to you with their whole heart. 27 Can it indeed be that God dwells among men on earth? If the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain you, how much less this temple which I have built! 28 Look kindly on the prayer and petition of your servant, O Lord, my God, and listen to the cry of supplication which I, your servant, utter before you this day. 29 May your eyes watch night and day over this temple, the place where you have decreed you shall be honored; may you heed the prayer which I, your servant, offer in this place. 30 Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer in this place. Listen from your heavenly dwelling and grant pardon.” 1 King 8: 26-30

Once again, my soul proclaims the greatness of my God, who has favored me with a body, that can renew itself, a mind, that can point the way, a heart, that can make me more true to my authentic self of integrity and a  core of goodness  that can rise up to  each challenge in the morning and see a beautiful sunset each time!

Goodness Gracious!

Fabulous February 10,2014

12:43noon

Marina and  Marcelina are playing with their scooter and bike in the hallway. Lunch of fried tuna fish and  lettuce salad is ready and waiting for Ruel to come home anytime now. A little of last night’s super yummy ( as per the kid’s reaction) of pork Sinigang is  awaiting consumption as well.

I just finished administering the California Achievement Test form E and F to Marina for her Seton Home Study  School  assessment. I hope I was able to be a good and faithful proctor doing so.

People who are still not familiar with how and what the principles and values of Home Schooling are or how it works,  find it really hard to wrap their minds around test being administered at home by no less than the parent.

The question foremost would be,  who will secure or make sure that no cheating  is happening?

My almost canned answer through these years is: If I cheat by leaking or giving my daughter answers or tips in answering the question/exam, who am I fooling?

Cheating cheats no one else except the cheater!

My honest to goodness answer somehow puts  any worries or confusion surrounding the validity of test results to rest temporarily to some, but seals the deal for me.

And just to share a bit of my principles and values in life in the area of Honesty, is this, the true test of honesty is when, you can truly, answer yourself, looking at yourself, your heart, and mind and soul and say, even without security guards watching, I will remain honest and true…especially when no one is looking because the Almighty One, is all seeing. All the time.

Forget Big Brother, or Home Land Securty wire tapping into all Snowden can reveal, our integrity as a person,  should remain, in our real and authentic nature, our GOODNESS.

*** *** ***

I had to do diaper change. The weather is still so chilly. It is 20* but feels like 11* for me. Thus, diaper change is more frequent that usual. Anyway, my little one was so up early, that, I had to give her time and attention because she wanted to read stories. Meaning, make her own stories about this and that, wide eyed and so eager to practice her “ Once upon a time!” mixing up the sounds and adding  S to beginning and ending sounds. She loves to do that. I refrain from correcting her too much, she doesn’t like to be corrected. Sounds familiar.hahaha… As my dad would say, Ang Mangga!

Meaning to say, what would a Mangga or Manggo bear? But, if not, another Manggo!

Hahahahahah!

I had a nice chat with my sister Hazel yesterday!

I so miss them.

** ** ***

Please allow me to quote once again from The Kergyma Family Daily Bible Reflection by Father Erick Santos OFS,

May we seek healing for our physical sickness, emotionalbondages, financial difficulties and spiritual struggles today, as we seek totouch His cloak every day as our faith response. 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Have you experienced touching the Lord and being touched by Him while at prayer?

Lord Jesus, I claim healing of my infirmities in Your mighty name.

Our Lady of Lourdes,  (feast day Feb.11) please continue to intercede and pray for all of our intentions and prayers.

 photo credits:

pictures of sisters Marina and Marcelina and Chinkie and I,  in the shore/beach of  Sealine one fine day!

Karwa Ride

Fabulous February 5,2014

5:42am

Praise God!

We had such a nice and exciting day yesterday!

With a little faith and prayer, yesterday, was another blessing!

You see, we are 2days short of 7 months here in the land of sands, and yet, my husband refuses the fact, that we have to learn how to commute. Meaning to say,to  try out the turquoise colored taxi called the Karwa here.

Another thing, that Marina, Marcelina & I, are raring to experience is to ride the same colored bus here. Each time we head for home from church, a solitary bus by the bus stop near the parking area beckons to us.

I have this thing in me to really teach my kids to learn how it is to commute and never to feel ashamed or to lose face if one has to go public utility.

And so, yesterday, was our very first trip via the Karwa from pick up point, our doorstep, to Hammad Hospital.  Ravi, our driver, has been here in Qatar for more than 5 years. My good neighbor, Edna, referred him to us. Ravi tells us, Shasha, Edna’s kid was still very small when he got to know them.

Anyway, our ENT experience was another nice experience. Marcelina was very brave. And their apparatus was very modern, that the procedure was quick and almost painless. The doctor answered our million dollar question  of where to have Marcelina’s ear’s pierced. That will be next in the bucket list for her.

Anyway, on the way to QatarPost, in the intersection before Corniche, while  we were figuring out how to get to a particular landmark for photo sessions, Ruel called our attention to men donning bright LIME vests, while mini high powered rifles where  slung across their bodies.  More men, were alighting from red police vehicles to stop the traffic. We were asked to move back more than 10 meters from our point in the stop light intersection. Then after a few minutes, 6  land cruisers sped down the road.

A royal spotting!

But, you cannot really tell…although the white land cruisers were not tinted, you could just see the same white disdahsa attired Arabs in them. Was it the Emir?

I really don’t know, except that, we were front row to a Royal sighting event!

And yes, our QPost experience was not without the usual snack kiosk visit. Marcelina super enjoyed the moment while Marina beamed with delight at her Seton package of the remainder requirement of her books. It now included the standardized assessment test that we need to return quickly.

** ** **

Today’s gospel reading is about Jesus’ hometown rejection of him. His kababayans took offense of him and could not understand where his wisdom was coming from because they were stuck with the thought that he was just a carpenters son.

Stereotyping at it’s best.

This leads us to the following reflection question posed to us by The Kergyma Family Daily Bible Reflection:

What blinds you to the truth?

Cleanse me, O Lord, from all my biases and prejudices that I may clearly see my neighbor for who he really is: a child of God.

What’s your fondest memory about your home?

Lord Jesus, thank You for the many lessons learned from the harsh realities of life.

I shall end this blog with a link to a song made popular by Kuh Ledesma as written by Charlie Small for Broadway Musical . Home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnKQN7TF4hQ