The laundry smells good

I’m so glad I found Irish. 

She does the laundry and does not complain a bit about the volume. That’s what I like about her. She does her job with gusto. She also sings along with the radio. How happy could you get!

For nearly three months, we availed of two laundry shops. The last one, we had a sorry experience. We lost a pretty blouse.

That’s when we decided with finality that we’ll resort to the good old-fashioned laundry woman. You know the likes who visit your house to do the laundry. In the process, you get to chat, have coffee together, dine together, and gel.

When the main road enroute our subdivision was inundated last week and the murky waters mercilessly entered my car – first time it did after all these years, whom would I call to clean up the mess? 

Naturally Irish. I’m so glad I met her. She minimizes the stress and enables me to focus on my professional activities.

But the best thing about Irish and her laundry is - the clothes really smell good after a good wash.

Way to go Irish!

A million little things

I went to visit a friend yesterday afternoon after dropping off my son in the university. Well, I lingered a bit in the faculty room of my son’s college department and engaged two professors in animated conversation. The talk centered on the power industry. Haha I’m really a power industry girl. It’s an easy topic to discuss.

When I left, I drove to a friend’s house. I haven’t seen this friend since I left for Iloilo City several months back.

It was a wonderful opportunity to engage in good conversation. Well, I had coffee and eventually dinner. Haha at the rate I’m eating these days, I’m really going to add weight. Anyways, she prepared Panga. Wow it was tasty and I finally felt that I’m back in Gen. Santos City with its flavorful Panga!

It happens that my friend grows plants so I took the chance to ask for some branches and other rooted plants since Ate Teody has the green thumb. Since I returned from Iloilo City, my garden has been truly greened and plants are robust. Not only that, Ate Teody grew vegetables. Really cool.

Betty’s son Ian was just discharged from the hospital for dengue. Last Friday when I communicated with her first, she was in the hospital because Ian was confined for dengue. I wasn’t able to visit him that weekend on account of my son’s university activities. So yesterday, I made sure to visit them. Ian is doing better. Platelet has improved. Thank God. But funny thing what Betty said: “Day, sayang tapos na transfusion when I learned last Friday that you are Type A (blood type). You could have donated blood.” I said, yes I could have. But is that possible? I may donate blood today; then need it the following day. That will be ironic. She said, “Well there are qualifying factors. Women menstruate, so that will be considered including age, status of health, tattoo marks, others.” Anyways, she finally said: “Ian could have had your blood and you two become connected (for life) and then, he will grow more intelligent.” Haha so that’s the bottom line. We both laughed and said, “Yes”. Mothers.

But seriously, is there a study or research that can prove that donated or transfused blood can stimulate brain activity? Calling scientists. Is there research to back up our theory?

Anyways, I left Betty’s house quite full: physically, emotionally and mentally. It’s really good to visit close friends and talk. As it happens, I knew Betty for fifteen years. She was still single then. Her kids are still young while mine are already teenagers but our friendship has grown through the years. We have seen the changing fortunes of time, so to speak. I like that. Changing fortunes of time. So Desiderata.

Betty and I have a long way to go… until old age haha.

You’re the best Betty. You always have been.

Food for thought: Friendship isn’t a big thing – it’s a million little things.

The man by the bench

I was sitting by the coffee shop reading the national paper when my attention was caught by a man sitting by his lonesome on a bench.
Now, now, what could a man be doing sitting alone on a gorgeous afternoon like this?

Hmmm. My curiosity was piqued. I was imagining scenarios. Perhaps he is waiting for his date? Hmmm maybe he is in a quandary. Ah maybe he is bored.
I glanced at the man again. He is not bad-looking. In fact, he is handsome. Ahh maybe after a minute or two, he will get up and walk.
I perused the paper.
After some time, I looked his way again. He was still there.
Ah. He couldn’t be waiting for someone given the time he is seated there. Maybe he is testing the waters... see if a lady will have the guts to approach him.
Hmmm interesting thought.
A short while after, a man approached him and handed him an envelope. Ah that’s it! He is a crime lord. Oh, oh this is bad. But the man by the bench just put the envelope nonchalantly on the inside pocket of his suit. No big deal. It’s probably a solicitation letter. Some inspiration.

I went back to reading. When I directed my gaze at him, he was still seated there.

Now I’m thinking. Maybe he is waiting for me haha.

What to do? I thought ah I would walk right past him and drop my bag. Ouch too passé, outmoded.
Ah, I would stand right up front and ask: Is this seat taken? He would probably say, it’s still spacious, please take your seat. Hmmm. And then what?
He would probably say: Are you waiting for someone? I would probably say I’m the one you’re waiting for. Haha. Nice one.

Life is a cup of coffee

Too simplistic but true. I love coffee. Who doesn’t, anyways? I started loving it in my late thirties though. Talk about late bloomers. But naturally when it affects my sleeping pattern, I reduce the consumption and when insomniac, ban it for awhile. Yes, ban it. It requires discipline to do that, but do that we must if it worsens insomnia.

Then decaffeinated coffee came. Ahh wonderful, now I switched to decaf at home. But even with decaf, I have reduced my consumption compared to my Visayas days.

At Robinson’s, I have tasted the coffee concoctions promoted by the high-end coffee shops there alongside the regular fare offered by the affordable coffee nooks. And I have brought two good friends with me to the affordable coffee nooks recently. In fact, Jet Reyes and hubby, and Sandra Haw have seen me having coffee there with a friend on separate occasions.

But it really doesn’t matter whether it’s expensive or not. Coffee is best shared with a friend, over good conversation. It’s one of the little joys in life just like body massage and facials haha. But the difference with coffee is it is shared with someone. It could be with great friends; clients; or someone you fancy. Ah that’s the trick.

Two weekends past when I wanted to read the news, I went to Cafe Firenzo at SunCity Complex. Since it was a Sunday, it was kinda laidback and not many people were around. It was quiet and I liked it. I read the coffee shop’s provision of national newspaper from beginning to end in total concentration. These are also the times when I want to have coffee alone, most especially when I just need to relax and read. And wonderful thing, I met one of the complex’s incorporators. We had a little chat. That was my first time at Café Firenzo and I enjoyed it.

What’s the bottom line of this short story? There is no bottom line. Coffee is simply enjoyed any which way you like: with friends over stimulating conversation, or by your lonesome digesting the news. It’s as simple as that. After all, life in its simplest terms is just a cup of coffee.

o O o

For the past three Wednesdays, I have attended the fellowship meetings of the Rotary Club of Greater General Santos. I want to thank my good friend Jet Reyes for the patience to invite me.

Actually, she first invited me in 2007 yet but I only attended once then. Hmmm 2007 seemed like ages ago. What do I remember about 2007 the most? Ahh… Never mind. But I remember I had frequent asthma attacks then. It must be a stressful year huh!

Finally this month, after she has patiently invited me since June this year, I came to the fellowship meeting. Her patience really paid off.

I have always believed that there is a right season and perfect timing for everything. Perhaps now is the right season, and the perfect timing.

I want to thank the Greater ladies for the warm welcome each one has extended to me. I appreciate it.

Ms. Petite Veneracion is the club President. The club is open for membership.

o O o

Professor Tony Nacional of the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, this city, my former MBA classmate invited me to sit as judge in the Mr. & Miss Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators and Philippine Society of Information Technology Students (PSITS)-12 at the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University Covered Court on September 25, 2010.

Tony and I go a long way back to our Masteral days at the then Notre Dame of Dadiangas College (NDDC), now the NDDU. We also served then as Officers of the NDDC Graduate School Student Organization (GSSO). Boy those were fun times! We had lots of activities and amusement while in school. It felt like college life for all of us back then.

I accepted the invitation. Thanks Tony. Mabuhay ka!

o O o

Ms. Carms Laus of the Philippine Public Safety College-Regional Training School (RTS) 12 sent messages last week about my scheduled lecture on Gender and Development (GAD) for Police Officers at RTS 12 this week. The subject is part and parcel of the Junior Leadership Course for Police Officers. It is my time to inspire.

Incidentally, I have also prepared my lecture material for Leadership which is also a subject in the Junior Leadership Course.

In July this year, I applied for accreditation with the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC)-Police Regional Training School (RTS) 12 and starting August; I have provided lectures on Public Speaking and Gender Sensitivity to Police Trainees. This month, I have been officially accredited by PPSC.

I want to thank the PPSC family for maximizing my life in the areas where I could serve the community best.

o O o

Thursday last week was bonding time with both Engineer Nino who was on day off from his engineering duties at a transmission company in Tacurong City and Melody also of the same company but based in Gen. Santos City.

Like most of our bonding moments, we ate heartily. Whatever shall we do without eating? Melody says Penong has opened in Gen. Santos City. So we drove to locate it. We found it and ate with gusto.

Nino’s visit was timely and very productive as well. He was able to work on my wordpress blog site http://shilohruthie.wordpress.com. When I say “work”, it means he enhanced its appearance; polished the contents; and added features. It really looks very sleek and professional now. He promised to work on my http://simplybelinda.blogspot.com as well.

Thank you Nino. Needless to say, you are the greatest!

o O o

Food for thought: Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace, strength, courage, and confidence. >Og Mandino

Coffee and Avel

Eleven months ago but not necessarily today, Avel and I decided to have coffee. We kept on postponing it until the new management of our newly-privatized company then transferred me to my Visayas post. Hence, the coffee break didn't come to pass.

But like one writer wrote, things have a way of coming full circle. The Bible calls it: "In the fullness of time". And so it came to pass that today, finally after eleven colorful months, the coffee break materialized. That's coming full circle, I tell you.

Avel encouraged me to blog. Hmmm. I told him I will try. I just lost a parent and whenever I do, I always lose inspiration to write.

I lost my mother in 2001 and I did not write for a year. I lost father on December 14, 2009. Similarly, I am still grieving over his loss.

But I found inspiration in the way he encouraged me. Most often than not, inspiration can be derived from people. And because of that, here I am writing my first-ever blog after father died, thanks to Avel. If I become famous, you can only blame him for inspiring me. I take no credit.