An Unexpectedly Heart-warming Gesture

My heart is full. I was taken aback by the warm gesture of my 10-year old Vietnamese student (initiated by his mom) whom I am teaching English. I received a message from him this morning that  read: 

November 20, 2024 is Teacher's Day in Vietnam. I shared the screenshot of my student's message to my employer and she responded encouragingly saying, "Yes, it's alright to receive their gift." I also learned that the Vietnamese have high regard to their teachers. Gift giving is their way of expressing their gratitude. In the Philippines, the same act of appreciation is also extended to the teachers by their students. When I was still in school, I remembered giving  tokens to my advisers. The entire school would also prepare a short program to honor them.

In the previous company I worked for, every English as Second Language (ESL) tutor was not allowed to receive any gift (whether cash or in kind) from his or her students. They have stricter rules we needed to follow in accordance to its Data Privacy Policy. I had several offers then, but I had to politely decline. One student even wanted to send money for an e-scooter after he found out about my disability. "For gratuity and your convenience," he insisted. Another sent a souvenir from Tokyo Disneyland, when her entire family enjoyed a short trip there. This I gladly accepted. It was then sent to my home address. 

Being a teacher is one of the most rewarding jobs in the industry. Some may find it outlandish. However, I find fulfilment especially when I see the student's growth - no matter how slowly. In the process, I feel proud that I was partly responsible for the abilities he or she has gained in the course of time. It requires a great deal of labor, persistence and patience that emanates from the desire to be better.

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Generation Catch Up

I was in awe when my 15-year-old niece explained to me the difference between a mechanical and membrane keyboard!

She was studying in the dining room, complete with her books, notebooks, laptop and wireless keyboard in front of her. Out of curiosity, I checked her wireless keyboard by touch-typing, lifting, and observing it's physical features (since the one I use is longer and lighter, a membrane; while hers is the mechanical type - shorter and the keys light once you click it). I was dumbstrucked with the difference!

I never thought there were several variations. When I visit a regular computer parts shop, the choice of a wireless keyboard is limited and is often the membrane. Or perhaps, I am not as updated as she is, haha! It was indeed fun learning something new, in fact it was one of those "ohhhhh" moments for me.

A mechanical wireless keyboard is heavier, thicker, and can withstand millions of clicks. It's multiple connection (wired, a USB port, and bluetooth) will allow you to work on anything. After further researching from the Internet, I was all the more amazed as my not-so-techie brain cells tried to understand and absorb the new information. In the meantime, I convince myself that what I have is fairly a good buy! 

 

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Health Concern: The Dreaded Bed Sore

I was born finicky and meticulous. Unfortunately, one afternoon, my intention to clean the bottom of the wall, and the desire to remove the dirt there for months already, while stooping for some time, developed into a stage 1 bed sore on my left ischial bone. 

It healed and recurred for three times. The epidermis looked like a hole or a crater measuring a teeny weeny 1.5 cm. After seven months, I had high fever. I also experienced an excruciating pain on the left thigh. I was cajoled by a friend who also had spinal cord injury (SCI) to show a photo of my wound. "That's deep," was his straightforward remark. I had no inkling that a tunneling wound developed! 

Fast forward to today, I am very much alive, and very hopeful. I have shed so much tears too from the idea that healing equates to staying in bed longer. It also means completely avoiding some activities I enjoy like the occasional trips to the grocery or mall, visits to my Lola, and short day trips. Attendance to all church services, spontaneous food trips, and lingering in the lanai to hear the chimes dancing, birds chirping, or to witness the rain falling will be lessened, too. However, I remind myself that this is temporary. 

Though my current state is not permanent, I promise to take care of myself more. I need to prioritize the important things over those that can be done by others, and those that can wait. I have relearned to be creative, to keep myself busy, productive and content. The resilient and adaptable creature that I am enabled me to still earn a living with the aid of a wireless keyboard and a mouse.

The sore I acquired was also a blessing -in-disguise. I had proper medical intervention. To date, my wound specialist/surgeon's goal is to lessen the wound exudate or discharge coming from the tissues that were destroyed. A solution (500 ml distilled water and 5 cc/ml of Zonrox) is flushed three times  daily into the tunnel. I also learned so many new information about care and prevention. The Christopher & Dana Reeves Foundation is a reliable source for such topics and those related to SCI. Similarly, my faith in my Lord never wavered. It only grew more as I studied some Bible characters (Job, Daniel, Paul) who withstood their situations and continued to be faithful. 

Discipline is key to consistency. Cultivating gratitude and counting my blessings, despite my current situation enables me to still be happy. And most importantly, I have an all powerful Father who is so much bigger than the trivialities I am facing!

Family gathering | May 18, 2024 

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July 23-24, 2024: Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) + Habagat

 

At 2:50 PM|July 24, 2025

At 7:00 PM|July 24, 2024

Grabbed photos from a neighbor who posted the 

condition of our street. 10:40 AM | July 25, 2024.

Carina, you are one super typhoon! Though the perimeters of our property need a good deal of scrubbing, our good Lord spared us from the possible aftermath of cleaning the stubborn mud indoors. 

The heavy rain steadily poured on July 24th. We further learned from the news that three dams released much water, which caused us to be quite anxious. The reports also stated that there was a significant rainfall at this time, compared to when typhoon Ondoy made a landfall - which also caused so much destruction nationwide.

In times like this, when the inevitable happens, and when things are uncontrollable, our best defence was to pray. We prayed and trusted in our Lord to at least stop the flood from rising. Before we slept on the night of July 24th, we double checked our surroundings. The water was gently moving on the road and near our neighbors' properties while it was stagnant and still within our boundaries! 

We praise the Lord for protecting our home! The flood water started going down so slowly on July 25th, the following morning. There were Good Samaritans who also assisted my parents and volunteered to have our perimeters cleaned. Yes, my Abba Father is merciful. 

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A Pandemic Opportunity

Photo from Pinterest 

The onset of COVID-19 pandemic in our country brought fear. Lives were lost. There was panic food purchasing. Telecommuting and online learning became the norm. Unemployment was rampant due to companies' low revenue. The streets were almost devoid of motorists and pedestrians. Masks and alcohol became a prized possession of every household. On the contrary, the air quality improved significantly. Prices of petroleum products decreased, too. 

This phenomenon was also the beginning of a business opportunity to some budding entrepreneurs. I have two cousins who, to this day, manages their thriving food business that blossomed during the pandemic.

Photo from Anton

Anton started selling frozen foods when the pandemic began. He used the social media as a platform to reach out to many, especially to those who preferred staying at home and avoid the hustle of visiting the supermarket. This endeavor also generated jobs to courier drivers or delivery riders. 

Eventually, his team concocted their own product one after the other, and ventured to franchise them. Their franchisees multiplied all over the region. From one, they have now diversified to a total of five products! 

Photo from Holy Ribs PH.

Benjie and his wife, Janielle sold cooked ribs from home. I have seen them doing the marketing, preparing and cooking while their toddler, Nate was in tow! When a celebration calls for delicious dishes minus the tedious process of cooking, Holy Ribs PH is the go-to. 

Their menu grew steadily over the years and their cooked food business branched out to catering for all types of occasion. 

I am proud to have witnessed when both of them have started; and to this day, when blessings upon blessings are continuously coming their way!

FB Pages:

Holy Ribs PH.                                                                                                    

Project Pizza Hub                                                                                                    

Hot Potato PH                                                                                                           

99 Silog Philippines                                                                                        

Original Koko's Milk Tea                                                                                   

Mister Siomai Philippines   

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