Frustrated but Very Much Thankful!!!

aaaaaah, what a day.....   nothing truly major went wrong but maybe today being Thanksgiving, everything felt more frustrating and trying.....

 

started last nite really... after babysitting a very sick Juju - had to rush to Carrefour to get more packing tape - still have a lot of mailings to do for today....  though it was raining I ran to Carrefour at 11:40PM - open 24 hours - Yes, but not last nite!!!  For some reason they decided to be closed early last nite....  so I ran back home empty handed - in the rain!!!

 

Was about to jump in the shower when I realized there was no water....   Nothing!!!   A bit from the kitchen sink - just enough to wash my face and brush my teeth - but nothing anywhere else....   too late to do anything I slept it all off....

 

This morning I woke up early - so I can run to Carrefour and get what I needed before the Postal Truck comes to pick up my mailings... still have a few to pack...  Turned on the faucet in the bathroom, HOPING - and yes, we got some water back....  FREEZING WATER That is!!!  the Hot Water Boiler is not getting enough water to warrant any to come out....  WAAAAH!!!    Washed up with what I have and dealt with my work at hand... got my much needed packing tape... finsihed packing more goods to ship out...  then it was back in the rain to deliver and ship my box to the International Courier.... and rushed back in time for the Postal Truck to come and pick up my mailings....  As you all know - waiting is not a virtue of mine - so I was sooooo frustrated when 2 hrs after the pick up time passed and they still have not come.....   MORE WAAAAAH!!!

 

Eventually all got done...   Mailings got picked up....   the rain stopped....  and the water pumped got fixed (Thanks Juju's Daddy for being such a Handy Man!)...   all is well again....   and took a looong afternoon walk to get rid of all the frustrations out....  looked at some XMas displays....  sat and had coffee outside - and just watched happy people go by....   All the while thinking - all these things happening now much be life's little jokes on me....   and I know I could handle it all - with a SMILE even!!!

 

Then something wonderful happened, amidst all the Personal Messages/ Emails I was dealing throughout the day - I got one from a friend in The Philippines, Isabel Casas - enclosed is a photo of some beautiful Rosaries that she had picked up for me on her recent trip to the Holy Land...  Without me asking for anything, and just casually knowing I collect Rosaries - she picked a few up for me.  MUCH TO MY SURPRISE!!!  This totally erased all the frustrations I felt since last night.... and the heavy heart becomes light as air once more....

   This just proves what I've always known all along - that there is

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR!!!

Thankful!!

That time of the year again to give THANKS for all the BLESSINGS we have had in our lives the whole year through....  well, in my opinion, we do not need a Holiday to give thanks, nor do we need to search hard for things to be THANKFUL for... everyday we wake up to another day of possibilities is enough to be THANKFUL for....  still, I suppose, it is good to have this Holiday to remind all that we do need to be THANKFUL and GIVE THANKS where they are due - at least one day of the year!

 

So THANK YOU and HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!   Also, today being the first day of Hanukkah - I wish you a HAPPY HANUKKAH, too!!!

Reflecting, the year has been good...  no major incidents....  no major heartaches....   and though I know now that I will not be able to go to Manila for Christmas and New Year, as I do each and every year - I am still THANKFUL....  will just make the most of things in my own way... on my own.... There will always be a next year....

5 More to be Thankful for!!!

Been a busy week....  doing lots of running around so am a bit behind... but that does not mean I did not have anything to be THANKFUL for... so am FILLING IN the last five days before Thanksgiving, starting with TODAY...

=========================

Day 21. FRIENDSHIPS -and that includes Past, Present. & Future... And yes, FB Friends and throw in the Haters too - for Good Measure!

Everyone, directly or indirectly, have contributed to who I am...   Shared Joys n Sorrows, and everything in between... Thank You All!

===========================

 

Day 20.XMAS TREATS -yep, one by one they do come back to brighten and sweeten up the Holiday Season!!!

============================

Day 19.METRO ART -For me, the BEST thing about riding the METRO in Taipei is not how fast it can get me to where am going, but to be treated to some of the BEST FREE ART around..... every stop with a different theme by some of the local (known, as well as, up and coming artists)... Just Feasts for the eyes!!!

=========================

Day  18.RUNNING -possibly my most Fave form of exercise, since my High School days... Not only is it really good to keep the heart pumping and the calories burning, Running always helps me clear my mind... Think of ideas and solutions... And just really energizes me...

And it helps when you have this convenient, beautiful riverside park to run...

=====================================

Day 17.HOUSE CHORES -Not that I really like doing them - but in a way, it does keep me grounded... and when am focusing on the task at hand - I clear my mind of everything else.....

Movies - Take Me Away!!!

Today was somewhat of a FRUSTRATING DAY....  I mean it did not start of so - did my work, cleaned up a bit, then got ready for a Lite Lunch with Juliana....   Had our lunch - nice and tasty... and great chats, of course.....  then we both hack to work for 3 PM appointments...  Her's for interviews she has to do at work, and I to accept a delivery from CHINA I had been waiting for since last week....    my way to lunch, the Courier company called and set the delivery time....

 

Anyway, was home about 10 minutes before 3PM....  even called the courier company to tell them am home and waiting - and to this they just said OK....   an hour had passed andcome, so I called....  then I wast ready and cannot give me an exact time they were coming - but that they will come....  not wanting to miss the delivery opportunity, as the weekend is approaching too - and would have had to wait till MONDAY again if this was missed - I hung on and waited and waited and waited....  it was finally delivered - after 6:30PM....  3 and 1/2 hours late - with no advisory whatsoever....  and as you all know - WAITING IS NOT A VIRTUE OF MINE - so this left me frustrated...

 

I totally missed the showing of a movie I have a PASS for....   it was too late to GYM and already too dark to go for a run...  was going to meet Juju and her Mom for dinner but instead they had to meet up with some friends - other Moms with kiddies....    I was left with nothing but feeling a lot of frustrations.....  So I walked and walked and walked... and decided THE MOVIES....  it is always a GREAT ESCAPISM for me....  so why not go to the movies....   with not much playing here right now....  already saw 007 and Magic Mike - and I was too tired to be reading subtitles - I opted for Breaking Dawn Part 2....   Not really a follower... and a couple of entries I did get to see, I was neither awed or moved... just OK...  but sometimes, just OK is better than NOTHING....   and I was glad I went...  this, SUPPOSEDLY, last installment to the SAGA was not too bad...  though it borders on predictability, boredom and hokeyness - I just went with it... let it take me away - and my frustrations away... 

 

and so  that makes my THANKFUL ENTRY #16: THE MOVIES!!!

-whether in the Big Screen or in the privacy of your own home... With a group of people or alone... Be it Drama, Comedy, Animation, Science Fiction, Love Story, Action or Foreign... Big Budget Hollywood style or Indie... ...

The Movies are still one of the Best form of Escapism...

======================================

 

THANKFUL 15. THE WARM FUZZY FEELINGS WE GET! And that is just what I got watching the Please MeiMei Tree Lighting Event... 

Brought back Sweet Memories of those I witnessed in the Bay Area growing up.... 

Truly makes the Heart Sparks - just when one needs it the most!!!  

COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE: Please MeiMei Tree Lighting Event

 

By the Hair on my Skin!!!

Whoah!   3 days without entries... not that there were none to be Thankful for - just too much on my plate... and on the mind....  been wrestling with soooooo much...  emotional and mental baggage....   on top of work and the daily grind which is called Life....  sometimes things really leave me CONFUSED or WONDERING WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY LIFE???

 

 

All came to a HALT today - all day long the mind was elsewhere - thinking of too many things that left me mentally and emotionally wasted.... one minute I was just doing my daily chores, then next am an emotional wreck...  Guess left on my own, am bound to really STOP, TAKE A LOOK and LISTEN TO MY THOUGHTS....  and of late, they are just TOO SAD.....  

 

Even almost got run over this afternoon...  I knew that without fail when crossing streets, I always look to the right, then the left, then the right again....   it's a NO BRAINER - but for some reason that is not what happened today....  a car stopped just to my left side - just missing me by the hair of my skin...   okay, I do not think I would have died as it was a residential area - so the car was not moving too fast.... but fast enough to warrant a really loud screeching from breaking....  WHEW!!! 

Needless to say, that left me frazzled even more for the rest of the evening....   so to try and calm down and sooth the soul, I took a loooong walk by the river, Dajia Riverside Park - always a GREAT place for a walk on breezy clear nites....  it TRULY soothes the Soul and makes one forget about everything else... just nice to take in the lovely lighted pathways....   people happily walking, running, biking....  and taking in the Fresh Clean Air!!!

 

==============================

THANKFUL.12: COFFEE BREAKS

-always a nice treat to get that extra boost of caffeine in the afternoon... Nice way to break the work day... And in Taipei, one can never run out of choices - lots of coffee/cafe havens here!!!

======================

THANKFUL.13: Good Food with Great Friends

-Especially when everyone's schedule is such that  finding a time for a Get Together with (almost) all is quite trying....

 

 

Thankful.11

For this 11th Day, I want to give thanks for San Ming Community Center Gym....  

San Ming Have been the BEST place to get a good work out for the last 5 years...  at least....   Not only is it convenient to our home - only 15 minutes away by walking - which gives us NO EXCUSE NOT TO WORKOUT - COME RAIN OR SHINE...  But it really is a pleasant place to go as most of the time, one need not wait too long for a Machine or the weights - if you even have to wait.....   Plus as an added bonus, with it located on the 9th floor - Great Views of the city can be admired from all sides of the place....

=========================

...and though it has been a gloomy, rainy Sunday in Taipei - I really cannot complain as e to enjoy the day....   Went to church as I do most Sunday....  then afterwards, we took in 0t adventure, SKYFALL - via IMAX Theatre even!!!   Truly one of the BEST BOND film ever - in a looong time, EVER!!!   Daniel Craig as 007, as always, embodies true Manliness - and embracing getting on in years just makes him even more of an Idol for both Male and Female fans....  Long Live 007!!!

After the movie - it was time to treat the rumbling in the tummy with some good old HOT WONTON Soup and Peanut Sauce Noodles....   All of these add up to a PERFECT cold & rainy day.....  

Home Cooked Meals

Thankful Day 10 is all about delicious home cooked meals.... Nowadays, with Chef David's busy work schedule - he does not get to treat us to some scrumptious meals often...

So when he does, like today, we are all THANKFUL!!'

===============================

Was treated to a showing of the movie I have been wanting to see, "Gf*Bf" - Shaun was able to find it online and downloaded for me to see....  No English subtitles but heck, at this point this did not matter so much anymore... I sat through the whole thing....  loving every minute of the film.....   it was everything I expected and imagined it to be... and more.....  Great acting from everyone.....  Very nicely filmed and directed.....  and just love the SUBTLETIES in the dramatic parts....  this made for an even heartfelt storytelling....  TWO THUMBS UP for the film, indeed!!!!

=========================

Then  to we drove over later in the afternoon, to visit the Lin An Tai Historical Homes and Museum....  This place is only half an hour away....  and such a beautiful and peaceful place to visit....   as if one is transported to a different time....   besides the Old Style Houses, Gardens, and Gazebos - lots of Antique furniture and knick display....  and of course, historical notes on ancient traditions....

...was even treated to this beautiful Sunset!!!

===================

Capped off the nite with some goodies form the night market for dinner....  then happened upon an Indian Dance Public Performance - so got to enjoy that, too.....   Overall, it was a nice day....  I should not have anything to complain about.....   well....

CUTENESS OVERLOAD

Thanksful.9 : PREMIUM TOYS

-cuteness overload and the hunt -collecting stickers for them - is always a fun challenge!!

 

As most of you know, I have been collecting them for years....  and have amassed quite a collection already....  But how can I Stop?  They just keep putting out more and more CUTENESS!!!   Even got Jewel to start loving Doraemon & Open Chang - all from collecting these PREMIUM TOYS!!!

===================================

SWEET TREATS!!!!

yes, that is!!!  My entry on this 8th Day to be THANKFUL: SWEET TREATS!!!

-Simply because they make every meal, and of course my life, even sweeter!!!

THANKFUL.7

 In keeping with HUMP DAY, today am going to be THANKFUL for all the

EYE CANDIES - Past, Present & Future!!!
 -just because they make LIFE more FUN and ENTERTAINING! LOL

===========================

Early lunch today....  did not even get to the GYM this morning... boo hoo....  Todd is going back to Kaohsiung so we needed to have an early start, feed him, before he takes the long bus ride back.....   Lunch was at PARCO, Italian Restaurant, in the neighborhood....  not bad at all, especially for the price....  the Lunch Set Menus are very affordable, tasty,  

and the portions are BIIIG.

 

THANKFUL.6

Birthdays & Birthday Cakes!!!

"Happy Birthday, Xiaomei!!!"

Birthdays are always a very nice BREAK from the daily grinds....  

... especially when they are accompanied with Birthday Cakes to Gobble Up!!!  :)

============================

THANKFUL.5

5. BLOOMS
Wu Papa's diligent efforts in keeping the front of the house blooming...

==================================

Todd is up from Kaohsiung today for a couple of days....  he is on leave from his MILITARY duties...  so today we trekked over to Global Mall in Banchiao....  a first for all of us....  it was quite a ways....  though it was just a bus ride away, it was almost an hour and a half ride.... WHEW!!!

Global Mall was not too big... only 5 floors...  hardly any nice shop to speak of 'cept for UNIQLO, PORTER International, & MUJI....  the rest are nothing special to speak of....  same ones you can find in all the malls - much closer.... or even as free standing boutiques in any shopping districts....

We just made up for it  by hanging out at MISTER DONUT, always a FAVE for Juju and I....  and then an early dinner (nothing else to do or see) at GRAZIE....  not good but not too bad - just good enough to fill one up and move on.... hahahahahahahaha....

 

THANKFUL

Yep, it is that month of the year again when we all should REFLECT and SEE all that we are THANKFUL for....  and we all know, there is ALWAYS SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL for....  So I have decided to make this "Thankful" album project on FB (THANKFUL ALBUM)....  one entry each day, one thing to be THANKFUL for each day.... 

 

And it could not have come at a most fitting time, too - as I woke up this Sunday to just some FRUSTRATING PMs....  nothing major, just part of the Ups and Downs of Life....  of the Business...  Snapped out of it right away SIMPLY by thinking of this project....

Nov 2nd, Friday:   Juju's Smile.

Always can brighten up any Gloomy Day...

Nov 3rd, Saturday: Traveling.
 Could never get enough of this.... so much more in the world to see, know, and experience....

Nov 4th, Sunday: Sunday Mass:

  Always a pleasure when I do make it to Church..

  Added Bonus, the soothing sounds of St. Christopher's Church Choir.

 

Have a GREAT SUNDAY ALL!!!

====================================

and here's the SERENITY PRAYER by Reinhold Niebuhr to ALWAYS put things into PERSPECTIVE: 

 

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen. 

Giving Thanks..... still....

I cannot even remember now that last Thanksgiving I have celebrated....   this is the 12th year I am not celebrating - yes, that looooong!!! I, too, cannot believe it.....

Though memories are all a bit jumbled up now of many Thanksgiving past - so many of these memories are still pretty fresh in my mind... and even more so, in my heart..... Thanksgiving with dear friends.... quiet moments with past love ones (not so many, mind you... hahahahahaha) .... having Thanksgiving dinners for some friends and co-workers who could not go home to their respective families; worse, who did not have families to go home to.... delivering meals to those who did not have families to go celebrate with through Chicken Soupers, and other various charities...

They were, they are, my families.... having grown up pretty much on my own - I was LUCKY ENOUGH to have had them all at separate times in my life.... they made my Thanksgiving complete and forever I will be THANKFUL to them - for touching my life one way or another....

 

 

And now another Thanksgiving is upon us.... lately, it feels as if I have less and less to be THANKFUL for.... with business the way it is.... with the way things have been with my family - near and far..... and of course, with the way things are with my Mom.... just the other day I spoke with her on the phone...checking in.... and even thousands of miles apart - I could hear the pain in her voice....  all i can do is try to not let on of my feelings and sorrows and just to be BRAVE and STRONG for her... something that is getting harder and harder to do as time goes by....    And just tonight, am reminded that it has been 8 months ago since the time my MOM went through her last complete physical... the time the doctor basically said she is LUCKY to have a year left in her...Has it really been that long already? Is this why she has been feeling worse and getting health complications lately? Is she feeling something that she is not telling us - in her way, trying to be Brave and Strong for us, too? I guess only time will tell....

For now, I will just be THANKFUL for all the days she is not in so much pain.... for the times she is able to get up and down the stairs on her own.... for the smiles I see in her, still.... for all the stories and memories she has been sharing with me - of her childhood, of my childhood, of our families... for reminding me something I almost always forget - that in the end, we only have one life and we MUST LIVE IT THE BEST WAY WE CAN. DO WHAT MAKES US HAPPY WITHOUT HARMING OTHERS, AND FIND HAPPINESS IN ALL THAT THERE IS.....

 But most especially, AM THANKFUL for whatever time I still get to have with her.... and though am not with her this Thanksgiving - it matters not as I surely will be with her for XMas - as promised....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!

Happy Thanksgiving All!!!

a contact on 365project posted this and I thought it needs sharing:

"people who study positive psychology (yes, there is such a thing) have provided some pretty solid research indicating that people who practice expressing gratitude on a regular basis are far more likely to be happy and healthy than those who don't."

Makes sense to me, really, but SADLY, it is something that is often forgotten. We are reminded of course, over Holidays such as Thanksgiving and soon to come, XMas.... but we need not wait for these moments -- we ought to always give Thanks where it's due... So here, I give mine:

Thank You All for the Love, the Friendships, the Support, and making my days worth living... for continually inspiring me to strive harder, no matter how, at times, things really seem hopeless...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Yep, it is that time of the year again to GIVE THANKS to all the BLESSINGS we get in life.... and as corny as the picture banner maybe - I TRULY am THANKFUL for Life, Love, Family & Friends!!!

Wishing You and Yours a Wonderful Thanksgiving!!!


MyNiceSpace.com

JUST A REMINDER: Our TYPHOON RELIEF DRIVE II STARTS TODAY!!!!

For More Info Pls Click Here

Thankful!

I see myself as basically a nice guy.... simple.... friendly... helping in anyway I can, here and there.... and most of all, I ALWAYS TRY SEE see something GOOD & BEAUTIFUL in anything and everything.... no matter where I am... who am dealing with in life.... and with all the things that happens, not just to me but in this world we LIVE in....

Recently, we have SUFFERED a GREAT LOSS.... no one DYING - mind you... more like MONETARY LOSS.... a little over US$20,000 to be exact.... in these trying times, losing this amount is enough to drive anyone crazy or into a deep depression.... It would have been OK, I SUPPOSE, if it was just due to the flailing economy happening all the world.... but it was more DUE to TRUSTING TOO MUCH and being TAKEN by the EVIL PEOPLE of the world....

We have been PONDERING and yes, I CRIED over this for weeks.... and we are basically just now regaining our FOCUS ONCE AGAIN -- DRIVE and DETERMINATION.... Thanks to FAMILY, FRIENDS & LOVE ONES -- we are able to LOOK BEYOND all of this and GAIN BACK OUR POSITIVE OUTLOOK in LIFE...

As friends lovingly reminded me.... there is such a THING as KARMA... and $$$ can be gained once again with hard work and perseverance.... I do still have my HEALTH, my FRIENDS, & FAMILY -- and for this am very THANKFUL.... they are what MATTERS most in LIFE!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So HUG LIFE! HUG your LOVE ONES!! and MAKE every MOMENT COUNT!!!