Missus Bounty Basket

 I've found out that George Eliot is the pen name of the English novelist, Mary Ann Evans . I haven't read any of her works but it will be interesting to read her poem.  For my 5 things today: Admired how beautiful the sky was this morning. This is such a privilege for me at this time and I don't want to take it for granted.  Gave TLC to my 3 hens . I named them - Puti (for an obvious reason), Molly, and Rosie. Sprinkled some water on their coop all the while telling them how the water would refresh the surrounding and thanking them for the eggs. Emailed a friend. I met her during the lowest moment in my life. She also has an autoimmune disease called rheumatoid arthritis . At that time I was newly diagnosed. Meeting her strengthened my belief that there's hope.  There's no cure for this kind of autoimmune disease however, with a good treatment coupled with lifestyle change, it's easier to handle and one can function better.  Practiced emotional intelligence...

My list is not in order. I am typing and at the same time listening to Una Flor by Juanes . I discovered his song after watching Jane the Virgin . It's on Spotif y and I have created a playlist for Spanish and Italian songs. A great way to stimulate the brain. Now back to my list. Walked barefoot in the garden. Experts called it grounding though as far as I can remember, everyone in Isla Berde was doing it when we were growing up.  Here  is a short film about it. Read 8 pages of my current book . I tend to be distracted by the other books I have. There's one on the nightstand  and  one in my backpack , ready to be read when I take public transport . Am I the only one? Baked a banana cake. Using a gluten-free flour . Nope, it was not good and I will try again. Phoned Mama. Talked about the weather, this and that. In my quest to heal and at the same time have a better relationship with her, I need to set boundaries yet understand her. Her life experience. Her story...

Days have passed and I wonder when to write. To sit down and just write all the things that had happened during the past few days but I'm keeping it off for a long while now. It's not the lack of inspiration but there's not really an urge to share what I have in mind.  Thoughts of altogether leaving my blog entered my mind, but the need to express my feelings in writing persisted. This is a draft written in 2011.  And there are 200-something of them on the list. I want to select which ones are worth keeping and finish each and every one of them, this means sticking to my plan for writing. According to this book , one has to choose one goal at a time. Focus on just one.  But focusing on just one made me anxious about my time here.  How can I do the other things I'd like to accomplish like learn another language , have 250 subscribers on youtube by February, write a book , optimize my health , augment my earning capabilities and pass my driver's license ?  If i...

She was holding onto the magnolia tree , smiling.  Looking at that polaroid photo, I thought she resembled  Sharon Cuneta .  It was my Nanay Manang, my paternal grandmother who showed me the picture. The girl was the granddaughter of her friend and was living in America . Once, she was given a blue sweater and let me try it. I itched all over. What is this sweater, I asked? It keeps one warm, she said.  In my young mind, I wanted to be that girl. She seemed so happy and contented. I also wanted to go to America. The United States . It's the only country that existed in my mind. The magnolia tree, the only tree I love.  But, the love did not persist for long because my interest turned to our  yard.  Chesa tree was fruiting, there was also jackfruit and santol , and not far was the sampalok tree. Sampaguita were everywhere and though not as big as the magnolia tree, the scent overwhelms me with joy every time I sweep the yard. The chore which I have ...

You have probably read about my unhurried journey to healing recently. It is an interesting phase of my life where everything seems to come together slowly. Yes, slowly but beautifully. But in the beginning, this is not how I see it. A very long time ago, I planned a lot of things and set goals that were not aligned with what my soul has been set to achieve and have. So there were so many detours, ups and downs, and goals that led me to uncertainties and it felt like I am not getting any results.  Where am I heading? In which path?  Noises. I envied people around me who seemed to have it all. The direction in life, work, finances etc.  Why? How? There are so many questions and no answers. It's when my body took charge and then the mind settled that gradually new responses came to light. Not the ones I was hoping for but nevertheless answer.   As my questioning ceased, I then began quieting my mind which is undoubtedly important. It will lead you to what your...

It's a sunny day and though the weather is slowly changing our garden is still bursting with color. Moreover, my garden to-do list is mostly done. As I roll the lemon grass leaves to be stored for our future use, a warm feeling of joy and gratitude enveloped me. The thought of our kitchen filled with the delicious aroma of lemon grass during the winter days excites me.  That simple rolling jest, being in the moment, with no distraction only a light breeze and nature's blessing around me brings me joy . Undoubtedly, it's in simple things that we feel contented.  I'm on the right path because, for so many years, fear of the uncertain has shadowed everything in my daily life. Giving rise to stress. Paralyzing my body , figuratively, and causing me not to use my full potential as a human being. As I slowly modify my habits and introduced new ones, my attitude is steadily changing. My focus is shifting to the present moment. The HERE & NOW.  This new me is far f...

It's truly a blessing that at this age and time, I am given the chance to finally get to know myself. At first, I am ashamed of saying it out loud, here, admitting to the whole Universe that I do not know who I truly am. This is not about the midlife crisis, I am past that. This is about focusing and re-learning to love me, starting the journey that my soul was set up to do.  Understanding that loving one's self is not selfish but is paramount to one's mental health and overall well-being.  Letting go of a job because one's health is important is not selfish. Keeping in mind that not cleaning the kitchen and resting is ok because my body reclaims it. That I should not shoulder everything just to feel validated as a mother and as a person.  Besides, it's not the end of the world if the house is not organized my way.   My body needs rest and lots of loving and caring from me. From me first and not anyone else. Family and friends are there, then an important question p...

Just when I thought that an important aspect of my life has been sorted out, my body has gone berserk.  Fatigue, body pain, and swollen joints became a part of my daily life along with pain and inflammation pills. Weight loss worried me.  Then 2022 came and what I am experiencing finally has a name. Rheumatoid arthritis or RA . Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder   and an autoimmune disease  which means that the immune system  attacks healthy cells in the body causing inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected areas of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the joints. There's no cure for RA. However, physiotherapy and medication can help slow the disease progression. The latter is called anti-rheumatic drugs. Reading thru the link my doctor gave me, RA could be caused by many factors such as stress and is hereditary. I am not good at handling stress. It seems that I wallow in it. Coupled with over/nonsense thinking my body gave up an...

  In December 2019, I decided that the following year would be a better one for me. So I listed things to do and projects to complete. My goal was that everything in that list should be crossed-out, accomplished. Then my body pain got worse,Taal Volcano erupted, Covid19 entered and my father got sick.  By March 2020, Switzerland went into semi-lockdown. Everything I wanted to do has taken a backseat. As if the lockdown was my excuse to carry the pain and fear in my  body and mind, to not do anything. I was anxious, my body was in pain and I cried not only because of what seems like helplessness but it felt that I am not going anywhere. Goodness, gracious, I am 50. What am I doing with my life? In my head, I started to create a more positive scenario. My day as a Nanay in a pandemic went on. As the semi-lockdown started to ease up, my therapy restarted and slowly my body received the re-education, love and care it needed. I remember during one of my sessions, my physi...

  Had my coffee.Did our bed. Prepared the girls' packed lunch. They had breakfast. He went to work and then I accompanied the girls to their 1-day retreat. Migros ( grocery store) then cycled my way back home.  Next, there's breakfast. I fought the urge to  check my phone. The lull of some minutes to be filled by something..anything. However, I opted to be quiet and just be.  It is so easy to  be distracted. There are my to-do list, the messages to be sent, the agenda to be filled and hundred other things to do. Instead, I savor my coffee, enjoying the scent of the bread coming from the toaster. Now, spreading the honey and putting the slices of cheddar cheese on top of it and it was heaven! That few minutes to just sit and enjoy the breakfast, to just look outside and contemplate about how the cheese reminded me of my childhood. Of how bizarre my breakfast is. Still, I love cheese . And it's autumn . Cold and most of the time overcast and raining. But the na...

my schanafouilles  Monday was the first day of school. My eldest is in secondary or Cycle d'orientation while my youngest is in the primary school.  T he girls were anxious and I tried not to show mine.  However, compared to previous years, this time, it feels like we're ready. I am not talking about being on time, having satisfying breakfast, and all but rather the changes and the possibilities ahead. As their mother, I lovingly embrace it now, not without the first day anxiety :) and welcome the fact that my babies are growing up and becoming more independent. No more brushing their hair into pigtails and braids. School snacks are not prepared anymore. Though this time, one wore my t-shirt and the other one my light jacket. Some years ago, when my youngest did not feel like going to school, I drew a heart on a piece of paper with a little note that says: I love you forever. I told her that though, Nanay cannot go to school with her, my heart is with her and hopefully, s...

Patinoire de Carouge Changing into my boots after 3 turns on the rink was a glorious feeling. However, gliding awkwardly on the ice rink before turning 50 was even glorious. Let us forget about the awkwardness and  focus in the moment when I finally decided to get those pair of ice skates and tried to glide and at the same time hang on to the railings that surround the rink. Of course, I was hesitant at first. Thinking about those tiny human beings on the ice rink, effortlessly doing their stuff. Excitedly turning... Skating without a care in the world.  How would I glide without hurting anyone? Will their helmets protect them from this woman reluctantly skating in black pants? My gals were so thrilled and really helpful. Taking my hands and encouraging me to skate near the center. Not yet girls. Perhaps not today but Nanay will get there slowly. Maybe not like Michelle but definitely ready to have fun,smile at  strangers who give encouragement and confident enoug...

summer 2010 - Lyon My eldest turned 10 three days ago. Yes, she is the one on the red stroller alongside our youngest. One summer with only one rucksack and a medium size backpack we were good to go nevertheless we have struggled with strollers in the train.  Our travelling strategy changes from year to year as  they grow older and I get better in packing.  How I wish to travel light next year.

Repose by Picasso  MoMa, New York  25.10.2016 Scrutinizing myself just before the tram door opens, I am hoping for a Korina Sanches Roxas look in the Kho-Belo wedding reception in the Opéra Garnier. The disheveled look - thanks to the wind, I am expecting do not exactly match. Once seated, my mind debated to either nap or tinker with my phone. I am aiming for a productive 15 minute tram ride to the city. I kept my eyes closed and felt my aching back while thinking of other stuff. Like the 5 job applications I made this week, the venue of my daughter's birthday, why I didn't bring my own coffee and that Kayla Itsines BBG program I have yet to complete. My mind would not rest, thankfully it is quiet except for the squeaking sound of the tram as it turns and heads to Gare Cornavin. There is this lady on the phone behind me with her purring voice, talking about the January plane ticket which is quite expensive (British accent- I love it!)  I hope that the male o...

  Summer in Verbier will always be my family's favorite time. Here are some of the reasons why:   1. Family, friends and Swiss National Day  August in Verbier is not complete without our family and friends. We have seen our children from quietly sitting on the baby relax by the fire place to hiking, from tantrums to playing Mille Bornes and sleeping in the tent under the moonlight. Spending the Swiss National Day in Verbier is extra special because we got to enjoy the fireworks of the village and have our own (thanks to the Bosc) in front of the chalet amidst the shrieking children and adults alike. 2.Mountains  I have yet to memorize all the mountains we have in front of the chalet. Nevetheless, seeing them green with the blue sky, the clouds scattered all around all the while drinking coffee as the sun comes out with the birds chirping and kids sound asleep is just something a parent has to experience in La Pineta. Besides, it's our vacatio...