Finally…it’s done! The two landscape gardeners have been laboring at it for the past two weeks and I am just thankful that my dream of having a grotto as a tribute for Mama Mary is finally fulfilled. I’ve been researching how to grow and maintain bonsai plants since we have lots of it now. I am just plain excited to see how my bonsai Thailand tamarind tree would bear fruit same with my bonsai Lemoncito. We’ve tried putting water in the small pond and I just love the soothing sound of it. It reminds me of the continuity of life, a cycle that gives us that sense of belonging, having simple dreams fulfilled.
Posted in Close to Nature, flowers and blooms, home garden, inspiration, life | Tagged flowers and blooms, life | Leave a Comment »
Have you ever been beaten by the LSS (last song syndrome) bug? I was laughing at myself early this morning while watering what was left of my so called garden after the landscape gardener took sometime off today and practically left the job of doing the finishing touches of the grotto. Come to think of it, the last time I heard this song was yesterday morning while my niece and I were playing hide and seek at the garden. It was playing in my head when I woke up today, Israel Kamakawiwo “Ole” IZ’s version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. It was a catchy tune and his version makes you feel like dancing to the beat, really awesome.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There’s a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can’t I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can’t I?
The music was composed by Harold Arlen and the lyrics were written by E.Y. Harburg. It was written for the movie the Wizard of Oz back in 1939. And here’s what’s Wikipedia has to say:
The song is number one of the “Songs of the Century” list compiled by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. The American Film Institute also ranked Over the Rainbow the greatest movie song of all time on the list of “AFI’s 100 Years…100 Songs“. It was adopted (along with Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas“) by American troops in Europe in World War II as a symbol of the United States.
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Rico Hizon is one of the awardees of the recently concluded People of the Year Award. Catch him here at the following site: http://goodnewspilipinas.com
“The list of awardees includes CNN Hero for 2009 Efren Peñaflorida; Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, S.J., the longest-serving president of Ateneo de Manila University; presidential bets Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and former Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.; Charo Santos-Concio, president of the ABS-CBN network; multi-awarded broadcast journalist and GMA-7 vice president for news programs Jessica Soho; British Broadcasting Corp. news anchorman Rico Hizon; Rustan’s president Zenaida “Nedy” Tantoco; the “first lady” of Taguig Kaye Tinga, veteran newsman lawyer Emil Jurado; Mita Rufino, for culture and arts; Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera; Bernd Schneider, the former general manager of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel who is credited for reviving the hotel’s grandeur; internationally-recognized designer Inno Sotto, considered as the Philippines’ “Prince of Fashion;” Nonito Donaire Jr., the World Boxing Association’s super flyweight champion; and Manny Pacquiao, the only boxer in history to win seven world titles in seven weight categories.” (source: Philippine Star)
Posted in Philippines, a tribute, life | Tagged 2010, People of the Year Award, Philippines | Leave a Comment »
Took this quiz on Facebook just for fun and here’s the result…haha! I really can’t stand clutter, it freaks me out. What, you mean OC?
You are very organized. You are the poster child for control and order, some people may even refer to you as a neat freak but remember, its the organized person that gets things done.
Posted in life | Tagged a bit of myself, life | Leave a Comment »
It was just a speck. I was fascinated. It’s not yet summer, and I wasn’t expecting to see this small boy of around 10 freely enjoying the soft afternoon breeze with his dark kite flying in the sky. This is my favorite spot, a place to watch the fluffy and cotton candy clouds on the horizon. It’s behind our house, an undeveloped phase in our area where most people take their morning stroll and exercise their dogs early in the morning. And it set me thinking, this laid back life that I am having now must be such a boring thing to most people. I seem to float through life without the usual enthusiasm, without so much perk and socializing has become text messages and occasional calls on my cellphone, moving in and out of this thingy called Facebook, adding and chatting with long lost friends in the process, and yes, writing my thoughts here in WordPress and updating my photoblogs at Multiply. Don’t get me wrong, I cannot abide spending much of my time doing nothing productive.
Six months ago, it was easier to plan everything that I wanted to do. I am one of those who live by some lists on what to buy, where to go, whom to see, what to read, what to cook for dinner or where to spend special occasions for the family. But six months ago, everything changed. Life could be cruel at times when you are not prepared to face what it throws your way. Sometimes, I look back at my life and wonder, what have I to show after all these years?
I was reading a blog by one of my friends regarding the support group called Carewell Community (Cancer Resource and Wellness Community), a non-profit foundation that provides support and hope to persons with cancer by helping them to become more positive and engaged in their fight for recovery. One of these days, I may find the courage to make a visit and share my own plight with fellow cancer patients. The pain might be bearable but the journey is quite difficult. You will never know how to completely empathize with a person who has cancer unless you have experienced the same thing.
I am just a cog in the ocean of life but one thing I learned while undergoing treatment was that, every suffering has its own reward and mine was this – I am stronger now to face challenges, never being afraid of what the outcome of my treatment would be in the future. And I am truly grateful for this experience because after everything that my family and I have been through, it has changed our lives for the better – more loving, more caring and becoming closer together.
“I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey…
I asked for health, that I might do great things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things…
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise…
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God…
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I may enjoy all things…
I got nothing I asked for-but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among men, most richly blessed!” 12
- An Unknown Confederate Soldier,
A Creed for Those Who Have Suffered
Posted in Closer to God, family, health, life, silence speaks, thoughts | Tagged a bit of myself, family life, life, silence speaks, thoughts, thoughts and ramblings | Leave a Comment »
The shot really is nothing exceptional. No sense of focus, nary a good subject. It probably would not even merit an amateur photographer’s eye. But it made me think of what life is all about – wonders of creation, freedom, lightness of being depicted by this lone bird which was captured on screen. And these clouds no less remind us of our own mortality, that nothing is really permanent, that we are just passing through. I just remembered that I took this shot right after the partial solar eclipse last January 15, 2010.
Posted in life, silence speaks | Tagged a bit of myself, life, silence speaks, something to think about, thoughts | Leave a Comment »
We’ve finally started our garden project. There is really nothing yet but just a mound of earth but I am documenting every phase until it is done.


I wonder how long it would take before I could see something green again here. Some of my old ornamental plants have to be replaced . I am saving a few of them for propagation. Rocks and garden ornaments cost sky high, more so with ornamental plants. This would probably be our last big project this year.
Posted in Close to Nature, home garden, silence speaks | Tagged flowers and blooms | Leave a Comment »

