I know, I know, some of you would probably say or think there is still time. It seems as if time is running out on me, of course not and that is not why I am writing this blog. At some point in our lives, we think of things that we would like to do, things we would like to try at least once, things that somehow in the course of the years remain just that – pipe dreams, still.
When the kids were young and I was still working, I kept on thinking, when they grow up, I would plan to do all these but family life will always be a priority and still is until now. These come in no particular order or how important they are in my life. I just thought I could still make up for lost time and do a thing or two.
– enrol in a culinary school. And I don’t mean just the six sessions I did at Sylvia Reynoso Gala Culinary Studio with Sylvia herself and her two kids Ernest and Morella. Learning the basics of cooking for more than your family and close friends, learning how to prepare Chinese food with fresh ingredients, learning how to bake bars, cookies and simple bread, I think there is more to culinary arts than this. I learned a lot though, but still it was not enough. You need sizable financial resources now to enrol in a named culinary school and I don’t have that.
– rappelling. Rappelling, are you kidding? How can that be? My daughter did it when she was in high school in one of their school activities. My knees tremble looking down from a higher place. That goes the same with zip line. Nissa has lovely pictures when she and her friends did zip lining in Tagaytay. I remember one time when we went to Enchanted Kingdom and they did all the rides except me. I was content watching and taking pictures.
– biking. Oh please, don’t laugh. At my age, I never learned how to bike. The only brave thing I did was to drive a tri bike, the one which has a back ride. I had good balance that way, perfect opportunity to drive my children around the village when they were kids. Every kid in town learned how to bike, except this kid.
–swimming. I’d like to think I have an affinity with the sea with all its angst and gentle waves lapping at my feet but I was so afraid to let my body sink into the water without touching the floor. Staying on the shore, looking at the blue ocean waters, watching the sunrise and the golden sunset and finding shells were more my thing. Back in the province, we have this clean river where we used to go to during the summer months or where we catch fish at the start of the rainy season. Those were the times when I truly enjoyed it, fishing with mom and dad during school break.
– horseback riding. Here in our country, that’s for the upper class, if you know what I mean. My grandson Nate is luckier than I am because he has already experienced a pony ride in Tagaytay.
– writing a book. There is still a possibility here but I only dream of writing one, some sort of memoirs perhaps. Ambitious, right? I’d like to share to the whole world, particularly to those undergoing health issues right now that there is life after cancer, that you could still dream after chemotherapy, that the latter is not always the best recourse for treatment.
I don’t know if I could do one of these but I am sure I could still learn to cook paella (with all the ingredients and trimmings) or probably chicken galantina for Christmas Eve and bake my birthday cake next time.
Dreams And Escapes 
I think that most, if not all of your list can still be done Arlene. If the horse-riding is expensive, that may preclude it, at least for now. Perhaps your family could get together, and purchase a horse-riding gift day for you? I cannot swim either, but I can ride a cycle, although I never do these days, as the roads are too dangerous!
As for the book, why not look through your posts, and edit some together, publishing them as a personal memoir? Even if it didn’t sell many copies, your family would undoubtedly cherish it.
Just some thoughts.
Best wishes from England, Pete.
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Yeay, I wish I could do that, ride a horse before I reach 60 🙂 I think that is the easiest one to remedy. My brother often suggested that I compile and edit my earlier posts. I just don’t know how to go about writing one.
Thanks Pete for the encouraging comments, I’ll stick to cooking and baking in the meantime, the easiest thing to do….experimenting in the kitchen.
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I loved reading this! I think there will always be things we want to do but never really get to do it. in the same way, there are things we already did but never really thought we would do them. Life’s surprises! Maybe you ought to do a post on that 😀
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Hahaha….little things mean a lot! Blogging is one, I always find something to smile about when I am also reading other blog posts. Sharing yourself with the world…that takes courage.
I miss your posts, you should write often 🙂
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My thoughts on your wish list…Culinary School- there are so many cookbooks on the market that teach you how to cook dishes that are new to you. I’ve taken one of mine and have begun to cook dishes that I’ve never tried before, learning along the way.
* Rappelling- Oh my I can’t comment on this one as I would be scared to death to place myself on a zip line, but it does indeed look like fun.
* Biking – Grab a childhood friend and have them teach you how to balance on a bike, before you actually ride it. Once, you learn how to balance your body on the tiny bike seat you will feel the freedom of the wind through your hair. I know you can do it.
* Swimming – Stay where it is shallow, and feel the water caressing your body. Always have another person with you. While you’re sitting on the sand in the water, slowly lean back (not all the way) and know that you are safe. scratch at the sand with your toes to gain a sense of comfort. Baby steps to learning to feel comfortable in the water .. Next time sit in a little deeper water. But still touching the sand, for comfort. Relaxing is key, once you feel relaxed you will feel like your floating in the water. If you’re tense, you will feel like your sinking… one step at a time – to feel comfortable .. I know you can do it..
* Horseback riding – Costly- = impossible dream (Not) if you really want something all it takes is a bit of planning. Tell your friends and family you’ve started a fund in a jar for your first horseback riding experience, tell them to donate funds (birthday , xmas, other special occasions where they would buy you a gift.) Save up until, this dream can turn into a reality for you my dear… I know you can do it.
* Writing a book – You have mastered one of the biggest hurdles already, You’re an author right now with this post. I’ve written 5 novels so far, (none published) not for the lack of trying. I’ve gone on youtube and found directions for printing out the novel, binding it, and putting a jacket on it. I’ve given them away to family and sent as gifts to friends. My reason for doing this was I’ve always wanted to write a novel, because my life so far have been a movie of the week blockbuster. (:) ) You can do this I know you can and I can help you find the resources.
We only go around once, so leave this world one day without regret of never following your dreams.. hugs and Remember you can do it. 🙂
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Yeay, thank you, thank you so much. You make it all sound so easy. It gives me an idea, though I’ve been doing it for the longest time, searching the net for something to experiment on in the kitchen. I think it is too late for me to learn biking, getting really old for it. The place where we live has become so crowded now, it is easier to walk than to ride a bike. I love how you describe the feel of water on your feet and enjoy the sensation of floating on your own. I should have let my mom teach me a thing or two about swimming, she was a very good swimmer during her prime. “The movie of the week blockbuster” 🙂 just visited your blog and read more of your stories, I enjoyed reading them. I am not too ambitious enough to write a novel, I just want to document my plight as a survivor and share a word or two about faith and courage. I remember being touched by Randy Pausch’ The Last Lecture. He touched the world as he lay dying of cancer. Thank you so much Laura, I appreciate this. And I love your thoughts 🙂
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oh this makes me smile as i read through. 🙂 i totally can relate, Arlene! i have dreams that have been put aside forever. but you know, i still include them in my annual ‘wish list’ until hopefully and finally I’ll get to them 🙂 rapelling! you are a brave soul! go for it, my dear! it is never, ever, too late! 🙂
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Thanks lolaWi! I don’t think rappelling is for me, let’s leave that to those with limber bodies and brave enough to do it. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis before I had my surgery five years ago. I am really afraid of heights.
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I understand. I have such a “wish I could have done” list myself. Age does not necessarily stop us from completing such lists but there are many obstacles that make it impossible to complete them. I am okay with that though because our ideal of how wonderful, fun, rewarding, or exciting it would be could never be realized in real life. I, too, get many people telling me there is plenty of time to finish my wish list but they do not possess wisdom or experience. My health blocks me at every turn but finances run a close second. I think it is very good to have wish lists, and I really like yours, because a person should always have a dream no matter how old they get. I love swimming as it takes the stress off my joints and I feel free but I cannot engage in this activity any more. I used to love riding a pedal bike when I was a kid but there are million and one things I would simply love to do if it were possible. I would love to see the world and experience all the differences out there. I thought zip lining would be fun too! I would love to work with gorillas, own a farm, open a transitional home for kids aging out of the foster care system and on and on. I have so many things I would do but I have become content with what I can still do and restrict my wishlist to mundane things like housework. Days I can spend going through the blogs and if I can do a bit of writing then I feel accomplished! Keep dreaming as it keeps your spirit vibrant and you may tackle one of the things on your list someday but it would not be horrible if you did not. I wish you all the happiness in the world dear Arlene.
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Thank you so much Tina. We could conquer the world even in dreams. Poor health and financial restrictions aside, we could still enjoy little things that we do everyday, we could find meaning no matter how mundane or ordinary a day is for us.
I still dream of having a nipa hut (a small place made of native materials, nothing fancy) where the only noise you will hear is silence and the only things you could see is a lovely garden and maybe a cerulean sky. Happiness is sometimes elusive but they say it is how you make it. I wish you the same thing, happiness and blessings in your life. Thank you once again for these inspiring words, I am really grateful.
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your wish list…..Arlene, you are right…..we can always dream. Some times courage to go on dreaming is more important than realizing the dreams.
As far as your list is concerned……that book you will definitely write rather already writing and conceiving it and your next birthday cake you will surely bake.
Loads of best wishes and love
namita
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Hi Namita, thanks a lot! I am having a lovely time reading comments here. The dreams we hold and hug in our hearts….precious aren’t they?
Good morning 🙂
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