Fitbit And…. Happy Birthday Our Dear Mother

Have you heard of this gadget? Nissa has one not exactly like in the picture because hers has metal band. It is a digital watch which also shows the number of steps or strides you have taken in one particular day.

When I was at the hospital, Nissa made me wear it every time I go out to visit the university campus or to buy food. The more you move and walk or run, it would register on your fitbit. Accordingly, “Your speed depends on the length of each stride and the rate at which you turn strides over. If you want to go faster, you have to increase either stride length or stride turnover.” 

Such a lovely and smart fitness tracker. It records the number of strides you have made within the day via Bluetooth on your cellphones. Nissa has to make 12,500 strides  a day to earn points which have equivalent gifts  converted monthly.

I enjoyed going up and down the stairs, sometimes not using the elevator to keep track of my strides. Nissa was billeted at the fourth floor so you can imagine the exercise just walking.

Today is Mama Mary’s birthday. I  have always made a short blog of it through the years. It is always a nice surprise that I get lots of views  every September 8.  Attended the early mass at 6am. It was a lovely homily from one of my favorite priests, Fr. Leo Luanzon. We sang the Salve Regina in her honor.

Ad Jesum per Mariam! To Jesus through Mary!

Advertisement

Read Full Post »

Rainy Saturday Musings

Yesterday, I was grateful about the drizzle but today I am not happy about the rains. Yes, it is raining again and it’s been raining since  early this morning when Josef and I left the house to do our twice a month marketing.

Then around 7:30 am, I went to The Medical City satellite clinic for my urinalysis and doctor  consultation. God is good. After a month of trying several medications based on my urine culture, the last one was effective.  It’s pretty back to normal. No red blood cells, no pus cells, protein and sugar are negative.  Worrying about one’s health disrupts normal living. I have to go back though after a month for regular check-up of my sugar and another urinalysis. I don’t mind the lab tests.  As long as they turn out normal, I am happy. My doctor said, “breathe easy now, you are well and good”. Thank God.

I can’t help but say a few words regarding our present political situation here. The present government is promoting federalism and two of our economic managers, the NEDA Director General Pernia and Finance Secretary Dominguez are against it but one Concom delegate, a priest at that ( I knew him when he was a Philosophy student in UST) suggested that they remove these two from office.

Got this meme from Sen. Kiko Pangilinan’s website.

These two are after the welfare of the Filipino people but those aligned with the president seems to think it would be best to approve federalism. Gosh, they are only after their own welfare. If no elections are held come 2019, what would happen to us?  They would scrap the election in favor of a new change on government. But those in the know say that the Philippines is not ready for a federal form  of government.

I was just wondering why when  those few honest government officials tell the truth, the present government make issues of their removal.  Is this where we are going?

The ship is sinking.

Read Full Post »

A Few Seconds And A Minute More

LET GO! How many of us are willing to take the plunge and just let circumstances and events take charge for a change?  Most of us are afraid of the untrodden path, we stick to things familiar.   True, familiarity gives us a sense of well-being, but when we let it rule our lives, it stagnates, and the comfortable feeling turns into unease that only change can alleviate.

I used to be one of those people who cannot survive the day without everything planned.  I used to worry a lot when I get sidetracked. Giving in to the “what if” won’t always be a choice and has no reason to be.  And knowing  that there are certain things which are beyond our control, makes us a little accepting.  One finally learns that life is not always to our liking and the set of rules which we allow ourselves to follow  won’t  always be acceptable to a few.  How are we to enjoy life if we won’t learn to let go?    Let go of the angst, it makes you miserable. Let go of the hatred so you will learn to love.  Let go of the anger, don’t let it consume you.  Let go of fear, for God is always here.

When I think of the times that I went through battling with cancer, I could not imagine a life without pain.  It is easy to shed a tear or two but it is more difficult to pretend that nothing is wrong.  Chances are, you seem to forget when you are surrounded by your family and friends but when you are alone, everything is magnified.  The pain is a tight knot surrounding your heart.

I learned to let go and let Him be the central force and figure in my life.  I learned to smile despite the tears.  I learned to share my plight with others despite the fear.  I learned to embrace pain and let it a constant reminder that I am not alone in this battle.  It may take a while, it may take sometime, it may take several or more visits to the doctor or it may take forever, but I am looking forward to the days when I’ll be truly and completely well again, without these nagging thoughts of being too insecure and too vulnerable.

Faith is such a personal thing. And when nothing is left, your faith will carry you through.

Let go!

Read Full Post »

What’s Your BMI?

Got this from one of the articles at Good Housekeeping. If you want to know your body mass index, here’s how:

Multiply your weight in lbs. by 705. Divide this number by your height in inches twice. If your BMI is:

below 19 – you are underweight
19 to 25 – you have a healthy weight
26 to 29 – you are considered overweight and are most likely to have an excess of body weight
but not necessarily body fat
30 to 39 – you are obese and have an excessively high  proportion of body fat
over 40 – you are extremely obese which can increase your risk of death from any cause by 50% to 150%

Read Full Post »