Vacation Korea - Tours' Pictures

Posting few pictures of our four day tours of South Korea..........

 Historical Cheonggyechoen river in the middle of the metropolis. 

I love this cool, beautiful, very clean and serene stream.

At the Buddhist temple

 Lotus abloom on display at the Buddhist temple.

 Orchids too 

 Imperial Palace - we were in time for the changing of the guards.

 Double dragons, the symbol of his imperial highness.

 Emperor in his own right! My husband Lucas is a dragon himself! Hahaha!

 A display of the old Korean village.

 Korean gypsy dance and acrobatic performance. A truly unique show.

 At DMZ - De Militarized Zone, bording North Korea.

 Peace Park

 Train station to Pyongyang.

 At Petite France - a quaint place created from the concept of The Little Prince.

 Photo-op with the drawing of Antione De Saint-Exupery

Those were the destructive baobabs from the novel.

 My daughter Martha was lovely though! Hehehe.

Little bells of happiness.

 At the arena, ready to watch a noon time show.

 Marionette show - Michael Jackson puppet, dancing to the tune of Billy Jean.

 I did enjoy this place, even though it was a very warm sunny day.

Notice the umbrellas? Hahaha

 At Nami Island

Martha posing with the Nami macots (snowmen) inside a gift shop. Hahaha!

 Nami Island would have been totally different when you come during the Autumn. It will be so cold that you need to wear gloves to protect your hands. In the winter, the pond is completely frozen. hahaha.

Vacation - Dongdaemon Pictures

With Martha at Dongdaemon night market district.

 Behind us is the architectural dome of the Historical and Cultural Park.

 Waiting to be served at an all-pork full house restaurant.

 Inside the park in Dongdaemon - rose garden

 Thousands and thousands of roses.....

We came back purposely at night to see the lighted roses.

Vacation - Korea

I was away for several weeks, on vacation. My husband Lucas, my daughter Martha and I left Manila on July 24 for USA to visit my son Roy. Since it would take about 16 hours to reach our destination, we opted to see Korea for few days. We were in Seoul on transit for 6 days, including arrival and departure time. We were billeted at Dongdaemon district, a very convenient stay for tourists who like to roam around the night market. Up there were plentiful of eating places to choose from, mini marts and convenient stores too. In the middle of the bustling district was a beautifully modern designed historical and cultural park to chill out and roam. We were in Dongdaemon most of our evenings: eating, shopping or simply looking around and enjoying the bustling city. But it was hot! Korea was hotter than Manila when we left. The temperature did not daunt our adventure spirits though. We had much fun with different tours we booked in advance. Thanks to Jeng Ringor, my very efficient travel agent in Manila who arranged for our tours. During our free day though, Martha led us to Myongdong, a tourists' district by shuttle bus. We came back via the train in the afternoon. When we were in Myondong, I think it was the hottest day of summer in Korea. Aside from  going around the bustling tourist's mecca, we also visited the Cathedral on the uphill. Climbing the steps made us sweat profusely. We rested and prayed inside the church. We also took refuge inside the church's air conditioned gift shop. Hahaha! Coming down to explore some more, we also went inside a cafe to eat ice cream and ice shaves (beansu). When we had enough shopping, we decided to get back to our hotel via the train. Whoa, walking back though, we all came home completely drenched in sweat. My compliment to my 78 year old husband Lucas, who was such a good sport!!! No complain from him what so ever. That trip was indeed one memorable, enjoyable journey for us. Hahaha!

The next day, we embarked on our last day tour to Petite France and Nami Island. After Nami Island; we asked to be dropped at Myongdong instead of the hotel. We went back to Myongdong on Saturday afternoon to attend an anticipated mass before our flight on Sunday. To my amazement, Myongdong, after 5pm, was transformed into a street food market. It utterly looked different from the day's scenario, really quite exotic.

Next time I go to USA, I will pass by Seoul again. Hehehe. I wont get tired of visiting Dongdaemon and Myongdong once more. Hasta la Vista!

Pictures on the next blogs.

Birthdays in July

There are many birthday celebrations for the month of July. In my own family alone, I have two: Lucas on July 12 and Roy on July 15.

This year my sister-in-law Tina is celebrating her 80th birthday this July 10. Her children and grandchildren came home to give her a grand birthday party. Luna and Tina have the most grandchildren in the Tan family. They have 5 children and a total of 15 grandchildren. Not all grandchildren arrived though, some have to attend classes in Manila. If you must know, Luna and Lucas are brothers. We live in one building, our front doors are facing fronting one another. We have one common kitchen (aside from our own individual kitchens.) We have one common family cook that prepares our common meals. Sometimes we prepare our own special viands in our individual kitchen too, but most of the time we just eat whatever the cook prepares for us. Their children and our children literally grew up together in Cotabato City. My son Roy and his cousin Jocelyn belong To the same batch, and Tom my second son and his cousin Jacqueline were classmates from kinder to high school. Infact I can say, Tom and Jacqueline are the closest cousins among them. But aside from the family store and common events, our children's upbringing are totally different. I was the strict and disciplinary mother, while Tina was the pampering good mother. We did not interfere with each other in bringing up our children though. Which ever style we adapted, they all grew up to become fine young men and women too.

So Apollo the eldest son of Luna and Tina is likewise celebrating his 50th birthday this July 11 here in Cotabato. My in-laws house is in such a merry atmosphere. Too bad my children are all too busy with their work, they can not make time to come home for all the happy occasions of their Aunt and cousin. Anyway I have been helpfully assisting them in many ways like lending my children's pillows and blankets and/or bedding's and my maids help clean up our common places for them to use.

Lucas will have his own simple celebration at home on July 12. There will be a party for the workers of LCT Hardware. My children will not come for this occasion. We will soon be going to Manila anyway.

Roy's birthday falls on July 15 and he is far away in USA. I pray for the good Lord to bless and protect him always. Happy birthday to all July celebrants!

Before and Now

I was a cute little girl before, now I am an ugly 66 years old woman. Well, but I have not been pretty, or lovely or physically attractive ever since. Some things never changed. Hahaha!!!

Many things do change inside me though, let me do some comparisons:
1. When I was young, I had no care in the world. These days I have become such a paranoid, scared of so many things beyond my control. I dare say, nothing is really within my control!!!
2. Before I loved to hear the pitter patter or the sounds of rainfall on my rooftop. Now a days I am afraid that the big rain would cause my roof, gutters and down pouts to break while I sleep.
3. Before my home was my greatest safe haven: now I know better. Nowhere is safe in the face of natural or man made calamities like earthquake, fire, typhoon, akyat bahay (home break-ins), etc.
4. I used to think I was an introvert, my children say otherwise.
5. In the past, I taught and tutored my children relentlessly: today I am learning a lot from them. I am surely proud of it either way.
6. I used to be quiet and slow to respond: Help! I can not hold my tongue in check and quick to get into an outburst at an instant provocation.
7. I was a spoiled brat among my siblings, but I think I have grown wiser and more matured in this aspect. Not bad at all.
8. I was spoiled by my mom before: my husband spoils me now. Hehehe.
9.  I was unkempt and dirty as a child: a complete turn-over as I grow older. Infact I have become more of an OC (obsessive compulsive) person right now.
10. I had so much hope for the future before: yet now, I am frustrated with the present and in distressed for the future......not really very good in this sense.

Surely there are more good things, but I am just too lazy to think about it now. To sum it all though, everything points to growing old. It is such a scourge to grow old. Like a child, I want to be taken care of. O Lord, please just do take care of me and my loved ones. In you I hope, in you I trust.

Domestic Woes

I literally grew up with househelps all my life, both in Cotabato and Manila. I leave my house in the morning (ie) with upheaval bedroom, cluttered bathroom, hamper full of dirty clothes, and I arrive home to a neat and clean and sparkling abode. When I get home, the dinning tables are set and meals ready to eat. I live a comfortable life with cook, nanny, cleaners, helpers, etc. But maids do not stay long. I constantly change househelps every two or three years. Most of them leave to get married, few look for better employment. I don't fault them for wanting a better life. But I do get so flustered when they leave. I simply can not do with out them.

Few helpers I got, came at the age of 16 (mostly older). I trained them for housework. They broke my things, ruined my clothes. I scolded them for not being focus at work. If they played the radio to the fullest volume at work, it was all right with me. My maids are busy mostly in the morning. After cleaning up the kitchen and dining table after lunch, I allow them to have siesta in the afternoon, or watch tv at night at the sala. They are off on Sunday afternoon and come back home at 8 in the evening. After staying with me for one year, I even allow them to go home for few weeks vacation. I pay for their half fare travel or even full fare sometimes. There is only one thing, and one thing I abhor, and I do tell them this from the beginning of their employment; that I do not like itchy palms and fingers, meaning, I do not like things to get lost. I do not like thief at home! Mind you I do notice the things that are misplaced.

I have employed both good and bad maids at different times. Good maids are loyal, they take care of my things, they ask permissions to go out, they come home on time. Bad maids are those who came in for purposes of looking for boyfriends and they get wild once they got one pursuing them. Some maids are intelligent, after leaving me, they go to school/they get to work in business establishment or even go abroad for employment. Those who left me in good standing, I have only the best wishes for them.

Currently I am in dire need of hiring new maids. One for Cotabato and one for Manila. One of my better maids here in Cotabato has left me to get married. The one in Manila is going on leave because her mother is sick. Help, help, help....I need help. And I need help soon because I am going out of town. Oh Mama Mary, please help me get good helpers who will stay with me for a long while. Help, help, help....I need help!
..................

Updates:
1. A new maid came to my abode in Cotabato City on June 4. She is 18 and learning the ropes. Thank you Blessed Mother for helping.
2. In Manila though, at my second home where my children are staying, Karen who had been my helper for 6 years, went home to tend to her family because her mother was sick. I was not able to get extra help in Manila to replace her. Karen promised to come back though on July 2. In the meantime, Runalin, the remaining maid in Manila is coping up with all the work at home. I went to Manila for three weeks and I tried to help out with the chores. Thank God for Runalin. She is very able. Thank God for giving me good househelps. (But Runalin is going home to her family next year) I pray, may they all stay long in my employment. Thank you! Thank you!

Not the Achiever Type.....

I have to confess, concede.....I am not the achiever type. I don't aim to be the best, to be at the top. I never desire to be the richest nor wish to be famous. (This is not sour grape-ing, although, I do agree that many times I do get envious too. Hehehe.) My only desire is to be loved. I was the favorite girl at home, an obedient student to many teachers, well loved and liked by a closed circle of friends, respected by my students and casual to a lot of acquaintances and people. What my heart desires most, is to be loved; most specially by my Creator, my God, my Savior and Redeemer and the Holy Spirit. I know I am loved, that I have a special place in the heart of Jesus. I try my best to be pleasing to him. I pray constantly to be guided and blessed and protected by my Lord. I ask help when in times of troubles, doubt and darkness. I reach out for intercessions from our Blessed Mother, St. Joseph and all the angels and saints. This special love, I also ask for my husband Lucas and all my children and grandchildren, my siblings, and the people whom I love. I am honestly grateful for the countless personal encounters, the help He has given me in times of trouble (or even before). I have been saved, together with my love ones many times in the face of accidents and dangers. He has also given me beautiful gifts that I did not pray for. I only have to knock and ask. He always knows what is best for me.What else would I desire more..........

My life however has been marred by imperfections: When I was young, I had nightmares, night terrors and intermittent visions of paranormal faces. Could they possibly have existed only in my mind? My parents were extremely concerned  and I was so scared. With lots of prayers and personal struggles; and with God's help, some how I was able to overcome these my childhood maladies and episodes.

While growing up though, I was most of the time lazy, unkempt, dirty, happy-go-lucky. I hate doing school work specially those routed Chinese lessons. When I went to college, I had a culture shock. I realized I wasn't any good at all. In UST, Manila, I was having a hard time with chemistry, so I shifted from Biochemistry to Education. It was the easiest way out, I thought, for me to earn a bachelor's degree without much studying. Hehehe. In my heart though, I knew I could have been a good nurse or a doctor, but the problem was, I never did like burning the midnight oil. Ay, there's the rub!

When I got married to my husband Lucas Tan, I got married to the family business as well. I had to help my husband in the family store but, alas, I wasn't cut out for it. Embarrassingly, I did not even do good as a store cashier, because I simply could not stay put in one place for hours. My husband and in-laws must have been aghast that I was such a misfit.

Later, I did get to practice my profession as a teacher when my eldest son Roy was in kindergarten at CCI. I was bringing him to school and I was spotted by my college teaching supervisor from Notre Dame University, who was by then the principal of CCI.  (Let it be known that I came back to study in Cotabato when my mother died in 1971.) To make a long story short, Dr. Teodoro Carrasco offered me to teach, and wallah! Did I ever become the best teacher in CCI!!! Hahaha.

As a school teacher, my professional forte became noticeable and popular. Few years early on, I wishfully contemplated to put up my own school, but in 1993 however, I was able to see my dreams fulfilled. I was able to establish and run my own kindergarten school known as St. Martha School. It was a gift from God. Things just fell into places. Everything happened so quickly, liked a snap. (Not that I had not encounter any problems at all.) But all of a sudden, opportunities were opened. It was no easy task for I was doing all the work by my lonesome. But thank God, people just popped up to offer their help in a blessed silver platter. I had only but to put and assemble all the pieces together. And wallah, did I ever assemble and put everything beautifully all together at St. Martha School!!! Teaching was a challenging task with big responsibility, but it was great! I was a good teacher, and I was exceptionally even better running my own school. Everything boiled down to the work for which I was trained for and loved most! I need not even have to prove myself, I was just simply a natural.

But alas again, after 15 years, when the lease contract ended, my land lord and/or business associate became difficult. He wanted his land back. So I gave it up and closed shop. Before retiring, I relocated my St. Martha School teachers and pupils to CCI. Bragging aside, every school in town wanted my products. My teachers were well trained and the school kids were all smart and lovable. 

An after thought - Right after I retired from teaching, there was a resurgence of rampant kidnapping for ransom in Cotabato City. I instantly knew why closing the school was by then my only option. I verily thank God for saving and protecting me. If I had not given up St. Martha School, my school kids and myself would have been easy targets. It would have been the dead of me. Thank God for the right timing. Thank you my guardian angels too.

Currently I am 66 years old and enjoying my retirement. O Lord, do keep on blessing me and my family. I only wish to be loved by you.