Getting away with it

 I added another year to my life a couple of days ago. It was a three-day weekend here in NZ as we celebrated Labour Day. So off we went to a holiday home near Paraparaumu beach!

We're still in the cusp of winter though so the water was chilly.... and so was the wind! We just had a recent storm pass through and we were still feeling the effects. But we made the most of the time with friends we invited over.

It was nothing fancy. No extravagant celebration. Just simple home-cooked meals (adobo and rice, anyone?) and lots of story-swapping. It's actually funny that we all recalled how we all got together last year for my birthday and then this idea came up that we were all going to save up for a trip to Rarotonga when I turn 60. Well, the idea lost steam and then it came up again. We would have saved a year's worth for the trip by now! I wonder if we will revisit this idea again next year, or actually have something solid to work on this time around?

So what's different about me this time? Physically, I do see the signs. The wrinkles on my forehead and eyes are more pronounced now. There are times when my eyesight gets blurry. And there was one time when I was up til 1am because we were entertaining guests and the next morning I was hoarse. I also realise I like resting a lot more now. Afternoon naps especially. Or even evening naps when we're at friends' homes. They'd let me take a nap, then join back in.

This year had not been particularly good for me health-wise. I had the worst sprain ever, and then a bad case of the colds a couple of months back. These things do make me think of my mortality, and that I need to do more to keep fit and stop myself from having a third serving of rice!

Oh, and there's this DIY kit that was gifted to me. I had to ask my daughter for help with deciphering the instructions which are a bit small for me to read. And there's the kit itself which is a miniature version of a pop-up shop. But challenge accepted! Just give me a day or so to complete!

(I'm still not done with the kit after three hours working on it hahaha)

It's also this year that we had some friends leave our prayer group. Small misunderstandings can mount up, rumors can create hatred, words can hurt. Perhaps there is some truth to 'familiarity breeds contempt'. And this paragraph is the only amount of time and effort I will expend to this dilemma. Life is too short to muddle over such things. If they want to part ways, who am I to argue? I hope that in their journey they will find peace and reconciliation.

On the positive side of things, I'd like to believe that I've managed to gain some wisdom. I guess having a mortgage can do that to you. And friendship challenges. And a major sprain.

I've gotten back to reading again. Lunchtime walks bring me to one of my favourite places on earth: the library!

And I intend to take on a new hobby. Perhaps not on collecting stuff, but learning a new skill. I'm still thinking what that ought to be.

So here's to another year of adventure!

***

So here's the story behind this post's song choice. I'm a huge fan of Pet Shop Boys music - they were my introduction to synthetic pop in the 80s. In the 90's, one of my high school best buddies - shout out to Sonny! - said I should also listen to Electronic. I've searched for this band, but to no avail.

Now, thanks to Spotify, I discovered Electronic recently! So this song is so spot on for today's post. It reminds me of a time so long ago when I got hooked with the music of my generation.

Yesterday I got so old I felt like I could die

 Day 2 of staying on my sickbed. The past couple of weeks, I've been having headaches, which wasn't  normal. I alluded it to sleeping late (for the past 5 weeks), so I ignored what my body was telling me. By Saturday evening, my body made it clear it's had enough. So here I am with a severe case of the colds.

When I'm unwell, I would normally just take half day off work to rest and be fine the next day. And when I'm off work, I would busy myself tidying up. This time though, my energy level is a zero.

It's about time I start thinking about myself and my family. Which is what I said at the start of 2025. If only the people around me would also listen. :-(

(Yes, this is a rant post)

I remember yesterday, the world was so young....

 And just like that, my son turned 20 and my daughter turned 14. He's practically a grownup, and she a teen.

Oh, the many birthdays we prepared for them when they were kids! With their birthdays just 3 days apart, we'd combine it into one and they wouldn't mind.

The most memorable party we did was the Angry Birds party. We prepared weeks in advance, with custom invitations and a pinata. He had friends over and they said it was the best party ever! Then we left the decors up for my daughter's birthday with the Titos and Titas.

At the other end of the spectrum was the birthday party that was supposed to be bigger and better. We rented a community centre hall for the occasion. But when the day came, we found that the keys did not open the hall! Rather, it opened a small reading room adjacent to it. What a disaster. We urgently called the office, who had to ask someone to come over and open the hall. But it would be over an hour before it was opened and guests have started arriving. 

We even rented a magician. We were obviously panicking. But the guests made themselves busy and the magician performed at the reading room instead.

When the hall finally opened, everyone helped set up chairs and prepped the food. After the birthday song, we finally had time to eat.

I had half a mind to ask for a rebate due to this inconvenience but it was too much hassle of an incident I would rather forget.

On a couple of occasions we went to an activities centre with ice skating, bowling, and arcade games. A much more convenient way to celebrate. The kids had fun, and so did the adults who would just sit and chat.

As they became older, children's parties gave way to intimate dinners either at home or in a restaurant, and the occasional small group gathering. It becomes more difficult (and more expensive) to plan parties for teens and grownups.

Looking back at these birthdays past, I do feel it is important to mark these special occasions, no matter how simple it may be. These are milestones that also help build happy memories which I hope the kids will treasure.

Time for some birthday wishes.

I wish for my son to be successful in his studies. May he find the passion to pursue his interests and go out more.

I wish for my daughter to have good friends, now that she is in middle school and in a new environment. May her passion for music and crafts flourish.

And may they both continue to have a love for maths. It will always come in handy.

Take these broken wings

A rather unfortunate incident happened to me last March. We were still getting late sunsets and so we decided to make the most of it one late weekend afternoon when the kids and I played badminton. Everything was going just fine, when about 20 minutes into game, I lunged to try to catch the shuttlecock. I stretched forward with my dominant left foot, with my right leg stretched behind me. Then I felt a sharp, painful jab on my right calf muscle. I thought something hit it, or I might have it myself with the racquet.

The doctor said it was a torn ligament, and it will take around 6 weeks to heal. I think it took me the better of two months to recuperate.

As I limped around during those times, I remembered how, prior to this injury, I've always thought of myself as being rather fit physically. I mean, not like muscular fit, but I can manage long walks and carry heavy stuff around. This torn ligament has brought me back to the reality that I'm not getting any younger. I still can't believe that a simple lunge can take me out.

And they said getting into sports is great for you. Ha.

I have since recovered, though I still wear a compression band occasionally. But I'm not taking any chances with strenuous sports. :-)

Through the barricades

We've had another milestone in our family recently. My daughter has started Middle School. It would be like a rite of passage for her; gone are the carefree Prep School days. I am confident though that, like his older brother, she will do well.

One thing I am thankful for is that they did not inherit my loner attitude. Frankly, I do not like going out of my way to do or go to just about anything. If you look at our wall full of photos out and about with friends, you'd think I'm a carefree, outgoing kind of guy. Well I'm not. Sure, I do enjoy my time with close friends, and I do appreciate the fact that they keep up with my oddness. But beyond my close set of friends I find it difficult to maintain some semblance of kinship. I like a quiet existence. 

It has its disadvantages though. This reminds me of a time in my high school days when I let an opportunity pass me by. The school was hosting a Spelling Bee contest. I knew I can do well but didn't sign up. I was content to see how it all panned out as an onlooker. After the last word was spelled out, I knew could have easily gotten second or third place. Regret? I did feel tinge. But whatever will be, will be.

Be it in my personal life or at work, I would rather have my work speak for itself. Which is a bit of a challenge in most places where (based on personal experience) being vocal and fluent is highly desired. Yes, highly desired, but you know how a container with a handful of stones produces a loud noise when you shake it? Sometimes there's just a handful of stones in there. But enough about me.

My two kids have a sort of quiet confidence in them. They never fail to amaze me. I'm soooo proud to be their dad. They have accomplished much compared to how I was in this same age and I would like to support them as much as I can.

Which, going back to old loner me, can be quite a challenge. But, for as long as there is a photo op, I will keep smiling for them.

Blue Christmas

This one's a sad story and very much a personal one.

When I was a kid, I became acutely aware of just how we struggled financially as a family. Sure, there was enough for daily sustenance and my parents managed to make ends meet, but there was no room for anything else. I realised this when I, along with my younger brother, became friends with some neighbourhood kids. Of special note were three kids who were very much well-off; they owned a department store along Session Road! It was through them that I was introduced to Lego. Those awesome, colourful bricks that you can build whatever you want; your imagination is the limit. I was amazed at how they could use two car doors and some small bricks to build a nimble spaceship. Star Wars, Transformers and space-themed shows were all over place in the 80s and we would build moon bases and explore. I thoroughly relished every opportunity to play Lego at their place.

One Christmas time, I wanted Lego so much that I kept asking Nanay if she can buy me one. Even the smallest set will be fine. She asked me to write to Santa instead. I remember vividly how I folded a letter size bond paper into two and meticulously drew a Christmas tree with gifts underneath, then wrote to Santa, with all my heart, that I had been a good kid and all I wanted as a Lego set. Even the smallest set will make me happiest kid; I knew it was my only hope at owning one. Then I placed my card by the tree come Christmas evening.

The next morning I rushed to the tree, excited to find my wish fulfilled. Instead I found a red, plastic Volkswagen and a handwritten note in my card. Santa said he'd run out of Lego and has given me the car instead. I was disheartened, but something also dawned on me. I recognised the handwriting; it was my Nanay's. It was a double whammy for me. I did not get Lego, and I discovered the truth behind the magic of where the special gifts and sweets in our homemade stockings come from.

As a child I was obviously disappointed but somehow forgot all about it as the years went by. Inadvertently, this memory resurfaced when my Nanay passed away. I felt much sadness at how my parents must have tried to make each Christmas the best ever with what little resources we had, and I cannot imagine how my Nanay must have felt that one Christmas morning when she was not able to give what I wanted.

Since then, it's been a very difficult time for me during Christmastime. We still put up decorations for the kids, but I have gradually stopped playing Christmas songs altogether :-(.

Last year, my friends initiated a secret Santa gift swap. I listed four things my secret Santa can choose from. I managed to get two gifts, one of which is extra special to me: a small Lego set. 

Last week, when most of the holiday busyness has subsided, I sat in quite contemplation with a cup of coffee and my special gift. Brick by brick, I slowly built my ship.

A wave of nostalgia filled me; flashbacks of her busily cooking in the kitchen while I occasionally snuck in for taste tests, watched TV specials, with our record player blaring Christmas songs, and the anticipation of a noche buena feast.

I'll add a string to this and place it on the tree next year.

I miss my Nanay so much.