Village Fiesta

     In a week's time, it will be the village fiesta, an annual event that happens every last Saturday of April in honor of the Black Nazarene, the patron saint. It is a religious tradition honoring the village saint in all villages, which usually happens during summer time in the Philippines. 

The barangay council erected welcome streamers 

     The first streamer hung up was that of the Governor and Vice Governor with their prominent photos, thanks God, it has been replaced. I learned from the barangay officers that the previous streamer was hung without their permission, it was hung by the Governor's staff. I'm glad it has been replaced with something less political.

The previous streamer with political background

     The barangay council spruced up the fiesta welcome sign by painting the bamboo and hanging the streamers accordingly.

The political streamer on the side , waiting perhaps for the opposition's streamer 

My Coffee Supply

    My coffee supply from my Malaysian friends arrived, a box full of instant coffee, pure coffee and 2-in-1 types. I loved them all. It's a blessing to have friends like them.

A variety of coffee

Self PT?

     A Filipino-American friend asked me if I am doing PT(physio-therapy) to improve my movement. I replied that I don't know any PTs nearby me at the moment, and beside, the truth is I have no funds to support such expensive-sounding therapy, although I didn't mention that to her. What I did, I searched online what could be done to improve my balance which I feel that's what I lack, self diagnosis. I was surprised to find these simple exercises to follow.

They are so simple and easy

     I tried it for a week until today, and I don't know if I am biased that it is of help. When I started, during the first three days, I had muscle ache, which I never was expecting as I thought the exercises were not so physical. It made me think it must be effective. I continued every morning after my morning walk, and today I found out marked improvement in my balance. I will continue this to see the long-term effects.

Happy Aidilfitri Festival

     I want to wish all my Muslim friends, mostly in Malaysia, a blessed and happy Aidilfitri Festival (Eidil'fitri to some).

     I won't forget the fiesta feel of it, very similar to the fiesta celebration in the Philippine villages, except that Aidilfitri is festival of the whole country, commemorating the end of the Muslims's  Ramadan, their fasting month when they completely fast from dawn to dusk. I got used to this yearly fasting of Muslims when I worked in Malaysia, although we, non-Muslims, were allowed to eat.

     One of my Malaysian closest friends is a Muslim, and there were times I would follow him back to his hometown to join his family, actually became my adopted family. I would fast with them although they allowed me to eat but as a sign of respect, I joined their daily fasting. There were many celerbrations of Hari Raya Aidilfitri I joined the Malay Muslim family since it's a two-day holiday in Malaysia, allowing to see their customs and traditions.

Stable BP

     In the last two months or so, my blood pressure(BP) has been normally stable, something I have not seen in four years. I have a sphygmomanometer to check my BP morning and night. I used to see sudden rise each week or two, this is the first time for a prolonged period. I am grateful for this, it means my medicines are effective. I have to maintain it to be like this. Praise God!

My latest BP profile

Managing Expectations

     I am back for good in my rural beginnings. Everyday I see typical people,  friends and relatives alike, do their usual thing which are not up to my expectations. I must learn to manage them so I don't have to worry. There are many things they're doing that are absolutely no-no to me. And politicians, when election time comes, use them for vote during the election, in any way including vote buying. I am useless now, there's nothing I can do to make them change, it is so hard. I also don't want to unnecessarily tire myself for health reasons. I am trying to learn to manage expectations that I will not end up frustrated. The truth is it's easier said than done.

The hardest thing to do for me