On Being a Good Samaritan

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I was waiting for SM City to open when I suddenly had to pee. Since it was only a quarter before nine, the mall was still closed.  But the traveler’s lounge was already open.  Hurriedly, I went inside and politely (and gaily) asked the receptionist if I could use their comfort room very quickly. To my chagrin, she told me I can’t.  I thought I didn’t hear her right so I asked her again, “Miss, I really need to go and pee? Please? ” To which she wryly replied again, “Sorry Ma’am but the CR is exclusive for us and for those going to the airport.” I was aghast.  I swear my urethra almost burst! Nowhere in her expression did I see a streak of sympathy for a fellow woman aching to take a whizz.  There were only the two of us in there.  It wasn’t a busy time either and she was well aware there was no other available CR within the vicinity.  Should I have lied instead and told her yes, I was a “traveler” heading to the airport to legitimize my need to use their CR?  No, it was just not right.  I simply walked out the door sad – and hurt.

I was not left with a choice but to drive two kilometers back to the office.  I headed straight to the CR and consequently shared my disdain with my officemates.  Then, a realization suddenly hit me.  You see, earlier this morning, I was reading the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).  I have read that story several times already but it wasn’t until I was rejected at the Traveler’s Lounge that I came to appreciate the significance of being a Good Samaritan.

The Samaritan and the victim were strangers to each other.  But what was with the Samaritan that stirred him to extend help (even going beyond  what he could afford to give)to a complete stranger? How often have I been a priest and a Levite too to others in need?  How often have I too deliberately refused to look, to take notice, to reach out to those in need?

I was a victim too needing some comfort when I sought the receptionist’s consent.  I wasn’t asking for too much either— only one that was prompted by a basic, human need:  to be relieved.  But that seemed too much for her --  or for me too.

It was contemptible for me to assume that it was alright for me to seek kindness when I myself hesitate to extend it readily.  Oftentimes, those who fall prey to me are my loved-ones.  Now all it took was a slapdash experience to awaken me into taking a renewed perspective in life.

I thank God for having stopped me by today to remind me that I should always endeavor to be kinder, gentler, and quicker to respond.  Afterall, I cannot be a good neighbor unless I become a Good Samaritan.

Now I should get to work and make sure the CR is always spick and span.  Anybody feeling the need to use it is most certainly welcome. ;-)

Illusion!

Someone lent me her Illussion! And my, oh my! I drooled!

Seven carats of gorgeous-ness! Whatta spectacle! 

Permission was granted to take pics.

Awesome ain't it? 

If only if i could afford it... Le sigh!

Le drool! 

One day soon, thou shalt be mine! 

(But for now, you'll but remain --- my illusion!)

A Summer to Remember

On the last day of summer, i stayed home and witnessed this amazing view of the setting sun. Truly, our lives consist not only of many challenging and difficult sunrises, but also of many happy, sublime, as well as triumphant sunsets. 

'Tis been a summer to remember. 

Lord, You are simply awesome! Thank you for my family.

Strike Two

The bar results for the October 2012 bar are finally out.  My best pal didn't make it.  Oh tragedy of tragedies.  Not making it for the second time around is more painful than not making it the first time.  I saw how much he studied.  Struggling to meet his study schedule while working at the same time wasn't an easy feat.  But in those four October weekends when he packed up his stuff to leave for the Bar Exam Sunday, he was incredible.

He attributes his failure to three factors only.  One, his lack of preparation as he was balancing a career and reviewing at the same time.  Two, too much distraction caused by uhm, his personal affairs. And lastly, it just wasn't his time -- yet.

I came to realize that no matter how seemingly prepared one is, there is still no way of being certain that he is already "prepared" for the bar.  I have had classmates who studied long hours every day until the bar month and yet, they didn't make it.  Did they study the wrong material?  Or did they not absorb what they read simply?  What could be the reason?

True, many of those who pursue law studies are just not meant to become lawyers.  As with any other profession, students pursue a course they (or their parents) badly want for them without realizing they potentials lie elsewhere.  Personally, I do not see myself being a non-lawyer.  Perhaps, mine is just a foolish hallucination for some but really, all that I could think of becoming was having that coveted “ATTY” to my name.  Yet, why does that seem sooo elusive?

My own review is painstaking.  I struggle every single time to get my eyes glued to the material i am supposed to cover -- to no avail.  I just couldn't focus!  I feel guilty because time is passing by very very swiftly and yet, I have not gone far in my studies at all!

Now issues are cropping up and there are more distractions coming along my way.  One thing, I am seriously contemplating about going back to a full-time career.  How terrible is that?  But I know of many who passed the bar while working at the same time so I guess, if luck is on my side, I will be able to make it too.

I need a serious contemplation.  Or perhaps, a firmer disposition.  I cannot spend the rest of my lifetime as a non-lawyer.  Yes, it does mean EVERYTHING to me.  Who was it who said, Ïf you want something you’ve never had before, be willing to do something you have never done before.”

I guess that sums it all up.  Afterall, in my most honest state of self-introspect, I know I just haven’t done my best -- yet.  So for as long as I remain indolent, my childhood aspiration will continue to elude me.

It does hurt to get a strike two.  And in my case, I so much dread a strike three.

Happy Heart's Day!

I couldn't ask for more. Being loved is the greatest gift of all. =)

The box contains little lovenotes and my favorite of which reads:

"When everything seems to be unfair, when all that you do is not appreciated, I'll take your hand and wipe away your tears, take you for a walk and remind you how special you are. If not for them, for me."

Yes, coz we all need a little lovin' sometimes. ♥♥♥

Blooming Flowers

...and i don't mean my name. =)

A few of my plants are abloom right now. 

Roses

Lilies

Pandakaki P

These are life's simple pleasures...

Daddy's Home

Yes. Daddy's home. Finally.

He left when I was eighteen. My youngest sister was only eight.  No third party was involved.  He just had to leave.

We were left to Mom who raised us to be "professionals." (In the Philippines, that's what they call ém who finished a Bachelor's degree course.)  'None of us quit school.  We were all able to finish on time.  Not everyone was lucky enough to land a coveted job right away but we were all lucky to find a supportive and loving spouse/ partner.  In many ways, we got lucky.  We got stable.  Without Dad..

The lines of communication between Dad and us (even between Mom and he) always remained open.  Which is why five years ago, Dad was able to visit us briefly and even witness the birth of my 3rd sister's first born.  But then he had to leave -- simply because he no longer had a spot in our lives.

Painful as it may seem but that was true. To this day, it is still a dilemma assigning him a spot in our lives. But that is so because the past many years Daddy wasn't here haven't been easy.  It was only because he NEVER extended ANY form of support towards us but because in our hearts, we knew that many of the horribly painful things that happened to us would not have taken place if Dad was just around.  I and my younger sisters fought many hard battles and everytime we did, we tried to imagine how easier better life would have been had Daddy remained.

But past is past.  We could not go back.  Things are different now.  When last Christmas Daddy announced he was coming to visit, we knew he wasn't leaving again anymore.  Age has taken a toll on him and we see how he has grown weak and frail.  When we confronted him what his plan was, he sobbed.  He sought forgiveness for having deserted us for so long. Something he's never done before (of Daddy was such a proud and conceited man!)  But in my heart, I know he was sincerely sorry.  We vented.  We ranted.  But yes, we also listened.  Then amazingly, all those years of resentment, vanished.  Each of us knew that we shouldn't let Daddy leave again.

Now Daddy stays with me.  Well, not really for good.  I and my sisters agreed to take turns in taking him in. Mom on the other hand is complacent.  After making things clear between her and Dad, after establishing their boundaries, Daddy now knows where he stands.  Mom has raised her daughters well so we harbor no ill-feelings for her decision not to take Daddy back.  He can of course still visit her once in a while.

Ah, our family's story is one for the books.  It is complicated, vexing, taxing, intriguing, and to a certain degree, maybe entertaining.  In this saga however, I am just glad we're all together now again.

I am so glad Daddy is home.  Finally. =)