Thursday, March 30, 2006

SP

SP is for special problem. No I am not having another anxiety attack. I am actually been writing my SP for my ENRM 290 -- this is the equivalent of a "thesis" and been draining my soul and energy the past days. I hope baby still has some left because when I finished last night's revision on Chapter 4 of results and discussion, I realized my feet were swollen and I am bit shaking from cerebral exhaustion.

This SP is the last requirement for me to finally graduate from Open U. I have a mock presentation at my adviser's office at DOST in Taguig on April3 then the actual presention of the SP at UPOU HQ in UPLB on April 8th. I guess i have to ask my OB again for this but it is now or never I guess--when baby arrives goodbye all school work. Why do we do the things we do?

On top of this the heat is giving me a sauna session every day (which I think is not really good for baby).

Monday, March 20, 2006

to ponder

"I was spellbound at becoming a mother. How could God trust me so?"
--Barbara Gordon, Chappaqua, New York


At the speed of thoughts passing through me in a day, about work and family, about this season of introspection, I realized that my hands cannot keep up with my own musings.

There are alot of pondering that I wanted to share, the bliss of being an expectant mom and twin anxiety that comes along with all the emotional and physical transformation that my body and spirit is going through. I guess words won't be enough to express the many things that I am going through right now.

I also realized that this is a special time to reflect. Lent is also a time to reflect. Internal and external reflections that I pray would help me be guided in this path before me. I will only be going through this for nine months and this last few months esp this month I want to reflect on the many transformations that I am immersed upon. Share these thoughts and insights that are blessings in themselves.

A nanay book



I got the picture from this site.

I found this book in one of the sale (a huge hardbound book for less than $3 or 149 pesos only)at SM Makati, while I intended to go to Powerbooks to look into some books that would give me a boost of inspiration and deeper insight on being an expectant mother, I stumbled upon this book right at the center of SM Makati upon disembarking the MRT station and walking towards GB3. It was once again an unexpected blessing and of a book finding its way to me.

The opening verse of the book:

"At every child's birth, a mother is born"

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

International Women's Day today

I tried to look back about International Women's Day and how it started and found this:

An international celebration of education and empowerment

Around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) marks a celebration of the economic, social, cultural and political achievements for women.


The first IWD was held on 19 March 1911 in Germany, Austria, Denmark and further European countries. German women selected this date because in 1848 the Prussian king had promised the vote for women. Subsequently over one million leaflets calling for action on the right to vote were distributed throughout Germany before IWD in 1911. Now IWD is always celebrated on 8 March and is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. Women in every country, often divided by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate this important date that represents equality, justice, peace and development.
http://www.internationalwomensday.com/about.asp

I was just pondering on some things. I was thinking how to express my own thoughts about women in the Philippines today. I guess I was stirred by what happened at Welcome Rotonda when Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel was arrested today during a rally that aims to call attention to women's rights.

We have a president that is a woman. Let it be on record here-- that I did not vote for her. In hindsight, I am glad that I followed my woman's intuition at that time.

Isn't it ironic now celebrating women's day, that women's right to express themselves are violated. Ironic that we have the right to vote, but we have a woman seated in "power" who doesn't seem to understand the long history of struggle of women. A global historical development that in part has helped her to be where she is now.

Interesting trivia...that these things happened at a time of the lenten season when the theme color of which is purple.

Purple is also the international women's color.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

The Mural in UP

Picture from INQ7.
back home, things seem to be the same, I am amazed that the streets were quiet. But I guess nothing is really what it seems.

Seemingly calm surroundings cannot mask nor contain the fire that is burning in the hearts of the Filipinos.

This image says it all...

On my way back home



On our way to Denpasar Airport to fly back home I saw this woman ahead of us. I thought this was a beautiful image of how a woman balances strength, grace, and beauty. Doing our daily chores with aplomb.

It is also an image of being on the road and going back home.

engraved in wood and stone




On the trip to the western side of the island near Tanah Lot I saw these beautiful wood carvings




Below, while walking the streets of Sanur I saw these beautiful stone carvings

Images of Bali



These pictures were taken at Tanah Lot which is considered as one of Bali's most important coastal temples.