Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Pearls ... Pearls ... Pearls ...
Pearl is a Birthstone for June, and for the astrological signs of Scorpio and Cancer. It is the traditional gift for a 30th anniversary (reflecting its historical high value), although in the modern lists Pearls are to be given for the twelfth anniversary.
A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes of pearls (baroque pearls) occur. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this, the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, and valuable.
Valuable pearls occur in the wild, but they are very rare. Cultured or farmed pearls from pearl oysters make up the majority of those that are currently sold. Pearls from the sea are valued more highly than freshwater pearls. Imitation or fake pearls are also widely sold in inexpensive jewelry, but the quality of their iridescence is usually very poor - and generally speaking, artificial pearls are easily distinguished from genuine pearls. Pearls have been harvested and cultivated primarily for use in jewelry, but in the past they were also stitched onto lavish clothing. Pearls have also been crushed and used in cosmetics, medicines, or in paint formulations.
Freshwater and Saltwater pearls
Freshwater and saltwater pearls may sometimes look quite similar, but they come from different sources.
.JPG)
Natural freshwater pearls form in various species of freshwater mussels, family Unionidae, which live in lakes, rivers, ponds and other bodies of fresh water. These freshwater pearl mussels occur not only in hotter climates, but also in colder more temperate areas such as Scotland: see the freshwater pearl mussel. However, most freshwater cultured pearls sold today come from China.
For those who love the look of pearls, but don’t enjoy the price tag, Freshwater pearls are the least expensive, while remaining quite attractive. They are especially desirable for rope necklaces made of several strands which are twisted about each other or long opera-length strands.
.JPG)
Another advantage of Freshwater pearls is their innate durability, which naturally resists chipping, degeneration, and wear.
Saltwater pearls on the other hand grow within pearl oysters, family Pteriidae, which live in oceans. Saltwater pearl oysters are usually cultivated in protected lagoons or volcanic atolls.
Natural pearls have always been deemed rare, and are universally costly. They are most commonly sold by their carat weight, however, most of the natural pearls on the market today are vintage pearls, as virtually every pearl producer now relies on cultured pearls. Natural pearls are simply too risky, rare, and expensive to find and sell.
It is recommended that if you do have the opportunity to buy a natural pearl, you should refrain from buying it unless it comes with an official gemological x-ray certificate, which proves that it is natural, and states its quality. For something so rare, expensive, and beautiful, a little security is a must.
Pearl is a Birthstone for June, and for the astrological signs of Scorpio and Cancer. It is the traditional gift for a 30th anniversary (reflecting its historical high value), although in the modern lists Pearls are to be given for the twelfth anniversary.
A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes of pearls (baroque pearls) occur. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this, the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, and valuable.
The unique luster of pearls depends upon the reflection, refraction, and diffraction of light from the translucent layers. The thinner and more numerous the layers in the pearl, the finer the luster. The iridescence that pearls display is caused by the overlapping of successive layers, which breaks up light falling on the surface. In addition, pearls (especially cultured freshwater pearls) can be dyed yellow, green, blue, brown, pink, purple, or black.
Freshwater and Saltwater pearls
Freshwater and saltwater pearls may sometimes look quite similar, but they come from different sources.
.JPG)
Natural freshwater pearls form in various species of freshwater mussels, family Unionidae, which live in lakes, rivers, ponds and other bodies of fresh water. These freshwater pearl mussels occur not only in hotter climates, but also in colder more temperate areas such as Scotland: see the freshwater pearl mussel. However, most freshwater cultured pearls sold today come from China.
For those who love the look of pearls, but don’t enjoy the price tag, Freshwater pearls are the least expensive, while remaining quite attractive. They are especially desirable for rope necklaces made of several strands which are twisted about each other or long opera-length strands.
.JPG)
Saltwater pearls on the other hand grow within pearl oysters, family Pteriidae, which live in oceans. Saltwater pearl oysters are usually cultivated in protected lagoons or volcanic atolls.
Natural pearls have always been deemed rare, and are universally costly. They are most commonly sold by their carat weight, however, most of the natural pearls on the market today are vintage pearls, as virtually every pearl producer now relies on cultured pearls. Natural pearls are simply too risky, rare, and expensive to find and sell.
It is recommended that if you do have the opportunity to buy a natural pearl, you should refrain from buying it unless it comes with an official gemological x-ray certificate, which proves that it is natural, and states its quality. For something so rare, expensive, and beautiful, a little security is a must.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Philippines in the 1970's , 7:00am ... I remember waking up early to tend to my things and my younger brother's stuff for school. At the tender age of 9 years old, I would carry full buckets of water to fill up containers for our cold shower . I would always have to fight for my turn in the long queue of empty buckets when someone tries to cut in the line. I would always immediately voice out ~ Hey ... 1st come , 1st serve ! The nearest manual public water tap outside our house is always busy at night so I try to go very early in the morning to get that much needed water reserve for our bathroom . I can already cook simple things before and after school like boiled rice , fried egg, fried fish , do my own laundry during the weekend and do budgeting & marketing for the household . Why is that ? We were raised with fear by a single parent ~ my father. My mom couldn't take the physical / moral abuse, domestic violence in our house and I couldn't blame her for her painful decision to run away with my youngest brother who's at that time only about 5- 6 years old. I cried my heart out the moment I saw her sneaking out of the house with my little confused brother in tow. She can't take all of us coz she doesn't even know where she's exactly going at that time. I was questioning myself repeatedly : Where are they going ? The moment I saw the door closed behind them, I bursted into tears. I told myself that my life as well as that of my other siblings' would change big time without her. I had cried each and every nights after she left. I would be crying my eyes out thinking about her and my little brother until I fall asleep . My father would always ask me whenever he caught me crying at night on the mat on our wooden floor " What's the problem ?" I would always say ... Where's mom ? Are they coming back ? He never gave me a reply . He would just tap my hair and tell me to go to sleep. Thinking I have no mom to take care of me and my elder sister and my younger brother is a reality that is frightening me . During those early stages, I was scared, lonely and confused with the situation. I can't say anything against my father , about his physical abuses and why he had to beat my mom and even us when he gets mad. In my young mind, I just don't understand why ...
My father works for The Philippine National Railways ( PNR )
He travelled weekly and left me and my siblings alone in the house without any adult to look after us most of the time. That's one good reason why I was very independent ... a survivor ! My sister was 2 years older than me but she's a typical spoiled princess. She is the authorised boss of the house when father was at work and gone for 3-4 days sometimes almost a week bound to the Bicol region south of Manila . The place where he met my mom years ago.
Often times he would get stranded in the provinces of Bicol region due to heavy typhoons. We had no choice but to manage on our own till he 's back from his trip. He normally comes home with loads of food stuffs. A cage of live chickens ( that I had to slaughter later on ... OMG! ) , A container of mudfish ( dalag, hito and guess who's gonna clean them ? Yours truly of course who else do you think ? ) , dogs which I thought are for pets but oh no ... my uncles would take care of these poor creatures and I would just see their parts boiling in a big pot later on .Shocking ... What a sight ! Yes, my family eat dogs but I don't mind. That was then when I was young I had eaten it too. But Now, I don't even want to think about eating it anymore ... never again !
Anyway, when father is gone on a trip , big sister would just sit the whole day and read a book while I do mostly ( if not all sometimes ) the housework and would still get beaten up at the end of the day when house is not tidy enough. She would pinch me so hard on my chest . So hard that I get black & blue marks on my skin.
Sparkling clean is a must in & out of our home especially when meticulous father is at home who checks the top cupboards and under the cabinets for dust , I must be careful even more ! He's got no mercy ! Oh well , I got no time for playing at that stage. The 2 storey house we had gave me so much job to do ... one rug in one hand, a broom on the other, clean here, mop there, try to get rid of marching ants anywhere, need to manage with our school uniforms ( wash / press) , organize our snacks and things to take to school , etc, etc. . Life is not easy without my mom around ... sigh !
He travelled weekly and left me and my siblings alone in the house without any adult to look after us most of the time. That's one good reason why I was very independent ... a survivor ! My sister was 2 years older than me but she's a typical spoiled princess. She is the authorised boss of the house when father was at work and gone for 3-4 days sometimes almost a week bound to the Bicol region south of Manila . The place where he met my mom years ago.
Beautiful & Majestic Mt. Mayon found in my mother's Bicol province .
Often times he would get stranded in the provinces of Bicol region due to heavy typhoons. We had no choice but to manage on our own till he 's back from his trip. He normally comes home with loads of food stuffs. A cage of live chickens ( that I had to slaughter later on ... OMG! ) , A container of mudfish ( dalag, hito and guess who's gonna clean them ? Yours truly of course who else do you think ? ) , dogs which I thought are for pets but oh no ... my uncles would take care of these poor creatures and I would just see their parts boiling in a big pot later on .Shocking ... What a sight ! Yes, my family eat dogs but I don't mind. That was then when I was young I had eaten it too. But Now, I don't even want to think about eating it anymore ... never again !
Anyway, when father is gone on a trip , big sister would just sit the whole day and read a book while I do mostly ( if not all sometimes ) the housework and would still get beaten up at the end of the day when house is not tidy enough. She would pinch me so hard on my chest . So hard that I get black & blue marks on my skin.
Sparkling clean is a must in & out of our home especially when meticulous father is at home who checks the top cupboards and under the cabinets for dust , I must be careful even more ! He's got no mercy ! Oh well , I got no time for playing at that stage. The 2 storey house we had gave me so much job to do ... one rug in one hand, a broom on the other, clean here, mop there, try to get rid of marching ants anywhere, need to manage with our school uniforms ( wash / press) , organize our snacks and things to take to school , etc, etc. . Life is not easy without my mom around ... sigh !
School life is not that fun either in my early schooling years eventhough I got special honors and medals from different subjects. Every time the school year ends, it was either my class adviser or my Auntie ( my father's eldest sister ) who would be more than happy to act as proxy for my parents. They would proudly come up the stage to pin my medals on me or receive my awards . None of my parents ever came when I was in that elementary school ... so sad !
Same situation with my elder sister who's also getting honors & school awards. It's such a pounding heartache seeing other students with their proud parents attending the ceremonies. Why don't we have such chance to be with our parents , make them feel proud of us just like the other students ?
Below is my Gold Medal I had kept all these years. I was happy I was able to keep it eventhough the ribbon and my name tag had already been lost.
Below is my Gold Medal I had kept all these years. I was happy I was able to keep it eventhough the ribbon and my name tag had already been lost.
I attended an Accelerated Class under Mr. Wilfredo San Juan / Ms. Lolita Ventoza for 2 years ( Year 1975-1976 / Year 1976-1977 ) at P. Burgos Elementary School along Altura St. in Sta. Mesa, Manila. The accelerated class made me skipped a year in the elementary grade. So instead of 6 years, it only required me 5 years to finish elementary school.
I can still recall that some of my female classmates ( each and every letter of their names are clearly embedded in my brains until now ) would bully me for not taking my books with me ( I forgot sometimes ! ) or wearing clean uniform to school. My fault I know coz I didn't have enough time to check my own stuffs and wash my uniform during school days or sometimes, I just simply forgot that I had spilled something on me during recess time the day before . My excuses were either I was so busy or too occupied at home doing house chores or running errands or didn't really want to wash them coz they won't dry especially when it's rainy season. So, chances are I would end up wearing the same and the same uniform top blouse & skirt for 2 days, sometimes 3 , shame but during those times what do I care ! I only had 2 sets alternating during the week! Nevertheless, my classmates would envy me when the teachers like and appreciate my presence and participation in the class. It was so obvious that I always end up as a teacher's pet , not once but more than twice ! Geeee ... I guess because I'm smarter than any of them ha-ha !
I remember my Home Economics teacher Ms. Ildelfonso giving me a beaded Resin choker as a reward for my good grades in her class after submitting a crocheted rose doily she had put on display in her classroom. Just too bad that I had allowed my classmate Luzviminda to borrow the graduated choker from me one day and she never returned it back . Despite of several requests to have it back, she just said she had lost the parts coz it broke accidentally. Somehow the bead's shape looks like this only with more bold colors of plain red, orange, yellow & black tubular beads alternating on the cord with screw type clasp.
.JPG)
Being around with rich classmates is also something I hate so much during those days. They always try to point out that I don't belong in a designated group mainly because I was so different mentally , physically and materially ~ they often say my personal things were cheap, my shoes were old and with holes, my books had torn out pages without any cover , my snacks were not packed nicely like theirs , that I hardly attended any school field trips ( father won't allow us to participate in those kind of activities for financial reasons ) , that I was fat and my face is as round as an airport ... blah-blah-blah . Oh well, I just ignored all their abusive behaviours until one very memorable day , I snapped out of the blue and hit the leader of the pact who's the daughter of the Superintendent of the City Schools of Manila. Ooooppppsss! I was not scared of who she was anyway. She can do what she wants, she can say what she wants but she has no right to tell me that I looked like a beggar coz I don't have a responsible mother taking care of me ! That's it , no one talks anything negative about my mom ... they have no right to say so ! Hearing that from her, I suddenly saw everything in black & white with flying stars and I just raised my hand . Sure enough that it landed straight unto her face ! Bingo ! She was stunned ...
Although deep inside my heart, I know what I did to her was wrong. We both ended up in the Guidance Councilor's office to tell our own side of story and I sincerely apologized to her , I had to. Our Parents were called in . When neither parent of mine came coz I have no parent available to meet my teacher / guidance councilor , I had sensed that they pity me in the end and reconsidered my good character history . They gave me some advices and told the girl to behave herself as well.
From then on , she never came near me at all . Good coz I got rid of her group's verbal abuses . What a relief coz they had stopped from bullying me !
Anyway, The lesson I would like to share to all of you is
~ Never be afraid of anyone.
Whether You're Rich or Poor ,
We're all born equal.
No matter what !
Respect others the way you respectyourself
Respect others the way you respectyourself
and the world would be one nice,
peaceful place to live in.
This is just part my childhood memories.
I 've got more stories to tell but I'll for now reserve them for the next time ...
So don't forget to visit my blog again soon !
Thanks a Lot for Dropping By !
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Do you remember any of your high school mates 10, 15, 20, 30 or more years ago ? Ever wonder what they're doing now and if they ever think of you too ? I used to have 2 favorite friends while in Senior High School ( Batch 1981 ) at " The National Teacher's College " located in Manila. They're Analene C. Deacosta & Heidi Espiritu . I always wonder where they are now and what they're doing . Finding them is like looking for needles in a hay stock. I had searched a lot of networking / friendly sites like Facebook, Friendster, Tagged, Myspace , I even tried Twitter but still couldn't find them anywhere. But luckily, a schoolmate found me and that's how some of my other school mateswere found too. We're all so happy to communicate and we're now on a mission to search as much people from our class so we can gather and have a Class Reunion this year. That would be very exciting ! How I wish my missing friends ~ Analene & Heidi would be informed about it too by word of mouth. How I really hope to see them there and bring back old memories, our laughs, our secrets, our giggles , so on and on ...
Some of my classmates are now connected to my network on my Facebook site . It's really amazing how this site gathers people from all over the world into one venue .. the internet. This technology is a super break through . My only regret about the internet was we didn't have it before in the Philippines 30 years ago . The time I was in High School. I would have been able to save datas of my friends and have updates and could communicate with them from time to time. What a big miss !
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Here comes another time to celebrate - The Month of May.
this is the month when Mother's Day became a public holiday on May 9, 1914.
Mother's Day was first observed in 1908. It was designated by Presidential proclamation, and was recognized officially by Congress and the President in 1914. It is celebrated in honor of Mothers on the second Sunday of May.
Mother's Day is a special day for everyone! We use this day to honor our mothers all over the world!
.JPG)
A Mother's Love
There are times when only a Mother's love
Can understand our tears,
Can soothe our disappoints
And calm all of our fears.
There are times when only a Mother's love
Can share the joy we feel
When something we've dreamed about
Quite suddenly is real.
There are times when only a Mother's faith
Can help us on life's way
And inspire in us the confidence
We need from day to day.
For a Mother's heart and a Mother's faith
And a Mother's steadfast love
Were fashioned by the Angels
And sent from God above.
~Author Unknown ~
**************************************
May Quotation
Then came fair May, the fairest maid on ground,
Deck'd all with dainties of the season's pride,
And throwing flowers out of her lap around.
~Edmund Spenster ~
Lilium bulbiferum
Friday, April 30, 2010
Only few minutes from now , April would be moving away . Without any choice or option , a new beginning would be here for all of us. The New month of May. I'm not sure if I should be happy or not to see the new month coming my way since some problems from previous month of April were not totally solved yet. When & How I will have the answers to all my problems ... I don't have any idea . No one knows what lies ahead on our lives ayway.Good things can never be good if there are no bad things we can compare and associate it with. As Chinese people say , Yin always come with Yang or vice versa . There is a perception (especially in the West) that yin and yang correspond to good and evil.
Although , somehow in some ways I should be feeling more happy & lucky realizing I'm still here and able to see another day & time . Whether they bring happiness or more heartaches to bear , only thing I can say is bring them on. Life is worth living only when we could overcome things no matter what they are and what they bring.
Well Anyway, that's basically all my opinion for my personal part.
Although in general, what's here to know really for the Month of May ?
EMERALD
Emerald derived from the word "smaragdus," meaning green in Greek via the Old French 'esmeralde', was mined in Egypt as early as 330 BC. Today, most of the world's emeralds are mined in Colombia, Brazil and Zambia. This stone is believed to empower the owner with foresight into the future, good fortune, youth and rebirth.
The Emerald ~ is a member of the beryl family of minerals. The green crystals grow slowly within metamorphic rocks and are restricted in size by the rock, making large Emeralds rare and costly. Although this gemstone is relatively hard and durable, it must be protected from blows because the inclusions found within make it susceptible to breaking.
" The green of life and of love " ~ The green of the emerald is the colour of life and of the springtime, which comes round again and again. But it has also, for centuries, been the colour of beauty and of constant love. In ancient Rome, green was the colour of Venus, the goddess of beauty and love. And today, this colour still occupies a special position in many cultures and religions.
Emeralds are fascinating gemstones. They have the most beautiful, most intense and most radiant green that can possibly be imagined: emerald green. Inclusions are tolerated. In top quality, fine emeralds are even more valuable than diamonds. My Emerald Ring pictured here wasn't that big in size but great in sentimental value . It was bought as gift for me in the year 1990 . Whatever the occassion is at that time it was presented to me , I already had tried to forget and erase that moment in my mind . Why ? A hint is ... the supposed occassion didn't materialize! Although thinkin about it and picturing it in my imagination today, I'm happy it didn't happen ! Surely , I had no regrets ...
" The World's Famous Emeralds "
The two most famous emeralds are the Devon shire and the Patricia. The Devon shire is a 1383.95-carat, uncut Colombian crystal of fine green color. It was given to the sixth Duke of Devon shire by Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil in 1831. It is on permanent loan to the British Museum of Natural History.
Duke of Devonshire. It is highly included and could not withstand cutting because of these inclusion. It is two inches square and weighs 1383.95 carats. It has a deep green color .
The 630-carat Patricia Emerald is another crystal of fine color that resides in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
Emeralds as well formed and as large as the Museum's Patricia Emerald are exceedingly rare. Indeed, due to its form, color, and size -- 632 carats -- this specimen is considered to be one of the world's greatest emeralds. Moreover, while most uncut emeralds have six sides, the Patricia Emerald is dihexagonal, or twelve-sided. The emerald was found in the Colombian Andes in 1920, in the Chivor Mine. It is named for the mine-owner's daughter.
Other Well Kown Emerald Gems :
~The Mackay Emerald Necklace ~
The stunning 167.97-carat Mackay Emerald was mined in Muzo, Columbia. The largest cut emerald in the National Gem Collection, it is set in an Art Deco diamond and platinum necklace designed by Cartier Inc. In 1931, Clarence H. Mackay presented the necklace as a wedding gift to his wife, Anna Case, a prima donna of the New York Metropolitan Opera from 1909 to 1920. The piece was donated to the Smithsonian Institute by Mrs. Anna Case Mackay in 1984. Source: The National Gem Collection by Jeffrey E. Post.
Photo by Chip Clark
~ The Chalk Emerald Ring ~
The superb clarity and deep green color of the 37.82-carat Chalk Emerald ranks among the very finest Columbian emeralds. According to legend, it was once the centerpiece of an emerald and diamond necklace belonging to a maharani of the former state of Baroda in India.
It originally weighed 38.40 carats, but was recut and set in a ring, where it is surrounded by sixty pear-shaped diamonds (totalling 15 carats), by Harry Winston Inc. The ring was a gift to the Smithsonian Institute by Mr. and Mrs. O. Roy Chalk in 1972. Source: The National Gem Collection by Jeffrey E. Post.
When Emerald is the Birthstone For May, on the other hand,
the Birth Flower is the Lily ( Lilium )
The genus Lilium are herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs. The Lily flower symbolizes purity and refined beauty. Based on the colour or type, the Lily flower can convey different meanings.
( This Photo of the Lily Flowers above was taken in my Beadroom last Januray 2008 ~ It was a birthday present from a neighbor of mine . )
Thanks again Jackie & Jamie for these beautiful flowers !
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
I was looking for my one-and-only high school photo taken in 1981 ( which I badly needed so I can show to an old high school classmate of mine whom I just found recently in Facebook ) when I stumbled upon my "NORDSTROM" bangle I had already forgotten about . Gee ... it's been so long and I had not seen the set for several years. It was a combination of White / Gold Plated metal with Pave' diamond-like Crystal stones . It was truly a sparkling Crystals enncrusted set given as a gift back in 1993 when I was in the Philippines.
The Silver-grey toned box had faded thru time. It was rusty from the inside-out . That you may notice from the photo above. Nevertheless, the bangle and earrings were still shiny eventhough the bangle had a broken lock while some of the Crystal stones were gone. The bangle's lock was broken a long time ago .The broken latch can't be joined again with any kind of glue ( I tried so many times but failed ! Sigh ... ) . I still remember the day when I desperately want to save this piece that I took it to a jewelry shop one day . Hoping much that the broken parts can still be attached together , welded or soldered back in shape. Unfortunately, the jewelry repair man shook his head and nodded upon seeing the broken piece. He couldn't save it since the bangle was't made of neither Silver or real Gold metal at all. The part can't be melted or soldered he said. That very moment , I was greatly saddened by the fact that my bangle was beyond repair. Although it can't be used at all , I had kept it inside my drawers due to its sentimental value !
Now that I found it again, I had decided that by hook or by crook, I'll resurrect the bangle myself. But There must be a way to have it fixed. Then , big question is ... How to fix it ? With what ?
I don't want to throw the bangle away just like that....for sure a big, big " NO"! However, I can't wear it at all except only for its matching earrings ! My mind started thinking for a solution at 4am in the morning. Time was ticking and my eyes are getting droopy and I'm so tired imagining the time. Way passed my bed time ... yeah . it's too late ... . But despite of the odds , I grabbed my Pliers, Swarovski Crystal's Box, took out a roll of Gauge 22 Gold color non tarnish beading wires , a set of Magnetic clasps and few pieces of 4mm Bicone crystal Beads in Golden Shadow and Clear Crystal shades to match the existing color of the bangle.
After choosing and laying all the necessary materials infront of me , I slowly started stringing all the crystal beads into the wire and I finally began wire-wrapping around the plain metal side of the bangle. Quite tricky but I was able to see that I was putting a new design around the bangle. Wow ... this is challenging ! No soldering needed to resolve the broken latch issue. Once I had reached tle broken lock area I made 2 loops . 1 loop each on both ends and then attached a set of gold plated magnetic clasp at the tips to secure and keep the 2 sides joined together securely. Aha ... so that's the trick I made to keep the bangle close ! Great idea isn't it ?
The addition of Swarovski Crystals on the wire-wrapped side even added more ba-ba-bling to the piece and looked very radiant indeed. Voila !
So now, who would dare say my bangle is beyond repair and ready for the garbage can ? Ho-ho-ho ... I had beaten the odds again ... YESSSS !
I'm happy that this bangle didn't end up in my trash can at all. Smart thinkin on my part !
I'm very glad that I got it fixed in just about 20-25 mins. ... with no sweat and best of all with out that much cost !
Now it looks much more unique than ever before too !
I'm happy that this bangle didn't end up in my trash can at all. Smart thinkin on my part !
I'm very glad that I got it fixed in just about 20-25 mins. ... with no sweat and best of all with out that much cost !
Now it looks much more unique than ever before too !
Can You imagine from this :
Into something like this :
A Gentle Reminder :
" Don't throw away things so easily ,
maybe one day these can be recycled
or maybe even turned from:
Sunday, April 18, 2010
A Story Of The Past ...
Back in the 90's , when I was single handedly raising 2 young children, I was destitute. My eldest child happened to be diagnosed with a mega-colon problem upon birth and required a lot of medical check ups and operations for her Colostomy . Trying to make both ends meet, I worked in the city and left the kids under my mother's care and come home during the weekends..
I met a guy by accident one night while I was at work. With a bunch of ladyfriends around me, we were teasing each other when suddenly , I saw this skinny guy in his fifties. So well dressed in his Navy Blue & white striped crumple free long sleeves shirt & black casual pants , looking so well armed to the teeth . The oozing smell of his expensive perfume in all directions as he approaches the bar for a drink.
Out of nowhere, words just came out of my mouth and I said : " Here comes grandpa with his stash of cash in his handpouch looking for his cinderella for a bride. Maybe looking for one of you girls ! "
We all laughed so loud that he looked our way and started smiling to our group. We all then looked at each other and stopped laughing but still giggling inside for the dirty joke. I said : " Oh no, I think he had heard what I said .... " so I was so embarrased ! Seeing him walking towards me , I got so uneasy & a bit scared of what would happen next. I was about to turn my back not until he said to me - " Errr ... Excuse me lady ... "
I said : " Yes , Sir? Can I help you ? " with nervousness making both my feet twist uncontrollably from side to side in horor !
He said : " I'm about to say ... that ... "
I said with trembling sound in my voice and my eyes ready to pop out : " Ah, say what sir ? " My eyes were looking helplessly for a friend to come & rescue me ! OMG , I told myself ! I'm surely dead !
He then said : " I Like your smile ! So pretty ..."
Oh gosh ! ... I was breathless when he told me that . Quite a relief even after knowing my girlfriends I had around had slowly dissappeared one by one when he came up to me. Although I was left all alone to attend to him , I had no choice but to face him and continue having conversation with him as I continue with my job. I was a waitress / part-time cashier during those times and talking to clients is part of my job to keep people coming back.
After talking to him for few minutes, he told me that I don't match the place where I work. He said that I spoke English well and I look very smart. He asked me why I was working there and not in a bank or other higher end careers. I simply told him : " My daughter is sick and I need money fast , no matter what ! "
He asked me : " Where is she ? Who's watching over her while you are here ? "
I replied : " I go home to the province to see my 2 children under my mother's care only during weekends . I'm a single mother ! "
"what's wrong with your sick child ?... I would like to see and meet them if you permit. " He said.
I was so totally amazed with how seriously he told me that. I said to myself ... this guy is not giving up on me so easily. As a test, I told him come back on the weekend and we will travel by bus for 2 hours to get to the province. He simply said ok .
Weekdays passed and I didn't see ay trace of him. I told myself he was just joking that I didn't expect he would be coming back ever. Who would bother to travel and see my kids aside from me anyway ? To my total surprise and amazement, he was there during Friday evening after my work ready to travel with me. Oh God !... he was dead serious really ! I got so nervous even more !
I didn't want to create any stir being with a foreign guy in the bus ( especially being twice my age ) so I brought along another girlfirend to come along and travel with us. It's the only way I would be comfortable with a total stranger with all those staring suspicious eyes of the passengers in the bus. Assured at least that I'm not alone and I have a witness that we're not doing anything wrong.
Anyway, the trip to the province made him realize the truth I was talking about when we met the 1st night. He saw my 4 years old daughter with her bleeding stomach due to colostomy running towards me when we arrived in my rented room. My 3 year old son was crawling under our dining table to hide from us. After meeting my kids, my mom and my family members, he became closer to us. It was like we were destined to be in contact with each other! He would visit whenever he's in town and would always invite me for dinner so he can check if I had cut my very long hair.
How he loves my long hair !
He would always slighlty tap my hand , even my forehead whenever I say I need to cut the ends to get rid of split-ends. He told me that I should not touch it . My hair was my greatest asset aside from my good heart he said . He constantly advised me to be careful about guys I meet. They'll all try to jump into my bones he said. He always warned me to be very careful for the sake of my children. He loved & cared for my children a lot too.
Without hesitation , he even voluntarily sponsored my daughter's final major operation , down to the very last cent . It was hefty. Closing her colostomy for good after almost 5 long years of suffering from it had cost a lot of money. He shouldered all the medical expenses and all other hospital bills. I can still picture the moments when him and I were running the streets of Manila , jumping in and out of a taxi , going in several hospitals at midnight looking for a 1000 cc bag of blood needed for my daughters' emergency operation . How concerned he was with the time being consumed and quality of blood we would take back to the hospital where my daughter was waiting in the Intensive Care Unit ( ICU ). She was running a very high fever ( a very bad sign ) and operation has to be done as soon as the blood comes in and got screened. He was a total angel for all his help. If not for all his assistance, my daughetr Barbie wouldn't make it till the morning ... not even until to this day.
He was heaven sent ! I was very thankful for everything !
For all he had done for me and my children that no one else had ever done so far ...
I always remember the time when he told me :
" How I wish you are my real daughter ... I would be the happiest father ! "
After years of being his friend he told me many things about his life. His wife. His girlfriend ( he's only human I know! ) who goes in-out of a psychiatric ward due to depression after he had told her that he's decided to go back to his real wife back in Australia . His 6 adopted children. How unhappy he was with some of his adopted children who didn't grow up the way he expected them to be. Some guys were in & out of jail. some of the women were battered wives. They gave him and his wife so many domestic & financial problems. They had given them not joy but too much trouble. Poor him and his wife I said to myself !
He told me that I was better than any of his adopted children. Since I work hard for my family and I sacrifce myself a lot. How he admired my persona as a whole, strenght and determination to live and how I endure all the emotional & physical pains just to give my kids and family members a good life. These are the reasons he said that made me so special and dear to him !
Imagine, Nothing in Return ... he would constantly tell me that he's always happy to help me and that I need nothing to pay him back. Only words he told me to keep in mind is ~It doesn't cost anything to be nice to people! Offer as much help as you could give only to people who help & respect other people & themselves . That I should do what he did for me to others in the future whenever I get the chance ( That's fair enough I told myself ). He told me that when it's the time I'm ready to settle down , got a stable job and had found someone to marry, he will vanish in my life slowly. Which he did actually before when my husband & I got married in 1998. I told my hubby everything about him beforehand and my husband had met him by chance in a Dutch owned bar & restaurant in Manila. I was about 4-5 months pregnant with my daughter Tacha at that time while he was there with his long time girlfiend ( I finally had a glimpse of her for the very 1st time ) . He was proud and happy for me and my husband. I only saw him next with pure luck about 9 years later in the airport when I was travelling to Phuket to catch up with my husband. What a coincidence ! That was in April of 2007. That was the last time I saw him . Nine months later, after that meeting in Changi Airport, his wife thru his email address sent me a a short message in my email ( Jan. 1, 2008 ) saying :
" Please don't reply nor send anymore emails to this address.
Our beloved Don had left us. he's now in the arms of the Lord ..."
I was shocked !
I almost fell out of my chair that morning !
It was the very 1st email message I have for the year 2008 !
I found out that he had died of a heart attack in Australia few days ago in December of 2007.
I felt so bad . His death brought me so much sadness on the very 1st day of the year 2008. Not a good way to start the new year huh !
It was on a Sunday and hubby / kids were all at home. I couldn't show them my tears so I just quietly cried inside My-SECRET-Corner ... the beadroom . That was the day I fell on our bathroom floor after slipping on a wet floor. I was rushed to the hospital only 3 hours later after fI felt I couldn't move my right leg due to my swollen back and some contusions on my arms. I thought to myself ... was he trying to take me with him too ?
I miss his advices , his fatherly love, his moral support that had guided me whenever I was down and needed a shoulder to cry on - whether due to problems about my family , my kids or about my marriage going down the drain.
I miss all the ways he cared for me . All his patience ... all his concern ...
I will miss him in my heart forever. That I'm sure...
Hope I will see him again somewhere ... somehow ... someday .
To You My Dearest Friend ,
Your words ,
Your deeds ,
shall never be forgotten ;
no matter what was left for me in this world
your kindness and pure love would be spread
as you had wished me to do ...
Wherever You are now,
May Your Loving Soul Do Rest in Peace Forever ...
Recommended For Reading :
~ This Novel was based on a True Story ~
Back in the 90's , when I was single handedly raising 2 young children, I was destitute. My eldest child happened to be diagnosed with a mega-colon problem upon birth and required a lot of medical check ups and operations for her Colostomy . Trying to make both ends meet, I worked in the city and left the kids under my mother's care and come home during the weekends..
I met a guy by accident one night while I was at work. With a bunch of ladyfriends around me, we were teasing each other when suddenly , I saw this skinny guy in his fifties. So well dressed in his Navy Blue & white striped crumple free long sleeves shirt & black casual pants , looking so well armed to the teeth . The oozing smell of his expensive perfume in all directions as he approaches the bar for a drink.
Out of nowhere, words just came out of my mouth and I said : " Here comes grandpa with his stash of cash in his handpouch looking for his cinderella for a bride. Maybe looking for one of you girls ! "
We all laughed so loud that he looked our way and started smiling to our group. We all then looked at each other and stopped laughing but still giggling inside for the dirty joke. I said : " Oh no, I think he had heard what I said .... " so I was so embarrased ! Seeing him walking towards me , I got so uneasy & a bit scared of what would happen next. I was about to turn my back not until he said to me - " Errr ... Excuse me lady ... "
I said : " Yes , Sir? Can I help you ? " with nervousness making both my feet twist uncontrollably from side to side in horor !
He said : " I'm about to say ... that ... "
I said with trembling sound in my voice and my eyes ready to pop out : " Ah, say what sir ? " My eyes were looking helplessly for a friend to come & rescue me ! OMG , I told myself ! I'm surely dead !
He then said : " I Like your smile ! So pretty ..."
Oh gosh ! ... I was breathless when he told me that . Quite a relief even after knowing my girlfriends I had around had slowly dissappeared one by one when he came up to me. Although I was left all alone to attend to him , I had no choice but to face him and continue having conversation with him as I continue with my job. I was a waitress / part-time cashier during those times and talking to clients is part of my job to keep people coming back.
After talking to him for few minutes, he told me that I don't match the place where I work. He said that I spoke English well and I look very smart. He asked me why I was working there and not in a bank or other higher end careers. I simply told him : " My daughter is sick and I need money fast , no matter what ! "
He asked me : " Where is she ? Who's watching over her while you are here ? "
I replied : " I go home to the province to see my 2 children under my mother's care only during weekends . I'm a single mother ! "
"what's wrong with your sick child ?... I would like to see and meet them if you permit. " He said.
I was so totally amazed with how seriously he told me that. I said to myself ... this guy is not giving up on me so easily. As a test, I told him come back on the weekend and we will travel by bus for 2 hours to get to the province. He simply said ok .
Weekdays passed and I didn't see ay trace of him. I told myself he was just joking that I didn't expect he would be coming back ever. Who would bother to travel and see my kids aside from me anyway ? To my total surprise and amazement, he was there during Friday evening after my work ready to travel with me. Oh God !... he was dead serious really ! I got so nervous even more !
I didn't want to create any stir being with a foreign guy in the bus ( especially being twice my age ) so I brought along another girlfirend to come along and travel with us. It's the only way I would be comfortable with a total stranger with all those staring suspicious eyes of the passengers in the bus. Assured at least that I'm not alone and I have a witness that we're not doing anything wrong.
Anyway, the trip to the province made him realize the truth I was talking about when we met the 1st night. He saw my 4 years old daughter with her bleeding stomach due to colostomy running towards me when we arrived in my rented room. My 3 year old son was crawling under our dining table to hide from us. After meeting my kids, my mom and my family members, he became closer to us. It was like we were destined to be in contact with each other! He would visit whenever he's in town and would always invite me for dinner so he can check if I had cut my very long hair.
How he loves my long hair !
He would always slighlty tap my hand , even my forehead whenever I say I need to cut the ends to get rid of split-ends. He told me that I should not touch it . My hair was my greatest asset aside from my good heart he said . He constantly advised me to be careful about guys I meet. They'll all try to jump into my bones he said. He always warned me to be very careful for the sake of my children. He loved & cared for my children a lot too.
Without hesitation , he even voluntarily sponsored my daughter's final major operation , down to the very last cent . It was hefty. Closing her colostomy for good after almost 5 long years of suffering from it had cost a lot of money. He shouldered all the medical expenses and all other hospital bills. I can still picture the moments when him and I were running the streets of Manila , jumping in and out of a taxi , going in several hospitals at midnight looking for a 1000 cc bag of blood needed for my daughters' emergency operation . How concerned he was with the time being consumed and quality of blood we would take back to the hospital where my daughter was waiting in the Intensive Care Unit ( ICU ). She was running a very high fever ( a very bad sign ) and operation has to be done as soon as the blood comes in and got screened. He was a total angel for all his help. If not for all his assistance, my daughetr Barbie wouldn't make it till the morning ... not even until to this day.
He was heaven sent ! I was very thankful for everything !
For all he had done for me and my children that no one else had ever done so far ...
I always remember the time when he told me :
" How I wish you are my real daughter ... I would be the happiest father ! "
After years of being his friend he told me many things about his life. His wife. His girlfriend ( he's only human I know! ) who goes in-out of a psychiatric ward due to depression after he had told her that he's decided to go back to his real wife back in Australia . His 6 adopted children. How unhappy he was with some of his adopted children who didn't grow up the way he expected them to be. Some guys were in & out of jail. some of the women were battered wives. They gave him and his wife so many domestic & financial problems. They had given them not joy but too much trouble. Poor him and his wife I said to myself !
He told me that I was better than any of his adopted children. Since I work hard for my family and I sacrifce myself a lot. How he admired my persona as a whole, strenght and determination to live and how I endure all the emotional & physical pains just to give my kids and family members a good life. These are the reasons he said that made me so special and dear to him !
He never missed sending letters and postcards wherever he was during his travels . Full of heartwarming hellos and never ending advices. More than what my real father had ever told me so. Showered me with expensive gifts whenever he visits my country .
Offering me branded cosmetics I myself can't afford to buy during those times ( he always tell me to wear make-up and to accessorize ) . Fashionionable pure leather bags, jewelries & bit of money to help financially from time to time with my kids and small home business I would try to venture in .He was always there ready to support me. All these without expecting anything in return from me ! WOW... Where can you find someone like that ? I guess he's just " One -in -a -Million " and I was so blessed and very lucky I was the " chosen one " to have found him ... by pure accident !
" Please don't reply nor send anymore emails to this address.
Our beloved Don had left us. he's now in the arms of the Lord ..."
I was shocked !
I almost fell out of my chair that morning !
It was the very 1st email message I have for the year 2008 !
I found out that he had died of a heart attack in Australia few days ago in December of 2007.
I felt so bad . His death brought me so much sadness on the very 1st day of the year 2008. Not a good way to start the new year huh !
It was on a Sunday and hubby / kids were all at home. I couldn't show them my tears so I just quietly cried inside My-SECRET-Corner ... the beadroom . That was the day I fell on our bathroom floor after slipping on a wet floor. I was rushed to the hospital only 3 hours later after fI felt I couldn't move my right leg due to my swollen back and some contusions on my arms. I thought to myself ... was he trying to take me with him too ?
I miss his advices , his fatherly love, his moral support that had guided me whenever I was down and needed a shoulder to cry on - whether due to problems about my family , my kids or about my marriage going down the drain.
I miss all the ways he cared for me . All his patience ... all his concern ...
I will miss him in my heart forever. That I'm sure...
Hope I will see him again somewhere ... somehow ... someday .
To You My Dearest Friend ,
Your words ,
Your deeds ,
shall never be forgotten ;
no matter what was left for me in this world
your kindness and pure love would be spread
as you had wished me to do ...
Wherever You are now,
May Your Loving Soul Do Rest in Peace Forever ...
Recommended For Reading :
~ This Novel was based on a True Story ~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
