Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Cursing Cussing Cussin


My introverted friend finally tried to experiment with her style and tried on a haltered skinny cocktail dress. 

"Mothafacka! You're a bombshell!" I screamed in delight as I watched her emerge from the dressing room.

My friend leaned on the wall, mortified,  than amused by the attention we were drawing.  She seldom heard me swear in our four years of friendship.

"I'm sorry, I was just so pleasantly surprised by how good you look in that dress!"  I laughed nervously.

While her left hand still clutched at the neckline of her dress she slowly regained her footing.  Without breaking our eye contact,  she flared her nose, then mouthed the words.. "look what you got us into"  turning  her gaze to the small crowd at the other end of the boutique whose judging looks were darted at our direction.  I gave out a smirk and whispered, "big deal". 

We have been taught since primary school and in our catechism classes that cursing is  "bad", and we never really questioned that; we just followed.

Cursing Defined

According to Chat GPT

"Cussing" is an informal term used to describe the act of using profane, vulgar, or offensive language in speech or writing. It typically involves the use of swear words, expletives, or other forms of language that may be considered inappropriate or offensive in certain contexts. Cussing is often used to express strong emotions such as anger, frustration, or disdain, but it can also be used casually or habitually by some individuals.




For Christians here's what the Bible has to say

Ephesians 4:25-32 says, “25 Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. 26Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and don’t give the devil an opportunity. 28 Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. 29No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. 30And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. 32And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

In the real world, however, (at least in mine) cursing is common. It is spoken by many when they are surprised, extremely happy, or to emphasize or exaggerate a story. It's not always to insult or hurt anyone.

However, for those who meant to hurt, it can be insulting, and belittling. It is offensive and has a clear intention of enraging the person spoken to. How many lives were lost after an altercation that involved a lot of cursing?  

Cursing isn't always bad, that's my take. At the end of the day, it will always go down to, what the intention was. 

*Thank you Guys, for reading my blog. I am trying to write as often as I can so I can practice good writing. 

From the bottom of my heart, again THANK YOU! You're all fuckin' awesome!

If you want to reach me just send an email to: imb.phil@gmail.com





Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Holy Smoke

 


MY steps were quick and deliberate.  Beads of sweat rolled from my crown down to my neck. It was seven thirty in the morning. People were on a huff either to get to work or students going to school. I refused to make eye contact with anyone. I couldn't be bothered, I needed to finish my daily  2-kilometer brisk walk.

Catching my breath on the sidewalk, I paused and took a sip from my Hydro Flask, when an awkward-looking girl in a school uniform bumped into me by accident.


“I’m so, sorry Miss”, her hands held out in front of her like she was in a defensive stance.

“It’s fine, it was an accident. Just be careful next time” I said, assuring her I was okay.

"I’m really really sorry", she kept bowing her head.

“I said It’s fine, go run you'll be late” I smiled.

“Thank you”  She gave me an apologetic smile and a small bow then turned to walk away.

I stood there watching until she turned to the curve and disappeared. 

She reminded me so much of my young self. I was always very apologetic, always asking for an apology even if it wasn't my fault.

Back in college, an average-looking girl like me doesn't really have anything much to offer.   I was an above-average student and that was just about it.   I  never get chosen to stand in front of a presentation nor get chosen to compete in a beauty and brain contest.  I was invisible. Needless to say,  I needed to go the extra mile to gain the approval of my peers. 



Credit to Ike Louie Natividad



It was exactly 30 years ago when I had my first taste of cigarettes. It was awful.  It was bitter and stank my breath. There was nothing good in it except that after the first puff,  the door opened for me to be a part of the cool girls' clique.  The group of popular girls was loud, fun to be with, bold, smart, and fashionable. This group was friends with all the Professors. Everybody wants to be associated with them, hence being a part of the group was a privilege that a few,  including myself, got to be a part of. I  never regretted it. I had the best college life. But smoking became a habit that I couldn't shake

Fast forward many years later. I was talking to my sister over the phone--we were exchanging stories about our kids who were in high school. We were laughing but then I got distracted by the cracking sound at the end of my breath. It was not wheezing like most asthmatics have, it sounded more like that of a powdered candy that pops inside your mouth as soon as it gets wet with your spit.

My Asthma is back, I told myself. Plus the fact that I had a hyperthyroidism condition around that time, might have aggravated my condition. I shrugged it off and expected it to go away in a few days.

After more than a week, the crackles in my lungs did not go away. I decided to cut down my ciggy from an average of seven sticks a day to three. Cutting down the number of cigarettes was a good start but I was stuck to it, I never made any progress. I was still a smoker. I realized that to give it up fully was something I wasn't ready for. Conceding to my shortcomings,  I decided to make up for it by exercising regularly. 

I sat on a curb to tighten my shoelace. The spilled water on my shirt had dried a bit. I noticed the skin on my legs had turned slightly brown due to regular sun exposure. I felt my damp skin-- it was warm. I had been walking for forty-five minutes already and I felt my muscles tighten.

It had been 2 months since I decided to walk. I still have the crackles in my breath, and worse,  I think I have developed depression.

Turning my gaze to my right where an unfinished chapel stood. It was in an instant that a voice inside me spoke.

"God, please heal me. You know that I've tried countless times.  I'm weak and I  can't do it on my own. Today, I give up everything to you".

And as simple as that. I surrendered everything to the mightiest power.


"Do you smoke"?  The pulmonologist asked while pressing the chest piece on my back. 

"Yes, on and off for 25 years now" I lied.

"You have Emphysema" he declared, helping himself to his swivel chair.

The only word I heard was EMPHYSEMA, everything else was incomprehensible,  meaningless words. In the middle of the chaos inside my mind, I was there anticipating to hear the words, "You are dying in...."

"Isn't this a chronic disease Doc?"  I gathered all my courage to look composed. 

"It is, but you can keep it from getting worse if you quit smoking now".  He said, still smiling. The way the words rolled out of his mouth–they were reassuring but they couldn't penetrate the thick air of fear enveloping my whole being. 

This is the same disease that killed  "Spock", my favorite Star Trek character, and one of Amy Winehouse's many illnesses that killed her too.

How many years do I have Left? My brain was full of uncertainty. How can doctors actually manage to smile while giving you the dreadful news? My stomach felt like it was being squeezed and the muscles in my arms seemed to have turned jelly. 

"Take this bronchodilator twice a day. Spray, inhale,  hold it for a few seconds then release".  He wrote down the instructions and handed me the prescription where his name was printed in Lucida Handwriting font. He suggested that on my next visit, I should take a shot of some sort of medication specifically for those with COPD like me.

Dr. Devol looked like he was in his mid-thirties. Three years? Four years? Definitely not more than five years of medical practice.  There was a good chance that he could be wrong. These thoughts would play all day inside my head. The thought would comfort me and help me to function normally during the day but at night the terrifying thoughts like dying from the disease would haunt me.

The selfless me decided not to be transparent about my distress. My husband had no idea what emotional turmoil I had been dealing with. Looking for ways to cope I turned to journal writing. I wrote like I was writing a progress report to a higher authority,  seeking approval for all that I have been doing. I submitted myself to the idea that I was answerable to this imaginary being that I constantly had to impress just like how I wanted to impress the President of the company I used to work for.

At the end of my daily entry, I would write a small prayer, asking God if I was on the right track, and if I was not,  I asked him to nudge me,  hold my hands, and lead me to where I was supposed to be.


The morning sun was biting on my naked skin. I wiped the sweat off with a small towel I was carrying in my belt bag. It was I sat on the concrete bench at the chapel ground marveling at the massive progress it's been making. The image of Jesus standing near the entrance I looked and I turned to my wrist to check the time, dots of perspiration reflected the light. It was twelve past eight. I needed to hurry home before hubby left for work, It wasn't something he asked me to do it was a self-imposed duty for a "good wife".

My phase was faster than when I started. The pressure of keeping the role as a wife and taking care of myself placed a huge pressure.  My eyes turned misty as I kept my stride quick.  I wiped a tear before it could fall. When I looked at my path, my gaze was met by a disabled man seated in a wheelchair. 

"You're doing good," he said without opening his mouth. 

That voice that only my mind could hear caused the hairs on my arms to rise and like a wave, it crept all over my body. 

I knew it was God's voice. 

The reassuring feeling that washed over after it was the sign. He must have found me so stubborn that I never really sought for his voice that's why he looked for someone to carry his words for me.  

I openly wept and took my guard down naked from inhibitions. I felt small for God's attention. I felt I wasn't worthy but he did come for me. 

He was here. He was with me all the while.

I sat on the OPD waiting for my name to be called.  As I approached the medical secretary,

"Good morning Ma'am, I am sorry to tell you that Dr. Devol isn't holding clinic today, instead another Pulmonologist is here to take on his patients.

I entered the clinic, feeling a little off because I needed to tell the new Doc about my condition.

Hi, how are we today? So what's your condition? She asked simultaneously

Good morning Doc, I have Emphysema.

She leaned back surprised. "But you look too young to have it.

have you had a chest x-ray? How about Spirometry? She asked without blinking.

I shook my head, confused. None of those were performed before I was diagnosed.

Dr. Cristina wrote down the requests and sent me off to schedule the x-ray and the breathing test.

A week later, I came back with the results. Dr. Cristina looked at them one by one then laid all the papers in front of me.

"I told you. You're too young to have Emphysema. All your tests showed your lungs are normal".

I almost wailed in relief. The tears in my eyes were welling.  

"What you have is inflammation, and there are meds for that". She handed me the prescription. 

I walked out of that clinic, a new person that day. I believed in God more than I had ever. 

Dr. Devol's diagnosis was erroneous. I could hate him for that because he caused me misery,  but I figured that God used him too. Maybe God told him to misdiagnose me,  to scare me.  

That misdiagnosis traumatized me but it's also the reason why I successfully quit smoking. 

That happened seven years ago. 

Since then, not a single stick, not a single puff. I have totally given up the addiction I carried for almost thirty years.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Do dogs cry







This is our rescue dog Biskwit. 

My son had been bugging me to write something about him or talk about how we rescued him on our Podcast The Happy Nook.





 

Biskwit is such an intelligent Pup. He can understand my tone.  Whenever I would walk the other two dogs ahead of him,  he would look at me and wait for me to say that I would come back for him. If I forgot to do that,  he would keep barking until I got back.  

 I will talk about how we  rescued him on our Podcast soon. Please follow our Podcast on Spotify and also The Happy Nook FB Page

Is Grieving Selfish?


.
My mother was a socially active person. She was happy to be around people, especially her sisters,  nephews, and nieces. She loved to spend time with them.

When she died four years ago, I received a lot of personal messages.  Most of them were from my older cousins.    The messages I received were comforting words for me and my siblings.  They were words of love and admiration for how my Mom has been so good to them and that she will be greatly missed. If the typewritten words on my chats had tear ducts my computer would have been flooded.

I will miss her
She has been very kind to me
Now I do not have anyone to care for me
Now I do not have anyone to turn to when I have a problem
Now I do not have anyone to share my heartaches
Now I do not have a confidant
Now I have no one to call when I am happy
Now I do not have anyone to call to side with me



These lines are actually common to hear in wakes.  Reading all their kind words for my mother I realized that my mother had been very kind to them, w
hich led me to think. 
 
When we grieve in the wake of our family or friends. Do we grieve for ourselves or do we grieve for the dead?  Do we mourn the person who passed because we will miss their presence in our lives, or do we mourn them because our lives are less convenient without them?





Monday, February 12, 2024

8 Ways to Get Through Love-less Valentine

"This is my song"  at the end of the caption was a smiley.  I giggled and clicked on the notification, to see the whole story.

My friend tagged me a Miley Cyrus's video clip,  at the Grammy,  singing "Flower".  I smiled imagining how Lee would have laughed while saying those words in front of me.   I believe every word of it and I believe she meant it wholeheartedly. 

I have watched that clip a couple of times in the past few days. They kept creeping on my social media accounts. I'm not really a Miley fan, but in that particular video, she was amazing, reminding me so much of Tina Turner.  And now that my soul-sistah resonates with it, the lyrics made even more sense.

It's two days before Valentine's Day.  Most await this love-ly day to celebrate with their respective romantic partners. Eager to profess their undying love for each other. Couples bask in a romantic ambiance, serenaded by romantic tunes,  a bouquet of roses in one arm. Imaginary paper heart cutouts raining as they dance slowly, locked in each other's eyes.

AAahhh, LOVE. It's heaven.

But what about those who aren't in a romantic relationship?  They can't skip the 14th or choose to die temporarily on that specific day and resurrect on the 15th.


Let's celebrate L-O-V-E by celebrating what we love

  1. .Renew your relationship with your coffee. Buy a new mug to show appreciation for the happiness coffee has given you over the years.




   2. Sing a love song to your furry baby.  He has been there for you on your highs and lows. He never left your side (especially when everyone else did).

3. Buy your favorite plant a new ceramic, decorative pot.  Your plants have been your source of oxygen every hour of every day of the year. They make you healthy (unlike some people who make you sick).






4. Change your bed covers. Put on the prettiest one. It has provided you with restful sleep each night. Go and snuggle 

5. You hear that bird every morning, don't you? You have memorized its tune. Draw your curtain and follow the sound until you discover how lovely the host is. Appreciate it deeper 

  6. That cracked wooden frame that you have been putting out for the next day? Commit to it and repair it. If you weren't able to repair your past relationship. In this one,  YOU CAN. 

7. Call Mom or Dad. Remember that you were born because of their love. Tell them how you appreciate them. Or maybe you can send them Flowers, too.

 


8. Call all your single friends and binge-watch feel-good movies on Netflix.  Ask them to bring anything edible and enjoy the day!


Romantic love isn't the only love to be celebrated on Valentines.  I know you know that already. I just want to give you a nudge and remind you, so..,

In case you need to hear/read it, let me be the one to tell you that, YOU ARE LOVED. Yes, I love you. 


Happy Valentine's Day!





Tuesday, May 31, 2022

New Old Cat

My steps were quiet and calculated. What I intended to do was,  I would jump-scare this feral cat, who was sitting in one corner of our garage,

 "Perhaps if I don't move,  this lady will not notice me." is the vibe I was getting from her.

I was staring at her ears and the back of her head. She can feel my presence advancing toward her.




I didn't care about cats. 

After Sophie passed away a few months prior, I unconsciously shifted all my attention to my four dogs. It was Jino, my youngest son, who made an effort to befriend this single-fanged kitty.



We decided to call her Rabiya. Every morning she would come by, asking for nothing but Cuties Catz food. She would let out a soft cry and follow me rubbing her body on my legs. 




Her visit to our home has become frequent as time went by. Sometimes she would bring a friend or two, too.

Eventually, this meek and quiet cat started becoming loud. She would let out a "meow" that sounded like she was begging for your help. It's as if she's telling you a story about how tough her life has been, and she's hoping that you can save her from her current struggles. 



She may look mean in her photos, but she really is a sweet cat. Needless to say, we finally decided to adopt her. She has lived with us for almost three years now. 




Here she is now.

Rabiya has maintained her sweet nature over time. She's taken on the role of a firm yet caring mother figure to the three other cats we recently adopted.

My son, Jino, believes that we don't get to choose the cats we adopt—instead, they choose us. It seems fitting, considering all our rescue cats found their way to our home on their own accord.


Monday, May 3, 2021

Nothing

 I came here to visit my blog with nothing. No plans,  no topic to write about.


Didn't plan to change the Title of my Blog.  But did in a whim.


This Pandemic has changed the way I think and the way I react to things.  


The future isn't promised.  What's there to look forward to?






Thank God for our Family (Fur Babies included)


Thank God for opportunities


Thank God for Siblings and Friends


Thank God there's always something to look forward to no matter how small. 


You just have to decide to look for them.


On a daily basis.


I pray... Thank you Dear Father for keeping us safe. 







Friday, July 31, 2020

Dining with Family



Cure to Boredom:Creativity


Eating, dining is something we do on a regular basis BUT ever since COVID19 struck we eat more often at home. 

 
It's tedious to do the same things day after day.  That's why it is important for me to be creative in things that I do.


Table setting is something I take seriously,  well not that serious but I 

do take time to arrange the utensils and make sure the napkins's design

 won't clash with the plates color/design and makes sure that the table 

is set neatly.


Others find it impractical and waste of time since only you and your 

family are the ones dining so who cares? 

Well, I do. 



Stoneware Plate and Noritake Salad plate


Who ever looks at a nicely set table and gets upset? 

In fact even if you only had one fish for each to eat and if it's nicely set it 

becomes more appetizing and extra special.
 

Setting up the mood matters.



Setting up my table like this makes me smile :)


Recently, my sister sent me these Noritake Colonial Times Series Plates
 
and it went well with my blue stoneware plates. 


While the plates on my photos were shopped abroad.  There are really 

nice plates available locally online. 


 
Dinner plates and other table wares are available at Lazada, this is 


where I shop almost everything I need for my home.


Here's what's available at BANFANG European Ceramic Dish.






Click here to see more : Dinner Plates













Click here to see more : Dinner Plates

I love the Beige Cuff as well as the Delicate Matte Finish. Not flashy but 

very classy.




If you care for the Classic White Plate check out Arcopal Zelie


Simple, Clean and White features will go well with any dinner wares

 utensils and napkin designs. It's basic so you can adorn your dining table

 massively without looking too cramped.



Click here to see more : Arcopal Zelie






Click here to see more : Arcopal Zelie



Product details of Arcopal Zelie 6pcs 25cm White Dinner Plates Set 

Microwaveable and Dishwasher Safe Tempered Glass

  • • Fully Tempered, up to 3X stronge

  • • Microwave and Dishwasher Safe

  • • High thermal shock resistance

  • • High mechanical shock resistance

  • • Easily Stackable / Space Saving

  • • Food safe

  • Product size:

  • dinner plate L-25 W-25 H- 2.4cm - 6pcs


And for everything else you can find it here: 



Like and Follow  my Facebook Page :  Her Brilliant Ideas


Wednesday, July 22, 2020

That Li'l Nook

Since the Quarantine began, all of us here at home are mostly glued to our  Personal Computer, Laptops and Mobile phones.

I myself  had been spending more time on my PC because I need to use multiple applications simultaneously while trying to learn the ropes of Affiliate Marketing.

I wasn't warned that it wasn't really easy considering you're on your own and no one's actually there to walk you through the whole process.

But!  I'm patient. And when it gets harder and harder to understand I turn to what eases and relaxes my mind.  

ORGANIZE. 

Not my thoughts.  But the things that distract me the most, things I see around me!

You see it's easier for me to concentrate when I see everything around me is in order.  

When all I see is neat and pretty I get inspired to work on something else that needs organizing. Like set my priorities as to what to learn first before I start publishing again. Yup, I started this Affiliate thing like a headless chicken.

So, let me show you my Work Nook.



Pretty isn't it? 

This Nook is situated partly under the stairs.  

It's quiet small because we have a small house to begin with. 

On top of the table are my Personal Computer and  Monitor,  Printer/scanner.Also, some of my favorite things  - Framed "Nude Nymph of the Spring" image,  Pothos water plant in TGIFriday's Glass Goblet (Yes, I'm a Plantita) Vintage Industrial lamp, Hubby's Trophy and  Papemelroti  recycled box for Office knick-knacks. 

On top of the box is an intricately carved candle box turned into a pen/pencil holder. 

Aside from the pens and pencils I also kept a heart shaped stuff toy given to my by  my youngest son that said  "Happy Valentines".   He gave that to me on Valentines Day 13  years ago, He just turned 21 this month. 

My Little Work Nook is charming and special, but wait 'til you see what she has been hiding underneath...





Ugly Spaghetti Wires!~


I won't waste your time. Let's get it organized. 


Thank God for Cable Spiral Wrap!



        Organizing the wires was such an easy task!

Using the Cable Spiral Wrap is so easy and fast. You're done wrapping the wires before you know it. The only dilemma I encountered was that not all wires have the same length 

So, when I reached the end of the shorter wires, I needed to cut the Cable Wrap and manage the few extra wires by coiling them and secure them with Cable Tie.


Finished Project 




It's not perfect but way better than when I first started!

Now I'm ready to Work!

To get me more focused without interruptions . I use High Speed Dual Band Wireless Wifi Router for a fast internet connection.


For Hassle-Free Online Shopping, Lazada has everything for you! 

Shop everything for you Home here : Shop at Lazada

Follow and Like Her Brilliant Ideas for more Home Organizing Ideas. 

See you on my next  Home Blog!

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