Kairos

I voted early! Yes, Joe and I have cast our votes yesterday, after 2-1/2 hours of waiting. It was not that bad, after all, we were inside the library in a line that wound through a maze of books, audio CDs and videos… (Hey, they have adult movie videos in the library??!! That was a shocker) Anyhow, it felt good to exercise my right as a citizen. I took a stand and let my voice be heard… all without even uttering a word! This was my very first time to vote in the U.S., and may I say, for not just any other elections. By the voter turn-out, it's obvious that this is a very important election for Americans, the results of which will be a turning point in the history of this nation. Now you might ask, who did I vote for? Well, let me tell you - I voted for NEITHER of the candidates. What??? By this I mean that I voted not for any personality, not for any party nor for any platform. As a child of God, my real party affiliation is with Jesus and His Word, the Bible. Thus, I would vot...

Today marks the beginning of the early voting for the US Presidential elections here in Florida. I don’t want to go delve into a discussion of who you should elect, but I just want to encourage you to vote. Exercise your right as a citizen of this country. Participate because you care. And as a Christian, please choose the candidate whose principles are in line with the word of God. Choose the one who fears (reverends) Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and guide you in this very important choice. And most of all pray. Pray for this nation. Pray that the RIGHTEOUS one will prevail; that the one who wins is truly the one whom the Lord has appointed to govern this nation during this very crucial time in history. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. (Proverbs 29:2) IN GOD WE TRUST!

Wow, September has quickly come and gone. I've barely noticed the month that ushered in the Christmas season. Yep, in the Philippines, Christmas rolls in as soon as the month of the year begins ending in "-ber" . So, let me be the first one to greet you 'MAAYONG PASKO!!!' (that's MERRY CHRISTMAS in my dialect) . September was a very hectic month for me. I came back from the Philippines just a week and a half ago. My trip lasted for a little more than 5 weeks. I wish I can say it was a vacation, but it wasn’t. If you are unaware of the circumstances why I went home, just check out my previous blog here and here . For the past two years, I’ve had a total of 5 trips to the Philippines. You might say that I should be jet-lag proof by now..but nah. I don't think our body is ever going to get used to the stress of 30+hours travelling time, not to mention that your air flight spans across the equator totaling 13,000 miles of distance. Thankfully though my body...

It's been my intention to keep you updated as often as I can as to my going ins and outs here in the Philippines, but alas, I didn’t anticipate that I would be so busy acting as my father’s nurse…. So hold on tight, as this post will be a little long. Just when I think that I’ve already had enough skills to get me by (:o), then I learn some more that I think my resume should be looking better and better..… that is, IF nursing/care giving skills can be added to it. It should be pretty impressive for someone who didn't go to nursing school, or had caregiving training. Hahaha... Anyway, here's some updates on my father since my last post. My father stayed in the hospital for a total of 16 days. His BKA (below knee amputation, one of the medical jargons I picked up) went well, thank God. His wound is healing good. Another huge praise the Lord right there! However, the doctors felt the need for him to stay a little over a week more in the hospital because of the many other infe...

Hi All.. Just incase you all are wondering what’s up with us and my father, here’s the latest situation. As you all know, he had his BKA (below the knee amputation) last Saturday, Aug 16th. I know that in my last email/post, I wrote below the ankle – that was a mistake, I was sleepy ;o). The surgery went uneventful, thank GOD. The doctor didn’t find it necessary to cut above the knee. According to him, the condition of his leg a couple of inches below the knee is okay. So my father is now recovering. He was in pain only the day after the surgery. But he was given so much painkiller (Nubaine, Tramadol– both downers) that he felt comfortable, but totally in lala land. Hahahaa.. At one point, he was hallucinating. My father’s surgical wound is looking good, but he’s not totally out of the woods yet. There’s another issue that the doctors are dealing with right now. Since having been admitted to the hospital Tuesday of last week (Aug 11th), he has had 3 blood transfusions. But inspite of t...

Hi everyone.. I arrived in the Philippines safe and sound, thank God. The planed landed promptly today, Aug 15th at 7:00pm as scheduled (Fri 7am US Eastern Time), but with immigration and luggage, i got out of the airport around 7:30pm - not too bad. From the airport, I went directly to the hospital to see my father. I was surprised to learn that his surgery is scheduled already tomorrow, Saturday 7am (Fri 7:00PM your time). I also learned that the leg amputation only calls for a regionalized anethesia (epidoral in the spine). So while this still involves some risks due to his heart condition, it isn't as great as having a procedure that calls for general anesthesia. Thank God for that. I was so taken aback by how my father looks. He is literally skin and bones. It stinks big time seeing your parents (loved ones) getting older and in failing health at that... I haven't been able to speak with his Orthologist since it was late when I came to the hospital and they couldn...

I just wanted to take time to remember my mother, who would have been celebrating her 76th birthday today, had she lived long enough. But God has other plans for her. But while I know that she is in the best place she could ever be, I cannot help but still miss her and wish that she was still with us. Happy birthday, Mother. We love and miss you so much.