Yesterday's Unexpected Fun, Dining Out with New Friends

Hi, everyone! How are we all doing this weekend? I bet some of you are engaging in meaningful activities outdoor today. Others are probably in the mall shopping or just enjoying the hustle and bustle of a major city where you live. And to/for some of you, you're possibly vacationing, in a cruise, or just relaxing in your hotel, or walking along the seashore with your beloved. Still some of you are practically doing your business, attending to customers when you're in retail or marketing, or working at home fixing this or that, or just doing nothing but resting, reading a book or newspaper, or watching TV or a movie, and/or listening to your favorite music, or playing games (video or outdoor) with your friend/s. Anyway, what matters is that we're alive and well, and living, and enjoying, life in the present moment. Thank God.

Frankly, my dear folks and friends, I'm kind of tired, and don't  feel like going out today, a lazy Saturday as you may call it. This early morning, while still in bed, I heard the falling rain. Yes, it rained and I'm glad and thankful that it did. Our plants and trees need it. They're thirsty, I know, because the past days have been so warm and sunshiny over here in Hampton Roads. Contrast it today, in which the weather is a little cooler, somewhat cloudy or "shady." Will it be a rainy Saturday today? I don't know. Only God knows.

This morning, too, I heard some birds chirping around, especially in my backyard. Not too long ago, while I was out there by our wooden deck, in our backyard, when it stopped drizzling, I saw a fast-hopping baby rabbit on the ground. But in a few seconds, the small rabbit quickly disappeared from view. That was kind of swift! Man, it was like a flash of light and it's gone! I told Freny about it. She said she has seen it, too, on several occasions, especially when she was mowing the backyard.

Yesterday, a gorgeous, lovely Friday,while listening to the music of Jessica Sanchez via her new CD album Me, You & the Music, I was taking pictures and writing my blog post "Just Chillin' Out..." and enjoying the sights and sounds of outdoor from my backyard, in the afternoon at about four-thirty. Then my wife Freny arrived with her sister Rose, and new friends Bob and his wife Carm, and their friend Roger who eventually invited or treated us to a dinner out, unexpectedly, last night.

At Golden Corral, we had a good time together, with lively conversation and sumptuous dinner buffet...Man, what a blast! We had a wonderful time! Bob and I laughed our guts out as our wives joined in the fun! (We can relate to each other because we're both US Navy retired, and have health/medical issues.) On the other hand, we just didn't mind the two, Rose and Roger, who were also busy talking to each other. No, we didn't have a special reason to celebrate but our just being together that moment, enjoying each others' company, and forging new friendships, I believe. That's all. Gladly and thankfully, I brought with me my camera. So, my dear folks and friends, check out the photos below. You might know or be familiar with someone in the pictures.

                                          Photos (c) 2013 by Chris A. Quilpa
As the night went on, Freny received a call from our daughter Tintin informing us that the latter has arrived in our area from D-ville. Fyi, she comes home every other weekend because of her commitment as a paid pianist, playing for Sunday church worship-service, in one of the churches in a neighboring city.) The former told the latter that we're dining out at Golden Corral and, hence, invited the latter to just come join us. That's what Tintin did. At that time we were almost done eating, just having the last course or dessert. Anyway, our new friends were eager to meet Tintin. While busy with our animated conversation, while Tintin was trying to eat her dinner, we continued enjoying our ice cream, fruits, and cakes and/or crunchy chocolate cookies.

Btw, I forgot to take photo of Tintin with us last night at Golden Corral. Anyway, here's a couple of photos that I just took today, at home, starring comical and silly Tintin...(She just left a few minutes ago, this afternoon, to attend a college graduation party of one of her friends here in Hampton Roads.) Anyway, I thank you, my dear folks and friends, and hope you enjoyed and got entertained.

Photos (c) 2013 by Chris A. Quilpa

Until next time around. Take care and have a wonderful weekend, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless and keep us all safe from harm!"-chris a. quilpa, 18 May 2013

Just Chillin' Out in my Backyard

Good day, everyone! TGIF! Thank God, It's Friday! And we're alive and well! Thank you, Jesus! And thank you, Mother Mary...pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

What's up, folks and friends? How are we all doing today? Hope you have a beautiful weather where you are. Here where I'm at, this moment, in Hampton Roads, the weather is gorgeous, with plenty of sunshine, clear azure sky, and with little cool breeze! I tell you, Man, it's just perfect to be outside today...enjoying life, nature, the green trees/plants, blooming flowers, chirping birds, and listening to the sounds of an active world!

With my old laptop (from my nephew Tony) and old camera with me, I'm just chillin' out in my backyard on a beautiful Friday afternoon, while listening to the songs of American Idol season 11 runner up/artist Jessica Sanchez on her new album Me, You & the Music. Here's sharing with you what I've witnessed around my backyard this afternoon at about five, while breathing life in the present moment...

                                          Photos (c) 2013 by Chris a. Quilpa
Well, this is all for now and until next time around. Thank you for your time. Take care and have a wonderful weekend, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 17 May 2013

Three Days' Journal (with Photos of Flowers and Plants)

Good day, everyone! Thank you, God, that we're alive and well!

OMG, what a summer-like weather we have over Hampton Roads! So plenty of sunshine! So bright and warm! (Have I told you, guys, that I have already turned our A/C on since Sunday, Mother's Day? I just need that uniform, centralized coolness in the house. Thank God.)

The power of recollection and looking back is one indication that we're alive and yet living in the present moment. So, let me see what has happened to/in my life, with family and friends, for the past days. Hence, my three day journal...

Monday, May 13th. Did my morning routine---gave thanks to our Almighty, Heavenly Father, prayed the rosary with the rest of other people on line, used the rest room, ate my breakfast cereal with organic, fat-free milk, listened to NPR (National Public Radio), watched TV news and soap, logged on to my laptop and visited Facebook, watched videos on YouTube, bed rest...

Our friends Mike and Myrna visited us in the afternoon, bringing in a bouquet of fresh flowers, and a bowl of pepper steak the latter cooked, at five when Freny and Rose arrived from school-work. Mike fixed and replaced a bad switch in one of our restrooms upstairs. Assisted him by carrying flashlight while fixing the problem. Then, we had dinner together, with a short prayer/saying of grace. We shared food on the table with Myrna's and hot or cooked food (fried and baked chicken) that Freny and Rose bought at a grocery store on their way home. For dessert, we had strawberry cake that the two bought, and watermelon and cantaloupe (I bought at the newly-opened Commissary on Friday, 10 May), and iced sweet green tea, while having a pleasant but spirited conversation with our friends. Sort of telling/sharing each life experiences. I showed Mike and Myrna a laminated old photograph of my family. I was probably 5-6 years old when that family photo was taken. We called the night off, exchanging each Thank You for the company. I personally thanked Mike for that electrical thing he did. He said, "that's your birthday gift from me." I retorted, "but it's not my birthday yet."

Nope. I didn't take any photograph of our get together at home. Neither did I when we were at their house Sunday, Mother's Day. I should have, for posterity's sake. I don't feel bad. What's done and not, that's it.

Tuesday. May 14th. Rose up to use the rest room; went back to bed, while Freny was getting ready to leave house for school-work. Prepared bills for mailing, after praying, giving thanks to God for life and all blessings received, and after eating breakfast cereal with organic milk and a piece of banana while listening to NPR.

Left the house to drop off my mail, at the nearest post office, except for one bill (that Stormwater bill from our rental house in a neighboring city where we pay it twice a year) that I've planned to pay it personally at the city treasurer's office (extension office, not the main office), as I always do, then go to the city's public library to read whatever that pleases me. While driving, I noticed on the dashboard of our van an indicator light. Previous knowledge already told me it's about my tires, either one of them has low pressure and therefore needs more air or idk (I don't know). From the post office, I've decided to drive, walk-in, to First Team Toyota Dealership and Service Center. A couple of receptionist at the desk knew me or are familiar with me already when I told Anita why I was there in the first place and after handing her my car key. No more paper work at all. While there, waiting in the lounge with other customers, also watching TV, I had a cup of Hazelnut-flavor coffee with a small pack of crackers. In about 15 minutes, Anita handed me my key. I thanked her for their fast, excellent service. (I didn't get charge any penny at all for that problem---low tire pressure.)

From the Service Center, I went to pay off my Stormwater bill. Since the treasurer's office is in the same building as the city's public library, I didn't hesitate to drop by at the library. While reading the region's local dailies, I came across or saw in there a familiar face, an acquaintance/colleague, so to speak, who has written/published a number of poems, like me, in an anthology Skipping Stones, published by Chesapeake Bay Poets under retired naval officer Pete. Bill, whose surname (or family name) is similar to that poet and my former Radiology Department head (Any guess? Blake, that is.), is now a retired English teacher, I learned, while in the course of our conversation in one of the lounges at the library.

At about 4 pm, my phone rang. It was Freny asking me how am I doing. I told her that I was in the library and talking to Mr. Blake. Refreshed her memory about him and his wife, who was also there in the library doing something. I assumed she's and also retired. Freny informed me she's done with school-work and on her way home from school. (I know she has to pick up her sis Rose first on another school where the latter does substitute teaching almost daily; they both carpool most of the time to school-work.)

Mr. Blake and I had an active, engaging chitchat about current issues, from state government to national or federal, political to educational, like the state's SOL (Standards of Learning) tests, which are currently administered to students in public schools in our area at this time of the year. We also shared each our teaching/work experiences, and about literature/poetry. Eventually, as the afternoon progressed, his wife showed up (I said Hi to her, with my right hand up). We bid each other goodbye and, btw, Bill reminded me about the next Open Mike Poetry Night at the library in July. I thanked him for that.

Arriving home from the library, I found out Freny and Rose were already home and about to leave for their part-time 3-4 hours work at a clothing store. (For my wife Freny, she only works there twice a week, from 5 or 6 pm to 9 pm.) Exchanged kisses with wife. Then, the two left, with each a cup of food with them. I closed the main door when they left. Then, brainstormed what to prepare/cook for dinner. Finally decided to cook stir-fry mixed vegetables, i.e. broccoli, celery, carrots, zucchini, Vidalia onions, with extra virgin olive oil, garlic and already cooked Italian sausages, sliced, and flavored with oyster sauce.

After cooking, it's chow time for me, baby! Yeah, that's what I did, with grace and thanksgiving, while watching TV news! Then, I lounged in our living room while TV was on, and while on my laptop.

When Freny and Rose arrived, I went upstairs, in our bedroom, minutes before 10 pm, with TV on and my laptop watching videos from YouTube. Honestly I didn't feel like blogging yesterday and the other day. Bedtime for me, good night world! (Freny was still doing school-work stuff.) Thank you, good and gracious God! I love you, Jesus! Thank you, Mother Mary...full of grace, the Lord is with you...pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Today, Wednesday. May 15th. Did my morning routine. Listened to NPR. After eating breakfast, I brought our two color-coded bins outside (one black for trash, the other, blue, for recycling) by the curbside. FYI: Trash and recycling pick up in our area is every Thursday. Took a couple of pictures of flowers growing in our backyard. And also house plants, including the bonsai that son Andrew sent his Mom Freny, via UPS, for Mother's Day. Did import/upload photos from camera to my laptop. (See my photos I just took this  morning of flowers/plants @ home, and in my backyard. Aren't they sweet, fresh and lovely? Thank you.)

Now busy writing or wrapping up this blog post while watching TV and listening to NPR, too. And, drinking orange juice while snackin' or munchin' a muffin and slightly-salted Planter's peanuts. (That's like my lunch, you know.) Getting tired and about to lie down and rest my aching bad back...Btw, I don't need to worry about dinner for we still have left-over food from yesterday's.

That's it, my dear folks and friends. Until next time around. Thank you for the company, and for your time. Take care and have a peaceful, joyful day, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a quilpa, 15 May 2013

                                          Photos (c) 2013 by Chris A. Quilpa

Mother's Day 2013 Celebration

Good Monday, everyone! Did you have a good time yesterday? How about today? Living life in the present moment well? Good. Thank God, we're alive and well! Thank you, Jesus. And thank you, Mother Mary...pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

As soon as I woke up yesterday (Sunday) morning, I gave my wife Freny her Mother's Day card with $$ enclosed. Still in bed, and just woke up, she thanked me for her gifts. Afterwards, I headed to our restroom to prepare myself for church. I also encouraged her to get up and get ready for Mass. I took a shower first. She followed, after using the toilet.

Now, while I was already dressed up and getting ready to go to Mass at St. Paul's Catholic Church with my wife Freny and sis-in-law Rose, I thought of sharing to all of my Facebook friends a Mother's Day essay No Greater Love Than Mother's Love (featuring my poem MOTHER DEAR) that I've written and posted on my blog last year, in honor and celebration of all mothers around the world. First, I logged on to my laptop, visited my blog site and searched for my blog post with the article mentioned above. As I was re-reading it, I came across one of the music videos, from YouTube, of Philippine superstar Nora Aunor, one of my favorite female singers around the world. I clicked it to listen to her song about mother's love. Then, scrolling down to the very end of my "essay" I clicked Facebook to share my one-year old blog post. That's what I did, while waiting for Freny to finally get dressed.

Now, while on Facebook to see if my sharing the post went through (and it did, successfully), I found out that there's someone who requested me to be a new Facebook friend. I clicked that spot on the upper left side of my FB page. I recognized the name immediately and I was elated. It was one of my fellow Shipmates and co-workers at the naval hospital where I've spent eleven out of my twenty years in the Service prior to retirement in 2005. Knowing that it was truly my co-worker, I didn't hesitate to confirm the request. I bet my new FB friend found me via another fellow Shipmate and co-worker because I saw the latter's photo and name as one of my new FB friends, too. I mentioned this to Freny (who was ready for church) and showed her my new FB friend's FB page. Before I logged off my computer, I wrote a short message on his page, and also wished his wife Happy Mother's Day.

All ready for morning church worship-service, we left the house five minutes to nine. It was drizzling outside. But the temperature was kind of warm. (I've already thought of turning off the heater or switching it to AC once we get back home from church.)

Our pastor, Rev. Fr. David, celebrated the Mass with us. There was one young girl-parishioner who got confirmed and, thus, received her first communion. Btw, Freny and I were not scheduled yesterday to be one of those volunteer Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. But we're always ready and available in case one didn't show up for the Mass. (She was happy and proud to show me her new earrings and necklace, her Mother's Day gift from me. Thanks, Mama.) Before the Mass ended, Rev. Fr. David called on all mothers sitting on the pews to stand up and be recognized for Mother's Day. With him leading the prayer, the whole congregation honored and prayed for all mothers. He, especially, mentioned Blessed Virgin Mary, our Heavenly Mother and Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior.

After Mass, our friends and fellow St. Paul's parishioners Mike and Myrna invited us to their house for lunch. We were happy to join them again, after our last get-together. (We brought with us a cake, and Myrna's gifts. And her daughter's and her sister's gifts, too.) As always, we enjoyed their company, Myrna's cooking, their whole family's hospitality. On the other hand, I was feeling uncomfortable, even while in the church, when the Mass was about to be over. I've been experiencing back spasms, besides my knees, and chronic lower back pain has been acting up again!( But I didn't tell anyone, not even Freny. I tried to forget about it and acted as if I was feeling okay. We continued with our conversation while enjoying all the food prepared by Myrna. Minutes before we were about to leave, their young adult son (our son Andrew's classmate and friend way back in elementary school) arrived. We exchanged "Hi" and I shook his hands, too, as he continued walking through their kitchen. A brief chitchat here and there followed.

With some of Myrna's cooking, we left Mike and Myrna's at about 1:30 pm, expressing thanks and gratitude for their warm hospitality. Myrna also thanked us for their gifts from us.

At home, after changing clothes, I found out that Aunt Emi called and left us a message. I tried to call her. No one on the other line answering. Tried giving her another ring. No success. I left her a short message. Then, while I was resting on our couch in the living room with TV set on PBS, and I was about to log on to  my laptop (while Freny was on her laptop or with her phone, in the kitchen; Rose left for her part-time job), my cellphone rang. It was Aunt Emi. She was glad to inform us she received her Mother's Day gift-card and thanked us for our thoughtfulness and generosity. We thanked her, too, for her love and understanding. We also had the opportunity to talk to my two sisters across the miles...they, too, were so happy to have received theirs, then graciously thanked us, too. Well, we're all glad to have  celebrated Mother's Day, with Love, always on our mind!

In the evening, our children, Andrew and Tintin, who couldn't make it home personally to celebrate Mother's Day with their Mom Freny (because of their respective work assignments), called us and we're so glad and thankful that they're well. We had the opportunity to see and to talk to Tintin via Skype, from Rose's laptop (once she arrived from her work). See what technology can do with "bonding" and connecting families together! Thank God for the Internet and all the people involved in social networking processes.

Btw, my dear folks and friends, how did your Mother's Day celebration go yesterday? Hope and pray you had fun and good time together with your families and/or friends. Again, to all mothers all over the world, Thank You for your unconditional love and sacrifices! May God bless you always!

This is all for now. Until next time around, my dear folks and friends. Take care and have a blessed and peaceful Monday, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 13 May 2013

A Pre-Mother's Day Date with Mama (w/ Photos)

Good day, everyone! Thank God, we're alive and well!

I don't know about your area, folks and friends, but here in Hampton Roads today, Saturday, it's another warm and sunny day, just like yesterday. It seems to me that summer is apparent, even if it's still springtime in North America. Not that I don't want to welcome summer earlier than expected but, come on, I would like to enjoy with gusto the beauty and the bright colors and sweet smell that Spring has to offer us. Can Summer wait in her arrival soon? I'm  not ready to turn off my thermostat unit that's in idle mode and, thus, switch on to our centralized AC at home yet. I'm still wishing for a mild weather. What I mean is that it's neither too cold or too hot the environment is. Mild weather, in the mid to upper 60s, is just the best for me.
Anyway, enough about our weather...

This morning, just after ten, with no breakfast yet, my wife Freny and I went out for a drive with the thought of having breakfast at IHOP (International House of Pancakes). But as time passed by, we ended up in Va Beach, not a beach but a city, where we had "early" lunch at a FilAm restaurant. (Please see photos below. Thank you.) We each had a plate of "pancit palabok," instead of rice, with "lechon," or roasted pork, and a small bowl of beef and vegetable stew. For dessert, we had each "toron," or fried roll with sweet bananas inside, and we also bought each a small plate of "biko," or sweet glutinous rice with sugar and coconut milk, and "maha blanca" (sweet rice, sweet corn, jackfruit, tapioca, coconut milk and sugar). Since we had left-over food from our lunch, we decided to take them home for dinner. Btw, I was kind of touched or taken by the framed paintings or artwork at the restaurant that i took the opportunity to photograph them. (See the pictures below. Thank you.)

From Virginia Beach, we drove our way to Portsmouth NNSY. (Freny is the driver, as usual.) At NEX (Navy Exchange) building, which is a couple of blocks away from the new Commissary building, I bought Freny a set of jewelry. While still at NEX, my phone rang. It was my older sister  Betty, thanking us for her Mother's Day gift that she just received today. So happy to hear from her again! I did mention her that I also sent something for our other sister and our Aunt Emi. I presumed they've received theirs today, too, prior to tomorrow's Mother's Day celebration. Well, I felt joy and satisfaction knowing that my sisters and other relatives in the west coast are doing well.

Then, after shopping at NEX, Freny and I drove to the new Commissary building for Freny to see and to buy whatever grocery items she wishes to buy. (I was there at the grand opening yesterday, and bought some groceries.) We had a cart of 4 more cases of Dasani bottled water, four cans of tomato pasta sauce, a box of spaghetti, two cans of Planter's cocktail peanuts (salted and unsalted), lemon cake, etc.

It was almost four o'clock in the afternoon when we arrived home...tired and kind of sweaty from the warm environment outside. Whew, it's undeniably summer-like the weather is today! Immediately, I went upstairs to change my clothes...from long khaki pants to plain shorts and just a plain white T-shirt!

Dinnertime followed. We ate our left-over food from that FilAm eatery in Va Beach. For our dessert, we had left-over rice cakes, too, with iced green tea. That's it for today, my dear folks and friends....

Before I sign off, I'd like to ask you this: how did you spend your Saturday, a day before Mother's Day? Was it a lazy Saturday? Or a well-spent, enjoyable one like we just had today? Anyway, take care and have a wonderful weekend, everyone. Until next time around. Before I forget, wishing all the mothers around the world A Happy Mother's Day! Thank you all for your love and care, and all your sacrifices. May God bless you all! To my caring, loving wife, Freny, I thank you and love you always and forever! Thank you for being the good/best mother that you are to Andrew and Tintin, our two awesome/amazing children. Again, thank you for what you do and have done to our family!

Thank you, Mother Mary! Mother Mary, pray for us, sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 11 May 2013

                                          Photos (c) 2013 by Chris A. Quilpa