Williamsburg Revisited

Happy Thursday, everyone!

At first, I thought of writing my blog post in Ilokano this time. But then, I abandoned that idea. 

At the outset, I'd like to let you know that I am writing this blog post while sitting comfortably in one of the chairs in the lobby at Williamsburg Hotel where the VAST(Virginia Association of Science Teachers) 2012 Professional Development Institute is now under way or ongoing. BTW, Freny is now attending in one of the sessions, after lunch break at the hotel. 

My wife Freny, who has been teaching Chemistry in one of the high schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia for more than a decade now, is a registered participant in this annual conference. I'm just her guest, so to speak. (Yes, we've Williamsburg a visited a couple of times years back, watched a reenactment, dined at one of the fine restaurants there.) She and I have attended this event years ago. But in a different venue. In fact, when I was still active duty in the US Navy, I used to go with her to any professional development workshop or conference she's registered. But at my own expense. As long as I know the conference date in advance, I put my chit for, say, two-three days off, from work. And most of the time, my leave request is always approved or granted. Aware of the importance of attending/participating in professional development programs and further in-service training, and continuing education, we've been to other cities, and states like Atlanta, Tennessee, etc.  Believe me, it's always a learning experience, for me personally, to be out there somewhere in other places. There's always something new to learn from these educational conferences, institutes, workshops. 

Now, you might ask me or may have this in mind: Why do you always go with her each time she attends a conference or workshop, especially if the venue is out of town or state? At first, my plan was to finish 20 years in the Service and I was looking forward to working in the public schools after retiriment from the military. In 1999, I already obtained my 5-year teaching licensed, with endorsement in English, from the state's Department of Education. Though I was still in the military that time, I was already trying to accumulate my CEUs (continuing education units) for my recertification. In the course of time, I was able to renew my teaching license, after having accumulated more than the 150 points needed for recertification, even if I weren't teaching or using it yet because I was still in the military. (Just to remind you that I used to be a classroom teacher and English college instructor way back in my native country, the Philippines, in the late '70s. That's prior to emigrating to the United States in early '80s and subsequently joining the US Navy in 1985.) But, things changed. Life has changed, for me, especially my health conditions. Along the way, while fulfilling my obligations in the Service, delivering quality patient care to all military healthcare beneficiaries from one duty station to another, naval medical hospitals to clinics to hospitals, there were events that happened unexpectedly. And, I've come to realize that there are plans we make that don't materialize for reasons that are beyond our control. But, in the end, I finished 20 years of honorable military service that entitled me to a lifetime of retirement pay and other benefits. Thank you, good and gracious God. Whatever happened to me, I can now accept my fate for it's your will, I believe. Hence, no more productive employment for me, though I didn't abandon my passion to educate or to teach or share my knowledge, ideas and skills. I'm just trying to enjoy life, each day. But I can still make a difference in others' lives, I tend to believe. After all, I haven't completely abandoned my desire to help or to be of assistance when needed, despite my physical disablity (chronic lower back and fibromyalgia, etc.). 

Anyway, I'm with Freny at Williamsburg. Just to be out and about. We may stay here up to Saturday. Or not. The fact is, she didn't make our hotel reservation ahead of time. We inquired at the hotel's information/front desk personnel if they still have available room. Nope. It's fully booked, they said. We might go to nearest or neighboring hotel/inn. We'll see what happens. We can always commute, though.

Well, Freny's done with her registration and her first session. Tomorrow, Friday, is a busy day for the science educator participants. This is all for now and until next time around. Take care and have a wonderful day, everyone! As always, may God bless us all!-chris a. quilpa, 08Nov2012 

Post-Election Day Thoughts

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Thank you, good and gracious God, for all your blessings and goodness to us all. Congratulations to and God bless the United States of America!

Amazing how technology plays a vital role in the democratic process! I'm talking about the Election Day in the US of A yesterday. Just imagine, while the votes were still being counted or tallied, in some states across the country, a major TV network organization has already projected/announced/declared the re-election of the incumbent President Barack Hussein Obama. (BTW, congratulations, Mr. President!) Wow! That's amazingly unbelievable! Thus, as I keep on saying, technology continues to amaze me everyday. As I have more work to do in catching up with it, I'm so thankful to all people involved in the Information Technology industry. You guys are unbelievable! Kudos and keep up the great work, especially in the quest for a peaceful, safer world for all of us earthlings!

I personally congratulate all the political candidates, their families, and their campaign people who worked so hard in order for their candidates to be elected or re-elected. Finally, the most expensive election in the U.S. history is over and done, and gone! Winners and losers, for the majority part, were already known or have been proclaimed last night before midnight. New U.S. senators and representatives were elected. Others were re-elected. Same thing in the state and local governments. Some new mayors elected; incumbents reelected.

Like one of the Catholic bloggers, Rev. Fr. Austin, that I've been following, with his daily prayer posted in his blog, I do pray for "one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all." Yes, Lord, I pray for unity for all of us, Americans, irrespective of what we look like, what we believe in, what we do in life, for the sake of the United States of America, and the world. I like this part of his prayer, and I quote and like to share with you my dear folks and friends: "Help us remember that neither winning or losing excuses us from your command that we love one another with peace in our hearts and kindness in our speech...If I am in the winner's camp today, Lord, keep me from being proud and haughty, snide and snarky...If I stand with the losing side today, Lord, keep me from being mean-spirited and bitter, from any self-indulgent spite...In the quiet of my prayer, Lord, humble my pride, tame any anger, strengthen my resolve and deepen my faith and trust in You...Send your Spirit of peace to reign in our hearts and help us work together, Lord, to serve the needs of all..." Amen, I say loud and clear! As always, God bless us all! And, God bless the United States of America! (I prayed my rosary while still in bed this morning. Thank you, God, for I'm alive and well. Thank you, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!)

Well, my dear folks and friends, this is all for now. Thank you all for your prayers for a successful Election 2012. Now we can all have the time to rethink and ponder at what's good for the USA and for the world as a whole. Peace to all of us! Let's all work together responsibly, non-partisan aside, with God's abundant and amazing grace and blessings, to do what needs to be done in order to rebuild, recover and make our country great again, and to achieve a peaceful, safer world.

In closing, I pray, "May God bless all those families affected by Superstorm Sandy. Dear God, restore their power and hope so they can see Light and have Life again! May they have a speedy recovery! All of these I pray through the intercession of Mother Mary, Blessed John Paul II, Venerable McGivney, and Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen." Until next time around. Take care and have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!-chris a. quilpa, 07Nov2012

It's Election 2012 in the USA Today!

Good Tuesday, everyone! Hope and pray that you're doing more than okay. I'm doing well, thank you.

Yesterday, I wasn't in the mood to write my blog post. The truth is, I got lazy. Well, you know, my dear folks and friends, that there are times when you feel like not doing anything at all, except to pray and to just loaf, letting the day go by, unmindful of time and what's happening around us.

So, what did I do yesterday? I did actually do something. I prayed my rosary, prepared my bills and mailed them to the nearest post office, and went to the bank to take care of some stuff, and endorsed the check my wife Freny gave me for our anniversary Saturday (which was spent out of town). Back home yesterday, I prepared/cooked something for dinner, using that vegetable ("tabungaw" in Ilokano) that Freny's FilAm friend at school gave her. With it, we have a vegetable stew(?) with sliced onion, leftover sausage and beef, with a can of salmon, and spoonfuls of olive oil and oyster sauce. With steamed rice, of course. For dessert? We have that one medium-size aluminum tray of glutinous rice cake that my sis-in-law Rose ordered from her co-worker and friend. Yummy! And, of course, I always eat after cooking. That's just me. I always savor first what I myself cooked. (By that time, Freny was on her way home from school-work.) After dinner, it was soap opera time for me, on YouTube. From the kitchen, I continued my watching videos upstairs. In our bedroom, that is, where I could just relax and rest until my eyes were heavy and tired. Thank you, God. And thank you, Jesus.

That was my Monday, yesterday, another blessed day for me..

Now, today is Tuesday, it's Election Day in the US of A. This morning, I wrote on my Facebook page, this note: "Encourages all fellow Americans, of all colors and creeds, to get out and vote today, Election 2012," after using the restroom, and praying and meditating the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our heavenly Mother and Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Afterwards, I got stuck on YouTube, listening to Church songs and hymns and music of such composer-musicians/priests/theologians/monks as David Haas, Marty Haugen, (Jan) Michael Joncas, Gregory Norbet, and John Michael Talbot. (As I'm writing this blog post, I've been listening to the latter's music playlist, via YouTube. Thanks to YouTube and to the uploaders of those videos I watched and embedded in this blog post. No copyright infringement intended.)

As far as voting is concerned, I have to wait for Freny when she gets off from school-work this afternoon. We've planned to go together to cast our votes in the designated voting place, our closest is the elementary school which is just a stone's throw away from our house. BTW, our daughter Tintin has already voted last week, she said, on absentee ballot. Meanwhile, for our son Andrew, I learned last night that he's coming home, after work, this (late) afternoon from The Capital just to exercise his suffrage. I don't know if he's gonna spend the night with us. I just heard from Freny that he's going back to DC after casting his votes. What a trip, huh? Well, I understand he's focused in his work. That's good.

Just a thought, this morning: I wonder why is it that on Election Day, especially General Election such as today, there's school and work, for all employees and workers (salaried, especially). If government officials are concerned about voters turnout in the polls, why can't the powers that be declare a special holiday on Election Day to encourage more electorates' participation. My point is that, there's no reason, excuse or alibi why registered voters did not or were not able to vote. Do I make sense here? Of course, I do. If maximum participation of the population is expected, then, by all means, we should have a day off from work, I believe. Except for those states' Election Board registrars, supervisors, canvassers, employees and volunteer poll watchers, if there's any, because this is their show and they have to man polling places and count or tally votes afterwards once the polling places are closed. I understand we have this so-called freedom, whether to vote or not. But as American citizens (by birth or through naturalization, as in my case), we know that it's our duty to select or elect our leaders. We're fortunate to have this right of suffrage, and to exercise it. Not everyone, on Earth, can exercise this right because of varied reasons. There those who committed crimes and have paid their dues for what they did in states, and back to society for their integration but cannot vote. Their voting rights were not restored because of their criminal records. As for me, I personally believe that they should be given a second chance to participate in the election by casting their votes.

Well, my dear folks and friends, I have to sign off now. As an undecided voter, up to this time, I need to do a little praying by asking our loving God to help, guide and enlighten me. My faith, as I've said, comes into play as I cast my vote this afternoon. I am for Life! I hope and pray that I'd make the right decision to elect the right people to lead our country and our city, when my wife and I go to the polls this afternoon.

I know, change is inevitable in life. That's the fact of life. We have to embrace change to be able to live in a digital world. Despite all the changes and challenges we face, we have to move forward if we want to get better in life. Our country undergoes changes to meet/suit the needs of the electorates and the world, as a whole. On the other hand, we believe that nothing is permanent, on Earth, except God, our Almighty Father and Creator of Heaven and Earth.

This is all for now. Until next time around, my dear folks and friends. Thank you for your time with me. Take care and have a wonderful day, everyone! Again, to my fellow Americans, let's get out and vote today, Election 2012. Thank you. As always, May God bless us all!-chris a. quilpa, 06Nov2012

P.S./Update:

Finally, this afternoon, after forty-five minutes of waiting, in a queue of varied voters inside a school gymnasium, Freny and I did cast our vote. Our son Andrew, who drove all the way from DC, arrived home and did vote, too. Now, let's wait and see about the results. We do hope and pray that whoever wins will deliver his/their promises. Congratulations, America! Democracy is alive and well! Thank you, God. And, God bless America!-chris

Haiku To and From D-ville

After church worship

off the road to bring Tintin

to D-ville for work.

To and from D-ville

rolling down the dark long road

finally, at home.

Freny on the wheel

especially on long trips

for she loves to drive.

I get tired at times

when I drive long distances

and my back suffers.

Traveling by land

there is danger on the road

there is fear and fun.

(c) 2012 by chris a. quilpa

27 and Counting!

Good Saturday, everyone! Here's me sharing with you my unceasing gratitude to our Almighty Father, our good and gracious God, for giving me life and a caring, doting wife Freny whom I've spent my life with for 27 years and counting. Thank you, my dear God, for having blessed us with two lovely children, Andrew and Christine, both college graduates (of UVa) and have been working and trying to make a difference in others' lives. Thank you, Jesus, for being my inspiration and Savior, always there for me, through thick and thin, with my wife. Happy 27th Anniversary, to me and Freny! Please, by all means, join us in our humble celebration by praying for us, and praying for all of our families, you, my dear folks and friends, and our accidental readers, included. Thank you very much.

Yes, Freny and I are thankfully and happily celebrating our 27th wedding anniversary today, Saturday, November 3, out of town, and on the road, with fond memories of our 1985 nuptial way back in the Philippines. With our daugther Tintin with us in one of the best hotels in D-ville where we spent the night last night, we're glad we made it this far. (How we've wished our son Andrew is with us, too. But he's in DC! Anyway, what counts is that he didn't forget us. In fact, he already greeted us when I phoned him yesterday, while we're on the road to D-ville to visit/pick up Tintin for this Sunday's piano playing in a Norfolk church.)

While in the hotel, this morning, Freny and I exchanged hugs and kisses, and gifts for one another. Our daughter, occupying another bed, gave us a hug, too. (Actually before we retired last night, Tintin took us pictures, and even this morning again, when we got dressed for breakfast downstairs, next to the spacious lobby.) I enjoyed all she gave me. I got a ball cap with this inscription: "RETIRED, No clock, No phone, No money?, No worries." Moreover, she gave a gray sweater with diamond prints, cologne and lotion, a well-meaningful My Husband anniversary card, with $100 check. Thank you, dear, loving wife! What presents did I give her? Do you really want to know, my dear folks and friends? No? Yes? Well, I don't mind sharing it with you. She has a matching earrings and necklace, another necklace with a pendant NAVY WIFE in it, and a Happy Anniversary card (with $100 cash), and some chocolate bars, all bought at NEX (Navy Exchange) store. Thank you, God, for all of these presents we both received today from Thy bounty. Likewise, thank you for my faith, family, folks, and friends all over the world.

The first thing I did this morning after waking up was to thank God and Jesus for my life. Then, the three of us prepared for breakfast. I wore the comfy sweater that Freny gave me, and splashed cologne on the upper part of my body.

Downstairs, in one of the hotel's lounges, we had that so-called complimentary continental breakfast, with the rest of hotel guests and visitors. I don't know but we've been very happy and proud to tell our fellow diners that we're having fun, celebrating our 27th Wedding Anniversary today, November 3rd. They all congratulated us, especially those folks, the Harrises from Tennessee. I had a good time talking with them, sharing with them my piece of mind, too. I learned that Mark and his parents have been working for Goodyear Tires for years. His parents are both retired. His Dad has worked for Goodyear for over three decades. Mark, on the other hand, said that he got relocated in D-ville last year. That's why his parents are in the area visiting Mark's family. His wife is not with the, at the breakfast, because, according to his Mom, Mark's wife is helping out there in a free dental check up. Mark's young daughter is with them at breakfast.

After breakfast, I wanted to start writing my blog post but I got a call...I decided to pray the rosary, while in the restroom. Freny and Tintin were in the room, with the TV on CNN. Afterwards, I did start my blog.

Well, my dear folks and friends, I have to sign off now. I may as well continue my blogging downstairs, in one of the lounges where we planned to just hang around, etc. prior to going back on the road and eventually back home to Hampton Roads in the late afternoon/evening. Until then, have a nice day, everyone! Wish you all a wonderful weekend! Take care. As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 03Nov2012

P.S.
We had a good time at D-ville. We went to a couple of museums there. We did a little shopping; bought souvenir T-shirts at a community market. And, finally, we attended Mass at Sacred Heart Church where the pastor, Reverend Fr. Anthony blessed us, after learning of our 27th anniversary today. Thank you, God, for all your blessings and goodness to us.

Thinking of (and Praying for) our Beloved Departed

Good Friday, everyone! TGIF (Thank God, It's Friday)!

(NotaBene: As I'm writing this blog post, I'm having late lunch. At home. (I dropped by at Totoy's where I bought lunch to go.) Why? Well, I just came from the church, my parish St. Paul's where I attended Mass in honor of our beloved dead loved ones. As you know, it's All Souls' Day today, November 2, also the first Friday of the month. Yesterday, I did attend the Mass for All Saints' Day, at St. Paul's. Reverend Fr. Chris, our parochial vicar, celebrated the Mass with us. There were more people who attended the Mass yesterday compared to today's Mass con-celebrated by Rev. Fr. David and Rev. Fr. Chris, our pastor and parochial vicar of four clustered parishes, respectively. The four clustered parishes are St. Paul's Catholic Church, St. Mary's, Church of the Holy Angels, and Church of Resurrection.)

This morning, while still in bed, I prayed and meditated on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Heavenly Mother and Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior and Redeemer. Then, after, I had an urge to use the restroom in our room. You know my regular (daily) routine. That prompted me to rise up from bed. (At that time, my wife Freny was already gone to her school-work.)

After using the restroom, I went back to bed. I thought I could still get some more sleep. But, no, not a chance because our alarm-clock-radio has been on since 6:00 o'clock this morning! So, I rose up, and guess what I grabbed? My laptop. Logged on with the intention of checking out the different soaps that I've been watching or following on YouTube. Nope, there was no current uploads. So what I did, I went to Blogger. I visited my blog, undecided whether to write my post for today or later. I ended up reading a couple of Catholic blogs that I'm following or that I read on a regular basis, because they're informative and inspirational to me. I grabbed my Composition Book because I thought of something. This is what I wrote on my Composition Book:

Today, I pray...

                       for all those who died in wars or in the battlefield for whatever reasons.
                       for those who had surgery but didn't make it.
                       for those victims of suicide, for whatever reasons.
                       for those (babies) who were aborted, for whatever reasons.
                       for those victims of calamities, man-made or natural, who didn't have the opportunity to say their last goodbyes to their families and friends.
                       for those who ventured into space for the sake of Science and humanity but didn't make it to Earth.
                       for all those who were gone before us and became our inspiration and role models in life.
                       for those who prayed before us and loved peace eternally with our Lord.
                       for those victims of drug abuse/overdose, of torture, poverty, injustice, discrimination, and those collateral innocent victims of different wars.
                       for those who didn't grow up into maturity because of fatal accidents and/or terminal diseases and illnesses.
                      for those who committed a crime and eventually died for whatever reasons. 
                      and for those missionaries who were persecuted because of their Christian faith, and love of God and Jesus...

May they rest in peace. Amen. 

Then, after a while, I went back to YouTube, did type All Souls' Day and I saw a video about this topic. Listened intently to the discussion. Afterwards, I checked on another video, by another uploader, but with the same topic. That's when I revisited Fr. Robert Barron on his Catholicism 101 on wordonfirevideo. I was listening to him while preparing myself to go to church to pray for all of our deceased loved ones, all the departed all over the world.

(Note: I just finished eating my lunch. Thanks to God. And thanks to those who prepared/cooked my food at the restaurant.)

I have to sign off now, my dear folks and friends, because I've got to prepare my stuff, etc. My wife and I are gonna be out somewhere on  the road this afternoon, after her class-work. Looking forward to a wonderful weekend, especially for tomorrow, Saturday, November 3rd. What's up with November 3rd? I'll let you know on my next post, God willing. So, stand by...

Well, again, this is all for now. Until next time around. Take care and have a nice day and a wonderful weekend, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!-chris a. quilpa, 02Nov2012

On the First of November

Happy First of November, everyone! And, Happy All Saints' Day, too!

On the first of November, we Catholics and other Christians worldwide traditionally celebrate the feast day in honor of all Saints. It's a holy day of obligation, for us Catholic Christians. And so I wish you all today Happy All Saints' Day! (Here's a video from YouTube about The Litany of Saints. No copyright infringement intended. Thanks, YouTube, and to the video uploader.) To all Saints in heaven, pray for us!

On the first day of November, this morning, while still in bed, I prayed my rosary and meditated on the Luminous Mysteries. Mother Mary, pray for us!

Here's something for all of us to ponder, too. It's taken from the Gospel of St. Matthew (chapter 5), collectively known as The Beatitudes:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven."

On the first day of November, I thank God for my faith, family, folks, and friends far and wide. I thank our Lord Jesus Christ for being an inspiration to all believers like me.

On the first day of November, let's pray for all those hard-hit by Hurricane Sandy and all of our state's National Guard, civilian and military personnel involved in the rescue and recovery efforts. Let's also pray for those victims and their families.

This is all for now. Until next time around, my dear folks and friends. Take care and have a wonderful day, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!" Thank you, Jesus!-chris a. quilpa, 01Nov2012