Triduum. What is it? Here's what we learned from our research: The word Triduum comes from the Latin and means "three days." It is commonly pronounced "TRIH-doo-uhm" and is usually used in reference to the Easter Triduum, the three most sacred days in the church year.
The Easter Triddum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, which reaches its point at the Easter Vigil and concludes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday. Often, there is confusion about how that block of time can be counted as three days. The traditional Jewish practice of counting days from sunset to sunset is used during Triduum. Thus, Holy Thursday evening to Good Friday evening is the first day; Good Friday evening to Holy Saturday evening is the second day, and Holy Saturday evening to Sunday evening is the third day, After centuries of neglect, Pope Pioux XI in 1955 restored the Triduum liturgies to their rightful place as the culmination of the entire liturgical year.
Although we talk of the three days, our Triduum prayer is best understood as one liturgy in three interlocking movements. The death and resurrection of the Lord cannot be separated. The meaning of these days is distorted when we imagine that the liturgy re-enacts the final events in the life of Jesus in a sort of historical review. We miss the point in that case. The mystery of Jesus' death and resurrection is a present reality, the boundaries of time, and the boundaries of death, have no power here.
Our past, present and future are irrevocably marked by our own immersion into this mystery through baptism. we wash one another's feet, reverence the cross, light fires in the night and proclaim the stories of our salvation, with an awed awareness that this is what it means to be baptized. The Easter Vigil then is the premier time to welcome new members into the church through baptism, confirmation and Eucharist.
The Holy Thursday is the opening of the Triduum, It explores Jesus' command of love and service. The central element of this gathering is the symbol of the washing of one another's feet as a sign or symbol of our connection of the Eucharist with Christian service: "When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory."
At the end of this evening, the sanctuary is emptied, and the Eucharist will be reserved in the daily chapel continuously until Friday evening for quiet prayer.
The Holy Thursday is also the beginning of the Paschal Fast. this fast and abstinence, which ideally is observed from Thursday evening until the end of the Easter Vigil, is not the penitential fast of Lent (which is over), but the fasting of anticipation (like the fast before Communion).
On Good Friday, we observe the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion and Death. Because the Lord's passion, suffering, and death won salvation for sinners, the day is called "good," and this part of the Triduum reflects on love as much as loss.
Central to this day is the proclamation of the Passion according to John, and the veneration of the Cross. this ritual action reminds us of the "crosses" in our own lives; by embracing them, we participate in the Paschal Mystery.
On Holy Saturday, we observe the Easter Vigil. This is considered the climax of the Triduum, the highest point of our liturgical year. this liturgy begins in the front of our Church as we gather around the new Easter Fire, which will be blessed and used to light the Easter Paschal Candle, a sign of the risen Christ in our midst throughout the year.
Inside the Church, we gather for an extended Liturgy of the Word, listening to the salvation story which leads us to the resurrection.
At the height of the Vigil, the Elect (or catechumens) will be baptized, and they celebrate the new life coming into our Church by gathering around the table as the Body of Christ.
On a side note, this Holy Thursday evening at seven, my wife Freny and I attended what we call the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper at St. Paul's Catholic Church, our parish. (We volunteered as greeters, this time.) As expected, the church was full of the faithful guests/visitors, and parishioners presumably from the four clustered parishes (St. Paul's, St. Mary's, Resurrection, and Holy Angels) in which Rev. Fathers David and Chris are the current pastor and parochial vicar, respectively. The former was the main celebrant/homilist, while the latter was the co-celebrant.
One of the main features of the event was the washing of the feet of those chosen twelve parishioners, young male and female adults and older ones combination from the clustered parishes mentioned above by our pastor. There were solemn prayers and singing led by the church's choir. There was also the offering of gifts. Likewise, there was also the procession of the Eucharist, after the Holy Communion. Then, we left the church quietly.
On Good Friday evening, we parishioners will gather again at St. Paul's to "relive" the Passion of our Lord. It's not really a Mass, for we don't celebrate any Masses between Holy Thursday night and the Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday night.
From my family to yours, Happy Easter!-chris a. quilpa, 29 Mar 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
A Pictorial Outdoor Stroll on Holy Thursday
Hi, everyone! A peaceful, Holy Thursday to you all! Happy Easter, too!
This beautiful, sunny (but cool) Thursday morning, I strolled around the neighborhood, despite my stiff joints and chronic lower back pain, and with a little sore throat. (I don't know but I've had this thing since last night. And I felt nauseated, too. I don't know if it's about allergy or something else.) Anyway, what I did this morning was just a simple stretching and physical conditioning, besides breathing cool, fresh air outdoor. It's been a while that I haven't walked around because of a couple of reasons, notwithstanding the unpredictable weather. But today is just perfect time/day for me to be out there under the sun, not hot but warm. Plus the blue sky is clear but with scattered spots of white clouds (cumulus?).
As I've said, I did roam around the neighborhood, curious, like a child, of what's out there. I took a couple of pictures along the way...flowers, trees with sprouting young, green leaves, Canadian geese in a pond/lake, birds, landscaped road, an elementary school, school buses...(as you see in the embedded photos down below.) Noticeably, there's not that many walkers/strollers this morning, though. I saw a white middle-aged man in spandex, jogging and passing by me. I met three white women, probably in their fifties. I greeted them, "good morning, ladies!" And they responded the same, "good morning," as they continued their stroll. As I kept on walking, I came across another white man jogging, in shorts? (See the photo/s below.)
Here at home now, in our kitchen, while drinking water, and preparing something for my "brunch," I've thought of composing this blog post. With my laptop, here I am now, having half-way through this post and about to wrap it up.
Btw, what's for dinner? Possibly rice and fish, and vegetables, and a piece of banana or a pear or an apple, maybe? But no red wine, for me, this time. As we all know, it's Holy Thursday today, for the faithful Christians. We'll be going to church tonight for the worship service. There's a possibility that it may rain tonight? Whatever, we're set to attend the church service at our parish because Freny and I did volunteer to be greeters tonight, aside from being regular Extraordinary Ministers for Holy Communion (EMHC).
Hope you enjoyed the photos I shared (them) with you. Well, this is all for now, my dear folks and friends. Until next time around. Thank you for your time with me. Take care and have a peaceful and holy Thursday, everyone! Again, Happy Easter, too! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa
While walking I was also humming church/worship songs. Man, this right teary eye kept interrupting my walk! And, once in a while, I have this runny nose, kept spitting out phlegm from my sore throat! I hate it! After twenty minutes of walking, I guess, I could feel my left hip getting sore. That's when I slowed down my pace. I tell you this reality; it's inevitable...whether we like it or not, we're getting old! Matured and worn out, too? Well, before noon, I was back home...tired, sore, but relieved, though.
Btw, what's for dinner? Possibly rice and fish, and vegetables, and a piece of banana or a pear or an apple, maybe? But no red wine, for me, this time. As we all know, it's Holy Thursday today, for the faithful Christians. We'll be going to church tonight for the worship service. There's a possibility that it may rain tonight? Whatever, we're set to attend the church service at our parish because Freny and I did volunteer to be greeters tonight, aside from being regular Extraordinary Ministers for Holy Communion (EMHC).
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Yesterday's Gone and Today's Holy Wednesday
Hi, everyone! Good, Holy Wednesday to you all! Happy Easter, too!
Where was I and what did I do yesterday, and today? My dear folks and friends, lend me your ears...
Yesterday, I visited the hospital that I used to work at, then eventually retired. The reason: I had a scheduled appointment at the Internal Medicine. (Btw, I made the appointment first week of March, right after I saw my rheumatologist.) First, a young male naval hospital corpsman took my vital signs and then after Q & A, he and his fellow male shipmate did EKG for me, per the doctor's order. I knew already then that one of the corpsmen was trying to help or show the other the way to do the EKG. Fyi, these corpsmen seem to be young blood and haven't much experience in the field of patient care. Out of curiosity, I did a little inquiry as to where they had their Hospital Corspman School and their practicum. I learned that one of them went to San Antonio, Texas, while the other in Great Lakes, IL.
After that electrocardiogram, I was told to put back shirt on and then followed HN Mario to the other room, where a female naval doctor/medical officer, her rank is a lieutenant, was already ready to see me. That was my first time to see her in that clinic or department. Actually, it's been a while that I haven't been seen in that clinic/department. Six months ago, maybe. Anyway, the doctor started asking questions about what brought me to the hospital, medications I'm currently taking, the same Q & A thing, you know. I told her about what I've been feeling or experiencing for the past days, and chronic medical conditions I have, etc. She looked like a good listener. She reviewed my past lab studies. With her stethoscope, she examined my chest, listened to my heart beating as she instructed me to take in a deep breath, etc. In about twenty-thirty minutes after, I was done with her. But first she asked me where I wanted to pick up my meds or refills. Then she told me to to drop by at the lab for my yearly blood cholesterol test. I shook her hands as I said, "Thank you, Doc!"
Down the first floor, at the Lab Clinic, it was full load! I couldn't believe it! Many patients, seated quietly, on the crowded lab lounge or waiting area, have been waiting (endlessly) for their blood to be drawn or to give their urine specimen, etc. I could see frustration in others' faces. Patience, that's all we have had to do, especially this time of holy week. I just let my eyes do the observation, my lips sealed, and once in a while watched the news on that flat TV mounted on the wall. Then, my number was called.
After my lab work, I decided to eat at the galley since it's past twelve noon. What did I have? Beef stew with pasta, boiled carrots, and sweet potatoes, and a glass of chocolate-milk combo, and a glass of water. I had a golden apple and two pieces of chocolate cookies, too. But I brought them home. Man, I was full!
From the hospital, I drove my way to the Scott Annex Center where I picked up my meds or refills at the pharmacy clinic there, and did my grocery at the Commissary, and filled up my gas tank at the NEX gas station there.
So tired I was when I arrived home yesterday! Had to lie down in bed after unloading my grocery. What a long day it was for me! And tiresome, too. But I made it through the day. Thank God.
Today, I just chilled out, enjoyed the day, watched movies, visited Facebook for a couple of minutes. But I prepared something for our dinner---broccoli and celery and onion, stir fried, with slices of sausages (with cheddar cheese), and steamed rice. (As usual, after cooking, I ate my early dinner.) And, here I am about to sign off or wrap up my blog post. Thank God, we're alive and well.
Well, my dear folks and friends, this is all for now. Until next time around. Take care and have a blessed day, everyone! May God bless us all..Always!-chris a. quilpa, 27 Mar 2013
Where was I and what did I do yesterday, and today? My dear folks and friends, lend me your ears...
Yesterday, I visited the hospital that I used to work at, then eventually retired. The reason: I had a scheduled appointment at the Internal Medicine. (Btw, I made the appointment first week of March, right after I saw my rheumatologist.) First, a young male naval hospital corpsman took my vital signs and then after Q & A, he and his fellow male shipmate did EKG for me, per the doctor's order. I knew already then that one of the corpsmen was trying to help or show the other the way to do the EKG. Fyi, these corpsmen seem to be young blood and haven't much experience in the field of patient care. Out of curiosity, I did a little inquiry as to where they had their Hospital Corspman School and their practicum. I learned that one of them went to San Antonio, Texas, while the other in Great Lakes, IL.
After that electrocardiogram, I was told to put back shirt on and then followed HN Mario to the other room, where a female naval doctor/medical officer, her rank is a lieutenant, was already ready to see me. That was my first time to see her in that clinic or department. Actually, it's been a while that I haven't been seen in that clinic/department. Six months ago, maybe. Anyway, the doctor started asking questions about what brought me to the hospital, medications I'm currently taking, the same Q & A thing, you know. I told her about what I've been feeling or experiencing for the past days, and chronic medical conditions I have, etc. She looked like a good listener. She reviewed my past lab studies. With her stethoscope, she examined my chest, listened to my heart beating as she instructed me to take in a deep breath, etc. In about twenty-thirty minutes after, I was done with her. But first she asked me where I wanted to pick up my meds or refills. Then she told me to to drop by at the lab for my yearly blood cholesterol test. I shook her hands as I said, "Thank you, Doc!"
Down the first floor, at the Lab Clinic, it was full load! I couldn't believe it! Many patients, seated quietly, on the crowded lab lounge or waiting area, have been waiting (endlessly) for their blood to be drawn or to give their urine specimen, etc. I could see frustration in others' faces. Patience, that's all we have had to do, especially this time of holy week. I just let my eyes do the observation, my lips sealed, and once in a while watched the news on that flat TV mounted on the wall. Then, my number was called.
After my lab work, I decided to eat at the galley since it's past twelve noon. What did I have? Beef stew with pasta, boiled carrots, and sweet potatoes, and a glass of chocolate-milk combo, and a glass of water. I had a golden apple and two pieces of chocolate cookies, too. But I brought them home. Man, I was full!
From the hospital, I drove my way to the Scott Annex Center where I picked up my meds or refills at the pharmacy clinic there, and did my grocery at the Commissary, and filled up my gas tank at the NEX gas station there.
So tired I was when I arrived home yesterday! Had to lie down in bed after unloading my grocery. What a long day it was for me! And tiresome, too. But I made it through the day. Thank God.
Today, I just chilled out, enjoyed the day, watched movies, visited Facebook for a couple of minutes. But I prepared something for our dinner---broccoli and celery and onion, stir fried, with slices of sausages (with cheddar cheese), and steamed rice. (As usual, after cooking, I ate my early dinner.) And, here I am about to sign off or wrap up my blog post. Thank God, we're alive and well.
Well, my dear folks and friends, this is all for now. Until next time around. Take care and have a blessed day, everyone! May God bless us all..Always!-chris a. quilpa, 27 Mar 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday (of the Holy Week) Rambling and Cooking
Good Monday, everyone! It's Monday of the Holy Week. Yes,we've embarked on the Holy Week which will eventually lead us to Easter. How are we doing so far, as far as observing Lent and Easter? Have we been prayerful, repentant, forgiving, giving alms, fasting/abstaining? Good. Me? I'm trying. That's all I can say. Thank God, we're alive and well.
What a lousy Monday weather we have over 757, otherwise known as Hampton Roads! We have overcast, cloudy sky, cold, chilly, and drizzly, as yesterday. What happened to spring, I wonder? Where's the sun, again? Will it remain hiding from us for days? I'm done with winter; enough with the snow, you know. Hey, Mr. Meteorologist, bring in the mild, sunshiny weather, please! Thank you.
What's for dinner today, Man? Wait a minute, let me check what's in our ref/fridge. Okay, we have these veggies that I bought from a chain grocery store: asparagus, broccoli, carrots, celery, green pepper, and onion. And frozen sliced okra, and broccoli, too. We also have frozen whiting and salmon, some sausages and meatballs, and frozen vegetables in small bags/packs. Now, I got an idea of what to prepare for dinner---steamed (or baked?) mixed vegetables arranged nicely in an aluminum tray, sprinkled with two or three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and one-fourth cup of soy sauce, and baked fish with some butter in it.
While the bag of whiting is being thawed, I washed and sliced all the different fresh vegetables mentioned above. Man, it takes minutes to do them. The onion, even though how careful I peeled off and sliced, made me shed a bit of tears and it's not good for my teary, irritating eyes, especially the problematic right one. I had to go to the sink and wash my eyes. Man, what a day I got today! I started cooking the steamed rice on our rice cooker.
After all the veggies were sliced, I arranged them in an aluminum tray that I bought weeks ago from the Commissary. No, I didn't mix the vegetables in the tray. I arranged or grouped them in rows. Then, I sprinkled them with olive oil and soy sauce, covered the tray with an aluminum foil, set it aside. Next, on a separate aluminum shallow tray, I arranged the half-thawed whiting, and placed slices of butter on top of the fish. Then I set that tray aside. On a small round aluminum tray, the one they used in making apple or sweet potato pies, I arranged those big meatballs (ones that you can use as one bite mini-sandwiches). Everything was ready to go to the oven. Well, that's just me---I want everything ready before I start cooking. Unlike someone, that I know well, who doesn't have clue with regards to cooking even simple (healthy) recipes.
Cooking time. I know what you have in mind at this point in time. I should have preheat the oven, right? Well, I didn't because, as I've said, I wanted everything to be ready. Besides, it doesn't take minutes to preheat the oven. In two-three minutes, after setting it to 400 degrees, the oven was ready. All the trays were placed inside the oven. All I did was to wait for thirty-forty minutes. And, there you go...cooking time is over. Done! Now, taste tests followed. It's eating time, for me. Come on, join me, guys! Bring out that bottle of red wine. Bon apetit! Yummy! Thank you, gracious God.
This is all for now, my dear folks and friends. Until next time around. Take care and have a holy, peaceful day, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 25 Mar 2013
What a lousy Monday weather we have over 757, otherwise known as Hampton Roads! We have overcast, cloudy sky, cold, chilly, and drizzly, as yesterday. What happened to spring, I wonder? Where's the sun, again? Will it remain hiding from us for days? I'm done with winter; enough with the snow, you know. Hey, Mr. Meteorologist, bring in the mild, sunshiny weather, please! Thank you.
What's for dinner today, Man? Wait a minute, let me check what's in our ref/fridge. Okay, we have these veggies that I bought from a chain grocery store: asparagus, broccoli, carrots, celery, green pepper, and onion. And frozen sliced okra, and broccoli, too. We also have frozen whiting and salmon, some sausages and meatballs, and frozen vegetables in small bags/packs. Now, I got an idea of what to prepare for dinner---steamed (or baked?) mixed vegetables arranged nicely in an aluminum tray, sprinkled with two or three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and one-fourth cup of soy sauce, and baked fish with some butter in it.
While the bag of whiting is being thawed, I washed and sliced all the different fresh vegetables mentioned above. Man, it takes minutes to do them. The onion, even though how careful I peeled off and sliced, made me shed a bit of tears and it's not good for my teary, irritating eyes, especially the problematic right one. I had to go to the sink and wash my eyes. Man, what a day I got today! I started cooking the steamed rice on our rice cooker.
After all the veggies were sliced, I arranged them in an aluminum tray that I bought weeks ago from the Commissary. No, I didn't mix the vegetables in the tray. I arranged or grouped them in rows. Then, I sprinkled them with olive oil and soy sauce, covered the tray with an aluminum foil, set it aside. Next, on a separate aluminum shallow tray, I arranged the half-thawed whiting, and placed slices of butter on top of the fish. Then I set that tray aside. On a small round aluminum tray, the one they used in making apple or sweet potato pies, I arranged those big meatballs (ones that you can use as one bite mini-sandwiches). Everything was ready to go to the oven. Well, that's just me---I want everything ready before I start cooking. Unlike someone, that I know well, who doesn't have clue with regards to cooking even simple (healthy) recipes.
Cooking time. I know what you have in mind at this point in time. I should have preheat the oven, right? Well, I didn't because, as I've said, I wanted everything to be ready. Besides, it doesn't take minutes to preheat the oven. In two-three minutes, after setting it to 400 degrees, the oven was ready. All the trays were placed inside the oven. All I did was to wait for thirty-forty minutes. And, there you go...cooking time is over. Done! Now, taste tests followed. It's eating time, for me. Come on, join me, guys! Bring out that bottle of red wine. Bon apetit! Yummy! Thank you, gracious God.
This is all for now, my dear folks and friends. Until next time around. Take care and have a holy, peaceful day, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 25 Mar 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
A Rainy Palm Sunday in 757
Good Sunday, everyone! For those in the other side of the globe, Good Monday morning!
Weather-wise, we're having a mix of rain and light snow flurries today, cold and chilly, as has been the forecast for our area in Hampton Roads by meteorologists from different local radio/TV stations . Spring snow? Ah, where's spring? It appears that we're not done completely with winter, huh? Well, Mother Nature has her way. Nothing or no one gets in her way, btw. She always rules and reigns. Period.
This morning, my wife Freny, her sister Rose, and I attended the Palm Sunday Mass at our parish, St. Paul's. No, we didn't participate in the procession outside, which is a few blocks away from the church building. The reason? We arrived a little late at the vicinity. Besides, it was drizzling. So, as soon as we've parked our car (thank God, we found an available spot), we rushed to (get into) the church and waited for the other parishioners and our parish priest, Rev. Fr. David, for the formal start of the Mass. Inside the church, there were the faithful, like us, waiting for the rest of congregation who participated in the procession.
Here's something about Palm Sunday. It's the final preparation during Lent and marks the start of the Holy Week leading to Easter Season. The celebration on Palm Sunday begins with a presentation of what happened that first Palm Sunday. We gather outside of the church or at the front of the church. we hear the Gospel story of how Jesus rode on a donkey and entered the city of Jerusalem.
As Jesus rode along, the people gathered up branches from the trees and waved them in the air. They took their clothes and laid them down before the donkey. they cried, "Hosanna to the son of David," proclaiming Jesus as their king.
Next, we take our own palms, which are then blessed. (In some countries olive branches are used instead of palms.) We process with those branches into our church.
There is another powerful reminder of Holy Week during the Palm Sunday Mass. At the Gospel time we hear the entire story of the Passion, Suffering, and Death of Jesus. this is a good introduction to Holy Week. We pray and remember the importance of what Christ did for us and how we should respond to His love.
That's about Palm Sunday which ushers in the final week for the Elect or Catechumens (unbaptized people interested in becoming Catholics by attending Catholic teachings and informal classes, RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) for weeks given by the church and assisted by their Catholic sponsors) who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil/Saturday.
Next topic/s: Shopping and dining. After Mass, we did go to NEX. Unexpectedly, I bought a couple of shirts that were on sale, 50% off the regular price. And additional % off for those that have a red dot on the tags. From there, we went to lunch. We went Chinese again, like last Sunday. After lunch, we drove to a closeout store where we bought books, wooden "foldable" book cases, munchies, etc. Guess what I found on the wet parking lot? Two dollar bills! Lucky me, huh? Thank God. But, I felt bad for the person who lost it. I gave that $2 to Freny. From there, we drove home. I felt so tired that I went to bed, after changing my clothes off. Headache and backache kicked in again...Rest is what I need, my dear folks and friends.
Well, this is all for now. Thanks for the company. Until next time around. Take care and have a blessed day, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 24 Mar 2013
Weather-wise, we're having a mix of rain and light snow flurries today, cold and chilly, as has been the forecast for our area in Hampton Roads by meteorologists from different local radio/TV stations . Spring snow? Ah, where's spring? It appears that we're not done completely with winter, huh? Well, Mother Nature has her way. Nothing or no one gets in her way, btw. She always rules and reigns. Period.
This morning, my wife Freny, her sister Rose, and I attended the Palm Sunday Mass at our parish, St. Paul's. No, we didn't participate in the procession outside, which is a few blocks away from the church building. The reason? We arrived a little late at the vicinity. Besides, it was drizzling. So, as soon as we've parked our car (thank God, we found an available spot), we rushed to (get into) the church and waited for the other parishioners and our parish priest, Rev. Fr. David, for the formal start of the Mass. Inside the church, there were the faithful, like us, waiting for the rest of congregation who participated in the procession.
Here's something about Palm Sunday. It's the final preparation during Lent and marks the start of the Holy Week leading to Easter Season. The celebration on Palm Sunday begins with a presentation of what happened that first Palm Sunday. We gather outside of the church or at the front of the church. we hear the Gospel story of how Jesus rode on a donkey and entered the city of Jerusalem.
As Jesus rode along, the people gathered up branches from the trees and waved them in the air. They took their clothes and laid them down before the donkey. they cried, "Hosanna to the son of David," proclaiming Jesus as their king.
Next, we take our own palms, which are then blessed. (In some countries olive branches are used instead of palms.) We process with those branches into our church.
There is another powerful reminder of Holy Week during the Palm Sunday Mass. At the Gospel time we hear the entire story of the Passion, Suffering, and Death of Jesus. this is a good introduction to Holy Week. We pray and remember the importance of what Christ did for us and how we should respond to His love.
That's about Palm Sunday which ushers in the final week for the Elect or Catechumens (unbaptized people interested in becoming Catholics by attending Catholic teachings and informal classes, RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) for weeks given by the church and assisted by their Catholic sponsors) who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil/Saturday.
Next topic/s: Shopping and dining. After Mass, we did go to NEX. Unexpectedly, I bought a couple of shirts that were on sale, 50% off the regular price. And additional % off for those that have a red dot on the tags. From there, we went to lunch. We went Chinese again, like last Sunday. After lunch, we drove to a closeout store where we bought books, wooden "foldable" book cases, munchies, etc. Guess what I found on the wet parking lot? Two dollar bills! Lucky me, huh? Thank God. But, I felt bad for the person who lost it. I gave that $2 to Freny. From there, we drove home. I felt so tired that I went to bed, after changing my clothes off. Headache and backache kicked in again...Rest is what I need, my dear folks and friends.
Well, this is all for now. Thanks for the company. Until next time around. Take care and have a blessed day, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 24 Mar 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Meatless, Musical, Sunny but Cool Friday
Good Friday, today, my dear folks and friends! Although the sun has been shining, with blue, clear skies, it's still cold and chilly in our region and other parts of the US. That's the weather condition right now here in Hampton Roads. Btw, I saw the (lonely) moon up there, alone, this afternoon, taking the time to let her soft white light dominate the night. Will it be a quiet, silent night, in our region, while the rest of humanity are awake, busy making life/love, and/or having a good time? I guess so. So be it...Let the world turn. Thank God, we're alive and well.
So, what's to talk about, my dear folks and friends, as we continue our journey this season of Lent? Let's find out. As a Catholic Christian (trying to be a good follower of our Lord Jesus Christ), I have to remind myself that it's Friday today. That means I have to abstain from eating meat? No problem. We know that there other things to nourish our body and mind, and soul. Yeah, it's good that we have choices available to us. We're thankful and fortunate for the blessings that our Almighty Father has provided us. Thank you, good and gracious God.
We've just finished our dinner. We had steamed rice with stir fry mixed vegetables (green pepper, broccoli, and asparagus) with extra virgin olive oil. In addition, I had cup-o-noodle soup, too. don't know why but I feel like eating this one for I haven't eaten this kind of noodle soup for months.) Anyway, for dessert, I ate one Haas avocado, sans sugar nor milk. Freny and her sister Rose ate theirs with organic milk. No red wine nor alcohol today. Just plain (bottled) water. That's it. Thank God for everything!
For the past couple of days, my chronic bad back pain has been acting up again. What can I do but to manage it in such a way that it doesn't affect my sanity and sensibility. I stay in bed, rest and relax, pray, listen to music and NPR, read a little bit, watch TV, videos on YouTube, cook simple dish, go out, just like yesterday, even if the weather was cold and chilly, drizzly, gray and dreary, with snow flurries that didn't stick to the ground. I take my meds, apply this Lidoderm patch on my back. And I do stay positive, you know.
As I continue with this blog post, I'm listening to a medley of songs of this once popular Filipino crooner, aka Jukebox King, back in the 70s, a video on YouTube, uploaded/published by a certain YouTuber by the name of MrRaymem? Thanks, MrReymem, for uploading this music video of Victor Wood. Well, here's sharing with you what I'm listening...oldies but goodies music from Mr. Wood, courtesy of YouTube. Thank you. Now, I'm about to watch/listen tonight to PBS's From Dust to Dreams, a musical presentation from among selected singers, musicians, performers, like Award winner and American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson.
This is all for now, my dear folks and friends. Until next time around. Take care and Have a wonderful day/night, everyone! As usual, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 22 Mar 2013
So, what's to talk about, my dear folks and friends, as we continue our journey this season of Lent? Let's find out. As a Catholic Christian (trying to be a good follower of our Lord Jesus Christ), I have to remind myself that it's Friday today. That means I have to abstain from eating meat? No problem. We know that there other things to nourish our body and mind, and soul. Yeah, it's good that we have choices available to us. We're thankful and fortunate for the blessings that our Almighty Father has provided us. Thank you, good and gracious God.
We've just finished our dinner. We had steamed rice with stir fry mixed vegetables (green pepper, broccoli, and asparagus) with extra virgin olive oil. In addition, I had cup-o-noodle soup, too. don't know why but I feel like eating this one for I haven't eaten this kind of noodle soup for months.) Anyway, for dessert, I ate one Haas avocado, sans sugar nor milk. Freny and her sister Rose ate theirs with organic milk. No red wine nor alcohol today. Just plain (bottled) water. That's it. Thank God for everything!
For the past couple of days, my chronic bad back pain has been acting up again. What can I do but to manage it in such a way that it doesn't affect my sanity and sensibility. I stay in bed, rest and relax, pray, listen to music and NPR, read a little bit, watch TV, videos on YouTube, cook simple dish, go out, just like yesterday, even if the weather was cold and chilly, drizzly, gray and dreary, with snow flurries that didn't stick to the ground. I take my meds, apply this Lidoderm patch on my back. And I do stay positive, you know.
This is all for now, my dear folks and friends. Until next time around. Take care and Have a wonderful day/night, everyone! As usual, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 22 Mar 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Buds and Wild Flowers in Early Spring '13
Delighted by the wild flowers and the buds from one of our fruit trees (peach) in our backyard, I grabbed my camera and took these pictures which I'm sharing them with you, my dear folks and friends. Aren't they pretty, these little flowers, though some of them are wild or considered weeds? What a joy to see these beautiful tiny flowers that are blooming in early springtime! I thank God for these flowers, though they're considered by many as weeds. They're truly worth my admiration, these God's creation. Thank you, Lord.
Well, this is all for now and I thank you for your time. Hope you did like the photos. Until next time around, my dear folks and friends. Take care and have a wonderful, peaceful time. May God bless us all...Always!-chris a. quilpa, 21 Mar 2013
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