Belly Rub

(2013) I was there to visit my grandmother, my mother’s aunt, and the rest of her family. The rest of her family also includes a puppy and Tootsie, the puppy’s mother.

Reluctant to my arrival, Tootsie gave me a scare with her loud and incessant barking. Although I am a dog lover, as proven by my five dogs at home, this stranger of a dog considered me a stranger too. I told myself that before my vacation was over I had to befriend my grandmother’s dogs, especially, Tootsie.

I left my grandmother’s a few days after since I had to visit my other relatives at their houses. A few days passed but I haven’t forgotten about the idea of befriending Tootsie.

Tootsie is a brown medium built mutt that had a very prominent growl. I even mistook her to be a male because her growls and barks sounded like that of my male dogs at home.

I went back to my grandmother’s house a day before my flight back to my hometown because her house was nearer the airport. Upon my arrival, Tootsie whom I think got accustomed to my presence and my scent did not growl nor bark at me – rather she did not growl nor bark that much anymore. I slept that night with the hope of befriending Tootsie the following morning.

That morning, mother’s day, we had bread, sunny-side up eggs and hotdogs for breakfast. What better way to befriend dogs than with treats, I thought to myself. When my cousin and her family went to church, leaving me alone at home since my grandmother went to visit her son a few days ago, I found the perfect time to do the challenge.

With hotdogs and bread in my hands, I first went to Tootsie. “Tootsie!”, I called, she responded. Afraid of what she might do, I just threw a bit of the hotdog near her. When she moved towards me, I closed the screen door and observed, she sat at the doorstep, looking at me. I smiled. I then went to the puppy. When I opened the door, he ran into hiding but I still threw bits of hotdog and he ate them all up.

To and fro, I went to Tootsie and then to her puppy. Tootsie, getting comfortable with me while the puppy walked closer to me as I threw the treats nearer. I did this until all the hotdogs were gone, so I gave them bread! I thought that they would not like the bread but they did. And then, the magic happened with Tootsie, she laid down on her side, inviting me to hold her. I slowly touched her head, she was purring like a cat, and then she scratched her tummy as if to say give me some belly rubbing.

And so that’s what I did. She liked me and even if I no longer had food with me, she still wanted me to be with her. I then went to the puppy but since he just hid again, I went back to Tootsie. She no longer growled at me when I opened the door, rather, upon seeing me, she laid down on her side and I gave her the belly rubs she so wanted.

When I left for the airport at noon, she followed me to the gate, no more growls, no more barks, just a smiling face, as if saying, “I’m looking forward to your next visit.” As I rode to the airport, I thought about how an angry creature can be so kind if you just treat it with tender, loving care (TLC). I then challenged myself that on my next visit, I will befriend Tootsie’s puppy.

I know he will be bigger by then but can never outgrow belly rubs and treats. As I was riding on the airplane, I wrote this and imagined how my five dogs at home would greet me at home. One thing is for sure, I will greet them with a dose of belly rubs, back rubs, head massages, and kisses. I have been away for three weeks and I miss them very dearly.

Near-Death at Sea

For today’s Write Day Wednesday, I feature a short story written by my late mother in her university days as BA English student…

Near-Death at Sea

by Imelda Guirindola Nartea

The town was dark when we docked at the small quay, now being lighted by the gleam of light coming from the lamps of the nearby houses.  Who could say we’ve had the most horrible experience that ever happened to a hilarious group such as ours?

We took the boat early that morning with the hope of finding the shrill pleasure in sea-bathing in one of the islands off the coast.  The sun was bright, the weather, fair; noone could see a trace of danger clouds in the blue sky above.

Our party, composed of three girls and four boys, all in their early teens, expected a really enjoyable picnic.  We had a big lunchbox stuffed with all the wonderful boodles the market could offer. To accompany this were two cases of soft drinks and a gallon of tuba.  We were supposed to meet a girl friend living in the island.  She will have to join us with the fresh fruits and crops from their farm.

Indeed, the morning proved exciting and great!  The water was warm, and we could see the lovely kingdom at the bottom of the sea – a paradise of corals and green weeds.  Gliding along on our boat, we were caught in awe by the colorful foundation of the blue-green water.

After almost two hours of swimming and toying with the seawater, we rowed back to shore and started with the most-awaited part of the day – lunch!  We spread banana leaves under a shady tree and prepared the food and drinks.  Lunchtime had never been so hearty for me and  in the one our group shared that day.  I realize one could eat well when he is closest to nature; when he becomes one with the bare beauties of the earth.  Stories were told, funny stories to stir the appetite.  Then the boys had their fill of the “tuba” while the girls, went a-rowing and swimming again.  Hours passed slowly… no one seemed to notice the passing of time. Until someone found out it was already two in the afternoon.  Our island girl friend hurried us off as she was afraid the afternoon winds might be hard on our way.

Packing our things in haste, I felt a change in our emotions as betrayed by our faces.  Although there were traces of the enjoyment, the look in everyone’s eyes spelled danger.  As we gathered speed, we noticed gusts of wind swinging our boat off its course.  Soon the waves became bigger as the wind started to blow hard, real hard that we began to huddle close to each other.  The once warm and inviting sea seemed like a monster eyeing us; threatening us with its waves.  We shivered as the rain started to sympathize with the angry wind.  Our friend handling the motorboat gave all he knew so that we could battle the strong waves intending to swallow us up.  Then, the expected happened.  Our boat capsized, with the bottom of the boat covering us all.  We had to swim to the surface for air.  Our screams, contested with the rain and the wind.  But no amount of shouting could help us then,  so we had to struggle to remain afloat while the boys made frantic efforts to turn the boat in place.  They were able to have it  floating again after half an hour of agonizing terror on everyone.  Back to the boat, soaking in salt water , we had to hug each other and feel the warmth left in our bodies.  We were forced to take the longer route near the coast in order to evade the big waves which tried to drown us.  After almost two hours of praying and knee-shaking, we reached our place.  We saw the familiar lights from the houses along the cost.  The rain has stopped by now.  Strange, too the sea was calm as we started to walk away from the quay.  

Back at the house where we started the day, we changed to dry clothes and laughter rang again.  Nobody suspected we were at a point where we neared death that day.  The mask of fear vanished from ours faces – we had to forget the experience or else we will never stop shivering.  We had some more eating and drinking before we finally went home for the night. 

Alone in my room, stretched on my soft bed,  I slept with a smile on my face with the last thought – what shape could death have been in the cold wavy sea?

Look Back

Maybe we go back
to places we have been to
in dreams and not leave.

Notre Dame

Our lady!  You have

stood, for centuries kept watch.

From ashes, you’ll rise.

While I was living in Madrid, my mother, brother, and uncle and his family came to visit.  We flew to Paris for a few days.

One rainy Paris day, thus the umbrella. 😉

 

To the Autumn Leaves

(Inspired by Jose Rizal’s To the Flowers of Heidelberg)

 

Go to my native land

in shadows of red and orange,

stay on unwalked terrains.

What beauty, the colours we see!

 

Leave where autumn lingers.

Go visit my sunny homeland,

spreading hues and shades.

Add a bit of brown and yellow!

 

Go to my native land

leaves of Spanish autumn and rain.

Leaves!  My memories of Spain

what beauty and relief you bring.

Foodie Friday – spinach croquettes

I revisit Spain, my home of almost two years, by the recipes I learned to cook through all the months of my stay.  This recipe is a modified version of the typical Spanish croquettes dish filled with cheese and jamon.  Since I try to be more plant-based with my meals, I found, tried and tweaked a spinach croquettes recipe I found.  This recipe takes a bit of time to perfect but it’s kinda easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

2 cups spinach leaves

1 medium onion, chopped

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1/2 cup breadcrumbs (for coating)

salt and pepper (and cayenne pepper) to taste

oil (for frying)

 

Procedure:

1. Chop onion and cook in oil.  Add in chopped spinach leaves. (Remove from fire once spinach wilts.)
2. In a separate bowl, mix flour, breadcrumbs, eggs and cheese and add in spinach and onions.
3. Add in salt and pepper (and cayenne pepper).  Let spinach mixture cool to room temperature.
4. After cooling form the spinach dough into two-inch by half-inch croquettes shape.  Coat each croquette with breadcrumbs.  This recipe yields about 24 croquettes.
5. Heat oil and fry croquettes until golden brown.  Serve with ketchup or your favourite dip.
6. The croquettes can be cooked in advance, stored in containers in the freezer and reheated in a pan or in the oven.

 

 

 

From Tacloban to Moscow

Believing that ““Sport has the power to change the world.  It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does”, as Nelson Mandela did.  We, at Fundlife International, through the Football for Life Academy (FFLA), have for four years now, used football as an engaging and empowering tool for children and youth in the communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

This year, FFLA is continuing to PLAY, BELIEVE and ACHIEVE.  We had a dream, of one day watching the World Cup, and we’re well on the way to that dream. Thanks to our friends from VibeWorld for capturing our story and to all who believe that a group of people with shared values and vision can make things possible, our gratitude is extended to you too.

We are excited to share about the FFLA delegation that will be participating at the FIFA Foundation Festival, an official event of the FIFA World Cup Russia.  Four amazing players and one inspiring coach traveled to Moscow this week to participate in a series of sports and development, and cultural activities, capping it off with a World Cup Match viewing.

#FromTaclobantoMoscow #WorldCup2018 #FFLARussia

https://www.facebook.com/FootballForLifeAcademy/videos/871254486416044/

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Moon

Under the blue moon

something magical started.

You and me.  Friendship.

Photo grabbed from: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/spain-galicia-santiago-de-compostela-plaza-high-res-stock-photography/753287977

The Way to Santiago

Before moving to Spain almost two years ago, my Uncle Ony told me about the infamous pilgrimage to Saint James the Apostle´s tomb in Santiago de Compostela in the Region of Galicia in Spain.  I told myself, I was going to do it when I went there.  Almost two years  of living in Spain and guess what, I found excuses not to do it.  But when the reality that the need to go home to the Philippines over-weighed the want to stay in Spain, I  told myself that I will never be ready for anything in life but I still have to live it anyway; I decided to do the last 100 plus kilometers of the Camino Frances.

The Camino Frances is one of the routes that lead to Santiago de Compostela.  It starts in Saint Jean Pied de Port in France.  In that pilgrimage, through sunny days and days of tormenting rain and wind too, through asphalt roads, muddy paths, getting lost when I did not pay attention to the signs, and many more, I gained new people in my life and learned a lot about myself and most importantly, became closer to my Christian faith.  Here are among the things that I realized while “taking the way”.

1. Be comfortable being alone.  Acknowledge your fear of being alone but walk alone anyway. (I told myself I was not ready to do it, especially to walk the camino alone.  But I acknowledged my fears and did it anyway.  I realized I wasn’t really alone while doing the camino, for one, I had a small dog plushie with me that served as my “guard dog”, I had God to talk to and that I had myself and I can be happy in my own company.  As in life, you are never truly alone because you have you.)
   

   

   
2. Choose to walk with someone and enjoy his company but if you need to be alone again, say so. (When you feel lonely being alone, go find people to walk with and enjoy their company.  As in life, you have people to share moments with, enjoy their company at the present moment because you never know if you’ll meet them again in the future.)
3. Choose to walk with someone who chooses to walk with you but if he says he needs to walk ahead or stay behind, let him go.  (Be happy when somebody or a group of people chooses to walk with you.  That only means they saw something in you that made them want to be with you.  As in life, be happy at the present moment with the people who choose to be in your life and if they need to go, thank them and let them go.)
4. Be kind, always, to animals.  (I met a lot of dogs along the way, the most special one was a short brown dog who shared a sandwich with me, errr, ate almost all of my sandwich, rather.  A horse that didn’t want me to leave, grazing cows and pigs and birds too.  As in life, we are stewards of all other creatures, let’s be kind to them.)
   

   

   

   
5. Eat and drink whatever you like and what you think your body needs.  (We’ve been conditioned to eat this, not that and drink this, not that.  I say, at the end of the day, it is your body, and you know it best.  Eat and drink whatever you like.)
   

   

   

   
6. Listen to your body, you only have one.  (Don’t push your body too hard.  Feet start hurting? Stop walking.  Feeling nauseous? Rest and drink more water.  Need to sleep more? Sleep in and start your camino a little later.  Feel cold?  Wear more layers.  Our bodies have a way of telling us what’s wrong.  Listen to it.)
7. Be the first one to say “hola!” or “buen camino!” or “are those your gloves that were left behind?”  (These are things that can brighten up another’s day, start a friendship or *coughs* a camino love story.  But it doesn’t mean you have to greet everyone along the way, a simple nod, a bit of eye contact or a smile will do.)
8. Respect nature and don’t leave any trash on the trail.  (I picked up the trash I came across with.  Even if it slowed down my pace, in the end, it didn’t matter because I was doing what was right.  I just hope people doing the pilgrimage would be more respectful of nature and not leave trash behind.)
9. You really only need so little.  Everything you need should be in your backpack.  (As in life, you don’t need to carry too much to move forward: the past, burdens, heartaches and the like.  And a realization that everything you need to achieve your goals are within you.)
   
   

   

   
10. Everything happens for a reason.  (You meet the people you meet and the circumstances you face for a reason.  As in life, everyone you meet and every achievement as well as every setback will be there for your growth.  You are where you’re supposed to be and even if you don’t quite get it instantly, you will do so, eventually.)
11. At the end of it all, you regret the things you didn’t do.  (When you look back on your “way to Santiago”, you will regret the things that you should’ve done but didn’t because of fear.  You have to be a risk-taker in your camino and you must trust your intuition.  As in life, you shouldn’t regret the things you did, because they’re all done and even if they didn’t quite end up well, you learned and you grew and that’s the most important part of it.  You will not be able to live with yourself thinking of all the what-if’s and should’ves.  It will be a sad life because you weren’t living at all.)

Arriving in Santiago de Compostela, seeing the cathedral where Saint James relics lay, I was very emotional.  I cried happy tears, I cried at amazement at how I was able to achieve my goal no matter how hard it became at times.  I was amazed at how things worked out for me in the end.  I am amazed at how mysterious this life can be but everything works out for the best anyway.

As I walked the narrow cobblestone roads of Santiago, I was wondering about the people I connected with and met along the way  in my camino, I was wondering whether I will ever see them again.  As I faced a crossroad, something in my gut told me to take a left and then a right at the next corner, as life is full of surprises, there they were, my camino “crew”, two of whom, called my name.  Funny thing was, they were just talking about me and whether I actually pushed through with arriving that day.  We all stayed at the same albergue (pilgrim’s house) the night before and I told them I wanted to stay a few towns before Santiago for another night and will probably arrive Santiago the next day.  But there they were, and so was I.

We shared stories and cañas of beer.  We agreed on meeting a few hours after for dinner and drinks.  And so we did to celebrate success, new friendships, camaraderie, moving forward, beauty in endings and hope for new beginnings with delicious Galician seafood and white wine, walking around the streets of Santiago watching a Holy Week night procession in , a bit of dancing, singing, and a lot of cultural exchange, among Germans, Spanish, an Argentinian, a Brazilian, and me, a Filipino.

 

 

 

 

“Sangkay” FC’s Thirsty Cup Journey

Hello, SANGKAY!

The word “sangkay” means friend in Winaray, our local language in the region of Eastern Visayas, Philippines.  This is a story of how my “mga sangkay” (friends) back home in Tacloban City, who are also football players and enthusiasts, formed a new team in 2016.  In the two years since its inception, Sangkay FC has shown their football talent, discipline, camaraderie and goodwill on the field in local tournaments.

This year, they have the chance to finally show the rest of the country how a group of individuals with shared passion and values can work hard towards a goal.  That goal is to be able to participate in the “15th THIRSTY FOOTBALL CUP” one of the Philippines’ largest seven-a-side football tournaments, from 23rd to 25th February, 2018, in Cebu City, a few hours in a boat ride away from Tacloban City and they need as much help for travel, food and accommodation costs.

As their “sangkay”, I realized, I can do more than just donate money on my own.  I know there are people out there who will be reached by my blog who also believe in the power of sport to teach values that will make us achieve our dreams. Your help, no matter how small, will go a long way.  Your $10 or even $5 will make a Sangkay FC DREAM come true!  Thanks for any support you can give to my “mga sangkay”!

 

photo credit https://www.facebook.com/Sangkay-FC-379954702402323/

Please click on the link below for more information about the fundraising and for Sangkay FC’s story in their own words:

https://www.youcaring.com/sangkayfc-1095542