DIFFICULT TIMES (2020 Pandemic-CoronaVirus (Covid-19)

The month of February 2020, when the public became aware of the widespread of the Coronavirus who according to news reports originated in Wuhan, China. From that day on, the LIFE in the world, specifically the USA had turned upside down.

This is now 3/20/2020. The state of Nevada is in total LOCKDOWN. Many had been affected by this problem. In fact, almost all. Who would not?I have been home, just home the last 8 days.

I had been reaching out to my family since then. I am very glad all of my family members are doing good. Ohmar and his family are in Manila. Owen is in Dubai, while Ching (wife) is in Cebu, Philippines. Luene and the children are in Ilocos. Ohrlan and family is in Las Vegas. Ohskar and family is in Las Vegas while Marie and family is in Esko, MN. All is well. Thank God.

What have I been doing these locked days? Writing, watching Netflix, Facebook, emails, and cell phone calling. It is hard to be in this situation, but, I need to follow the guidelines coming from medical authorities and state officials. We are lucky here in Vegas, the family has enough food, and other stuff related to living comfortably. We PRAY and we PRAY all the time. Thank God.

This is one of the latest pictures I have in my album. Ohmar & his family came to the US for the PICACHE REUNION last December 25, 2019. I chose this one because our background and setting was perfect. It seems like we are so close to HEAVEN, the dwelling of our Heavenly  Father who takes care of everyone else in this world. LORD GOD, our Heavenly Father, please take good care of all of us. Take good care of my family, my friends, and my neighbors. Please take care of all the people in this world that they may be spared of all the ill-effects of the coronavirus. 

It's Been Awhile ...

My life had been too busy for Toastmasters after I became an Area Director for District 33 (CA & SNV) in 2016-2017.

2016-2017 Disrict 33 Division D Area 1 Director  --- Presidents' Distinguished Area
2017-2018 District 33 Division D Director ------------ Select Distinguished Division
2018-2018 District 33 Club Growth Director --------- Stepped down on Dec 20, 2018 for special
                                                                                       reasons

On December 24, 2018 until December 31, 2018 my family and I went to London & Paris.Ohskar's family which includes wife Johanne, children Jelo, Jelay, and Justin came along. It was a very tightly scheduled trip from Las Vegas McCarran International Airport to Heathrow International Airport in London, UK.

We arrived London on Christmas Day. We were invited in one of Johanne's friends in London for the Christmas dinner. That was a super-duper treat for all of us knowing we are in a foreign land.

The following days were hectic. We managed to visit as many tourist spots in London including the iconic Westminster Abbey Road Walk where the Beatles crossed in Westminster Abbey, London. This was memorable for me because I love the Beatles. I was a teenager the time Beatles soared up high in the entertainment world. My favorite song is, "Do You Want to Know a Secret."

We walked around London streets and walkways. The roads are quite narrow compared to the American standards. The walkways in between are concrete made, some reddish bricks and stones, mostly standard. I was able to find a number of "old telephone booths" in many corner streets, inevitably they are there just for looks of the old London way. In fact, I had several pictures beside the telephone booth, one of which covers my 2nd poetry book entitled, "Expressions Impressions."

We were using UBER all the time as we moved from one scenic spot to another. We just passed by the Buckingham Palace in one of those rides, reason we had no pictures at the palace. We were able to go to one of the most popular parks in London called Hyde Park. It is a green haven but in winter the park hosts a public event called Winter Wonderland. It features a variety of rides, food from delicacies, sweets & candies, real food from sandwiches to grilled or barbecued meat & hotdogs, too! I found some cotton candies, fresh fruits & vegetables, plus drinks of all kinds.

I will continue the narrative of our trip next time....

MY LONG WAIT FOR MY CHILDREN TO IMMIGRATE TO THE USA

I came to the USA in 1992. My reason for this move is find myself and my family a greener pasture. Twenty four years later, three of my five children are US citizens. I gained naturalization in 2001, so is my daughter Marie Anderson. My son Ohskar gained his naturalization in 2002. My son Ohrlan, third son came to the US in 2008. In December 2014, Ohrlan's wife and three children came to the US as immigrants, by 2015 the children became US citizens. Was it a long wait? Was it difficult and painful? Was it worth it? The answer to these three questions are YES.

I am still waiting, though. My second son' s petition was rejected in 2008 after 10 years of waiting. While his application was in process, he got married, and the office dumped his application in the garbage. I tried applying him a student visa, but he was rejected again. My oldest son's petition including his wife and three children are still in process. My petition was dated 2001 and until now they are waiting, now 15 years wait. The year being processed now is 1994 which means my son has to wait for another 7 years. By that year, my son will be 51 years old and I will be 75 years old. I wonder if I will still be alive at 75?

This is my predicament. I am hoping that an immigration reform can be done soon. IT IS A LONG WAIT FOR FILIPINOS TO IMMIGRATE TO THE US. I REALLY WONDER IF THE PROCESS TO IMMIGRATION CAN BE CUT SHORT.

Baby, Baby ....

Baby, Baby ....

I have the youngest of my babies, Ava & Aiden Anderson
My two adorable grandkids based in Cambridge, MN
Ava is five and Aiden is three
Both are learning in pre-school.

This is Hannah.

Writing as a therapy, is it really?

When boredom arises, I sink in, Uhmmm, what can I do? What will I do to get off this uneasy feeling? Ahhhhh, write? play music and dance with it? watch Forensic Files? walk around the neighborhood? or call friends? These are some of my choices.... Fortunately, I sit down in the computer and update my blog... Here I am, writing!!

B O R E D O M ....

  I think of B as a bait... bait that can attract and seduce an inspiring subject

  Other than that, the optimism within me must run like an electrical current

 Faster than a reverberating musical score roaring amid the airwaves of

 our Mother World

Excellent windows of opportunity must be grabbed by everyone 

whose hearts are full of compassion for the many unanswered questions 

troubling before our own eyes

Demanding for right answers that may help in lifting humanity

Oh, GOD in heaven whom I believe is our FATHER, the parent of all mankind

May you help us bring together the LOVE that you have taught us

Belief must stay within us

Outstanding task must be observed

Respect for oneself and others matter

Excellence we may try to reach

Divine assistance we all must ask

Onward, onward we must march

Meet the best desires, dreams and goals.

BOREDOM, no way I must think of you

Go away, I must just be ME.

It's my birthday today ... February 18, 2016

What's a birthday? Yeah, most people think and believe a birthday is a significant day! Is it really?

Today, this day is just a regular day like any other day in the year! I have not been feeling well since last week. I went to substitute in one CCSD Special Class Portable room, and it was too dumb cold.. I was there for two days and that second afternoon, I went home really sick... I felt so sick, my throat was full of phlegm, and my head was terribly painful. I was freezing cold like I came from a cold country... The next several days,  a torture and a nightmare... went to see my doctor Thursday and was given antibiotics. It helped quite a bit, but it gave me diarrhea, the side effect of the Amoxicillin... Wheww! One full week of pain, disgust, frustration, very low self-esteem, name it and I got it!!

The last one day had improved my physical situation... all greetings from friends via Facebook and my cell phone... Thank God for family and friends who remember! Thank GOD, I have them, otherwise, I would still feel very down right now. I avoided invitations for today from some friends who wanted to treat me, it is just too scary to go out in this cold and windy day. Today is just the same, I woke up with no expectations in my mind... I still feel sick though quite improved especially that my first caller and greeter was my grandson, Aiden from Minnesota. It melts my heart that at three years old he was able to say, "Love you much." Ohhhhh, that sinks really deep into my heart! I love you, too, I muttered and that's it! It made my day!!!

Pictures of wonderful and meaningful events in my life ....

It has been a long time since .....

I did not realize until a week ago that I have not been blogging .... WOW, how time flies indeed!! Two years had gone by like a whip in the air ... and here I am!

Once in a while during the last two years, I have been subbing in the school district. The best point of interest is FASFOS where I lead my team of officers, members and volunteers with our programs. We have accomplished a lot: VITA Program, Back to School Backpack Drive, Hernani National HS & Nagaja ES Outreach Projects, PAYDAP and Scholarship Program.

Personally, two of my children, Ohrlan and Ohskar with their families are here in Las Vegas. My daughter Marie and family are in Minnesota. My oldest son Ohmar and family are in Makati, Philippines, while Owen and wife are in Doha, Qatar, children are in Ilocos. Everyone of them is doing well with God's bountiful blessings and graces.

About me and my love life, nobody special right now!!

2016, SUCCESS/HAPPINESS YEAR

Be positive! Be hopeful! Be successful!

What else do I need to do and accomplish to be happy and successful? I ask this question every time. I need to keep myself busy with worthwhile projects, those that will help me reach my desires and goals personally and professionally. But, what are they?

On a personal note, I am looking for someone who can be with me along the way until old age. I want someone who can look after me and my needs and I in return can do the same thing. It is more of companionship and security that someone is around when I need him. My children have their own lives. I let them live and enjoy their families.

On a professional note, I am working on making FASFOS big: looking for more competent and compassionate leaders who will help in its growth,  so we can provide the programs we have set and promised to deliver.

I am set to go and win these goals. With God's blessings and graces, I know I can. I know, I will!