The Sudden Demise Of A Well-loved Colleague

This is the first time I experienced losing a dearly loved colleague who was a father figure to all of us. It is a very sad day today as we came to know in the morning that our beloved Mr. Polly (I will call him Polly) has passed away in Karachi, Pakistan while he was on vacation leave. The painful part is that, we just saw him last Thursday in the office with his family in tow including his little grandchild whom we teased as the little Mr. Polly. It was just few days ago... We could still remember his billowy laugh, his happy face that lit up the whole place and his gentle nature. Today, he is gone forever.

He was my Polly. I was his Rolly. Together we were the rolly-polly of the department. I have known Mr. Polly for a decade now and he gave me that monicker and loved to tease me endlessly. He just knew I wouldn't mind. And honestly Mr. Polly, I never mind. It was a nice banter we had all those years. And in one moment, I no longer have Mr. Polly.

We shed some tears but I cried more in silence knowing that my "father" figure in the office is forever gone. There won't be name calling now, someone to bug for answers, no one to give me wise advice or someone to chit chat in the pantry while waiting for the water to boil. Who will call me Rolly now?

It's quite difficult  as we still go about our day to day activity. Leaving the office this afternoon was a bit painful because I have to pass his desk and turn and this time, no one to say "bye Mr. Polly" to which he would always reply, "bye Rolly!"

Today, with a heavy heart, I whispered my last goodbye, "Bye Mr. Polly" to an empty desk that still holds mementos of his existence.

Thank you for gracing our lives with your gentle presence, your light demeanor and your fatherly care and love for all of us in the office. You're not just a colleague to us Mr. Polly. You are a friend, a brother, a mentor and for me, another person I could call my father. I will miss you. I will terribly miss you Mr. Polly. Go towards the light and may you rest in peace eternally. (So sorry, I didn't get to say hi or hello in LinkedIn when you added me just last Sunday. If I had known it was the last, I could have messaged you a very, very long note...Sorry, I didn't do that because I thought, I would say hi to you when you come back from your leave...)

Deeply Saddened About The Aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda

I don't know where to being as I try to write this post. I've watched the news only last night and looked at photos of the aftermath of the world's strongest typhoon ever recorded that battered my home country, the Philippines.

It pains me to see young kids, wet, hungry and confused. It wretches my heart to know so many people lost their lives and many more missing. I cannot fathom the feeling of seeing so much destruction caused by a singular event in a span of few hours. It is okay to lose the material stuff but what about the lives lost?

I wasn't able to sleep well last night thinking of all those bad things.  Many thoughts crossed my mind about why the Filipinos have to go through another deadly calamity when just few weeks ago, we dealt with a strong earthquake that claimed lives.

How much more calamities do we have to endure to say, enough is enough? Who are we to say that?

If only the corrupt officials used their ill-gotten wealth to build stronger infrastructure and dedicated state-of-the-art warning devices then at least, all our taxes were used for the betterment of these corrupt officials' constituent. But it's never the case. I don't think the government will ever learn. Get the billions of pesos squandered by Napoles and give it back to my countrymen!

I'm just angry, sad and really upset with everything that my countrymen is going through. I know I can only offer my prayers and donations at this point but I hope, my prayers and the millions more of people who pray with me that my countrymen will rise above all these. I pray that there will be no more calamities like this that will claim innocent lives. God spare the innocent...

(all photos from news.yahoo.com)

Rest In Peace Tatay Pat

I am reposting this from my other blog (I Said, She Said) in honor of my beloved father-in-law, Patricio.

Today, my father-in-law joined our Creator to his eternal peace.  We received the news last night (around 11:30 PM, Dubai time) and usually, calls at ungodly hours are never good.

After battling pneumonia, complication with diabetes and an infection in the brain and being in comatose for almost 3 months, my father-in-law is now pain-free.

Pat, as he was fondly called by his family and friends was a fine man who lived a humble life while helping others and ensuring his family's  bright future even if it meant being away from them for most parts of their lives.

Tatay Pat, I am so glad you were my father-in-law. I thank you for all that you have done for us. I am also happy that at least, while you were in the hospital and in coma, I managed to tell you how thankful we all are for having you as our father and our princess' grand dad. We love you Tatay Pat and go towards the light. You are now in peace...

Good bye Tatay Pat. May you rest in heavenly peace...

Good Bye Little Angel

Easter is supposed to beacon a fresh start, a new hope, a new life. My friend's Easter is the opposite. We just received the news that my future-godson did not survive and  whilst in his mother's womb. I know  how devastated my friend and her husband is to find out the news of their unborn. The irony of the whole ordeal is, the baby is due anytime from today until next week. My friend carried him for 9 full months only to find out this morning that he did not have any heart beat anymore.

I feel lost right now. I feel sorry for the loss of a little baby whose parents are so eager to have him come home and instead, he went home to the Lord.

There are things in life that we just cannot question much as we try to understand the reason behind every circumstance. He has a grand plan for everyone. And even if we try to connect the dots why things like this happen, who are we to question?

I just pray that my friend and her family recovers from this loss. I know that no amount of words or sympathy can comfort a grieving mother's heart. I pray for her and the husband to be strong and never lose faith in God. I can only offer my prayers but God will cast His healing love.

To the little angel we will never see nor hold even for a short while, we pray that you follow the path the Lord has made for you. Guide your mama and papa and pray for us in Heaven. So long my little godson. Rest in heavenly peace.

Rest In Peace Mr. Steve Jobs

Photo credit: telegraph.co.uk

A lot can be said about the man who revolutionized the computer world with his innovation and creativity. This man had changed the way we view and use the personal computer through the Mac, enjoy music through the chic iPod and have plenty of versatile activities to do with iPad.

Steve Jobs, born on February 24, 1955, had finally joined our Creator on October 5, 2011. His battle with pancreatic illness had finally ended. And his job is done.

Rest in peace Mr. Jobs. May you find solace and comfort in the arms of our Almighty.

Is it the End of Terrorism?

News all over the world flashed the death of Osama Bin Laden, one of the top 10 most wanted terrorist known to mankind in present times. He was killed in a secret raid in Abbottabad, 150 kilometers north of Islamabad, Pakistan on May 1, 2011.

People are cheering and waving their flags as they celebrate the killing of the person who is known to be responsible for the September 11, 1991 Twin Towers attack.

I don't know what to feel. I don't know if I will rejoice. All I know at the moment is that I feel a bit scared and skeptical. One man gone, another one (or even more) can take place. Is it really the end of terrorism?

I solemnly pray so. 

I Miss You Dad...

There is never a day that I don't think of my dad. My dad has been gone for four years and today is the fourth year of my grieving in silence.

They said, grieving takes time. No one can actually say when someone will come out of it. It seems like he is just on a long vacation and that one day he will be back. Deep inside I know he won't and will never be. He already joined our loving Creator and I know he is now happy and free of pain.

I just miss him so much. I am still not used to the fact that he is really gone. I may be in denial up to now but it is hard to let go when you love someone so dearly. I didn't even get to say good bye to him and that hurts me so much.

Dad, I know you're looking down at us right now. I know you can see and feel what we are going through without you. I just want you to know, you are always (always and forever Tatay...) in our hearts and minds. We love you so much and one day, we will meet again in eternity.

Their Plea

It is really heart-breaking to know that there are many irresponsible pet owners here. I received an email from a friend about the animals on "death row" in the kennel. These furry friends have been, once in their lives, pets of families. Now, they have been abandoned and left to die.

Please be responsible pet owners. If you think you cannot take care of them, then don't give your kids one and when you're done, you just leave them to fend for themselves. Our pets have no voice. No one will speak for their sad plight. It is not their fault so stop being cruel!

To my friends in Dubai, if you want to adopt or foster a pet, please visit this site:

http://www.friendsofanimalsdxb.com/animalsondeathrow.htm

They deserve a chance to live a happy life. Give them that chance...

Good Bye Lola

Lola was our spunky and fat guinea pig who was the other half of Git. Lola was a little ball of fuzzy fur when I bought her from a pet shop 4 years ago. She was small and afraid. She was 3 years old when she joined our Creator this morning. She now lives in heaven with her other babies.

It took me a while to break the news to my daughter who has been through the ordeal of losing her pet Sheepy on 28 July, 2008. This is a part of a pet-owners' experience - dealing with a loved pet.

We will all miss our fur ball named Lola. She was the naughtiest and bravest cavy we ever had. Git will miss you a lot Lola. Go and play in your heavenly meadows with your other kids now . You've brought so much joy in our lives and we will forever be grateful. We will always love you...

(Dec. 2006 - Feb. 22, 2010)

Zapped to Life

I have never seen a medic using an AED in real life. I see this machine in action only in movies and TV shows. Deep inside, I would really not like to see one being used in real life because that would mean a person is down and is being zapped to life. That is quite a traumatic sight to see. I think it will leave a stigma to me for the rest of my life.

That must be one of the reasons I did not pursue medicine. I don't think I can see life and death in a more scientific way. These two will always have a spiritual meaning to me.

Rest in Peace little Angel

Not so far from where my cousins lived, a young girl named Sandra Cantu (she's only 8...) had gone missing and was later found dead inside a luggage dumped in the pond few miles from where she lived in Tracy, CA.

I cannot believe how another human being can inflict pain and harm to an innocent child let alone, another life form. Monsters abound our world and let's all pray that abominations like that will stop.

My family and I offer our deepest sympathies to the families of Sandra. To little, sweet Sandra, you are now in the arms of our loving God. Spread your wings and fly towards the Kingdom of peace.

Baby P - The Innocent Angel

It took me sometime to gather myself and write this post since this hurts deeply and has rattled the very core of my being as a mother. I know, most of you have read the tragic event that lead to the death of Baby P on the hands of his very own mother, boyfriend and a lodger. He died last year but the gruesome facts emerged only recently causing an uproar. How? How can a mother do such things to an innocent being, more so, to her very own son and why? He was 17 months old.

I am enraged just by reading the atrocious accounts that lead to the early demise of Baby P. I cannot fathom the evilness of the people who are responsible in cutting the life of this beautiful baby short on their hands. I am angry at the system and the people who oversee the system of child care in that country. I am feeling a lot of intense emotion right now but I need to voice this out. NO PUNISHMENT IS ENOUGH TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING OF AN INNOCENT CHILD.

Baby P, the little cherub, may you find the peace that you deserve and feel the love that has been selfishly denied of you here on earth there in Heaven where you can no longer feel pain. We are all praying for you. Fly away little angel...

(photo from: Irish Examiner)

I miss you Dad...

Exactly two years ago today, I lost my dad. The pain of him leaving us all of a sudden is still fresh. I guess, getting over someone you love is a long and painful process. Much as I want to let go, a part of me is holding on to his memories. I keep telling myself to accept the fact that he's really gone for good but another part of me longs for my Dad. I still miss him so bad.