They say necessity breeds innovation/invention. Since I have yet to be so desperate to be innovative and I have yet to be so intelligent and creative to be inventive, I'll stick with my version: Necessity breeds accomplishment. :)
I know this year has yet to reach the end of its fourth quarter (hello, hot & sticky April) but I feel I've accomplished so much at so little time I have to gloat, erm, I mean, be proud enough to post this blog. Pardon the marked sheepishness of this entry but I just have to have a virtual reminder of what I was able to do so I can encourage myself to push for more.
WHAT I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR:
1. HOSPITAL HIATUS: Was able to reach a chart-topping, record-breaking hospital confinement hiatus for dad (4 months!!!) until the 2nd week of March when we had to have him hospitalized overnight due to bradycardic arrhythmia (see I also learned a new medical term!). This is important because dad got hospitalized every freaking month from August to November of last year. In August, he underwent cataract surgery for his right eye. In September, he had to undergo removal of pleural effusion (excess fluid in his lungs). In October, he had a minor stroke. In November, he had an acute psychotic breakdown due to major depressive disorder and had to have a declogging/declotting procedure done on his Gore-Tex in his left arm. Expensive and exhausting? You bet.
2. GOODBYE, 20 LBS: As of April, I've already lost 20 lbs! My sedentary almost 6-month stay in the US packed on the pounds for me and produced a health scare involving acid reflux. Dinner, which was supposed to be enjoyable, became mortifying what with a disturbing chest pain and my inability to breathe deeply afterwards. Now, I'm proud to say that I have already said goodbye to said symptoms and that I've been going to the gym more often than before. Best of all, I'm now lighter than my wedding weight! My wedding gown fits better now! Haha! I guess it's not too bad that I'm crossing my fingers AND toes for more pounds to say goodbye to.
3. VISITING MOM: April 10 marked the 5th death anniversary of mommy. It also marked the day I was able to muster enough willpower to push procrastination away and visit mom at the Eternal Gardens Cemetery in Binan, Laguna. I know, I know, I'm such a terrible daughter. I arrived from the US in August of last year and her birthday in September including Christmas, New Year and Valentine's Day had all passed before I finally visited her. I guess it also even took a little "push from her" (A week prior to her death anniversary, I had dreamt of her telling me to smile more) for me to act on this little trip.
4. REAL PROPERTY TAXES: Oh yes, paid, paid, paid - way before the deadline! I now feel like a better Filipino citizen. LOL
5. TITLE PROCESSING: I've done my part: acquired, signed, notarized and submitted every single requirement. The ball's now in Empire East's court. I just hope and pray that these people be merciful and responsible enough to act on the title before I leave for the US in June.
6. NEW SENIOR CITIZEN CARD: Two days ago, I finally got dad's new senior citizen card. He's now an official senior citizen of Mandaluyong! Haha.
7. PHILHEALTH: Paid 9 months' worth of Philhealth contributions.
8. BARANGAY CERTIFICATES: Dad and I are now both officially from Brgy. Highway Hills of Mandaluyong City. Hehe.
9. CEDULA: I now have a community tax certificate in Mandaluyong City. Hehe.
10. STOVE RACK: "Finally" got rid of that 20+-year old gas range that served as our stove's makeshift rack for 5+ years. ********"finally" - Tito Jovy and I placed the gas range inside the vacant unit in front of ours..hehe.. waiting for Manong Magbobote's arrival on Saturday... here's to hoping we won't be confronted before Saturday... LOL
11. NBI TRAVEL CLEARANCE: My first travel clearance (the green one) and first as missus: Cardenas de Prieto, Maria Preciosa y Tierra
12. SUBMISSION OF US IMMIGRANT CIVIL DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS: Done, done, done, done!!! Now I'm just praying that everything's in place and that there are no discrepancies once these reach the National Visa Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
13. DIGICAM CHARGER: After months of longing for my still missing Olympus charger and drooling over new digital cameras just because, I finally thought of looking for and at universal chargers. Thankfully, I got one that works! Because of such, I have #14.
14. ACCESSORIES BY PRECIOUS NEW PRODUCT PICTURES UPLOAD: Oh yes. Thanks to my new digicam charger, I'm on an accessories production roll. Check out my new items
HERE.
15. CHURCH: The church, I discovered early this year, is just 700++ steps from our house. I definitely have no excuse to skip church so regular Sunday mass celebrations are a must. The only thing I skipped was the Kumpisalang Bayan yesterday because I had a confession three weeks ago and I "think" I'm still good. Hehe.
16. MOM'S PROPERTY: Thanks to mom's younger sister, I learned that I had a civil obligation as my mom's daughter. I had always known she had a property that she inherited from her mother, my grandmother, in Atimonan, Quezon. But it was only recently that I learned that had not this same sister helped her pay her bank obligations in the late '90s, she would have lost the property. Furthermore, I was informed that mom said that whoever would help her pay her obligations should get the property. Who am I to argue with that? Who am I to doubt? My aunt's always been helpful and honest to us so it's but rightful that we turn it over to her. I also don't think Sergs and I can handle the property anymore since it's too far from Manila (about five hours away by car).
17. A TEXT TO MY SISTER: It had been a long time coming. I don't want to leave for the US without so much as of an effort of reaching out to people I'm hoping will take care of dad. I know that once I'm in the US, all I'm left with are prayers and efforts in helping provide for him.
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There's much I have yet to accomplish this year. I have 10 more pounds to lose, another contract to deal with, a medical exam and an interview to undergo, a flight to take, a baby to make (can't help adding...lol), a husband to take care of, a job to grab, a car to learn to drive, a festival to attend, a business to start, a city to explore (on my own), laws to learn, new dishes to cook, friends to meet. These 17 accomplishments are already a good head start. These serve as great reminders that I know I could do more and that I would and should do more.
