Meet The Thordies

After the rain, what? Yes, after the rain and the storm we are given a very clear sky, gentle breeze and a good sunny day.

Our village is readying its fiesta celebration for its patron saint, San Andres Apostol. It will be on the 30th of November but in our meeting this morning, the body decided to move the celebration on the 29th because it was a Sunday. However, the feast day will not be changed but the fiesta mass will be a day in advance to make sure that many people will hear mass.

The parishioners of Greenwoods Executive Village are working to finish the parish rectory after the bishop has assured us that once it is finished, a parish priest will be assigned to serve the needs of the people. Despite a number of fund raising activities, it seems that money is still the problem. The village has well off residents - politicians, actors and actresses, government officials and international servants. I wish these people would recognize the needs of the church and one day drop by with an envelope.

I don't mind the rain if it means the outpouring of blessings from our talented actors and actresses or our high calibre politicians. The sun always shines from behind!

Last month I got a back sprain when I lifted my Cannon Printer trying to transfer it to another location. I did not know I am not that strong anymore. I thought I had retained my usual energy when I in my thirties.

The xray result says, there was a displacement of I don't remember the medical term typed on the reading but I was told to be ready wearing a body brace. As of now I can't sleep lying down on my side; I should be flat on bed so that the displacement will not turn serious. But as it is, one gallon of water is too heavy for me. I back aches whenever I lift something heavy or when I sit for long hours in front of the computer.

I would really appreciate an assistant in all my activities.

Been so busy the past couple of weeks. I don't know if I forgot my time management skills or there were really activities that could not be left undone.

We had a fund raising in the church in order to build a rectory for the parish. Our chapel will soon become a parish and everybody was excited to sell the raffle tickets, the final draw of which was June 28 where one lucky winner brought home the brand new Avanza. It was a handsome car fitted for a lady driver and I also prayed to be the winner. But when it was drawn and somebody else name was taken, it made me sigh a relief because at least our job was done.

Before the raffle draw I accompanied by sweetheart to his hometown in Kalibo. His purpose was to be fully recuperated from his stroke. We visited Boracay, (the Pearl of the Pacific) where I have a long-term membership up to 2032. Then back to his town in Kalibo where he is staying until now. He decided to stay for his mission while I returned to Manila for my personal activities.

Prior to this Boracay visit, the Flores de Mayo was successfully accomplished. Fifty five sagalas honored the Blessed Virgin with roses and prayers. Thanks to the municipal band of Mayor Ilagan and the drum and lyre from Pasig.

Several other activities piled up together that made myself so tired and suffered a flu. Mind you it was not the A(H1N1) virus because after two days I am again up alive and kicking.

With swine flu topics everywhere in the newspaper and in almost all radio and TV reports, I wonder why pork still demands a high price in the market. There is less traffic in the pork section of our market than the fresh fish and dressed chicken sections. Is it because buyers are afraid to eat pork or is it because of the high price they tag per kilo?

Our buyers are more educated nowadays. They, and I am one of them, want to be sure the food they buy is safe. Even if there are announcements from the department of health that the flu is viral and therefore not in the meat, still buyers don't take the risk.

It is not also expected that the vendors will keep the high price of their pork. In the past, whenever there are news similar to what we have at present, you can expect a bargain price. This is a sign of maturity and intelligent options of both our sellers and the buyers. But who are the end lossers.

It's been three years now since I retired (early retirement option) from my office position in an international organization based in Manila. I thought I will enjoy the rest of my life because there is no more traffic in the morning, no more difficult boss, and no more credit card collectors. I was wrong. I miss the morning traffic and the difficult boss. I miss wearing blazers for an office wardrobe. While I did not escape the credit card collectors. For my existing cards, collectors call me at home. Some representatives of credit card companies call to offer credit cards. I learned to ignore them.

I wish I could work again in an office. I am tired of being an interim caregiver. I am not a typical retiree who is satisfied doing nothing. I feel I will die early without a gainful job. Can someone else help me please.

Last Sunday, I felt so heavy for any activity at home. So after lunch, we watch the old movie, "The Terminal" which has Tom Hunks as the main character.

I missed the airport. It has been more than 2 years since my last travel. In the movie, the airport became Tom Hunk's world when his visa was cancelled. A civil war broke out in his country the moment his flight touched the airport so it was considered non-existent. Tom Hunks cannot go out of the airport because he has no visa. He was told by the immigration officers to wait until the war is over. He waited for more or less on year when finally peace was restored in his country.

US Visa was granted to him and the first thing he did was to go to New York and had his father's favorite sax autograph. His father waited for this autograph until he died without seeing his favorite sax' signature.

The lesson I learned from the movie was patience and obedience. Tom Hunk's love for his father made him travel from his country to America just to keep his father's death wish. He had patience in waiting to find ways to eat, find a contractual job, and find a girl for his love interest. You have to learn how to wait because if it is not due, you will not get it no matter how hard to try.

In meal management, the author of the book, A Guide to Meal Management and Table Services, gave the following wine rules:

1. White wines should be served chilled, while red wines at room temperature.
2. White wines should be served with seafoods and chicken, red wines with meat.
3. Rose wine would be fine with Chinese dishes; if the meal is served family style a choice of red and white wines would be okay.
4. The sweeter rich-flavored wines would go with dessert, should be at room temperature; sweet champagne should be chilled
5. Wine should usually be served in clear glasses; they show off the beautiful color.