Skip to main content

The Tickle Fairy



What a week this has been. Something urgent came up at work, back home Mama is sick; and in the wake of Ketsana in the Philippine capital plus its threat to wreak further havoc in northeast Thailand and our neighbors Vietnam and Indonesia, I was wondering what kind of positive report could I turn up with. The one admirable function of FFF is the motivation for participants to find the good out of not-so-good situations when they happen. So find them I did, and they make up my faves this week:

1. Caring family and friend. Being an only child has a few disadvatages. I am away from home and two days ago Mama had an asthma attack. The only immediate family members that she has at home are our two dogs and a cat. So who would have taken her to the doctor but a great-niece of hers and a close friend who were not just around, but also caring enough to help her. In the course of our phone conversation yesterday, (they were all inside Mama's hospital room) they laughed over something I said. It made me feel so much better and told me Ma would be fine. My head-splitting worry gone!

2. Golf umbrella. It's huge, it's heavy and since my divorce it has stood idle in a corner, but it proved very useful this week as I walk to work in the unceasing downpour brought on by Ketsana.

3. Going down to DK Booktown and Asia Books. It's not for leisure reading which is one my of all-time favorite pasttimes. It's an errand to search for a reference text then arrange a mass order. But the thought of being in the midst of books sent me hurrying out even through the heavy rain. I had the best time browsing new titles and blowing mental kisses to old pals in the world classics section. It was fun fun fun and highly therapeutic.

4. A small step but I did it! After procrastinating and harboring thoughts that it's not possible because of major hurdles, I finally told myself off, "what the heck; if you didn't try then you'd never know whether you can or not." So last night I timidly but finally began entrance application process at a UK university. I know it's a long shot but seeing my reference number, a signal that I could now start working for step 2 requirements, was both encouraging and exciting.

5. The Tickle Fairy. It's a strategy I tried on my 5-year old's display of typical misbehavior. I am very pleased that he laughed his way to obedience as I can't be upset while I need the rest of my energy to assemble ideas for a dissertation proposal.

~ FFF is brought to you by Susanne. Click her name for more faves ~

Comments

Anonymous said…
You always find such positive things to talk about. It's so refreshing. I'm glad your mom as people there that will take care of her for you. Funny what a little laugh can do for you. Congrats on the starting at the UK University. That's great and good for you. Thank goodness for the Tickle Fairy...clever. Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend :) Aloha
Islandsparrow said…
Caring friends and family are the best. It must be such a relief to you to know that your mom is cared for.

I find browsing in a bookshop totally therapeutic too. A little expensive but definitely soothing :)

Good strategy with your boy - and congrats on starting the process of applying to UK uni - that's 90% of the battle - getting started.

Have a great weekend!

Blessings
Kathie
Susanne said…
I am so pleased you dug deep to find good things from your week. That is exactly what I love about FFF and has become an unexpected blessing from doing it.

I love your creative thinking in the "tickle fairy" approach! Wonder if it would work with my 14 year old? LOL. If anything it would shock her! LOL.

Good luck on your application! That is exciting!
Susanne said…
Oh and I forgot to say I am so glad your mom is doing well and there were people there for her when she needed it!
Anonymous said…
Glad that you are surviving Ketsana and that your dear mother is doing better. I can't imagine distance-worrying -- I'm sure it's very stressful. So good that you had some therapeutic book time.
Lisa notes... said…
My m-i-l is an only child, and I've seen her take on far more than her fair share of caring for parents. I pray for other friends and relatives to help you out when the time comes for it.

Hope all goes well with your application - good for you in taking that step!
Jewel said…
This is my second stop on your blog and I love it! I think I'll be a regular. :)
Your son is beautiful, and I have always loved the name Cj.
I pray you well during the next sweep of Ketsana. I have many friends in the Philippines and I'm keeping myself updated on the happenings of this storm!

Popular posts from this blog

Regency delight and love language

Friday's Fave Five: Regency Period Cake Please scroll down for Mommy Moments Ambience of Banana Leaf Restaurant dinners continue to be the trend for us this week. Rustic charm has always been a big hit to me and Banana Leaf's got it. Buckets of real wheat, garlic and pumpkin hang adorning the wall. Plus the sweet and sour fish and chicken with cashew nuts and mushroom are a real pleasure. J Lo Live This was a gift to me two years ago. Cj is too young to be choosy with scents. He smiles playfully when I spray it on him and I laugh inwardly thinking he is a boy wearing a girl's perfume. This week we both smell the same :) Cyberbanking I finally dragged documents and myself down K Bank to register for online financial transactions. Spending only what I earn suits me best as I avoid debts and the convenience of sorting expenses any time of day in familiar surrounding is always welcome. Music in the air Whatever happened to the PA system at work? An old song was coming off it t...

Hallelujah Chorus: stand or sit?

According to legend, King George II of England rose to his feet when the Hallelujah Chorus was sung. Following protocol his subjects rose up as well. Thus began the tradition of audiences around the world rising during the Hallelujah performace. There are many speculations as to why the king stood or if he even stood at all. The Bangkok Combined Choir is composed of volunteer singers of around twenty nationalities. Every year in December, the choir performs Handel's Messiah. I sang once. (pure luck: there was no audition in 2000) Rehearsals got me thinking of the tradition of standing when the Hallelujah Chorus is sang. I googled what people have to say and my today is a list of opinions about audience decorum during the chorus: 1. The Hallelujah Chorus is like an anthem for the church. Whenever you hear it you are supposed to stand up. 2. Standing for the Hallelujah Chorus just interrupts the performance. 3. People should not be taught that they need to stand up at a certain time ...

Sunday Stealing: The Mud Meme

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named Miranda from the blog The Times of Miranda . She thanks to Mud for prodding some fodder her way, in the way of a meme. But, it was probably stolen at that blog as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Cheers to us all thieves! Join the fun . 1. What are your current obsessions? travelling and quaint cottages 2. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often? my old maid work uniform 3. What's for dinner? eating out by and by at a restaurant called Banana Leaf 4. Last thing you bought? food 5. What are you listening to? Dobby speaking to Harry (son is watching HP2 a few inches away) 6. If you were a god/goddess who would you be? Isis 7. Favorite holiday spots? beach and mountain resorts 8. Reading right now? RD, December 2006 9. 4 words to describe yourself. bored, resolute, robot, hopeful 10. Guilty pleasure? unplanned shopping; it happens once in a blue moon...