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

Sense and Sensibility: 200th anniversary

In 1811 Thomas Egerton of Whitehall, London published Sense and Sensibility . Quick math shows it has been two centuries since Jane Austen became a full-fledged author. Quite an anniversary, indeed. A celebration, I declare . Blogs regarding the publication anniversary of this romance novel picture Jane Austen 's engagements whilst making the final touches of her manuscript from Sloane Street. In letters to her sister Cassandra, Jane gave accounts of her shopping for muslin, the party that their brother Henry and SIL Eliza gave; mentioned several acquaintances, and referred to her book as S and S . As a fan I wonder which between sense and sensibility did JA deem more important since she portrayed both attributes equally well. I'm obliged to enthuse over my S & S reading experience. Alas, I only managed fourteen chapters before getting sidetracked by another novel, the very first that JA wrote. I will resume and complete my affair with the celebrant before 2011 end...

Thank you for blogging and happy new year!

Glitter Graphics - GlitterLive.com That's it! We are about to conclude 2009. I am thrilled to have finally begun something I have been curious about for awhile: blogging, and that it turned out to be a wonderful experience. The friends I found and the interaction with them are the highlights of my online social life this year and I intend to have the same or more next year and next.... There are beautiful bloggers to whom I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation through this given to me by Mommy Moments host Chris at the Mommy Journey: Thom, whose playground Thom's Place 4 Well Whatever is a very interesting read; for becoming my no. 1 bloggy friend, always leaving me comments that are guaranteed to put a smile on my face if not make me fall off my chair laughing Lisa of Lisa Notes for her significantly inspiring posts, always well-written and lovingly hits where it is reasonably necessary. I feel blessed every time I visit her blog Anya of KARELTJE en ikke!!! ...

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 ...