Friend (August 22, 2007)

I had the chance to meet new people during the entire summer. They were all very nice people: educated, hard working, goal-oriented and friendly. They come from different backgrounds. They are from different places. They have their own goals and dreams. They are good people to keep. I have met new friends and became so full of life, living everyday vibrantly.

Then I went back to Thailand. Right now, I can feel that I am deteriorating because I had been missing them. I had been surrounded with warmth and sincere care that now I long for them. I am again on my own.

Friends are easy to find but the difficulty lies in finding the good ones. In my entire stay in Thailand, I cannot give you an answer if you ask me right now the million dollar question, "Who is your good friend in there?". I had, for some moments in time, a friend or two.

In my garden, I usually see a friend or some friends that hover around some of the flowers. I like the idea of them visiting my flowers every now and then. I like the idea that they make the flowers bloom better. I like the idea of making them part of the beauty that surrounds me.

Friends.....just like butterflies, come and go.

A Sight to Behold (August 20, 2007)

One of the favorite things I do during the weekends is to walk around the entire grounds of a weekend market famous for its many odd and interesting merchandise. I usually go around the Art Section of the market and marvel at the creativity and resourcefulness of the artists that gather around the area. The paintings and sculptures are just amazing. I enjoy my walk because I am surrounded by creative people and their beautiful creations.

In my garden, I enjoy looking at flowers and then take photographs of them. It is only in taking their photos that the images stay forever in my memory. Those flowers bloom to give me a feeling of peace when I visit the garden. And when they wither, I do not associate it to their death but to a new beginning. I count the flowers that bloom and not the leaves that fall.

So in enjoying nature and taking images of them, just as a painter paints or a sculptor creates a three-dimensional piece, I for one, take moments to savour the beauty of flowers through photographs, a marvelous sight to behold.

Stand Tall (August 11, 2007)

I had a short conversation with a new acquaintance. Our conversation centered on being teachers and being a true person. Honesty, integrity and faith were mentioned. He told me how as a teacher I can be gentle and caring. He mentioned that at my present age, I had accumulated wisdom and good manners. I wasn’t looking for compliments but his way of talking was so intense that it had made me realize that I should be proud of who I am.

One book called Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon reminds me of how great we are as people and as individuals. That we need to believe in ourselves. That we need to think positively. That we need to believe we can do anything.

I needed encouragement and a little push and this acquaintance of mine came knocking at the right time. I appreciate living because I am surrounded by people, who believe in the greatness of others. God bless people like Stephen.