Giralda Tower is one of the iconic tower in Seville. At 104.2 meters or 32 floors it has dominated the skies of Andalusia for 800 years. An impressive Gothic design , it’s beauty does not only radiates outside but as well as inside . After all this is one of the four Unesco Heritage of Seville
Giralda tower
JO AND Beth
They have been friends for quite a while now . They have experienced the hardest storms of their lives but still manages to rise up. They are now both enjoying their pension years
My admiration for these two women become more deeper when we have visited Seville ,Spain a couple days ago .
Part of the trip was to explore the Iconic Cathedral and its renown tower . Being a history geek I was very excited to get inside since I have read that Christopher Columbus was buried here . ( that is for later to write about )
The mausoleum of Christopher Columbus
The Climb
Jo and Beth roamed around the Cathedral, admiring the gothic / moorish design of walls. Me, being me looked for them and told them to join me to the top of the tower.
None of us have expected that the climb would be so steep.
I went ahead and Edgar the husband of Clair would follow them indiscreet. Beth would just sing a praise song while holding the hands of Jo ..
Jo is a burned survivor. Forty- five percent air capacity of her lungs was damaged during the fire . She has some joints problem too . To be able to climb the Giralda tower would be a great challenge for her. A step at a time …a breath for every rounds she made it holding Beth’s hand .
As they approached the 32nd floor at their own pace tears of joy and contenment flows down into their eyes . While Edgar and myself cheered their conquest!
Exhausted but victors Tears of JoyThe proud nanny
Reflection
Beth and Jo are the two epitome of women who doesn’t know how to give up . No matter how hard life will treat them they would move ahead at their own paces, carrying the faith within them . It is this faith that gave them hope, the same hope that push them to persevere.
Yes , they have been through the darkest moment of their lives .. but like the climbed that they did in Giraldo Towers they did it at their own pace with faith in their hearts and if things really gets rough they would stop and cry they never questioned God instead they bow down humbly … take a breath and continue with their respective journeys
They have conquered the top , survived the battles now it is time to rejoice, enjoy and be grateful of what life will bring them .
The victory dance as they approaches the exit of the tower Beth and Jo fearless yet soft at heart .
“Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it is going on when you don’t have strength.”
― Napoleon Bonapart
The Giraldo crew .
Special thanks to Edgar who took good care of them
Happiness is a choice . It is being grateful on those little moments that matters most . It is the smile of the young man eating his favorite chicken curry ( in his taste pallet this is the most delicious chicken curry in the entire planet 🙂) Or knowing that the children that you have raised knows the importance of Please, Thank you and Sorry.
It is that moment that your child walked into the aisle to recieved his highschool diploma. Or just simply having a good conversation with people that matters while enjoying the sunset .
Happiness is cheap and most of the time it is free . It is at times overlooked by the shimmering things that this world offers .
Look inside you , smile , breath and choose to be happy no matter what the circumtances are .
Today is a better day than yesterday . Today is a day to be grateful for . Today we will find that pulse of joy in our heart
❤️
I will always choose to filled my heart with happiness, kindness and to be grateful of lessons that life gives me .
I will always celebrate my friendship with you . Regardless of time ,distance and age I will always embrace our fond memories .
Growing up with you , shaping our beliefs was easy because you were there to listen and share your uncensored thoughts .
How miss our “stair conversations” at your house years ago with coffee in our hands .. How you describe our love and differences . In your own words
” There is this two souls that are facing a cliff in able to continue with their respective journeys they must jump over the cliff to see the other side . The carefree holds the hand of her friend and asked her if would like to just jump over the cliff with her . Her friend said Carefree one just go ahead and wait for me at the other side . Without any second thoughts the carefree soul took the leap over the cliff and made the most infectious giggle while the other one stands there calculating that what are the possibilities that might go wrong .” You look at me and said .. “I sometimes love your lust of adventure ” and I answered ” I wish that I have your ways in handling situations logically. “
I know you love hearing my craziness it is a given ..I want to believe I somehow colored your life as you have mine in every single ways .
Manay , I am always grateful for our friendship and for allowing me to come home in every adventure .
Our friendship is beyond words , distance and time ..This is the rock that holds my heart. I love you Manay ..
We both love this poem . For it describes our individuality and friendsip
I read somewhere that in life’s survival we need to see the eight years old version of us and the eighty years old to guide us.
In my case I would like to reflect on that little chubby four or so girl who refuses to conform to what the society asked her to do .
I started early on going to school. At one point , I was not allowed to attend the classes because I was too young and there was not enough chairs for the legimate pre-schooler . But I love the free calamansi drink that the Protestant kindergarten school gave to their pre schooler that I have convinced my mother to buy me a chair . The following I walked confidently to the classroom bringing my own chair and a glass ( for the calamansi ) . There was no more reason that I was not allowed to attend those delicious and fun classes . For the next 4 years I have attended the kindergarten ( started as visitor at the age of two or something then nursery , kinder 1 and 2 )
Before my kinder 2 ends I have accompanied a cousin of mine who would take an entrance exam at a private elementary school .. at the end of the day I was accepted to joined the first grader for the following school year . I was five almost six I feel like I conquer the world 🙂
By March 1980, I was invited together with my parents to attend the recognition day since I was one of the top 10 in my class. My mother was still doing errands and I got anxious that I have to be late for the awarding ceremony that I took the matters in my hands I wore a green long dress ( I felt so pretty ) and wore my slippers ( not the fancy ones ) and halted a tricycle (a public transportation typical in the Philiplines) that brought to my school .
This is the typical me , I dont wait for things to happen .. as much as possible and if I can I will make it happen . You see me with my wide smile easy to talk aura and I would most of the time give in easily … But the one’s that I would say NO are non negotiable .
My bounderies have a clear cut if you step on it I would politely ask you to step back but if you persist…with a smile I am closing my doors .
At eight or so I have my own rules .. These rules that has guided me through the rough patches of my journey . When I would reflect the eighty in me I know I will have no regrets .
My heart is big , full of kindness and my trust is difficult to win .. But if and if I think its too much I have no second thoughts of taking people out of my life . For I believe that the last person that I should disappoint is ME .
I am scribbling randomly because I feel like it .. My way , my Rules ..
We start here , my sister from another mother Klara and myself did our almost nightly chat . A random talk about everything that happened to us ( which I really love with our friendship) . I became fond of Klara ever since I met her in NYC ( I will be talking about this friendship more later in my future write ups) . So out of nowhere I have asked her about St.Patrick’s Day and when it is .. we talked after this nightly chat I have already booked a ticket for Ireland . I am going to spent St. Patrick’s day for the first time ( not bad for someone who is almost celebrating her golden birthday ).
What has followed next warmth my heart it made me feel loved and special . The rest of my Irish- filipino friends took time to spent and made this experience special … here we go
March 17 …
This was my first Ryanair flight .If I would base everything through the reviews that I have read … It will honestly scared me . Thus , I don’t really expect anthing with this flight . In fact , I am bracing myself for the worse scenario case .
In the plane it was comfy ( I bought a seat with extra leg space 🙂) . Ryanair left and landed on time .. We could not asked for more .
In the plane when everyone was boarded .. my seatmates an american and frenchman have started chatting about what they have been expecting about this festive event . They have chatted themselves through my dreams.
We have landed the passengers gave the pilot an applause and a shout out from a Flemish passenger ” zuipen to the max ( getting drunk to the max ) ” . french passenger answered ” Santè”
Welcome committee
While I chatted myself through immigrations with my fellow green passengers . My good friends were outside waiting for me ..and also having their own festive moments
The Rose and his two torns
After almost an hour waiting for thier message to come and informed me that they were waiting outside . I went out and then I discovered that they were also waiting for me ….the waiting game is on
We got reunited and ready for the St.Patrick’s Parade to witness .
The ANHS 89 ST. PATRICK’S tapok starts now
St .Patrick’s
After almost two years of not celebrating this event it was expected to be very crowded and very festive . This event symbolizes not only the yearly St.Patrick’s but also freedom .. the near normal feeling of what the world was prior to the covid pandemic.
The basic covid safety rules was no longer respected ( I guess some of party goers already have a respected amount of alcohol in their system.)😄😄 More so it is very fun to walked in between these crowd with a mask of course for some precautionary measures, especially that in this event 1.5 meters distance can no longer be respected or practiced .cj,
Green and very festive folks
We haven’t see a lot about the parade itself .. if you want to watch and battled yourself with these green people and the street barricade you must be very peristent .But you can also watch through the monitors of all the cellphones who have been recording the event.
We blended
I got myself a face paint to fully be immerse with the crowd ..
Irish flag on my forehead or should I say my third eyeMe asking this street painter Oohh one must document this too
Hunger strikes
After the squeezing in and out , walking in between the crowds it is time to eat. Bong made a reservation at Wings a world cuisine buffet restaurant. Here you can eat any cuisine, asian , turkish ooh vegan and vegetarian too desserts is a plus and oooh the bottomless drinks for a reasonable price. I love to believe the ” reasonable price” since Bong treated us … Thank you Bong!
We all agreed that we made the right choice by abondoning the parade and listen to our stomachs . When we were done with our lunch , On our way back to our car ( we were heading to Howth) the waiting was unbelievably long . Bong even said that when the time comes for these waiting people to have their lunch it will probably dinner then .
Take notice the super long waiting crowd
Happy tummy is all we need as we continue our St. PADDY’ s day . Let’s go Howth
Howth
Howth is an Irish Village on the Howth peninsula east of central Dublin and only 20 mins drive from east dublin ( depending with the traffic of course ) . It is known for its Fish and Chips , posh houses , awesome pier and my own conclusion amazing early spring sunset .
Howth pier
Before taking a walk to the pier, We went to starbucks ( yes ! After all these years we are still a starbucks believer🙂). Had our coffee and charge dying cellphones . At this age especially when you are travelling a dying cellphone means missing out taking dramatic pictures of the wonderful views .
The starbuck charging break
As we embarked in the pier , I pointed my phone lens to the sunset here and then I fell in love . It was a beauty and by force Bong , Maricar and Claire became my subjects with my picture taking quest .. I have even asked and directed a teener on how to take these pictures the way I have imagined them to look like .
Bong’s heart shape hands Madame Maricar as pretty as the sunset Bong imitating Bono Dusk in HowthContemplationYou and I are connected .. no distance ,nor space can go in between us .. you and I are binded in this beauty of nature.. My sister from another mother My subjects … thank you for the patience
Howth is pretty and posh . We will explore this village more next time
March 18 ( day 2 ) Powercourt waterfalls , Wexford and sumptous dinner
Breakfast at Premier Inn was worth it .
We started our day with a sumptous breakfast . A typical Irish breakfast with plenty of coffee ( on my part)
As always breakfast has always been the time ( even during our previous trips ) where planning of the day was made or I should say bucketlist places to be visited were being discussed .
Intial plan … We will be having roadtrips visiting Powercourt , Wexford and we shall were the rest brings us as long as we will have dinner at Klara’s place .
First stop Powerscourt waterfall , Wicklow
This is considered to be the highest waterfall in Ireland with approximately 121 m of cascading water that is set at the parkland foothill of wicklow mountains .
Powerscourt waterfall
There was also a beautiful hiking trail that we have not fully explored. We were more awed by the cascading waters of powerscourt . We took some pictures .. it was here that I have discovered that our Bong is not so crazy with heights , so is Maricar and Klara . I have asked them to climb with me a little bit higher to have this wonderful picture of the falls but they told me it is safer on the level that we were standing. Me being me love heights and challenges made my way up near this beautiful waterfalls .. I bribe a lady to take a picture of me ..the result was magnificient
Freedom!!
The rest of the crew took a picture near enough to waterfalls
A nice spot for picture taking as I see it. But there was a couple that sat there for quite awhile and I believe took three hundred pictures of the same angle . Determine to “steal” the spot subtly I stood there near enough to invade their small private space .. it was that not too rude it is more of a silent message of ” we want you guys to vacant the space it is our turn” it worked 🤣🤣🤣. Thus, asking a nice fellow to take a couple of family picture of us
My ANHS89 EU Fam
After Wicklow , we were planned to go to Glendalough a glacier valley with the Irish monastic style . Unfortunately we have detour due to the long waiting hours due to traffic. We went to Wexford instead walk around a bit have our coffee break at the nearby Italian pastry shop .
South of Ireland
Wexford it’s time to go .. Let’s meet Edgar, Klara’ s husband who is a magnificient cook .
When we arrived at Klar’s place we were met by Toby and Scarlett their four legged babies .
Edgar made a very delicious vegan version of bibingka ( a kind of filipino dessert) , a home made pancit canton and of course Bong’s Humba favorite . We could not thank Edgar enough for the delicious filipino cuisine that he cooked for us . Klar is one lucky momma
Chef Edgar Us and Bibingka
Time to pack and fly home
My flight was very early , it was 4:30 am when Bong , Maricar and Klara took me at the airport .
After my bagage was drop off …it was really time to say goodbye to this three wonderful host.
I am beyond touched Bong, Maricar and Klara for taking time off from all their daily routines . For spending time with me and make sure that I will have a good time .
To Bong who kept on asking me ” if I am okey or I am having a good time” .. Yes , Bong your shade of thoughtfulness made Ireland more colorful .
Maricar , despite of your busy schedules who have choosen to spent time with me . Thank you for making me special for squeezing me in between your momma duties , madame nurse and a businesswoman. It is good to see you after almost 4 years.. ❣️
Klara, you are my sister from another mother and we both feel our emotions with each other than verbalize it.. I will see you soon in Belgium ..I love you😘😘
Departure area…last groupie
I will be back Ireland ….
Memories are made of special moments shared with wonderful people . This was ANHS 89 eu mini tapok in Ireland
For someone who does not consider herself as a writer.
For someone who have a very chaotic thoughts .. So chaotic that at times she needs to silent them . Writing is her theraphy . It is in this zone that she can mirror herself and the lessons that she have learned both from direct experiences or from stories being told ..
She would try to wear different kinds of spectacles in approaching life … Appreciates the kaleidoscope that reflects her heart .
One hundred strangers from different parts of the world liked her thoughts . She is deeply humbled , grateful and now having an illusion that she can after all write …
To those who have read , liked ,shared and left some inspiring comments .. Thank you
❤
Hmmmm, maybe I can write something worthwhile after all ❣️
In every organization lies a story to be told . The Moonwalkers89 is no different from this , We are full of stories to be told to give each one of you an overview of our Identity let me give you an overview of us.
We used to be high school classmates that has graduated from Agusan National High School way back in 89 . For 30 years we haven’t had the chance to reconnect with one another we have go on with our lives dealing with our daily challenges. Until that morning of January 6, 2019 magic have happened . Our former class mayor remembered that she was the class mayor of an amazing class ( Thank you Mrs Maricar Lomada -Inchoco for reminding her ) . She wishes to have a simple get to together and so the initial formation of Moonwalkers89 have been made . May 10 , 2019 a simple class reunion turned into a brainstorming . A pact was made that we will have a joined 50th birthday celebration . To be able to keep that fire of reconnection burning , we have chosen to have a purpose while waiting for 2022 . Thus, community services in form of gift packs had been done . The Moonwalkers89 who are working and residing abroad would show their support through monetary contributions. While the one’s left behind 😀 were the one in charge with the implementations of the ideas that has always been presented by the managing officers to the core . Early 2020 the Moonwalkers89 sponsorship educational program was born. At the moment we are sponsoring two chosen students who were a graduate of ANHS and they are now at their 2nd second year college one in FSUU and the other one In CSU both of them are in the dean’s list. Mid 2020 we have been faced with a challenge as one of our classmate has been diagnose of stage 3 breast cancer . Without any hesitation we together with her family and friends have helped her battle the big C through moral and financial support . Thus Care for Hope a Jennifer medical assistant program was born. To date , we have already raised 119, 000 that has helped her with her chemo and paid for her house rent during her 1 month and half stay in CDO as she goes in the last phase of her treatment Radiation theraphy . As our 50th birthday celebration aproaches ,we are thankful for the chance and blessing that are given to us both to serve the community and the friendship that has been developed amongst us. We refuse to be define by our educational achievements but instead embrace us with our zeal to help and serve the community . We serve with purpose and kindness and we are one .
The Moonwalkers89
Tsinelas drive we have distributed at least 300 pairs of slippers for children ages 4-11 years old Start of our 50th birthday celebration thanksgiving activity Care for hope Friendship amongst usCore Loaf breads for the typhoon victims Christmas party 2020Noche buena drive 2020
jee426 