Ma Durga

Surround me with your loving arms...hold me in your heart.
Let me know that I am loved
and that I can love.
Show me that no matter where I go
That I come and go in You.
I am never out of your loving presence.
That you are the smile behind the smile,
the touch behind the touch
The kiss behind the kiss...
You are the constant presence that I forget until I remember
and when I remember my Self, I remember You.
I sing your Name. What else can I think of? You ARE Love.
And I AM You.

- Ma Durga by Krishna Das

Happy Mother's Day!

Jai Ma

We love you, Ma.

Happy Mother's Day to all... yogins or not.

Faith and Service

My mother was a bit worried that Johann won't be able to continue his education in a normal school because of his disability.  Some schools didn't even bother to check his mental abilities when they saw him on the wheelchair which got my mother really upset.  


Johann is a bright kid and even speaks English better than some of his teachers.


A couple of weeks ago, my sister informed me that Mama was really happy that Johann got accepted at the Brokenshire High School in Davao.  An exciting high school life awaits Johann this June.  

Sometimes, all we need to do is have a little more faith in the universe.

***

Kino left right after the morning led class.  I feel really blessed for the opportunity to assist her.  It's like assisting Freddie Roach as he trains Manny Pacquaio for his next fight (Ok, I'm not really a boxing fan but you get my point.)  Assisting Kino Macgregor!  Shut up!  Struck by the brightness of her star, hehehe.

"Have faith in the method," she said to the group yesterday.

***

Fides et sevitum.  That is the motto of Brokenshire College.  Isn't it very yogic?

***

It's pizza day!  Had 4 slices and a bowl of stir-fried noodles topped with stir-fried asparagus. 

Now off to take a nap by the beach and under the coconut trees.

Not!  I'm just making you envious.  I'm actually at home and will take a nap on the sofa bed with the fan on.  This photo was taken a couple of days ago when the sky wasn't that clear.  I have to make sure that I'm properly dressed as my housemate arrived yesterday with me flat dead on the sofa bed with my running shorts only.  I was too tired to even notice her coming in.  Another embarrassing experience to be added on the list, hehehe.

Zzzzzzz...

Johann's Journey to Disney

It was Johann's first time to travel by plane and he was such a sweet kid.  He didn't give us a hard time by complaining about the chair or the long wait at the airport.

Mama and Johann on the plane to Manila.  Photo taken by the blog admin.

On our way to Hongkong, Johann was very excited because it was his first plane ride, first time to go abroad, and first time to go to Disneyland.  There were a lot of "firsts" in that experience.

The standard airline procedure for people who needs special assistance is to wheel them to the plane door, transfer them to the aisle wheelchair, and then to their assigned seat.  Johann's spine has to be supported well and it is difficult for those who do not know his structural condition to just carry him.  So, to make things easier and faster, Kuya ("big brother") simply carried Johann from the door to his assigned seat.  

Johann with Kuya.

When it was time to deplane, we did the same.  

The only thing that was difficult was when Johann had to use the airline wheelchair.  He has a specialized wheelchair with high back support.  The back rest of standard wheelchairs can only support the back but not the head.  Also, there's the foot rest which cannot really support Johann's legs as he has fused knee joints, meaning, he can't bend from the knees.  His wheelchair looks similar to the photo below but with high back rest, high seat, and no foot rest.

Photo from www.libertylive.org.  Used here for non-commercial purposes.

When we arrived in Manila, we immediately transfered to the international terminal and again, the transition was smooth.  We already had our boarding passes so we just had to go through the immigration formalities.  The television at the pre-departure area kept Johann entertained as we waited for our flight to Hongkong. 

It was another 1 hour and 45 minute plane ride from Manila to Hongkong.  When we got off the plane, there was already someone waiting to assist us.  Again, everything was smooth.  We went through a special lane at the immigration area and the lady assisted us until we got a cab.  Hongkong taxis are wide so it wasn't difficult to transfer Johann from his wheelchair to the backseat.  

 In short, the journey was smooth and Johann was all smiles when we finally got in our room.

***

JG posted this on her facebook and I reposted it.

"People need to understand that special needs children don't have an illness; they are not looking for a cure... only acceptance."

Thanks to Chin for this link.

Johann in Disney 2010

Johann at the Parade with Mickey giant float

Johann with Pooh the balloon

With Donald, Papa and Mama.

"Thank you machi... I had a great time at Disney..." - Johann

It's a long day...

At the NAIA 2 waiting for the flight to HK.

A dream coming true...

Johann will finally meet Mickey this weekend...

He graduated from primary school last tuesday.  

Unfortunately, I wasn't there to celebrate with the family.

On my way home to Davao this evening and tomorrow we fly to HK.

Will post photos next week.

Ciao.

How to be Happy?

1. Have a Healthy Outlet

2. Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously


3. Happiness Must be Shared

Click here to read the article "Happiness: 3 amazing tips from the world's oldest case study" by Yeah Dave.

Happy Father's Day

Johann and Papa

Kids of Hope

“Kids of Hope” is about children with cancer from Mindanao at Davao Medical Center and the people who care for them. Young as they are, these patients have exuded great courage in the battle against this terrible disease. They are all living proof that hope could spring even from the youngest hearts and can encourage greater strength to all.

My brother does not have cancer but he was born with arthrogryposis multiplex. He's our constant source of hope, love, strength and inspiration.

And he's a vegetarian!