5/31/13

If Only I Were A Little Like You


I previously posted the following on my sky appreciation blog. I am re-posting it because it is the sentiment that is most apt for me right now. It's funny how at an age when I know who I am and what I want and do, there are some things said to me that surprisingly make me swell with joy. The other day, my son, upon seeing a photograph of my mother with my sister Leah on her lap, remarked "She looks just like you holding me!" In fact he remarked that every photograph of my mother holding anyone of my sisters or me when we were babies or toddlers look just like me holding him or his younger sister." That makes me very happy. I remember how as a rebellious teenager I told my mother that someday when I become a mother I will dare to be different and be not like her. She just smiled and replied "You will be different, you will be yourself, but you will have a child just like you." I looked at her knowing what she intended with that remark. She just looked at me and smiled, a kind of smile with pursed lips, her right eyebrow raised in amusement.

I will be fifty-five in a few days. It is my fortune to be second to the youngest among my siblings. I was born when my mother was at the same age I was when I had my second child. My position in our family hierarchy saved me from the tragedies of war, rebuilding lives and nation, house fire, with everything but my mother's Singer sewing machine lost, and rebuilding our home. I later learned to sew with that sewing machine. I was blessed with the love and care my parents gave me, complimented by the vigilance and protection of my elder sisters and brothers. Yet, if there is one regret I may have, it is that I waited much later in life to be a mother and lived so far from my parents. My children only saw my parents once. They were aged four and one respectively. My son remembers that visit. He especially remembered the monkey at a resort that scratched him. He remembers his grandparents. I am thankful, however lone numbered, I was able to give him those tender memories. As for my daughter she can look at the photographs. That is always a fun exercises. We remember  a naked infant chasing the ducks. Very adorable!

It is rare that I look at the clouds these days.  The one on the left is from my sister Leah's farm taken by my brother a few months before Leah was diagnosed with cancer. The photo on the right is the front of our house. One can barely see the roof of our house. I haven't been back to the home where I spent my teenage years, since my mother's funeral. Last year in February, my sister passed away. I miss my sister very much. I won't be able to phone her on my birthday this year.








July 12, 2012

As children we laid on the fields, my sisters and I. We looked up to the sky and imagined how it would be if we could fly. If there were clouds we made up stories. We laughed a lot and sometimes we remained still and listened to each other breathe. I did not tell them that I imagined a frightening image of a giant knife falling from the sky hurtling towards me. I just closed my eyes and held on to their hands for dear life.



If Only I Were A Little Like You



The world will be a better place
If only I were a little like you.
I will be of unwavering faith
Of elegant bearing and eloquence
And altruistic spirit, never forsaking.

The world will be a better place
If only I were a little like you.
I will be with great sense of humor
Inspiring and encouraging outlook
And enduring devotion.

The world will be a better place
If only I were a little like you.
I will have your brilliant mind
Your spitfire courage in quest for justice
And love for mankind.

The world will be a better place
If only I were a little like you.
I will laugh with all my heart
Be gentle and kind
Dedicated and true.

The world will be a better place
If only I were a little like you.
I will be nurturing and faithful,
Love deeply
And always be hopeful.

Instead I am me.
I thought I was brave,
instead afraid.
I thought I can speak,
instead stutter.

My heart overrules.
My clear mind clutters
You remind me that if I think less of I and me
And more of us and we
Then perhaps the world will be a better place.




Dedicated to my five sisters (who are a lot like our mother).



5/27/13

Crashing And Perusing A World of Geniuses





Crash - (noun) a group of rhinos. Long weekend: lounging in my husband's shirt, drawing a crash and perusing the works of geniuses who create beautiful works with their hands using pencils, pens, brushes, oil paints, acrylic, watercolor, ink and their brilliant creative minds: 














5/26/13

Thank You!






Thank you to the American soldiers who bravely liberated my birth country, the Philippines, from the atrocious Japanese occupation, and enabled my parents to live in peace and raise our family. The world today is dotted with evidences of freedom from tyranny because of America's dedication to democracy. Thank you to my husband's father, grandfathers and uncles who honorably served this great country. Thank you to all American soldiers who continue to dedicate their lives in service to America, my adopted country, for protecting its liberties, so that I may raise my own children in peace. Thank you to the American soldiers' families for sharing your sons and daughters with us, so that my family may live in peace and freedom.




5/24/13

Ceratotherium simum





White rhinoceros, Ceratotherium simum. Micro pigment and India ink on 19"x 24" Bristol Board. 




I am unable to scan this oversized drawing because my scanner is limited to 9"x12" images. It took so long to finish this drawing, about two weeks; not that I was impatient but I was just getting weary. Actually I used this drawing project to inspire me to get my work done so I can go home and draw. I carried this drawing back and forth to work in my oversized 20"x26" folio bag. I have become an expert in maneuvering doors. However, one day, I was carrying so many bags; my folio, computer bag, purse, lunch bag and coffee cup. I was also exhausted after a very long workday. I dropped my phone on the parking lot, without my knowledge. An honest person later found it, emailed me and left a voice mail on my work phone. Thank you!!! The photo on the far left is my phone with very own phone case that I received in the mail today from Society 6. :)








5/16/13

27




This morning, my husband gasped, covered his mouth in disbelief and stared. He looked alarmed  which scared the heck out of me. 

"What's wrong?!!! I asked in panic. 

"It's our anniversary" he replied. 

I gasped and screamed, "OH MY gaaaaaahhD!!!"


Both he and I completely forgot. Today is our anniversary. Twenty seven years!!! Still in love with and loving each other. I will take this as a positive sign. Both he and I have been extremely busy with home, work, community, H.O.A. and school activities. We have been working very long hours these past few months. Yesterday I started work at 5:30 in the morning to implement several projects. When I got home I fell asleep in the couch while watching the news and talking to the children, in my suit! By 7PM I was asleep in bed. I finally woke up feeling rested this morning. This evening we are going to watch our daughter sing in a talent show. It will be a nice anniversary celebration. We are parents of two wonderful young people and for that we are blessed. I am married to a good, kind and loving husband and a very good father. Everyday is worth celebrating.

P.S. I asked my husband if I can post this. He replied: "What is it? I am busy doing dishes right now." Okay then, I will make an executive decision. I am posting this without his consent. :) Happy Anniversary! :)






...and in between, I draw. :)




5/12/13

May Your Mother Keep Her Horn Until Death And Beyond







Black Rhinoceros. Diceros bicornis. Micro pigment and India ink on 19"x24" Bristol Board.


 
First of all, Happy Mother's Day. The everyday role of a mother is sometimes done by an aunt or a grandmother because a child's mother may have passed away or she has to travel far from home to earn a living. To all the good mothers in the world who work hard to raise their children to do their best and to be good and kind citizens, thank you. I repeat what I said yesterday and what I think and believe since I was old enough to have some sense. I know others may feel the same and that is just wonderful. I had the best mother. For that, I was born rich. Though we were lacking in material things when I was growing up, I had everything I needed to be me, the most vital of all, a wonderful mother, the best. I miss my mother. I think of her everyday. She continues to inspire and guide me. Thank you Nanay.

To my children who give me so much happiness, joy and pride, thank you. To my loving husband who helps make that all possible, thank you!

To the rhinoceros: Such a dangerous and huge undertaking just to stay alive and keep what nature has granted you. Your horn costs more than cocaine, gold and diamond. With so many little ignorant men and women halfway across the world in China, Vietnam and other Asian countries salivating at the sight of your horn, costing as much as $65,000.00 per kilogram, people who are supposed to live with you and protect you, instead, poach you, leaving you to die. In 2011, the Javan rhino was officially declared extinct in Vietnam. The last rhino killed by a poacher. In April, all the rhinos in the Mozambican region of the Great Limpopo Park were killed by poachers...they were the last 15 of a total of 300 - all killed by poachers with the help of corrupt rangers. Will the ignorance of the people in countries like Vietnam, China and people elsewhere who believe in traditional quack Chinese medicine hasten your extinction? Yet there are scientists who believe that legalizing rhino horn trade will be the only way to stop your extinction. What about a death penalty for all poachers and criminal merchants of rhino horn? 




Will the rhinoceros have a future?







This 19"x24" pen and ink drawing on Bristol Board is first in a series of four drawings I am doing for my son who thinks rhinoceros are cool animals.









5/11/13

Happy Mother's Day




I had the best mother. For that, I was born rich. Though we were lacking in material things when I was growing up, I had everything I needed to be me, and the most vital of all, I had the best mother. Thank you Nanay. 




In the comfort and safety of her shadow...Drawing in progress. 19"x24" Bristol board. I am attempting to draw four large rhinoceros images. 



5/4/13

My Brother





My Brother, The Mathematics Professor. 2012. Pen and ink on 9"x12" Bristol Board




This is an old drawing. I wanted to repost this because I read this article today. It is about my brother. You know how I often swoon over my brothers and sisters. I have nothing but the highest regard and admiration for them. One would think it is only natural for me to do that because I am their sister. So, it is wonderful when a very respected judge verifies it. :) 

The writer is a childhood friend and an elementary and high school classmate of my brother. He is now a judge in the city where I grew up. He and my sister Leah attended the same law school. My brother is a very kind and humble man. His mathematical equations have been used by NASA and in several scientific researches. 

I used this image because I did this drawing after I perused the photographs my brother took of the exotic plants and flowers last year. I have never seen most of them, how could that be? Maybe I did not look hard. Maybe because I do not like wild places. Several weeks after I completed this drawing, my brother had poison ivy. Oh my. I told him it must have been from going deep into the wild rain forests. I remembered being distressed about it when I talked to him on the phone. He just kept saying "yes, yes" to whatever I said just to make me stop. Hah!






5/2/13

On and on...







I just want to say hello to everyone. It is May and the temperature outside is 46F!!! What is going on?

This drawing is taking more time than I ever want to spend on it. It is on its 5th day. My left wrist started swelling and hurting. I have no idea why, because I am using my right hand for drawing. The left hand just stays wherever I rest it. The other day I can hardly move my left wrist. I thought I had arthritis or gout. Argh! 

These photos were taken today before my husband and I left for Mozart's Symphony No. 40.  Yes, I changed and got dressed and brushed my hair. :)