Grateful Heart

Except if you’re a Filipino living in the States, Pinoys generally don’t observe Thanksgiving. For me at least, I’ve only been directly affected by that American holiday when I worked for an inbound call center more than a decade ago. It’s one of those rare times of the year when reps rejoice because of the low call volume.

A relative in the US told me that Thanksgiving Day, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, is a big deal for most Americans as Christmas Day would be for us Filipinos. Families gather together for a Thanksgiving feast of large roast turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce. They usually have enough leftovers to last them for many days, that people in the office and in school would get sick of eating turkey in sandwiches, salads, casserole, pie, etc.

Another one of their age-old traditions is watching the NYC Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in the morning and the NFL in mid-afternoon.

After which they wait for Black Friday, the Friday following Thanksgiving Day. It’s the official start of the Christmas shopping season where many retail stores are on sale. I heard how a lot of people would camp out the stores to get the first dibs on the sale items. In recent years, Cyber Monday became a thing. It’s the Monday following Thanksgiving when retailers encourage people to shop online, to probably prevent frantic shoppers from raiding the stores on Black Friday.

“Parang mga baliw!” (They’re crazy!) — an older cousin (who had been in the US since the late `70s) once said, obviously not one to risk stampede for sale items.

***

While it all sounds like fun to me, it’s not like we’re missing out on anything just because we don’t have Thanksgiving. We have our own traditions worth mentioning.

If it’s just about spending time with family and friends over food, we have Noche Buena, Medya Noche and town fiestas for that.

If it’s about dashing to stores for sale, duh—we have that too. Make that all weekends from the beginning of ‘-ber’ months.

Turkey? I bet lechon is waaaay better.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being a Thanksgiving grinch here like Chandler Bing. I’m not even going to burst your festive bubble by telling you about the genocide and slaughter behind the commemoration of this holiday. Instead, I’m here more to say that whether we celebrate it or not, one thing rings true: We should always focus on giving thanks for all our blessings.

My heart is full of gratitude that every day for me is actually Thanksgiving Day. No matter how tough circumstances may have been for me at times, I begin and end my day thanking the Lord for all the blessings, graces, lessons, hope and even trials that He gives me. Thanksgiving is not just for answered prayers because I know how some unanswered prayers lead us to a better way based on His grand plan.   

Remember: A grateful heart is a happy and contented heart.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Infinity plus 1

I woke up to sad news this morning. My former Math teacher and class adviser in junior high school passed away.

The details of his passing are still unclear as of this writing. From what I initially heard, his body is already showing early signs of decomposition because he had been dead for 2-3 days when he was found inside his condo unit.

This teacher was notorious for being strict. Unfortunately for me who’s struggling in his subject, he’s never short on the insults and the name-calling. I will never forget how he once threatened me; that he’ll throw a stapler right smack on my forehead because I was having a hard time solving an equation on the blackboard. (Do that at this day and age, and that will be enough to get him to Raffy Tulfo’s show.)

Except for when I was already in college, I was never, ever a teacher’s pet. When I look back and think about why some teachers didn’t like me back in high school, I honestly can’t find a justifiable reason. I mean — I know I might have been talkative in class, but I was never rowdy or unruly; I might have been a slacker at times, but I was never irresponsible; it may look like I was cold and indifferent, but I was never disrespectful.

Maybe it has something to do with how I come off to them. Perhaps it’s my overall mien that made me somewhat unlikeable to some members of the faculty. 

Then again, compared to other teachers who hated me just because, sir would only lose his cool on me during his class. And I really can’t blame him if he flips out on me. My brain cells usually go kaput when I am asked to solve an equation in front of the class.

I understand even then that his anger is more of frustration, especially when he knew I am pretty good at most of my subjects (and an academic scholar even). When the bell rings signaling the end of his class, nothing becomes personal. As a matter of fact, he’s particularly nice and fair to me. 

This sets him apart from the other teachers who resort to berating a pupil beyond the usual teacher-student interaction. Bully teachers criticize you not because you are struggling on the subject or for having bad behavior, but just because he or she doesn’t like you.  

I see nothing wrong with having a strict teacher if the purpose is to build up the student to be better. That’s how sir was to me. His approach may be to instill fear but it worked in earning my respect. It’s no wonder why despite his notoriety, he is well-loved by his former students.

Through infinity, sir. Rest in Peace. 

Potent

If you openly cough and sneeze around me without covering your mouth and nose, know that I will let you see that I’ll cover mine. I will let you know I’m utterly disgusted; I will let you feel that IT’S NOT OKAY.

Simply put, why would I even care if you get offended when you were the one who’s reckless and insensitive in the first place?

I took a jeepney ride to work one morning. This lady seated next to me had been coughing and she didn’t even bother to cover her freakin' mouth. Not an “excuse me” even. She just hacked for a good two minutes like she’s a cough and cold machine indiscriminately firing virus at us.

Because the jeepney is almost packed, the most I can do is to shift in my seat, take out my handkerchief (I always have one) and cover my mouth. The lady noticed my uneasiness and my not-so-amused face, but that didn’t stop her from barking some more. I seriously think she’s well aware that I’m bothered based on my disapproving looks, but I think part of her wanted to be stubborn and show me (or us) that she can be obnoxious and she doesn’t care.

I was so baffled at her lack of concern for the people around her in such a cramped space, to think that she looks like an employee in one of the buildings in Makati, so I assume she’s educated. I mean, where is her etiquette?  Even my four-year-old nephew, with his short limbs, knows how to cough inside of his elbows.   

***

I don’t get sick very often, but early this year, after watching the Chinese New Year festivities in Binondo, I caught one of the worst cough and flu ever (that is, even if I get the yearly flu vaccine). It was so bad it took me several weeks before I can fully recover.

I believe I got it after using a crowded public restroom inside Lucky Chinatown mall. I remember that while waiting, there’s this lady behind me who had been sniffing and coughing. As it looked like she’s a senior, I let her use the toilet first and then followed shortly afterward. 

Use your imagination.

I’m one who washes her hands thoroughly after every trip to the loo, but maybe the virus that got me (or I got) was airborne. Just thinking of this made me wonder how many ended up with the same symptoms considering that there’s so many of us in that very crowded room.

Infectious diseases unheard of decades ago, are on the rise. Viruses are more potent; outbreaks have been very common that some are even fatal. I go home to two little kids and an almost octogenarian mother. I don’t want to be a carrier of a virus that I may likely pass to them.

It’s hard enough to get sick but at least I have leaves that I can use and I have a comprehensive health plan paid for by my company. But that’s not the case for some of my other family members. If they get sick, it would spell a lot of trouble. And I’m not just talking about the hospitalization and medication costs, but more about their overall well-being.

So yes. You can call me squeamish or “maarte”, but if you don’t take steps in making sure that we won’t get what you have, be ready to see the disgust on my face. If you even dare call me out for behaving as such, then be prepared to hear my bitchy tirade on why I think you don’t have basic manners.     

And you can be sure I practice what I preach. When I have the colds or flu, especially if it’s severe, I call in sick and stay home. I don’t take mass public transport. If I’m well enough to come to the office but still coughing and having the sniffles, I make sure I have my face mask on, a bottle of alcohol and wipes within arm’s reach.

I keep my distance. When they get close enough, I let them know that I’m sick and I don’t want them to catch what I have. In short, I care for the people around me. So much so that I do the necessary measures to make sure I won’t transmit what I have.

Sadly, not everyone thinks the same. There are people who — when they feel miserable and sick — would like others to feel it too. These are the kind of people I would gladly punch in the face if I could.