Noticed the new appearance of this blog? Like it? I hope so. I thought that it’s an appropriate time to change our template, coinciding with the start of the new year. The image at the top left even shows a pair of eyeglasses, which incidentally jibes well with the name of this blog, “Salamin.” Salamin is the Filipino word for “eyeglasses” or “mirror.”
Anyway, I just found out that I’ve been tagged by Niceheart. Sounds like fun. It reveals a lot about a person’s experiences and idiosyncrasies. So here’s my list:
1. Sell my Dad’s paintings.
In our house, you will find several paintings hanging on the walls. All of them were painted by my Dad. At the altar of The Salvation Army in Tondo Corps, you will also find a large painting depicting the Salvation Army flag and the road to calvary (I hope they have not replaced it yet). That was also my Dad’s handiwork, one of his masterpieces so to speak. I believe that there are other paintings that have been given away to friends and relatives. Dad’s paintings are one of the most precious legacies that he has left me and my family.
2. Write a program.
I suck at writing programs. Sounds a bit unusual for a Physics graduate, but it is unfortunately true for my case. When I was forced to take up programming in one of our courses in college, I had to tap into Baggy’s brains to write my programs. Kaya siguro di ako natuto?
3. Leave home without my health insurance card.
This sounds a bit paranoid. But here in Japan, the insurance card is the first thing that they ask for when you go to the hospital. I’ve made it a habit to always bring my insurance card anywhere I go, even when I go out of the country.
4. Go overseas without a travel insurance.
Years ago we never bothered about buying travel insurance. But we have acquired this habit of buying one for every trip we make – just like most Japanese, I guess. Some people would probably think that this is just a waste of money. But we are seguristas. Besides, some visa applications do require one to present a valid travel insurance as part of the requirements.
5. Drink and drive.
Actually, I’m not much of a drinker. But I always stay away from alcohol during parties because I am always the designated driver.
6. Have braces again.
I had such a bad experience when I wore braces several years ago. Aside from the usual pain and suffering, I had to lose two of my premolars, and then four of my incisors “died” and had to be treated by RCT (root canal treatment). My teeth have been aligned properly alright, but now I have to deal with four yellowing teeth because of the RCT. Ugh. 🙁
7. Have my ears pierced.
Yep, I’ve never had them pierced. My mom didn’t have them pierced when I was young. In retrospect, that was a good thing, because at least now I have a choice about piercing my ears or not. And indeed, I prefer not to. Some girls have had their ears pierced even before they had the chance to decide about it. So I have left my daughter’s ears unpierced, and she is free to do whatever she wants with them when she’s grown-up. I didn’t name her “Kalayaan” for nothing. 😀
8. Eat “nattou.”
Nattou (納豆) is fermented soya beans, usually taken with rice and raw egg. Ewww! I tried it once and vowed never to eat it again. It probably is the stinkiest food I’ve ever encountered. In fairness, I think other people have the same revulsions to bagoong, which I do eat.
9. Have a dog for a pet.
Now don’t get me wrong. I love dogs. I just don’t want them as pets. 🙂 No, seriously, I was bitten by a dog twice. The same dog bit me twice, one on each leg. I still have my scars to prove it. I just don’t want to take my chances with dogs anymore. Not unless that dog has lost all of its teeth already. 😉
10. Have a laser treatment to correct my sight.
I’m myopic. I’ve worn eyeglasses since I was 11. But I like wearing glasses, really. It will take a lot of convincing for me to undertake something as drastic as laser treatment to cure my sight.
It’s my turn to tag. I’m tagging you, Lai. **Evil grin**
whatta… how did i end up getting tagged?? but this is quite a different take on the new year. hehe. “my new year resolutions” is gettting old.
wow! those are really nice paintings that could be pass on to generations after generations.
we never bought travel insurance in all our travelling… never found the need for it so far. besides, our health plan will cover overseas emergency treatment.
thanks for visiting my blog.
Wow! Your dad is a painter pala. That’s cool! I also always carry my health card, that’s what we call it here. That’s also the first thing they ask here not only when you’re hospitalized but when you’re buying prescription. And all my children are attached to my health card.
I am one of those Filipinos who don’t eat bagoong. 🙂 We also don’t have any pets. It’s just too much responsibility. I already have three kids to look after. 🙂
Now I know why this blog is titled salamin. 🙂
hi, thanks for dropping by my site.
i should have included #5 on my list. i lost an uncle because of a drunk driver.
hey you…you better work on that list! 😛
hi JO! thanks for dropping by.
you’re right about my dad’s paintings. he used to tell us that when he’s gone, his grandchildren and grand-grandchildren would have something to look at, and that they would be proud to know that their grandpa created it. lovely thought, isn’t it?
It seems that Canada and Japan have the same schemes regarding health insurance.
Well, we do have pets. We have 4 goldfishes. 🙂 We are also not allowed to have dogs or cats in our building, so I guess that limits our choices.
hi karen, thanks for dropping by.
i’m sorry to hear about your uncle. this is also a rampant problem here in Japan. our area is particularly prone to traffic accidents due to drunk drivers. it’s scary. 🙁