A Gift of Love

I’ve always believed I was married on December 24, 1964. I was until I applied for my Philippine Social Security System Retirement in 2006. The system asked me to produce my marriage certificate. When I applied for one, no record showed of my marriage! Ahhhhhh…I’ve been single all these years!

So, I thought until Ces reminded me of out shotgun wedding ceremony before the Mayor of Whatever-that-town was in Rizal Province during a typhoon on November 20, 1964. Her aunt after having been told that we were seen coming out of a movie theater (lovers meet in movie theaters in the Islands), picked us up from our college newspaper office that literally stormy day and married us off because she was afraid of the repercussions of her failure to “watch” over her niece who was living with her. Actually, Ces and I went to a restaurant near a movie house to celebrate my birthday. We got married even before we kissed!

December 24 was our church wedding. Legally, we were married on November 20, 1964. So, for the first time in 43 years, we recognize that date because our dear friend Zeny Barlaan, who is also a client, gave us a gift of love. She made a down payment on a Hyundai Entourage Limited Edition family van and gave it to us as a gift! We will, of course, assume the monthly payment.

What a friend!

Surprisingly, this limited edition is a wonderful vehicle. It is fully automatic. Side doors electronically open. So does the hatch at the back. It has a six-disc stereo system and a surround sound DVD player. It drives very smoothly and picks up speed in no time at all. The ride is so comfortable one could forget the speed. That is why I always set the cruise control so I stop myself from overspeeding.

Look at the vehicle. The Hyundai Entourage 2008 Limited Edition

No Worries

A lot of people are sitting on edge about the U.S. Presidential Election tomorrow, November 4, 2008. They are worried about the economy. They dread the prospects of more abortion. Still others ponder black or white, young or old and man or woman.

Electing Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin appears to many to be crucial in making or breaking the United States. Passion is strong. What is a person to do?

Me? I entrust my decision to God. It is His will, not mine. If Obama wins or McCain does, the world will go on living, unless the Lord wills it differently.

If the polls are true, many despise the administration of George W. Bush. Yet, the United States lives despite the difficulties.

The reason? The Will of God! God will never put us in a position where His Grace will not save us. Put your faith completely in Him. There is a purpose for everything that happens. Everything happens ultimately for the greater glory of God.

Don't worry. Be happy because God loves you unconditionally.

The Taste of Salmon

Salmon was never close to my liking of seafood until I tasted the baked salmon of Barbara Dickinson, the Knight’s Lady of my friend and fraternity brother PGK Bill Dickinson. Barbara bakes the most delicious salmon I’ve ever tasted. It has no smell. No fishy after-taste. Just pure, heavenly, delicious taste. A taste I could not put my hands on!

I think Barbara should really do some catering with her baked salmon. She loves to cook. So does Bill. Together, they make a wonderful chef-couple. They, in fact, do a lot of cooking for the Knights of Columbus Council 4488. Barbara and Bill are both retired, but they could make baking salmon as hobby and make a lot of people happy. I’m certain that once you will have tasted their baked salmon, you will not want any other but theirs!

Rhan, Bill and Barbara Dickinson at a reception that featured Barbara’s famous baked salmon

What do you say, Barb?