K by Amelia Iriarte Kohno
Funny Anecdotes
A recent visit by a niece and nephew made my Mother's Day enjoyable and delightful. Aireen passing the Nurses' Board Exam and Dondon who found a stable job, were enjoying their first overseas trip experiences. It started with their comfortable use of the modern toilet and bathroom. They were so amused all they could say was, "Wow! It's so different from the ones we have back home." Tacloban is an urban city but things like these (super toilets) are not yet available in the market.
They were really so delighted the first time I brought them to a big modern mall where the toilets were state of the art! Aireen and I were using this toilet for handicapped/old people complete with curtains and a reclining chair that could be converted into a bed. One could even take a shower complete with soap and shampoo. I had to use the toilet first thinking I'd make fun on Aireen testing her if she knew how to use such gadgets for the first time. The sensor-controlled flush did amuse her.
When I first arrived in Japan 30 years ago, the "but’ton benjo" was still used even at public places like train stations. It was the simplest toilet dug out of the ground and modestly wooden covered. So users could always see whatever droppings they made and the natural smell produced. Also, one had to squat which made going to the toilet a sacrifice.
Sometime ago, a European friend came for overnight stay in the house. As she was a good cook, she wanted to prepare her favorite whole chicken dish for dinner. So we left her in the kitchen, while we watched TV in another room. However, after a while when she called us, I thought we could start eating, only to find out that the chicken in the casserole was already boiling with soap bubbles. She had mistakenly used a bottle of liquid dish washing soap thinking it was cooking oil. We ended up eating a canned luncheon meat that night. But my German couple guest made the best onion soup we ever tasted with their home made ingredients.
On another occasion, another female guest with some other friends was again staying with us. As it was the Japanese practice of taking turns in using the same water in the bath tub, she wanted to go first. The Japanese custom was for the "men" in the family to use the bath tub first before the women. I had my first *unpleasant* experience the first time my husband and I attended their family New Year reunion. He came from a big family with 6 siblings and we were quite a number including the children. We were the last, as I was the latest addition to this big family. You can just imagine the feeling of getting out of the tub that winter night. To me, it didn't make sense staying in the tub that night, not feeling really cleaned. The good point was I learned many things from the “bath lesson” that night. Truly, experiences do make us wiser in the end.
In our Kyoto house, my husband got used to our practice that anybody can use the bathroom anytime. After telling my visitors that they could only wash or clean themselves outside the bathtub, they felt so refreshed after immersing in the bathtub – tub is only used for soaking and relaxing. But I still remember one time when my husband called my attention that, when it was already his turn, there was no more water! He had to wait for the new refill.
In our lives, we had to look at the humorous side in dealing with sudden unexpected events. As the line goes, “catch a falling star and enjoy those precious moments.” Smile and you will always overcome....
July-August Forecast
by Madam Marivic
TIGER
This month brings you good opportunities when it comes to work and relationship. At ito ang simula ng pag-angat ng iyong career. Makinig lang sa payo ng mga nakakatanda. Madaling makamit ang tagumpay na iyong hinahangad ng hindi hihingi ng tulong sa iba. Huwag munang pairalin ang pride. Magpakumbaba at magtatagumpay ka. You will be facing some slight problems. Be careful not to be depressed in August. Ipagpaliban muna ang mga malalaking events at meetings. Maghintay ng tamang pagkakataon para sa mga bagay na dapat gawin.
SNAKE
Pag-ingatan ang iyong kalusugan. Madali kang kapitan ng mga common colds, flu at ibang virus na nakukuha sa iyong kapaligiran. Uminom ng tamang bitamina at kumain ng nasa tamang oras. Kailangan mo ng sapat na pahinga at bakasyon sa trabaho. Month of August is the most exciting month for you kaya huwag maging mabagal. Grab the new opportunities that come your way dahil ito ay mawawala agad. Huwag magagalit o maiinggit. Be nice to everyone and help other people at babalik agad kung ano ang iyong ginawa.
RAT
May mga taong mag-aalok ng tulong at magiging abala ka sa buwang ito. Money luck is stable at para naman doon sa naghahanap ng love or romantic relationship, nasa tabi na ninyo ang iyong hinahanap. Maging mapagmasid. Month of August brings you good and bad. Good, dahil magtatagumpay ka iyong trabaho at sa mga darating. Bad, dahil may mga taong maiinggit at hihilahin ka pababa. Mag-ingat dahil baka isa sa mga kaibigan mo ang gumawa nito sa iyo. Huwag basta magtitiwala at maging alerto.
DOG
July is a great month to fall in love. Marami ang umaaligid sa iyo at gustong makuha ang atensyon mo ngunit hindi lahat ay may magandang intensyon sa iyo. Mag-ingat sa infidelity, maging sensitibo sa lahat ng nangyayari at huwag hayaang makagawa ng isang bagay na pagsisisihan lalo na kung makaka-apekto sa buhay may asawa. In August, quarrelsome comes your way. Madali kang uminit ng ulo sa mga maririnig. Pag-ingatan ang mga bibitawang salita at iwasan makasakit ng damadamin ng iba. Umiwas din sa tsismis at pigilin ang iyong sarili dahil ito ang hahadlang sa iyong tagumpay.
ROOSTER
May mga problemang darating sa iyo ngayong buwan ng Hulyo. Hindi ito ang tamang panahon para gumawa ng mga importanteng bagay. Umiwas sa problema ng iba, at ipagpaliban ang mga naiisip na plano. Maghintay ng takdang panahon para dito. Ma-didistract ka sa bagong pag-ibig because the magic starts to work to those who have the peach blossom stars in your chart this month of August. To those who are in a relationship, they will go to the next level. Some of them thinking about getting married. At sa mga may asawa, focus and spend more quality time with your family.
BOAR
“Love is in the air” para sa buwan ng Hulyo. Marami ang gustong manligaw; marami kang makikila; ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga kaibigan ay mas lalalim pa ang samahan. Attend some parties and expand your social network, baka dito mo na makita ang iyong hinahanap ngunit mag-iingat sa love triangle. Patuloy ang swerte sa pananalapi. Ang buwan ng Agosto ay magbibigay sa iyo ng problema pagdating sa trabaho. Ipagpaliban ang mga proyektong may kaugnayan sa trabaho. Ang pakikipag-sosyo sa negosyo ay hindi rin magandang gawin ngayong buwan. Lie low when it comes to important matters and when you are in a difficult situation; try not to be involved with anyone dahil hindi mo alam kung sino ang tapat sa iyo.
SHEEP
Maganda ang pasok ng trabaho at sa negosyo. This is a good time to focus on what you desire. May mga oportunidad na darating sa iyo; marami kang pag-pipilian ngunit mag-iingat na huwag magkamali ng desisyon. Share your blessings to the people who are in need. The good fortune continues to flow on your chart, may mga suwerting hindi inaasahan na darating maging positibo at huwag pairalin ang inggit dahil ikaw mismo ang magwawala ng suwerte na nasa iyo. Maniwala sa iyong kakayahan at mag-tatagumpay ka, tingnan ang positibong bagay; huwag ang negatibo.
OX
You are now ready to move on at nalagpasan mo ang mga bad luck na nangyari sa iyo last month. Magtatagumpay ka sa iyong mithiin, because heavens luck brings you good opportunities in your doorstep. May mga taong tutulong sa iyo at magiging abala sa trabaho. Huwag palalagpasin ang mga oportunidad na darating. Kumilos baka mahuli ang lahat. In August, madali para sa iyo ang bumuo ng mga kaibigan lalo na sa trabaho. Working with others benefits you greatly, ma-impress mo ang ibang tao. Make the best use of your ability to get along with others. Paglaanan din ng panahon at oras ang pamilya.
MONKEY
There is a lot of exciting new opportunities you need to grab the main chance and act as fast as you can. There is plenty of fire energy in your chart and it is produced by wood element. Heto ang magbibigay ng good luck sa business. Dito mo makikita ang malaking pagbabago sa iyong buhay. Money luck is good but you need to activate it if you want to benefit from it. Success! Career, wealth and money luck! This month of August brings you a lot of opportunities headed your way, if you believe this will make your dreams come true. Ipakita sa tao ang iyong kakayahan at huwag matakot na subukan ang lahat ng bagay. Maging positibo.
DRAGON
Your energy level is very weak this month. Umiwas sa mga taong may sakit at madali para sa iyo ang mahawa. Mag-ingat dahil may mga unexpected accident na darating and it could hurt yourself. You have to combat the negative earth energy by wearing metal energy. If you feel sick, visit the doctor. August is a great month for you, the victory star brings you more success in business and career. Malalampasan mo lahat ng mga pinagdaanan at mababago ang takbo ng buhay. Maging bukas ang mata at tenga. Kumilos at huwag palampasin ang mga darating na pagkakataon.
RABBIT
Medyo mag-iimprove ang buwan ng July sa iyo kompara sa mga nakaraang buwan. Matatapos ang mga project na nasimulan. Relationship with others is very smooth. This is a new beginning and start to enjoy your luck but you need to put extra effort in everything you do. Makikita mo ang tagumpay sa iyo. Month of August brings you small mishaps but it can become bigger problems. Don’t get stressed out over small things. You will be facing some financial losses or unexpected expenses. Hindi ito ang tamang buwan para gumastos lalo na kung ikaw ay nagigipit. Umiwas sa gulo or anything small argument, lalo itong makakadagdag sa problemang dinadala mo.
HORSE
Be careful when it comes to your personal safety. May posibilidad na maloko or mawalan. Aside from that your life goes smoothly and happy. Just remember to take care and avoid risks. Huwag basta-basta magtitiwala lalo na kung hindi mo gaano kilala. Check all the documents before signing. You have a lot of good fortune this month of August. May mga taong handang tumulong sa iyo. Huwag mo lamang babaliwalain ang mga payo ng mga nakakatanda. There are also people who will turn you down at hindi mo kailangan ang tulong nila because they are not sincere and genuine. Isa sila sa mga nakaka-istorbo sa iyo.
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