Pssst...its my Bday!

It is the 29th past 10 AM (Manila)

but 28th past 6 PM in other countries.
I was born on the 28th at 8 AM.
But it does not really matter
because birthdays are just dates
that mark your passing on earth . . .
I normally treat my family to lunch
but since I will be out and so will my other sis Loyd
(there are only 3 people in the house!)
I told them I will just buy something.
So I bought mango cake roll (top picture),
buko salad ice cream I ate with fresh banana,
and pansit malabon (yummy noodle dish for long life.)
I gave everyone including our neighbor,
our neighbors' dogs and my dog Sweepy
and of course my two older sisters who live with me!
This morning I ate the leftover cake with coffee
and tried to read the papers to no avail.
Sweepy had bum stomach
(I have to avoid giving him sweets!)
and I had to take him out for fresh grass.
Grass relieves dogs upset stomach . . .

So on my birthday,
nursing my swollen throat
and practically dying from the heat
I conducted an art session . . .
This is called Top of the World made by my student Ignacio.
(This is a visual exercise using top view perspective)
Ignacio is in his 40s and has mental retardation.
I am always advised against using that term
and instead to use special or with disabilities.
But Ignacio is comfortable with the word 'retarded'
and I believe that if we are able to face our disabilities
(everybody has one!) we can resolve the difficulties
and learn to rise above it. . .
This is Ignacio's second artwork inspired by The Lorax.
I indulge my students with narratives
and when they wanted to illustrate it
I encourage them to do so!
Art, in its many forms (media),
can be our best medium to clarify,
to heal, to resolve complexities,
to activate our sleeping brains (whole-brain activity)
(some modern gadgets can make part of our brain passive!)
and basically to make us whole again!
I felt better after my session with Ignacio
and he looked happy with the results as well!
And this is the reason why I design and facilitate workshops!

So it is my birthday. The weather is lousy but a lot of people (and animals!) made me feel better and special and happy. So thank you to all who greeted me: Elle, Teddy, Jojo and his family (Dennis even texted me!), Belinda, Annabelle, Rizalina, Magnolia, Mhel, Joey (I MISS YOU bro!), Lisa January, Erlyn, Denise G (love the e-card!), Viola and Pusa, Tita Virgie and Minda, Andrea, Rissa, Joyen, Ingrid, Patrick & Joey, Allan, Rob, Celadon, Dinky, and our neighbor dogs Dawgy and Putol, Jennifer M . . . I will update as it comes . . .

This is a special post to all my friends.
It is not linked to any memes.

Thank you for thinking of me.
I truly truly appreciate this.
I zap you all with healing light, love and pure energy!