Snowbirds Living in the Philippines : A Post Card from Bora, Bora, French Polynesia

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

A Post Card from Bora, Bora, French Polynesia

1 received the above post card from Alix and Brendan during their honeymoon in Bora Bora three weeks ago. Alix is one of my four grand daughters. She is my second grand daughter that is married. Alix is the oldest daughter of my son, Dodie. Thank you Alix and Brendan for the post card. I am honored to be remembered during one of the happiest event in your young life.

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-top-twenty-honeymoon-destinations.html

I wish more grand children remembers their grand parents, in spite of the busy schedule of daily living and practicing their profession. I will treasure this post card as a symbol of our good relationship between grand father (LOLO) and grand daughter. More Power to Grand Children who remembers their Grand Parents.

I also know also that you are one of my two grand daughters that showed interest in knowing more about your Filipino heritage. Here are two sites describing my ancestral roots both from father's side of the Family-the C(K)atague Clan and my mother's side of the Family the Balleza Clan.

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2021/07/my-kcatague-ancestry-on-my-fathers-side.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2021/07/my-balleza-ancestry-on-my-mothers-side.html

And here's the site of the ancestry of your LOLA Macrine maternal side of the Family-The Nieva Clan

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2014/11/latest-update-on-ancestry-of-nievas.html

I exert no pressure. But I am looking forward to meet my future great grand children soon!

Love You, Alix and Brendan. May your marriage be filled with happiness and laughter now and forever. Visit me again here at THD soon. LOLO

Meanwhile here are two of my favorite quotes on marriage.

“Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife.” – Franz Schubert. “There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.” – Martin Luther.

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Joys of Retirement

I have been retired from USFDA since 2002. At first, I feel I have lost my identity as an individual or have lost my contribution to society. However, within a few weeks all these feelings were gone. It started when my wife and I started baby sitting one of our grandchildren. As some economics professor states: "Your children are your capital investments, but your grandchildren are your profits. That is why you love your grandchildren more than your children". I really agree with the statement. Retirement also gives you lots of time to do things you like to do, such as your hobbies and of course travel. In my case, I turned my hobby of gardening and landscaping into a small business in the Philippines. This endeavor was planned about five years before 2002. That year my wife and I started construction of our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque , Philippines. The next year we built a beach house, followed by a Conference Hall two years later. Needless to say, planning and executing the landscaping was a challenge and very enjoyable. With the help of local labor, I not only enjoy the time gardening and landscaping, but also help improved the economic situation of the province by providing work and jobs to the local residents. With plenty of time, I have engaged into two specific activities as follows: First, I created a website for my small business. By trial and error, I created and design the website, www.chateaudumer.com I have never been a computer nerd or expert. But with plenty of time and patience, the fruits of my labor could be enjoyed if you visit the website above. The second activity, I have not done before was to utilize on-line activities, such as shopping, paying bills ( save you stamps) and playing computer games in the Internet. I really enjoyed playing duplicate bridge on line. You play with players all over the world and can chat in between games. But be careful, you are not spending too much time in the computer. It is very addictive. With a lots of time, my wife and I devoted more time on our favorite humanitarian project. For the last 15 years, we have been involved with medical mission to the province of Marinduque. For details please visit the website: www.marinduqueinternational.org As a summary, the joy one gets on retirement is very specific for an individual. Some enjoy their free time by learning new activities, getting involved with humanitarian projects or spending more time with their grandchildren. Others hate it, since they missed their former jobs and co-workers. Others with no children still enjoy retirement by traveling, turning their hobbies into business or more community involvement. Of course those that retire and hate it, is believe to die earlier than those that enjoy their retirement years. So, plan your retirement as early as you can. The happier you are on retirement, the longer you will live.