Snowbirds Living in the Philippines : Photo Memories of My Younger Years- THD Winner of Best of Senior Living Award, 2024

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Photo Memories of My Younger Years- THD Winner of Best of Senior Living Award, 2024

I came to the US as a Graduate Student at the University of Illinois in 1960. I was only 26 years old. I came with a Student visa. Before the start of the Fall Semester at UI in Chicago, I visited New York City for the first time. I was at the top floor of the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Center, Winter of 1959. Here's my photo taken at the Rockefeller Center with my first winter outfit in the US.

1961- With Other Foreign Students at the University of Illinois during our tour of Central Illinois sponsored by the Chicago Hospitality Center

The third photo I treasured was taken at the University of Illinois Student Cafeteria with Fellow Filipino Graduate students and Research Assistants, Virgie Aguilar and Auring Aro. Virgie and I were in our laboratory coats enjoying our lunch break, 1963

Ditas(my youngest daughter) and Me in 1982. Ditas was elected High School Queen, Pinole Valley High, Pinole, CA

The 4th photo was my picture featured in the Stauffer Company Ads in 1981

My photo with Macrine -5th Photo taken with a Morion, San Francisco, 1990

The 6th photo I treasured was taken in 1994 during our one week vacation in Cancun Mexico.

Trip to Cancun, Mexico. Ditas and I enjoying the white beach at the back of the Royal Mayan Hotel where we stayed for one week., 1994

Last photo I will always tresure was our 1957 Wedding Day-May 8, Boac, Marinduque. Philippines

I have more than 500 hundred photos in my blogs and photo albums, but the above photos I will always remember. Pleasant Memories indeed of my younger years!

For Comparative Purposes here's my latest photo of our Zumba Group taken Feb 3. 2024

Am I still good Looking?

Meanwhile,THD won again the 2024 Best Senior Living Award by Place for Mom.com-a repeat of 2023

My Congratulations to THD for Repeat Winner of A Place for Mom, Best of Senior Living Award for 2024.

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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.