Snowbirds Living in the Philippines : Father's Day Photos and Escapade

Monday, June 17, 2024

Father's Day Photos and Escapade

Dinah visited me yesterday on Fathers Day. She gave me a Cacti-Succulent Garden ( see photos above) that I am very please to add to my collection. After Brunch, she drove me to Seafood City in Concord. I purchased mangoes and Pinoy Dishes ( Pork Blood Stew- Dinuguan and Kare-kare- Pigs Hocks and Ox tails in Peanut Sauce from Ima's Kitchen. There was a 10 minute wait to get service at Ima's since there were about ten customers ahead of me, but the food was worth the wait.

Speaking of Filipino Food, Galen has finalized THD Lunch Excursion to FOB Restaurant in the Oakland Temescal District for June 20( See Brochure Above). Here's my previous posting on this Michelin rated restaurant in the East Bay. https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-filipino-lunch-excursion-plan-for-june.html

After the sumptuous brunch, Dinah and I had a leisurely drive to Concord and also in the Walnut Creek suburbs on our way to and from Seafood City and Ima's Restaurant at my request. We did not take the Freeway. The leisurely drive is an activity that I always treasure because it meant I got out of my Gilded Cage for fresh air.

Here are some photos during our brunch: Martha, Carmen and Teresa also took some photos during the Brunch at Newtons. I am hoping they will share it with me soon.

Red and Yellow Mangoes, I purchased at SeaFood City in Concord. They were $1.29 each.

The last three photos were from the THD Page Book Page( 6/16/24) with the following Description

Happy Father’s Day! Our Residents & Families are celebrating with a fabulous Brunch in our onsite restaurant & patio!

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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.