No Signs of Writing Burnt Out Last Sunday

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Last Sunday, January 7, 2024, I posted two articles in my blogs and I wrote two draft articles for future postings. For no reason I woke up at 6:00 AM before Batman & Robin had a chance to wake me up to feed them. I started writing about Our Dim Sum Gastronomic Adventure at the HK Lounge Bistro at Fremont Street, San Francisco, the day before. I posted it at 7:00AM. In one minute I have one comment from a co-resident here at THD via E-mail.    

"Good morning- What an absolute treat!! You are fortunate to have such thoughtful family to treat you to “Dim Sum”…yum!!! It is quite a specialty-Thanks for sharing."

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/01/alix-and-brendan-treated-us-to-dim-sum.html

I finished my Champagne Brunch Buffet by 11:30AM.  Before lunch, I watched Mass on TV my normal routine on Sunday morning.  At 12:00 Noon, I was inspired to write another article on the Feasts of Three Kings after I finished taking down my Christmas Door Decor and other Christmas Ornaments in my Living Room.  

I posted the second article at 12:26 PM. After 30 minutes I received one comment from a loyal reader of my blogs from Canada via my FaceBook page.  

" Happy Three Kings to all of you"-EB.

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/01/feast-of-three-kings-end-of-christmas.html

This posting also reminded me of my most commented article titled " Are Good Writers Born or Made" that I am delighted to repost as follows: 

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2022/08/are-good-writers-born-or-made.html

And here's my take and personal account on the above subject. 

 Am I a Born or Made Writer?

I am not quite sure what the correct answer is, but I feel I am both. My early childhood has never been devoted to writing or art activities. It was science and mathematics that was emphasized in my early education. Later in my high school years, for some twist of luck, I was chosen by my English instructor to be editor of our high school newspaper. I was forced to write articles as fillers for the newspaper and was taught the basics of news writing and editing. I also started writing poetry in both English and our national language (Tagalog). During my high school years, I entertained the thought of taking journalism as a career in college. My parents however discouraged me, stating there is no money in writing and I will not be able to support a family. They wanted me to be a lawyer, doctor of medicine or a catholic priest. At their urging, I enrolled as a pre-medical student at the University of the Philippines, Iloilo College. At the end of my second year, I learned I will never be a good doctor as the sight of blood nauseated me. I shifted to Chemistry and the rest is history. 

My years as an undergraduate and graduate student emphasized science, mathematics and engineering. It was only after my retirement that I started blogging and learned that I enjoy writing. This is true also for my oldest son. He wrote a novel (Cloyne Court) after finishing law school and now is on his second novel. He told me he writes as a hobby and is a relaxation therapy for him. Writing to him is a good diversion from his hectic life as a prosecuting attorney here in Northern California. 

There is a common saying that if you can talk, you can write. But great writing is a born talent and I believe can not be taught. The passion to write is born. People have different reasons why they write. A few writes for the sake of writing and can not survive without it. Others write to earn a living and work hard to be a successful writer, reporter or novelist.

So why do I write for Hubpages.com and continue writing for my blogs. First, I enjoy writing. Second, to advertise my beach resort in the Philippines and last but not least is to get affirmation from readers and other writers that they enjoy reading my articles. Reading positive comments from others is an ego boost and makes me feel alive and useful during this stage of my life (retirement and old age). It kept away the feeling of boredom and uselessness.

Getting a monetary award is another ego boost, but I have learned this is no longer my primary incentives why I am writing for Hubpages.com and blogging for my Googles Adsense earnings. I have also learned not to compare myself with the other writers/bloggers. I have my own style of writing and if I write from the heart, nothing can go wrong.

Most writers that I know write because they love writing. To them writing is just like breathing. These born writers do not work hard to create an excellent article, because their writing comes from the heart and their soul. Others write with a lot of work, training and pain. Good writers run in the family as exemplified by the family of Stephen King. Most writers however are made and only become good writers through hard work and constant practice. The most common traits of good writers are patience and persistence, whether their writing talent is inborn or just developed. 

Allow me to quote Jan Bird a Face Book friend from UK and an excellent writer from her article, The Writing Bug. "Writing for me right now, is like love. It isn't something I do, it happens to me. It takes me completely by surprise when I least expect it and then it absolutely refuses to let go until it wants to. It's intoxicating and irrational".

This is how a born writer feels everyday of his/her life. Writing to inborn writers must feel like addiction or a compulsion that must be satiated.

How about you? Are you a born writer or a made writer? Do you agree with the statement that good writers can be made but great writers are born? I will be glad to hear from you!

 https://marinduqueawaitsyou.blogspot.com/2014/01/am-i-born-or-made-writer.html

Incidentally Galen, our new activity Director had started a Creative Writing Workshop last week. There were three of us( senior residents) who attended the first session.  All are welcome to participate. Watch out for future announcement of our next meeting, if you are interested. Again may I repeat, if you can talk, you can write! Your writing may not be great, but it is yours and yours alone!  

Finally, Write simply and from the Heart! Write to inform, entertain and perhaps inspire. Write on subjects/topics you love and lastly never compare your writings to others!   

Another Hectic Week of Activities Here at THD

The week of January 8 to 14 is another week of hectic activity here at THD as shown in the schedule above. I plan on attending 3 events on Tuesday, one event on Friday and 2 events on Saturday. Thanks to my recent gift( apple smart watch), Siri will remind of the events and I also placed it in my calendar.

My most hectic day is tomorrow, Jan 9 Tuesday starting at 11AM when I will play Chair Volley Ball. This is an activity I enjoyed very much and are still good with it. At 12:30-2:30, I will play bridge with 3 newcomers to THD and looking forward to it. Then a 4PM. there is a special meeting for those interested in helping with THD Resident Newsletter, the Heritage Herald. I plan in actively participating to this activity since I love to write.

On Friday, Jan 12 at 11AM, we will have a WWII for Japanese-Americans Presentation with a special guest at the Cinema. I am curious who will be that special guest. I love World War II history and have written an award winning essay on my Childhood Experiences during the Japanese-American War in the Philippines,1941-1945. 

On Saturday, Jan 13, I have 2 events I am looking forward to attend. The first at 11:15AM is lunch at Oishi Japanese Restaurant in Walnut Creek. The restaurant is famous for their Sushi but also served the classic Japanese dishes. The special lunch include a miso soup and salad and average price is around $16.  Here's the menu: 

https://www.oishiwalnutcreek.com/oishi/menu/

The second event this Saturday is at 3:00PM. It is a Trivia Party with Sake Tasting at the Plaza Game Room ( formerly the Library). I love Trivia and also Sake.  I promise not to drink too much Sake as I like to win the Trivia Games. 

Finally, If you think you are getting old and living alone, you can still be happy, by participating in activities you love here at THD. 

You Have Fail in Order to Succeed- A Personal Story

White House Christmas Private Tour, December, 1995 -Highlights of Our Washington DC Years💥 

Yesterday, Jan 7, 2024, The Feast of Three Kings was the end of Christmas Season, 2023 on the Roman  Catholic Calendar. It's time to put away your Christmas Decorations and the Christmas tree. This event always reminds me of my article on my failures that inspired me to succeed that I am reposting today.

"Have you ever looked back in your past and remembered your failures? Have you realized that without those failures you could not have succeeded? The common saying that you have to fail in order to succeed applies to the following past events in my life.

The first event in my life to support the above statement occurred during my elementary school days. When I did not receive the first honor award (I got 2nd honor award) during my elementary school graduation both my parents and I were very disappointed. My parents even contemplated filing an official complaint to the school superintendent against my teacher and principal for nepotism since the valedictorian was a close relative of the teacher and principal.

However, I convinced my parents not to do it. I told them I would work harder in high school to be number one, to show the teacher and principal they made a mistake in the selection process. The whole four years of high school, I competed with the top five honor students from my elementary school. Needless to say, I graduated valedictorian of our high school class. My classmate who was the valedictorian in my elementary school got the salutatorian award (second place). I was happy and felt vindicated. My teacher in elementary school congratulated me but without looking straight into my eye, when my parents invited her to my high school graduation party at our house.

The second event in my life illustrating the statement “you have to fail in order to succeed” was during my graduation with my Bachelors degree in Chemistry from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City in 1955. When I missed graduating cum laude (with Honor) by just 0.24 points, I told myself I would pursue my Ph.D. in the United States to show my professor in Differential Calculus who gave me a “4.0” (condition) grade when I received only 69% in the final exam(I missed 1 point to get a C). I took a retest and passed it with flying colors.

In my chemistry class, there were only 15 of us and only one graduated cum laude. That showed how hard it was to graduate with honor in chemistry at that time. That grade of “4” certainly did deflate my ego and self-esteem. Two years later, my self-esteem was redeemed when I passed the National Board Examination for Chemists, taking 3rd place nation-wide.

My four years average including the “4.0” that I got from Differential Calculus was included in the calculation (not my passing grade of 3.0 after a retest the next day) turned out to be 1.99 (not high enough for honor). But if you calculate my four year average with the 3.0 that I got after the retest, my four year average turned out to be 1.74, enough to receive the cum laude (with honor) award.

When I found this out, I was so furious, I wished my calculus professor be run over by a car or misfortunes fall on her every day of her life. When I saw her in the hallway, I gave her a stare of hate (like an arrow that pierced her heart that did not stop bleeding until she died).

But I vowed to the whole world, I will obtain a Doctorate Degree in the United States to show to my Professor in Differential Calculus what she did to my ego. Looking back, I think I should thank her for what she did, because there were numerous times during my first year in Graduate School, that I wanted to quit. But once I remember the incident, it reminded me of the vow I made to myself not to quit at any cost.

The third event in my life illustrating you have to fail in order to succeed was the culmination of my 22 years of experience working for private industries here in US. I lost my first job in industry of my own free will. I wanted to receive a 20% raise in income as well as move to a warmer climate (West Coast of the US).

The second private industry job that I lost was due to the company moving and closing their agricultural research division and also consolidating their research facility in one location to save money.

I lost my third job in private industry because the firm wanted to save money and also wanted to get out of the pesticide business.

My fourth job loss was the most heart-breaking episode in my career. I had only one day of notice. After working for the firm for 12 years with good performance, it took management only one day to tell me that they not need me any more, good bye, and to look for another job.

That feeling of anger, loss of ego, shock and envy (for those who were not fired) was indescribable and humiliating. I vowed I would never worked for a private firm again in my life. My determination to work for the Federal Government was achieved when I worked for the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) in the Fall of 1990.

Working for FDA was the best move I have ever made in my career. My 12 years in the FDA was filled with awards, accomplishments and personal growth. Our life in the suburb of Washington, DC was filled with civic involvements, social and cultural activities, humanitarian projects and pleasant memories. 

💥The highlight of our stay in the Washington, D.C area was a private tour of the WHITE HOUSE(see photo above).

Receiving a Christmas card from the White House for four years during the Clinton administration was the ultimate fulfillment of a Filipino student dream. Working for the Federal government was icing on the cake. Had any one of the four private firms not failed me, or had retained me as an employee, I would not have had the courage and incentive to work for Food and Drug Administration.

The above three events in my life showed that you have to fail in order to succeed.

How about you? Can you recall a past experience in your life that inspired you to success? I will be delighted to hear from you. Here are some of my favorite quotes on failures and success. 

It's fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.” —Bill Gates. 

“Do not be embarrassed by your failures, learn from them and start again.” —Richard Branson. 

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” —Winston Churchill.

Personal Note: Here's an article on Aging based on studies of senior citizens in Japan, but may be applicable to us senior residents here at THD on the topic of subjective well-being ( SWB).  

https://academic.oup.com/innovateage/article/7/1/igac075/6891039?login=false

Is Joe Biden Too Old to be Re-Elected President?

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2024

When I started blogging in 2009,  I promised that I will not write on the subject of sex, religion and politics in my blogs. However, I feel that 2024 is the year I will break my promise. Thus,  this is may take on the subject whether Joe Biden is too old to be reelected POTUS.   

I believe that Joe Biden is still the best presidential candidate for this election Year.  He has done a lot for the betterment of the country this last 4 years. His record speaks for itself and compared to his most probable rival, the crazy DT, I will not hesitate voting for Biden again this November. 

In the article above written by Mark Barabak for the East Bay Times dated January 3, 2024,  several opinions from members of the Roosmoor Democratic Club were discussed in detail. Roosmoor in Walnut Creek is an active senior living community similar to my THD home.  Allow me to quote from the article.

" Biden is the oldest president in American history, making every day in office a milestone of sorts. He is attempting something never tried: Winning reelection to a second term that would end when he is 86 years old". 

This will be my last year to belong to the octogenarian club. Am I still mentally fit and has lost some of my cognitive abilities? On the contrary last year was my most prolific writing year and hopefully it will continue for this year 2024.  This is the year one of my blogs reached my goal of achieving more than a million page views. 

Excuse me, I am diverting on the subject of Biden reelectability because of his age. Back to the subject of this posting: 

I agree with most members of the Roosmoor Democratic Club ranging in age from 68 to 92 years that "Age is nothing Biden Should be Ashamed of."  Here are some quotes from the article ( see photo above)

"Some hailed Biden as the most successful and consequential president since Franklin D. Roosevelt, citing among others achievements, passage of the massive infrastructure bill and efforts to boost tech and rebuild the country manufacturing base".

"He's been politically brilliant in terms of domestic issues as well as on the international stage in how he was able to pull NATO back together as well as rally nations to support Ukraine". 

" He knows the facts. He has all the data. And if you compare him to that person who may running against him, who might also be in prison later, there's not even a comparison."

"It's not even so much doubts about Biden's cognition or physical stamina, rather it's worry over how others perceive him. In short, his electability".     

The seniors in the above article have an advice for 81-year old President: Lose the script and project your voice.

The following site is a list of over 80 top 20 most influential person in the US for 2020.                

https://slate.com/human-interest/2020/12/80-over-80-most-influential-top-20.html

Meanwhile enjoys these photos of my dinner companions the last few nights here at THD. We are old but still mentally fit.  

Personal Note: If Joe Biden gets reelected, Ditas my youngest daughter will have another 4 years of Federal Government Service at the Bureau of Census, Department of Commerce in Washington DC. 

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/ditas-katague-appointed-associate-director-communications.html

On the other hand if Biden is not elected, she will be back here in Sacramento ( close to me) doing her Consulting work and enjoy early partial retirement.  Lastly if you are eligible to vote next November, be sure to do it!  And I hope you reelect Joe Biden!

The Feast of Three Kings- End of Christmas Season in the Philippines

Today, Feast of the Epiphany ( or Three Kings) I took down my Christmas Door Decor here at THD since officially it is the end of the Christmas Season. I also attended mass in TV via my Heart of the Nation Subscription Series.  Since I do not drive anymore, attending TV mass is one of my morning schedule every Sunday, besides reading my e-mail and my blogs. Here are some Photos I took during the Feast of Three Kings TV mass.

This week is also the start of the One-Month Explore Japan Series

- the project of our new Activity Director Galen Corson.  Thanks Galen for this very educational activity here at THD. 

Planning for The future series, I hope you will consider Explore The Philippines. If you decide on this series, I will be happy to help.  I could Help Tagalog 101, cook lumpia, and can recommend travel videos and movies about the Philippines that would be of interest to all the Residents here at THD. I could teach some Philippine Folk Dances if anyone is interested. And Lastly, I could recommend, a top rated Filipino restaurant in Oakland or San Francisco.