We simply couldn’t resist my parents’ offer to tend our son Justin while we (hubby and I) are both working. That’s because I still haven’t found someone to do that. Yesterday afternoon, Nanay and Tatay arrived with their things (because they’ll be staying with us for an indefinite period of time) and a lot of pasalubongs (goodies), like ginataang langka (jackfruit in coconut milk), burong ampalaya (pickled bitter gourd) and chocolate cake and chocolates courtesy of Justin’s Tito Dennis who got home from Dubai four days ago.

Justin was so glad to see his lolo and lola. He went riding the elevator with his lolo and they played throw-and-catch-the ball game. Because he was too excited to play, he lost his footing, causing him to fall on his face and chipping his left front tooth. Hay!

Before Justin went to bed, he hugged his grandparents, kissed them on the lips and told them “Good night” and “I love you.” He was actually finding it hard to drift off and he even went to where his grandparents were sleeping to check if they’re really asleep. That’s the only time he decided to go to sleep himself.

I hope this temporary arrangement turns out okay. I hope my parents won’t be worn out from running after our hyperactive son not until I find a worthy babysitter/all-around helper. And I hope that happens soon.

Justin always associates cakes with birthdays. Yesterday, Justin’s grandparents brought him a few slices of Red Ribbon’s S’mores Chocolate Cake. When he saw the cake, he immediately sang:

Happy birthday, Justin
Happy birthday, Justin
Happy birthday, happy birthday
Happy birthday, Justin!

You might be wondering why I named my blog “Pensive Thoughts.” One of the definitions of “pensive,” according to dictionary.reference.com, is “expressing or revealing thoughtfulness, usually marked by some sadness.” Does this mean that I’ll only be posting cheerless, despairing, melancholic articles here? Certainly not.

Please don’t be misled by my blog name. I will be writing and posting in this blog whatever I feel like sharing, ranging from the mundane to the most profound, which may be happy, sad, funny, whatever.

The thing is I like how “pensive thoughts” sounded the first time I ever laid eyes on this phrase, which was eons ago. So I decided to name my blog after it.

I’d like to focus more on what the word “pensive” is synonymous with as they more realistically capture the essence of my blog. “Pensive” here means “contemplative,” “reflective,” “meditative” and “thoughtful.”

So there, welcome to my world. I hope you enjoy reading my Pensive Thoughts.

As I was peeping through our screen window to see if it’s raining outside, I spotted what looked like a crumpled bill on the ground just below our clothes hanging on the line in our terrace. I initially ignored what I saw; for all I know, my eyes could be playing tricks on me as I wasn’t wearing my eyeglasses at the time.

When I finally gathered our dry clothes, I looked at the thing again, and there it was, a bit torn and tattered, 1 Turkish lira. I picked it up and instinctively looked upward for a hint on where it came from. From the look and smell of it, the thing seemed authentic.





Someone from the upper floors might have dropped it accidentally. Or it could also be dropped deliberately with a wish of good luck for someone who’d be able to pick it up. That lucky one turned out to be me.

And to think I had been feeling ill at ease these past few days because I’d be returning to work this Monday, only two days from now, and I still haven’t found someone to look after my son.

(Note: Our all-around helper who left for the province last December and promised to come back won’t be returning after all, that after giving her financial help for her operation, which, after seeking second opinion, turned out wasn't really necessary.)

Now, I’m not really a superstitious person, but I’m vulnerable to believe anything right now, even something as giving this Turkish bill a meaning. This thing came out of nowhere, but it landed on my back doorstep.

Perhaps to remind me that all hope is not lost, that I’d be able to find someone better able to care for my son, that I’d still be able to work and in the process, continue to support my parents, and that I’d be reaping greater financial rewards this year.

I tucked this bill neatly into my purse and smiled. My heart swelled with hope.