With thanks to...

Prior to this entry, I planned to upload some pictures. Pictures that I had taken when I went pumpkin picking and when I went to some places of interest.

Nope, you weren't short-sighted to have missed it. I finished my entry but I chickened out.

I guess I wasn't that sure about the consequences of being 'found out'.

The internet is a convenient place and too common a place.

I guess I will upload it finally; you just have to have the patience to wait.

...

I have been going for therapy for two weeks now.

The first week, he fixed my left hip and my sacrum area. The last I went, he fixed my right bone.

Maybe "fixed" isn't that accurate a word because, if any time I am not careful during this period of time, I can push the hip out and spoil it.

How does he fix it?

He will melt the scar tissue with some ointment and heat, and then press (hard) here press there, push in here and there.

And of course, my response is Ouch and Ouch. Everytime without fail.

The last time I went, he pushed so hard that my abdomen hurt. And no, he wasn't punching my stomach. He was pushing in the bones from the back.

Which suggested yes, I really may have some broken bones in my pelvic area. Oh well...

And while I never fail to feel extreme pain during every session, I will continue to visit him.

After all, my options are exhausted already. Why not try it out?

...

This weekend, I started work-study.

Work-study, what exactly is that?

Well, in exchange for free yoga classes, I work.

For every three hours I work, I get two classes free, which means I save like a $36.

I know it is not a lot to you back home, but eh, it is quite significant to me.

When you are on a tight budget, I bet you will know what I mean.

=)

Work-study was quite interesting. I got a last-min request to hand out flyers to a gathering in some famous place.

Dalai lama was there.

Well, let's just say that the crowd was so overwhelming it kind of startled me.

I never knew the influences of religion, to put it factly.

But of course, there were people who tried to take advantage of the situation. Like there was one guy trying to sell his ticket for US $5000.

Oops, I forgot to mention that it was a paid event.

Can you imagine, 5000 for a ticket. Who would buy it!?

I am sure someone must have...well, at least judging from the fanaticism that was so overwhelming, I presume so.

Anyhow, because I went all the way out (I was initially scheduled to do data entry) and up(town) to 'work', I get 3 classes off.

Oh well, not a bad deal: I saw the fanatic side of religion and I earned an extra class--although I got chased away by the security guard (!!!!)

...

And you must be wondering how out of sync my entry is with to my title.

Well...yesterday's homily was on saying thanks.

Have you ever really expressed thanks for the things that happened in your life?

And I mean really.

When was the last time you said a "thank you" so unconsciously because it was just the right thing to do?

When was the last time you really said a "thank you" from the bottom of your heart?

I don't know. I think I fall into the former category, and I am ashamed to admit to that.

But now that I am aware of it, I will change.

The fact is, being able to live and have a life and its experiences are all things to be thankful about.

And I am thankful, really.

I know it is difficult to understand. One moment I was complaining, the next I am saying thanks.

But I do mean it. I do mean it because I realize things could have been much worse but they are not.

I do mean it because I could have be left untreated but I managed to find a doctor who just may be able to help me.

And I do mean it because the very fact that I can type this entry and share my experiences with you online is a so precious a gift that shouldn't be taken for granted.

...

Complaining is always easy.

But if we were to realize that is the best things can possibly be, and that at any moment things could have been worse, maybe maybe we may think twice the next time we complain.

And thanks to you, for always being with me, across the space and time.

I do mean it.