IMHO

Tag (Ulan)

Got tagged by dearest Day. Am supposed to be heading out soon, but it's hard to resist answering questions like these:

1. What are the things you enjoy doing when there's no one around you?

Talking to God. When no one else is around I can laugh, cry, worship, dance, pour my heart out, speak my most secret longings, be ME with Him. I get to do it mostly in the privacy of my prayer time when at home, or during the intense one-to-ones of quiet retreats in Kabayan, and, when there's no one in the passenger's seat, while driving. Which brings me to the next thing...

Driving. I like how long distance driving clears my head and unravels the knots of my heartstrings. Although I frequently enjoy the pleasure of driving (or letting someone else do it) for hours on end with a good conversationalist as a traveling partner, sometimes I need to have conversations with myself and my God. Driving alone always allows that. But gas is getting too expensive for such a luxury :-(

Reading. I wish I had more time for it - used to be that I could go through up to four books in a single week!

Writing. Mostly reflections, which more often than not make it to my blogs.

Cooking. There's something very calming about chopping onions. Honestly. And this particular chore brings fulfillment in a matter of an hour or so...makes you feel useful and appreciated (even if I usually don't eat what I cook!).

Taking long walks. Can't say how many times long, kilometric solitary walks have aired out my stuffy soul...by the River Seine in Paris, up and down Via Merulana in Rome, by the Lakeshore in Chicago, through the mountain paths of Sagada and Kabayan. Too bad you can't take long walks in Manila without risking life and limb.

2. What lowers your stress/blood pressure/anxiety level?

All of the above.
Quiet time before the Real Presence of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
Mass.
Mass in Quiapo. And Manaoag.
Prayer.
Saying the rosary.
Reading scripture.
Going back to my "Jerusalem": He Cares.
Listening to Kuya Joe Dean.
Talking to Ate Ardis.
Talking to Kuya Mike (sometimes!).
Just being with Miles, Ney, Rhia, and/or Neil.
Hanging out at the boys' household in Montalban...and the "Boys'" household in Roxas.
A good cry.
Writing long e-mail "letters."
Getting as far away from Manila as possible.
Looking at the ocean.
Knowing that the people I love are OK, especially after they almost kill me with worry.
Knowing that God loves me, and that He is in control.

3. Tag five friends and post it in theirs.

Yikes do I know anyone who hasn't been tagged yet?

posted by Honey Oliveros @ 9:45 AM