Pandoraspace

“Never pride yourself for overcoming a temptation you have never had” is what my friend, Bill McGarry SJ, told me when I entered his office one day. He was quoting Francois Mauriac and I was just 17 and did not know any better.

I do not remember when I met Bill. What I do remember is that Bill and I would have long conversations in those days when I had nothing but time on my hands. It was years later when I realized that, in between jokes and senseless banter, Bill had taught me more about life, the goodness in people and the Jesuits than anyone had, and probably ever will. In fact even before I realized how much Bill had taught me, I was so moved and inspired by Bill’s stories about the Jesuits that I actually wanted to be one. But, as I am a girl, this is not a possibility. Lucky for the Jesuits.

The best thing Bill taught me is how to forgive myself so I could forgive others. I believe Bill himself practiced what he preached. Through the years, I have confessed my misdeeds to Bill. Worse, Bill learned first hand what an awful friend I could be. Despite this, Bill has accepted me and remains to be a true friend.

The one constant request Bill has ever asked of me was to “be good”. I have always politely refused that request by telling Bill “I’ll try”. Since it is Bill’s birthday today, I won’t try to be good. I’ll really be good…but just for today.

Happy 81st Birthday Fr. Bill.

I came across an article appearing in the 23 April 1973 issue of Time Magazine about the Jesuits.  It is an interesting read because it gives one an inkling of what the Jesuits are all about.  The then Superior General of the Jesuits (also one of my favorite Jesuits), Pedro Arrupe SJ, was on the cover.  Check it out.

Madame Butterfly

On our first day at Siem Reap, we dumped our things at the Villa Siem Reap and headed for Madame Butterfly (MB), a French-Khmer-Thai-Vietnamese fine dining restaurant. Although MB is closed for lunch, the staff graciously open the place for us. To our delight, we were the only ones in the restaurant. 

The restaurant is located on the second floor of a big old two story Khmer house with a garden. The second floor of the house has a veranda and a huge room. The tables are set up along the veranda and inside the huge room the doors of which are left open so the breeze could come in. There were plants everywhere.

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If Cambodia is a jar, what would it contain? This was the question that my friend, Padma, and I asked ourselves before embarking on our journey to Cambodia.

Padma, of course, is also a Pandora and even more inquisitive than me.

Padma and I grew up in Baguio and were friends since we were six. We went to the same grade school, joined the same clubs and shared our secrets and angst. As adolescents, we survived our parents’ wrath and an earthquake together. Until our journey to Cambodia, we never traveled together. For years, Padma and I discussed traveling together but that was all talk. It was not until a dear friend of ours died that we realized we should stop talking and just go.

Other than deciding where to go and booking our flights and accommodations, I was unprepared for the trip. I started packing on the day we were leaving and it never occurred to me to bring a camera. Thus, unless otherwise stated, all the pictures of Cambodia on this blog were taken by Padma who allowed me to post them. Click on this, if you want to know more about Padma.

In the cyber world, I am a dinosaur.

Only recently have I learned how to attach a picture to an e-mail. Worse, I excitedly told my friend, Star, that my new laptop was so unique because all I had to do was to close the top and it would go to sleep. Star gave me a long stare and advised me never to tell anyone about what I told her since most laptops had this feature. Well Star, I am beyond embarrassment. This dinosaur is just determined to blog.

With the help of friends and my ever critical family, this dinosaur can finally post her articles. Thanks. In return, I will try my best not to pester you about the blog several times a day.