Meal Time Conversations Here at THD-the Hawaiian Islands-Part 6

Last week, I had the pleasure of the company of two gentleman and a lady co-residents at breakfast. One of the residents told us of his memorable vacation in a dinner-cruise in a Catamaran in the Garden Isle-Kawaii. It is the Northern-most Island of the Hawaiian Chain. 

It  reminded me of our( Macrine and I) vacation in the Island a couple of years ago. I am reposting it   as follows: 

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2016/01/27-places-in-us-that-macrine-and-i-had.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2010/11/hawaiian-islands-oahu-maui-kauai-and.html

I am also reposting Ditas and Carenna's vacation in Maui-The Road to Hana as follows:

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-road-to-hana-maui-hawaii.html

Ditas( my youngest daughter) and Carenna (my youngest grand daughter) on one of their stops during their Road Trip to Hana in 2016  as described in the above link.   

Remember: "The day you really lived is the day you have touched the lives of others."

Note: Starting a new series-Getting to Know Your Fellow Residents. Please send me your bio/life story preferably with photos of you and your love ones.   

 

A New Activity Here at THD- Asian Mahjong ( Hong Kong Style)

 

Oldest Son ( Dodie) and Grand Daughter, Alix and Boy Friend (Brendan Quinn) with Niece Yuka Maeda Playing Mahjong (Philippines Variations), Fair Oaks, CA, 2021.  

Yesterday, Sue B, Hisako T. and I played Asian Mahjong at Churchill's Pub from 3:45 to 5 PM. It was fun. We played the Hong Kong Variations ( 13 tiles-no joker ) versus the Philippine variations ( 16 tiles with joker ).  Asian Mahjong is much easier and flexible than American Mahjong.  

The objective of the Hong Kong Mahjong game is to put together a complete set (or "hand"), which contains four sets of threes (either three of a kind of the same suit (or "pung") or a sequence of the same suit (or "chow") and a pair, for total of 14 pieces. Each player starts with 13 tiles. With each turn, a player picks up a 14th tile, and then discards one tile face up in the center of the table. At this point, other players can choose to pass, take the tile to complete a set  or to declare a win ("mahjong"). The first player who completes the set of 14 tiles wins the hand.

Hong Kong  Mahjong is easy, fast and no cards to purchase annually. But you can make it complicated with scoring variations and high level combinations of melds, such as 7 Pairs, Escalera, All Pung, all Chow, etc....

I am willing to teach anyone here at THD to play Asian Mahjong.   Just sign in the Lobby and informed Joseph W. of your interest.  It will be in the weekly activity schedule ( Every Thursday at 3:45PM at Churchills Pub).  

Here are 2 articles from my blog on playing mahjong of the David B. Katague Clan here in the US. Mahjong is also very popular in the Philippines as a gambling and social event, just like Cock Fighting. 

After Lunch Mahjong Games with Ditas ( youngest daughter) and Carenna ( youngest grand daughter), Alix, Brendan and Yuka, Fair Oaks, CA, 2022 

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2021/12/playing-mahjong-one-of-my-favorite.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2022/12/mahjong-as-part-socialization-and.html

Meanwhile, Exercise both Mind and Body-It will prolong your stay here at THD.  

Also: The Family that Plays Together, Stays Together.

 https://www.coololdgames.com/tile-games/mahjong/hong-kong/

Meal Times Conversations Here at THD-Ignorance or Hint of Racism?-Part 5

Citizenship Party, Modesto, California, 1972 ( Published in the Modesto Bee).

Last week during one of the scheduled activities that I have been participating, someone mentioned that I have no right to call myself Filipino-American, because I was born in the Philippines. I told her I become a US citizen in 1972 and had worked for the Federal Government( FDA) for 12 years. I dedicated my 12 years of my professional career to the American people insuring that good quality, effective and safe anti-infective drugs are marketed.  She did not say anything, but her comment that I should not call myself an American because I was not born here in the United States UPSETS ME.   Another lady mentioned that once you become a US citizen you are entitled to be called an American no matter what your ancestral roots are.

 Do you agree?   

Anyway this incident reminded me that there are still a few people that are either ignorant or just plain racists. 

This incident also reminds me that it is time again to repost an article of my citizenship and my 12 years of service to the American People via my employment with the Food and Drug Administration in Silver Spring, Maryland from 1990-2002.  Here are the links:

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2014/06/autobiography-update-chapter-9-life-in.html

https://discover.hubpages.com/education/the-day-the-world-trembled

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2021/08/my-awards-honors-and-scientific.html

If you have read the links above, I would think you will agree I have all the rights to call myself A Filipino- American.  Incidentally I have a dual Filipino and American citizenship. 

Remember to Keep Smiling: It can prolong your stay here at THD.

  

Meal Times Conversations Here at THD-Volunteers-Part 4

There are 2 residents here at THD that I admired. First is a gentleman of my age who devotes some of his free time to the Meals on Wheel Program every Thursday. His actions reminds me of my own voluntary work during my younger years. During one of our breakfast conversations, we talk about volunteer work. I told the group of the Medical Missions in Marinduque, Philippines that I have participated/organized. Besides the medical missions, I also told them of my donations of time, money and knowledge to my Island of Birth.  Here are the links and postings from my blogs:

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2016/06/my-involvement-with-medical-missions-in.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2020/05/it-is-better-to-give-than-to-receive.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2022/10/my-donation-to-upv-library-fund-to.html

The other resident I admired is a gentleman in my exercise class. Inspite of his hand tremors, he tries to perform all the exercises to the best of his ability. Moreover as far as I know he is always on time and faithful to the Exercise Activities here at THD.  I know he has Parkinson-A disease I am familiar with. My late spouse (Macrine) had Parkinson for 7 years and I took care of her as she deteriorates with the help of home care aides. Hopefully a cure of this malady will be discovered in the near future.  Here's my previous postings on PD.

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2018/09/latest-news-on-treatment-of-parkinsons.html

Five recent advancements in Parkinson's disease research

• Focused ultrasound: a novel therapy for Parkinson's with tremor. ... 
• Deep brain stimulation and gene therapy for Parkinson's make headway. ... 
• New research finds link between the gut microbiome and Parkinson's disease.

Stem cell therapy is a new and practical treatment approach that aims to reduce neuroinflammation, modulate the immune system and replace or repair lost or damaged dopamine-producing cells in the brain lost in Parkinson's disease.

For more details on the Meals on Wheels Program visit this link:

ttps://www.mowdiabloregion.org/

Remember: You have only really lived if you have touched the life of others.  Sometimes, it is better to Give than Receive.

Meal Time Conversations Here at THD-Oyster Rockefeller- Part 3

One of the topics we discussed in our table the other day was about our favorite dishes and its recipes. One co-resident mentioned Oyster Rockefeller and I agree with her. It's in my top ten favorite Dishes. 

Here are my postings on my recipe for Oyster Rockefeller and why some people dislike Filipino dishes. 

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2019/09/i-feel-like-cooking-oyster-rockefeller.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2017/04/do-you-dislike-filipino-food.html

We also talked about desserts. Another resident mentioned about jello with fresh fruits and cream at the top. I suggested that jello be added to the dessert menu to THD management. I was told jello has to be approved by the owners of THD, before it could be added to Newton's menu,  since there is a stigma on this dessert as a hospital and institutional food.  

Meanwhile enjoy this week offerings at our Five Star-Newton Restaurants and its efficient Servers-Veronica, Andrea, Martha, Bryan,  Emilia, Vanessa AND  Stefanita and of course Carmen- The Food Chief of Newton. 

Maybe someday we will have Oyster Rockefeller in the Newton's menu for the enjoyment of all THD residents. 

Meal Times Conversations Here at THD-Violin Concertos-Part 2

Happy Hour Audience-It would be Fantastic if we have a Violinist or Pianist Performs here at THD during one of Our Happy Hour Event- just wishing and dreaming- Attention Activity Director!!! 

Watching and Enjoying Mendelsohn Violin Concerto on my PC Big Screen here at THD

Meal Times is my favorite times here at THD. You not only enjoy the delicious dishes/desserts but also can have stimulating conversations with your fellow residents. One of our dinner conversation with a former violin teacher was about my favorite violin concertos. I told her my three favorite violin concertos are: (see my blog below):  

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2020/09/my-three-favorite-violin-concertos.html

When I mentioned Paganini, she smiled because she knows how hard is this concerto to perform and the story behind it is fascinating. If you are curious and love classical music, piano, violin or cello, please read the above link. 

I have articles on my favorite piano concertos as well as cello ( By Hauser). If you want to know more about piano and cello concertos, please comment on this blog. 

Meanwhile, Keep smiling and Keep cool during this Heatwave here in the East Bay. This posting is dedicated to the memory of Lana Patterson, who was the inspiration of this article. May She REST IN PEACE, AMEN.

 Here's a list of the top 10 greatest violin concertos for your reading pleasure. 

https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2023/03/top-ten-greatest-violin-concertos-stephen-klugewicz.html

Remember : "The day you really live is the day you have touch the lives of others." or "You have really lived if you have touched the life of others". 

Meal Times Conversations Here at THD-Broadway Musicals

The other day, I was in the company at dinner time of a resident here that loves Broadway Musicals. In my younger years, I have been a patron of Broadway musicals from The Flower Drum Song era to the latest but closed The Phantom of the Opera. Who can forget Camelot with the song "If I ever Leave You", It could it be in springtime etc....

We talked about the coming opening of Here Lies Love in New York next Thursday July 20. It will be the first all- Filipino casts  broadway musical with Lea Salonga.  Here Lies Love is a musical with music by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, and lyrics by Byrne. 

The biographical musical is based on Byrne's and Slim's concept music album based, in turn, on Byrne's research on the life of former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos. The musical's score is described as "disco pop."^[

If you have not heard of Lea Salonga- here's an article on her current involvement with "Here Lies Love"-   

https://apnews.com/article/broadway-here-lies-love-lea-salonga-89cdb485d16502891cd5cf6d066d2702?fbclid=IwAR3MJ0U1Do67uJVTvASU5oLrj6gW9-GZvZSEI23Uo-MA1zTFqNGTibFpk14

My first personal contact with Lea was a few decades ago and I am posting the link as follows: 

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2012/09/lea-salonga-singer-and-actress.html

Meanwhile: Keep Smiling and Exudes Positive Vibes_ It may prolong your stay here at THD.

Remember : "The day you really live is the day you have touch the lives of others." or "You have really lived if you have touched the life of others". 

I Will Start Playing Contract Bridge Here at THD

One of the requirements in my search for an Independent Living facility is that I want to play bridge again with live players after several decades of not playing. (I have been  playing bridge On-line every now and then). So I feel my bridge skills need to be activated. Thus, yesterday  I was able to officially talk to Lee Cruise ( Bridge Guru here at THD) about playing bridge again. After A HIATUS of several decades of not playing bridge in person ( both  contract and duplicate), yesterday refresher course made me feel I am ready to play again with actual people instead of robots.  Lee wanted my phone so she can call me if they need a substitute during their Intermediate/Advance Level group on Monday and Wednesday.  Lee informed me I am needed on Monday and will be on Call on the Wednesday Group.  I have not been invited to the Friday Advanced Group. Here's a background of my Bridge Playing Years.

Macrine (my late spouse) and I have been playing duplicate bridge when we were residents of Pinole, CA( 1974-1990). We also played contract Bridge ( Party) at the Sportsmen of Stanislaus County ( SOS) during our Modesto, California years ( 1969-1974)( see photos above). Macrine and I had accumulated 99 Junior Master Points as Duplicate Bridge Players.  

Bridge is my Favorite Card Game but Asian Mahjong is my Favorite Tile Game. For details on this subject read the following links.   

https://discover.hubpages.com/games-hobbies/bridge-is-my-card-game

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2017/11/i-started-playing-duplicate-bridge-on.html

Meanwhile, we need more THD players to sign in for Asian Mahjong. Keep Smiling and Exudes Positive Vibes!! 

On another Subject: Hopefully the thermostat control system in the Newton Restaurant and in the Hallways can be set in a more comfortable setting. Currently, The Halls and Dining Areas are always cold and I felt I am residing in Siberia every now and then. My Personal Solution: Do not forget to bring a sweater or jacket during meal times.