FUNNYACCENT

Four Eyes View

Fly With New Teeth

I was on the phone when Eli (my 70 y.o client) stood outside the door of my office, grinning ear to ear. I made a gesture to come in. He pushed the glass door, stepped in and closed the door behind him, still grinning. I was away for five days and now I noticed something new, something I didn't notice about him two weeks ago.

After I hung up the phone, I turned to face him directly and still trying to figure it out what did I miss. He was still grinning, no how are you doin' Ana as usual. His face seemed fuller. The hollows in both of his cheeks were gone. They looked fleshy as a matter of fact.

Then I gasped, "Oh my goodness Eli, you got a new set of teeth. How wonderful."

"Oh boy Ana, my jaws are hurtin' now. I thought you never noticed my new teeth. How are you doin' . It's good to see you again."

Six months ago Eli was one of *seasoned addicts in recovery who believe only a Recovery Specialist in recovery understands the mind of people like him. When he learned that I would be his counselor he didn't like one bit.

"What do you know about recovery?" He challenged me one day during a group session. "You don't even smoke. What are you going to tell me, I already knew."

Two years ago when the first time I came to this House, I was stump when the client said the same thing to me. I was angry, upset, annoyed at the them to question my ability, and most of all my ego was crushed and stomped over and over.

But, when I look back at the past two years I've been at The House, I know working with challenging (honey dipping difficult) clients are the most rewarding experience anybody could ask for. I've learned so much from them.

Next week Eli is having another surgery on his left eye and the week after a surgery for his prostate cancer.

During a gratitude meeting this morning, one of Eli's buddies joked about Eli's transformation.

"Are sure you are here for a recovery or for a makeover?"

There is no guarantee when these men complete the program and move on with their lives, they will stay sober for the rest of their lives. Most of them have been active more than half of their lives. The most important thing I hope they could bring with them when they leave the program is to use the tool they have all along but didn't know how to use it in a positive way. Their minds.

Goodbye Geeta

Second week of August she'll be back in her family's embrace in Singapore. Today was my 8th. and last visit for acupuncture treatment with Geeta.

Geeta is not only a beautiful woman inside and out, she is also a very sensitive to her patient's need and comfort.

We plan to keep in touch and she said who knows she and her family might return here for good if she couldn't get a job in Singapore.

Water Buffalo Rain & Gelato

Before I went to bed on Wednesday night, I carefully mapped a running route using Map My Run for Thursday morning. My plan was to complete 12 miles run along Charles River. I think the actual Charles River loop is 17 miles from Museum of Science on both sides of the river up to Watertown.

The thing I like about running along Charles River is I can break at any bridges I come across along the running path to get to Cambridge side or the other way around.

I got myself a divine pistachio/pomegranate gelato at Bon Bon when I broke 10 miles on Monday. As I scraped a plastic spoon at the bottom of the cup my head started to scheme how soon could get another gelato?

Tomorrow?

Heaven no!!!

How about Wednesday?

No, it's too soon. But you still got to run on Wednesday, at least 6 miles.

Piece of cake. But when do I get another  gelato?

How about Thursday, but......

I don't like it when it comes with but

Well, it is your choice

Okay, how many miles?

12 miles

Holly fuck, Are you kidding me?

No, I'm not kidding you.

But I never ran more than 10 miles before!!!

I thought you don't like when it comes with but

Shut up!!!

Thursday came, got my laundry done by 8:15 am and took a subway to Downtown. I changed into running gear at the gym and off I went. It was breezy and mild morning. Still no sign of sun, not a typical summer day, but somehow in my twisted over optimistic mind, the sun would be out soon. This was summer, after all.

I started from Boston Common cut across to Boston Garden, took Charles Street and pounded a sidewalk all the way to Hatch Shell. I made a mental note to avoid Charles Street next time. The side walk is narrow and uneven, but it is a nice place of window shopping though.

My breathing and steps were steady and in sync when I passed BU Boat House. The day was getting brighter with a gentle wind moved between the leaves and branches. The running paths were less busy on the weekdays.

From time to time an uninvited thought crept in and I let them lingered around, but they left eventually when they learned I didn't react to them. It wasn't that easy sometimes. I wonder if the discipline I've set for myself when I run that helps my mind bounces back the uninvited thought (angry, upset, worries, disappointments) or the joy of running itself that sort of detaches me from all of those thoughts. Either way I'm grateful.

I passed a set of geese with 6 goslings under a cherry tree. The goslings have grown since the last time I saw them last month.

When I crossed Eliot Bridge, I felt the heat had doubled its volume. The surface of water seemed to sit still. And I'd just noticed the ducks which usually scattered across the water weren't in sight. Not even one ducky.Oh shoot, why didn't I check the weather forecast before I left?   Of course I knew the answer because I never bothered to check the weather forecast during summer. I increased the speed but I still maintained the 3 in 2 out breathing.

As I hit into 8 miles mark, I felt a few drops of water on my face. Within a few seconds it turned into cats and dogs rain. I was right in the middle of Storrow Drive. Either way I chose I would be soaking wet. A few runners passed me by with their long strides.

By now it was no longer cats and dogs rain. It was more like water buffaloes rain, pouring from the sky. Being out in a heavy downpour with four eyes didn't help much. I slowed down and walked instead.

The pedestrians path of Longfellow Bridge was closed. I took the path under the bridge and walked toward Museum of Science. More runners ran passed me. By now, I didn't see any point of taking a shelter. I kept walking all the way to the gym in a heavy downpour.

I took a shower, changed my clothes went to Borders Book Cafe' for a hot chocolate with whip cream. Gelato got to wait.

Thursday Challenge: Yellow

Gift

A beautiful gift from Kak Asmah (Pak Idrus's wife). Thank you Kak Asmah and Pak Idrus.

A Bucketful of Suns

Run and Roll

It has been a roller coaster ride at work this week. Every evening I come home mentally exhausted. As I walk into my apartment, take off my shoes, and remove my sling bag, my sole thought is to throw myself on the couch.I walk into my bedroom instead. Remove the clothes I have on, go to a bathroom, clean my face throughly, apply a sandalwood moisturizer sunscreen,go back to my bedroom, put on my running short and top, put on my running shoes, and out of the door by 5:45 pm.

 I ran 6 miles on Monday, I ran 6.5 miles on Tuesday and had two scoops of Hood strawberry ice cream with chunks of strawberry in it after I finished the run. And on Wednesday I ran 7 miles and finished a left over strawberry cheesecake ice cream. I'm thinking of getting another quart of strawberry cheesecake ice cream this weekend. Last summer I had Hagen Daaz blueberry cheesekcake ice cream which was superdelicous. Fortunately they don't make much of blueberry cheesecake ice cream. Thank you for that. I have a few things I want to write about work related issues, but I'll wait until later. We've having employees day today. So, I'll be out all day.

I've gotten back my energy and strength since I've been to cupping and acupuncture treatments. Despite a little disturbing news from a family member, I'm glad I didn't let myself drown in it.

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Don't Go Choking On Cotton

Silly me, I should've written precisely about the cotton patch that I put on my tongue. Diz asked me, does the paper leaves the fiber in my mouth?

I use quilted cotton square (the one that we use to dab the toner/astringent and all those crap to clean our face). I folded the cotton square into two before I soaked it in the water. I place it on the tip of my tongue and pressed it lightly to the back of my front teeth. And that's it. Remove it immediately.

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Tell me, is there any better ways to celebrate my 7 miles run this evening other than this --------->?