rashidsmom: Hodge Podge for August

August was an amazingly full month. Hectic. Fun. Stressful. It was a hodge podge full of writing deadlines, photoshoots, PTA meetings, family gatherings, travels. road trips and of course Ramadhan.

I tore an ankle ligament while playing volleyball for my daughter’s school PTA team. Since I used to play professional volleyball when I was younger I was confident I could do it again. Didn't realize it was a full two decades and 10 pounds heavier sharing a slower metabolism and weaker bones. Ergo, a twisted ankle and fell flat on my butt spewing obscenities much to everyone’s dismay. Embarrassing. Trust me.

Doctors verdict: Partially torn ligament.

Doctors advice: REST. Less walking. NO RUNNING. No strenuous activities (?)

Fine. When your work entails you to run around chasing fast-paced diplomats - the NO RUNNING advice seems ludicrous. What to do?

Sarah’s decision: Disregard the handsome doctors advice, go on as if nothing happened and overdose on pain medications to keep the pain at bay. So there. Problem solved. I’m doing okey so far. Good luck to me.

(here's my foot looking like a ripe star apple :)

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I did 2 manila trips both for family reasons. The MNL sojourn included a mixture of family events and a little bit of fun. I had to squeeze in a little bit of fun. Just a little bit. My mother-in-law celebrated her 71^st birthday so I lent a hand by being emcee for the night.

For work, there were 2 local travels to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, General Santos City and an aborted trip to Dapitan to visit Dakak and the first ever Mindanao Theme Park. One was to cover the ambassadors visit and the latter for the Tuna Festival.

I heart Bongao. I really really do. always puts a smile to my face. Eventhough the Sea Air ride form Zambo to Bongao is a killer, I still give it 10 thumbs up for perfect-place-to-chillax. Bongao is one of the best places I have been in the Philippines. I don't advise it for the high maintenance kinda person though. It's a good backpacker place with it's fresh virgin beaches, kind people and cheap everything. I would like to buy a piece of land and relocate there in the future. In 8 years maybe.

(Being goofy at the Sanga-Sanga Airport Runway. With a little view of Bud Bongao)

Gensan on the other hand holds a special place in my heart since I was born there. My first serious relationship was with a guy from Gensan (out of topic but a good one for a separate entry). Its vibrant, colorful, booming and very laidback. Pretty much like a small Davao City. My kinda place. And did I mention I was born there?

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Ramadan season is always, I mean ALWAYS the best time of the year for me and my family. It's a time for reflection, of forgiveness, of new beginnings and sad endings. This year was a major breakthrough for me since I let go of something that was heavily dragging me down. Ramadan made it easier for me to let go. Prayers made me realize that I was holding on to something that was already slowly slipping through my fingers. And it felt good. So damn good. This year I had to limit myself to still a few days of fasting due to the pain medications. Maybe next year I can complete the entire fasting season. InshaALLAH.

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Last hurrah for August was a very interesting yet sudden but jampacked 5-day Malaysia trip. Sponsored by Tourism

Malaysia

, I was lucky enough to have been invited as a participant to their Mega Familiarization in conjunction with their Merdeka Celebration 2009.

A treasure trove of different cultural heritages harmoniously co-existing, Malaysia touches the heart of anyone who visits. A shopping mecca for different tastes in gargantuan proportions . It was the first time I saw such fashionable Muslim women in their head scarves and wafts of silks and jerseys. Decades old architecture in perfect condition. Truly a mixture of the old and modern. Hip and cultural. Chic and Ethnic.

Just touching the tip of the iceberg here and will update soon about my entire ttounge wagging trip. But suffice it to say that Malaysia has left a huge dent in my heart and I can't wait to go back.

Aku chinta Malaysia!