Ralph

The Ralph Experience


Original date composed on May 4th, 2007 at Friendster Lalyn's blog: Nature of the Mind

Ralph is the most amazing cat I’ve ever known. My apology to my childhood cats all named Ming and to my calico cat in Naga, Ling. Ralpn and I have been companion and friends more than a year now and he have finally accepted me in his territory.



The first time I met him, Jeff put this giant black cat with tiger like brown stripes on my lap and Ralph proceeded to smell my face and hair with such careful attention. I learned that he do that to every woman he met. So what I heared is true, he check-smell the ladies.



Then after that, Ralph initiated me with his scratches, whenever I passes him by the hallway; a quick marking scratch on my legs, whenever I reaches out to pet him; a contemptous seconds of controlled tolerance  then followed by a hiss or a growl then a bite or a paw smacks with claws out. He was really puzzled and jealous whenever I snuggled close to Jeff on the couch while we watches t.v. Ralph sits on the table in front of us, blocking the t.v. giving us the look, "why the hell is she still here?!?" Also Ralph sleeps with Jeff so when I moved in, naturally my pillow occupied the space where Ralph sleeps and it was disorienting struggle between me and Ralph. We will both wake up before the break of dawn looking at each others eyes in the dim darkness, him wondering why there is a stranger head on his space and me wondering why am I having a cat as a pillow.



But it was during those nights before dawn that I think Ralph finally gave in. I woke up one night, feeling the softest feathery brush on my eyelids and cheeks. Its Ralph’s paw, thank God claws retracted. I moved my head to give him space on my pillow, between me and Jeff and Ralph snuggled slowly and carefully and arranged himself so he would be facing me, his litte, cute and fuzzy head ( instead of the usual butt or back treatment) on the pillow next to me. That’s also the time I realized this is a one of a kind cat. Before, I just gives him food and water and took the wary coexistence path ( mostly to spare my legs, hands and arms from cat scratches and scars ) that night it dawned to me that Ralph is the king and I am his lowly servant and might be elevated to a companion status if I cater to all his whim very well.



It came clear to me that King Ralph runs the house, its his territory, he owns Jeff and I’m the neophyte. It was a humbling experience that I enjoyed so very much. Its so amusing and just so worth it because Ralph takes notice every nice things I do to him and he rewards me very well. No more scratches, smacks and bites. Most of all no more loud , angry hisses and growls for me. He started snuggling next to me, hopping on my lap, following me around, runs to the door when I arrives ( half of the time he is planning a quick escape to the garage or the front stairs) and watches like a lifeguard ( also drinks the bathwater with his paws) while I'm in the tub. He started acknowledging my usefulness and to me that is a big improvement and reward. Especially, to date my stuff is not yet pissed on or worse pooped on.

After the Ecstasy, the Laundry by Jack Kornfield

Originally composed on June 28th, 2009 at Friendster Lalyn's Blog: Nature of the Mind

Due to an impromptu visit to the bookstore with a friend who is looking for a book to gift, I found this book. I started reading last night and can’t put it down even if its already 2 am. Glad it was Saturday night.



What captured me is the word “Laundry” in the cover, along with the picture of the new washed clothes hanging in a line set outdoor. Really! Ok, what get me curious is the ” After Ecstasy…”



This is a great find and to those who used to pooh pooh finding ecstasy in a spiritual path, this might change your opinion. However, to my friends who loves to do the laundry, I know, this will confirm the wisdom of our hearts. Laundry is good.



So is this book. I’ll keep on reading and let y’all know what will be the aftereffect in me.



Love and Peace.

Something I'm Excited About

Something I’m Excited About


Date composed July 12th, 2009 at  Friendster Lalyn's Blog: Nature of the Mind

OK, I’m supposed to be pounding the review materials so my brain can eat it all before my big exam day ( for NPTE ) but then I noticed I’m having a freaking breakouts. Flashback 1998 when I really had a bad case of it, I’m sure Becbec remember this. So, hessitant to spend ridiculous money on dermatologist I alredy went to Walgreens and bought Neutrogena Advanced Acne Control. Maybe because I thought it was the state of my skin or because I always liked Jennifer Garner (she is the current ad model of Neutrogena.) I tried it alredy for 3 weeks as recommended but no visible improvement noted on my skin. And its distracting me from focusing on my review! Darn it. Then I thought of having a facial for clearing out the breakouts but I still had trauma from my last facial…( a year ago and pain scale 9/10) I started thinking about a certain facial when I first got here in San Francisco and it was not as painful but a little bit pricey. Hessitant and dreading the damage on my credit card I walked into Facial Plus at Noriega. I set an appointment and came back the next day. Stephanie did a really good job of lecturing me about the whole importance of taking care of yourself by being kind to your face. She is really into it, genuine without being pushy. By the end of a very gentle and relaxing facial I’m sold. She also gave me lots of Qiora samples to put on as postfacial maintenance. And I suddenly remember everything. Yeah, I had Qiora products before! And it worked really well! How can I forget! Oh yeah…the price! Its the high-end beauty products from Japan, from Shiseido.



So for 3 weeks I tried to be really good to my face and used the Clear Lotion and Balancing Lotion. It worked amazingly. Just today, I had my monthly fascial, yup, that’s right, they have a promo of 5 treatments for a discounted price which is usable for a year period. I also got a proper bottle of Clear Lotion and Balance Moisturizer with some added freebies. No, I want to focus on the good side and for once don’t want to flinch about spending hard-earned money for a worthwhile facial experience and products. Before I bought the stuff I checked the Qiora website and learned more about the products and how thoughtful they are marketing it. Also, I read some reviews of Qiora going back to 2 years and noted feedbacks. Just for the record, Qiora is now availabe in 12 states and can only be sold in a Qiora counter because it is an adjunct to facial treatment. I think the product works efficiently like that. Oh, did I mentioned that the ingredients are now disclosed at the box of the bottle. So now we know what is really in it. Its not that all natural but one of my friend who is a scientist have visited the company in Japan and was very impressed. Nevertheless I want to use this products, because it works. Its that simple. Yey to smart & efficient science.



Now I can go back to concentrate on my practice tests. Gladly.