Mini Rock Garden

Rocks are considered as one of the hardest surfaces. If a person is like a rock, it means that he or she is reliable, trustworthy, and exceptionally stable. It is described in the cliché, “solid as a rock.” We’ve been through a lot since the beginning of the year, but we remained hopeful and resilient throughout the crisis. We know that we will get through this hardship and “it shall pass.” My family and I must be solid as rocks to withstand any storms that will come our way.

I’ve been working in the backyard garden for the past week and I accomplished some of the small projects I planned for the summer. I finished all of the cleanings and decorating in our backyard patio. I planted vegetables, flowers, and herbs, and some of them are ready for harvesting. Most of the days are warm, so we’re out doing barbecue, playing some games, sipping cocktails, and just simply hanging out while enjoying the sunshine.

A few days ago, I posted on my blog with a post called the "Mini Herb Garden.” My mini herb garden is growing more now, and I’ve been pinching some of the leaves to use it for my cooking and making smoothies. It was very rewarding to see my plants grow and thrive, and there’s always something to harvest in my little garden, like strawberries and kale. Because I was inspired by it, I decided to do another project, which was the rock garden. I’m fond of making mini gardens, and I made blogs about them in the past. There are a lot of things that you can use for your garden. They just depend on your imagination and creativity, or you can decide on a theme. That way, it will be easy to gather your materials for your garden.

The other day, I went to Rite Aid, and I found a huge container on sale, so I had this idea of making a rock garden. I collected garden decorations throughout the years, and I just added more that I found on sale from the store. Since my goal is to have mixed flowers and vegetables, I chose cucumbers, cabbages, morning glories, and some other flowers. I even bought a solar rock decoration, which would be the focal point of the garden. We also have small rocks on our patio, and I used some of them to put on top of the container. Then I put metal trellis on the back of it so that vines could grow on it. I didn't have a particular theme for my rock garden, but I suggest using common things that you can find in a garden. Examples are fairies, dwarves, a bird’s nest, and a fountain. Overall, rock gardens are a nice addition to our backyard patio.

Mini Herb Garden

“Herbs are nature’s own medicine and has highly healing compounds. Drinking, eating, smelling, and using herbs in different ways can get you more balanced, de-stress, sleep better, and improve overall health.”

—Law of Positivism

During the Quarantine period, people are finding ways to survive it. Since most places were closed, and we can’t go anywhere, I tried to stay sane by working in my backyard garden. With all the news going on about the pandemic, people dying, and recently, the riots and protests, I got stressed out and started to feel anxious. So, I focused my attention on a small project. I found an old barrel planter laying down in our yard, so I got the idea of making it an herb garden. Buying herbs was kind of expensive, and I didn’t get to use all of them. But planting them in my garden and pinching some of the leaves would be useful for my cooking ingredients. After leaving the herbs alone for a while, they will continue to grow. Then, when winter comes, I suggest drying the leaves or freezing them. They will last until next summer. Overall I mainly use herbs for my cooking, baking, and tea-brewing.

About two weeks ago I went to the gardening store and bought a variety of herbs. I included some vegetables, too, like kale and sweet potatoes to complement them. Also, I gathered some garden decorations that I collected over the years and incorporated them into my garden, as well. Since it was hard to remember all the names of the herbs, I used small labels to identify them.

For soil, I used one that was organic. Then I got a mini trellis and used it as a sign for my small garden. I gathered a lot of small pots and planted the remaining herbs since they all didn’t fit in the barrel planter.

Over the years, we’ve been mostly planting flowers on pots, but I never thought of incorporating vegetables and herbs onto them, too. With the prices of food rising today, I discovered that this is one way to save money and support sustainability. It is actually a great way to start your day looking at your garden and it brings you joy and happiness after seeing your plants grow!

Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The purpose of this campaign is to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of screening and early detection. During this month, people, especially women, are encouraged to get screened for breast cancer, which improves survival rates if it's diagnosed in an early stage. Also, during the celebration of breast cancer awareness, people are encourage to wear pink, donate, support fundraising, or simply show your love to those people affected by this devastating disease. 

 

 

My younger sister is a breast cancer survivor. During her ordeal, I wasn't there for her in person because of our thousand-mile distance from each other. She's always been a positive person, bubbly and full of life, so she was able to beat the disease and survive. None of us in the family ever had cancer, so I never thought that she would get it. It's very important to get screened every year and do self examination.

In order to honor my sister, I decorated a jean jacket with patches, flowers, ribbons, and buttons, especially designed for breast cancer awareness. I'm sure she will like this; I want to remind her of my ongoing love and support for her. I'm praying that no one will ever be affected by this disease again in our family. I promise to myself that I will do a mammogram every year, and eat healthy, balanced diets.

 

 

A looped pink ribbon symbolizes breast cancer awareness. Today the image of a pink ribbon can be found on shirts, cups, bags, and thousands of other products. If you buy these goods, you're supporting the campaign. But there's more to awareness than just wearing pink; prevention and early detection is the key.

 

 

 

A Milestone (Graduate 2017)

I'll begin my blog with this poem, which inspires my daughter Hazel's journey in reaching her dream:

Follow Your Dream

By: Amanda Bradley

Follow your dream. 

Take one step at a time and don't settle for less, 

Just continue to climb. 

Follow your dream. 

If you stumble, don't stop and lose sight of your goal.

Press to the top. 

For only on top can we see the whole view, 

Can we see what we've done and what we can do; 

Can we then have the vision to seek something new, 

Press on. 

Follow your dream.

How time flies! I can't believe that it's been four years since we threw a college graduation party for my daughter, Hazel. After years of hard work and sacrifices, she finally graduated from college. We are so proud of her for this milestone; passing the NCLEX and finally being hired in the Swedish Medical Center as a nurse. It came in like a blur, and it kind of happened all at once. It's an indescribable emotion for me; I'm overjoyed that she graduated, but at the same time, I am a bit sad that she will be moving out to be independent. I guess it's hard to let go; similar to a bird learning to fly on her own and spreading her wings.

Looking at her now, we as parents know that we did our job in guiding her to achieve her goals. It's a big accomplishment for us, too. Last year, she marched on the Husky Stadium, graduating with a Public Health degree. Then one more year later, she finished the nursing program last August. It was a small ceremony exclusively for the Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) department.

In the following week, we celebrated the event with a big party at home with family and friends. It took a lot of preparations, but it was worth it. We had fun and everyone had a good time. The party was held in our backyard with a rustic theme, perfect for a sunny and warm summer.

It took me a long time to think of a present for my daughter. I wanted her to have something that she will always treasure and could be shown to her kids someday. As a graduation present I made her a memory book. It contains pictures from when she was born up to the present. It includes happy memories, special occasions, and important events in her life. Basically, it summarizes Hazel's life journey.

We set up a photo booth where guests could take a picture using a polaroid camera. Afterward the picture was stuck to the book, and the guests wrote messages to the graduate. Also, as a party favor, flower seed packets were bought and stuck to sticks and were put inside a little wagon. Hazel liked the present; it's inexpensive but also personalized, and it's something that I had put a lot of effort and thought into.

Overall I believe that the graduation party was a success, and I wish for a wonderful and successful life for my daughter.