Journeys Far and Wide: Triskaidekaphobia

Friday, August 13, 2010

Triskaidekaphobia

Yesterday was Friday the 13th. Superstitions, linked to this particular day, are rooted in ancient bad luck associations with the number 13 and the day Friday. Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13. A lot of high rise buildings do not designate a 13th floor. One of the reasons that Friday is considered bad luck is because it is the day that Jesus was crucified.

Many people avoid working or scheduling anything on Friday the 13th for fear of something bad happening to them. As for me, 13 is my lucky number. I was born on the 13th day of the month. Friday, usually, is the day that leads us into our weekend. Fridays currently happen to be my only day off from while working here in the UAE. I look forward to Fridays.

Yesterday was my birthday, Friday the 13th. Like most Fridays, I had planned to check out sights and ventured to Dubai without any fear of something bad happening. I don't buy into this superstition one small bit.

Note: My mother had always blamed my father for providing an incorrect date of birth when he registered me at the Cuyapo City Hall. The record book has my birth date listed as 10 August. I was surprised when I arrived home late afternoon last Tuesday, 10 August, to find a small mini birthday cake in my kitchen. It was provided by the hotel staff. I guess it is one of the perks of living at this place. When I was sick last month, they sent a basket of fruits to my room. When we had a 15 minute power outage last week, the day after I found a platter of yummy dates filled with different types of nuts.

2 comments:

Anonymous14 August, 2010 01:13
When you were a baby, Inna would call you Trece to treasure or appreciate your birth on the 13th, I guess. Happy birthday bro!
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Anonymous14 August, 2010 23:50
Happy Birthday - you big poof!
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WELCOME

"A man travels the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it." -- George Moore.

I have always enjoyed traveling – seeing new places and meeting new people. Some have said that travel broadens the mind. I sometime think that during my journeys, I will uncover something deep and profound. I am again back overseas, in Germany, after 14 months in Seattle from March 2011 thru May 2012. I had been away from Seattle from February 2005 to March 2011 – in Iraq for one year, in Bosnia for 18 months, in Germany for 2 1/2+ years, and one year in Abu Dhabi, UAE. I was born in the Philippines, and have lived in Seattle, WA; Washington DC; Southern California; and Portland, Oregon. I have traveled in the US, Canada, Europe, and the Philippines. I have spent most of my life in Seattle.

Seattle is my home. It is where most of my family and friends live. My visits back home,when I am overseas, always invigorate me. I have discovered that it is in Seattle, my home, where I will find what I need. I don’t know how much longer this journey will continue; I do know that it will finish in Seattle.

Places Where I Have Lived

*** I decided to list all the places that I have lived at. I can't believe the number of times I have moved. My true nomadic spirit becomes especially apparent by the number of times I have changed residence. ***
Tagtagumbao, Cuyapo, Philippines - My place of birth; located in the province of Nueva Ecija. Tagtagumbao, a small rural village, will always hold a special place in my heart. It's the type of place where everyone knows each other. The are not many places like that anymore.
Bainbridge Island, WA - The first place I lived at after moving to the US. I lived there for two years, plus the countless summers spent there helping out at my sister's strawberry and raspberry farm.
Seattle, WA - I have lived there for almost twenty years total. I call this town my home.
Chevy Chase, MD - Just outside Washington, D.C. I spent six months there late 1984 thru early 1985 while I interned at US Nuclear Regulatory Agency.
Seattle, WA - Moved back to Seattle in 1985. Finished school at UW.
Pomona, California - After college, I moved there for work in 1988. It was close to my workplace, but I did not realize it was in the middle of gang country. The apartment was nice and new, but...
Rancho Cucamonga, CA - After six months in Pomona, this is where I moved to. Formerly, the town consisted mostly of vineyards. It was a growing community when I moved there. It's located in the foothills of San Gabriel mountains. I lived there for more than 6 years (1988 thru 1995).
Gresham, OR - A suburb of Portland. I lived there for about 5 years (1995 thru 1999). Portland is similar to Seattle, but without the congestion. It still has the small town feel. I enjoyed my time in the Portland area.
Seattle, WA - Moved back to Seattle in 1999 to live with my father after my mother passed away.
Green Zone, Baghdad, Iraq - I lived in the confines of the Green Zone my first two months in Iraq (Feb-Mar 2005). It was located in the heart of the city, where most of the former Iraqi regime's palaces and government buildings were located.
Camp Taji, Iraq - Located northwest of Baghdad, just outside the city. My Resident Office was located inside the base. The Resident Office served as the work area for 7-9 people. It also served as our living quarters. I was there for 9 months. (Apr 2005 - Dec 2005)
Eagle Base, Tuzla, Bosnia - Spent 18 memorable months in Bosnia (Jan 2006 - Jun 2007). I enjoyed my work and stay over there.
Wiesbaden, Germany - I was in Germany from Jul 2007 thru Feb 2010. I had a ball here. I took advantage of my stay here by exploring other parts of Germany and the rest of Europe every chance I got.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Moved here for a new job in mid-March 2010. I moved back to the US in March 2011.
Seattle, WA - Moved back to Seattle in March 2011.
Wiesbaden, Germany - Back again in Deutschland, in early May 2012