The ongoing saga down south in the USA has kept me sleep-deprived from following all the “shenanigans” or as president-elect Biden says “malarkey” (love it! So quaint. I mean, of course the word “malarkey” and not the shocking riot). I never imagined there would come a day when my attention would be riveted on the goings-on in the US of A. When I travel, the U.S. never really quite interested me. Except maybe for New York City, which upon landing for the first time, I absolutely felt at home with despite the fact that it was raining cats and dogs at the time in La Guardia. The only other places I went to were Las Vegas (!?) only because I was attending an international broadcasting conference,  San Francisco just to visit my sister on my way back from Las Vegas to Manila, and to a town ( the name escapes me)  in Texas where my teen aged son was studying at that time. Other than those times, I preferred to go to other countries. 

But now, I am increasingly intrigued and learning quite a lot about our neighbor. With the pandemic, I have hunkered down since March 2020 to watch hundreds of video content online and on TV, with just occasional forays to the grocery and a few other places ( masked and social distancing, of course). At first, I was watching mostly Asian, European, or British content but with some of the programs of PBS (Channel 61 on Rogers) public television station of Buffalo and Toronto, I was pleasantly (and also the opposite) surprised that there was more to America than my prejudiced eyes could see. I have mentioned PBS in an earlier column. They have excellent programs – educational, inspiring, high caliber yet down to earth, relevant. If you like history and antiques, check out Antiques Roadshow. For the scientific minded or for just the plain curious as to how things work, you may find Nova (every Wednesday night) very interesting . This is where I learned about quantum entanglement a more detailed or technical explanation of the basic universal principle that we are all connected to each other, a concept I touched on very fleetingly 2 weeks ago in my column. They also have programs which feature ordinary decent Americans tending their gardens, giving tips on house repairs and renovations, conservation and nature activists doing whatever they can to help mitigate climate change. They were pleasant eye-openers for me about the US of A, although PBS also has a treasure trove of British programs, which are quite excellent including BBC World News. I said to myself that maybe I was too judgmental and did not give myself a chance to see the good in them. I found myself softening and taking more interest in our neighbors. Thanks to PBS.

On the other hand, you have the kind of Americans whose photos were posted online and viewed all over the world while they trampled riotously inside the Capitol in Washington DC. It was really disturbing and unnerving. I felt like I was having a crash course on what kind of “animal” the United States and the Americans really are. What the___???!!! Obviously, they are of two kinds – the 74M or so that voted for Trump and the 80M or so that voted for Biden (some of them saying “Anybody but Trump)”. Poles apart if I may say so myself. All these  unprecedented events are still being processed in my mind. Incredible! I wonder what configuration of the planets are accentuating all these tumultuous events. Perhaps it is time for me to consult with my astrologer friend. I am sure there is something going on astrologically to be precipitating this awful upheaval. To top it all, the U.S. has the most number of covid cases in the entire world, and counting. 

But, I pray that these will all calm down eventually and herald a brand new era, not only for the United States but for the whole world. I believe that we all affect each other. This, for me, is the perfect example. Especially in the case of the covid pandemic raging all around the globe. For me, one outstandingly good thing is that covid is now opening peoples’ eyes to better cleanliness and sanitation. I am all for that. The virtue of cleanliness cannot be over-emphasized. As the old but always true saying goes – Cleanliness is next to godliness. 

Speaking of cleanliness, I think it is commendable that in Japanese and South Korean elementary and secondary levels of education, the students take part in cleaning the whole school. How do I know this? From watching Asian dramas with a school setting. More often than not, when the student has to go through some disciplinary action, he or she is given the job of cleaning the windows or some such task. While studying in the Philippines, I don’t remember ever having to do tasks like those in school. I believe it would have done me (and many others like me) good to be given tasks like cleaning the desks or mopping the floor. Then, I would have learned to realize the value of labor, especially physical labor. Aside, of course, the benefits from a health aspect.  I am exceedingly grateful that living in Canada has taught me a great many things – being more independent, the value of physical work, to appreciate the sun and nature and the wonder of diversity in everything.

So glad we have 2020 behind us. With this new year of 2021, my wish is, or decree is that we all go forward to a new normal of learning the hard lessons we have and are still going through.  

And speaking of what we all go through, albeit painfully, at one time or another – I am reaching out to the family of Monina and Michelle Serrano on the passing on of Franklin Serrano, beloved husband and father respectively. I trust that the tree my husband and I had planted for him will serve as a fitting tribute to his memory and legacy. It is heartwarming to know that one can have a tree planted as a tribute while at the same help in the reforesting of the country. This is a wonderful way to support the planting of more trees which, as David Attenborough says,   helps tremendously, in more ways than one, to save our planet, and ultimately, save us human beings. Check out the Canadian Institute of Forestry and the non-profit volunteer movement Forests Without Borders.

Keep staying safe and finding ways to make your lockdown useful and productive, even if it is just sleeping well and eating healthy food. Don’t forget the exercise. 

Tessie O. Taylor

Comments welcome   taylorteresita@gmail.com