Tips to Improve your Personality

I was talking to my fellow residents the other day during meal times, on the fellow residents they like. The residents most mentioned are those with great and pleasant personality, that is always smiling and have positive attitudes and very friendly to all including new comers.  

So, If someone says to you, you have a good personality, do you know exactly what they meant?  When we say someone has a ‘good personality’, it means the person is likeable, pleasant, fun to be with, and interesting. 

Personality is an amalgamation of a lot of skills – the way you communicate, how you present yourself, your confidence etc.  If you’re someone who’s wondering how to improve your personality, then you need to know that it is a continuous work and requires dedication and effort.  

Most of us seniors feel I am too old and set on my ways to improve my personality. This may be true, but if you want to be happy and felt you belong as part of the senior community, perhaps improved your personality as follows:  

These tips will help you improve your personality.

1. Develop great communication skills: ... 
2. Develop your knowledge and skillset: ... 
3. Stay warm and kind to others: ... 
4. Stay level-headed: ... 
5. Prioritize accountability: ... 
6. Be genuine in your interest in others: ... 
7. Let out the real 'you': ... 
8. Stay comfortable around yourself:

https://www.letsexpresso.com/self-betterment/how-to-improve-your-personality-5-ways-that-truly-work/

Meanwhile enjoy this recent photo I took during the Pumpkin Decoration Contest here at THD.

and the Persimmon tree loaded with fruits in our THD Garden by the side of the Fairmont  Building- my new home since last year! 

and the red chili pepper ready to be harvested

and my Cowboy photo taken by Gwen Corbett during our Cowboy Days Dinner Outdoors several weeks ago

and lastly 

My Harris-Walz T-Shirt and Pin- Gifts from Ditas during her visit on September 15, 2024 

The Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco

During our recent excursion in San Francisco SalesForce Rooftop Park, we detoured on our way home via the Golden Gate Bridge and pass by the Palace of Fine Arts. Its is an iconic landmark in the cityscape of San Francisco. 

The architecture was stunningly beautiful and it aroused my curiosity of this beautiful building, surrounded by a small lake. I took a photo from our van. My photo was not as fantastic as the photos in the website, but I am posting it on this blog anyway.        

‍In 1915 when the Panama Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) opened, it was a time of turmoil for the world and for the City of San Francisco. The City was just recovering from the terrible earthquake and fire of 1906. The nations of Europe were engaged in economic and political troubles that would lead to the start of World War I. The civic leaders of San Francisco envisioned a bold plan to bring the world together to encourage trade and to show the future of the world as it could be, and to demonstrate that a rebuilt San Francisco would be truly an international city. It was conceived to evoke a decaying ruin of ancient Rome, the Palace of Fine Arts became one of San Francisco's most recognizable landmarks. Early 2009 marked the completion of a renovation of the lagoons and walkways and a seismic retrofit.

AD FROM WESITE: ORIGINALLY BUILT FOR THE 1915 PANAMA-PACIFIC EXHIBITION, THE VENUE AT PALACE OF FINE ARTS IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR CORPORATE EVENTS, PRIVATE GALAS, TRADE SHOWS, WEDDINGS, AND OTHER EVENTS IN NEED OF A LARGE SPACE. OPERATED BY NON PLUS ULTRA, SAN FRANCISCO’S MOST CELEBRATED VENUE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, THE VENUE AT PALACE OF FINE ARTS IS OPEN TUESDAY – SUNDAY FROM 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (CLOSED ON MONDAYS AND FOR SPECIAL EVENTS). COME INSIDE AND GRAB TASTY FOOD AND BEVERAGES AT THE NEWLY OPENED CAFE PLUS!

Bernard R. Maybeck was chosen as architect for the Palace of Fine Arts. A student of the École des Beaux-Arts, his design reflects the impression of a Roman ruin. The inspiration for the Palace, with its soaring colonnade, grand rotunda, and carefully constructed pond, was meant to evoke quiet sadness and solemnity. This is most evident as one observes the “weeping ladies” facing into the tops of the columns throughout the park. While visiting a museum in Munich, Maybeck was struck by the Hungarian artist István Csók’s depiction of a scene where the notorious Polish princess Elizabeth Bathory is seen throwing freezing water on her naked servants.

Maybeck was also influenced by Arnold Böcklin’s Isle of the Dead. This popular work depicts a small island with towering rocks surrounded by water, with trees at the core of the island, and a boatman with mysterious passenger approaching a dark inlet. Maybeck’s choice of inspiration from classical painters was interesting, given that the purpose of the Palace of Fine Arts was to showcase artists at a period of time when modern art was beginning to emerge.

Rebuilding

‍After the fair, most of the buildings at the PPIE, which were never meant to be permanent, were torn down. The exception of the Palace of Fine Arts; the citizens of San Francisco felt it was just too beautiful to destroy. Consistent with his design concept, Maybeck had intended that the Palace should just fall into ruin, and so it did for a long time. In the ensuing years the building was used for a variety of purposes. After World War II it was a military storage depot, a warehouse for the Parks Department, a telephone book distribution center, and even temporary Fire Department headquarters.

However, the Palace of Fine Arts was never destined to have the same fate as the other buildings of the PPIE. In 1959 Assemblyman Caspar Weinberger led the effort to completely restore the Palace. Public and private funding efforts were underway, but it seemed the goal was just beyond reach. It was then that businessman and philanthropist Walter S. Johnson stepped up and contributed the additional $2MM needed to completely restore the Palace into a permanent structure.

The Palace of Fine Arts League, a 501(c)3 non-profit, was established in 1962 to provide the means to restore the Palace of Fine Arts. Walter Johnson’s efforts, along with many others, contributed to the creation of the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, which opened in 1970. The Palace of Fine Arts League continues to operate the theater today, honoring the legacy of Maybeck, Johnson, and the many others that have contributed to the rich cultural fabric of San Francisco made possible by the success of the Panama Pacific International Exposition.

Meanwhile, enjoy these two photos of the antique table in the Conference Room of THD, just across the Activity Room and Lobby. 

 

From the Leaf Design Would you say it has Middle East or Indian Origin? 

How to Play Pai Gow Poker- THD Poker Night

THD hosted a Texas Hold 'Em Poker yesterday afternoon (9/24/24).  I have played it only once previously, but my knowledge and skills of Pai Gow Poker ( Double -Hand poker) is better than the Texas Hold'Em type. There are 15 types of Poker Games, but the most popular is the Texas Hold'Em.  I enjoyed Pai Gow because I have more experience playing it. In this posting I am reposting my article I wrote several years ago. The video at the bottom of the page is a must view if you want to learn how to play Pai Gow. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pai_gow_poker

I have played Pai Gow Poker a number of times in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe as well as in our local (Thunder Valley)Casino.  However, in most Casinos the lowest bet is $5.00. However in some Casinos in Lake Tahoe, there are tables with only a $2.00 minimum bet. In this way if your gambling money is only $250, you can play longer. In the table with minimum of $5, you should have at least $500 capital to play. For that reason, I have not played Pai Gow Poker for the last 4 years. My gambling money and entertainment budget is for only $250. A minimum of $500 capital is needed to play in the $5 minimum game. https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2017/02/i-enjoyed-playing-pai-gow-poker.html

So what is Pai Gow Poker. Here's what Wikipedia says:  

Pai gow poker (also called double-hand poker) is an Americanized version of Pai gow (in that it is played with playing cards bearing poker hand values, instead of Pai gow's Chinese dominoes). The games of Pai gow poker and Super Pan-9 were created by Sam Torosian and Fred Wolf.

The game is played with a standard 52-card deck, plus a single joker. It is played on a table set for six players, plus the dealer. Each player attempts to defeat the banker (who may be the casino dealer, or one of the other players at the table).

The object of pai gow poker is for a player to create two poker hands out of the seven-card hand he/she is dealt by the dealer: a five-card hand, and a two-card poker hand. According to the rules, the five-card hand's rank must exceed the two-card hand's, and that is why the two-card hand is often called the hand "in front" or "on top" or "hair", or the "small" or "minor" or "low" hand. The five-card hand is called the hand "behind", or the "bottom" or "high" or "big" (as they are placed that way in front of the player, when the player is done setting them).

Californian casinos typically charge a flat fee per hand (such as 5 cents or one dollar) to play, win or lose. Other casinos take, out of the winnings, a 5% commission (usually known as the rake). While this may seem high, a hand of Pai Gow poker takes a long time to play compared to a game like blackjack, and there are many pushes; therefore the house doesn't collect that 5% as often as it would collect the house percentage on other games.

Variants

There are a number of variations of Pai Gow poker that are popular in casinos today. These variations were mainly formulated in 2004 - 2009. Pai Gow Mania was the first variation to be created which allows for two side bets instead of the traditional one side bet per hand. Fortune Pai Gow is another variation which allows players to make a side bet on a poker hand ranking of trips or better. This is one of the most popular variations. Similar to fortune pai gow, is emperors challenge which also allows a side bet on a 7 card pai gow (no hand). The final variation of the game developed was Pai Gow progressive, which is the addition of a progressive jackpot to the pai gow table. This jackpot is the combined of $1 side bets placed by players during the play.

The 6 card Pai Gow Poker Variation:

There is a six Card Pai Gow Poker variation( not popular) of the basic popular seven-card game. It features head-to head play against the dealer and an optional bonus bet. Players and the dealer each get six cards to make two poker hands—a five-card “high” hand and a one-card “low” hand. The dealer then compares his five-card hand with each player’s five-card hand, and he compares his one-card hand with each player’s one-card hand. If the player wins both matchups, he is paid 1 to 1 on his standard wager. If he loses both matchups, he loses his standard wager. If he wins one and loses one, the standard wager is a push. The house wins copies. Exceptions: 1) If the player uses a Joker in his low hand, it beats any dealer low hand. There is no commission on winning bets. There is no player banking. The game is played with a 53-card deck, including a joker that is used as an Ace or to complete a straight or flush. A2345 is the second-highest straight.  

I played this variation in Las Vegas a decade ago, I like it because you do not pay a commission. I believe this is only played in Las Vegas and only in a few Casinos. Last year when I asked our local Indian Casino if they have this variation, they stared at me as if I was in another planet. I really enjoyed this game, since it is much easier to play than the regular 7 card game. 

The following video show how to play basic 7 card Pai Gow Poker!

Meanwhile I won the Bills vs Jaguars Game last Monday night Lottery by guessing the winner and the total score of 59. When asked how I came out with the number 59, I said just pure genius and a little luck!

I had fun with the Texas Hold'em Poker Game yesterday although I did not win. It was hosted by Teresa and Cidney. Thanks to both of you! Let's play Pai Gow Poker next time!  I will be the Banker! Beginners Welcome, but must viewed the above tutorial.   

I am Proud to be Filipino-American

I received the following article in my E-mail today. There was no author, but as a Filipino-American, reading this makes me very proud of my ancestry and roots.


WE HAVE TO KNOW THIS AS FILIPINOS. FILIPINOS DESERVE TO KNOW ALL OF THESE AND BE PROUD TO BE A FILIPINO.

1. In the Philippines, Filipinos were introduced to the English language in 1762 by British invaders, not Americans.

2. What is the world's 3rd largest English-speaking nation, next to the USA and the UK?.... The Philippines.

3. The USA bought the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam from Spain in 1898. Los Angeles, California was co-founded in 1781 by a Filipino named Antonio Miranda Rodriguez, along with 43 Latinos from Mexico sent by the Spanish 
government.

4. What antibiotic did Filipino doctor Abelardo Aguilar co-discover? Hint: Brand is Ilosone, named after Iloilo -- Erythromycin.

5. The one-chip video camera was first made by Marc Loinaz, a Filipino inventor from New Jersey.

6. This son of two Filipino physicians scored over 700 on the verbal portion of the Standardized Achievement Test (SAT) before age 13 - Kiwi Danao Camara of Punahou School, Hawaii.

7. Who was the Filipino-American dancer who scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT?.....Joyce Monteverde of California.

8. Who invented the fluorescent lamp? Thomas Edison discovered the electric light bulb and the fluorescent lighting was thought up by Nikola Tesla - a Filipino. But the fluorescent lamp we use today was invented by Agapito Flores (a Cebu man named Benigno Flores of Bantayan Island, according to the Philippine Daily inquirer), a Filipino scientist. Americans helped then-Philippine leader Ramon Magsaysay to develop it for worldwide commerce.

9. Yes! Many foreigners have noted that the Filipino population has Asia's highest rates of inventors and international beauty queens. Two Filipina beauties, Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran, were chosen as Miss Universe in 1969 and 1973.

10. Pure- or part-Filipino celebrities in American showbiz include Von Flores,Tia Carrere, Paolo Montalban, Lea Salonga, Ernie Reyes Jr., Nia Peeples, Julio Iglesias Jr., Enrique Iglesias, Lou Diamond Phillips, Phoebe Cates and Rob Schneider.

11. The first Filipino act to land a top hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in the 1960s was the group Rocky Fellers of Manila.

12. Sugar Pie de Santo (father was from the Philippines), The Artist formerly known as Prince (according to the October 1984 article "Prince in Exile" by Scott Isler in the magazine Musician), Jaya, Foxy Brown and Enrique Iglesias followed.

13. Besides gracing fashion magazine covers, this international supermodel from Manila had walked the runways since the 1970s for all the major designers, like Calvin Klein, Chanel, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Donna Karan, Gianni Versace and Yves Saint Laurent - Anna Bayle.

14. Who is the personal physician of former U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton? Eleanor "Connie" Concepcion Mariano, a Filipina doctor who was the youngest captain in the US Navy.

15. Founded in 1595 by Spaniards, the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, Philippines is older than Harvard and is the oldest university in Asia. University of Santo Tomas in Manila, established in 1611, is Asia's second oldest.

16. Who was the first Asian and/or Filipino to snatch America's Pulitzer Prize?- Philippines Herald war journalist Carlos P. Romulo in 1941.(He was also first Asian to become UN President.) The first two Filipino-Americans to garner the same award 56 years later were Seattle Times' Alex Tizon and Byron Acohido, who is part-Korean.

17. Filipino writer Jose Rizal could read and write at age 2, and grew up to speak more than 20 languages, including Latin, Greek, German, French and Chinese. What were his last words? "Consummatum est!"("It is done!")

18. "What's still most impressive to me about the Philippines is the friendliness of the people, their sense of humor." wrote Honolulu journalist John Griffin in a 1998 visit to Manila. 

Here's a short video about the Philippines you should watch 

https://fb.watch/uygEIT5PCi/

Personal Note: In my recent blog, I mentioned that a few residents at the Heritage Tower has been complaining about the Garbage Pick-Up early in the morning ( 6-6:30AM). I suggested that Garbage Pick-Up be rescheduled perhaps 2-3 hours later. Last Monday when I went to breakfast at 9AM, I saw the Garbage Truck. My question is? Is the schedule for pick up now at 9AM instead of 6AM ? If that is true,  Thank You, THD Management.  

San Francisco SalesForce Rooftop Park Excursion

One of San Francisco's best outdoor spaces is four stories off the ground!

Recently completed and now open to the public, the Salesforce Transit Center is a bus and high-speed rail station capped at the roof with an iconic 5.4 acre park, designed as both a public destination and community park within downtown San Francisco. The rooftop park serves as an essential element in the growth of the new East Cut neighborhood in San Francisco and provides high-quality open space in an area whose popularity is growing rapidly but lacks significant public open space for park development.

Eight THD Residents enjoyed a tour of the Park yesterday. I took some pictures for my BLOGS (see bottom of page). This was my first time to be in the Park and it was an excellent reason to get out of my Gilded Cage. 

After our picnic lunch and walk ( 0.6 mile) around the oblong park we headed home via the Golden Gate Bridge thru Pine/Lombard Streets passing by the Palace of Fine Arts💚.  We passed by Sausalito, San Rafael Bridge then Via Ashby ( Freeway crowded) passing the Claremont Hotel then to Highway 24. The weather was perfect and the sandwiches we brought were yummy.      

Enjoying my Sandwich Prior to Our Leisure Walk in the Park with a C0-RESIDENT who wanted to be anonymous. 

 The following is the write-up below written by Carol High about the Park

https://www.pwpla.com/salesforce-transit-center-park

"There’s always a reason to look up in San Francisco, and the Salesforce Transit Center

Opens in new window

This urban park has become a popular anchor for downtown. Stretching over nearly 4 blocks, this 5.4-acre rooftop park features a beautiful landscape with 600 trees, 16,000 plants, and a linear fountain. It is about 0.6 mile walk and will take about 11 minutes. Pets are not allowed. 

About Salesforce Park

Main Plaza 

The main plaza of Salesforce Park features an oculus surrounded by a bamboo grove. This open space is a perfect place for people to come and play. There is also a walkable glass floor that is the largest of its kind in the U.S. The main plaza also hosts special events once the sun goes down, such as a music series and immersive fairytales. During the day, there is storytelling with literary artists, fitness classes, and children's activities.

Amphitheater

Located at the west end of the park, this amphitheater holds up to 1,000 people on its grassy lawn. It's also a great place for a variety of activities, including free yoga classes, concerts and movie nights under the stars.

Bus Fountain

A fun feature of the park is this interactive permanent public art installation, a fountain specifically created to correspond with the comings and goings of the buses within the terminal below. Built with more than 1,200 feet of white and gray granite, this contemporary design is one of the world’s longest water artworks.

Children’s Play Area

Located between the central lawn and the main plaza is a children's play area, featuring a climbing rope frame on a spongy protective flooring. After romping and frolicking in the play structure, children are free to borrow a book from the Children's Reading Room for impromptu story time, or grab a board game from the game cart.

Walking Trail

The perimeter of the park is a walking trail that spans half a mile. Along the trail are 13 small botanical gardens with flora and fauna representing different regions of the world.

The Gondola

This might not be your normal mode of transportation to a rooftop park, but it sure offers a much more scenic ride than the average elevator or escalator. This one-way gondola ride that takes you from ground level to the park operates 8 a.m.–8 p.m. (May 1–Oct. 31) and 8 a.m.–7 p.m. (Nov. 1–Apr. 30), and is free of charge.

Park Hours

Summer Hours (May 1–Oct. 31): 6 a.m.–9 p.m.

Winter Hours (Nov. 1–Apr. 30): 6 a.m.–8 p.m.

Here are some photos I took during This THD Sunday Excursion and Picnic! 

💚Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, 3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123( Photo taken from the van)

Enjoying A Gelato After the Walk

Teresa Nudo, our capable Host and Chaperon. Thank you Teresa for the fun excursion and picnic and also to Ralph Guilatco for the excellent driving through the City Streets of SFO and the Fantastic detour via the Golden Gate Bridge and San Rafael Bridge on Our way Home. 

We appreciate the work of THD Employees in enhancing our well-being and sense of belonging via fun activities as exemplified by the above SalesForce Rooftop Park Tour and Picnic. Again Kudos to the Activity Department of THD and specifically to Teresa for being an excellent Host and Chaperon.  Eight THD residents participated.  One of the residents requested I do not mentioned her name in my blog for privacy reasons, but no problem with my posting her photo in this blog. 

💚https://www.palaceoffinearts.org/