• Random

    Hello 2021

    Life is getting tougher and tougher nowadays. While others are almost back to their normal lives, here we are staying at home doing our part. Despite the trials we have gone through, I am grateful that we are continuing to resist.

    Because of the pandemic, I have learned many realizations in life. I have not been careful with my actions and decisions in recent years and only now do I realize their importance.

    This year:

    • I will be more careful about my decisions and actions in life
    • I will not get swayed or get encouraged by anyone
    • I will stick to my plans and goals
    • I will prioritize my needs, then next come
    • I will get in touch with the people I love
    • I will change my spending habits. 2020 has thrown a lot of money-wise decisions
    • I will get back to cooking and stick to home-cooked meals
    • I will support my family throughout the years

    Realization help you make better choices in the future.

  • Life Lately

    Things I Am Thankful This 2020

    Many things happened in 2020 that were not expected. Who would have thought that this pandemic would last for several months? I thought in a month or two, things would get better, but it did not. The pandemic brought us a lot of learning. Gladly, I still have work and I am working from home. My sister got back to being a nurse. My nephew turned one. Dad passed away. Typhoon Ulysses hit us and left a great impact. And so on.

    God is good.

    Even though I was discouraged by the time Daddy left us, He never left me. I have learned to accept the fate that daddy is gone and he is now in good hands. He had suffered enough. He did the best that he could.

    Life is unpredictable. It changes along with every individual. Today you have and tomorrow you may not have. Be thankful for the good that stays with you. – Rashida Rowe

    I am thankful to my family, especially my mom. Do not give up. We can do this. Keep believing and trusting. I know we can overcome all the trials we face today.

    To my sister and BIL, hang in there. The best is yet to come. We are all in this together.

    To my nephew, you are amazing. Thank you for bringing so much joy to the family.

    I am beyond grateful to my relatives. You are truly a blessing to us. We will never forget the tireless support, especially in times of distress. Thank you for extending your arm when we needed a hand.

    I am thankful for having good company and good colleagues. I am happy with the help I have received since day 1. Thank you for your usual support.

    Thank you, thank you, everyone.

    Most of all, thank you self for not giving up and for striving hard in these trying times. I am so proud of you. Always take good care of yourself.

    Just keep going.

  • Random

    Why I am Loving Work from Home Now

    I used to fantasize about working from home. I really do, but it changed when I started working from home. It is far different from what I pictured and read. I cannot think of a reason why we are not allowed to go home to our provinces and work from there. I assume that the province is safer than the city.

    There are a lot of misconceptions about what it is like to work from home. If you can remember my post, Why Work from Home is Not for Me. I have mentioned 4 reasons why it is not for me.

    Today, I am sharing why I am loving it, after months of settling into my home-office set-up and new routines of working from home.

    What is it about working from home that I am so taken with it right now?

    I am more rested. I do not have to get out of bed early to pack my lunch and get ready for work. I can spend less time getting ready for work. 35 minutes is plenty of time already.
    15 minutes (shower and getting dressed), 2 minutes (setting-up workspace), 18 minutes (preparing breakfast and coffee)

    I can sneak out and tend to personal business, like picking up my groceries, cooking my meal while attending a meeting, or chatting with my nephew.

    I can listen to loud music, use my headsets, and sing my heart out without worrying about anyone being disturbed. I do not mind them (my neighbors) anyway. They do not mind me either.

    I can focus on one task at a time. There is a less chance of distraction. No more unimportant meetings and interruptions from coworkers. Kidding! Read: How to Stay Focused

    The weather does not prevent me from working except when I am really under the weather.

    I can talk freely to myself. Hello, me! How is it going? You know how much I love talking to myself. We disagree most of the time. It is totally normal btw.

    I have the option of taking a midday break, aka power nap. The reason why I am unable to respond to your messages immediately during midday. That can wait till 1 pm, right?

    I can work on whatever clothes I decide to wear. Except for times when I need to attend meetings that need to have the camera turned on. Nothing like that seems to have happened as far as I remember.

    I can either work in my bed, in my home-office set-up, or elsewhere in my apartment.

    Everything I need is within reach, including food and drinks.

    I do not have to be sneaky anymore whenever I use the comfort room.

    No more office dramas and politics. Although, I miss office conversations sometimes.

    I do not get swayed by trying out a new drink or restaurant. I stick to what I already prepared for lunch and snacks.

    I can have my dance breaks instead of the normal stretching that I do in the office.

    And most of all, by staying and working from home, I am safe from communicable diseases (not just Covid-19) and getting sick will be far less common.


    What do you like best about working from home?

  • Life Lately

    How I Celebrated My Birthday

    Things did not go as planned. But everything turned out well. This birthday is the most memorable birthday I ever have. Never did I imagine myself celebrating my birthday alone. But hell yeah! I managed and loved the idea.

    My insomnia hit me. I was up till 6am watching Netflix movies, tossing and turning in my bed. Mom called me the minute I was about to shut off my eyes. My nephew was looking for me. I heard him saying Chicha, Tatata in the background. My nephew was not grumpy that morning. He was just looking at me, smiling, and giggling while feeding on milk. What a wonderful sight to start my day. Then we both fell asleep.

    Read: How to Celebrate Happy Birthday Alone

    I woke up past lunch time, checking on birthday messages. I immediately get up and prepare for lunch. I decided to cook Pesto Pasta instead of what I planned.

    I almost forgot the cake. I ordered Mary Grace Cheesecake thru FoodPanda. I rely mostly on FoodPanda these days.

    By 3 p.m., I decided to lit my birthday candle and sing myself a birthday song. It was the saddest out of tune birthday song.

    Happy Birthday, Self!

    While I obviously miss my family and friends, I enjoyed the day so much more than usual. It was my first time celebrating my birthday alone. My birthday turned out great. I was able to actually appreciate life.

  • Life Lately

    Thirty-Six and Thankful

    Would you ever know that I am now 36 just by looking at me? Nah, I bet. I just turned 36, and I am pretty proud of it. That is right. I do not have to be coy about my age. Not anymore. I used to lie about my age. Do not get me wrong. Lying about one’s age is regarded as socially acceptable. People often think that I am a bit younger than I am because of how I carry myself and express myself. I will never get tired of hearing people gasp when I tell them my age.

    This is exactly what a 36-year-old looks like.

    It is hard to believe that I am this age. I am a little past halfway through life, and I still have a lot of living to do. I am looking forward to having my own family (fingers crossed). Life requires us to keep on going.

    It is TIME for the next chapter.

    I thank God for making my life so beautiful. I am so blessed to celebrate another birthday. A lot of appreciation and love are sent to each of you for your kind birthday greetings and wishes. It means a lot when you send me greetings on my birthday. You made a great day even more exceptional. Hearing from you slightly lessened my despair at turning a year older.

    I cannot thank you enough, Lord Jesus, for bringing me this far in my life. This may not be what I had dreamed of, but you have blessed me with a life of good health, happiness, peace of mind, and good fortune. Such presents are worth more than all the money and treasures in the world. Please keep my heart away from sadness and my mind away from worries. [
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