• Life Lately

    How I Celebrated My Birthday

    August 24, 2020

    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.

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  • Life Lately

    Thirty-Six and Thankful

    August 23, 2020

    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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  • Random

    How to Celebrate a Happy Birthday Alone

    August 21, 2020

    Spending your birthday alone can make you feel desolated and miserable, but this is not a bad thing at all. With the current situation, and the majority of us are still in quarantine, there is nothing wrong with going solo on our special day.

    So what if there is no one around on my birthday? It does not mean I cannot enjoy the special day alone. Even though my family and friends are miles away, there is no reason to celebrate birthdays alone when there is technology. What is the use of video calls, anyway?

    Sometimes, we need to be alone. Not to be lonely, but to enjoy our time being ourselves. – Anonymous

    The best way to feel less solitary is by celebrating and having a great time. Our birthday comes only once a year, and we should not miss celebrating it even if we are alone. Whether it is birthdays or anniversaries, celebrations do not just stop during a worldwide pandemic. The pandemic took a great deal from us- our daily normal routine and even our jobs. Do not let it ruin our special day, as well.

    Here is how (I plan) to celebrate and enjoy (my) birthday alone while still being safe and healthy.

    Start the day by getting up early and giving thanks. There is no better way to start the day than by getting up early. This puts us in a good mood for the entire day. I am not a morning person, but I will try to wake up a little earlier on my birthday. I promise!

    Enliven my place, like hosting a big party with birthday banners and inflatables the day before my birthday to get into the party vibe. Waking up smiling, seeing your home decorated, is a pleasant feeling. For birthday banners and balloons, check out happydayph at Shopee. I received my orders a day after I placed my orders. That fast!

    Watch a live broadcast of the Mass. Since my birthday falls on a Sunday and public masses are still suspended, watching Mass online is one way of staying connected with the parish and the church. Thank God for technology!

    Treat myself to a delicious meal. Who does not love good food? For lunch, I will cook Pinaupong Manok, and for dinner, just Pesto Pasta. Or better yet, order via Grab Food/FoodPanda.

    What is a celebration without a cake? So what if no one brings me cake this time? I can get it at any rate. Buy that cake I have been looking forward to tasting. I love the minimalist cakes of Wadough’s and Aegyo Cakes. I could have secured a slot on my birthday if only I inquired earlier. All August slots are already taken as early as July. I still have Mary Grace Cheesecakes in my options, anyway.

    Binge a new series (not necessarily a new series) while having cocktails. I am planning to start watching “The 100″ on my birthday. I have not seen that post-apocalyptic fiction drama yet. There are lots of TV shows on Netflix. I bet it is well worth a watch because it is highly recommended by the Netflix Community. And yes, having cocktails while binge watching.

    Lockdown is only temporary. When this is over, there will be a time to celebrate with our loved ones. Plan a great party or trip for when everything is over. Or just begin to think about next year’s party celebration.

    Before the clock meets 12, write about things I am thankful for  or anything that I would like to remember about my birthday in my journal.

    Missing my family and being sad on my birthday is really OKAY. I realize that it is not as bad as what others are dealing with. I know I am not alone in this fight.

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  • Random

    {Thoughts} Going Thirty-Five and Single

    August 19, 2020

    So, here I am, cruising through life at 35 and still single. It’s a fact that’s not lost on me, especially when both my inner voice and curious colleagues often echo the same question: “Why are you still single?”

    When I say single, I mean truly unattached. No significant other in sight.

    Isn’t it funny how life throws unexpected curveballs? Back when I was 28, I had this grand plan of walking down the aisle, but fate had other ideas. Three failed relationships later, here I am, still holding onto hope for that perfect match.

    But you know what? Despite the occasional loneliness, I’ve come to realize that being single at this age isn’t so bad after all. Sure, there are moments when I wonder why my journey hasn’t led me to marriage yet, but I also believe that everything happens for a reason. Maybe there’s a bigger plan in store for me, one that’s yet to unfold.

    In the midst of all the pondering, I’m grateful for the unwavering support of my family. Their presence has been a constant source of comfort and reassurance, reminding me that I’m never truly alone in this journey.

    I’ve always been a private person, preferring to keep my personal life off social media and confined to heart-to-heart chats with family and trusted friends. But lately, I’ve started to see my singleness in a different light. It’s not a curse or a mark of failure; rather, it’s a gift from above.

    There’s something liberating about embracing my solo status and finding contentment in the present moment. Who knows what the future holds? For now, I’m choosing to focus on the positives and trust that everything will fall into place in due time.

    And you know what? I think that’s pretty wonderful.

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  • Home/Living

    My Home Office Setup

    August 15, 2020

    It has been five months since I have been working from home. I think there is no way we would get back to normal this soon. Only God knows. Though I have managed in the past months working on my bed, working 8-10 hours a day is really tiresome. I figured, after months into quarantine, that I should start investing on a home office to help me lessen the back pain I am starting to feel and be more productive. I was really hesitant to set up my home office; since I had to prioritize other things first. It is no joke to set up a home office especially in this kind of situation where your salary is reduced. Money does not grow on trees.

    Desk (San-Yang, P1,250), Ergonomic Chair (Ergodynamic, P1,069), Desk Lamp (Meebo , P499 ),
    Laptop Stand (Goojodoq, P580), Wireless Mouse (Logitech, P699)

    I put a lot of thought in finding the best and the cheapest that would fit for work, my finances and my studio unit. I live in a tiny studio unit, where the space is very limited. I have to make room for the desk and the chair.

    Desk

    I have lots of options for office tables, but this one caught my eye. This is the most ideal work desk that covers a very minimal space. Perfect for my tiny unit. Aside from the very accessible price, I love that it has a foot rest and a sliding keyboard tray. Plus, it is easy to clean and move around.

    Ergonomic Chair

    A comfortable chair is the most essential piece for a home office. I chose a simple ergonomic chair so I could adjust the height and tilt the back rest to my liking. Sitting for long periods a day without proper back support can lead to discomfort. With this chair, I feel really comfortable and stable while working. It does come with a 30-day return policy and 3-month warranty on the mechanical parts.

    Desk Lamp c/w Bulb

    There are times that I choose to work at night. Fact: I prefer working at night. A well-lit workspace can brighten the room, and have a positive impact on my mood. I opted for a red desk lamp to add color on my boring desk and shed some light on my workspace.

    Laptop Stand

    A laptop stand elevates our laptop to perfect eye-level, based on our actual need, correcting our posture and minimizing neck fatigue and spinal problem. I makes work a lot easier. The design also offers greater ventilation and more airflow to cool the laptop and prevent from overheating and crashes.

    Wireless Mouse

    Completing my desk setup with a wireless mouse. Go wireless, if you want to get rid of unnecessary cords and clutter in your desk.

    I am happy with my home office setup. Putting together a home office setup can be tough. The journey was not easy but I gradually achieved the minimalist office home set up that I dreamed of. My desk made such a huge difference from working on the bed.

    Next on my list: Wireless keyboard, headphones/earbuds, gaming mat, digital desk clock, mobile phone stand, and cable organizer.

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