Love, revel bars and Jerry
My improvised door block.
When we moved here in our apartment, we didn't have issues right away other than the adjustment. I didn't even notice the gaping hole under our main door. It was not until weeks later or probably even a month or so that when it rained, wind is blowing under the door.
Maybe it was the error in measuring the door when they installed it for there was a distance of about an inch at its widest then gradually tapers down.
I then ordered online a roll of silicone strip that I placed under the door and secured it with a tape as you can see in the above photo.
Then about many months more, we would hear every now and then some scratching or some other occasional kind of noise in our apartment. Turns out it was a mouse. It was a puzzle to me how did it find a way to get into our unit. One source was the other room. We open the window there all the time to air it out. This is the room that is always cold like a natural AC is always on. It's beside our room. Sunlight can't get through. I checked and there were pieces of used wood piled up by the window of that room and knowing rodents, they can easily find a way to climb or jump. We then cleaned that up so mouse can't go there anymore. There were two instances more where I had to deal with mice.
The third was today.
I wondered how did the mouse get in because since my brother don't stay with us anymore, we usually close the door of the extra room. When a mouse was in our apartment the other day, the door was closed the whole time.
It only took me earlier today to realize that the mouse goes in and out through our main door. Of course the silicone strip can easily be pushed. I decided it needs something sturdier. We don't have wood or anything to board it up so I just used plastic covers and push pins to cover the area where one tiny mouse can fit.
I bought two boxes again of revel bars from my boss' daughter.
She has been away for almost a month I think that's why she was not able to bake anything. When I saw a post on her page The Fat Panda Bakes collecting orders for this, I placed two orders right away. https://www.facebook.com/TheFatPandaBakes
I like it better this time. It's not as sugary as it tasted the first time but it's still sweet. It smells so good and tastes even better. My fave is the matcha flavor.
My partner had to do some errands earlier so I asked my partner to be the one to pick it up for me. When my partner got home, I immediately opened one box and ate two in succession lol! That's how badly I craved for these oatmeal bars.
Each box has four flavors, two of each. Those are matcha, chocolate that tasted like coffee/mocha, blueberry and strawberry.
Last Tuesday, my order online arrived. It took a long time for this one to reach me. The seller said that it will arrive next week but good thing I still received it a week earlier.
This is a freebie from the seller. A plastic heart-shaped pendant with flower and the word "love" engraved on both sides with a twisted string. It's a cute gift. I still don't know what to do with it though. While I do like wearing a ring, I'm not so keen on any other accessories.
I might just give this to someone else.
So there goes my random post today.
There was another suspension of classes today because of the storm that we are experiencing. Good thing we only felt the brunt of this super typhoon.
A friend chatted me asking about the weather condition here and I told her that it's raining all the time especially in the afternoons. They plan to visit the city. Hopefully, when they arrive tomorrow the weather is better. I did advise her to come up when the weather is good but she insisted.
On that note, may we all have a wonderful weekend ahead.
Moving on
This is a screenshot of my progress in Hive in terms of powering up. I was able to do three consecutive power up days and this is my third month. I have been in Hive for four years but I haven't been active from the start. I believe it was only this year that I decided to be active there. Not fully immersed but at least posting regularly and interacting with others.
This is my second month to join the power up month.
There are other badges to be earned there in Hive. For example, I was just notified earlier that I made 9000 posts and have done 140,000 replies. I don't have the breakdown of that as to how much of that was from last month alone.
Here in read I have not been able to track my progress here that's why I have not been doing monthly reports.
There are times that I can't post. I checked the intervals of my posts and sometimes I did not post for two day or three days or more.
It's really tough to manage different platforms. I had to give up noise since I decided to be more regular in Hive.
There was a moment that I considered giving up read as well but I just can't give it up that easily.
I still like it here.
So, moving on.
What's next for this month? The plan is to continue posting regularly. I may not be able to do it every day but at least I still continue to post.
It's now the first day of September. It's the charter day of our city but I was not able to go out because it rained. I saw several activities that have happened in the city. I saw one that will run this whole month. That is good so that I still have time to visit it and make a post about it.
Ber months make a lot of people excited because of the upcoming Christmas season, at least for those who celebrate and the celebration of end and start of the year. Before we know it, we will be welcoming 2023. Who's excited?
Every day, every month, every year brings us closer to our goals. I hope you continue doing what you are doing in order to achieve them. Let's keep moving forward, moving on one day at a time. Let us be patient and persevere. Trust the process. Trust ourselves.
Happy moments and then alarming news
Yesterday was a dinner at a friends' house.
The hubby is a great cook that's why two of our friends requested two different dishes to be cooked which he obliged. That dinner was supposedly the other day but because the one friend who requested had a granddaughter who got sick so we postponed. Unfortunately, she got sick yesterday too. Sadly, she can't join us.
After my work yesterday, me and my partner then went there to our friends' home. I actually scheduled it an hour earlier but I couldn't finish my tasks sooner that's why we were late for one-and-a-half hours. The other friend and kids brought with them another food which is everyone's favorite as well. Me and my partner took care of the ice cream. We decided to buy it from the nearby stores where our friends live. It was the same store that we buy ice cream from whenever we visit them. Good thing there were two ice creams available still.
One other reason why our friends invited us over is to taste the coffee that was gifted to her by the friend who got sick and was absent yesterday. It does taste good. It has that aroma of rice coffee and the taste is light or maybe that's how our friend wanted it. Until now I can feel the effect - sleepy. Some of us there do share the same effect of coffee on us.
We did enjoy the food, coffee and stories and the time together. Another friend was able to catch up. Unfortunately, it was a school/work week so we had to leave early. One of our friend's kids was pestering his mom to go home. They have no choice but to go. We also followed later on to keep company the other friend who came late but we had to leave them for work is calling.
During our time there, it was a conversation about a girl who was raped, murdered and abandoned tied, gagged and naked. This was circulating online and there is only one reaction - alarm and worry. This heinous crime rarely happens in the city. As per the last post I have read about that, they were able to identify the girl from her tattooed name on her back. Her two kids were orphaned instantly.
Then as we were about to go home, a video taken in an area full of bars recorded someone who fired a gun. There was only one shot recorded in the video. When we passed the area, all seemed quiet but there was a mobile car there. I hope no one was hurt.
These incidents made us worried sick for ourselves and our loved ones. Rumors of white vans kidnapping people make matters worse.
We do read similar stories happening elsewhere but when it happens in your city, you can't help but be concerned.
Reading comments from these posts, the common response is more CCTVs installed around the city, imposing curfew or better yet another lockdown so the police force can hopefully better monitor the citizens.
Take care everyone wherever you are. Watch out for each other not to spy on them so you can have something to gossip about but be vigilant and take care of each other.
Afternoon coffee and double treat
We were undecided where to go yesterday for coffee. We ran out of coffee. I still can't bring myself to go to our parents' house to get the coffee that I ordered from my brother. So, for coffee, we had to look for a place we haven't been before.
We have been planning together with some friends of going some place else. We have agreed on one place but because it rained, that had to be canceled because the way going there is not that safe. With no other plans, me and my partner then decided to go to a cafe where we have been planning before to go but until yesterday we were unable to.
I had to finish some tasks before heading out.
The initial plan was at another cafe but when I looked at the sky, the rain stopped, and there is a bit of a clearing such that when we got to the road, the sun is peeking behind the clouds. Instinct told me that there will be a sunset but we had to be in a place where we can see that so we had to change course and go to a cafe where we can witness the sunset.
It may not be that great but it was still enough to fill my sunset desire.
While we were sitting and enjoying our coffee and watching the sun, it started drizzling again. Once again, instinct told me that there is a rainbow somewhere. I looked to the west and lo and behold double rainbows!
Ain't that sweet! I got to have rainbow and not just one but two and then a lovely sunset. My day is complete.
I had to push the colors on that photo to make the rainbows more visible. I used Snapseed to add filters to do that and tweaked the contrast and all that. When I captured the photo, the second rainbow was not that visible but I knew it was there. It's not that clear even with the naked eye or because my eyes are not that sharp.
The last time I have seen a rainbow was last month but it was already fading for I saw it too late. It was faint. Before that, I can't remember the last time I saw one. Maybe last year.
So whenever you notice that it is raining or drizzling but the sun is up, look out for rainbows in the opposite direction where the sun is and hopefully you will see a rainbow.
While we were at the cafe, a friend walked in with her companions. I haven't seen her for a long time now. She and a couple of other common friends had a falling out. There was no problem with me because I still consider them all my friends. We didn't have a chance to chat but I still greeted her and told each other to message each other online.
From there, we headed to another restaurant for take outs before finally going home.
That's how my afternoon/evening went.
Weekend at the beach
Had a wonderful weekend with friends spending our time at the beach and more.
Check out @Bloghound 's post in hive Amigo Cafe. https://ecency.com/hive-152524/@bloghound/amigo-cafe-and-view-deck
I have also posted our sunset at the beach. https://travelfeed.io/@leeart/sunset-in-san-juan-la-union
Here's an excerpt from that:
*Chasing the last rays of the light is the perfect way to end the weekend. We have been to another beach earlier in Luna, La Union but our time there was limited so we decided to go to other places where we can spend a time to view the sunset.*
*Before heading there, we went for lunch first. Check out* *@bloghound**'s post* *Amigo Cafe and View Deck**.* https://travelfeed.io/@bloghound https://ecency.com/category/@bloghound/amigo-cafe-and-view-deck
*It was a long weekend that's why the crowd in San Juan doubled in size. San Juan is known as one of the surfing spots in La Union but also a place to party, drink and be wild. If you are not the partying or surfing kind, food crawl can be a thing there too.*
*The initial place we planned to go was crowded. Parking is a struggled. We then decided to leave and check out other places that away from the center of the crowd.*
*Light is fading quickly that's why we had to hasten.*
*We ended up going to Final Option. That's the name of the place and literally it was our final option. While on our way there, it started to drizzle but luckily the rain held up and allowed us to enjoy the sea, sand and sunset.*
*That drizzle made sunset in San Juan, La Union all the more better.*
For a long time I can only be wishing that I am also at the beach enjoying my time with the sand, sea and waves. When we got there, I got everything that I wished for and more.
One thing that I find funny though is that I have been looking forward for this for a long time. I wanted to enjoy as much as I can. When we were done with the first beach that we went to, going to the next, I was content with just sitting by the beach an enjoying the view. I would have wanted to swim more but I have my reasons not to.
Even so, I am truly grateful for the experience.
It was already late last night when we arrived home. Good thing I still had the time to power up for Hive. There was not enough time to make a blog before the day ends so I chose to power up instead. There are only three days left before the next power up day/month so I don't want to risk losing one day not powering up or making a blog.
After taking a bath and preparing myself to bed, I then slept like a baby. In fact, spent the whole day in bed allowing my body to recuperate. I was so jaded and my body is relaxed that the only thing I have in mind is to sleep. I have enough to make a blog and to visit some of you before going back to bed again. I want to make sure that I have enough energy saved for the week ahead.
Taking time to relax and rest is important. Yes we have lots of things to take care of but we only have one body. It also needs rest and recuperation. Don't abuse yourself. Rest is good for the body, mind and soul.
Cigarette and memory shared
Cold and wet night.
The last light of the day is quickly fading in the horizon. Artificial lights have already been light minutes, hours ago.
Just one more puff.
I have been sitting on the rooftop of our unit for how many hours smoking cigarette after cigarette. As soon as the afternoon rain stopped, I decided to go for a smoke. I was hoping I could get a glimpse of a lovely sunset. I was able to catch this rainbow as it was fading.
I believe that is a double rainbow. That is the first rainbow I have witnessed in a long time. See the color of the sun reflected on the houses? As soon as I turned, no colors can be seen in.
Soon it was dark and the twinkling lights of the city can be seen.
Another puff.
I was deep in my thought - of nothingness - that I didn't realize someone was standing next to me.
I knew exactly who this person is. It is known in this apartment that this person suffers from dementia. I can't remember how many times have I introduced myself to this person already but I don't mind. I understand.
This person then asked me for a light to which I willingly offered.
I sat there in silence and this person just kept standing there, smoking our cigarettes.
It's not an awkward silence though.
"Do you come up here often?" this person suddenly asked.
"Yup," said I. "Me and my partner would spend our afternoons here watching the sunset and sunrise. Well, sunsets especially for my partner is not so keen about waking up too early."
"I don't like waking up early, too," the other person quipped.
"Sometimes we would spend some coffee time here too," I said.
Silence. Puff. Puff.
"That would be nice, coffee, I mean."
Another puff.
"I could go make coffee right now if you want," I said.
"I would love that!" the person delightfully replied.
I wasted no time and quickly went down to our unit to make some coffee. I prepared the last of the Kalinga coffee that we have.
I bought this from the trade fair that concluded last week.
Good thing we were able to visit the fair before it ended and bought our stock of coffee.
I made a mental note to go get the coffee at our parents' house that my brother sent there.
My brother was kind enough to send some Kalinga coffee.
Once the coffee is ready, I poured it in two cups and brought it on the rooftop.
The person is now sitting across the seat where I was seated earlier. I placed the coffee on the table between us.
"Here you go, partner," I said. "Kalinga coffee just like how you love it."
This is another work of fiction. The photos are real though.
This was another idea from a different site.
I chose this topic for this blog "Start your story with a couple sharing a cigarette in a parking lot."
Visit blog.reedsy for more prompts. I don't know how legit the site is but there is a $250 prize at stake if you join their writing prompts. https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/
Try it if you want to. Good luck!
It’s June 13th, the snow won’t stop falling.
That was the last entry to a journal that I found.
I was out for a walk in one of the trails here in the city. The storm had passed and I took the opportunity to visit one of the trails that I like to go. Every trail is a favorite for each offers different interesting things to see.
I rode a taxi from our place to get to the start of the trail. It only took me about 10 minutes to get there. Once I arrived at the beginning of the trail, there's no going back. I only have a bottle of water, some snacks and my phone with me.
Such a perfect day for a walk.
The birds are singing. The wind rustles the leaves of the pines that tower above me. The crispness of the air is so good to breathe in. It's just one of those days that you are happy to be alive. Of course, the freshness of everything after the rain is evident. The earth is clean.
I was feeling adventurous so I took a path that I don't usually take and came across this
It was what's left of a stump of a tree. Looking at it, it seems to be a kingdom of its own.
As I got closer, I noticed a worn out book, if that is what you can call it because it was soaked and almost coming apart. I would have left it alone but what strikes me is that it was leather bound.
It was stuck under the stump wedge between the roots and it seems the book had been left there for a long time and nature have taken its hold.
I was contemplating leaving it be but curiosity got the best of me.
I had to tug and pull to get that book out from the grasp of the roots.
Once freed, I then searched for a place where I can scrutinize this book.
It really was in bad condition that I was ready to throw it away from the first look of it. As I paged through what's left of the pages, there were some that have survived but water got the best of it. Some of the inks have dispersed through the pages.
There was one line though that survived and it was the only entry to one of the pages:
*It’s June 13th, the snow won’t stop falling.*
That's interesting because it never snowed here for we are in the tropics. We have hail on rare occasions but never snow.
That made me wonder who would have written that? Why leave it there?
I checked the leather cover of the book for any signs or inscriptions or anything that would give me a clue but I found nothing. With nothing else to go further on, I decided to return it to where I found it. Not in the original state how I found it but at least safely tucked.
I then continued on the trail.
I was trying to come up with what to write today. I was in the mood to write. I don't want to miss this chance. However, I can't think of anything to write that's why I decided to check online for prompts and come across this site. There are lots of interesting topics there but I chose the one above. Feel free to the site too and see if you can find a prompt that will make you write about. https://getfreewrite.com/blogs/writing-success/writing-prompts-60-ideas-you-can-use-today
What I wrote above is fiction but the photo I used is mine.
Beautiful on the outside
I just made a blog about a lanternfly in my Hive account. You can read that about it here Lanternfly. It gave me the idea of writing a post here about insects, bugs, butterflies that I have taken photos of over the years. However, I don't have easy access of those and it would take time. https://ecency.com/hive-127788/@leeart/lanternfly-penthicodes-astraea
This is a photo (including the lead image) that I have posted in that blog I made.
One can appreciate the beauty of the wings of these planthoppers. The pattern on the wings reminds me of water condensation as well as a picture of the sea.
However, these insects are considered as pests.
This characteristic reminds me of the kind of people that we encounter in our lives.
In this age where appearance is given more importance than character, many of us are easily fooled especially with what we see online what with all the apps out there filled with filters to make you more "beautiful," presentable or good looking according to the "societal standards."
We all talk about loving yourself. Accepting yourself for who you are. Yet, we can't deny the fact that we want to be at a certain level where we can "belong."
Thus, we hide in our pretentions and masks just to please others.
In the employment setting, it is hard to judge someone's attitude right away whether that person fits the one we are looking for.
There are those who during the interview process checks all the qualifications we seek. Only to realize that their true colors come out once they are hired.
This is the dilemma for most employees most especially in the virtual setting. This is concerning because there are employees who take advantage of their employers. In the beginning, they do show potential, adhering to what the job requires of them. Gradually, excuses upon excuses by the employees not reporting for work arises. So many sob, sad stories are being used by them and the employers are sympathetic. Yes, we are all for taking care of your employees but up to what point? When the company is at risk because of not meeting quotas or deadlines or unfinished projects? Some would work and then resign after receiving their first month's salary. Leaving the company hanging. The company can't keep hiring and training new people.
There are also some who are have no issues with work and attendance but their attitude towards others and authorities are despicable.
I agree that there are no perfect employees/employers/jobs. However, we should have the decency to respect others and do our work the best we can.
Rainy Monday
It's another rainy Monday in this part of the world making this afternoon dreary and cold. According to the weather report as of this moment we are now at Signal No.1 brought by this storm locally named Florita, international name Prapiroon. Not a good welcome for face-to-face classes. I'm on a break right now so I decided to come here and write something or whatever this is.
Yesterday, we met with a friend spent the afternoon on food and coffee. We were supposed to meet them for lunch somewhere together some other friends but we couldn't make it. We have been waiting for almost an hour for a ride until we eventually gave up and headed to the mall instead for lunch. That's why we don't like going out later in the day during weekends but it's a nightmare out there. It's a challenge to get a ride. Too many people. Traffic is too slow. Better stay home or go to the outskirts of the city to avoid the chaos.
When we were at the mall, we decided to check painting of Amorsolo, one of the national artists here in our country. It turns out that it was not the paintings per se but it was a painting made from Lego bricks depicting the works of Fernando Amorsolo. There were three works displayed at that time.
We then headed to a restaurant that has a store in the mall and in other parts of the city. We were surprised that the food served here seem to be more than what we were used to in other branch such that we were not able to finish it all.
Our friend who we were supposed to meet earlier said that he will meet with us for coffee so that's what we did after we had our lunch. We checked out a new cafe in town. From there, we went to another cafe. We were deciding on going to another one but because it was getting late, we decided to go to the grocery instead.
When we were done with our groceries, we left our friend to wait for his husband to pick her up and we headed home after that.
We made plans on going out of town next weekend. I hope the weather will be better then so we can pursue our plans.
The taxi that we rode going home went to a different route that we were used to. We were surprised and asked him that we should be going to the other direction. However, he said that we will take the other route where there is a short cut, avoiding the congestion of traffic along the way. I was curious as to where he would take us and that's when I discovered a new route has indeed opened making it easier for motorists to avoid the traffic. I think not all motorists are aware of it yet because the last time I went grocery shopping to a store near that area, the taxi I rode that time didn't pass that route so we had to endure the slow traffic. Now that I know of that new route, I'll be taking that route from now on whenever I pass by it.
Today, I continued on with the book that I was reading. As always, there were moments where I found myself asleep yet again but I persevered. Before that, I did some laundry but as luck would seem to be not in my favor, the rain arrived early. Thus, my laundry had to air dry under the shade for how long? I don't know.
So there goes my random diary of sorts for today. I had to go back to work now.
I hope you have a wonderful day ahead!
Of Bass, book, movie and blogs
I was listening to different pirate/shanty songs earlier. I started with Nathan Wells and just let youtube do its thing when I came across this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW5NGb2JxcI
Although I like Disturbed's version best, this is good as well. Props to this man for those deep, deep notes.
I dig for voices like this especially when there are blending of different voices. I'm amazed how one's voice and range can be how they are just like Colm's voice where he showcased the range of voice in this video. It's a skill to shift your voice from a high note to a low note.
I was actually planning on spending this day away from screen as much as possible, phone and laptop, so I decided to continue reading The Traitor's Gate by Avi. This is a story of a young boy who was plunged into the adult world too soon when his father was accused of unpaid debt and his family lost everything and his family relied on him.
This is just one of the books that were sent by my brother and although I find it interesting, I found myself asleep for a lot of times. At first I thought the father was telling the truth when he said he was innocent but then as events unfold and then his father started lying to the family and then new characters came into play, it makes the father more suspicious and I wanted to know how this one ends.
But for the nth time that I find myself sleeping again, I gave up.
I then searched for something to watch online and came across Special Delivery. It's a movie about a girl who got caught up in the middle of a cop's corrupt, dirty and dangerous game and had to fight for her life and at the same time save a kid's life. It's a Korean movie where you get to see action, car chase, blood and gore. Watch it if you haven't yet and see how it ends. https://www2.movieorca.com/movie/special-delivery-86151
After that, I managed to make a post in Hive for my Market Friday entry Impakabsat 2022 featuring Kalinga Province. The lead image I used here was from that post. https://ecency.com/hive-196308/@leeart/ykanzobi
I still have to make an entry for my Steemit account. I hope I can publish one but most probably that will be tomorrow. Let's see what the night will bring. I just found out I won some contests that I joined, not the top one but both in third place. Not bad. A win is still a win and I'm okay with that.
By the way, both my Hive and Steemit accounts are initially planned for long-term ones but with the way the market is right now, I'm sticking with Hive as a long-term investment. My plan for Steemit is after building a club standing, I'll probably be powering down and withdrawing some of my SBD there and converting it to fiat. Then again, let's see what the next few months will bring. Hoping the market will be better so that I don't have to do that. Just like the rest of you, what I earn here in read had been my additional income. In fact, I just withdrew worth $2o which had been the accumulated earnings that I have had for the past 2-3 months. A drastic drop from an earning of at least $100 a month.
So that is my random Saturday night post for now.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Short letters, letters and more letters
This is a writing challenge that @Ling01 posted. You can check her post A Short Letter for Selected Persons for a complete list of people you can write letters to. https://read.cash/@Ling01/a-short-letter-for-selected-persons-fc964030
It is a one-a-day letter challenge but I am going to consolidate to whom I will write letters to.
Let's begin.
**First is spouse/significant other and the #3 is best friend. For me, my partner is my best friend as well.**
"You complete me or at least contributed to my being, of what I am now, and I like what I am with you. You have helped me to be more understanding. Taming that anger that seems to never end. You taught me to love myself more and to treat others better. Each day is a challenge of course for we are not perfect but we work things out. You keep me grounded to my feet and I have learned humbleness from you. You taught me that. You have accepted me as me that's why I love you."
**Children**
I don't have children but I do have niblings.
"Learn as much as you can. Me as your uncle will try my best to be there for you. Some of you I can only watch from afar as you grow into beautiful and handsome young men and women. Always listen to your parents and to your elders. Be respectful and kind to yourself and to others."
**Mom and Dad**
"Let me start by saying thank you for all your sacrifices. You did your best raising us up. You may have said it and shown us in many different ways how we don't have enough but that you also taught us that we as a family is much more important. You made it sure that we have food on the table and roof above our heads. You did your best to send us to school. Until now, you don't stop being parents. You should be out there enjoying your time together but you still take care of us. With that, I love you both."
**Siblings**
"We may not be together all the time anymore for that is what adulting does. It will send us to different directions. However, I am still grateful for the times that we can get together physically and virtually. We may not be talking that much for we have our own lives but we still show our care and concern in our way. Thank you for being there."
**Grandparents**
"Wherever you are now, I hope you continue to guide us just like how you did when you were still alive. I do miss you. I miss that familiarity and feeling of being home and loved whenever I see you and/or visit you. It always takes me back to my childhood days where I get to spend time with you. If only I can see you one last time."
**Aunt/uncle/cousin**
"To my big family, we may not be spending that much time together but you are always in my thoughts. I pray that you continually do well and be blessed wherever you are. I cannot pinpoint each one of you but know that we will always be here for you and for each other."
________________________________
So there goes the first part of this letter writing. It's all about family.
How was your week? I hope you are all looking forward to this weekend.
Another platform I join
Before there was Hive, there was Steemit. You can click those two and check me out in these platforms. https://ecency.com/@leeart https://steemit.com/@leeart
When Steemit forked to Hive, I decided then to stop blogging. A lot of factors have come into play then so I stopped. I then joined other platforms that I didn't earn as much as I did in Steemit. Some I didn't earn at all because when I tried to withdraw my earnings there, there have been issues and the site couldn't pay.
Then came noise and read.
I did not stop with Steemit altogether because I still have the Actifit app where I post my reports and that automatically will be posted in Steemit and when I started with Hive, it was then that I realized it was posted there too.
Steemit and Hive are almost the same. The only difference is the token you'll earn from each site. Hive has HBD while Steemit has SBD.
Since I really started with Hive, I eventually started posting in Steemit again.
I am not that active there though for I only post in communities where there are photo contests. From June until now, that is the income that I have generated so far. I have had some luck in contests that have small STEEM prices. I don't think the rewards I received from the contests I joined are including in that report. I have to find a more comprehensive report generator to check on that.
If you are in Hive, peakd, ecency or other Hive derivaties, you can join Steemit as well. Your log in details in Hive are the same details you will use in Steemit.
So if you are interested in joining these contests, feel free to check these communities
WORLD OF XPILAR https://steemit.com/trending/hive-185836
STEEMITCONTEST https://steemit.com/trending/hive-176147
These are the two communities I post my entries.
Someone posts lists of other contests that you can join too and you can check it here. Some have bigger SBD/STEEM to be won but the thing is you have to be a member of club 50, club 75 or club 100. From what I understand, you have to power up 50%, 75% or 100% for three months without powering down to qualify you for the said club membership. I am aiming for club 100. I hope I am doing the right thing for me to qualify for that and when I do, I can join other contests there in Steemit. https://steemit.com/contestalerts/@disconnect/contest-alerts-active-contest-list-on-17th-august-2022-win-600-steem
There are other kinds of contests there not only photography.
As of this writing, 1 HBD is equal to **0.9855 USD** while 1 SBD is equal to **3.19 USD** according to crypto.com.
Feel free to check out Steemit if you are interested.
Lunch and coffee with a friend
Last night, a friend messaged me but I didn't get notified right away. This friend asked me if I am available that time. Then this morning, he messaged me again and that's when I was able to chat with him.
It had been more than 10 years I think since the last time we saw each other. Since graduating from school, he worked in the capital. We have been keeping in touch through social media.
Yesterday, because of some business he had to deal with, he visited the city and I gladly went and met him. I had to make sure though that I have finished some of my tasks so I could spend longer time with him.
I then suggested meeting for early lunch to which he agreed since he doesn't have anything else to do anyway just waiting for the time before going back to the capital.
I had some places I wanted to suggest to him but turns out he has already two places he wanted to go and that's where we went.
I had to meet him in one of the malls here for that is close to where he checked in last night.
We then took a cab to where we had our lunch.
I couldn't take proper photos of the place because I wanted to rather spend time catching up with my friend. I was surprised that our orders arrived quicker than I thought. We had a hearty lunch - salad and pasta. That's another surprise for with just that it was fulfilling!
Satisfied, we then headed to another place that he wants to try and that's where we had our coffee and desserts.
The place is exactly as I remembered it. Even the paintings and decorations were still the same. Maybe some seats and tables were repositioned or changed but in general, it was still the same.
It was good catching up with my friend. Although we do communicate online, it's still good to see him in person and chat with him. He has plans and I wish him all the best.
From that cafe, we took a cab and I dropped him in town and I headed straight home to finish my tasks.
Right now, I'm waiting if he will push through going back to the capital or will stay for another day. He mentioned earlier that his stay here is not enough. Two days is not enough especially being away for how many years.
If he wished to extend his stay, then we could probably meet again tomorrow for lunch or coffee or both!
Another late blog in the making
This time, it's all about a friend.
I got this from @Aimure 's post FRIENDS : Mhizutty from two months ago. Feel free to the check that post. https://read.cash/@Aimure/friends-mhizutty-86e23a03
So let's get on with it.
**When, where, and how did you guys meet?** https://read.cash/@Aimure/friends-mhizutty-86e23a03#when-where-and-how-did-you-guys-meet
We met at work - a work that I have been avoiding but still ended up getting there. You know how fate plays with us sometimes. We just can't avoid it.
**What was your first impression of each of them?** https://read.cash/@Aimure/friends-mhizutty-86e23a03#what-was-your-first-impression-of-each-of-them
For someone who is shy and introverted, it takes time for me to warm up to people. In general, I am reserved with everyone that I meet for the first time. I find her beautiful and attractive.
**Did you think that you could be friends?** https://read.cash/@Aimure/friends-mhizutty-86e23a03#did-you-think-that-you-could-be-friends
She has an easy smile and had that friendly smile so, yes, I did think that I'd be friends with her but not right away. We didn't get to work together right away. I have been bounced around to different accounts until we finally landed in one account.
**What's the most memorable moment you had with them? Or each of them.** https://read.cash/@Aimure/friends-mhizutty-86e23a03#what039s-the-most-memorable-moment-you-had-with-them-or-each-of-them
Over the years that we have worked together, we have created lots of memories and we bonded and that bond gets stronger as years go by. Every moment with friends is memorable. I think I'll just share a time when we used to visit bars. I don't want to go to into much detail so as not to embarrass her or me lol!
We like visiting comedy bars back when there were a few here in the city. One particular bar we would go to was a bar they frequent. I have only been there a few times. This one time that me and my friend went there, we were put on the spot and it was fun!
**What do you think is the thing that made you bonded?** https://read.cash/@Aimure/friends-mhizutty-86e23a03#what-do-you-think-is-the-thing-that-made-you-bonded
Work, stress from work, the comfort that we find in each other and our co-workers who later on became friends but most especially food. We were young. We don't have any responsibilities to think about other than ourselves. We would go out, travel, eat, drink and be merry.
**How would you describe each of them as a person and as a friend?** https://read.cash/@Aimure/friends-mhizutty-86e23a03#how-would-you-describe-each-of-them-as-a-person-and-as-a-friend
She's the friendliest person I know that some of that friendliness rubbed on me and the people around her. She is humble and unpretentious. She is strong and independent and no nonsense woman. She has an easy laugh which is adorable. She is talented and has a great voice. If she pursued singing, she could be a professional. That takes us to her being artistic and just loves life.
**If you could do life over and choose your friends, will you choose them again?** https://read.cash/@Aimure/friends-mhizutty-86e23a03#if-you-could-do-life-over-and-choose-your-friends-will-you-choose-them-again
Absolutely! That's why we are friends for I connected with her in so many levels.
**If there's something you can give them, what would you give them, why?** https://read.cash/@Aimure/friends-mhizutty-86e23a03#if-there039s-something-you-can-give-them-what-would-you-give-them-why
Coffee, chili paste/powder/sauce, some footwear, a butterfly pendant perhaps or charm. Those are just some of her favorite things.
It's been a long time since we saw each other and I miss her and her daughter.
She is no other than @Bloghound.
Rainy Sunday night and a set of questions
I have come across this set of questions from @Kendy42 's post. You can read about it here. She got that from @Olasquare. This was from two months ago. https://read.cash/@Kendy42/a-set-of-qas-saves-the-day-018da6ad
I had to omit some questions because I have already answered those in my previous posts.
**🔹Do you have a favorite holiday and why?**
Back when I was still studying, every holiday is my favorite. As a student, there's not one day that I wanted the next holiday to arrive soon. I remember back then, one of our former presidents would keep declaring holidays and I was happy. Not that I don't like studying but I like to just do nothing.
Growing up and then when I started working, as much as I wanted to have holidays all the time, bills are calling. Adulting is not easy but we do what we can.
Personal holidays will always be my fave. I'm glad I work with a boss who will approve of my leaves. It's a no work, no pay policy anyway so my boss is more than happy to oblige.
**🔹Have you ever encountered food that was hard to swallow but you didn’t want to offend someone?**
I don't think that I did but I do rejected food before especially food that I don't like such as strawberries or food that I haven't tasted before and I'm afraid to try. I don't care if you get offended but that's just me. I respect your likes and dislikes so respect mine as well.
**🔹Is it better to forget the past?**
There are things that are best forgotten but there are also experiences that we have to learn from it no matter how painful. It is in our better judgment to decide what we should do with our past. Should we take something from it and bring it forward to help further our development or not?
**🔹How does “knowing too much” benefit or harm you?**
We can only know as much and we cannot know it all. We should always remember that. You may be knowledgeable in some but not all. That does not make any of us better than the other. If we know it all, then what's the sense of learning and teaching? We will all be perfect which is not that bad but life would be boring. There is no more search for adventure. No more thrill in seeking what else is out there. "Too much" is subjective. We may be saying that about others because we feel inferior that we don't know what others know.
**🔹What are the three best things about you? Advertise yourself in the best three ways.**
**I can live. I can love. I can reach the heavens above. Lol! Some of my fellow Filipinos may be familiar that line for it's from an old Filipino song. I just can't help it.**
I am patient. I understand. I respect.
I have learned to control my anger not perfectly for there is still room for improvement but I can say that I can handle it better than before. I get impatient a lot because of anger and frustration. Once I have learned to control some emotions, patience and understanding set in and with that respect and other things follow.
There goes my answer to these questions on a rainy Sunday night. It's tempting to surrender myself to my bed but I will hold on as long as I can and try to visit others here as much as I can.
Here's some violets for you for this Violet Sunday
This was taken at the park on one of morning walks.
Time to say goodbye
Goodbyes come in different forms but no matter how it comes, one thing is for certain - someone or something is leaving, gone and never to return. It's the ending. There is finality.
In this case, it's about a client of ours.
No, not dead, thank goodness.
It's just that he is retiring and does not need our service anymore.
When I first worked with my current employer, a few months later, we have acquired a new client. From then until now, or shall I say until next month, this client will be needing our service to the very end.
It does make one sad to think about it. Not only because of the loss of income of course but also the loss of a great client. We have never had an problems with him. That is what we all want. If there is an ideal client, I would say that it is him.
It had been more than two years since we moved to this apartment that we currently are in.
Here in our country, when you rent a unit, sometimes it is bare but sometimes there are few furniture mostly the basic ones like bed, sofa and tables. Also, light bulbs are not provided.
Luckily for us, the toilet has a light bulb but the rest of the rooms have none. So we bought a total of four light bulbs that we needed.
A couple of days ago, both the light bulb from the toilet and our living room burnt out. Thankfully, the other lights are working fine.
It was only today that I was able to go out and buy replacement for those.
Before buying light bulbs, I dropped by our house to hand something to my mom and also share revel bars that I ordered from a friend.
As always, I went and play with our dogs only to find out that one puppy is missing. Turns out, it died a few days ago. There were no concerning signs or symptoms that they have observed that would make one think the puppy is not okay.
So far, the other siblings are thriving. Some of those were adopted and only one puppy is left with us together with his mom and dad. This lone puppy is almost as big as his mom. I hope he will continue to grow healthy and strong.
Things in this world are not permanent even our life for they are just borrowed breath. Do what you can to make the most of it and spend it with kindness and love. Enough with the negativity for we don't know when our time is up.
Leaving you now with this photo for Blue Friday
This is a seat taken in one of the restaurants that we went too one weekend.
Happy weekend!
About job and other stuff
Thanks to @Probinsyana for these questions who got it from @Olasquare . You can read Probinsyana's post 20-Minutes. https://read.cash/@Probinsyana/20-minutes-b7f8bc25
These questions were from a week ago lol! I still have some questions from months ago that I do wish to answer and make a post about but for now, let's do this.
**Everyone of us must have had a first job, how did you spend your first job income?**
I have mentioned that at a young age, I have been doing summer jobs and my first official job was selling books. We would go house to house or business to business doing that. There would be a group of kids ranging from 10-12 I think or maybe younger. We would meet every day every morning for devotional and briefing and such before being deployed to designated areas or if we have prospects, then we are free to visit them. I was paired with someone who I would say was adventurous and naughty. We would end up going to video game shops and play there almost the whole day. This kid that I was paired with belongs to a family that has a better position in life. I can't remember if we ever sold something but the summer program still gives students some income in the end. The income I got from that went to pay some of schooling.
**If you were made to, what topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on without any preparation?**
This is tricky for everyone is good at something. Sometimes even an expert. Just asked facebook lol!
I would say Hive or read.cash :D I'd encouraged everyone to join these platforms and leave the toxic social media world. They gain nothing from that. Unless you're an influencer or doing good in other platforms. I'd spready the word about blogging and hopefully convince others to join although I don't have that much convincing power. That much is proven lol!
**We do check our WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and many other social media for stuff to laugh about, what was the funniest thing you’ve seen recently online? ( Let's laugh with you😂😂😂)**
Oh no. This is hard. I easily forget stuff. I do like reaction videos or compilation of funny stuff. Gosh! I can't come up with something particular other than two videos of guys laughing. Both have infectious laugh and made those people around them laugh as well. The first one is a guy in a subway and the other in an elevator.
Sometimes it is the reaction of people that makes me laugh and not the joke itself just like those dad jokes.
**Who in your family are you most like?**
Does this have to be physically or just anything in particular? Physically, there are features that we siblings have similar with of course. Although when I was younger I have heard a lot of comments either told by my mom or other people to me that I don't look like my siblings, that I am adopted lol!
**What are the attributes you do have the same with the person?**
I guess this is related to the question above.
**What is the most challenging job you can think of? That job that you don't want to do ever!**
Those that deal with human waste like septic services. I don't think I can do that. Garbage I can do but not septic waste.
I have fear of heights and falling. I don't think I can be a lineman or window cleaners or anything related to heights. Just typing this makes me feel anxious and makes me sweat thinking about it lol!
Same with the deep. I have fear of drowning.
It's true. Fear is the greatest enemy.
Ending this post now for Yellow Wednesday - Dusk and Dawn Flower by Cara Bruno.
This is just one of the many artworks that is displayed in one of the malls here. For more of the Pandegka Exhibit, you can check this video and please feel free to subscribe to my channel :D :D Thanks in advance!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhYRvFszSNs
A tool/technology I am grateful for
This is now the end of my 30-day gratitude writing prompt. For full list of this challenge, feel free to check this post Day 1: What simple thing made today a good day? by **Eylz2021**. https://read.cash/@Eylz2021/day-1-what-simple-thing-made-today-a-good-day-28bd6e5a
The topic is about a tool or form of technology that I am thankful for. I wanted to write something thought provoking or striking but my mind doesn't cooperate so I'll just make this a free write and write some of the things I am grateful for.
I have mentioned how important my phone and laptop are for they are my tools that I use for work. They are also tools for communication and entertainment. Also, I use them to store information. I can take photos, listen to music, read, write and so much more. Internet and technology have come a long way. I also like the peripherals for it makes my use of them better.
Looking around our apartment, I am grateful for the pen that I use. That in itself is a simple tool and technology that we take for granted especially now that we are going digital. How often do you use a pen these days as compared before? I use to write legibly but since I mostly use keyboard and my phone, my handwriting had gone from bad to worse even though I still write some every day but not as often anymore.
I also appreciate nail cutter/clipper for without it I couldn't trim long fingernails or toenails and I hate it when they are long. When I do trim them, I like it as close to the finger as possibly can without hurting myself. I don't like stuff getting into them and then having to clean them out. I'd rather cut them short for they easily get washed.
I value the use of scissors for sometimes I use them to trim my beard/mustache and hairs in my nose. Also, I am grateful for shavers as well along with a tweezer for I used both of these to shave or to pull unnecessary hairs.
I appreciate our electric pot, rice cooker and stove for we use them to cook meals and to brew coffee for coffee is life. We only use our rice cooker once in a day but the electric pot we use that all day long.
I do like this lamp that we have which came as a gift from one of the purchases we made before. I was not into lamps back then but since we got this, we have been using it a lot. It is also a good source of light when I photograph some things.
These are just some of the things that I value and grateful for because they make life easier.
Sometimes we don't realize their value until we have learned to use them or we don't have them after using them for a long time.
Don't take things for granted. Don't abuse or misuse things. Learn to take care of them and value them.
A book that I am grateful for
This is the topic chosen for this 30-day gratitude post. You can find the complete list here. https://read.cash/@Eylz2021/day-1-what-simple-thing-made-today-a-good-day-28bd6e5a
I have mentioned before that I do like fiction the likes of John Grisham, Ken Follet, Michael Crichton, etc. I also like reading short stories especially when we have subjects that require us to read.
I also grew up reading devotionals for kids and for adults. There were also magazines back then like Reader's Digest and Health & Home that keeps me entertained.
I have written a post back then in Steemit about our mini library. Feel free to check My entry to What's in your library challenge ❓ by WizarDave. https://steemit.com/ocd-resteem/@leeart/my-entry-to-what-s-in-your-library-challenge-by-wizardave
These photos were taken from that post.
Sadly, these all perished in the fire except maybe for some bibles and other books.
So the question on the prompt is about a book that I am grateful for that I have read it.
I wanted to say the Bible for that was what our mom would make us read and at the same time it is mostly where the teaching in our school was based. There were many lessons that one can learn from the Bible and those lessons are applicable all the time especially the 10 commandments.
I wanted to say Shogun by James Clavell. It's about the life in Japan during the 1600s set during the samurai era. I get to see Japan in a different perspective when I read that. There is a certain fascination about Japan that attracts me.
I wanted to say John Grisham's books although I cannot be particular about the books I have read because I forgot all about them.
There's also Stieg Larsson's Lisbeth Salander trilogy. That was one of the trilogies that I got hooked on right away.
I could say Harry Potter series for that brought me to the land of magic.
I also like Michael Crichton's Timeline where I get to travel to 14th century France about kings, knights, swords, castles, etc.
Dan Brown is another controversial author that I have read especially The Da Vinci Code. I remember the film being too controversial that it was not shown in some of the cinemas here because it goes against the Catholic Church.
I could list more of the books but I really couldn't recall them in particular.
Reading a book is like traveling. I think that is one of the reasons why I like to travel. Reading lets your imagination wander and wonder. Photos that I saw on books fascinated me and made me wish one day I could travel to those places.
That is what I am grateful for about reading a book, igniting something in you, a goal, a dream, a passion but most of all, you learn or unlearn.
This photo that I used as my lead image was just part of a mural painted on the wall of a cafe here in the city. This is for Blue Friday. I like patterns behind the woman and I like the blue hues.
Any plans for the weekend? I hope you stay safe and have a good one!
The wet and dry seasons
For this gratitude prompt challenge, it is all about season. Here you can check the whole list. https://read.cash/@Eylz2021/day-1-what-simple-thing-made-today-a-good-day-28bd6e5a
Living in a tropical country, we only have two seasons - dry and wet. I have mentioned before that sometimes it can be four seasons - dry, very dry, wet and super wet.
Usually the wet or rainy season starts late May and ends around September or October.
However, over the recent years, it has changed. Sometimes we have rain all year round especially here in the mountains. For how many consecutive years now, we haven't had the opportunity to truly enjoy summer.
There were even sometimes where continuous rain can go on for months on end. It has caused tragic events as nature would release its wrath. There would be destruction brought about by flooding and erosion. While I do love rain, too much is depressing.
For me, I do love the dry season. That is mostly from October to March or up to April. As I have mentioned above, we could expect rain any time of the year. During those dry months, we sometimes don't have rain and when we do, it's occasional.
One thing more, from September to February or even early March, it is the cold season here. Perfect weather for cuddles, coffee and hoodies.
When I was younger, I also wanted to experience winter. There's something appealing about the snow. I only get to experience that by watching it on tv. It feels Christmassy and joyful and colorful. However, as I grew older, I realized it is like rainy season, everything is wet but winter is colder of course and freezing. I don't like that. It would be nice to experience snow but not long enough to live in a place where there is winter.
What I like most about our season here is that after the rainy months, we have sort of like a spring here. Everything is fresh and in bloom. Even the air seems fresher, cleansed by the rain. Everything feels new. The flowers buds are blooming. Trees are waking up from too having had too much rain.
What am I grateful for of the dry season? I get to appreciate both the rain and sun and the coolness of the air. I get to appreciate warmth. I get to appreciate nature more. It is not too hot or too cold. The temperature is manageable.
That is my take about seasons. How about you? What's your favorite season?
I want to add this photo for I was reminded of the Rainbow colors of the week post. Since it is Thursday today, it is about the green color.
This is a bonsai that was displayed in one of the parks here. We visited this this week before the bonsai exhibit ended yesterday. I like the way the sun hit the leaves. Also, looking at this photo now, I see fly behind the plant. I didn't see that before.
Freedom that I am grateful for
Finally, I am down to my last prompt for this 30-day writing challenge and the topic is about freedom that I am grateful for. For a complete list of the prompt, you can check out this post by Jane. https://read.cash/@Jane/30-days-of-gratitude-challenge-accepted-unblocking-writers-block-1685d73c
This felt like two months in the making but I am just grateful that this is finally coming to an end.
Answering questions like this help to realize who you are. If you are not that good in self-analysis just like me, these questions help to know yourself better. You'll be surprised what you can find out.
So, on with the topic: Freedom that I am grateful for.
It would be the freedom to give.
I'm sure most of my Filipino friends are aware what happened last July 27, 2022, wherein an earthquake with a magnitude of 7 shook Luzon. I was sitting doing work when all of a sudden I heard a rumble coming from somewhere and it was drawing near. It's different from the noise that vehicles make as they pass by. It is a familiarity of something bad is about to happen. Then as quickly as I realized it was an earthquake, the ground shook.
For the first few seconds, I remained calm thinking it will pass. When it got to about 5 or more seconds, that is when I woke up my partner who was sleeping and ran outside. For a few seconds more, the ground shook while we were standing outside. At one point I thought it started to rain. My concern was the mattress and blankets that I put outside under the sun will be wet and I had the impulse to put them back inside the apartment. It turns out, the water droplets were from the pool of rainwater on the rooftop of the our unit.
There were a few neighbors who ran out to the street that time.
Our city was hit with a magnitude 6. After shakes were felt days after not just in our city where the last one was early this morning.
Thankfully, no harm was done in our unit except for some fallen decors but that's just it. No casualty or damage was reported from our neighborhood as well.
Our internet was down for a few minutes and when it was up, I logged on right away to social media and checked for updates and also checked news online.
So far, not great damage was reported in our city. Our town unfortunately reported a collapsed house with one casualty.
What's with the photo of money above, you might be asking.
Three days after the earthquake, everything was back to normal. I went out for my morning walk and luckily, found that peso bill lying on the ground. I immediately remembered the victim of earthquake from our town.
From what I read in a post online, the guy who died left behind his wife and 2-year-old kid and the guy was the only one that the family depends upon. They posted a GCASH number of the wife where you can send financial help.
I decided to send that money to that number instead. I will be a hypocrite if I said that I didn't need the money. Hell, I could use more than that. However, for now, I am okay. Our family is okay and there is no immediate need for finances for now.
We may not be financially stable but I am grateful that we are in a situation now where things are manageable. There are those who need immediate financial assistance more so let us help them.
We have the power to help. We have the power to share. I am grateful that I can do that.
My prayer always for you all is that may you be continually blessed so that you will be a blessing to others.
I miss reading. Rainy days like this is perfect for reading.
It's been six days since the last time I was here. It really was a busy two weeks for me including this week. I was spending more time in hive because I couldn't manage to come here due to lack of time. After posting this, I'll be off and hopefully I can visit you tomorrow or the next day or whenever I have the time. I was suppose to make an article yesterday but it seems read was down but glad that it is now okay.
Anyway, I titled my article "I miss reading. Rainy days like this is perfect for reading." because it's true. I really miss it.
That is the topic for today's prompt for my 30-day writing challenge. In particular it says asks for a book that I like to read. I haven't touched a book in years except that one time where I finished a novel last year. Yes, I managed to read one.
Back in the day, I like reading John Grisham. I like the courtroom drama, the suspense, the thrill of saving lives or taking away lives. Finding new evidence or discrediting someone. What is the truth? Who is telling the truth? I have read a lot of his books.
I also like reading spy books. Again, there's suspense in there of whether the spy will succeed in his mission or not. I like those covert operations that they are told in those novels.
These days, the only reading I get to do is through read or hive. I guess that is my answer to the question although it's not really a book. However, books can now be digital that's why I consider read and hive virtual books.
Here's a link of that first prompt. https://read.cash/@Jane/30-days-of-gratitude-challenge-accepted-unblocking-writers-block-1685d73c
The second prompt is about something that makes me calm, something that I am grateful for that helps me slow down.
Nature.
As you already know, I like talking walks, long walks. I am still blessed to live in a city where there are patches of greens that one can enjoy although slowly they are being converted to concrete jungle.
I am still grateful that there are parks that one can sit and enjoy the beauty of trees and flowers, hear the song of birds and feel the coolness of the air.
Nothing can beat nature. I can just spend a few moments with the plants that we have here in our yard and I'll be fine. That's how helpful nature is.
Stop and smell the flowers, right? Don't just smell them. Take photos of them and share it here or in your social media accounts lol!
Sometimes when things around you feel too much, go with nature. Get down and get dirty. It helps to take off your mind from things that stresses you out.
The lead photo that I used was taken at Sam's Garden. That is an example of nature's beauty.
Here is the link for that prompt about being grateful. https://read.cash/@Eylz2021/day-1-what-simple-thing-made-today-a-good-day-28bd6e5a
How are you all? I hope things are okay with you.
Laughter is the best medicine
We all know how laughter makes us feel good. It is invigorating. It helps with circulation and it does uplift our mood. There are many more benefits that we can get from laughing.
I just watched a video online by Yes Theory about Seulo where the inhabitants are reaching 100+ years old. This is located in Italy. Aside from active life and healthy lifestyle, what makes them healthy and reaching that age is laughter. You can easily get a smile, a chuckle, a laugh from the people there.
Add to that the location of the town, the environment the live in. It could be that you can drink anytime and espresso all day long. Whatever it is, laughter cannot be out of the equation.
The question for today's prompt is what made me laugh today. That is why that video by Yes Theory came to mind. I do like all the videos of them that I have watched so far. https://read.cash/@Jane/30-days-of-gratitude-challenge-accepted-unblocking-writers-block-1685d73c
To go back to the question, nothing. I may have watched some funny clips while browsing online but nothing that really made me laugh. I may have chuckled to some but nothing that had me LOL'ling.
I noticed over the years that laughter seems hard to come by. I honestly can't remember when was the last time that I laughed so hard it made me cry. Maybe I should move to Seulo and drink all their wine or coffee or maybe just their water to bring back my old laughing self.
I think I have to search for funny videos that will make me laugh.
For the next prompt, it asks for something that I eat that I am grateful for. Easy. Any food that I am able to eat, I am grateful for. The fact that I have something to eat is what's important. https://read.cash/@Eylz2021/day-1-what-simple-thing-made-today-a-good-day-28bd6e5a
I again saw another clip wherein a boy was seen eating a paper from a pile of rubbish. The person taking the video then gave that boy something to eat. Countless of people are like this unfortunate boy and maybe worse.
Whenever I have food, I feel privileged. If only we can feed all the hungry.
It makes me cringe sometimes to watch others waste food just because they can. Some companies throw away food when in fact that is still edible. Why not donate or give to those in need of them? Also, just because you can buy food and eat them all doesn't mean you have to. Practice moderation. Practice temperance. I know you have seen those mukbangs or eating large quantity of food while taking video of yourself doing it.
One man's trash is another man's treasure so the saying goes and it is true. Look around you. Evaluate yourself.
How about you? What made you laugh today? What food are your grateful for?
My favorite thing about nature
My favorite thing about nature is the prompt for today. I have been posting about how I like to be close with nature as much as possible. That is all of the good things. I like nature when it is not angry. I like it when it is peaceful when all I can hear are natural sounds. https://read.cash/@Jane/30-days-of-gratitude-challenge-accepted-unblocking-writers-block-1685d73c
When you ask me what is my favorite thing about nature, it would be everything - the good and the bad. Although I have already said that I only like the good but the bad has to happen because that is what nature is all about. Just like in life the good and the bad happen at once at the same time, one after the other. It is a cycle.
When we say nature, it's not fake. It's real. It's simple. It's complex. It's contrasting. It's complimenting.
Just like the photo above which I have taken at Sam's Agritourism Park, we can see how the different colors compliment each other. We may not appreciate one of the colors in particular but to see things in a bigger picture we realize how everything comes together. https://ecency.com/hive-163772/@leeart/the-many-faces-at-sam-s-rock-garden
Nature teaches us a lot of only have to stop and think and learn to appreciate nature, how it works. It is very relatable in life.
It also teaches us to see things in a different perspective.
This is not the same flower as above but this is growing from the same bush.
Nature also teaches us that we may look the same but we are unique. We have our own beauty, our own abilities, our own talents. We shine in our own way and to things differently yet we grow all the same and from the same source. We are all part of nature and we are connected more than you want to believe it or not.
Our actions and words affect others directly and indirectly just like how nature works. The flowers need the bees, the sun, the rain to grow. In turn, flowers make this world a better place with their beauty and colors. Same is true with you. So just be you. Do you.
My favorite thing about nature is that I learn from it.
The nicest thing someone has done for me is treating me like a person. That I matter. That I am acknowledged. That I am accepted. https://read.cash/@Eylz2021/day-1-what-simple-thing-made-today-a-good-day-28bd6e5a
I couldn't reiterate enough how kindness goes a long way. Just a simple hi, a genuine smile, a helping hand may make a difference.
Going back to the actions and words, we create ripples that can become waves and those come back to us maybe not in the same way or manner that we did but in many ways. It may not event directly affect but those around us.
How hard can it be to be nice? To be kind? It takes less energy and it makes you feel good inside, not stressed, not worried, but happy and feel good that you have done something right.
Kindness should be our nature. We may not have a lot, we may not be as good as everyone else but kindness wins.
Those who are true and kind
Those are the kind of people who mean the most to me. It doesn't matter if you are family, friends, relatives or strangers. We could have only met once but your genuineness and kind heart surely left an impact on me.
That's my answer to the next prompt which is about people who mean the most to me. https://read.cash/@Jane/30-days-of-gratitude-challenge-accepted-unblocking-writers-block-1685d73c
In this age that we are in, it is a world full of lies even more so because of the advent of social media and the internet where everything can be faked so easily. Amidst the eccentricities and noise, it is rare to find real people.
We all know what it's like being fooled by others. That's why we have become untrusting. People don't show their true self right away unless they have no use of you. Even the kindness that they show you must be compensated.
I may sound cynical but that's the reality we are in now.
Having said that, there are those who are rare gems with a heart full of gold. They are those who make this world a better place. They give us hope for mankind. They give willingly without asking something in return. They are concerned about others authentically without a doubt.
That's why if you find truthful people, take care of them for they are a rare breed. Don't take them for granted. Don't treat them like how others treat you.
For the next prompt, it's about tradition that I'm grateful for. https://read.cash/@Eylz2021/day-1-what-simple-thing-made-today-a-good-day-28bd6e5a
Filipinos are known for their closely knit ties with family and relatives. The relationships and bonds we create with our family is strong. Blood is thicker than water so they say and it is true. We Filipinos take care of each other. We are concerned about each other.
There are lots of differences of course. That's a given. There are lots of misunderstandings but we patch things up. Maybe not right away but we try not to let things come between us so we resolve things sooner or later.
There are many families that have been broken apart because of differences and pride and hurt.
However, I still believe in this tradition for I get to see families coming together, celebrating together.
I hope your relationships with your family is as strong as ever.
The bonds we create are treasures to keep
"Treasure! That is what you are" says the song by Bruno Mars.
That is what popped in my head as I read the prompt for today. https://read.cash/@Jane/30-days-of-gratitude-challenge-accepted-unblocking-writers-block-1685d73c
When you think of treasure, what comes to your mind? Is it the material things? Money? Investments? Your loved ones? Your friends? Your achievements?
For me, it is the bond with people that matters the most. It's the people you treasure and who treasure you too.
However, for this prompt, it is all about an item that I treasure the most. I am not that materialistic. I don't have any investment or properties that I own. I only have my laptop and my phone and that's it. They are equally important to me. They are the items that I treasure the most. I used my phone mostly to take photos and to keep memories alive for as long as I can whenever I look back at those photos. The laptop I use to work. It is my bread and butter.
That's it really. There's nothing more further that I can talk about.
The other prompt is about a happy memory from my childhood. https://read.cash/@Eylz2021/day-1-what-simple-thing-made-today-a-good-day-28bd6e5a
Childhood is something that most want to relive again and again. I say most because we can't discount the fact that not all of us have had a happy childhood.
If I am to choose a happy memory, it would be the time when our neighbor took me and my sister to a trip to their province. If I remember correctly, that is the first time I was away from home. Having lived in the highlands, I got used to the colder climate so to travel to the lowlands is an adjustment for me. It is a new territory and not used to the hot weather there.
What I vividly remember was every night, there was no electricity. What our neighbors have instead are solar panels that is the source of their power at night.
I also remember being awaken by the horn of the pan de sal (bread) vendor in the early hours of the morning before the sun was up. I'm not sure why I couldn't recall anymore about our trip there. That was the first and last that we went there. Then our neighbors sold their house and moved some place else.
I have been to that province a lot of times but never to that particular town again although I would have wanted to if only I remember where exactly was it and I haven't been in contact with our former neighbors. I have fond memories of them because we spend a lot of time with them back then and we were playmates with their kids.
So there goes my prompts for today. I only have five more questions left for both these prompts and it seems to be harder and harder to finish as I am getting close. It's because I have been spending more time in Hive now. When I first started these prompts, it looks like a behemoth task but now that I am just down to five questions I feel good about myself. I may not be doing it every day which is how the challenge should be done. Unfortunately, with the way we are being rewarded nowadays, it seems like not a good idea to post one a day at least for me.
Anyway, I hope you are having happy weekend so far.
Grateful for challenges
For my next prompt for this 30-day writing challenge, it's about challenge itself and particularly this writing challenge. https://read.cash/@Jane/30-days-of-gratitude-challenge-accepted-unblocking-writers-block-1685d73c
When I saw this posted by Jane, I thought it's a hard task that I didn't go for it right away but in the end, I decided to and glad that I did. I am now at the nine questions of this challenge because I haven't been writing daily recently.
This became a personal challenge which made me re-learn about myself. The prompts that were included in this set were some of the things that I don't dwell on all the time that's why sometimes I don't know what to write and I have to dig in my memory just for those. Some I have already answered before so it's a challenge to think what else I have not written here regarding a certain topic.
This is not about earning anymore because we all know how the market situation is. It's about knowing myself more and sharing what I want to share.
As most of you know, I have been in Hive more and there are lots of writing challenges there too that I have joined which have earned me additional Hive. Just last week, I managed to be more interactive there. I have joined an engagement league there wherein those in the top 10 are rewarded and I managed to place in 8th place last week which I didn't expect but hard work does pay.
In that league, there were other sponsors who would reward you if you place in a certain spot. For example, for the past two weeks, I manage to place in the 12th spot but I was still rewarded by a sponsor who pledged some Hive to anyone who manages to clinch that spot.
So you see, I am grateful for what little I can earn from challenges in Hive.
If you want to know more about that league, then check this out. As we all know, growing your account in any platform needs engagement. You have to be visible and that is not about posting only just like here in read. If you are in Hive and want to join in the league, check the link above and just inform Asher, the author of the post, that you want to join. You will then be automatically added to the game and then start engaging. It's better if you engage with others more rather than just those who comment in your blogs. https://leofinance.io/@abh12345/the-hive-engagement-league-rnp9h
For the other gratitude 30-day writing prompt, it's about something I bought that I am grateful for. https://read.cash/@Eylz2021/day-1-what-simple-thing-made-today-a-good-day-28bd6e5a
I ordered some socks and a compression leggings last week and they have arrived the other day. I was grateful for that for now I have something to wear for my daily use especially during my walks.
We just bought tissue and fuel. These are essential things that we need every day as well. In addition, I was forced to buy another umbrella the other day. I thought it was not going to rain that's why I did not bring one but then it did so now I have additional umbrella to my collection. We are now experiencing rainy season so it's a must to always bring an umbrella even if you think it's going not going to rain. That's a note to myself.
We also bought food and stock them for our future use.
I am grateful that I can buy stuff that I needed. Everything that I buy whether small or big make a huge impact and that I am thankful for. There are those who are not as fortunate like us so we should not take things for granted.
Today is yellow Wednesday and that's what I'm sharing with you today.
These are flowers at the park and they bloom brightly and cheerily. Flowers give color to our world. Especially that we always have gloomy days, these flowers make a walk in the park more pleasant. Go ahead. Stop and smell the flowers. Appreciate them and appreciate the good things in this world.
Wishing you all a great rest of the week!
Something positive about my body
I wish I could say my sex appeal lol!
The title of this post is the next topic for this 30-day writing challenge. https://read.cash/@Jane/30-days-of-gratitude-challenge-accepted-unblocking-writers-block-1685d73c
I know we preach and say that we have to love our body and ourselves more. We have to be comfortable with our own skin so that we can avoid being insecure when see others. We can't help but compare for sure but once who have loved yourself more, then you can enhance and highlight the best parts of yourselves, not focusing on the negatives and what we don't have.
Having said that, thinking about this question made me want to answer none. You know that I don't have too much of self-confidence but let's do what we preach, right?
I guess I could say my hands. Most of my female friends would say that I have hands like a girl and they say that as a compliment which I don't feel comfortable about. I have short fingers and sweaty palms lol! But the appearance they say is like a girls' and I don't see any particular reason why they said that.
I feel grateful about my hands though for with them I can do a lot of things. Without them I can't to my work and I can't probably have written blogs. There may have been other means to do that without the use of hands like maybe speech recognition but still we know how important hands are. Can you imagine yourself without hands?
And then the question of mistake and failure that I am grateful for. https://read.cash/@Eylz2021/day-1-what-simple-thing-made-today-a-good-day-28bd6e5a
I have been sharing lots of mistakes and failures throughout my journey here so it's more of a challenge when I get to questions like this.
Let me just post about our experience yesterday.
We have just come from the Artisan Market. You can check that out in Hive. Just click on the blue-lined words will you? :D https://ecency.com/category/@leeart/whbijgmo
The lead image was from that post which are soap samplers that was given to us for free by one of the shops we purchased from.
We have already spent a lot there and our next plan was lunch as it was already lunch time. We passed by the shops near the hospital and we let ourselves be tempted to check the products there and we bought a lot impulsively. What did we buy? Lots of chips! Yes, junk food! These are stuff that we don't see in our stores here or buy all the time. However, seeing them in display like that is really attractive. We felt guilty as soon as we stepped away from that shop carrying our purchases.
Why was it a mistake? We didn't have the budget for this. For someone who lives payday to payday and don't have extra for daily expenses until the next payday, it's a hole in the wallet for sure. That's why we don't buy these all the time. I think it was some months ago since the last. Plus, they are not really beneficial to the health except perhaps the nuts.
What am I grateful for? Honestly, I don't know but perhaps the realization to do better next time and learn to control our capriciousness and whims. We have to learn to control our emotions.
That's why I don't like bringing with me a lot of cash because for sure I will not be able to control my impulsivity in buying. Just like what we say in our language, *marupok*! Or weak or fragile or easily give in to emotions.
I'll never pass by that shop again lol!
How are you? I hope you are having a greet weekend!
Sociable, skillful and dependable
That is just some of the reasons I admire about one of my brothers. As most of you know, I'm not the sociable kind. I am more introverted than my siblings. However, it doesn't mean I am mute all the time. I can still socialize and all but it's not constant. I can only do as much. https://read.cash/@Jane/30-days-of-gratitude-challenge-accepted-unblocking-writers-block-1685d73c
My brother can crack jokes easily and I feed on that. He is younger than me but I get to learn a lot from him. I do consult him for many things. When people ask me something, I refer them to him.
He is good with his hands too. He knows how to fix things. He know how to deal with people.
Because he can attract attention, can make people laugh, has great interpersonal skill, he has the potential of being a leader if he really wants to.
I remember when we were younger, he was the naughty and stubborn one. He always got himself in trouble. He and my other brother were more close together for they are a year apart. They were the trouble makers back then at home and in school. I guess had learned to mature early on and had to be careful with what I do so as not to add to my mom's worries. I always played safe. If was like my brothers, maybe I am better off.
Anyway, this is about my brother.
He can find solution to problems. He knows how to figure things out. In short, he is dependable. He is the kind of guy that you want to be friends with, someone who can save the day.
He knows these too and sometimes he will us to his advantage by being demanding and bossy. Yes, he can get to your nerves but once you get to know him better, then you can learn to ride with it.
One of the traits that my brother and I have in common is being reliable. I think we have learned early on that when we say we will do something, we will do it. It's a trait that we have to be thankful for our mom. https://read.cash/@Eylz2021/day-1-what-simple-thing-made-today-a-good-day-28bd6e5a
Handling seven kids and juggling a lot of things, she needs all the help that she can get and us kids should have a sense of responsibility. We have learned the importance of trust and reliability. We were taught early to do some chores and to take care of ourselves. That's why our mom expects a lot from us.
I remember when we come home from school, our mom is not there for she is out working or doing some stuff. Simple things like washing our own lunchboxes, cooking for dinner, feeding the dogs, watering the plants, etc have trained us to develop good traits.
That's why as young as your kids are, train them and teach them survival skills for you will not always be there for them. Better start them young. You will never regret it.
So there goes my 30-day challenge topics for today. I am done with 20 topics and I have 10 more to go. I haven't been writing here daily because I have been busy with Hive more. It's really a challenge to juggle between different platforms. I haven't even visited my noise account.
That's why I'd like to thank you for always visiting and supporting my blogs.
I believe these are snapdragons. Fact me if I'm wrong.
I took this photo at the park. This is my yellow share for this cold Wednesday night.
How do I show gratitude?
I show my gratitude in my own way. https://read.cash/@Jane/30-days-of-gratitude-challenge-accepted-unblocking-writers-block-1685d73c
I am not that show or as expressive with my feelings. I am the reserved type. You won't see me repaying back what was given to me but that doesn't mean that I don't give something in return. I do but not in the same form or same value as what you gave me. Also, I don't give right away.
That doesn't mean that I am not grateful.
I support my friends in whatever endeavors they take. I am there for moral support. What I can't give in terms of finances, I do it in terms of being there for my friends. I can be there for them and do things for them and with what I can.
I remember again when our house burned down. A lot of people have helped us and we were so grateful for that. Right now, I don't know how to give back to them. My friends have also helped and to this day, I still don't know how to repay their kindness but I now some day, some way I can be of help to them too and I hope that it will be so much more.
Whenever I visit my friends, their homes are always open and there they welcome me and offer a place to stay. In return, I would take them out and treat them. That is just an example of how I show my gratitude. Sometimes if they want some things from our city, then I would buy that for them and send it to them without charge. Favors like that are some of my ways of showing my gratitude. It's not always that I get to treat them anyway.
Friend understand that we don't always have to give something in return. As long as they were able to help you and be there for you, then that's all that matters.
List of people I love and who love me in return. https://read.cash/@Eylz2021/day-1-what-simple-thing-made-today-a-good-day-28bd6e5a
I think it would be enough to say that my partner, my family, friends and relatives are the people who I love and love me in return.
We don't need a lot of people in our lives. What matters most are those that love you and you love them too.
Having said that, there are those that I am grateful for and love. It's the people that show kindness and extend their help not just to me but to other people as well. I love those who are considerate and are after the welfare and benefit of the many not just themselves. It's the humble people that really earns my respect. You don't need to be rich and famous. I love others more because of their character.
I love those who do more than what is their job requires and are passionate about what they do. I also love those who have faith in the ability of others and who believe in what others can do. I love those who uplift others instead of bringing them down.
I love those who accept me for who I am and who I am not.
So technically, it is now Monday here.
Jelena posted about a color challenge that I think would be great idea to adopt it here in this platform. You can read it here. https://read.cash/@Jelena/color-challenge-indigo-saturday-928f53cb
If you don't have any idea what to write, then choose a color and talk about that.
Each day of the week corresponds a color and they are as follows:
Monday RED
Tuesday ORANGE
Wednesday YELLOW
Thursday GREEN
Friday BLUE
Saturday INDIGO
Sunday PURPLE
If you notice my lead image, that's a bottlebrush flower taken during one of my walks. I used that as an entry to a contest in Hive. https://hive.blog/hive-168869/@leeart/my-flower-and-sign-entry-for-photochain-challenge-123rd-edition
So for Monday's color, I chose that as my lead image.
@ARTicLEE
