@Jento

A Bolder 2022, i promise! 2022 Plan Bolder 2021 is the year I stepped out of my shell. True there are a lot of hesitations, yes, fear! Fear of something new, change is something truly I am a stranger off. Not because I don’t like change but rather the resistance is more of losing the sense of familiarity or because my personality is just not amenable to change! Repulsive to change because of my condition, autism syndrome? Hahahaha! Well… ok! so if I am? I can change especially now I find no reason not to go and move on. What keep me from moving on is because of mama. I linger because of mama and now mama is gone, I no longer have the hesitations. I only have my kids to look forward and in every detail my eldest has been very supportive, and I love that in him. While bunso simply says, if your happy mommy, go! And I truly have to thank my youngest sibling for making me see that if even if you moved on afar, doesn’t make you less of a sister or a daughter! There is no mistake going afar but my problem is really if I go afar, I really barely miss so I don’t really go on thinking of visiting especially when I find no reason to go back or visit. I have a list of missing items and conditions to go on with the plans but I can come up with a definite outcome if all will be available. 1.       Laptop = I need it. Just need the money to buy and get it. Unlike last time I was ignorant of using a laptop, this time I am using it to the fullest. I will be writing there from then on. The publishing project is on the go, that is before saying goodbye to this place I’ve worked 10years. I don’t need a brand new, just a 2nd hand that is working and fast like the one I used to have! I don’t need an expensive one, I just need that laptop that is working, functional and operational. 2.       Savings = it is indeed a need to sustain independence. Of course financially we cannot depend on anyone. Asking or begging? Oh! Everyone needs it and why ask or beg when I can still earn. I can cook to earn, teach to earn, write to earn. So, there is no need. I just need to be frugal this time since im settled in. 3.       Practice writing = I have to pursue and continue. Even if it’ll be exhausting there are a lot of things I needed to write especially the publishing project. Trying to be consistent here again should be an aim because its not just fun but rather fulfilling because it hones the write and polishes it. 4.       Change career? = hmmm, saying to goodbye to employment and be my own boss – got the inspiration from @rebeysa85 , thank u my friend… I can only hope and look forward. And even if not, at least I have something to daydream about. 5.       Study Law ??? it’s a big shot but I already got my eldest to consent. I don’t really know but it daunted me at the start of the year. But who knows? Perhaps! But this will really come as a big surprise to everyone! especially because its very expensive! Couldn’t be I be clearer? Still need clarification? Its pretty a simple plan and I do intend to share some of the future writing over here. Its really normal to be conflicted inside, and fear to stir up the fire but we all have to take a stand and make resolve. Because if not, life will be all meaningless and a waste of all the resource just because we fail to make a resolution to the existing conflict. We have to choose since we are given all the opportunity to make a choice. It will never be simple but hell! Its worth all the effort and it’ll surprise you on how far it has taken you away! and looking back how far I have gone, yes indeed. So, im taking my plight and fly. Thank u, God bless. Jan 15, 2022 Image: Pinterest

Lets take up the pieces and move on.  A month after the storm…  Tomorrow is another day! - *Scarlet O'hara, Gone with the Wind* I start walking again. I love the idea that a block just across our building is just the right block to do my laps. Not a well-lighted block but it is convenient despite because it is where our shuttles park and company guard do check and stays. It pays to feel a little secure despite obscurity of my position at least I don’t go weary in doing my laps in the middle of the night. That’s why it’s really a concern because its in the middle of the night, doing the laps on break while I work right after. How I wish I go to work on morning shift again but it’s a blurry future. Everyone’s fighting over our schedule. Experiencing the storm allows us to see through a lot of things. You know people you know and you think you know. What I notice is that there are actually a lot of people who remained calm after the storm. Trying to move on with life and salvage whatever could be salvage, that is without saying nor complaining much. They move in action as they see it fit. However, on the other hand, oh no! there are more people who makes scenes and exaggerate their situation to the max. Exaggerated complaints that reaches the heavens and no matter how much console you’d do, it isn’t enough… wow! such in the middle of chaos, hmmm, I can’t really imagine. But you will really come to compare and think. Of the doers and complainers, the doers receive their miracles earlier than those who complains. You see, those who worked on their ass immediately right after the storm. Clearing the areas where they can possibly do and help others clear other areas too not waiting for the Local government units (LGU) to arrive and provide the services, instead, they took it into their hands to do the clearing. Whereas those who complained, although they did help but still waiting for the LGU to do their part. Hmmm, there is a great difference because, well… We all have to understand, everyone is affected, not just the common citizens but also those officials. If we don’t help ourselves, it will take longer for the cleaning up operation to take effect. So the restoration will take more time. Those citizens who took part of the clearing and only leaving the posts, lines and those not within our reach for the LGU’s to work on, were immediately attended to. While those uncleared areas, where logs, tree branches, roofs, furnitures, and other debris are still not cleared of course will take some time before restoration can start. All the more if electrical posts were greatly and severely damaged. Yes, while we helped in the clearing, we have Christmas lights while those complained more, up-to-date still has no electricity and its 29th day already. I believe there are a lot of storm we can survive if our attitude towards life is better. And it will be easier if we help each other than drag each other down. You actually discover while there are many who suffered, there are actually a lot of people who helped, giving out food, water and charging their phones for free, there are people who had been generous at this time. And I am proud to know and acknowledge that humanity lives! Its really sad for us people to be grabbing each other during this time. Instead we should learn and help ourselves up and not trample on each other as no one will help us but each other. Well, while there are many points to learn from the storm including our preference and storage, food, water and cash is basically need to survive the storm. Keeping our cool and patience is also needed because even if it was difficult, each day presents a new promise that tomorrow will be better. And indeed, tomorrow is better than it was 29 days ago… Hope to share something good. God bless. Jan 14, 2022 Image: pinterest

Walk, just walking 2nd week 2022… Alas! I’m back… my presence in read.cash has really lessened since December 2021. Not that I don’t want to hang around here but rather, hands are full and mind is already exhausted from all the activities I couldn’t think of better time to spend my off hours but sleep. Physically drain, and my mind is just exhausted. So, at times I can write but on weekends, I can just really sleep. Check out the latest posts of my sponsors! I nailed 1st week, finally I started walking again after about 8 months. This was the plan I made out when we were transferring to the main office last month. Yes, it took awhile to adjust but it finally happened. Yohooo! I spent at least 30 minutes and limited to only 5 laps. I originally planned it at 5minutes per lap but I successfully outdone myself, 4minutes. I was trying to monitor the activity, for 5laps there were 5K+ steps with 200+Kal burned? So, I think it was helping me gain insights to my body mechanism. Successfully did this for the whole week and I was glad of the results. Now the goal for 2022 has slowly unveiled itself starting with the walking laps. Not feeling the effects right now but will continue to monitor the outcome as I paced myself. The goal for this activity is for the following: 1.       Exercise = I haven’t done it for about 8 months, so I haven’t really sweat much except occasionally these days when I do gardening but it is not as frequent and as often before we relocated. Exercise for the heart so it will remain strong as it is in its current condition. 2.       Burn fats = burn extra calories, hoping to lose weight and maintain blood pressure at 110/90. It to alleviate allergy attacks, excess storage of everything else –fats, carbo,protein and other substances may also meant storage of excess allergens in the body which may be the cause I am having allergy troubles for a while. I may be wrong but I could also be right since weighing down has been effective way to reduce asthma/allergy from days before. I’d like to take my chances now. 3.       Boost immune system = walking is a good activity that moves the cells of my body into action. By burning fats, it stimulates the body to interact in a way boosts immune system. Thus I will be having better protection against common colds and the likes. 4.       Alleviate back pains = suspecting of high uric acid, I was hoping to alleviate my lower back pain by sweating as it helps get rids of the stored uric acid and hoping I can sleep better at night. 5.       Stretches muscles, joints, bones = hmmm. This is exercise, following the regime will and putting my body in action helps me feel a little less brittle and lighter. Hoping that I will be able to tone the muscles not for aesthetic reason but im for lighter feeling that helps me move around better. 6.       Sleep better = exhausting my body like this help me recuperate and refreshes it by allowing myself a better sleep. This actually helps me reduce my cravings, I will truly love this. Hmmm… had I said it all right? Do I need to go thru my list? Oh! Nah… just this for now, nothing overwhelming… for the bigger goals are still there to polish. I will live thru days without much goals. However, the ultimate goal though is be able to brisk walk, if I could actually achieve 1minute/lap, -looking forward. It has been fun doing this for 2 weeks and its good to walk around the block where i work on dress down days that I dont need to worry about appearances! God bless Jan 12, 2022 Image: pinterest

Unfiltered mind, selfish reasons Facebook… back then, over a decade, I wasn’t into FB and even after a decade, still I am not. It is a social platform where maretis (gossip mongers) abounds. Its not a proper platform for anyone who wants a piece of serenity or calmness. If you are part of the population who’d like this kind of adventure, it is something you can indulge with. In fairness, I do enjoy creating a page where I’d love to post pictures of my plants and the things I wanted to do. I do also enjoy the part where groups are created and posts their plants that are either for sale and some disaster help center where at times of calamity, people flock in and offer services and goods they want to share. Well, there is this lady and man, who really thinks a lot of themselves. Just because they have titles on their desks, they think they are entitled to many things including bullying other people, -former colleagues of mine. They used to bully me back then, just because I didn’t mind… Both posted something that slanders those people who went to hotels saying that they had the nerve while the others starve? Well, all I can say is that, these very people who went looking for hotels to stay in because they started moving on and stopped feeling & pitying themselves and went to work. They need a hotel to stay to freshen up and sleep where everything else is not available. I really cant imagine what those people were thinking? They are professionals and failed to think that they need all comfort to be able to go to work right? How can anyone concentrate working after lining up to have their cellphone charged or buy water? Lining up is not easy because the condition is bad, lining up in a hot-summer-like condition, good if its just minutes but its hours we are talking about. How could they still go to work, unrested? Its unthinkable. The situation is already bad as it is and they’re still trying to pull other people when many wants to move on and stop feeling sorry about the situation! Thinking that pitying is not enough they have to work to rebuild what was destroyed? Right? Others started to blame officials for basic services to be out when they haven’t thought that these very officers are people too, suffering the same scenarios. Families to attend to, piles of debris to clear right in their very door, roofs to look out for. Hayts! They need to attend this 1st and have to attend to the community right after because its their duty. But people needs to be considerate too, they too need to work things out by themselves so the community can move on and stop fretting or complaining because it will never do anything but stop all the work. They need to do something too so they will be back on their feet. These are the people I used to work, pathetic isn’t it? Hayst! It’s a complicated life but their self-esteem is really low, picking on other people to lift themselves up when they are the ones who lacks in everything. True, they are truly lack in all basic services because other location already has power and water services because they never stopped to complain but clear their path instead of waiting for those officers. They picked themselves up and acted on what they can do for themselves and others. Unfortunately, theirs are still none to this point. And they have been using Facebook, truly, Facebook is a platform full of backfires and with people who had nothing left to do but complain! People need to work as businesses are lossing money if work stops and how can basic services reach the poor when economy is down? How can they bitch something they don't know? How unfortunate! I'm sorry, these are the very people who works on holidays to earn for their families and make their lives better. Unlike the poor, they don't wait for government to provide basic services, they make it happen! They're not running the show, the rich does, but theyre working to support those who runs the show. Because if not, they'd be like the poor waiting & begging but they're not, so they choose to work and have the freedom to buy services as they need or want! You see, in the midst of situations, true, we are all affected by this and no one is exempted. We should try to be able to lift everyone up not pull them down, just because someone is low on coping mechanism, they can drag everyone down. Everyone has the right to move on and moving on doesn’t start with fretting and complain but rather starts by doing something, ayt! Sorry for the rant... yes, in the end, its good to see people working together despite the LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGU) unavailability. Unfortunately I don’t know logistics so I have to share those post with those who can do logistics. We are receiving help from other provinces, and we are truly grateful. Thank u Lord! Jan 05, 2022 Image: Pinterest

A very purposeful year ender! Lessons! Here we are 2022! Thank God it’s raining for a week now; else we don’t have water. I will be part of the population lining up and wait for my turn, just to have water. After the storm, every day is an awesome blessing. Seeing everyone ok or fine despite the destruction of our homes which took us years to build, we are okay. Homes can always be rebuild, but lives lost, is lost forever! Hey! Check out the articles of my sponsors below... they have something spectacular to share too! Oh! There are so much I’d like to change for the year! One, I realized that water is essentially something to keep especially when you don't know the extent of the damage and how long the services will be back, its really best to have supplies at hand. As it is the most wanted commodity during these trying times in this part of the world. And as it will definitely become scarce, every available container needs to be filled and every drops needs to be used wisely. Due to scarcity, prices goes high especially with those families with babies and elderly. ***Lessons:*** 1.       *Water*, oh! I am really lucky to be able to purchase another gallon for drinking before the storm hits because we have drinking water up to this point and we need not go wander about and end up lining for drinking water. Estimated about a week, our tap water used for consumptions were recycled several times, not a drop wasted. We shower in the tub so we can re-use the water for cleaning the floor or flushing the toilet bowl, keeping ourselves clean and healthy as we go around the challenges. Even rain water, we collect and store, and never again shall we waste rain water. We are saved by it for a week and used it almost in everything we do except drinking. But should potable water be not available, perhaps we can have it boiled to be drinkable or should secure filter this year for future use. I should start storing up drinking water when all prices stabilize. Should purchase gallons to store water, especially drinking water capable of supplying us for weeks to months. We still don’t know how long we will be waterless, so best to have all the best options I can think off. 2.       *Power*, I should be saving enough and buy some more power banks and solar powered chargers. But we can do away with the expensive ones, we can survive with not much power since what we have at home are not powered by electricity. We can get by without much. Gas too is essential should we have vehicle. I have a motorcycle but dont know how to... so, next time nalang! Oh! I almost forgot... Candles. I know, we need light but with all the fires that sparked... Its best to just buy *****candles with batteries***** which i used during the time to keep the light on as the night passes by. Yes, invest on batteries as it runs out either reuseable or disposable for safety especially if we left it with the children. At least I am comfortable going to work leaving my children by themselves and fire will not start due to candles. Its almost the same price but a lot safer. 3.       *Grocery and supplies*. Well, I should be investing in some goods that last and always check the expiry dates. Frozen goods will only last for a week but will be forced to throw them away if beyond so best not to invest so much on this. Rather, I should save up and buy some canned goods since they last for a long time like a year or so. Candies and chocolates too can be stored while biscuits can only be in a time but in a month, it is still feasible to have them. Rice supply is a must since the will be amongst the first of the commodities’ prices to soar during calamities. Buy and store the important things and don’t the unnecessary ones. Those crucial to health should be part of the priority since we cannot expect stores to be open when calamity happens or supplies will always run out or prices soar because of limited supplies. So, best to have all the things you need at hand. 4.       *Cash*. Cash is always important since internet is off due to no signal or the lines are affected. Everyone needs cash these days, no one accepts online payment. So, I should have. 5.       *SAVE*. Do not spend for something that is not necessary. Make it to a point to save up. Well, this is just about the things I’ve learned and still have to get on my feet and start collecting the pieces back. Hopefully all is well with the others and 2022 is something to look forward as always! Thank u for the time and God bless. January 05, 2022 Images: pinterest

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Farewell 2021 and my gratitude to Read.cash Community Who would have thought?! It has been a great year ender being with you guys and wow! I will not say I have grown so much in this arena because I’m still trying hard to do so! Writing was never a forte and I just started my journey. There are a lot to explore and much more! I am reluctant at first, but as I stayed, wow! the community is good and nice to stay with. There are lot of things I’d learned. Amongst them is that its multicultural and learning new culture is good, adjusting is another one but we all get along that’s for sure. Despite the differences, yes, generally we all get along. Discovering how people live with the diversity of convictions and point of views, its simply amazing. The disparity doesn’t endanger understanding for those willing to grow, incredible. 2 months here has been a humbling experience. Why? Of course, it is a diversified community and learning to respect each other differences is something we should keep in mind and it is not all the time we have the patience and tolerance to keep our mind in check. Not only our mind but our attitude as well and it takes a lot of discipline to be able to do it so! Its also nice to discover that we have common convictions and beliefs/traditions/practices as well. The commonality with our Filipino beliefs with our Hispanic brothers and sisters, is almost identical. If they didn’t write Spanish, I wouldn’t have known. There too other cultures especially the Christian believers, the platform really has the power to draw in cultures of different perspective – harmoniously, and its simply amazing. Plus we get to know each other’s perspective through our articles, damn! A way to grow, especially for someone like me who never had the chance to travel afar! Now it makes me envy travelers, lolz. There are commotions too. It is a breathtakingly intellectual with some shade of controversy that will surely cracks the nerves for any neophyte to be in but, lo, the exchanges were exhilaratingly sound but must say, should humble any heart that knows compassion. Cracking because the course of action seems too much for such to implore when the action committed was his own defilement. Ahhh, acceptance is something I appreciate so much in this platform. I could still remember how I felt welcomed by @rebeysa85, for my 1st sponsor. I cannot thank u enough for a warm welcome. Followed by @ErdoV who has been supporting me silently and became his benefactor for a while, thank u so much for your kindest support –really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. Along my journey, I am happy to meet @PrincessMae and @Thania05, and became their benefactor and it is my honor and pleasure to attract your attention – appreciate it so much to have you both on my page! Actually, all of you! For all the warmth and generosity without discrimination, thank u so much. And may you continue such gesture for your kindness will surely be a blessing for many who seek it and may God continue to bless you for such. To the platform creator, thank u, for I am one of the recipient and benefactor of the creation. I do look forward for another year and the years to come. This has actually inspired and opened a new chapter of my book. I do hope to purchase a laptop to continue this pursuit and finally involve my household in the near future. December 31, 2021 Images: pinterest

Christmas wont be the same without you! I’ve never thought this thought has been delayed over such catastrophic events. Hmmm… Its nice to linger around the thought, it has been a decade now and cant help but linger still. You know throughout the entire decade, your son grew up. Unlike you he is loved but still is like you in many ways. Physically he is a replica of you and in many ways developing your talents and inclinations together with vices. However, good news, unlike you he is still at school. Hardly gaining good grades nor top notched but he is very very good at reading, which I am glad. Arithmetic is struggling and all courses that required hard work but still he passed. And like you, he is very techy. Things I don’t understand, I let him do. I never understood how hard it was to raise you until I have him. Oh no! there are many times I wanted to cry but what can it do? So many times I wished and wondered if you were still around those horrible things would’ve happened but… those are just random thoughts and wishful thinking! But still, the “what if”, if you were around. Yes, our lives is never the same without you! Your boy grows up well and matured like you but all too fast and many times I tried to stop him from growing but I only failed – terribly. I only wish he’ll slow down but he only accelerated and it breaks me apart knowing there is a thin line between that and his growing up, for he has so much to learn. All too soon I believe, like your little sister when she was this age! All confused with the so-called “love potion”, ended up almost like a failure. We are struggling but we have our share of fun though. I am all packed up and it would have been easier having you around but… God forcibly pluck you out of my life because I refused to let you go without a fight. It is good because it made it easier for me to move on and continue but the thought still remains. Ten years after and we lived. Happy and a little confused of where to head for! We lost our home that we build up for many reasons including money matters. Now, I have started to write again and I don’t know where this is heading me to! Though I am glad to write all the ideas away but it became too hectic and found my body drunk in exhaustion: body, mind and soul. All the more now because of the typhoon, hmmm… We have share of fun too and I promised more fun to look forward as the year ends and a new one is soon to begin. Oh! Somebody’s lurking in the dark and it has been a year now! I already told him to stop but he hasn’t and doesn’t have plans. We haven’t talked for he refused to talk. He is an acquaintance from my younger years and perhaps he is responsible for lighting up our Christmas after the typhoon, I am thankful though for the thoughtful gesture which I do appreciate it much. I do hope we can talk soon so he’d stop lurking, I hate it. Found new friends when you left and finding out someone is leaving too, soon. It was nice having you around wrapping my tired arms around you at the end of the day! Talk my day out and listen to pries, I missed it. Perhaps it was too good to last a lifetime. Thank you for helping me learn things about relationships, far and beyond whats expected. The importance of ending a day not angry for tomorrow is uncertain. I thought memories fade but it didn’t, it lingers. Thank you for our boy, I’d grown so much since then. It will be long before we see each other again, not sooner I’m afraid. Goodbye. December 29, 2021 images: Pinterest

The promises of tomorrow never ends! I was gone for days and a lot of things happened. Christmas was amongst the darkness and stormy night ever! I was babysitting our baby girl while her mom went out to buy her milk, -everything was out especially cash so she was relying on pure breast milk for the past week. Everything done had money value, so when you had none, basically your hands are really tied. As they (her parents) went out to buy her milk, a storm passed by, and us alone in the middle of the storm and she was crying because she was hungry…–and I really don’t like kids! And despite it, my heart was broken hearing her cries! A week or two, I can no longer count the days since the Odette hit us and oh! It has been very exhausting waiting time, for everything to be back to normal – and still far ahead. Waiting for everything to settle in, at home, at the office, in the community as well. My kids become impatient and the only excitement left was going home again to check on our place! There isn’t really much left at our place! hahaha! It’s a disaster! From our house down to road towards our place. Everything’s a  mess and a lot of work to do and just us! Well, its something tomorrow promises as we can only do much for today, the rest is to be settled by tomorrow aiyt?! So… why worry? When we can only do much with our strength and resources. Its not procrastination but rather simple conservation and preservation. Sorry for uploading horrid images Since I’ve been out for a long time and if I was around I was too exhausted to read on. So, I took time to read posts and look on to some of my favorites article makers. I can’t tip much since my piggy bank is low, I have to settle in with likes. Hmmm, what happened when I was away? Oh! Oh! Oh! Word fight? Ok. Hmmm… in the season of thanks giving and sharing. ??? well, my insights? No judgment was passed down though nor claim in my point of view, but rather question mark. That’s why it ended with a question mark not period. It wasn’t even misunderstanding but rather speaking out so loud that awakes even the lost and sleeping soul! Well, was it fine tuning? Hmmm… it believe it was all observation being taking into account and since it was just the right article to speak it out loud, so there goes! Bulleye?! No offense but the repetitive action became so loud and tangos all the way thru such in every perspective whether defensive or offensive. Nothing is wrong but, makes you wander, which is why I am saying “it was speaking out loud, verrrrrrry out loud!”. And it’s a matter of opinion thou. Taking sides? Oh no! I’m merely pointing out relating to my previous articles that Jesus when He was around never really passes on judgment to anyone but rather chose compassion over the prevalence of righteousness! You see we sin every day, we fail every day, but the most important thing is we strive to change our ways by humbling ourselves to God. Submission. While we are at it, we channel it through to our brothers and sisters in Christ, show compassion to weaker Christians and allow them to slip a little or two, -let them change on their volition. But when repetitive, hmmm, the grace of God – backsliding? Well-versed with Black spot psychology? It may occur to you that way but the way you behave is far different from what other sees. Its different in our perspective, you may see it baseless, but the behavior is quite repetitive which is why its noticed – became a predictable behavior, a familiar tendency. You just don’t like it when somebody noticed and say it out loud. Its not even guilt tripping, since the action was done by you. Its just merely making a point. Pinoy (men/women) behavior is if its baseless, then why do you have to be so angry about it? It shouldn’t affect you, so deadma! We are Christians, we should be breathing in the same Gospel and Word of God. If Jesus was in your heart, you will the light thru. Well, in our part of the world… Odette has ravage us to the max but our spirit lives on! Humbled us down to ground, it may not be ground zero but left us almost nothing to work with. And we are starting from scratch! Hay! Thank u Lord. For every breath we take every day and the promises of tomorrow never ends, - bringing HOPE, in love and faith. God bless! December 28, 2021 Images are mine Lead image: pinterest

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A Great Thanksgiving, Its Christmas!!! Its Christmas!! So many thanks to everyone! Another Thursday, just a week after the typhoon hit our place and true, its been a very long week for all of us here! And oh! Christmas is just around the corner. *A day before Christmas* Its inspiring to see people with smiles on their faces despite the disaster we are facing. And well, I am part of those who feels bruised all over, all the muscle pains and joints, exhausted. Yes, Christmas is just around the corner and still faced with challenges but despite that we little by little the city has restored power to some areas and its just a week – when many expected worst to come like a month wait for the power to be restored but here we are! Though there are still places with no power but their places will be next I believe. *Clamor* I cant believe people are exchanging words? OMG, trying to make a point in a crisis like this? Really, we cant be critical and do nothing?! Aiyt? We cant just point the criticality of the situation and just pin it to government because our government is already helpless too. If people are broke, oh no, the government too! With the pandemic, OMG, no more funds for anything else which is why we do what we can do! Mobilize ourselves, initiate restoration right on our doorstep and don’t act helpless because as long as we have limbs, hands and feet, we can act. After acting on our own area, then extent the act and do community service! Oh common get real! The government can only do much! They have families to attend too you know, they are human like us! Everyone is trying to help! Honestly, oh! On FB, there are people posting they have drinking water and extended help to those who are really in need. Even our own company who are so concerned with their employees, who equally are dedicated too, extended charging of our cellphones and other chargeable materials to support our houses – especially communications.  Yes, up-to-date, there are still debris outside our roads in this business center but the priority is clearing and restoration of the lines to power up the business center and not the cleaning up – we can actually do this ourselves! We are extremely happy with the little progress because its not as gloomy as last week. Yes, days of news blockout wasn’t at all appreciated by families apart. Well, I am just glad and really make use of social medias where I can post pictures and videos and update them with what’s going on the city. And I am extremely grateful for our company’s assistance on communication – for letting us charge for free and don’t have to line outside and wait long hours for our turn. There are sad stories like demand-supply is up so prices went x2 in such short notice but, that doesn’t kill us though. But hey! All these are expected, we just got out of storm and it was just last week! *Christmas* Oh! Despite body aches, im happy and excited to go home and celebrate Christmas! Yes! Here it is, on the eve of the day! Looking forward to baby sit our 1st baby girl. It’s a solemn celebration tonight, a great thanksgiving after the storm and a humble one!!! We really have so much to be thankful and grateful for! Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and prayers! Lets spread love and joy in celebrating Christmas! God bless! And merry, merry Christmas! Hugs and kisses! Mwah, mwah, mwah!!! Love lots! December 24, 2021 Images from pinterest

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Christmas? Still there? I went home and everything is down. Even the heart and spirit is down, so the body ached and full of tension. It has been a very long weekend for us and the challenges is still up ahead. *Aftermath!* Wholaaa! How strong the winds? Just uprooted the two tamarind trees – we considered hard tree to knock out. All 5 mango trees, all ripped apart. Acacia is standing still but lost a lot of branches. Main road going home is blocked, all trees lined up blocking the entrance. All goats are dead but we still have chickens. And this is because we lived having the front yard as beach front and backyard, the river. And with the water rising as the storm surges! Well, we are still lucky. The beach front is really heavily bruised, all 7 house wiped out. There is one story about someone witnessing a house was picked up by the winds, literally transferring the house into the open sea. So! We are really lucky, the mangroves planted protected our place. Oh, the roof is almost gone. Repairing is truly something but I’m glad everyone is good. *The Challenges* Ok! The challenges we face, everything is down from power to communication, internet as a mode of communication: exchanges and banks, water – drinking and consumptions. Our place in the city is good and I was glad to have water supply that lasted 3 days, and we conserved more and we were all able to take a shower. And we still have drinking water, which can last a week or two. But, our families in the provinces. OMG. Worst came worst, well despite being surrounded by water, our baby girl wasn’t able to take a bath until I visited them last Saturday! Heat is scourging and oh, water has to be cleaned to be able to use it properly else, diarrhea and despite that they were affected. Will have to decontaminate our water. Food too is scarce as looting was rampant on the onset of the typhoon – an embarrassing story to tell but it’s the truth anyway it happens when people are desperate. *Resilience?* I went on to the next municipalities to check on my dying friend’s parents and another family to check. Well, the next town has sustained massive damages too especially the coastal area but going further north, the lesser the damages and I was relieved. And it is good to know they have power last Monday/Tuesday. I am relieved to know their families were alright, visiting them after the wrath. They too have the same challenges but shortened because power is back and you know the magic when power is back, everything seems to be alive again. As I passed by last weekend, oh, I was to see people moving on despite. They were like feasting on the water, most family went to sea to take the day off after all the wreckage and stress it brought. Clearing wasn’t that fast but the roads and high ways were already passable. This was their share of the story while back in the city, we celebrated that we partially saw some streetlights, power was back to some selected areas but not our place, perhaps in the next days - we were hopeful! And still no water! I am exhausted and honestly I don’t have the energy to waste on complaining or critical about something. Life is there, I have to rely on God for everything and I am truly relieved I did. Because if not, I am totally with no more cash and withdrawing from ATM machine is almost impossible and we were just lucky to be directed last night to an ATM machine that provided us cash with not much effort, withdrawn as short as 5 minutes while everyone else lined up the whole day. Our water was delivered right our doorstep. I really couldn’t ask for more. Living day by day, we can rebuild in time, we just need to hang on. Thank u Lord, not for sparing us the disaster but for giving us the resilience to get thru all this. And despite the challenges, we are grateful and looking forward for a Merry Christmas. Bless us all! Dec 22, 2021 Lead image from Pinterest content images are mine

Christmas Trials! *Typhoon Odette – local name* Hmph! My son said: “their houses are not tank build”, and I refuted “so ours?”, he answered “we’re on Athena’s shield”. Jokingly said and we laughed out loud as the storm passed by, -ML players! I left home and went to office in the midst of the storm. Basically, most parents would naturally not but I’m different. I left because I trusted my sons will be alright, and my sons were pushing me to go! I guess that they wanted me out to feel a little trust and freedom, -independence? Hmmm, makes me think – though I really trust them without hesitation, I want them to grow. So, when I arrived when work was finally suspended, they were all sleeping – snoringly sleeping. Thank God I can confidently leave them at home going to work. *Outside* Debris are everywhere. On the sides, tops and bottom. Most people complained their roofs or ceiling. Fall off or uprooted trees, debris were just about everywhere. Services are cut due to debris, clearing needs to be done first and everyone else really just have to work. Currently gasoline stations are fully filled while others already ran out of supply but people are piling up, just about everywhere. Early this morning, people were lining up for charging, water refilling and gasoline stations. While I am motivated to go to work to charge the cellphones and power bank so we have something to communicate with. I prefer this than going out to charging stations that will take about forever to charge since you have to line up and wait for your turn. At the height of the storm, I was a bit… ??? when I heard people were having panic/anxiety attacks, my colleague’s kids were calling in, crying and almost screaming because they were afraid. I really wonder why. I am sorry but I really have a different reaction to everything. My boss is having anxiety/nervous reaction yesterday and was very anxious to go home. While he relaxed as I arrived because it was just not possible to go out that time. I am a bit pissed because he failed to understand that going out means suicide! Going home is really a priority but first thing first, safety! What happens to his family if along the road something happens? It is proven, something can happen along the road, he got flat tires attempting to go home as he attempted and had to come back. *Fear* Fear drives us insane, I know but! We shouldn’t let it control us. I am just glad, I was raised Christian. Whatever sector you’re in, catholic/Baptist/angelican – we are all the same, believing in Christ. I am glad because I get to overcome fear by prayer. I get to overcome a lot of bad happenings by prayer, especially when we’re in fellowship, we can get thru storms. Another day, another sunrise! We get to wait to see another day! You see, there is no enough preparation done to make us see thru storms because all those preparations can by wiped out in a glance! This faith is what gets me thru troubled times. I cannot say that you’d do the same but you can always start with little prayers. In time, it’ll grow if you nourish it. To my point of view, this is the best solution to my problem, my coping mechanism and I am happy. Hopefully yours do serves you well, however, should it not - you are always welcome to find security in mine! You can at least give it a try! God bless. December 18, 2021 Lead image from pinterest Image all mine

Christmas, Typhoon Odette (Rai) Typhoon Odette! 4 minutes before landfall, bracing ourselves on the impact but… Oh Lord! We are on the 18th floor and the building is tremendously swaying!!! It feels like youre on board a ship with not so good weather. And we are here! Non-stop swaying and hauling of the winds. The glasses are like, closing in and out, feeling the pressure of the winds outside. While the building is not just swaying but trembling tremendously with a little feel of earthquake as the wind hauls outside our doors. The glasses feel like it about to break and the rain seems to feel like its coming inside the office. The never ending push and pull of the chair, feels like youre riding a car and immediately hit the brakes. And again, the glass windows feel like they’re about to peel off or break. Though its not the longest 11 minutes but somebody already break out and cried with anxiety attack. 22 minutes had passed the wind got worst. Well, still not the longest 1 hr ever but the wind got worst as it approaches 10pm. There is one room that’s almost ready to be ripped apart, labeled it the most dangerous room to hang out. 1021PM, the wind calms. Management provides food and snack since going out for a break will be detrimental to health and it arrived late due to the circumstances we are in. Well, GM declared suspension of work at around 1:30AM so we all went home. Well, we think we were safe not leaving the office but we finally realized that it wasn’t safe anywhere at all. Everything is mixed up. I left my children at home because I have faith they are all good and true to the faith, they were all asleep the whole time after the losing the signal. Bring the food home because we were already leaving the office by the time the food arrived. The devastation? Will be uploading the pictures from my phone and mobile signal is still not on, total blackout in the city and it will be restored in about a week to a month. Well, my boys were hopeful to regain it in 5 days as initially heard earlier but as the day gone by, the devastation on our city has magnified and now considering the 30 days no electricity. Hmmm, it is in the 90’s our city had experienced this, a month long without electricity because of typhoon. The same, strong winds with heavy rainfalls. After the storm? Oh! Some reported to work while others are either exhausted in clearing the area within their vicinity, not helping clearing the area for community services or stranded due to debris on the road. I mean, no one can afford to extend community services at this point because everyone else, every home is affected! Oh! The almost everyone’s roof flew or partly, and if not, their ceiling were heavily damaged. Shuttle services are almost not available because same reason, drivers are not available. Stranded either because the post/trees blocks the road or tires were damaged to nails laying the road, my boss was one of those affected that day when he hurriedly went home and his tires were just… a nail got caught on the tires, barely made it back to the building to park the car since his spare tires too were not available too! We don’t have a lot of issues, but main concerns are water and power, communication thru mobile are off either because no signal or low batteries, so power is really important. Food is just there. City is operational and functional until the return of power services, all else is busy clearing the area and making sure all wires and posts, -related items are in place before power can be restored. Well, we don’t want to invite a lot of misfortunes while Christmas is fast approaching. Hmmm, looking for news on the internet, its almost silenced. Keep safe and God bless. Will keep this posted. December 17, 2021 Lead Image is from Tropical Storm Rai to hit the Philippines as a typhoon Thursday - CNN other images are mine

Christmas! Joy to the world, the Lord has come! A song so familiar! I am a fan of Pinterest. I’d rather be there than with FACEBOOK but I’m also a fan of FB marketplace than of lazada because I love to order plants there… I’m really broke, hahaha! Its not the season, it’s the pandemic. Everything seems very expensive, from fare to food! OMG, it aches my heart knowing I have work with salary to look forward but still broke while those who were laid off the other year. Surviving is… well, struggle is really true and its insane! But God supplies our needs! He provides provision! He never fails. So awesome you know! And even if its just the 2nd day of our paycheck and every was already allocated and gone, “Noche Buena” with the boys is already secured! Thank God, really Lord thank u. We still enjoy some fansies and more frugal than usual. However it is, we are very thankful. I found this on PINTEREST. Well, what can I say? I gave up academe a long time ago and I’m not a fan of theology nor philosophy. Not that it makes me sick or what, but it makes me feel like I’m not human being inclined to such. It all becomes too academic and almost to the point that is sacred, not quarantined but an implied “do not touch!”, untouchable – lolz! Im not into academic duel, but a long time ago – I would say it a go but now… Im human and happier! I no longer set expectations but rather forgiving and accepting in its shortness. It doesn’t frustrate me any longer but enables me to work more and beyond expectations. Hardly perfection but work thru my imperfections. Hahaha! I’m not cheezy though, im not a sucker for dramatics. Those films that contain so much crying, “bali-bali ang sagpa sa face!” (slap in the face), cat fights, especially the overly done ones! Oh no I’m not. I belong to the marginal and controlled response individuals. Hihihi!  Though I’m thankful that man was basically designed to have intelligence that matches the angels’ but, I’d rather have the heart that understands, timid and meek than be intelligent and filled with pride and arrogance, aw! Lucifer was bright and all, but got himself kick-off heaven, so… He took Earth from MAN who willingly gave it to him. And now, wow, man couldn’t even take it back from him because man fall short of all the expectations/qualifications!? Or man is just really stupid? I dont know! Or say, Satan is just too cunning to be overcomed by man? Well, God became man. Stepped down from His thrown and be with His people. And even so, He was misunderstood still. The very people who He came down to save, rejected him with their views of the word and law – their version of law and order! I really wouldn’t claim to know the in depths knowledge of God’s message. I’d rather simplify it and even oversimplifying it at most. Perhaps I'm too plain and simple, but I love it that way because its easy to understand. Straight forward than beating around the bush! The Jews have the Pharisees and Sadducees to interpret the LAW given to them but they “become stiff and regulated”, thus the essence of God’s law diminished. Have you have any idea how intricate their practices are? Never mind... Even Jesus couldn't stand it to the point of calling them HYPOCRITES! Because they wear clean clothes but their actions were profoundly evil. And despite all the privileges that God gave them, they still fail in understanding God saving Grace. In the end, killed the very King that came down to save them. But a last, without it, we wouldn’t be save ayt? Hihi! I’m thankful for their “stiffened heart” that we are SAVED. Aye! Lets continue to share God’s saving Grace! Lets be in fellowship… not in bitterness but in our willingness to do sacrifice in God’s name. Lets show compassion no matter how little that is, at least in our own way… just little steps, for God does the rest! the big ones! God bless! 😁😁😁 Dec 16, 2021 All image Pinterest Oh! I haven't really improved! Looking at my audience, its still is the same... and I'm really happy! Dont really know how to market, despite graduating with Marketing skills - extremely poor marketing skills! Hahaha!

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Coming home for Christmas! Christmas Magic never ceases to amaze people around the globe and is continuously bringing excitement to the many. And its only 9 days left before Christmas! The novena is just around the corner and well, its expected that people will fill in the halls of churches excited to be joining the simbang gabi in the next days. Amidst the pandemic, its by far the most awaited time of the year where people are gathered in unison. Filipinos, being close-family-oriented, always find it in their hearts the longing to celebrate Christmas with their family and loved-ones. That no matter how far they lived, even abroad, though quite impractical always see to it they’ll find their way back home! *Ingenuity.* For 2 years now, social gatherings have been limited. And even so, it doesn’t stop Filipinos from reaching out to their loved ones. Funny how it may seem today, a lingering story of an escapee about two years ago when lockdown is at its peak. It doesn’t matter if he died but as long as he is able to go back home! People have been critical and a lot were pissed but the thought of “going back home” no matter what, at least he felt and found safety in the arms of his family. Regardless, everyone is doing it but only he found the guts and made its way into the media. Others make use of social media instead, to its full potential, despite intermittent WIFI or mobile connection, as long as they hear them talk and see their faces, everything else is okay. Well, the truth is I am not a sucker for social events but honestly, I appreciated it that we or I don’t have to go out my way and see people. Christmas dinner is possible last year and this year for our team, as company party is made possible by zoom, local and joint. Well, everyone still gets to see everyone and made presentations like contests (parol making, gingerbread making and dance), raffle and give-aways. It is nice that after all and despite social gatherings being limited, we just take our seat on our station and enjoy the visuals and we get to greet everyone the season! Highly unlikely but the spirit is there. Our team earlier this year gathered thru zoom and we got together and highly enjoying it because we get to do games. We have 3 games and the food was delivered right at our doorstep so it was pretty convenient! *Gatherings* Hmmm… its so heart-warming knowing that everyone else around the globe, whether Asians or Caucasians, Spanish, black or white, are putting an effort of reaching out, feeling the season of joy and giving. Here at readcash, reading articles of gift-giving is really awesome and despite were miles apart we still get to enjoy ourselves with the lavishness of each gift given. Even the mere fact of being mentioned is already something very nice, such thoughtfulness is surely appreciated. While I still don’t get it that there are people who questions it but can’t we simply enjoy the moment while we’re at it? Too bitter to share the smallest of things and has drag everyone else with that bitterness?! Ahh, well I thought of dragging that bitterness and be submerged with overly joyful moments with us. Its pretty contagious you know! This is what Christmas brings to people around the globe. It wipes out the feeling of uncertainty of what the future holds by being around familiar people –family and extended family, friends. Wipes out the loneliness, sadness and bitterness that is kept inside for a year and be replaced by joy and warmth that sustains the us in our daily struggles. It replenishes us, invigorates the inner being. Which is why family being important to us! So we appreciate the presence despite the nuisance it brings at some point. Christmas magnifies all these! And this is why Christmas is highly celebrated and most anticipated celebration, everyone gets to celebrate it together! Unlike other occasions, have different dates, this is celebrated in unison -in fellowship. Its always nice to see everyone smiles. God bless! Dec 15 All images: Pinterest

Christmas, the start of a new beginning! I would begin my day asking, why is it easy for people to pass judgment on anyone? Just because they saw you once and they “feel” they know you already? Or is it because your life is in great disarray, allows them to give a piece of their mind? Gives them the right of passage?! Wow! Sad but many times I heard them professing like Christians and goes to church every weekend and yet didn’t find themselves unworthy of any criticism but rather they have the ounce of strength telling everyone what they have done wrong in their lives. I would like to stress. Christianity = Christ, I am nothing. All throughout Jesus’ life was never about condemning people of their sins but rather opposite, He came to save us. All throughout his journey He showed us compassion than condemnation. Believing doesn’t mean we continue to live the way we used to but we change, for the greater good? Oh no! Its salvation that comes from believing in Christ. When we believe, comes change from within. Transform to confirm the renewal in our lives. That is now the working of the Holy Spirit within us. And its manifested in our daily lives and it never stops to evolve. *The Challenge* The challenge of Christian before and now has never diminished. All the more now, the call for Christianity amidst all crisis experienced all around the world. Im not calling for unity, I’m calling for all Christians to wear their faith and tell the world what we are like! Unscathed in the face of troubles. That we’d be more forgiving than whats most practice, patience and tolerant, move with compassion with those who doesn’t know how to live with compassion. Simple, humble and kind. And in this time of the year lets show them magnanimity unheard off like we always do! Especially for those lonely, desperate and the afflicted, as no one else is concerned about them. Many would be too tired and too busy to reach out, give them their time to at least speak or talk with them – a cup of coffee or meal with them. Then why just not spend it whole day then! What would you lose? Time? We lose every second in every minute, so why just not give them that? I am sorry, but Catholics has been condemned by many Christian believers because of the doctrines taught by the church. You see, as Catholic, I have the right to practice and exercise the doctrines I want to live in. So, not all are taught are practiced! We reserve the right to choose! Like other Christian sector, there are condemnation practices and doctrines too. In the history of Catholicism, a king renounced his faith because he wants to **DIVORCE** his wife, thus separation from Roman Catholicism because the Central of Command did not approve – then the comes formation of Protestantism. Although in the early times, God permitted **(OLD TESTAMENT)** but hey! Review the scriptures even Jesus rebuked it! There is another one more recent and prominent these days, the “**WEALTH MINISTRY**”. Need I say much? It sprang in the late 19th century and still is regarded despite upheaval or critical criticism about it. Do I need to stress? *Point?* Yeah, why do we argue? I really refused to be dragged down to this path because its pointless. Its morbid and horrible. Christianity is not about right and wrong. Its about the truth in Christ. Lets continue to serve the Lord our God to the best of our everything. We catholics, we have martyrs we look onto like “Mother Teresa”. I mean, its not for the show! If she was being hypocrite, oh no!, I wonder how a hypocrite last wearing her shoes! For crying out loud its never easy. Oh! The stories told, OMG, you will be astonished how shed gone all through the years caring for the sick and the poor! Believe me, its never easy! It’s a 24/7 care because you will never know the sick will have an emergency, I attended to my mom! And she was not only attending to A patient but to PATIENTS, -plural, many. And this is a little opportunity to be on Jesus’ shoe, in this little way she has and this is good on her! We are **moved** by such magnanimity that a woman could be such, moved with compassion to her these misfortunate strangers because we all know that this wasn’t easy. Should this be easy, ahhh, God wouldn’t have made such effort and sacrifice! But lo, Jesus came! *Church* Yes! Satan’s target is the church. Been trying to rip it apart from the beginning. And we are not called for to change prophecy but to sit and wait, strengthen our Christian core. We are called for **VIGILANCE** “Look, I will ***come*** as unexpectedly as a ***thief***! ... Strong's 1127: (a) I am awake (in the ***night***), watch, (b) I am watchful, on the alert, ***vigilant***.” (Revelation 16:15). Because anytime the end will fall, CHRISTIANS are saved! Because anytime now, we will be all called to have the “MARK OF BEAST” on our bodies, desecrating it – and any CHRISTIAN will rather die than have the mark. So, by the time this is so, we wont fear the coming of our Lord but sing praises and worship Him even if costs us our lives! Then Remember, PETER was reproached by Jesus by trying to stop the prophecy of His death in Gethsemane. Just a thought. Now, I know I will be quoted and criticized. But hey! I told you already I’m not scholarly, just understanding the Bible in layman’s term. We can really believe what we want to because in the end, it all boils down between YOU AND GOD! I'm just sayin! God bless. Dec 14, 2021 Images from pinterest

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Christmas, mercy! Lesser headaches! No more of that rocking ones that threatens to take you sanity apart! Thank u Lord, yes, I’m suppressing it. I’m sorry, I wasn’t ready! Not that I am ready now but! I took days off writing to prepare but nothing prepares! Why? Hahaha! *Ambivalence* The promise of tomorrow, is nothing but a promise! Live, let tomorrow take care of itself. Jesus shows us that, right from the start. He is divine and we are not, we don’t hold tomorrow in the palm of our hands. And we’re trying to play God? Oh! It doesn’t work like that All throughout Jesus’ story, His message was never ambiguous! Not even when He was trying to show us how to love, even in forgiveness. He was too particular in forgiving, “forgive seven times seven”… talking the infinites of infinity. We don’t need etymology here, let the scholars take it to that level. Lets talk ordinarily, a simple discussion for the simple minded people. Lets not be overwhelmed with a discourse, this is not academic. This is about our lives as we live. His message on forgiveness was ultimate. Showing us that forgiveness comes with compassion. How could it not be? Why is it so hard to forgive? When God never fails to show us mercy! All our lives we have committed crimes, I’m not English, I’m using plain words, easy to understand words so the message to come thru. *Mercy* Oh common! Nothing in God’s word is ambivalent!? Ah! It is true, all throughout history, the scriptures were carefully re-written and as word evolved, its roots were carefully noted. Without it, who would read the bible in its archaic form? Me? know arabaic? Hebrew? Greek? Oh no! Even if I can, it will take a lifetime to translate. And I wouldn’t enjoy the benefits now! My sons will never enjoy the stories told and passed down because of ambiguity? Not just my sons but other children as well. God made it available for everybody to read. Though not everyone called are chosen, at least they are aware! God shows us mercy! And why can’t we? We should be judging ourselves so we can change. Change not for the sake of change but to be worthy of God’s mercy! It is clear in the scripture how Jesus showed us forgiveness. Always with compassion! Why is it hard for us, man, to do the same? We subject the object of our anger with conditions. Forgiveness is on the hang until the conditions are met. He showed us how to forgive. Yes, He not only forgave the “woman caught in adultery” but released her from that, As He said “neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more”! How wonderful that would be if we were to do the same? Unfortunately, I hear all too frequently if hearing everyday complaining about being “judged” with refutable reply “don’t judge the book by its cover”. I’m simply saying this in an ordinary way. We sin, like everyone does! Why is it easy for us to condemn someone of a crime when we ourselves do sin! Most of the time, it’s a matter of being caught. Many others were not and simply get away. In the real world, not all rapist goes to jail and not all rapist gets to be forgiven by the victim. And even if forgiven, they still need to go to jail but some cases are dropped. What? Righteous judgment? Yes, in this world there is a need for punishment, that is LAW and ORDER. If punishment were not enforced, then what good is law enforcement if it doesn’t apply? So righteous judgment become an excuse to judge morals from amoral? Why? Was there not a time in your life you’ve crossed the line and be amoral? I bet there are too many mention with a lot of memorials for the acclaimed act. You should know better, you may or used to wear those shoes! *Compassion* Compassion. In all of Jesus’ teaching, this is all too prevalent. It shouldn’t be hard for any Christian to be one, for Christianity is a way of life! Any Christian, manifests compassion in their way of living. Are you? Or just seemingly thought so?! But not. God bless. Dec 10, 2021 Images: Pinterest

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Christmas, our redemption! To be honest, I have been trying to avoid the topic and tadang! My head is aching! A punishment? Aha! I’m sorry Lord its just that I have Jona’s heart! Fiery and feisty but I have my reasons! Forgive my insistence and stubbornness! But I will let your message thru, I promise you that. So, guide my hands and mind that I will give justice to the message at hand. *Message!* God has never been reluctant with His message. All throughout the scriptures, His message of Love and Reconciliation prevails. Dedicated His Gospels for the Salvation of men, Men still has not understand its content! Oh no matter how much it is written thoroughly and even with the fulfilment of the prophecies, we still don’t get it! Ayayay! And still, even His Beloved Son, is not enough to win us over!? I wonder! What will it take for us to submit, and Love Him for all these worth. *World* A man tells me this, “Nothing in this world is for free!”?! At the back of my head I thought, that it is explicitly very dangerous if this man was to offer a piece of his mind?! What’s the catch if he did? So, he will be providing a thought, somewhat an answer to a lingering thought but leave me hanging about so I would get back to him to ask for something more? Hmmm… Why is it so? To keep me interested? God’s word is certain and resolute, never ambiguous! He will never leave you hanging in the air to wonder about what was said. That’s why the familiar passages like “ask and it shall be given”, “Faith can move mountains”, and so many more. His word is never like a Façade, hiding something less credible. Everything in this world was for free until Men gave it to satan, in an all familiar event called “the fall of man”. Then everything is with a price. And God never intended for it to last which is why Jesus came down from heaven and paid the price! The ultimate price for the Redemption of Men. Oh! Wow! how beloved is man reduced its worthiness by refusing to be redeemed. Is the world really that alluring that we kept that distance! *Christmas* Its God's greatest gift to the world because it started from there! It bears a powerful message of truth, love, salvation, reconciliation. How powerful? Oh! Even the non Christian brothers are embracing it. Where it be a façade or not, being used to convey a deceitful message – who knows, they are indeed celebrating the season with us Christians - infusing this Christian concept as their own. This actually makes me proud to be a Christian. But! Makes me wander, what it takes for Christians to believe? No gift is more priceless than to receive our Salvation. *Friends* Oh! I have new friends that I haven’t met! These are the Spanish community of read.cash. I am very much happy to meet them. It was then I find Christmas so powerfully enticing being celebrated by people all around the world. Us being Catholics, sharing almost the same practices, made me appreciate the little gestures of love and warmth. Despite not knowing me, I felt welcomed. Without hesitating, @rebeysa85, she made her sponsorship. I really felt the warmth and fellowship! To the Filipino and Nigerian community, the familiar feeling of your presence is everly appreciated too, wholeheartedly. Lets continue to celebrate Christmas in fellowship, that God will always be the center of our bond and lives. Together, we will continue to commemorate and kindle God’s love through our articles. God bless. Dec 10, 2021 Images: Pinterest P.S. oh no! this is just partly the message, but have patience with me Lord... I will really get it through. Lesser headaches please!

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Wallet @JoyOfWomanhood cannot put visuals on short post... Go to **"my account"** and click **"use other wallet"**, fill in the seed phrase of the wallet u want to use.

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Christmas, my benefactor! Blank. Totally blank, nothing comes from my head but blank. My head’s having a headache or Im just really tired, lack of sleep. Perhaps! Earlier on it was gloomy and now, the sun just shines so brightly. Ahh, I’m happy I’m given a good aphrodisiac to end my shift, a good sugar rush for the day to end! And it’s a very lovely feeling, I’d wish to have every day. I’d like to talk more about Christmas all month long but really mind is just so blank. What? I need inspiration? Well, the season itself is already an inspiration. Hmm… Tired I’ve always known that events and seasons really is tiring. But there is a feeling of good nostalgia at the end of it. Right now, all I can think of is really just go home and sleep but I can’t because I need to prepare breakfast for the boys before I go to bed and rest. I am my own benefactor; I have not relied on anyone to put food on our table so I have to magically work the tiresomeness aside because if not, were doomed. I do envy other women who have benefactors from some generous heart but, it has a cache, affiliation that might be all to clingy that I am not willing to compromise. My Benefactor “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, your strength…”, He is truly faithful in His promises. Indeed! But His ways are not our ways. If He was our benefactor, we cannot expect for us to be endowed with all the material greatness in this world. You can only expect that He will enable you to withstand the test of time. That you would survive or weather a storm. And despite poverty, smiles adorns our heart and soul filled with joy and kindness. Expect mana from heaven? Sorry, but gone were the days. We are already living on troubled times. As the prophecies unfold, we ought to be strengthening our faith that will help us get through times. Not that we will be concerned mostly of the material world but rather be on guard with our soul, mind and heart because temptation is by far getting stronger each time. It is because deception rules the world and it has significantly magnified its intensity to its peak. Let alone the radio and television decades ago, now we have the internet. Slowly bridging the gap between miles now in an instant. Today, with all the information in the world is easily available within our grasps. People have a hard time finding out what real and not. Why? This is just the times we live in. The reason why we need to strengthen the faith within, so not to be deceived. And despite of all the vigilance, many Christian has fallen into the trap of today’s modern world. Overwhelming us, shocking us with unbelievable amount of information that tends to question the truth that we believed in. Even in the season we are celebrating, continuous deception is being portrayed and without Him as our benefactor, we will fall prey into the hands of the predator. So, in this season… let Christmas message reign in our hearts and let it root so when the time calls for our faith, it can stand the test of time. God bless. Dec 8, 2021 All image from unsplash

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Christmas Essence I had some paragraph of two different topics. Not yet ready for publishing but still on writing stage. I thought of finishing both but the thought is strong but firm, I’m setting those aside. The season is strong but jolly, so! Lets make merry thoughts and write good tidings. Oh! I’m never a public pleaser! I’m sorry! I don’t know how to play clown and masquerade! But I play dumb most of the time, ‘til I became dumber. Forgive my happy thoughts, it sounds odd and resonates badly! *The Season* What’s most exciting about December is, all the events. People showing up for the Holidays, invitation to dine out by someone who amazingly appear all of the sudden after years of… like a dead brought back to life. Then of course, the 7 day-mass “misa de gallo” in dialect "Simbang Gabi" – often told to have an amazing magical effect if you complete it and everybody seems to be into it the 1st day and the last of course as usual. Then comes the Christmas parties and lastly Noche Buena and it will not be long, new year is just around the corner. Everybody is busy looking forward and preparing, thus, the very very long paying queues on departments stores, take note in all department stores! People are very gallant these days! The tradition is not turkey but “CHRISTMAS HAM”. Christmas used to be simple and kind. Nothing exaggerated but to the heart’s content. Back in the days where simple figurines were worth the gesture as long as, nothing competitive, and just nice. Then, everyone just look simple even in just slippers, it was good to go! And fun was essentially good and true. Hmmm, yes, the caroling, was simple too! Friends and foes gathered together to practice the songs they were singing for their caroling project, -every night. Then before the season ends, they divided their earnings to buy gifts for the Christmas party or for themselves or loved ones. *Christmas Essence* Christmas essence is often exhilarating, with nostalgic effect. The joy it brings when someone remembers to share time with you, is already priceless. Togetherness in family gathering, oftentimes results in reconciliation and healing of brokenness. Faith brings people together. Commemorating the end of the season with the feeling of fulfilment and contentment, -makes a smile on our faces. Genuine and warm, something that we will look forward and treasure. Brings understanding and peace of mind, what more should there be? These are things what Christmas brings that no other season can, not even Lent. It brings foes and enemies to be friends again! Oh! How wonderful it is for Christmas to come. That’s why its one of the most awaited celebration of year! Brings people back together and heal the wounds of the past. Oh yes! It does. At first it will be awkward but who wouldn’t when hurt, pain,agony, sorrow and even guilt resonates. But its Christmas, anything is possible eit? Lo, this is what they call “Christmas magic” and it never fails. That’s why, everyone awaits for the next Christmas to experience this magic. *Just a step forward!* Have you ever wondered to reach out to someone you loathe? Oh no! Impossible! But have you have the heart to at least try? What could be more fulfilling to remove the ache in your heart for once and experience joy! Finally! Its just one step, reach out. All the need it need is just to reach out, one step forward. And then another step, to reach the goal. Don’t you ever think to end that ache and finally be free from the tormenting pain or torture? Like removing a splinter stuck on your skin? Don't you want to be relieved? Then why linger around? Let go and reach out! The results… Differs but worth it! It may not result to what you thought of but the experience will surely humble you, changes you! God Bless. Dec 7, 2021 Images from Unsplash

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Christmas feast! the 4th day... Yesterday, I lost my wallet. In there, my ATM and ID cards, not to mention my driver's license too and some cash, meant to buy supplies. All gone because of my clumsiness! Oh well, what can I do but be disappointed with myself, like it’s the 1st time! Lolz. So, bless the person who found my wallet and hopefully he will come in terms to return it? Oh! My vax card! Waaaa… a very crazy Friday! He can have the money, really, just return the ID and the vax card. I need to go to work to earn, to have money again and throw it away! Aw! I’m literally penniless! `I'd like to thank my sponsors! Salamat kaayo sa inyong pag abiba sa akong pagsulat.` *Feast on!* On the 4th day of Christmas! My “true love” is either dead or someone else is coming? Just spicing up the details. Oh Lord! I lost everything in a blink of an eye and there is nothing I can do about it. I’m glad kidos are cool but a big side comment: “sayang ang cash momi!” (all the cash gone to waste?)  But the spirit lives on! Our Team had diner on a Hotel located at 17th floor on a terrace and overlooking our new office, with killer view, -of course its on the 18th floor, a bird’wes eye view! I walk in the building unscathed despite it to be known for its strict implementation of “new norm”, despite having no ID and vax card. Thank u so much Lord! *Purpose* God’s love for humanity are moved with these compelling traits, compassion and forgiveness, embodied in Jesus birth and being. He shows the path towards heaven but unfortunately “man loves darkness rather than light”, is just so sad. Divine becomes man, showing us man is very much capable of being divine all the more as “man is created in the image and likeness of God”. So what’s our reason of not reconciling? The taste of good life here on earth? How do we define “good life”?. The momentary bliss we experience in our disobedience? Perhaps, because its convenient to us? Oh! We don’t really need to think of HELL, it is not a far-fetched reality. We are most likely living in hell already. Its here, for real! We see it every day. People on the street, homeless & hungry. The suffering of those sick, most prominent is CANCER – the pain it inflicts on the patient and family. Depression, unhappiness, madness, killings, war and so much more! Yes, in our disobedience we suffer! We really brought this to ourselves. One thing for sure, we all die, its just a matter of when and how! We will either lose everything we worked hard for in a blink of an eye but it doesn’t kill us or gained a whole lot more. But all these, will be left behind when we die, -that’s another thing for sure! We leave the material world behind. This is just the reality of the world we live, don’t need to scare anyone. What? The prophecies? Hmm, its been happening since Jesus died. What’s new? Nothing. Did man change? No! Population only rises and the disparity between believers and non-believers just never ceased. Man has gone restless over the years and increasingly worked hard almost 24/7 for the so called “career success”, others trying to find the fountain of youth or the elixir to be “forever young?”. We are actually killing each other without even knowing. It’s actually sad, we lose our family or health in exchange for success, other lose their true friends for vanity, -we lose ourselves for all these? What for? When, we all will die? What’s left in the end, is just the EARTH, -our bodies decay and goes back to earth. *Life* Imagine what we all worked hard for, the years we put up building. Sacrificing, all those sleepless night, all ends up nothing but on earth! Can't even take them to our graves and soon left only to be forgotten, -engraved on our epitaph! Non-sense eit! So, live with a purpose! And choose wisely what purpose you want to serve! The vanity fair or the one that warms the heart? It's really all our choice! Happy weekend! God bless   December 4, 2021 All images from unsplash

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"On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love sent to me!" A line of a song for so long ago and still rockin’.  Its friday and everyone is on high spirits. Of all the months of the year, December never misses to amuse and irritate me. Why? Well, of course, lets face it, it’s the most celebrated time of the year and the busiest. Not to mention, the longest line you’ll ever had to line for on department and grocery stores. Oh, everybody knows why. Not just those, ATMs too has become crowded. ***Generousity*** During the old normal, OFWs abounds the airways. And some balikbayans as well, bringing with them the goods they worked hard for the entire year and get distributed to families and extended families as well. Well, what’s new? Filipinos are just this… just about every year! I’m tempted to side comment but, we just have a generous heart, lolz. What’s new? Hmm, the new norm, fewer flights and passengers, the airways are not congested. Balikbayan boxes are very minimal as many were laid-off due to pandemic – almost a tragedy, but we all get by! That we promise, -resilience never fails. Despite all the tragedy caused by pandemic, children are excited none the less. Bunso even demanded a Christmas deco so he will have a feel of the season not just the air, pretty much expected from a boy. As for the gift, they already had their share. ***Magnanimity*** Nativity, really has a strong essence most especially in the lives of children. Magnanimity, is something essential in the growth of a young mind. Teaching them generosity of mind and of heart as they grow, essential in a sense because children gets to practice it over the years of observance. Despite the impracticality, but the warmth it shares amongst individual is just priceless. So what’s this has to do with Jesus’ being born? Of course everything. Where do you think the concept of magnanimity ever came from? He teaches us this greatness in heart and of mind. His greatest sacrifice, His life, a sacrificial lamb in exchange of yearly sacrifice to atone our sins – well, only for those who believe! Not only that, obedience and submission as previously mentioned on the other article. Well, what more? oh! There are so much. Compassion and forgiveness! Abilities that are becoming rare at this trying times. Tolerant is one thing, being calm amidst troubles. And even if wronged, still able to forgive, not for the sake of forgiveness but something that comes with great understanding of forgiveness, thus, magnanimity. Compassion is another thing, -all the more. I get to remember a line “forgiveness moved by compassion”, I can’t remember exactly where I get it but this is essence. Today, we need this. Children are becoming all too restless, unstable and violent. We need magnanimity to bring back the innocence in their lives. We owe them that. What good are we as parents if we are unable to protect them from these? Help them recuperate and heal, these are important aspect in their life. The body can only take so much, and they need to heal. Else, all their essence will be destroyed. Jesus’ Nativity is indeed a good start to rekindle the goodness back to our children’s lives. The season, the atmosphere, the attitude that brings in a spark of hope from within. We can still turn this. At the same time, inflict other children as well by sharing. Nothing much, even candies and plastic toys will do! Its really not practical but its all worth the money, seeing the smiles on their faces! And its too little for a sacrifice, -just end up broke for a month. We can get back on our feet next month. And this is what money is for, for good buys! Sharing the buys is just magnanimous! Think about it. God bless. Dec 03, 2021 Image from unsplash

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Christmas in our hearts On the counting. 2nd day of the month and the air is cooler than before. My sons actually complained that the air outside our room is more cozy, feeling the chill in the air almost like a ghost is visiting the air. That kind of things you see on movies?! Quite imaginative of them, but its just how December is. *Reflective* It’s the season where Christmas is celebrated all over the world, in the Christian realm. I want to write something reflective since the season calls for a reflection of faith? Why? Well, like the season suggests, a reflective month, time to review my faith if it where it is supposed to be or somewhere else that needs realignment? It doesn’t mean that its not Lent I can’t do retrospection? Actually I think we ought to start reflecting now as theme suggests. Why? Well, the basic Christian belief is on “believing in Jesus’ saving grace”, don’t have to wait for Lent so I will look into my core to find out if I had been backsliding or otherwise. Actually Lent for me is the summation of everything I believed in. Confirming that my faith can withstand the test of time, as for the time being. It will be too arrogant of me to even claim that I wont falter in future because being humbled by the Lord is something I dont want, been there done that, don't want to repeat it. *Nativity* All Christians know his story. From His birth down to His death. From the start to the end, it is a challenge. He never started high but always humble, -to the end. He even ends up in a manger, though gets to be visited by Kings from the east but His life was sought for to be slaughtered the very day he was born. Ahh! Tragic? Oh no! He gets to live a life showing us how. Showing us how to get thru life, childhood to adulthood. Claiming sin by His obedience to the Father above us. The Father who created us and has waited for us patiently to come back home. Hmm, if only OBEDIENCE was that simple, I reckon. Perhaps I may oversimply things but to think of it, “let it be done according to you word”, simply is following. What is more gratifying than to have a son so perfect and obeys the will of the Father? And to have a Father who loves Him dearly that “everything we asks in His name, He gives”, to honor Him who obeys. Simple but complicated that I often ask why? Well, the most perfect being ever created even fell from grace. Obedience is not that simple? *Our place* Let’s be human and not talk about divinity. Simple roles, family. Parents give birth to children. Parents guides, protects and provides the needs of the children. While children obeys the parents, while there is someone who truly obeys but there are others who are rascals. True? Right. Why? It’s a simple explanation, we all have this little freewill embedded in our hearts to desire something. And its only controllable by us. So if that freewill was not bound for submission, then obedience is not far at hand. Especially when stubbornness rules the heart and pride at the same time. As a parent, I take it my role to reach out to my sons, both stubborn and high willed. In the passage of time, I see to it to always communicate with them and them with me, its supposed to be simple. So, it all breaks apart when they chose not to communicate anymore. Yes, I am oversimplifying things but with your indulgence this is just the beginning of the reflection. The relationship between Divinity and man are far more complicated by simple submission and obedience, but it’s a step nearer to where Christians ought to go. True we have the desires of our heart and act to its content. However, have we actually tried to reach out to our Father above as to His will for us? For those who questioned the celebration of Christmas, well, Jesus Nativity is just the start of the “saving grace”. Coming to earth, being born, divinity reduced to humanity? You do not know what Jesus sacrificed just to save mankind. This is just the simple message of His Nativity. Powerful? Yes, He saved all those believed. December 2, 2021 Images from unsplash

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Normal meets the New Normal... And finally, December comes and it’s the 1st day of the month! Honestly, it feels like Monday – Monday blues? I’m feeling the anxiety and anxiousness. Petrified? Hell, yes! Who wouldn’t? With all the changes that is prompted on our doorstep? Who would have thought? As predicted, VACCINATION CARD is now a must upon entering a building. For those unvaccinated, would be required RT-PCR every 2 weeks. Authorities are now pressing the 100% vaccination amongst the workforce. To be exact, vaccination certificate can now be generated online! While the year end, it’s the time of the year where I assess my finances and begin planning for the next year, that is 2022. The figures are not really good. Though I can negotiate some but hey! My goodness, quite short to be exact. *Spreadsheets* I work a lot of spreadsheets every day and I never really get the hang of it. While I have changed habits, I now writing using the keyboard, perhaps I can now make a year round budget using the spreadsheets. I’ve been doing this and even made a really good spreadsheet that allows daily, monthly budget and monitors spends/expenses! But like I said, I really haven’t had the hang of it and ended up abandoning what I made. And now, hmmm… making another one? Well, it all started with Read.cash articles and I am able to track my articles on a daily basis. I have nothing to say but this is an improvement on my part, due diligence! Now I am able to track almost everything if I really wanted to. *Hard truth* We are now living in an age where there is a shift of normal activities. Before, wearing mask are only limited to patients sensitive to microbes, now everyone wears one. It is altogether unacceptable to roam around without mask and unvaccinated. Now the disparity and discrimination is obviously laid into open as many are still unvaccinated. While being part of the workforce, especially when working on site, vaccination is a must. Those who work from home basically has an alibi or an excuse. But the question remains as to how long can they continue to avoid or evade? What the future calls for is a 100% vaccination? While our lives are still basically the same. Priority changes over time but the basic point is still the same. Heading the family affairs, I’m in charge of looking after the family’s future and ensuring the kids sustainability. It’s a tough role, especially alone, there are many factors and levelling up is one hard thing to do. But in the end, we all manage. In truth, we ought to improve a bit each year. Most likely we learn a thing or two, and its’ something we all look forward every time. I find it a blessing because it’s an additional asset that we can actually hope to make use in the future. While I finally get the drive to write and improving so much in many ways, I am glad to continue writing as it has proven beneficial to me. For the past month I’m writing here at read.cash, I manage to earn something that truly aided me financially. And I am grateful. But the more I’m into this, the more I realized I need to go explore more, unlock more potentials. *Resolve?* Well, plotting the expenses and my income on spreadsheet truly opened my eyes the areas needed for improvement. One gray area is that income is short and I need to find a part-time or income generating activity to augment else I need a raise which is not possible at this point. While being true to my faith, I pray but I think the message will always end up living in SIMPLICITY. Pftt (sigh)! Well, all in all, old normal collides with new normal- integrated! Point well taken. Well, as long as the kids are healthy and strong, I’m blest. Thank u for your time and God bless! Merry Christmas! December 01, 2021 Lead image from Unsplash, spreadsheet is mine

Troublesome times, message! November is ending and its been raining for the past days. Finally, we are able to finish the installation of the plastic on the roofing to redirect water. Finish the decoration for Christmas and rearrange patio that able us to make use of the space. Thanks to the boys, its all done! *Atmosphere* For a month now, my dying friend has been staying in the hospital due to stomach abcess. I don’t know when she was admitted but the familiar irritation and reaction I get from her started to fill in the messages, so I asked. And she is admitted and she was told she had stomach abcess. Still she said “I almost believe them”, that’s to the statement that she is terminally ill and could die anytime! Sensing her a bit depressed, I replied, “what’s new? You’ve been told! Hahaha! We live by the day geng! Why you feeling it na?”. Then she disclosed that they recommended her to be moved or endorsed to the home for the sick so she will be well taken care off and she wont be alone! And I really thought, “its Thanksgiving and Christmas is really nearing… is it really here? Knocking her door?”. Not that I am worried and hurt, its just that, -holidays! Then she was furious with the doctors, telling her they can write endorsement letter to allow her parents to go there. Furious because she hated knowing that she is reduced to a cripple knowing she is in this state when she knows she is able to do the writing herself! Hmmm! Strong for a dying woman! *Stalemate* We’ve been like this for the past 3 months, since the release of her prognosis! And her body has really deteriorated since then. After her 3rd chemo session, she had fever, chilling again like never before so she was brought in. Of course, I thought she was immuno compromise that time because she just finished chemo, but no! Its now forming an abcess, in her stomach! Honestly, I really wonder how long her body can last. She complains, she’s tired, hadn’t sleep because of the pain. Again! Hmmm (sigh)! *Cancer* I wonder how cancer can be so cruel to people and family(ies). Its really heartless. Sad at the same time, people are losing their battles and a number of ways breaks the spirit, let alone those who survived. How must someone endure the pain? The torture to bear just to look forward for another day? While I could only witness on the side bench while she is fading away! There are countless of ways to die, only to find out cancer dangerously creeps in without you knowing. Eventually eating you inside, whole until it conquers every inch of you. It doesn’t stop there, people you love trembles on the site of you bleeding or breaking apart. Depress on the site of seeing you feeling the pain, the excruciating pain and run to the bath room when pain is already unbearable and screams! What a torture? In the eyes of innocent children, repeated witnessing you brought to the hospital for an emergency. Until such time, you no longer come home! The time cancer has consumed you! Hmmm… troublesome! *My Misery, my own!* True. We all suffer alone in the end. That’s what we thought. Good if you live alone, if not? Live like tomorrow never comes, leave silently as you go! But don’t forget, there were eyes and ears that witness those little battle and cries. They are watching. Witnessing how you screamed when the pain is unbearable. Watching you cry when fright and worry creeps in! you do not know and own their thoughts and feelings. Good for you, your end is on a countdown. What happens to those who you left behind? Oh! Only God knows what! Remember, you were not alone from the start! Nov 28, 2021

Looking Forward for the Next November So! Its goodbye November and hello December? Hmmm, not exactly but something with this tone, “looking forward for the next November!”. Now let me commemorate my 1st November here at Read.cash. *Articles* Original target was to make an article per day. Well, I almost hit target just almost because I was really out last weekend and didn’t publish the articles I’d written last week in prep for the weekend. My phone crash so there was no way to publish it from the outside and I’m too lazy to do more effort. But 27 articles are not bad! Yey! And I earn more than $60 and have sponsored 4 writers with tipping activities. Hmm, I can truly say I’ve done good for targets and improvement? Or rather consistent with my writing formula. Though, I can say one article really did something excellent but wasn’t able to make a rematching one. Oh! Thank u for the greatest opportunity to write without worrying people knowing my name, and even if there was discrimination, I’m still glad to be able to share something from this platform. Astonishing experience where I truly able myself to drain all the excess abcesses in my mind because some has made residence overtime that has actually develop toxicity! Lolz! It has been a very wonderful exercise. *Journey* Oh! It is a heck of a journey. Little did I know I will be doing this because from the start I never like to type things I wanted to write. I love writing them by hand. Luckily now I have learned to do this and doing every day is fun and exhausting at the same time. But every after writing comes a different feeling, some sort of liveliness and more room for something new and its nice, the very least fulfilling. It feels like it rejuvenates the very core of my being, being able to share things I never did before. It’s not a secret that I am an introvert, talkative though but I love being alone! So being in this platform enables me to interact, socialize at some point. The anonymity is an added feature I loved the most, it gives me the sense of security. Hiding in the dark? hmm, more on, people tends to discriminate and the other account became a victim of that discrimination. There, an article I wrote got an exclusive tag and I was surprised and happy but in the end, it was taken down to SPAM. Sad but “I get an exclusive tag” makes a smile on face! Love it! Afraid is the least, my privacy is priority. So even in cyberspace, there goes a bully. And reading from other articles, there were really a lot of writers with good content, actually got SPAM. I’m loving the outcome of my journey! It brings in results and a lot of changes come by as I continue write. I have a hang of it but still so much to improve! I never expected it to be so but looking back, I was not the same as before I signed in here. I want to write more, some topics out of hand or researched. Things that interests the heart and warms the soul. By far this is the greatest achievement I have in the shortest time possible. Then, I get to sponsor people too! Its nice. So, I’m staying that’s why Im looking forward for my next November instead of saying goodbye! Ciao. God bless! Nov 30, 2021 Image from Unsplash

All Tangled up! My my! Somebody reacted to someone sayin “Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!” arrggh!  He snapped upon reading it! I already mentioned we adhere to US Holidays since our head office is US based and you know the history. *Thanksgiving* Ok! In as far as Covid has occurred in almost 2yrs, we barely see an expat in the office. Where they’d all gone? Home, US! Everybody seems to be friends in FACEBOOK, and when someone greeted “Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!” on FB Timeline. Haha! Somebody reacted and said “what?!”! His blood boiled relentlessly trying to ridicule the greeting. As to why? Well he explained, *“oi, mga pinoy ta oi! Wa oroy mo kuyawi! Or mauwaw?! Unsa mo? Didto mo gipangak sa US? Wa oroy mo hilasi!?”.* Like in the end of the paragraph, he is saying “get real!”. So to translate it sounded like this “we’re Filipinos, are you not even ashamed? What? You were born there? Or live there? What the nerve!”.  Altogether with the physical description that differs an Asian to Caucasians! Alright. Somehow, I get the point. Ahem! Ok, let me explain, history base, once upon a time, US conquered Philippines and even had ENGLISH as mode of instruction those days, -gone by. There were even American occupying Philippines in their Bases in CLARK and forgot the other one. If you took a look of it, alright, people from the past never had grammarly to check their ENGLISH whether its right or wrong but hey and honestly, grammatically they were almost and even sounds like natives… oops! Worst, they were just elementary/grade school, my grandma, her ENGLISH skills is fluent and she only got to study 2nd grade! Haha! During those invading times, if I recall it right never celebrated “thanksgiving” and barely even know what is it. And expat during those times never even cared to infuse the culture in ours. So, what’s the deal? Yeah, what’s the deal? Lolz. Well, he simply put it “what do we pinoy know about Thanksgiving?”.  Why, do they celebrate “noche Buena” on Christmas? Fiesta? Wow ha!”. "Maki celebrate?!" *Point?* Pinoys, we seem to be in an identity crisis? Trying hard to identify like them? Trying to fit in when we hardly not?! He’s like saying, we’re brown skin and they’re not! Wake up from the dream! Or make sipsip (kiss a**)? Hala ha! Hihi (giggles)! Really can’t help but giggle. How easy for us to throw away our identity and when crisis comes, panic? Well, we all need to get along but to infuse it into our culture is something unappealing to someone who barely knows something about that foreign practice! Its not really a ridicule but more of a criticism, as to why do we do it? How far do you think we're going to do this? Aha? He has a lot of emotion including frustration and shame! He can’t take the feeling of being sold off to someone. I get the point though and can’t help musing on the thought. Yeah, why do we do this? Honestly, I can’t relate and hardly interact to one! I just can't help but wonder! Salamat kaayo! Nov 27, 2021

My navigational equipment... Advise - consult, instructions, guidance and etc. Whatever it is called comes solicited and unsolicited. Well, I get to grow from being a kid to a teenager then an adult and in the future, an elderly! Haha, pressure? Well, everybody grows old, and that’s for sure. Growing old, depends on how you take it. I’d prefer to grow old with grace! I want my life to be real and not be subjected to anything under pretense. Life is already difficult to navigate; why do we have to make things complicated? The simplier, the better! *Navigating?* For real? Oh! Its not easy! You can ask any sailor if it was easy with all the sophisticated navigational devices they had, no! It isn’t. Nor would pilots find it easy to navigate in the air, if it was that easy, there will be no flight accidents either but there are. You have to add natural events like storms, hail, volcanic eruption and all the likes. Unfortunately, life is a journey that needs a heck of navigational system and most often, the human equipment, -the most likely on top of the list. We are faced with disaster every day, if not surprises! Wow! I cannot imagine the mental state we will be on if I were to be caught by surprise. Our lineage has history of breast cancer, it’s a welcome event but still will surprise us. When I’ve learned of our youngest sister, 34 years old, single and no baby, and immediately decided to have a baby this year, -I have to admit I was surprised. With all the incurring expenses with our mom coma in the hospital and she, financing it, having a baby is really a far-fetched reality because I know how it is to have a baby, - not only bankrupt but really broke! And mama is dead. OMG, I really must say it was brave of her to land on such decision. But I calm down when I heard her explanation as she was weighing the consequences, she claimed she didn’t lip unnecessarily, it was really necessary. She has a lump/cyst growing on her underarm. Lo! One of our greatest medical fear, to her, it comes true. She panics or whatever it was she was feeling; all she knows is that she must have a baby regardless. True to the assumption, the lump disappeared as the baby came! Oh, the resolute. She solves the greatest medical fear but wreck-havoc with social acceptance as her siblings bombarded her with her decision, public opinion still matters despite. Her life during pregnancy is truly not just a stormy weather but it was all throughout storm the whole months that she can only brace herself for the worst. Calm after the storm, you think? Hahaha! Oh no! Faced with Covid 19 infection? Her financial meltdown begins. Unlike other people, she doesn’t wait to be evicted from her apartment, thus, she moved out the moment she knows and calculated she could no longer afford paying! Argg! Oh my, she is not the only one who suffers, the baby too! She really is like so poor right now that, oh gosh, what more?! The baby and a job is the only thing good about her right now at least she is still earning. Hayst(sigh)! And yet, she said “all this will pass”… wow! relentless spirit! Life is truly full of surprises, eit?! You are good today and tomorrow everything falls apart. Worst nobody gives a damn. Oh no! there are hypocrites that gives unsolicited advises as if they’re knew what they were talking about! Wow! and gets offended when you come to decision opposing their advise? Hu? How bad can that be? Oh! Oh! Please! Mind your own business! Because like I said, life is truly full of surprises. Today your alive, tomorrow you die? Yes, no one knows if we will have an accident in the next seconds, minutes or hours. So focus on your life and how you want to make it to where you want it to be! Don’t think for a second we can spare our time thinking about what you do in a day or week just because you feel like you are a superstar worth all the attention! I’m really sorry. I barely have time for myself, let alone be disturbed with other people’s lives! I envy others but I don’t want to take too much time on jealousy and coveting, I really just wanna go to sleep – rest! *Overall* Life is really too short to waste time of somebody else’s business! How we navigate in life depends on our preferences and priorities, least we can do is respect each other. Don’t think too full of yourself because you’ll only end up, foolish because our lives really depends on it, -dead or alive. As Jesus says: `Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye;` `and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.` Let’s reflect on our own first before we give our advise or opinion. Ask 1st if its needed, if not, don’t waste time! We all make mistakes, we should judge ourselves first to augment change! And not judge someone just because, you think! Ai! I’m sharing the story for anyone to ponder and feast, at the same time ask themselves “ If you were on my sister’s shoe, what would you do?”. Introspective. This way you’d be productive and not be overwhelmed or shocked, at least you can strategize an approach and handle it well on your side! Over-all health is good and your state of mind – ***not insane***! ***We all get confused sometimes***! Ok! Happy weekend! Nov 26, 2021 Image from Unsplash

A Season of Sharing! Ahhh! Its “Thanksgiving” … Locally, we don’t but we adhere to US holiday, so… Its really been a while I haven’t done anything for occasion. Years back, I used to busy some supplies and pack some and gave it away to some neighbors more unfortunate than us… This has been a practice for about 5 years as I always believed that returning the good to the community is best way of giving thanks. It was easier before because we know people, -neighbors, however today as we relocated, its more like embarrassing since we don’t know anyone. I really seldom go out unless I have to buy supplies or work, -payment is most likely thru online payment system. Most of all our place is located, to describe it is – almost very exclusive, so I called it “our cave”. *Supplies* Already mentioned before I only earn barely enough to enough, so I don’t really expect I can buy much for this yearly project. Basically its all just some grocery items which aims to support the “Noche Buena” that we locally practice during Christmas. This is an equivalent celebration except of course this is done on the eve of Christmas, where ideally, family and friends are gathered and share “Noche Buena” together. For a more elaborate practice, exchange gifts and other activities that promote the seasons “giving”. A way to commemorate God’s loving Saving grace by giving his Son to save us. That is what I was taught and carved it into my heart, believing that “giving/sharing” even the littlest I can, is an expression of unravel gratitude towards God, or in general concept “good”. Although, I have to be honest, it could had been a good money to save but the overall impact isn’t the same. While on Christmas day, we have pre-pack candies/goods distributed to the children. Originally having games was fun but! I really don’t like to stay around crowds so, drop the concept, it will be part of distribution together the food usually “spaghetti” to the children. And our eldest sister, knowing the plan, send some money for additional buy for the kids. The left-over are for the adults. I’m naturally inclined to spoil kids and the elderly. The elderly enjoys the packed groceries I had prepared for them. Its really not lucrative you know, just basics, ingredients for “spaghetti” – for this I am lucky that they already have this as a package deal, so its not expensive anymore as it used to be. Then, some ingredient so for salad also have the packages, and the remaining budget are canned goods they can consume either today or in the future, really just this. If eldest sibling sent in additional funding, ahhh, the kids will be very pleased. Its really handful you know and I love to watch them living not empty handed. And since I can outsource, I make it to a point to look for some inexpensive toys so these children can enjoy playing. *Overall* We have our ways of celebrating and this is how we do ours. I do this for joy and is simply amazingly heart-warming activity, especially if genuine and sincere. You want to try it? Go ahead, then you’ll understand what I mean. I really mean to celebrate Christmas as it supposed to be, “Sharing and giving”. Despite it evolving, I do still hope its meaning still manifest. God bless. Nov 25, 2021 All photos are mine

Unprecented travelogue Its wasn’t a long time ago, people were free to roam around, that was before the pandemic. We enjoy the 24 hour ride and travel to places as long as we can afford to pay for it. Party, everyday like tomorrow never comes.  We had our share. *Travel* For the 1st time we travelled towards the outskirts of the city. It was fun and exciting considering that it was our 1st without anyone else to dictate where we go, what to do and most importantly, we were together and having fun. We were exploring a lot of first during those time. We were happy. We visited the farthest end of the island, the northern part, Bantayan Island. This was an adventure with my highschool friends. We went there for an over-the-weekend get-together. And true as it was, yes, it was nice. The beaches were cool and the place was great again after being levelled to the ground since Yolanda has hit the place. Causing everyone sorrow and pain, their livelihood blown away by the gusting winds, -their years of hard work turned into dust overnight. But it was then, they had regained their vitality ever since and work harder for a brighter future. The streets were once again full of people and the inns were once again fully booked as summer we intense and visitors abounds. Restaurant happily regained their vitality after suffering the losses. While us, at awe, we didn’t expect for the small island to be this lively. The humidity increases as the day progress and wind blows coldly at night. We decided to have dinner at some place. The crowd was really relentless active. Right after, we went back to the villa and circled around to make a little gathering. Talking about a lot of what had happened to our lives. Many married, some separated and there were singles, despite of course the years we spent looking for the better future. We toasted drinks celebrating those as we were reminiscing those times. The sadness and happiness in life we all have to endure, carving it into our hearts, adding moments of vigor. Everybody missed our youths but happy to proceed with living ahead. Talked about the children we bore and the singles that were carried on were simply accepted. As for the separated, these were simply facts in life. We needed not linger to those memories and instead we all got to share valuable lessons in life that night and it was fun. I broke the vitality as my boys wanted to go to sleep already. No one dared to break the night because everyone was afraid to be the subject and the object of the gossip for those who were left behind. And since I was the one who broke it, they all went confident to leave right after me. Oh, people afraid of the ridicule of leaving. *Morning has broken*! It is indeed a new experience for me and the boys and we truly look forward to advancing. However, Covid came and all the activities are now suspended. And now, its almost back to normal however, restrictions are really now the backbone of the society’s safety. It is as before but with some restrictions, as they said it “the new normal” with masks and continued social distancing. Well, with continued vigilance and obedience, it will not be long people will naturally go back and experience the vitality we used to have. And eventually, turn this event around. Its not bad after all, we get to rest from social gatherings and build up a good system within our family. Develop bonding that we never have experienced before. Hopefully, we can look forward to learn the lessons and apply vigilance, as it is our future at stake. Remember, this is our lives, we own it and we protect it. The future is on our hands, it really depends on how we take the challenge and face. Thank u and God bless. Nov 24, 2021 Image are my own