My Read.Cash 1 Year Anniversary Finale
Anyway, I can't think of a good title, so please bear with me. I wrote this last night, but when I was about to post it, we had an unexpected blackout. So, I'm publishing this tonight with a lousy title, I'm just so tired today at work, I can't force my neurons to work in its full capacity, lol! I just clicked PUBLISH! Boom! Haha!
Enough of the ad lib, below is the real and sincere substance of this article.
It has been a week long of celebration, through the "Celebration" writing prompt I initiated a week ago.
Thank you so much for this wonderful platform and warm community of people who shared common goals and encouraging support for Bitcoin Cash. Honestly, this community is a home in the virtual world. Some years back, I have been blogging through Bubblews and that venue had been like a home too, unfortunately it got dissolved a year after, and landing here was like a straightforward transition, timely for this time of pandemic.
`Thank you sponsors, readers, supporters, read.cash community, developers, BCH enthusiasts, RandomRewarder, Investor- Sir Marc and to the owner of this great platform.`
Humble Beginning
I started here on the 13th day of September and prior to that I have been from one faucet to another collecting satoshis I've done for 4 months and collected $6 worth of BTC in my coinpot wallet, unfortunately those platforms are non-existent nowadays, except for coinpot, it has started anew with a different structure still crypto related.
I know that was ridiculous, but anyway the task was so menial clicking faucets while I'm at work doing real work, so I never mind about it. When the pandemic exceedingly blows my personal economy for real, I thought there must be other means of earning crypto and that very same day I searched the internet, discovered read.cash and instantly made a lousy short post, lol! Duh, why did I ever mention that here, haha! Well, that was the start of everything so, yah whatever, lol!
At that moment, read.cash was structured by a point system and most users were posting short 200-300 word essays, by interval everyday. The system was like in my previous blogging site, so I thought I could do this and perhaps I can earn more with patience and hardwork. Actually, just this week while checking my notifications for the "Celebration" articles where I've been tagged, I noticed that I haven't cleared old notifs in the list, look! What I stumbled upon.
This is a proof of my humble beginning and somehow that time I can't imagine how genuinely happy I was.
The point system was good, however, the transition from the old to the new tipping system was really hard, a lot of the old users stopped writing, I just realized it now after I emptied my notification because most names aren't here anymore.
The Great Comeback
The first three months in read.cash was a bliss, I was able to save some money and all well spent. I came back publishing articles again March 15 this year, and was surprised to see that read.cash had a new sibling, noise.cash. Everything was a bit strange at first, I was striding baby steps once again in both platforms. I even had zero comment on my comeback article, gladly some tips from dear Rusty. That was Life in a Hurry somehow that describes the life I had away from blogging for 3 months. Yep, the break wasn't actually a break in the real world. https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/life-in-a-hurry-8dacfa1f
After a week I got a hang of it and the rest moves with ease, thanks to Rusty and to everyone in this wonderful community.
Celebrating 1 year!
When I wrote about running a giveaway for a week, I actually had forgotten the date, lol! Apparently, at the back of my mind it was 15, but then when I checked my old notebook, it was 13, gosh! haha! I guess, I was thinking all along of my comeback date last March, so I have decided to pick both numbers as winners of the $1 sponsorship. Tadaaa! Now, let me see for the winners, actually everyone in the list will get a sponsorship from me in random amounts. So, everybody will be happy.
Congratulations @Ling01, @Jane and everyone who joined the giveaway! 🎊🎉
Some Thoughts About Celebration
Celebrations are milestones and blessings.
I can remember every mom/dad smiling in astonishment when their little one first utters a word "mama" or "dada," and how we cheer every child when he/she takes that first step and pedaled a training bike. These are priceless and great blessings.
"The greatest gift you can give someone is your time." - Rick Warren
Celebrations do not need to be lavish, expensive and crowded. It is the giving of our time and effort that actually matters. It's not enough to say that we care for them and they are important to us, we must express it by investing time, being mindful of those special days is a great gesture of love.
For instance, my parents don't actually celebrate their wedding anniversary, for them at their age, anniversaries aren't cool to celebrate anymore. So, through the years in my younger days we never celebrated it, I actually don't know what day it was. The first time we celebrated it was when I got my first paycheck, and it was revealed when I asked my mom of my birth certificate for the purpose of acquiring a passport. Since then, I always make sure that we have something special at our dinner table on that day. I remember @Expelliarmus30 her grandparents just celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, imagine 50 years of togetherness! That's the pride of the children and the grandchildren, the elderly would care less about it for sure.
I am not actually a fan of parties, ever since I started to work and earn, my birthdays were only with family at the dinner table, the money I spare for the celebration was spent on seat sale, and planning for a vacation. My excuse? My birthday is in the month of May, and here in the Philippines, that month is always great to go on summer vacation. An article of @Momentswithmatti reminded me of how they celebrate their anniversaries, they're off traveling too and with amazing photos!
Indeed, as we grow old, we perceive celebrations so differently. I guess, we become more practical in a lot of ways, and we are much more insightful in life that we have numerous reasons in celebrating life.
But, one thing I learned from the "celebration" articles of some great people in this platform - we can always see the joy in celebrating the lives of people who wanted to feel the warmth a celebration can bring. The time, our efforts and all great smiles make the expression of gratefulness and thanksgiving tangible in many ways. Like this touching story of @Infinity, his son's Happy Birthday article touches my heart, a simple celebration can really bring so much happiness for any young soul. https://read.cash/@Infinity/happy-birthday-60523c30#comment-185442f0
Praise God for every blessing and provision.
"In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success." - Proverbs 3: 6
Thank you so much for joining me!
`To the participants, please check your notification 😉`
Photos and content by me.
©️ LykeLyca
Monsoon Rain and In Between
Good rainy evening, everyone!
How are you all? Just dropping by for another free writing here and there, in this cold rainy evening.
Let me start with a grateful heart, thank God for the brand new day! Rains are blessings, right? As long as it won't form into a storm, then all good. Monsoon rain is here to stay, I guess. It has been raining this morning, and the entire day was a bit gloomy, which is a blessing for me because I'm a traveling PT today and the weather was considerably light to be outdoors. Actually, I never felt it's Sunday already, I thought today is Friday because this weekend I have been working. The rain pours down every afternoon and night for 3 consecutive days now, washing away all negative energy, hopefully.
Yesterday, we celebrated my brother's birthday and we had a small family dinner, he prepared some really good food and I bought a birthday cake for him from Red Ribbon. After dinner, he sneaked out to 7/11 to buy Soju and we had a good drink and chitchat, just us - the birthday boy, me and our youngest. I got an opportunity last night to talk about Bitcoin Cash, and this morning my sister joined noise.cash, she will be making some noise with AbrilMayo23. I hope you can check her out. Though, I am also hoping that she could seriously spare some time after her busy streak playing Mobile Legends, etc. Haha! She's the one I mentioned in my last article who resigned from her work in Manila due to the pandemic. So, right now she's unemployed and I am hopeful that she could at least earn virtually.
For a few days now, I have been enjoying reading a lot of articles about celebration and I'm glad that I have chosen this prompt, indeed it brings festive spirit, great memories, blessings and thanksgiving. At the moment, I had waded through 23 awesome articles, and it's just amazing how uniquely they come up with their chosen number too. I think, I will be doing a separate article about it after the giveaway just to share the fun with y'all, perhaps in the next article.
Unknowingly, bad news just popped out too trying to spoil the day. Just this morning, the clan was mourning over the death of my cousin's husband from Covid19. He was a great buddy and bestfriend of my brother when they both started a vegetable farming business in Bukidnon some years back. Another sad news came this afternoon when the caregiver of my patient texted me, our 91 year old patient died last night after having unstable vital signs couple days back, apparently all hospitals in the city are congested of patients thus she can't be admitted right away. Sigh. The sad reality of increasing Covid19 cases, is a horrible crisis for anyone getting sick.
As I was on my way home, the rain pours down heavily again, my tired and grieving soul could no longer complain of the heavy traffic in front of me. Somehow, the rain can still conceal the agony. So, thank God for the rain!
This will be all for now. Thank you once again for all your support and I pray that we will all have abundance pouring like rain!
I have a giveaway ending few hours from now, check it out here:
Of Neck Pains, Cryptos, and Giveaways https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/of-neck-pains-cryptos-and-giveaways-e3710650
Lead Image/ GIF Images and Content by me
©️ LykeLyca
09/19/2021
The Pandemic: A Long Distraction
Who would have thought that this pandemic would reach a year or more?
When Covid19 hits the Philippines last March 2020, I thought that it would be just a month or 2. I even advised my sister working in Manila not to go home here in our province, thus she opted to stay in her boarding house in Manila for work at home company arrangement, but later in the year she got depressed and eventually resigned and left home bound, after having been diagnosed of Covid far away from home. Our hospital also discontinued 2 months of operation for the Out Patient Department, our unit included, thus we really thought that the lockdown effort can suffice in getting rid of the coronavirus. Two months of distraction appeared nothing initially, it was like a weird staycation at home. However, after that, the reality sink in, the world was indeed uncertain of how long this pandemic would keep on distracting our plans, work and our usual lives.
The year 2020 was like a game changer of our lives, and the entire world. Businesses were shutting down, a lot of people from the working class got unemployed, the schools have to consider online and modular classes, and suddenly healthcare became an issue. The pandemic is a big distraction of our priorities, the initial phase was the hardest, it causes so much stress and depression to a lot of people. I remember when the new learning started in schools, quite a number of students around the country committed suicide because coping with the new system was seemed so hard for them to keep up. Suicide cases went up, from loneliness because of travel limitations, persistent unemployment, and other unknown personal and psychological stressors. A colleague of mine got panic disorder from the stresses brought about by Covid19. It seems the entire pandemic thing is a bitter pill to swallow... Cheers if you survived the sudden shift of life in the year 2020!
September last year, was a crossroad for me. This was the month when Covid19 cases in the provinces soared high, I was thinking of quitting my job in the hospital because of fear, thus I ventured back working/ blogging online, this was the time I discovered this platform. Mind you, earning in read.cash that time was the hardest with the point system, thus I have second thoughts of quitting my job. I still need a day job to finance myself, give something for my parents, and finance my future plans. So, quitting wasn't an option, never was.
At the back of my mind, the pandemic is a long distraction. If I won't shrug every uncertainty out of my system, then my life will be in a complete pause for God knows how long. The fear and the fighter inside me played tug of war in my mind, of course, the fighter wins!
Shaking off every distraction, I stopped writing in read.cash for 3 months to concentrate on my review for IELTS. Yes, I have to pursue my plans no matter what. I dread traveling during pandemic, but I conquered it. I travelled to Cebu City last March 2021 to take the IELTS exam, and conquered not only the stress of the exam, but also the hassles of traveling - two flights cancelled, exam rebooking, travel by boat to Cebu and vice versa, new protocols, the anxiety of quarantine and processing documents, etc. The craziest travel I have made in my entire life.
Now, I can still say that this pandemic is a huge distraction of my plans. Lately, I have read in the news regarding travel restrictions for Filipinos, considering the country is in Level 3 - HIgh (Travel Health Notice )(Level 4 as the highest), and this might be another temporary lay off for Filipinos traveling out of the country.
Anyway, I am confident that by God's grace, this will all come to pass. We are all in the middle of the storm for a year and a half now, and precisely a rainbow after it. I'm claiming it! So, let's keep on hoping and never cease praying that a brand new Covid-free day is waiting for us in the near future.
Let go and let God.
(The Lord says) "Anyone who trust in ME will not be disappointed."
- Isaiah 49:23
I thought that I would just be venting out my skirmish thoughts about life and my plans at the moment. And, well, it coincides with the prompt **Distraction** by @JonicaBradley, great timing!
#17 Distraction - Writing Prompt by @JonicaBradley is up.
If you want to join, the rules are simple:
Write anything about **distraction**
Write **100% original** content
**Join** and **submit** to the community **PromptlyJonica** https://read.cash/c/promptlyjonica-b4a0
**Tag** @JonicaBradley
Have Fun!
Photos and content by me
©️ LykeLyca
Don't Waste Your Time
Last weekend, I watched this movie from Netflix "In Time" wherein time is the new currency to spend, and I have realized what if this is the future in store for the human race? Well, I can't even imagine myself living in such time and age.
Attached is the trailer of the movie from YouTube, just in case you wanted a glimpse of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRSBiTF3wNw
In the movie, human's age stops at 25, and would then start to live with a timer on his/ her left wrist displaying the time to live, in the same way the time you have to spend because in this era time is the new money. People worked and paid daily, time as salary added to the meter attached at the left wrist, and of course minus the tax. However, there is a twist. Time is the currency in every single way to survive in this world. You have to spend time for food and groceries, shelter and bills. Pay a bus ride of time worth 2 hours, 3 minutes of call at the phone booth requires a minute of time, pay a glass of beer in the bar with time, loans would be paid by time plus 3 days of interest. All commodities are worth of time, deducted from your time meter. If you can't make a good use of it and if you can't hide it, you'll die sooner than you know.
The rich being born in silver platter will have more time as inheritance, even gamble while spending time, they have lived a slow and easy life. Meanwhile, the poor are secluded from the rich, because the latter would live each and every day cramming for time. Time for the poor is important, highly valued and sometimes hunted down. Like what was said in the trailer, *"the rich can live forever, the poor die young."*
Just like any currency, there are also thieves who would rob people of their time. It's like the money we have in this generation, people scam us for money. In the movie, you can't display or disclose how much time you have or else gangsters and the crook would flock to kill you robbing your time.
It's a scary scenario, and who would love living in this era of human existence.
My Thoughts
While watching this movie I have come to a simple hypothesis that this kind of era in the movie would best fit the cashless society that most religious people fear about. In my journey with crypto and sharing the idea about it with the most random people, I have experienced some apprehensive and pessimistic remarks about cryptocurrencies and even mobile/ internet banking for the reason that these are evil practices.
And, it's true. There can be lots of evil everywhere. We should not dismiss the thought that evil can be in the home, in the streets, in school, at work, in the government, and even in the church. I mean, cryptos and the new forms of money transactions involves money and cash, why single it out as cashless? And, evil?
We can use these means to earn and eventually acquire financial freedom and the chance to help others. Our online means of earning are blessings, and just any other sources of income we have in the real world, we must treat everything with diligence, self- control and keep the balance in every aspect of our life.
Anyway, it's a very huge matter to debate. Let's skip that part.
If we start giving, sharing, and paying forward anything - time, goods, and our efforts, for the good purpose of inspiring and uplifting others. Then, we are living cashless.
We can overcome evil by the goodness of our intentions.
I hope that makes sense.
Thanks for reading!
Lead Image and content by ©️ LykeLyca
Of Neck Pains, Cryptos and Giveaways
Hola readcash conquistadors!
Just another free writing day, I was thinking what to write about - my neck that has been bugging me lately, Binance verification predicament, and what would be a great giveaway to celebrate my first year anniversary.
Yep, for a couple of days now my neck has been nagging me with pain. I tried to ignore it the other day thinking that it might go away after waking up the next morning. Sadly, it didn't. Yesterday, I had momentarily forgotten about the pain while at work, but at night while resting, the pain continued. I did ~~self-pity~~.. ahmm I mean, self-PT, last night. I did hot compress and electrotherapy with the Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in the painful area, and it was indeed effective. My neck and the middle Trapezius muscle (back part of the collar bone) on the left side has minimal pain now. I was thinking of another self-PT session later tonight to hopefully get rid of this dilemma. Meanwhile, let me shake it off the pain and proceed...
Binance verification has been a predicament for me too. I tried it several times already, but it always gave me the red FAILED notification after a few minutes. It says the Identification Card image was blurry, apparently it was somewhat blurry indeed, because the passport paper is glossy. I was thinking that the natural light must be one of the reasons why. So, this afternoon, I tried again and it went through. Success! I've seen one new crypto in my Binance wallet today, I still have to decipher if I got this from random airdrops I joined, lol! or from Binance BNB rewardspool. I'm always grateful for anything wonderful from the cryptoverse.
Anyway, I remember, I have started writing in read.cash September last year, that means I'll be celebrating my first year anniversary anytime soon, I have to check my notebook for the exact date lol! I'm thinking of what would be a nice giveaway, I once held a giveaway several months ago about Random Acts of Kindness. It was a success, however, I have learned that judging for the best article is hard, lol! So, this time I want to make it a bit different, something easy peasy. https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/random-act-of-kindness-giveaway-e6d8aa9a
So, let's start.
Giveaway Mechanics:
Write about **"Celebration"** or anything memorable that you have celebrated in your lifetime. The article must have at least 3-minute reading time or more, authentic, originally written by you.
Take a wild guess of my anniversary date: Pick only one number from 1-30.
Insert the number you pick at the bottom of your article, example (#25), then tag me @LykeLyca
Only 1 article per writer.
Giveaway runs for a week from now. (Ends: September 19)
Prizes:
$1 sponsorship - for someone who can give the exact date (**OR** the nearest number)
Random upvotes and sponsorships to everyone joining.
So, let's have some fun!
Well, I think Pichi and her group is right, what a #BetterSeptember !
Thanks for reading!
Photo from Pixabay (free to use image)
Original Content ©️ LykeLyca
Burned Alive
I woke up so early one morning, headed to the kitchen to fix my coffee, then to the bathroom for a quick shower.
The place was quite unfamiliar to me, so as I went inside the bathroom, I locked it. When I turned on the shower, scalding water spewed from the shower head and, as I tried to lurch from its blistering heat, I slipped and fell on the floor relentlessly. Struggling as I would, I could find nothing to hold on to pull myself up. I shouted and it seems no one heard my screams. I tried back and forth, trying to grab the shower valve to turn it off and again tried to pull myself up, both with no luck. The shower kept pouring hot water on me, while I screamed and struggle, and got weakened and worn out. In that crucial moment of grief and torture, the bathroom looked so tiny, that moving and crawling was seemed impossible, it was suffocating and terrifying.
Moments of sheer agony passed, a voice of a friend came. She heard my scream, but unfortunately can't burst in to help me as the door was closed. She forcefully jammed the door, like a mad woman and thank God she finally barged into the bathroom and pulled me from the floor where I was literally being burned alive.
She wrapped me with the towel hanging on the bars near the door, and had felt the texture of the cloth torturing me as it touches my skin, I could even feel excruciating pain from the gentle air or wind around me. I screamed and cried from the pain and the debilitating flaws physically.
I was rushed to the local hospital in the city, the ride was like a bolt of lightning. As soon as I arrived in the Emergency Room, I passed out, perhaps I was drugged with a powerful narcotic to shut me down to sleep.
When I came back to my senses, I was in my bedroom, lying in my bed with my skin intact. My integument was functioning normally, no more hypersensitivity, no burnt dermis/ epidermis and no bloody subcutaneous tissue. I am okay and well. Thank God!... It was just a dream.
Sigh.
A big sigh of relief.
I had this dream perhaps more than a year ago, when Covid19 pandemic ruined our plans and all. Made me realize that the dream might be a sign that new plans are sprouting out in season to let go of the old, oh well, there are really lots of changes indeed, all because of this pandemic and I'm hanging on with patience.
I checked the meaning of being "burned alive" in dreams and it means I was being abandoned and neglected. However, getting burned with hot water means magnifying problems or feelings that something is getting worse. I can't think of anything like it at that very moment, well, perhaps my fears of changing some of my future plans.
Anyway, whatever it is. I can only pray that all the negativity will be disposed of because I am a conqueror, by God's grace. I believe that dreams are sometimes warning signs for us to hold on to our faith and pray harder for any upcoming storms in our life.
Let go and just pray.
I guess this is one of my vivid dreams for the past few years. I usually do not remember anything after sleeping, but if there are clear dreams like this one, it's great to write about it.
I had written one here before, that you might want to check it out;
The Missing Flower Girl https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/the-missing-flower-girl-9fed8931
Another interesting writing prompt of @JonicaBradley to write about.
You can join the fun!
Write anything about **Dreams**
Write 100% **original** content
Write at least **600** words to please Rusty
Join and submit your stories to **PromptlyJonica**
Tag @JonicaBradley https://read.cash/@JonicaBradley
Have fun!
Lead Image/ Photos by Pixabay (Free to use images)
Content is MINE. ©️ LykeLyca
Happy World Physiotherapy Day!
Today, September 8, is World Physiotherapy Day, at the same time I just got back working too yesterday after nine days of self quarantine. Yay! Happy days!
I have gotten so bored with the quarantine, so, when I was notified to undergo RT-PCR (swab) test last week, Friday, I have decided to give it a go and hopefully be my ticket to freedom, lol! Saturday, I got the test and eeeww the feeling of that thing on the innermost cumbersome part of my nose sucks. I hate it. That was my first time and hopefully the last, God willing. I don't want to endure another. *So, please keep me away from Covid19, Lord!* That's me praying while waiting in queue for my test.
Finally, I got the result Monday, this week, and the result was negative. Praise God! So, Tuesday, I'm back on track. Three patients greeted me in the morning, what a toxic comeback, I thought, lol! But, anyway, I'm grateful to be working again, I kinda miss the usual routines, though I did enjoy some days off to sleep longer, write more, exercise regularly, and start making noise again in noise.cash. I'm still thankful for the break I had during quarantine. Win-win for me for sure.
Anyhow, let me go back to my topic for today. World PT Day, nothing much special because of the pandemic, but I'm glad that the world celebrates with us, virtually.
I have seen some post on Facebook with this image, that I wish to insert here too.
Now, let me take this opportunity to explain what Physical Therapy or Physiotherapy, as what they call us in other countries.
By definition,
**Physical therapy** (**PT**), also known as **physiotherapy**, is one of the allied health professions. Physical therapy is provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through physical examination, diagnosis, prognosis, patient education, physical intervention, rehabilitation, disease prevention and health promotion. - Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allied_health_professions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_therapy
Thus, we play an important role in the patient's recovery after injury, or an illness, like stroke, traumatic brain/ spinal injury, fractures, back pains, Bell's Palsy - these are just the common cases we deal with. For us, we make sure that our patients may function on its highest functional level and quality of life.
In my facility, the bulk of our patients usually comes from neurologic disability following stroke or Cerebrovascular Accident. After the nurses or an attending physician restore a patient physiologically with stable vital signs, he/she will then be referred to a Physical Therapist for evaluation and treatment. There are no shortcuts in undergoing PT, every session is a goal to increase mobility, flexibility and function. Pain, exhaustion, patience, hard work, and focus are expected. It is a conservative management of a disease, so expect no instant and quick results.
However, there are still some people and medical professionals who coined us to massage therapists, and reflexologist. Thus, some doctors don't refer their patients to a PT, and often times these patients would come later when the problem worsens. For instance, stroke patients usually have favorable outcomes in the first six months following the attack, if a patient comes later than that, recovery will be so slow. Some also have complications of prolonged immobility that is so difficult to deal with. Thus, in stroke, the acute phase is crucial, make sure your loved ones are given the needed care.
These are just bits and pieces of what Physical Therapy is all about. I think it would be better if you can consult the nearest PT rehab unit in a hospital near you if you need any help.
Today, to celebrate World PT day, we just had a short zoom lecture on the role of PT in Covid19, that was this morning. Later in the afternoon, I have a patient for homecare, then passed by the hospital to receive the good news! DOH just handed us our hazard pay, yes! After a century, kidding, just a year lol! Not much really, I don't know how they compute it, but it's an unexpected blessing that I am so much grateful. Thank God!
It's a coincidence, that we are all wearing a green PPE too today, so we had one snap for PT day.
Green is the color of hope!
Let us keep our hopes high and our prayers higher for a Covid19-free community.
Cheers for life and good health!
Related Articles:
Toxic Days with Toxic Patients https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/toxic-days-with-toxic-patients-d1bab4db
Life of a Traveling Physiotherapist https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/life-of-a-traveling-physiotherapist-806aad71
Lead Image/ Photo 1 from Facebook
Photo 2/Group Picture by ME
©️ LykeLyca
Sea Shells, Beautiful Shells, and Me
"She sells,
Sea Shells
In The Seashore"
That famous line is a tongue twister that never goes old. It has been redundantly used by me when I have patients with speech problems after a stroke, because it is so easy to memorize and quite challenging for them too.
Anyway, let's not talk about them or my work, cause I am more amaze about the real shells and its beauty... Life and its beauty despite this and that.
Shells, their variety, in shape, and in size, is dazzling. A shell may look like petal frozen in stone, or Iike an ear, an egg, a butterfly, or the wing of an angel. Every single one once housed a living creature - the mollusk.
The mollusk, one of nature’s oldest and most beautiful creatures that despite of its death, its shell retains its shape, color and luster – a display of its beauty.
`Photo by Joel Ambass on` Unsplash https://unsplash.com/s/photos/shell-decors?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText
Shells have had value since our earliest knowledge of humanity. Certain shells are so beautiful and rare that they are used like jewels for adornment; just like the golden cowrie of the Fiji Islands which was worn only by the chieftains. Other shells are dense and thick like the giant clams that weigh 400 pounds or more per clam, which can be found in the waters of the Philippines and Malaysia. The western Pacific is the riches of all sources of shell, from Southern Japan to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
On my last visit to Davao, I got the wonderful opportunity to explore the amazing giant clams in Taclobo Giant Clams Sanctuary from this article Island Hopping: Talicud and Samal Islands, Davao, Philippines. https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/island-hopping-talicud-and-samal-islands-davao-philippines-4d2371fd
Shells are beautiful resemblance that despite of its oldness and remote existence, it has beauty and value.
The tides have always more to give. You come to understand that any shell, having held life, holds wonder. My grandma used to have huge shells as shelf decors and it's amazing that despite of the time it has spent on the shelf, I can still hear the sound of the wave when I held a shell against my ear. That is something really amazing, right?!
In life, we often times, wear a beautiful mask to conceal our struggles inside. For me, it does show courage and resilience, wearing that smile does brighten our day and eases the load of the burden. It's a beautiful excuse, indeed.
We are like shells, we hide in that beautiful facade, yet lived in loneliness and desolation inside.
"Our common mistake about loneliness is the thought that we suffer all alone in the entire universe." - LycaLyke
That was my post this morning in noisecash and got inspired by putting an analogy between the beautiful shells and our beautiful excuses.
**Let us face every struggle boldly once and for all, no matter how ugly, we can still choose to live beautiful lives after all.**
For @JonicaBradley writing prompt: Beauty https://read.cash/@JonicaBradley
If you would like to participate, please follow these simple steps:
Write anything about Beauty
Write 100% original content
Tag **@JonicaBradley** https://read.cash/@JonicaBradley
Write at least 600 words so the bot will give you something good
Submit to **PromptlyJonica here** https://read.cash/c/promptlyjonica-b4a0
HAVE FUN
My previous articles from the Writing Prompts:
The Mysterious Cave https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/the-mysterious-cave-a14d316c
All Worth It https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/all-worth-it-6fd5ea5a
Forests and Trees: In My Lens https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/forests-and-trees-in-my-lens-fa797148
Compassion Beyond Borders https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/compassion-beyond-borders-9c448656
A Lifetime of Questions https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/a-lifetime-of-questions-d930672f
Waiting on The Night to Fall https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/waiting-on-the-night-to-fall-12b0a463
Go Higher in Motivation https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/go-higher-in-motivation-e3b69f87
The Awesomeness of Freedom https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/the-awesomeness-of-freedom-c9f04d18
Photos and Lead Image from Pixabay and Unsplash (Free to Use Images)
Content by ME ©️ LykeLyca
Ready to Rumble?
Hello! Ladies and gents in this side of the world!
I hope you started the weekend with a productive day at home with all the chores as usual, so tomorrow would be a great and awesome time to enjoy being lazy.
Anyhow, now, are you ready to rumble?
Please do, because we're about to start with my rumblings all over the place, haha! I mean just in the 4 corners of this page.
Oxygen is Free
This morning, as I was contemplating about my needs at the moment. I have realized that I might have no **enough** oxygen in the room. Though I have windows, but I don't open them because I am just so near with my family, they would pass by in our little alley beside my room and I don't want to take that risk. I don't know if that makes sense, but my mind goes wild and paranoid with Covid19. I do open the windows for an hour in the evening when they're settled in, but close it back again. My solution to suffice a healthy flow of oxygen, I ask my sister to get me a potted plant from our patio that would be perfect for the indoor environment. She got me the Aloe Vera plant that I've been taking care of, brilliant idea because this plant does not need frequent watering. Now, I have free oxygen!
It's just a bit odd now, air is intangible yet everywhere, oxygen is free. However, when you got sick of Covid19, it became scarce and expensive.
Last night, we talked about this in our group chat with my batch mates in middle school, one of my classmates needed two tanks of oxygen tanks at the moment for 2 of her kids. Her husband got infected first, got severe Covid19 and died a few days after, she and the 2 kids got exposed. The mother had complete vaccination 3 months ago, so her symptoms are very minimal, but the kids aren't and now critical.
I slept with a heavy heart last night, thus I was thinking of getting that plant in my room. Just amazing, God awesomely structure plants and trees for this purpose.
Lunch "Nearby"
Lunch time I was in noisecash and got a short convo with Pichi. Already 1PM and I'm hungry already, Pichi teased me that lunch is "nearby", and I really hope so. I already ate one whole apple and Fita crackers, but it won't suffice me. 2PM and I'm starving already, I'm so mad that I couldn't get a meal for myself and that I should rely with anyone. Well, I always thought that I can provide myself with my needs, now it annoys me that I have to wait and depend with others. Lunch came exactly 2.15PM, I ate fast and quick, and had forgotten to get mad anymore. I thought that I should just be thankful not to die famished.
Sweet Surprises
I got transient gloomy thoughts raining my parade that lunch time, thus, perhaps a rainbow will apparently show brightly thereafter. Indeed, around 4PM I got this delicious surprise! My sister brought me a cup of Maxi Mango sundae and what a delight for this really hot and humid existence, the weather during daytime is excruciating. Thank God for ice cream, sundaes, and desserts!
Ah! Yes, I took a picture of it after eating because I have to finish it quickly before it melt away. And, maybe that's a good idea not to make you crave, lol! Lame excuse, I know.
Closing Thoughts
In matters of living life in quarantine, we can only thank God for everything. I have learned that self-sufficiency won't work anymore, it is a time that we just have to keep the faith in God and the people around us, and hope that soon it will be all right.
Okay! The end of my rumblings for today.
Thanks for reading and please bear with me. Peace.
Photos by ME. Posted first in noise.cash.
Content is MINE.
©️ LykeLyca
The Mysterious Cave
Just off the southern part of Mindanao lies a tiny island that is made mostly of a huge rugged rock in the middle of the ocean. Here, there are tell tales and myths from the locals that centuries ago this island has been visited by pirates and left legends of buried gold in their wake.
Long time ago, some have been trying to find out the what lies at the end of the mysterious cave. Using picks and shovels, local treasure hunters would pretend an overnight outing in the island to explore for treasures and gold. My grandmother told me that there were indeed scraps of antiques taken from the cave from some curious fishermen that prowled the area, thus magnifying their belief that something could've been hidden inside for centuries.
A family once take ownership of the island and built a small house. The father and his two sons, Jack and Tom (not their real names), ventured into studying the cave, still for the purpose of finding treasures and gold. A few weeks after, a couple more men came, believed to be relatives of the husband. All five men began digging at one spacious area in the innermost part of the cave. For few days and nights, they worked hard through the dark pit. However, when the digging was seemed so close to success, torrents of water have suddenly surged into the cave and down the pit drowning their hopes, Jack, his father and another man died in that ravagely tormenting water. And was later on known that the cave has been protected by the fairies in the island.
Tom, the eldest son, continued exploring the cave a year after, and was surprised to see that the pit they made was covered again as if nothing happened. He sought help from the local fishermen passing the island, but no one else would even step in the shores of the island. An old man warned him that the island was haunted by the ghosts of the pirates buried in the cave. Tom, however, was persistent, he began drilling on cave edges and walls that he believed were markings of the treasure chest, and madly destroying the nature that inhabit it. Not long after, he was seen dead and floating in the depths of the ocean by some local fishermen, and his mother had gone crazy walking and living in the streets of a nearby city.
A sad story, I'm not even sure if this is a fact or just a myth, this was narrated to me by my great grandma after we play sungka when I was a kid. That was my first time to hear about pirates and thought that they're wealthy like kings, lol!
Anyway, true or not, the question remains the same for the people living nearby, is there really a treasure hidden inside the mysterious cave?
I just want to pull out a lesson from this story.
Life can be great and rewarding if we go through a scavenger hunt, there is nothing wrong in pushing for our dreams to work. But, if in the process, we begin to be selfish, self centered and destructive, then everything is just so wrong.
`Bella Ciao! Money Heist is back! Season 5 is up! :)`
To my new sponsor, @crazybeautifulfurmom, gracias mi amiga!
Related Article:
Mermaids: Fact or Fiction https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/mermaids-fact-or-fiction-4da8e5f4
For @JonicaBradley writing prompt Monsters, Myths, and Legends
If you would like to participate, please follow these simple steps:
Write anything about monsters, myths, and legends
Write 100% original content
Tag @JonicaBradley https://read.cash/@JonicaBradley
Write at least 600 words so the bot will give you something good
Submit to **PromptlyJonica here** https://read.cash/c/promptlyjonica-b4a0
HAVE FUN
Lead Image and Photos by ME. First posted on my Flickr account. All Rights Reserved. https://www.flickr.com/photos/mayaomana/with/14478977392/
Ⓒ LykeLyca
Grateful for August
But I can see us lost in the memory
August slipped away into a moment in time
'Cause it was never mine
-Taylor Swift
Ouch. What a gloomy and utterly disappointing ending for Taylor's August.
Mine can be dismal and lonely too, being trapped within walls for four days now, but there is always a silver lining as I see it now.
Thus, I'm grateful for August!
Firstly, I am thankful that I'm in the pink of my health despite the risks that surrounds with my job. If you've read my article about Covid19 and Self Quarantine, you will know the reason why. Thank God, despite of the suspected exposure to the virus, I'm okay and well. I don't have any symptoms at all. I also thank God for His guidance and that I was able to respond promptly to the situation and avoided the risk of spreading anything to my family and to my friends/ colleagues, in case I have contacted anything unpleasant from the patient. https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/covid19-and-self-quarantine-ec208595
Thus, a friendly reminder to everyone here. If you feel unwell, be responsible enough to inform clients or anyone you'll be meeting with, or better stay at home. For now, this is the new normal - don't push yourself too hard. Health is a priority, and getting hospitalized is expensive!
Secondly, I'm grateful for this platform, and the community. You're all amazingly motivating and supportive. The articles I've read here is an inspiration, and for me to write my thoughts and vent out sometimes lighten my mood and sentiments. It is like a diversion from what I always do, and loving that we are all earning with the joys we get from writing.
Anyway, before going further, thanks to my sponsors!
Of course, I'm always grateful for the support from Rusty though his visits got a bit irregular this month. In this aspect, I guess we have to push harder, lol! I will wait patiently and enjoy the company with my friends here while the RandomRewarder is busy with a handful of stuffs.
Next in the line to thank about is, the provision. Earning Bitcoin Cash has always been a great help and I thank God for making this platform a portal of His provision. Likewise, paying it forward, I was able to share the blessing to one affected family from the horrible fire incident in my neighborhood, I've shared a glimpse of it in this article Jotting Through The Fire. I was planning to donate the money through our Barangay, but someone came in my mom's store to buy a couple of shirts and pajamas for her son, she barely got anything for his little boy and the relief clothing given to them were mostly for adults. I have decided to give my donation to her instead, not much, but any amount is a big help for anyone in crisis. https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/jotting-through-the-fire-2fa5a1ce
Lastly, I'm grateful for every unseen blessing. The weaknesses that remind me that I have to depend more on His strength. His peace, calms my mind to sleep. The joy in my heart that I am able to share with anyone. His blood, that covers my safety each and every day. His grace, that is new every morning.
I am claiming a more awesome September. You might see me doing the same thing here, writing and pacing. However, this week I challenge myself to publish one article per day because I have lots of time to grind virtually while in quarantine. Actually, I'm back posting in noise.cash. See you there, LycaLyke that's me. Binance savings with BCH and BNB is passively earning as usual. My StormGain is in status quo, lol!
So, I guess that would be it.
My parting words for August;
***"I'm gonna sing in the middle of the storm.."*** - Bethel Music
Again, heaps of thanks to everyone! You know who you are :)
Photos by ME. Posted first on my Flickr account. All Rights Reserved. https://www.flickr.com/photos/mayaomana/
Content is MINE.
Drops of Jupiter
Nothing much to do on quarantine, so I'm in my YouTube and came across the videos/ songs in my "All Time Fave" playlist. I could no longer remember when I created this, but I'm sure that I did, because all the songs are indeed my favorites - songs that I would often come back listening.
"Drops of Jupiter" by Train, is in the playlist and of course I have plenty of time to even browse the comment section, lol! (Yah, that does not happen so often) I stumbled upon one comment that the song was inspired and written after Monahan's mom who passed away from Cancer. By the way, Monahan is the lead singer and songwriter of the band Train.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xf-Lesrkuc
`I insert the video here, you might like listening to it while reading.`
However, this is not a review, I am writing this because while I listened to the song it brings back memories of departed loved ones.
August 28, the birthday of my great grandmother, Apong. Yes, you've read it right, my grandmother's mom was 100 years old when she died from old age I think. I was in 2nd year high school that time, thus I have vivid childhood memories of her. We used to play "sungka" while she would narrate stories of her youth, their life during World War II, and what was my grandma and my mom like when they're still little. I can picture her, perhaps adventurous and jolly in her youth. Thus, I wanted this line from the song for her; https://www.google.com/search?q=sungka+in+english&rlz=1CAJCUZ_enPH962&sxsrf=AOaemvKYR9wdNiNXGP0JCAH9e5GGYehizw:1630399646753&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjKg6X-79ryAhWbxGEKHf-gC_MQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1300&bih=580#imgrc=WELP1ifwuNkJvM
"But tell me, did the wind sweep you off your feet?
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back to the Milky Way?"
-Train
August 28, also the birthday of my cousin, Augustus, also the feast day of Saint Augustine, but his mom told me that he was named before the great leader Augustus Caesar. He passed away 2 years ago from suicide. I'm crying at this very moment of writing because his story was just so melancholic and surreal, yet I can only picture him as a deep soul with so much passion, energy and drive for life and his causes. He goes into marathons, run with friends, and picks up trash along the way cause he believed that we should "clean as we go". He was a political science professor and law student who never runs out of reason. A barangay councilor that inspires other people. Just ironic and unbelievable, that he runs out of purpose to continue living. Whatever scars and pain, this is my message for him from the line of this song;
"And tell me, did you fall for a shooting star
One without a permanent scar?
And did you miss me/ us while you were looking for yourself?"
- Train
Lastly, my two grandmothers so dear to me, Lola Nene and Mama Ying. "The Soul Sisters," that's what I call them now whenever I remember them chatting on their favorite spot on the patio. My Lola, Mama Ying loves to visit her sister Lola Nene that lives with us, among the siblings they're the ones close with each other. I can say that they shared a lot of memories together, even got hospitalized together in their last year on Earth. Lola Nene, the eldest died that year 2011, the following year Mama Ying passed away before her sister's death anniversary. I miss them both, and I love this line of the song for them;
"Now that she's back in the atmosphere
With drops of Jupiter in her hair, hey, hey, hey
She acts like summer and walks like rain
Reminds me that there's a time to change, hey, hey, hey
Since the return from her stay on the moon
She listens like spring and she talks like June."
- Train
Just a little tribute to these beautiful souls, spreading love and drops of Jupiter with their memory.
Thanks for reading!
Love life and live loving... ❤️
P. S. Thank you @FarmGirl for renewing your sponsorship!
You might also like reading;
A Tribute to a Teacher Who Believed In Me https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/a-tribute-to-a-teacher-who-believed-in-me-c0935397
Love In Different Ways https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/love-in-different-ways-4fd8c7c4
Conversations https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/conversations-6704e614
Simple Joys In Life https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/simple-joys-in-life-3e05859d
Lead Image/ Flower Photo by Me, from my Flickr account. All Rights Reserved.
1st Photo (Sunset Image) by Augustus Caezar, in Facebook.
Content is MINE. All Rights Reserved.
Covid19 and Self Quarantine
Grind, stay well, oh you quintessence.
Live, thrive, awaken your highest sense.
The enemy unseen and lurking Covid19,
Will hold you in a desolate quarantine. - LykeLyca
I don't know that they can rhyme, what an unsightly connotation.
I felt bad to be staying locked in my room... in self quarantine.
A few months back we had a meeting in our department regarding Self Quarantine, it is a voluntary isolation if you think you got exposed to Covid19. So, in the meeting we got instructions to report there and then, at the very minute if we got exposed to a suspected Covid19 case. I was not paying much attention to it, and I also don't know that this could happen so soon, after all my cautious and meticulous routine at work. I'm on Day 1 of Self Quarantine.
Yesterday, I had second thoughts of reporting to my last two patients in the afternoon. I don't know, but I just feel like not going. However, I have a patient that is a doctor that I haven't seen in a week, because she's not feeling well on her weekly dialysis, and yesterday she texted that she's fine now and wanted a PT session to get back to his exercises. So, I said okay, and since her schedule is at 4PM. I dropped by to another stroke patient before her, scheduled at 1.30PM.
I arrived at the stroke patient's house, she has a caregiver taking care of her. I just asked if her vital signs are stable so I can proceed with the PT session. She said yes, but I still grab the BP apparatus to double check the blood pressure. I noticed that the patient winces as I pump the cuff, I thought maybe it was just a friction of the cuff on her skin, so I just proceed. It was normal, so all good.
After half an hour, it was time for her to sit up and try standing balance/ tolerance. As I help her sit up, I can feel that she's a bit hot to touch, I asked the caregiver if she checked the body temperature of the patient and she said, yes in the morning and was just 36.8 degrees Celcius. I insisted to check it again that time and surprisingly it was 38.3. The patient really had a fever.
The assessment continues. I asked the patient if she's urinating normally and painfree and she said yes. I checked for the skin integrity on her back, and elsewhere. Fortunately, no signs of bed sore. I asked if she had a cough and said she did occasionally. But, that can be normal for anyone got stuck in bed for some time.
Next, I asked if anyone in the house got sick for the past five days and indeed, the sister of the patient had low grade fever and with occasional coughing last Wednesday. I am now suspecting that the patient might had have got this from her sister. I felt dumbfounded and clueless of what to do next, I was starting to think of myself and my family, we have kids at home.
Before leaving their house, I talked to the sister to contact their doctor for proper medication for the patient. She insisted that she will just give Paracetamol and do "tuob" or steam inhalation. I said that it's okay to do that, but the patient still needs medical attention if another symptom occurs and if the condition worsens.
I then left the house and call our PT supervisor. I discussed what had happened, I was given instructions to initiate Self Quarantine.
I call my mom, and told her that I might have a close contact with a suspected Covid19 patient. My mom was so quick, as if she knew everything, she just told me to enter the house through the backyard gate, and she will ready my towel and sleepers in the bathroom so I can clean myself and head directly to my room for quarantine.
Realizations
I just can't imagine the odds and the uncertainties. No matter how we try to be conscientious with our work and meticulous in our actions, something and somehow things go out of control no matter what.
The patient/ doctor that I am supposed at 4PM that day called today, she was shocked to hear about the news and that maybe she just has to wait for 14 days until I will be cleared. We had a little conversation, how ironic life can be sometimes. I thought that maybe God just gave me a long pause to rest myself physically and enjoy in the comfort of these 4 walls.
I got this quote from Facebook this morning and it's just so fitting about what I am feeling right now.
Thanks for dropping by and reading something from me today.
I wish you all good health and know that God cares!
Photo/ Quote/ Lead Image from Facebook
Content is MINE. All Rights Reserved.
All Worth It
The history of what I become now started one summer day when my mom asked me what I want to be in the future. I always wanted to be a journalist or field news reporter, I can still remember my teacher in middle school telling me that I can be a good news anchor someday. That was when I excelled during our English class activity in public speaking.
However, my parents don't want to send me far from home for college. The univerity and most private colleges in our city don't have mass communication course that time, thus they convinced me to choose a course that is available in our hometown. My aunt in the United States suggested Physical Therapy, I got curious that time because it was a 5-year course, so I did. That summer I enrolled the course, though I still have second thoughts, thinking that I could just take B.S. Biology and maybe pursue Med School after. But then the school dean mentioned that Physical Therapy is a great preparatory course for Medicine and that learning is as extensive as Med School, I took the bait and got me in.
Indeed, the course is a nightmare. That was what I'm feeling when I tried to complete all requirements for third year. It was composed of qualifying exams and those nerve- wracking interviews from our doctor professors. Everyone was rushing, wanting and eager to be part of the official third year class, only to anticipate a nightmare of sleepless nights, long waits for revalidation exams (we call it revalida), moving exams, practical exams, I don't know what more, but it was a ride of fear and pressure.
Nightmare in Physical Therapy is literally real, when we started learning human anatomy, we have a real human cadaver and most of my classmates had nightmares, if not in dreams, some struggles from the smell of the formalin, not to mention the difficulty of identifying and memorizing intricate muscles, vessels and nerves in the human body. We learn to eat and took a nap inside the Anatomy laboratory despite of the smell and the toxic condition of the place, for survival and eventually graduate. Looking back, I don't know how I get through the entire ordeal, hard work it is, and heaps of prayers.
The hardship made me and my batchmates cling to each other through group study and group research, note sharing and discussions, overnight outs not for parties but for study sessions. Human Anatomy and Physiology and Medical Surgical Subjects took the bulk of those sleepless nights. We became masters in calculating the 75% passing mark in every quiz and exam LOL! For us, that is all that matters to pass. Who cares of the A's and the 1.0?
Then, internship came. The first five months of my fifth year in college was my first time to leave home. I was assigned for Metro Manila internship rotation, and adopting the busy life was difficult in a whole different perspective. I had a bunch of first time experience in Manila, I think I could write a different article about it. However, those first times are great times and treasured memories. All worth it.
The five long years passed and graduation day came. I was so proud of myself for completing a 5-year course in 5 years time, for this has been an ultimatum by my parents for us, all five siblings. Well, except for our youngest, who did course hopping almost every year. Annoys me at first, but what can I do, strict parents became soft hearted in their golden years, lol!
The fruit of my labor is here now. All worth it, I believe. I don't want additional years of tedious schooling so I gave up Med School dream. There is fulfillment in what I do now with my patients and with life, that all- matters.
I devote another year of self-study for the board exam and passed it in my first try. Praise God! This was the ultimate fruit of my labor, I guess, having this 4-letter acronym beside my name - PTRP.
Closing Thoughts
The fruit always comes with hardships, persistence, consistency and devotion. The journey to it has never been an easy process.
I look back on the perils which I have overcome, of countless exams, determination, pressure and challenges. That time, I felt certainty that I have done so much. However, now I question myself if I have done it by far. What if? What now?
For @JonicaBradley writing prompt "The Fruits of Labor"
Prompt Rules:
Write anything about The Fruits of Labor
Write 100% original content
Write at least 600 words
Submit your story to PromptlyJonica
Tag @JonicaBradley
Have Fun!
Photos and content are all MINE. All Rights Reserved.
Thanks to my sponsors for renewing! And heaps of thanks to my readers, tippers and supporters. You are all the best! ❤️
#Club1BCH Biking Around Dublin
It has been a month long now of exploring the world with the #Club1BCH team and perhaps this would be the last day, I think I miss the Philippines already (Char!). There is nothing to complain, everything is perfect going around Europe, and today, Ireland. I can say that this is a vacation of a lifetime, truly one of a kind.
The tour for #Club1BCH continues in Dublin, Ireland! Let's go!
Day 1
#Club1BCH had an awesome first day stay in Dublin, pampered with a great spa and massage treatment at Prince of Wales Hotel. Everyone got a taste of the luxury and tranquility, I for one loved the massage, it was indeed super relaxing. As a frontline worker like myself and @sgbonus, being busy is a regular thing every single day, having a time to get spa and massage treatment is a luxury. Thus, this is the best day in the whole length of the holiday, even momma @z_graeden agreed 100%!
Lunch time, just finished pampering myself, I went to the hotel lobby and discovered from the kiosk for tourists that it is more fun to go around Dublin by bike. This is really an amazing and healthy way to explore the city, another unique experience for us for sure. On my way up to the room, I've seen @Jeaneth and @leejhen in the lift and mentioned it to them. They like the idea to go biking tomorrow and will suggest it to the group later at supper.
We had our meal at this restaurant beside the famous **Liffey River**. The entire group was there, we did a lot of talking about cryptocurrency trading and hodling. I also suggested to the group that we will tour Dublin by bike tomorrow and everyone was so excited, especially @aj_u2, @CoquiCoin, @Jaytee and @CrazyRichFilipina. After eating supper, we all stayed, enjoyed the scenery and the cold breeze of the city, the guys @wrabbiter, @HappyBoy, @JLoberiza and @Jher0122 continued chatting on the bench along the trees with a can of beer.
Anyway, Liffey river runs in the center of Dublin, and we are all amazed at how beautiful it is at night time. The alluring lights of Dublin are reflected beautifully in the vastness of the water.
Day 2
The most awaited part of the tour in Ireland, going around the city with our bike!
Early in the morning, we rented our bikes from the tourism center just walking distance from the hotel. We are given a chance to pick our bikes, and we are in awe of how organized everything is - design, color, and style. @BreadChamp, @JRamona20, and @MegaKyodaiBanrai wowed in amazement, they quickly checked out their bike and wanted to go off to the street.
The weather was perfect that morning so we headed directly to **Bull Island**, we biked through the wooden bridge in Dollymount and in just 15 minutes we’re on the island. There are already people having picnics there, but for us, we tried kite-surfing. Yay! It’s my first time to try it so my balance was really out of proportion, I dive in the water, got slapped by the waves and all, but I never gave up till I could manage to go with the flow for some time. I envy @Cineholic and @foryoubtc09, they’re fast learners and easily manage to ride with the board in the water!
The sun was up and everyone got tired of kite-surfing, so we hurriedly changed our wet clothes and pedaled to a park near the area. **St. Patrick’s Park** is famous in Dublin and beside it is the St. Patrick’s Cathedral, one of the oldest and the national cathedral in Ireland. It was past 12 noon when we finished exploring the place and headed to our next destination where we could get our lunch.
**Ticknock Mountain Bike Trails** had a cozy bar in the entrance area, so we parked our bikes and immediately ordered some food. The sun was still mighty that time, so we rested for a bit in the grass with the trees and nature above us. The place was breathtaking and so perfect for nature tripping. There are squirrels and rabbits that roam around, and @crazybeautifulfurmom just can’t help taking pictures of them.
We started the trail and we can see kids in the not so distant shaded area,we go past them and as we go on the trail, it just gets harder and more rocky. The single lane trails are challenging with ups and downs. I find it hard to maneuver my bike and thought that I just have to stop and wait for them from there. @Eirolfeam2 and @MizLhaine love the course because they’ve been biking around in their hometown in the Philippines. We stopped by to rest at a road near the finish line, while @Codename_Chikakiku took a picture of his bike. I think he is buying that kind of bike in the Philippines with his Bitcoin Cash. We finished past 3 o’clock in the afternoon and off to explore the beautiful flowers of Ireland.
The **National Botanic Garden** is overflowing with beauty and wonder, it was a rest from pedaling and a feast in our eyes to see all the lovely colors of the flowers. Sisters @gertu13 and @rodriguezpct wanted to take some plants for their gardens in Venezuela, but unfortunately everything is “for your eyes only,” sorry ladies.
Last stop is **Cliff Path Loop** and this is a scenic walking area. Parking our bikes and off by foot to another breathtaking destination. The view was an amazing canvass of green and blue, and the vast cliff tops. We waited for the sunset here, and the view just takes away the tiredness of the entire day of adventure.
Who would've thought that we can go around Dublin, Ireland by bike?
Thinking that our flight back to our respective countries will be tomorrow, we can't afford to retire early that day. The group went to a bar near the hotel, had some beer, some laugh and chitchats.
I hope everyone had a blast with this month long, expensive, yet a memorable vacation. I have to stop here, let us all go home before we go #ClubBrokeBCH according to Pichi, lol!
Thanks for reading!
In case you miss the first part, check it here: #Club1BCH Sail Rail to Dublin, Ireland https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/club1bch-sail-rail-to-dublin-ireland-bda5fa64
Free Images from Pixabay
Content is MINE. All Rights Reserved.
#Club1BCH Sail Rail To Dublin, Ireland
#Club1BCH Team had a great and awesome time touring around Europe, fun filled and enriching memories of what we all have in common, Bitcoin Cash earning, learning and mass adoption. The finale of the tour was a meet and greet with read.cash and BCH legend Sir Marc de Mesel in Amsterdam. Everyone was ecstatic and motivated more than ever after the event.
`@Jane ended the tour from there on her article #Club1BCH Fly To Amsterdam To Meet The Legend. Well, actually it didn't end yet, we embark on to another great adventure.`
Meanwhile, while everyone is busy packing their suitcases for their flight the next day, @Ruffa and her new found French guy friend are planning, looks like he is as hospitable like most Filipinos, being raised by a Filipino nanny for ten years. He suggested for another three-day tour sponsored by him and this time in Ireland! The group got excited, brainstorming the places to visit and for friends possibly residing in Ireland. My memory takes me to the articles of @tired_momma.
As I mentioned, we are ready for some adventure, thus our French guide, Andre, opted a dauntless route by roro and then book Sail Rail tickets from London to Ireland. I got excited with the idea and hurriedly said "yes!" To experience other routes other than the plane is more invigorating. Well, looks like a lot of us in the group also loves the idea, I can see @ARTicLEE, @Momentswithmatti, @Bloghound, @Pichi28 and @Eylz2021 nodding in agreement.
The next day we're on this train going to Hoek van Holland, and boarded the luxurious Stenna Hollandica. Everyone exuded in amazement over the great internal architecture of the ship, it has a restaurant and a cafe, an arcade and a cinema too. I don't think we will get bored on this 9-hour journey to London!
Strolling around on the uppermost deck of the ship, @Sequoia, @FarmGirl and @QueenRay were teasing Andre and Ruffa portraying Jack and Rose popular pose in the movie Titanic. We all had a laugh and enjoyed the night under the stars with the great ferry Stenna.
We arrive early morning in London and continue the tour by booking our Sail Rail Ticket for Dublin, Ireland. Our train came and the group got busy in getting the best seat to enjoy the best view while traveling. My photographer friends are now ready on their cameras and mobile phones to capture scenic views. Truly, this is why I love traveling by land, we can always feast our eyes with breathtaking landscapes of the countryside.
The train ride was a bit long, I got a chance to take a nap and then get some snaps again with my camera. Beside me is mommy jean, she's already busy editing videos to be posted on her Youtube channel. While @bbyblacksheep is also on her laptop typing, I guess she's preparing an article for read.cash. I'm still enjoying the view outside, England is still amazingly beautiful in her twilight.
We arrive at the Holyhead Rail Station, luckily it is just connected to the ferry terminal, and the timing was pretty convenient too. We boarded the ferry and I asked one of the crew on the bridge what time should it arrive in Ireland, and replied 2-3 hours depending on the weather condition. I prayed that we will have a quick travel in the Irish Sea, because I longed to rest my back in a comfy bed soonest.
The #Club1BCH team was silent for the next couple of hours, suddenly @Jane jerked her elbow to mine when she saw the port of Dublin, Ireland. Thank God! It smells like home and I can smell Irish Spring, lol! That was the soap my aunt from the UK gave as a present whenever she have a "balikbayan box."
Andre booked us at the Prince of Wales Hotel, and of course the name speaks for itself. It is grand and expensive too, our sponsor is a "prince" I think! And, Ruffa is one lucky girl. Meanwhile, in the lobby, Jane is chatting with a pretty lady and looks very familiar, without hesitation Jane introduced her to us and it's @tired_momma!
Prince of Wales Hotel had an extraordinarily unique design, the view outside is a display of the alluring Ireland, and the hotel amenities are superb. Well, we are all so tired from our long travel, so we rested for a night and tomorrow explore Dublin, Ireland, by bike!
So, I guess there will be a part 2 for this virtual tour until our sponsor will go broke, lol! Moreover, I hope everyone agrees to explore Ireland by bike! That would be fun!
Thank you for reading and taking the journey with us!
The virtual tour actually started from @Jane #Club1BCH Fly To Amsterdam To Meet The Legend https://read.cash/@Jane/club1bch-fly-to-amsterdam-to-meet-the-legend-32cfccd4
All photos are from Pixabay (no attribution required)
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Jotting Through The Fire
"Through the fire
To the limit, to the wall
For a chance to be with you
I'd gladly risk it all
Through the fire" - Chaka Khan
🎶 🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶
That was me singing with Alessandra de Rossi while watching `My Amanda" in Netflix. As usual, I am as always late watching what was trending in most social media. I stumbled upon heaps of post about this movie in Facebook a couple of weeks back, but only able to watch it yesterday. Mind you, it's a beautiful and touching story that perhaps most of us can relate at one point in our lives, though it has a sad twist at the end of the story, still a good movie to watch.
It was indeed relatable, been once in the shoe of Piolo years and years back. I used to have a guy bestfriend that I happened to like and love, however I have chosen to keep "us" as bestfriends. Moreover, we're still good friends until now communicating through Messenger from time to time. We have our separate lives far from each other. Unlike in the movie, they had endured life together through thick and thin. I admire their closeness yet conscious of their boundaries.
Meanwhile, while Alessandra sings "Through The Fire" trying to manage her nerves on the pain of labor and delivery, I heard a loud explosion in the neighborhood. I went outside and was surprised to see black smoke and huge fire two blocks away from our house. It was a terrible disaster, for the next 6 hours I've seen firetrucks passing by the street, the fire destroyed 43 makeshift houses at the seaside.
The fire broke at around 1.30pm after lunch, from one of the houses on that densely populated area. The fire fighters had a difficulty stopping the fire because this happened near the sea and the wind surges the fire to other neighboring houses. Thus, affecting a total of 43 miserable homes.
In the distance, my nephew can see both lamp and electrical posts burning, watching it made him worry more that he could no longer play his favorite "Call of Duty" online for some time. Oh well, kids!
Late afternoon, my sister and I went for a walk along the sea shore going to the area of the fire. Around 4pm, we can still see firemen extinguishing the fire, some men in the neighborhood were carrying buckets of water from the sea to help too. I've seen displaced families, piling their saved belongings at the beach front. There are television and computer sets, pillows, blankets, sofa, tables, laptops and a lot more in the open, while I pray for the rain to pour down and help stop the fire, I'm distraught from the fact that they needed shelter before anything else. Some women were crying and their agony is heartbreaking to see. Even the barangay officials were perplexed on how to console the affected families.
We lost power for like 4 hours that afternoon, it was restored before night time though, thank God! It's hard to work at night without light. Unfortunately, the internet didn't came back, there must be a big damage in the main line. It came back just this morning before I finished writing this article.
At the moment, there has been a campaign in our community to help the families affected, donations like essential goods, food, money, used clothing and other necessities are welcome. At home, we are gathering some of our used clothing, blankets and kitchen stuffs that we can share to our neighbors.
I'll end it here, and I hope you'll take extra care in your homes and anywhere you are my friends in the virtual world.
God bless us all! Xoxo ❤️
Photos and content are all MINE.
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Ano Ang Dahilan Para Iwan Mo Ang Asawa Mo?
`To my non-filipino readers please bear with me, I just feel like writing this in my language. So, please click the globe icon on top.`
Matagal ko ng gustong magsulat sa wikang Filipino simula nung unang araw pa lang ng Agosto, dahil ipinagdiriwang dito sa Pilipinas ang Buwan ng Wika, kaya kahit na mahirap ay sisikapin kung maka pagsulat ng kahit isang artikulo sa wika ng aking lupang sinilangan.
Kaninang tanghali habang nanonood ng telebisyon, aking napagtanto na ang paksa na ito ay mas maganda kung maisalin ko ng detalyado sa wikang Filipino. Kaya hayaan niyo na ako ngayon sa artikulo na ito.
Ito ang isa sa mga tanong na tumatak sa isipan ko habang pinanood ko ang bahagi ng palarong “Madlang Pi Poll” sa “It’s Showtime” kanina. Kung tutuusin, marami naman talagang tamang sagot para sa katanungan na ito. Pwedeng may iba ng mahal yung isa, o di kaya nagtaksil, hindi na magkaintindihan, nawalan na ng tiwala, o hindi kaya kakulangan sa sikolohikal na pangangailangan bilang mag-asawa - malimit ito palagi ang kadahilanan ng hiwalayan.
Pero paano pag ito lang dalawa ang pagpipilian? Saan ka dito sa isa?
**May iba na sya? O, May iba ka na?**
Sa dalawang nabanggit na pagpipilian, alam kung mahirap itong sagutin lalo na pag ikaw ay may kinakasama, at mas lalo na pag ito ay natanong sayo sa isang programa sa telebisyon. Ito ay tinanong kay Karyll at hindi niya ito masagot ng maayos, marahil sa dahilan na yung asawa niya ay nasa harapan niya! Kahit naman siguro sino ay magdadalawang isip sumagot sa kanyang sitwasyon. Ang isa naman na napagtanungan ng tagapagsalita ay isang tripulante sa programa, at ito ay naluha habang sinagot niya ang tanong, mukhang may pinagdadaanan siguro ito sa kanyang ka relasyon na akma sa pinaghuhugutan na katanungan.
***Nais ko itong ibahagi sa mga magigiting ko na mga kaibigan sa plataporma na ito. May asawa ka man o may jowa, kung ikaw ay pipili ng isang rason, ano ang pipiliin mo?***
Kung ako ang tatanungin, iiwanan ko lang ang kapareha ko pag “May iba na sya.”
Sa mga nakaraan kung napagdaanan na relasyon, masasabi kung tapat ako sa kanya at pinanindigan ko ang salitang mahal ko siya, subalit ang lahat ng ito ang may hangganan din. Kapag siya ay nagloko at nalaman ko na may iba na siyang gusto, hindi ko naman ipipilit ang sarili ko.
Minsan kahit matindi ang pagmamahal mo sa isang tao, ngunit pinagtaksilan ka naman ng pa ulit-ulit at tila wala namang bahid na pagsisisi pag kinompronta mo siya, ano pa ang magiging rason mo para manatili sa relasyon na yan, diba? Kailangan din natin respetuhin ang sarili natin, umiwas at baka maubos ka na lang bigla. Huli mo na lang mapansin na hindi mo na pala kilala sarili mo dahil hindi mo na pinahahalagahan ang nararamdaman at ang importansya mo.
May mga tao din kasi na iginigiit nila na hindi nila mahal yung iba, pero nakikipagrelasyon pa rin kahit may mahal na sila? Yung iba naman ay ginagamit ang sitwasyon na malayo sila sa isa't-isa kaya meron pangalawa? Matatanggap mo ba ang mga rason na ito para mabigyan ng katwiran ang kanilang pangangaliwa?
Mahirap siguro sagutin ang mga ito lalo na pag may mga anak na kayo at mahaba haba na rin ang panahon na pinagsamahan. Paano mo ba ito solusyonan? Alam ko na mahirap umiwan sa relasyon na ganito ka tatag, pero alalahanin mo rin kung hanggang kelan mo sya tatanggapin kung sakaling nauulit ang pangangaliwa ng ka-relasyon mo.
"Second Chances" nakakamangha at mainam, pero sana hanggang diyan lang. Pag isipan mo na kung kelangan mo pa magbigay ng pangatlo, pang-apat, panglimang pagkakataon sa mga pagkakamali ng kapareha mo.
Tama na. "Enough is enough."
At dahil ang tanong na yan ay pinagbobotohan ng mga nanonood ng programang "It's Showtime," ang sagot ng karamihan ay "May Iba na Sya," mukhang likas na tapat yata ang mga taong sumali sa pagboto.
Anyway, ang taray naman pala pag ipahayag natin ito sa wikang Filipino, kaso mahirap, haha! Nka elan beses din ako gumamit ng translator.
Photos from Pixabay (no attribution required)
Title from "It's Showtime"
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Happiness or The Best
*"Who is to say what is the best for me?"* Mark blurted these words to his mom, when he was forced into an engagement with a woman he never chooses to love.
Mark, not his real, is the grandson of a very prominent business tycoon in South Korea. His mom was so rigid in upbringing him, thinking in mind that later in life he would be fit and worthy of the position reserved for him in the future.
Like most of the elite families, Mark's life threaded the path of the future tycoon. He lived a lavish life, and after graduation in middle school, he was sent to a prestigious university in the United States of America to finish a university degree. He has a tutor that hones him into a great man someday.
Rich, great, and comfortable life, but no family. Mark has been never happy, despite of all the worldly possessions in his disposal he felt lonely and abandoned. While he lingers in loneliness, his family was so busy in the home country, making more money, and constantly setting the standard that they need to maintain for their class and prestige.
Mark graduated his degree and must be ready to face the lavish world in his hometown. His mother above all the people was so proud of how he raises his son into a fine young man. However, no one knows Mark's heart. Who can say his values? His moral upbringing was never of familial norms. No one in the family can ever say what is the best for him.
Grandfather became so frail and old, the time is ripe to relinquish the throne to his grandson. This is the time Mark's mom has been waiting and longing for. Surprisingly, Mark declined the throne and the responsibility. But, why?
Worst comes to worst. Mark fell in love with the one of the young housemaid. He knew beforehand that he has to choose between her and the throne and that he will be forced to marry someone arranged for him, thus he refused the best that was prepared for him and settled for the one and only woman that can make him happy.
*"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”*
*―* ***Albert Einstein***
Closing Thoughts
A very common story of most K-dramas I've watched. This I believe is how the rich prepare their sons being heirs of the family's business legacy. As I watch how their lives unfolds, it made me think if this is fair for anyone who wanted to own the life that we only have one opportunity to make it ours.
Most of them too, aren't allowed to marry the woman they love, they have to settle for the woman that the family chooses, someone that belongs to their class. In this case, how can someone be living a happy life with a LIFETIME PARTNER that you don't love? And for Mark, he knew that his parents only marry as dictated by their families, and as he reflected on the life they had, there has been no love shared between them as a family. Again, is this the best?
Sometimes, it's hard to say what is best for someone. Even parents can't tell what's the best for their child when they mature and become adults. No matter how you hone them into someone fitting for the future you aspire to them, still they would live the life that they choose.
Often times we always go for the practical reasons, whenever we weigh down things it all boils into living a comfortable life. Thus, a lot prefers "marriage for convenience," thinking that later they will eventually learn to love and accept everything. However, comfort does not always comes from wealth, especially for someone like Mark, happiness is in the warmth of someone that makes him happy, and the best life is in finding genuine love that accepts him despite of his flawed past and family.
What is the best for you always depends on you.
*"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16: 9*
Related articles you might also like reading:
Compassion Beyond Borders https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/compassion-beyond-borders-9c448656
The Gift of Sense of Humor https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/the-gift-of-sense-of-humor-946fa5ef
A Lifetime of Questions https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/a-lifetime-of-questions-d930672f
Similarly Resilient https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/similarly-resilient-19ac4a02
The Awesomeness of Freedom https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/the-awesomeness-of-freedom-c9f04d18
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Toxic Days With Toxic Patients
Usually we call those irritating people- toxic, but at work toxic also refers to patients that have quite a number of precautions, namely cardiac, pulmonary, sensory, blood pressure precautions and etc. Good if we only have to deal with one of these, but what if you need to take heed for all those listed, it'll be a tiring and complicated caution every time. Of course, not all patients are toxic and having them is a breeze to work with, however, our body is an unpredictable engineering marvel that would surprise us there and then.
The past two days I was not able to publish anything because work has been so physically demanding from toxic patients and toxic days. They drain me physically, mentally and emotionally. In these kind of days, I will reach home really exhausted, I only got to rest for 30 minutes before shower, then eat my dinner and while staring at my laptop to start digging my thoughts to write, I just doze off effortlessly to dreamland.
The other day I had one elderly patient that had hypoglycemia while having her rest interval during exercise. She only performed 20 repetitions of leg exercise and in about a minute while resting, she got drowsy and almost fell off of the chair. Since I have known her history of diabetes, I am certain that she's having hypogylcemic attack. In this kind of scenario, orange juice or any kind of juice would suffice the sudden decrease of blood sugar level, however, her daughter should still have to buy from a neighboring retail store and that would really take some time. The next option would be a candy or any chocolate, thus I grabbed one Honey chocolate bar I find near the TV set, instructed the patient to have a bite. Thank God! My patient got well and alert again. Turned out that my patient had only eaten a slice of pizza for lunch, when she's used to be having half cup rice and any fish or chicken dish. This would be a lesson learned for them, patients should eat a complete meal prior to any physical exercise. Anyway, all good, but the Adrenaline rush that time weakens me after work, it seems the emotional ride makes my head hurts.
Adrenaline, she's not my friend. But, yesterday, she's with me again. Sigh. Another terrible day.
I got this stroke patient fresh from hospital discharge, and while attending for her PT session today in her home, was another more challenging occasion. In the rehabilitation of stroke patients, blood pressure monitoring is vital. Thus, we monitor it before, during and after treatment. Checking her BP beforehand, it reads 120/80mmHg, taking note of the patient in the supine position. So, I proceed with the electrical stimulation and the bed exercises, then after that I checked her BP again at 130/80mmHG. All good, so I taught her how to sit up with her legs off the bed, this time I know there will be changes in BP especially for some patients who just got discharged from the hospital, so I checked again and it dropped slightly at 110/80mmHg. This is not an alarming drop, so after 10 minutes of sitting, I encouraged her that we could at least try to stand with her affected leg supported. She agreed because she's feeling okay and somehow the BP was fine too. The first attempt was fine, the toxic scenario started on the second attempt, she complained that she needed to lie down because she poop. Now, she had cold sweats too, and later on notice tremors in her hand, I kept asking her questions just to validate her consciousness and wakefulness. While the caregiver rushed in cleaning the patient, I was taking her BP too, and it dropped more further to 80/60mmHg. Certainly, it's postural hypotension and lying down would normalize the BP, however, I have doubts with the tremors. Still, I try to remain calm and assured her that her anxiety came from the poop and that she will be fine when she'll be clean. Indeed, after the caregiver cleaned her, she's feeling much more better. I texted our doctor to inform her about it and called me to talk about it later.
Going home, I was feeling more weary than the previous day. I hate working with Adrenaline because after that I felt so beaten up, making the rest of my day really toxic. Toxic days means either I have a headache or I won't be able to visit read.cash and do some of my favorite routines in the evening.
Oh well, I'm here venting again. I have a couple of articles that I started writing, but unable to finish them because of the past toxic days. Hopefully, my week will end wonderfully still.
At the end of every toxic day, I thank God for the wisdom and calmness that He bestow on me every single time I need to handle emergency situations. I thank Him for the strength that is equally enough for each day, and renews it every morning! Praise God!
I think this would be it.
Almost 12mn now, together let us say "Thank God it's Friday!"
Photos from Pixabay (no attribution required)
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Doing What I'm Dreaming
There are times when I’m so much hooked on stuff and my mind has been into it all the time, that even when I’m asleep my thoughts are still preoccupied with those same things in the form of dreams. Thanks to @JLoberiza because I got inspired to scribble words about this when I stumbled upon his article about Zombies Got Me, and the exchange of comments led me to this topic. https://read.cash/@JLoberiza/zombies-got-me-c86fcfca
Dreaming what I'm doing...
The last time I had this happen was a week ago when my mind was so preoccupied about writing something, yet I got so tired to start it because my body just can’t do it. Most often, when I drive or I’m at work while my body is doing work, my mind wanders on something to write about. Then at the end of the day when I arrived home, my body and mind could no longer type those thoughts into the computer or my phone, and eventually when I’m off to bed asleep my brain is just so busy still composing.
Also a few years back, I was constantly watching The Amazing Race, US and Asia series, I even watched the old seasons I missed on Youtube. Thus, in my sleep, I also dream of flying everywhere in the world and completing different challenges with my best friend. I am so engrossed by the thrill of opening those colorful cards with tasks and challenges of road blocks, speed bump, detour and route info. However, since I am in my dream, it just got a bit weird. In the middle of the race, as I opened a random card in the yellow box, it said that I have to go directly to the pit stop mat and claim the million dollar prize! Just wow! So bad it was just a dream lol!
My younger sister years ago got addicted in playing Temple Run, when this game became popular. She would constantly play to earn money to buy characters and power ups to unlock goals in the game. Funny, in her dream she was being chased by that huge monkey too, I can remember laughing at her because she was really afraid that the chase won't end, lol!
**Dream Incubation**, perhaps this is what science coined these events. However, this has been used in a study for students to come up with a solution when a problem is presented to them beforehand.
I think in this way, we can use dreams to our advantage. Well, I hope it will be as easy as that though.
For instance, if you’re suspecting your husband to be cheating on you, and somehow you can’t take a chance of confronting him. Maybe you can bombard your mind about it before going to sleep, the next day a solution is ready for you instantly! Lol!
Anyway, why not?
So, let's try thinking about a topic to write about before going to sleep, and let us see if we could come up for ideas on how to expand that topic into a great article in the dream. Game?
We can be doing what we dream...
The other way around, and I’m not referring to the dream in our sleep. I am directing you to the dreams we have in life - the things we write in our bucket list. The things we constantly stare at our dream board. The places we want to visit, the things we want to acquire, the dream job you wish to fulfill, financial freedom, emotional breakthroughs, etc.
We can chase these dreams in real life with real action. We can push for it with enthusiasm and perseverance. Let us do it in a never ending chase of a lifetime!
Let me leave you with this verse to ponder;
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29: 11
God is really backing us up with our dreams. Let’s do it!
I remember I have an article before about this weird dream, that you might want to check it out :)
The Missing Flower Girl https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/the-missing-flower-girl-9fed8931
Lead Image and Photo in the article from Pixabay (no attribution required)
Content is MINE. All Rights Reserved.
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Cultural Exploitation and Click Baiting: My Two Cents
There has been one trending issue in most social media today about Nas Daily, a vlogger famous for his 1-minute videos. Actually, I am a fan and I've been following an official page of him in Facebook. Yes, he is inspiring, but is he really true to his word on camera?
The issue started when this statement went viral.
"Some people are taking advantage of our culture. Please help us stop this disrespect to Apo Whang Od and the Butbut tribe" - Facebook post of Gracia Palicas
Gracia is the grandniece of Apo Whang Od. Apo is a 103 year old tattoo artist, she is amazingly unique for her tattoos and the way she inked it in the human flesh is traditionally exceptional. Mind you, she is not just a tattoo artist, and her tattoos are not mere art. This is part of their indigenous tradition and all that enveloped her embodies the generation of the Kalinga ancestors in the Cordillera.
`Photo: By Mawg64 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50374688`
Right after that post, Nas Daily then showed video evidences about the agreement between Apo Whang Od and NasAcademy - an extension of Nas Daily, for the traditional tattoo art education for P700 (Philippine Peso). What would the ***National Commission for the Indigenous People (NCRP)*** have to say with this? I leave that to them, though I have read some posts from heritage lawyers that there are really lapses on the agreement.
Another Filipino broke her silence upon discovering Nas Daily issue, she is Louise, an entrepreneur working on a cocoa project. She made a lengthy post on her Facebook against Nas, and her experience about how arrogant and indifferent this vlogger off camera. The latter then replied publicly in social media, and another foreign vlogger too aired his side in support of Nas. Everyone talked and from everything they've said, I can gest something fishy condescendingly boiling into cultural exploitation and click baiting.
**Just My Two Cents**
So, this is just my opinion based on the story that all parties have had shared.
First, Nas Daily could've sought advice prior to any agreement with any heritage expert lawyers regarding the Philippines' value of culture, the indigenous people and the laws that surrounds it. Apo Whang Od, like all other tribes we have everywhere in the Philippines, are the backbones of our unique cultural community. We celebrate with them and respect each others authenticity. Thus, there is no equal amount to monetize this information. It is enough that a vlogger or anyone to showcase their story for the world to appreciate. But, to put up a Whang Od Academy in connection with Nas Academy learning portal for online content, and collect P700 from the learners to be educated about the tribes traditional art is just a sheer exploitation of the Kalinga heritage. That is really a bad move.
Second, if you noticed, some foreign video content creators love featuring stories about Filipinos and the Philippines for popularity. Must be because Filipinos love foreign validation that they're good, etc. They call it "Pinoy Baiting" because most of us spends our leisure time online thus we can make stuffs viral. This might be true, we can accept it. But to hear hurtful and discriminating words from this vlogger is not trustworthy to be treated with so much hospitality. So, all in all, I guess his venture to places and people is not really to inspire, but just to gain more views, more popularity and more money.
**My final words...**
Maybe this is the right time that we should be supporting our local online content creators. There are plenty of them that has been going around to places not just in the Philippines but also around the world to deliver us great and amazing stories.
Let us also stop validating our worth as a Filipino and as a person from the opinion of other nationalities. We should be proud in mind and in spirit, irregardless of anyone's opinion.
Finally, we are stronger as one community, let us protect the culture and tradition that made us unique up to this day.
The photo above is a traditional costume and dance from the Higaonon Tribe in the hinterland in Iligan City. We celebrated with them and with the Maranaw tribe during annual city festivals. `Photo: by the author`
I have posted some photos about our city's festival through this article:
Diyandi Festival - In My Lens https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/diyandi-festival-in-my-lens-29ee94da
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I'm really surprised to see quite a number of new sponsors today and yesterday. Yay!
Thank you to my new sponsors @Eylz2021 , @Pichi28 , @CoquiCoin and @Jher0122, @ARTicLEE and @FarmGirl.
Thank you to my sponsors who recently renewed their sponsorship and to my readers for the heaps of support. Love, love, love!
Thank you @Farmgirl and @Leeart for the sponsorship...
Covid19 Resilience
All nations are in this fight for resilience against covid19, and so far the world only rely on vaccines to make it work, of course, aside from the underlying stringent protocols - face mask, handwash/sanitizing and social distancing. But, if we have to dream of going back to normal - no hassles in traveling, no more quarantine, no social/ physical distancing and no more mask (and face shield), our only chance as one nation is herd immunity, that is through mass vaccinations.
**Covid19 Resilience**
Last May 2021, Bloomberg published an article about the Covid19 resilience score among nations. Leading in the ranking was New Zealand, Singapore and Australia. With its resilience, there has been a bit more normal lifestyle in these countries, students were in a regular classroom setting, no more face mask outdoor, no more social distancing, and even theaters were opened. This is what we should foresee post Covid19, however these didn't last long enough with the Delta variant. Australia and Singapore just recently had lockdowns, the virus re-emerge stronger. In the most recent ranking last July 2021, Norway and Switzerland emerged at the top 2, while the Philippines at the bottom five.
Know more about the ranking here: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-resilience-ranking/
Accurate or not, I took this info as something to ponder on how my country generally improves in sustaining resilience at this time of pandemic.
**Where Are We Now?**
At the time of reading the news from Bloomberg (that was May of 2021) till the next couple of months, I have a feeling that we are heading towards a successful battle for resilience, statistically from the resilience score the Philippines goes up after several months when the vaccination kicked off. Evidently, we can see changes too indeed. First, Covid19 cases, especially in crowded cities have lowered already. Second, the vaccination went well, it has been moving fast enough to the greater marginalized population. Lastly, I had felt less pressure from travel restrictions between provinces and cities.
However, when the Covid19 Delta Variant came. All of the above feelings of resilience became a make believe. The number of infected cases increased dramatically and hospital beds for Covid19 isolation were getting full. In Cebu and Cagayan de Oro, there has been a rapid consumption of Oxygen tanks, you can see makeshift beds in hospital corridors, and unsafe accommodation for supposedly isolated patients. It's a sad reality for now. What are we doing to offer a solution for this crisis? When some people still don't believe that the virus exist? And, some still fail to see the need?
**Vaccination Fear and Apprehensions**
Most uninformed individuals I had an opportunity to talk with in the streets have vaccination apprehensions mostly from hearsays and fake news. One person told me that the vaccines targeted the extinction of the senior citizens that's why they're given first, well, are frontline workers were subjects for extinction too? Another one mentioned about microchips implanted with it, in a jeepney I heard a man say that the virus are injected with the vaccine to infect people and havoc more casualties. The worst naysayers even insisted that after 5 years we'll be zombies. All these do not bring us to resilience, we instill fear instead and it does not give any helpful contribution to end Covid19.
**Closing Thoughts**
Our mind is indeed brilliant in imaginations. How about simplifying our thoughts and converting them into action, and just be part of the solution we know for now.
In my personal opinion, I just hope some brilliant minds could better invest also for effective treatment strategies and transform this virus just like a common cold! That would be a really awesome breakthrough!
Anyway, wherever you are stay safe and be individually immuno-resilient: eat healthy, take those vitamins, exercise and always get enough sleep everyday. Above all, pray that all these things shall come to pass in His time.
Thanks for reading!
Related articles:
7 Commandments for Commuters this Covid19 Pandemic https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/7-commandments-for-commuters-this-covid19-pandemic-ea18198f
Covid19 Vaccination: Experiential Journal https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/covid19-vaccination-experiential-journal-d2c5a9b2
Senior Citizens Covid19 Vaccination: Experiential Journal https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/senior-citizens-covid19-vaccination-experiential-journal-7a8df13c
Covid19 Pandemic Stringent Measures https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/covid19-pandemic-stringent-measures-e2610264
Photos from Pixabay (no attribution required)
Photo below and content are MINE. All Rights Reserved.
Bye! July!
Another month is over, creeping away and becoming a memory, time flies yet still pandemic. Sigh. How to put an end with Covid19? It's just unbearable to wear all the Protective Equipments in a very hot and humid weather. It seems Earth is getting close to the sun nowadays, or does our ozone layer is still up there protecting us from the sun's rays? With climate change and the pandemic, I sometimes thought if we are so close to the end. Are we?
Nah! We aren't close because August just came. Bye! July! The whole month of July has been just okay, nothing much happened virtually and with my digital asset, but real life has been on a roller coaster.
The ride in July was a bit bumpy at work, I can remember my anxiety taking over me all because of this pandemic thingy. First, at the start of the month, work has been so demanding, I haven't mentioned here that one of our full-time staff in the department got sick and directly she was sanctioned for 14 days sick leave, thus crippled our manpower. If you noticed in my slate of articles, I haven't written much for this month. Every time I came home I'm just so sleepy and I could no longer write one. Second, I have shared from this article "Getting Anxious Over Nothing" my predicaments on the last 2 weeks of July, the anxiety over Covid19 vaccination- schedule, possible side effects, etc. for my parents and my two siblings. However, I got a wonderful finale for July, the chance to unwind for a day, which I have mentioned here Fun and Sun in Windy Place Maigo, also the last article of that month. https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/getting-anxious-over-nothing-c6f823df https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/fun-and-sun-in-windy-place-beachub-maigo-63ed17c5
Oh wait! Speaking of roller coaster, indeed virtually wasn't a miss. This July I noticed that I got blocked by someone on this platform, and oh well never mind about it because I have completely moved on about the issue when I have written this Invisible Things, as ahm sort of, closure. https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/invisible-things-6f6dbc30
Anyway, collecting back my thoughts on how I performed virtually for July.
**Earning** was a bit low last month compared to May and June, well it seems Rusty is not quite a fan of travel blogs, I have been in this genre for the past 2 weeks and my tips were a bit low. But, somehow still grateful for the tips from Rusty and all the great tippers/ users of this platform. I earned $160 (based on tips per article), hundred dollar short than last month. So, I might be resting from travel blogs LOL!
BCH hodling in Binance is awesome passive income via Flexible Savings, though I haven't updated my virtual passbook yet, lol! Yes, something I learned from @Jane's BCH tabulation thingy, that I later coined it virtual passbook hahha! I will be updating it soon when I got more time for myself *fingerscrossed* soon.
Other cryptoassets aren't moving up anymore, I think it reached to its maximum in the BNB rewards pool. I'm sad because I was thinking that it would continue to increase as long as I keep on investing with the BNB vault. So, yes, "*walang forever*" indeed, lol! Even mining in Stormgain has been well forgotten, at the moment I have $7.46 USDT, so close for the $10 withdrawal. I'm going back to it soon...
**Goal** for August, for sure I'll continue mining in Stormgain and hopefully start trading with the money I earned from mining. Readcash goal would be as is, write every other day and hopefully earn 1BCH. Last week I reached 1BCH but that same day I shell out some money to help someone in need, so the article that I planned to write marking the milestone got postponed perhaps next week, God willing.
Last month, I remember putting up a goal for Nexo, but was a miss. I just downloaded the app, but I don't have enough BCH yet so hopefully pretty soon. I also wanted to go back making some noise in NoiseCash this month. Yes! Let's do it!
**Sharing the crypto blessing** will always be a consistent part of my virtual and real life activities. As I mentioned, I converted some BCH when I reached the big 1 last week, that was 0.08 BCH, exactly P2,000 Philippine Peso, it goes out for a good cause. I'm a grateful giver and happy that I have something to give, thinking that I can earn this amount soon from this generous platform and ever generous friends and subscribers. I'm all smiles.
This month, I have given 9 new sponsorships to some great users in read.cash. "Let's bloom together," that was my comment when I was mentioned in an article of @Pichi28 few days back.
I got 2 new sponsors too this month, thank you @MizLhaine and @Momentswithmatti. Also, thanks for renewing your sponsorship @Wrabitter, @Jane, @Bloghound and @JLoberiza. Thank you for trusting me and my works. May God bless us all with more cryptoassets!
Go green!
All photos and content are MINE
Fun and Sun in Windy Place Beachub Maigo
Finally, I got the entire day off from the hassles of work with my phone turned off too. I guess, that's the right thing to do to make a legitimate day off from work, lol! Otherwise, patients and co-workers will be calling me to sneak in this and that into my day.
The other day was my parent's second dose of Astra Zenica Covid19 vaccine, I'm glad it goes so well and they're both in good health despite of the tiring day and the pressure. Praise God! I admit I got those anxious nerves wrecking me physically again and all for nothing, as always, but I still thank God for it because it made me persistent in prayer, and He never fails. We're at the venue queuing at around 8.30 am and finished at 3.30 pm! Imagine? Seven long hours! So tiring!
However, on the following day, yesterday was my grandfather's death anniversary and we had it all planned beforehand to spend the day at my aunt's beach house and resort in Maigo, Lanao del Norte, Philipines- my mom's hometown. The day was a complete relaxation, sun and fun, and get together with the whole family. Actually, I was a bit hesitant for my parents not to stay home after vaccination, but I don't want to spoil the planned moment, and anyway we're not commuting, no big crowd and the beach is a healthy place to unwind. Also, they're not experiencing any side effects from the vaccine too. So, off we go!
Windy Place Beachub Maigo, is a name in conception. My aunt and my uncle don't have any name for their resort yet, but the latter wanted to call it Windy Place literally because it's just so windy, lol! I had this place featured in my past blog, way back March of this year when we had a day camping, but they didn't come up with any name yet. Beachub was my own addition to the name for a millennial touch, and Maigo from the name of the municipality it belongs. Well, I think it sounds cool though. My cousin was also contemplating making a Facebook page for this, but I think my uncle and aunt aren't ready yet, maybe soon.
We really had a fun time despite of the heat of the sun, with sumptuous lunch, heartful laugh and chitchats, photo sessions with my "feeling photographer" self lol, and my niece's Tiktok -kept everyone in a cheerfully busy mode. After all the fun, we went to our grands' mausoleum in the public cemetery to light some candles and whisper prayers for them. The day ended preparing some takeaways and us traveling back home which is just a 45-min ride. Everyone was tired, including myself, I intend to write this article that night, but my eyes won't allow me to. My mind and body was so desperate to doze off.
I got more photos for you from the Windy Place Beachub, a silhouette shot of my niece and below is my younger sister. They both love to be in the camera.
What to expect in the resort? There are open cottages which are so affordable to rent at P300 in Philippine Peso, or around $6. The resort also has one open function hall for bigger groups. Overnight camping is allowed at a special rate. There's an area for grilling and washing, and an accessible toilet/ bathroom too. There's no store nearby yet so you have to bring everything you need, but the market is just a 10 minute walk or few minutes ride to buy the things you need. Anyway, at this time of pandemic, the place is open for booking and reservation to avoid overcrowding. Maybe walk in might be allowed if there aren't any prior reservations within the day.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Enjoy wherever you are! Stay safe and healthy always!
Photos and content are MINE.
All Rights Reserved.
Island Hopping: Talicud and Samal Islands, Davao, Philippines
This would be the second and last installment of the travel blog "Places to Visit in Davao City, Phillipines," check it out by clicking here. In the previous article, I go through, the places we visit within and in the outskirts of Davao, today, let me take you to the white sand beaches and the amazing salty waters of Talicud and Samal Islands. https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/places-to-visit-in-davao-city-philippines-54acd22c
Davao City, with its huge land area, encompasses a bounty of tourist attractions. Thus, with its booming tourism, travel agents are so much accessible in helping you explore the beauty of the city. The day we arrived in Davao we missed booking for the island hopping tour because we got mesmerized by the Upside Down House Museum, however, with the help of some friendly locals, we got a chance to book for a boat for island hopping the following day.
This was the kind of boat that tour organizers book for island hopping, actually its huge because it can accommodate 20-30 people. Usually joiners on tour packages can join with other groups and have to pay per head to the organizers, but you need to arrange for this option a week or a few days before the tour. You can also pay for the entire boat and exclusively use it for a day, of course with a crew of two or three people helping you out and guiding you to the different islands. Boat rentals can be arranged a day ahead, so if your days to roam around Davao is limited then this would be the only option. The island tour already includes a life vest and you have to bring some packed meals for your lunch. However, you can ask the guide to make a timely stop to Talicud Island for lunch time. On the island there are locals selling fish for grilling, hanging rice and some drinks. This might sound really fun, but if you're a joiner of another group this might not be possible because grilling takes time and some groups might opt to bring a packed meal instead, to save time and explore more sights around.
Taclobo Giant Clams Sanctuary
The giant clams on this area is amazingly huge, its size can be as big as a 46" television and they are alive and conserved for centuries. The water in this area is deep, you need a life jacket on and the guide would recommend for the group to hold onto a tyre bouy so no one would wander around far in the ocean.
It is best that you have swimming goggles so you can see them easily underwater. I wish I had an underwater camera that time, it would be really awesome. I got the photo above from my bestfriend's husband who are our host for this DIY travel to Davao.
Going back to the clams, these are protected so touching them is forbidden, strictly for your eyes only. Prior to exploring the spot of the giant clams, there will be a short 10 minute lecture about the place, some instructions, and do's and dont's on this tiny cottage in the middle of the sea.
Island Garden City of Samal
I hope I could take a day to explore this beautiful island because this is the home of the famous Pearl Farm Resort. Mind you, this resort is really expensive a night would cost around $250-$400, it's a fortune for a lot of us, lol! So instead, the boat passed by the seashore of the resort and I'm off clicking my camera for this really beautiful view.
This is the Pearl Farm Resort beach front, I have posted this in my Instagram and Flickr account, so you might see this photo if you run for plagiarism check, lol! Same with some of the photos on this article.
Samal Island is not that all lucrative, on the other side of this island is a beach for the common island folks, there are small cottages for daytime picnic that are really affordable around $2-$7. The seaside is covered with white sand, people swimming in the shallow waters, kids playing in the sand, and more boats like ours because lots of tourists are dropping by here to take a picture of this another famous landmark.
Talicud Island
This island is smaller compared to the Island Garden City of Samal, the famous beach in the island is Babu Santa and the guide can take you here timely for lunch because some locals here sells fresh seawater fishes at an affordable price. I lost some photos I took from here, so I don't have much to share than a photo of the island from afar, with another boat that sailed nearby.
We also stopped by for some time on this tiny island that is made of a very big rock, you need to climb up to get there and see the vastness of the ocean from the top. I forgot the name of this island, and lost my photos too. I might have one from my Facbook account, but I am lazy to browse it now, so let me skip that part, lol!
Again, I hope you enjoyed this virtual tour with me in the beautiful tropical islands of Davao.
I guess, for now, a throwback of our previous summer vacation is what we can only afford in this time of pandemic, to stay safe and save ourselves the hassles of strict travel protocols.
God willing, everything will slowly go back to normal so we can go and explore places again.
Thanks for reading!
Explore some places with me;
Places to Visit in Davao City, Philippines https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/places-to-visit-in-davao-city-philippines-54acd22c
The First Family Road Trip to Bukidnon https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/the-first-family-road-trip-to-bukidnon-f69a3860
Labor Day Adventure and Team Building https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/labor-day-adventure-and-team-building-d403d15a
Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor): Tour to Mt. Samat, Bataan https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/araw-ng-kagitingan-day-of-valor-tour-to-mt-samat-bataan-0028b423
Photo with corals, used with permission
The rest of the photos and content are MINE.
Getting Anxious Over Nothing
"Anxiety is an investment of problems that might not happen at all." -Unknown
I like this quote that I've read somewhere so many years back. I tried to jog my memory for the right exact words, but I just can't. I tried google as well, but there is no similar quote like it. So fine, let's put it that way. The thought is there, that would be enough though.
Anyway, do you agree with it? Does it sound very familiar to you in your daily business with life? Does it ring a bell?
Oftentimes, I have this quote reminding me at the back of my mind when I get anxious over nothing. Yes, getting worried about things and yet it might not happen in the future, so why worry? Why? I don't know, but I think no man is exempted about worrying.
How I wish I could just shake it off that easy.
One thing I don't like when I'm anxious was I usually get an upset stomach, and this is really annoying because it spoils my work, my mood, my motivation and my day. Yes, I don't know why, but anxiety and stress trigger unhappy acids that make my tummy really bad.
I call it "Stomach Upset With Stress Disorder" lol! I came up with this name few years back when I was still working in a hospital in Jeddah, and I guess that would make another good post/ article in the future, so let me leave you hanging on this side of the story for some time, lol!
What keeps me anxious today was all because of the entire Covid19 pandemic thingy. I had this feeling 2 months back when my senior citizen parents were about to get vaccinated, and it seems I was more anxious than them. In the family, I got vaccinated first being a medical frontline worker and I was so calm that time, no tummy aches whatsoever. However, when my parents got their schedule for vaccination, my anxiety meter reached alert levels I guess, I got a couple of sleepless nights, more stressed out and of course a painful tummy. All over nothing. Praise God all good, but I just hope I won't endure the hardship of getting anxious though, but how?
Tomorrow will be my brother's and younger sister's schedule for vaccination and my anxiety is on, not much, but I'm still getting this same problem. I was thinking maybe the hot weather and the humidity adds on the stressors. Today, we have 36 degrees Celsius in my location and the humidity was a torture. We are saving electricity, so we opted not to use the aircon during daytime. Imagine how hot it is in the early afternoon, it's traumatizing. I have one scheduled patient for home PT that time, but I refused to go, it's just so hot to go outside and travel. Besides, my tummy wasn't okay.
Instead, I tried working on the second installment on the travel blog that I wanted to finish and I still have to gather the photos I need to use. No luck! The drive I kept the photos aren't opening. Bummer.
I just have to quit pushing, calm myself and figure this out when the weather is cooler, when my mood is better and motivation is higher.
Got to wrap this up and hit the sack.
Good night everyone and I'll be off to a reading spree with your articles tomorrow God willing after work.
Sayonara!
Before parking, let me share this wonderful verse I have in mind when anxiety gets the better of me...
"He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake." -Psalm 23:2-3
Go for His lead! And God bless!
Photos from Pixabay (No attribution required)
Places to Visit in Davao City, Philippines
If there is a city that has made a comeback progressively, it is Davao. The city is on the rise, and it is timely. Timely with opportunities. With its business community that was willing to innovate and a government that polishes the law and foundations for investments to flow. Not only that, tourism is one booming aspect of Davao. So, let's go!
My last visit to Davao was the summer of 2018 pre-pandemic, and that was the time that I was able to go around the city and realized that indeed a city is rising in the south. That time I learned that Davao City is the biggest city in the Philippines in terms of the land area. Well, looks like I haven't crossed a quarter of it in my last visit to this city, considering that I have only gone through the tourist destinations and, that time, the popular night market along Roxas Avenue. This was very famous attraction before Covid19, people would crowd in this area for the popular local street foods, some cheap local goods on sale, a group of blind masseurs put up chairs in rows for interested folks who wanted to have a massage at an affordable price, and of course thrift buying for shirts, shoes, pants, hats, and a lot more can be find here - one thing I enjoyed the most because I love bargains, lol!
Davao City draws the sea- and- sun crowd, the adventurers, as well as the highland culture- trippers, because of its equally awesome beaches and mountains.
Mountainside, this place is the home of the famous Mt. Apo, the highest mountain peak and volcano in the Philippines. Unfortunately, we're not able to climb it and I won't dare climbing it, not until I would experience a major climb. Yes, that means one must be an experienced mountaineer with skills and all. Maybe you, but for me, that would be someday soon.
For a conventional tourist like me, we can enjoy the more accessible tourist attractions. Let me take you to:
**Upside Down House Museum**
The building and everything inside is really upside down. It is well -furnished with beautiful decorations, great design and architecture, and vibrant colors. Indeed, as they say, instagrammable. Each group comes with an in-house phot0grapher, he/ she will be the one to take your photos and conceptualize the best way to do it. It's a fun half day experience, so you really need to go earlier to finish the tour before lunchtime or dinner.
**Gap Farming**
Just a huge family and nature park, where kids can play, have a picnic and sightseeing. There is a cave/ tunnel in this park that was known to be a hiding place during the World War 2.
**Davao Crocodile Park**
Literally a place with hundreds or maybe thousands of crocodiles, because they're into conservation, as well as propagation of crocodiles. There are also other animals in the park, and in the afternoon there is an animal show of their smart parrot and the monkey that are really amusing with great talents. Thus, a tour here is a great learning experience for the kids.
Outside the park, are restaurants that serve crocodile meat on some of their dishes. But, I didn't dare eat any of it, I'm not really a fan of exotic dishes. Another interesting food to explore is the crocodile ice cream! Yikes, another no for me.
**The Philippine Eagle Center**
Davao is also famous for the Philippine Eagle. This place is really huge and unique. Though the birds are kept in cages, the habitat is still environment-friendly for them. The cages are big enough for them to fly and for trees and some plants to grow. I have learned that big companies adopts these birds and sponsors for their food and health needs.
For instance, the Philippine Eagle "Diamante" adopted by San Pedro College and "Sam" adopted by Samsung. The name, gender and other information about the bird were written in signages outside the cage.
Visiting Davao won't be complete without the popular Durian fruit. And, this yummy Durian cake from Lachi's is just a wonderful substitute if the fruit is not convincing at all. Well, obviously, we're about to finish it up before I realized to take a picture of it, lol.
I hope you enjoyed the tour with me. The seaside was a wonderful experience too, and I guess that would be for the next article. So, stay tuned!
Thanks for joining me!
Photos are all MINE.
Invisible Things
I was listening to this song from Taylor Swift "Invisible Strings" and I am in awe of how the flow of the story falls into place wonderfully in a song. Invisible strings connecting her to somebody in a complex love story. How great it would be I hope if we could have that special sense of spotting the invisible things in life, bit by bit, to avoid pain and conflicts, to clear our mind from anxiousness and maybe find a happily ever after in all of our life pursuits and endeavors. That would be wonderful.
Invisible
They can be the people we ignore,
the invisible mistakes and errors we fail to see,
the invisible pride that we touched and got hurt in the process,
the invisible pain that we caused yet we missed to decipher,
the invisible sensitive past carelessly dealt,
the invisible prejudice of things that we unknowingly keep,
the invisible emotions behind our daily masquerade,
the invisible nature of man that we have to understand,
the invisible adjustment we need to make to co-exist,
and a lot more invisible things we aren't minful to live with.
All because our life is so much centered on what "I" feel, what "I" am entitled, what "I" believe and all about "Me, Myself and I".
We Can Be Invisible
Yes, at one point I thought I was invisible, I know you feel that way sometimes or often. We exist together in one place and yet no one has noticed you- your actions, your words, your emotions, your existence. So, you just learn to live in that certain space and time, minding your business and doing your thing- being invisible.
In a happenstance, you unknowingly made some errors, and others being human with his/her nature of finding faults than the good in you takes over. They hurt you recklessly, neglectful of who you are - of your lack, your culture, your upbringing. Because these things are invisible from their eyes and understanding.
What is only visible for them is their belief, the knowledge they have had, and the bliss of the things they enjoy -Me, Myself and I.
The Speck and Plank In Our Eyes
"And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank *is* in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." - Matthew 7: 3-5
Things are invisible because of the speck and the plank in our eyes. We became judgemental because we fail to clearly see what is beyond in the people we live and interact with. The things beyond are the invisible things we sometimes miss to acknowledge. Yes. It's a complex matter of understanding, because that is how we are uniquely, "fearfully and wonderfully made".
In that same reason, it is normal for us to see errors and mistakes, they come hand in hand with our intellect as a human being. However, being superior it is wrong to be tactless in our words and be blatant in judging someone as a person. There is always a good and better way of handling errors, offer constructive criticism and be mindful of your words.
Our words and actions speaks to people like us, and not just in the invisible air. Someone can get hurt, and be offended. So, have some heart. Tame your tongue and your words with kindness despite of the pressure. Breathe, before saying a word.
Be Beautiful. Not Invisible
Sometimes it takes courage to be in the open. Writing our thoughts is a sign of our bravery in facing life and the people around us, because the world is not perfect and this isn't heaven yet! We can always choose to keep on beautifully inspiring, and make a better use of our sagacity to uplift others, rather than treating them void of empathy and emotions.
We are to thrive on this reality, to be invisible or to be "something" beautiful.
Some similar articles you might like reading:
Similarly Resilient https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/similarly-resilient-19ac4a02
A Lifetime of Questions https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/a-lifetime-of-questions-d930672f
The Turtle, The Snail and The Worm https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/the-turtle-the-snail-and-the-worm-b7e5b62b
Grace Under Pressure https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/grace-under-pressure-983f09e4
Pull It Off https://read.cash/@LykeLyca/pull-it-off-918d6f4f
Photos are all MINE. Originally posted here. https://www.flickr.com/photos/mayaomana/with/14293803090/
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