Three Days Off

I just had a short workweek last week. I did mention it in my previous article, Weeknights. It was tiring but I still have energy to be excited to embrace the weekend. Why? Because I will have a three days off from work. First day is the 14th which is a company holiday and the next day is my rest day which we have plans. Then I filed a vacation leave for the 16th because it's my son's birthday. So got the chance to have a long weekend.

Perhaps not everything as planned really goes that way but I am so much thankful that heaven seems to give us favor somehow.

Saturday was a lazy day after I went off from my nightshift work. I have lots in mind that needs to be done but my eyes really shut me to sleep. Later in the afternoon, I have discovered that I missed a call from a colleague whose with our boss. Then I read his message that they were supposed to pick me up so we can attend the birthday of a colleague's child. I know it was too late but I did reply and say sorry. Though it was not a big deal at all.

The better weather on Saturday makes it more possible for us to push through as planned for the Sunday. Here in Cebu we celebrate Sinulog Festival every 3rd Sunday of January. It's a big celebration and as expected many people from different places came to attend the festival. After two years of celebrating it virtually, now is the first time we can enjoy the said festival like before. Though it has some issues about the venue, it doesn't affects our plans then. Yearly, what's important is we can attend the first mass on the festive day at the Basilica Minore del Sto.Niño Cebu. The first mass is called the Mañanita Mass, we travel far from the city and due to less availability of transportation, we never arrived on time. So we decided to attend the second mass as well. It's fulfilling again to attend the mass early with the family. We also did buy a red balloon to tie our wish and let it go during the Bato Balani song before the mass ended. The balloon was too expensive this time that is why we ended up buying one only instead of having each one.

Before the mass ended, the sun kissed seems a bit hurting my cheeks. This makes me smile instead because the gloomy skies seems to clear out and the sun shining brightly gives everybody a good sign to enjoy more the day.

After the mass, our stomach really gets some noise. Even if we bring some biscuits and water, it will not last long after travelling almost 2hours just to reach our destination. So, the nearest fastfood we have and what the children's taste wanted is this famous Jollibee in our country. I check my wallet and I still have a bit of an extra to spend for our meals. The queue seem long but the service was fast so we just filled our stomach with some yummy meals. The expenses was quite a bit of a headache but the smile and satisfaction from my children makes me never mind it all. However, I never got to take some shots of our meals because we are really hungry and just wanted to eat.hahaha

After getting our stomach full, we get going to travel back home. The first ride of jeepney going to the bus stop in Robinsons Galleria was not hassle and we just have some random shots. We stopped a bit in the mall to use the restroom because we gonna be having a long drive home. As we settled in the bus, the children just enjoy using the phone before going to sleep when the bus starts to travel back home. Thus arriving home gives us more reason to get some sleep and just stay home.

Then my second child turns 10, I do not have work because I filed a leave. But they have classes. So as plan, I told him to go home after school right away so we can go to church together. As for the food we prepare, I told him that the cake won't be from Red Ribbon because my money won't be enough anymore and thank God he is okay with it. Anyways, they have some request for the foods they want on their birthdays. I told them, it is okay if my wallet will have enough for it though if not, we will just cut down some of it. Thus we both go to church attend mass and light 10 candles. I then ask him what he wants before we go back home and I was a bit shocked because he wants to eat Jollibee food again. Hmm, I check my wallet and told him, okay I will let him eat and I will wait before going back home. We do take some order and he prefers for take out as he just order a burger and a large fries for him to share with his siblings. Wow, this is what makes my heart melt even how naughty they are at times. They love each other and share in everything if possible.

My three days off was overloaded but feels not enough for me to add some rest. But then again, I have work to attend so I will have salary after the end of the month. Even if I wanted to rest and be lazy, it can't be. Having some more in my wallet makes me happy as I am able to provide more for them. I love seeing them happy and enjoying something they haven't done for quite a while. Hence, after my three days off, gonna keep grinding and hustling again. Need to move and move, work and work so we gonna be earning more and more. Until my next vacation again.

📷 All photos are mine.

Thank you so much for reading this far. Quite busy at work but I am glad I got this one done after two nights.