Yep. . .
One of the many things that changed over time (not just because of the 2-year-star-of-a-virus-we-call corona) and is significant to me is how we celebrated Christmas and New Year.
I remember past Christmases when my aunts and uncles were still young and we crowd in the ancestral house in Manila to celebrate both occasions. It has always been a very fun party. Me being a kid, I loved having that freedom to be staying up late with the adults eating a lot and laughing a lot. I also liked receiving money and then dragging whichever tita or tito I can drag with me to the nearby market to buy any stuff with the monetary gift I received.
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I got reminded of the past because I have read some articles telling their stories of how they celebrated their Christmas 2021 and I was playing and doing checklists in my head. Stories and video clips of other friends in various social media also show their exciting celebrations.
And I cannot help but retrace the past to the now and be amused at how things changed or transformed leaving a smile on my face. Variations of celebrations are cool.
**Food.**
x Spaghetti/Lasagna - we used to have this. I cannot remember when this became less and less a member of the noche buena table but it faded out.
x Cake - my mom likes baking back then. Wait. She still likes baking. She got back to baking during the pandemic. And for a time, she and her grandson had fun baking cakes. We just did not have it this time.
x Ham (haha yes we did not have ham this time)
✓ Salad
✓ Fish dish / Meat (but not ham)
x Ice cream and coke - everyone is a coke drinker... Then. However, a big check now goes to..
✓ Coffee
**Gifts.**
x Exchange gifts
✓ Received gifts
x Gave gifts to everyone
**Games**.
Food, Gifts, Games. There have been changes in these three items. Way, way back, all my aunties and uncles did not have families of their own. So on both Christmas and New Year, everyone's present. That said, having a lot of food makes sense. We have a full army wielding their spoons and forks ready for the huge battle at midnight.
Then everyone had families of their own and had different and varying schedule on whose side to celebrate which occasion and the batallion slowly got smaller, hence, it is just right that the serving also got trimmed down. Preferences considered, some dishes were picked out and some no longer made it back to the menu.
Same goes with the gifts. We used to have exchange gifts because it was easier then to make sure everyone is present come giving time. Older and older and busier and busier. I hate busy. It ruined my time tracking for when to buy, wrap and give.
Ah, games! I have seen a lot of videos of families waiting for Christmas eve with lots of fun games and challenges. It made me smile. Ofcourse, the games I saw in video are already new ones.
Also, way, way back to get extra prize, entertaining the adults or sponsors will be the best way. Show your talent!
It was fun being able to look back and reminisce how we celebrated Christmas back then. And I guess even after this pandemic a lot of changes will still take place. Treasure every Christmas celebrations whether you celebrated it solo, simple, or grand.
Which reminds me, I am yet to see that Christmas or New Year spent else where - solo or with friends who also wants to dare break the "usual".
Cheers to Merry Christmas celebrations! Thank Jesus we are celebrating our lives every day because He came.
Let us still keep on praying for our friends recovering from the recent nature wreck.
*Hola everyone! Still a busy bee even after the celeb and a lot more coming on my plate. Priorities get reshuffled somehow. I will be reading more and yes responding late, like a lot.*
What's your story?
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Big shout out to @foryoubtc09! Thank you so much!
After Eve, etcetera
December 25, 2021.
Waking up groggily, she sits up and rests her forehead on her palms with her elbows on her knees. No, she was not hungover, she forgot to bring the only thing she was assigned to bring as per agreed last time she had a video call with her groupie. They booked a hotel room to enjoy and wait for December 25th. Ball drop and stuff. In her excitement, she forgot whether that bottle she had in her china was for Christmas or New Year.
Oh but she did not end up coming to the party empty-handed. As a reserve another friend was able to snag a bottle from his father's wine closet and brought it with him. They had that red wine instead.
They said red is for meat and white is for seafood. But when the party starts and all the conversations start rolling and you pop everything in your mouth, who checks whether they had that combination still in mind?
It was a fun night. A lot of catching up since they were all confined in their homes and each one decided to spend their Christmas with their families or housemates instead of risking going out, meeting up like the usual and risking bringing home the dreaded virus that's been going around. They were all laughing at who seemed to have fluffed up within the year, gushing at the story of who found love despite the lockdown, etcetera.
She got up and started the coffee maker. The mood is a lot lighter every Christmas. More. Uhm. Cheery if you must put in a single word to describe it. It seems that at some point, people were programmed to feel light and worry-free, chirpy, etcetera at a global scale even. She knows no Grinch or Scrooge but she knows there are some.
She opened the fridge and started to choose which food from last night to heat up. This is also one of the common things that happen during this season. Loads of food in the eve and for some reason there are still a lot of food after eve that could last maybe until the next celebration - New Year. She sure is ain't complaining. The supply lasting for long and reheating sure does save some pennies.
"Which one should be consumed first?" She thought. "Salad version 1? Salad version 2? Ham version 1? ham version 2? Leche flan ala Tita Maricon? Lech flan ala Oliver?" She decides to pick ham version 1 which is a pork as opposed to ham version two which is chicken. And noted to taste Tita Maricon's leche flan first.
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She placed it in the microwave oven to heat, fixed up her coffee which means just pouring in the coffee to her favorite morning mug because in reality she does not really have any other "fix" for her morning coffee except that it has to be black. The door bell rang and a kid shouted "Merry Christmas". She is very thankful she lives on the second deck. She is not obligated to answer those door bells specially when she is not yet ready to talk to anyone, face anyone or even go down a flight of steps she had to go back up to after the transaction. Lazy hours she says. The couple below her unit usually are the ones who like throwing back the lines , "Who's there?" and "To whom is that for?" and then slowly opening the gate to see who rang it.
Few nights back she walked along the streets and watched in fascination as kids ran around house to house with their makeshift instruments - flattened bottle caps stringed together using a wire knotted on both ends to create a tambourine, empty small cans of condensed milk, filled with road pebbles as an alternate for a maracas, an empty bigger can of milk to strapped on a belt around the waist to use as a drum.
She remembers when she was younger and she used to join her friends around the neighborhood too to do the same. But back then, they sing four COMPLETE songs and proper lyrics. These days, kids jump from one or two lines and start greeting the house they rang "Merry Christmas, po!" marking that they have ended their singing and are now waiting for goodies. They now have the abridged version or the next generation remix of some sort. That happens usually days *before* Christmas.
Then after eve, the kids just go around the neighborhood, ring the door bell and greet "Merry Christmas, po!" Haha. No more singing just a lot of ringing and greeting. She is fascinated with that shift.
She pulls out her microwaved ham and started to simulate in her head how the conversation between the old couple and the kid that rang their bell. She has witnessed some of these meetings because she can see them from the balcony of her place. She was sure the old man smiled at the kid and started a bit of a conversation. Normally, the couple would even be able to invite the intru-visitor to a short prayer. It is their way of being generous in this season - redirecting the thoughts from the gift to the Giver of gifts.
You see, we are programmed to be joyous because of gift-giving, reunions, vacations, etcetera, during this time of the year that we ignore our souls being weary and yearning for a reconnection to Jesus - the real reason why we had Christmas in the first place.
This fascinates her. How a lot will be consumed by the joyous festivity and then after eve, and the days after, people seem to go back to regular programming.
She wonders. After eve, what did people celebrate?
Hola wonderful READ-itizens! Merry Christmas! Been a while since I was able to put up any at all. Breaking the silence with this scene in my head just typing it down as it comes.
How was and is your celebration/s? *What's your story?*
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Thank you @Bloghound I saw that ate.... merry Christmas! 🤩🤩
One Deck of A Story
"Coffee? Tea?"
I watched as the flight attendants cruising the aisle with the trollies asking passengers which would they prefer. They said both items, coffee and tea, pausing after each with a measured and practiced smile on their faces showing teeth. Which would not be hard at all because saying both words will make you look like you are smiling after you say it. Say, "Coffee?" Or "Tea?". Now say it again without trying to smile in the end.
Erm. Did you try? Hahah. Anyway.
I distracted myself there.
I was very young then. My mom did not ask for coffee or tea. She did, however, ask for a deck of cards so she can pass time playing solitaire. Surprisingly, they did have playing cards. The airlines then at that time get their own decks produced for their passengers, I guess. That tickled a fascination in me -asking for a deck of cards and it is free.
I do not know any card games at that time except for the usual Solitaire and "Ungguy-ungguyan". My older cousins kept explaining "1 -2-3 pass" but I keep forgetting how it is played.
That started the fascination with asking for a deck of cards whenever I have an assignment that involves flying out and even during leisure travels. And that fascination led to an unplanned collection of cards. I stopped asking when I asked for one and was told that they no longer have a stock.
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It is one of the unplanned collections that I get to use. It is not one of those that settles on the shelf and collects dusts. Even with a collection, though, I still sometimes forget to bring one with me for our outings. Playing cards has been one of our past times.
Then one Christmas get together with colleagues who then became your family over time, I got this as a gift. This was the Delicious set of deck from Emmanuel Jose. From the deck series title itself, the design of each cards were inspired by what is in the kitchen or on the dining table.
It is such a cool work of art. How would you portray a 3 of clubs in a a delicious way? Use cheese.
The artist has got three other decks and all three started in and as a kickstarter project. I am not sure if he produces more but last I checked (or stalked) the artist's social media, he no longer creates for decks of cards.
It is one deck design that will catch your attention once you realize that the heart, the spade, the clubs and the diamonds are not in their "usual" forms. I sometimes caught myself picking random cards and asking myself "what do you see?".
And yes, it has that slight nudge of flicking the hungry switch on after being astounded with the creator's imagination. Sushi, cookies, pies, cakes, etcetera.
It was one of the Christmas gifts I got that year that I would always look at and still be amused. What great mind do these creative human beings have?
Ah, my fascination with art is ignited! Looking at the details of the images on the deck connects my heart and soul to it.
... Also my tummy! Mostly my tummy ...
*The artist is Emmanuel Jose. Googling him up will lead you to his other artworks and decks, too.*
I am yet to get in on a Christmas - themed post. I am still in the sloth and lazy zone so I am letting this phase fade out. Just few more days, I pray, and the load of being busy will lighten up a bit.
*What is your story?*
©️ Pichi28
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On A Budget
Ever had to redo an already 3-minute-read article just because? So this one's it. I'm cleaning up my messed up drafts. All beginnings no endings. Anyways, I felt like cleaning up without having to use the delete function.
Also, ever had to go some place to eat but had to modify what you were looking forward to eat because you suddenly realize you do not have enough money with you?
It was a usual week night. I was driving around the neighborhood and just thinking of where and what I want to eat. At that time, I was within the area where a lot of dormitories and boarding houses are located. And most tenants were students. I forgot to factor in the fact that some of these students, own the condo units they are living in in the area.
There was a "new" hangout place that is open twenty four hours. And after looking it up in Waze and looking for the nearest safe spot I can park my car, I went ahead and decided it is that time that I can try the place. It was a week night after all and the students may be in their dorms and there are other places near the area where they can drink booze and waste their allowances on. I wanted to try the new place's *tapsilog. Tapsilog* is the name for a dish containing three things: Beef Tapa, Sinangag (fried rice), and fried egg or egg(s). And that would go perfectly with a soft drink. Yes, I'd get a set or a combo meal as we say it.
I was thinking and imagining that it would be of good serving and that it would be having a reasonable price. Now I know, "reasonable" is relative to what's left in your purse.
Went to the nearby drugstore to buy my vertigo meds costing around 53 pesos roughly a dollar. I ran out of stash and it has to be on hand else my world will go rolling wild when it decides to attack. So that's a minus on the amount of money I had at the time. But I was still confident I have enough for that dinner I was eyeing and really looking forward to. I then parked at the nearest roadside parking and paid the attendant and walked some ten meters to the place. I took a deep breath, opened the door into the homey ambiance. Taking in the chatty crowd of students and professionals mixed and found my spot. I was at this point really really excited, and also acknowledging that I am hungry.
The menu was placed on my table and the order taker will be coming back to take my orders while he attends to some other table as well. I scanned the menu for my target meal. Nope. Don't want anything else other than that. I was looking forward to eating *that* so I have to get that. It should not cost much.
Or so I thought.
And boom! The price just ain't right. I was like "Wait, what?". The meal that I wanted to have without the drinks already costs over a hundred bucks. I am only left with a hundred bucks. So the slashing of the imagined meal started. Slash the soft drinks. And my eyes landed on the one without the eggs. So the tapsilog dream had to be just the Beef Tapa and the fried rice. Oh house water, too. When I gave my order I looked around at the students having their Tapsilog with the "log" part not slashed off and wondered how much is their budget for a meal each day?
In fairness to the meat, and the serving it was all good. Happy tummy but weirdly re-computing and tagging the place "bring extra". The next time I visited the place I made sure to get my "imagined" meal finally and some dessert, too. Hah!
*What's your story?*
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Sis @Jane! From the bottom of my heart ... Salamat!! :D kita ko yun ;)
Uncle my sweet uncle!! @Tengolotodo Thank you so so so much!!!! I saw that ;)
The Netflix Shuffle
*Eighteen minutes till midnight. She stares at the screen and starts to tap on the keyboard. Typing away. Whatever flows in her head. Whatever she feels down along the streams of her* *****emptions***** *(yes, I am not changing that word) and to her fingertips. Emptions. It is a combination of two words which describe how she does feels right now :* *****Empty emotions.*****
Err. Ok maybe finishing that one in the next days. Or maybe not. For now, I am enjoying U2's song BAD. Let me put an acoustic cover right there. I was hoping I would find a version from Boyce Avenue or maybe a piano cover from Alicia Keys but this one will do for now.
https://youtu.be/4g0aXFKhYkY
I am currently just chilling. Head bobbing down the events of this Thursday down with a moment away from my work corner with Netflix, Spotify and obviously read, yay! I had the door of the terrace opened so I can feel the cold breeze of December and add to that chill time.
I discovered recently that there is a "Play Something" from Netflix which you can choose if you are tired of scrolling up and down with the choices it presents you based on your historical watching data. Click on it, and it will show a title and a preview. If it appeals to you then you get the option to play it or click "Play Something Else" to pick another one. I had fun with it last time. Just shuffling not really choosing any to play in full. Some of the movies or shows it shuffled include those that I have already watched so I gave myself a challenge of : "say something about this Netflix film you already saw in under 10 seconds."
That was a crazy fun way to spend or waste time depending on how you see it. But if you, however, decide to do it, you can come up with a writeup. Not exactly like this because the two things I am going to pick did not come from the shuffle feature.
I managed to stay home last holiday and not go nuts and bananas which is fine since I was able to have a quality time with my best bud the previous day. Poor thing I had to dump some of my teenage angst and frustrations on. So I spent the holiday staring off into the Netflix space. Kidding. I had to tell myself that it is okay to take a pause and not be "productive productive" that day. Rest is necessary and cool, people! And rest does not necessarily mean sleep or being lazy.
And with that rest, I bring to you the
***Most "Boring but Good " I've Watched By Far:*** *The Guilty* starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
You know those films that could have been a podcast instead? This one qualifies. Don't get me wrong. It was boring but with good story. This was a remastered film, "Den Skylidge".
The whole movie only had one setting : the 911 floor. The storyline relies heavy on the conversations which you can easily get because it is in English meaning you would not need to glance up to read the subtitle. It is a thriller but one that you are using your imagination to feel the thrill for. For me, watching it was like reading a book. Story-wise, the writer did good job in putting in the twist in the story. Starting with a phone call, Jake tried to help a woman seemingly in trouble ending up with him giving the woman the idea that ending the life of whoever got her "captive" is the best route. Turns out, the distressed caller was in need of a different kind of help because the one she ended up "killing" as encouraged by Gyllenhaal was her son. She is suffering some breakdown. Also at the briñk if taking her life, too specially after realizing she killed her son. Then story wraps up with Jake consoling the caller that he, too, shot a boy before, etcetera. Just as the movie was about to end, he saves the woman from killing herself and the baby made it to the ICU. He goes back to dealing with his own guilt.
***The One that Got Tears Welling Up in my Eyes*** : *The King's Affection.*
Korean films and series I've watched so far always had me tearing up. It is not that many and I am not entirely a fan but I would say they have heart-tugging stories.
This one is a tragedy-heavy storyline forcing a girl to toughen up else she will have her neck, her mom's and everyone else who may be involved at stake.
Imagine meeting someone who looks entirely like you - the young prince. You oblige to a deal to swap clothes with him so he can save his teacher from being beheaded. Because twins are a abomination in the kingdom at the time, you were not supposed to be alive but you were spared. You should have been dead long time ago but your mom sent you off somewhere instead. And now fate has it that you meet your twin unfortunately not long enough for both of you to realize you're related. The trusted soldier who was to kill you realized your existence. But that was when the prince had your clothes on. So the prince became the target and then the soldier caught up with him and killed him. You only got to know that your mom is the princess, the prince was your twin brother and your grandfather ordered for your death when you were a baby when you overheard them talking over your dead brother's body who they thought was you. You are then forced to stay in the prince's clothes so as not to cause commotion. Days later, your friend gets killed for asking about you - and you got to see this because you followed how she was lured to follow the soldier who was going to kill you but got to your brother instead.
This one I haven't finished yet. Another thing that's a wonder to me for Korean series is that one episode lasts for over an hour! We are on Episode 3 next.
Now that OST I posted above, one from U2 was the opening music for, Taking Lives. I did not get the chance to see completely because my attention got caught by the music and then some other things. Maybe I will continue tonight.
Let me get back to shuffling... but after I'm done hustling
Rest is good after a good day's work.
We do need to pause and relax some. Cause our life is worth more than work.
Do the shuffle!
***This was written last night, too sleepy to click the publish button ahaha..***
*What's your story?*
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Let me gift you with...
In the Philippines, we used to call it Monito-Monita. Though I don't know where we got that from. I still remember getting involved in more than three monito-monita events - one for the project team, another for the close office friends and then another one for the church group, and then another from the college close friends. Then we also put themes : something hairy, something rough, something gross, something funny, etcetera.
Hmm. Writing those down made me miss the good ol' days. "Good ol' days" . That sounded like a real decade ago. Funny and amusing thing is how people adapt to the current scenario and we still get to do what we want to do via online monito-monita. Not sure how it works entirely as I am yet to have my group organize it. I am no fan of organizing these things. I'm a better participant than an organizer haha.
So I came to read a lot of gifting writeups and Coqui was the one who came up with the challenge. I am slightly joining. "Slightly" because I am not sure if I am going to make it to the deadline. I am in a little confused state when it comes to the time meridian differences. Haha.
So first off, I am starting with Coqui as it is her birthday today. Yes, today. December 9th also the end date of the **#ThePerfectGiftChallenge2021** https://read.cash/search?q=%23ThePerfectGiftChallenge2021
I plan to pick three (3) readers. One of which is automatically Coqui. The other two I'd be drawing from, well, the sponsors list but will be putting them in wheels of names.
The very first thing that came to my mind to give @CoquiCoin was the *pink vespa*. I think I'd add the *pink helmet* with it. But maybe around this time, a lot of people may have already gifted her with lots of vespa.
So why not a private jet instead? That way she can go places she wants to anytime. And no don't worry about maintenance and stuff (personal pilot included) that would be covered, too! *winks
Next up, I'd be drawing or spinning the wheel.
Using the wheel of names, I spun and it stopped on @emily2u . Oh, dear! If I would be picking a gift for Emily, it would be rest! She needs the fluffiest pillow there is. It has to be magical though. So she can just snap her fingers and it will be there in front of her so she can just lean forward or back to snooze a bit. Snap and it is gone. That should come with an alarm clock though.
Next on the wheel, would be @MegaKyodaiBanrai . Oooh the artist! My mind's shuffling from an easel, a bunch of brushes, sketchpads, etcetera. But then he may still have a lot of that stashed in his room ready anytime. So I'm thinking, why not, gift him with a chance to showcase his artwork? Like his own gallery or something? I will probably ask Eylz to help me organize the art gallery event.
Ah, the fun thought of giving out gifts specially this season. The "sky is the limit" is also one fun border pusher when it comes to thinking of the gifts.
Thank you Coqui for this challenge!
Maybe it is not yet too late to join in the fun and you might check out the mechanics here. https://read.cash/@CoquiCoin/the-perfect-gift-challenge-53c92110
*What are you shopping for?*
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hephep... i saw that doc!! @LykeLyca.. HahaH Thank you so much ! :)Woohooo :D
Volcano dive, anyone?
**Sips the hot morning cup of Kalinga Robusta**
*I'm kidding... throwing in a FACTIon. Coining uncle Ed's* @TengoLoTodo *term :) Here we go...*
Lolita stares off into the magnificent view of the Taal Lake. She looked like she was replaying a scene she recalls from way, way back. The corner of her lips slowly lifted to a sideway grin. I was waiting for her to respond to my question, *"What did she want to become when she was younger?"*
It was a Saturday afternoon. I decided to go to a trip up to a colder place. Sadly, I have the work laptop in tow. That is just how it is, I guess. But at least me working over the weekend over a hot Toffee Nut Latte and the Salmon Dill is a torture less than the ordinary days of working over a hot water (because I ran out of coffee - instant and the beans) and *pancit canton* that will probably be already cold, before I finally get to really eat it because of the intense December activity with w. o. r. k.
This was my second time doing it. Fortunately, I have always found a spot with a comfortable and wide enough for my stuff table, chair and a nearby socket where I can plug in both my personal laptop (catching up on "cleaning up" my crypto portfolio and really checking if I am doing the right thing), and my work laptop.
I have seen Lolita the first time I went there. She seems to be doing the same thing I was doing then - taking a time out. Except that she is doing it the relaxed way enjoying just a cup of Peppermint Mocha - Grande; while I do it with sparks of tension, hints of grumbling and a lot of tongue clicks in between.
She ended up walking to my table that time when she saw me literally with my face down on my laptop keyboard. It was after a draining meeting with the lead (I had my headphones on no worries). Exhaustion made me do it. Slumped down on the table with my face on the keyboard. I swear a little longer in that position I would have dozed off. Plus the heat coming from the keyboard to my face somehow felt relaxing.
`A short pause before I continue. Just for the record, I haven't tried that position in real life so please don't try it. But if you are curious if that will make you sleepy when you are too tired and the heat is relaxing, do let me know. I could use a little affirmation of reality in some things that I imagine. Now back to the story...`
It was then that she decided to approach me. And if I remember correctly, she said,
"Would you need help in slamming the laptop cover over your head? Like really hard?"
I also was counting to 10 then. Trying to manage my thoughts that were really raging mad. I stopped at number 7. Made a sideway glance to where the voice was coming from and I saw Lolita mimicking in air gestures how she would be helping out with slamming the laptop cover on my head.
I made a quick mental check if I made a mistake of putting the headset on, but only having the jack halfway in place on the laptop. Meaning the meeting would have been broadcasted all over the coffee shop and the heated argument also that goes with it. Checked the jack and it was properly placed. Sighed a breath of relief.
"And how hard would you like to have it done?"
At that I chuckled and it was a welcome interruption of thoughts. She reminded me it was a weekend after all and I can try to take pauses and longer breaks than usual. Try to enjoy the coffee I bought rather than having it just as a props to go cold on the next sip. `oh what do you know?! There's "sipping:" again. Hehehe`
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That was the first conversation we had. I went home that time lighter. Patted my shoulder for a job well done and hey I found a new cool buddy. Turns out I do need a short chat every once in a while and she seems to understand. She's seen years, I guess. Retired she says. She does not look over sixty though. Part of me envied her when she said "retired" and then she looks younger than someone who would have retired at 60 as most in our place would normally retire at that age. But I am not one who'd voice out shock and then ask her age. I figured that part will come along during a regular conversation.
This time I decided to put away my laptop and have a conversation with the one done being a corporate slave. What's her secret? But I did not ask her that directly. I was curious about her path. I asked her, "What did she want to become when she was younger?"
Seems she finished the flashback movie in her head before she answered me.
*I wanted to be EVERYTHING in my younger days. I started wanting to be a doctor as we all were raised to think that. Teacher but then I realized I have no patience with kids. I wanted to be a lawyer. I have seen a lot of courtroom dramas. I have been engrossed with the books I've read and figured I can be that, too. But I saw the thick books of laws and things to memorize and I figured it is not something I see myself doing during the process of getting what I want to become. Forensic scientist, marine biologist, I even considered being a painter! Though I have close to zero talent in making art. But I am interested in it. Nothing cannot be not learned, right? The question would always be would you LOVE what you would be learning enough to pass it down to others? or would it be that thing that you LOVE doing that you do not mind doing it ? Like breathing?*
I followed up with, "so what did you end up picking?"
She goes,
*I admit, first part was because of the potential earning that I picked engineering. Then as I get older, worked my ass off, realized the earning isn't much a good match to how damaging it is for my well-being. I later on learned to unlearn, learn, and re-learn something new. I aimed to save up and someday, decided to pave way for others to have a job. And so far five years down the line, I've never felt more fulfilled.*
*I decided to put up this business (referring to the coffee shop we're in. It never dawned on me that she's the owner).*
*Don't get stuck with the cycle of your now. If you can, envision and re-visualize yourself years down the line. And you will realize, your current slaving should only be a tool and it should never own you.*
*Pray about it. Ask for purpose and re-direction continuously.*
I let that sink in for a while. Guess it was my turn to look at the far off volcano spewing steams (at least in my imagination). And as I took a gulp, yes a gulp, at my hot cup of latte, which scorched my lips, tongue and esophagus, I felt a sting of pain build up a tear in my eye. And in my imagination, I dunked myself in the volcano because at this point, I am second-guessing if I can make that big decision.
She breaks my thoughts with
*Hard work pays off. But it should get you somewhere. Not with your head in between your laptop monitor and your laptop keyboard.*
`Again a disclaimer... this is a work of FACTion. And now I'm sleepy....`
Heya! Ever had a similar conversation with a stranger? Or someone you know?
*What is your story?*
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Speaking Truth to Myself
Pulling one up from the drafts, clearing everything and starting with a fresh page of "Add Title" and "Then start writing.."
I know I can simply click that three dots and choose "Delete Article" if I want to clear out all the drafts I would most likely not be in the same drive to continue writing it as when I first started tapping on it. And most likely the thoughts are goners.. poof.. zip. But I intend to write over it instead.
Last night, I set myself to write. Write as in pen and paper write. But more like pen and an old planner write write. Yes, thanks to the pandemia I have blank planner- one i bought in Greece as a remembrance and also because it's a limited edition of Le Petit Prince. It is a good buy as the pages do not have a year attached to it (the days will be confusing though). So while that planner says "2020" in the front, I can still use the inside for 20-whatever-when-we-start-planning-again.
*What did I intend to be writing about?*
Ain't that what we all ask ourselves? And the normal answer would always be *Nothing.* I wanted to process my thoughts just to declutter the thought cabinet, rearrange it, throw what should not be there occupying space and collecting dust and managing whispers.
Whispers?
Yes. Yes. Managing whispers. You might think I have gone cuckoo. But, seriously, I need to get the strings and the screws in my head tuned and in their proper fit. I know that did not clear out the whispers part.
*Sips the hot morning cup of Kalinga Robusta*
Spons break.. hear ye hear ye
Read these awesome soul's stories!
It is sort of like a debriefing session with myself. The week went by fast and a lot of shifting emotions were felt and the top that I have really is I want to be numb. No wait, *I am numb*.
And I have to check on myself else I would spiral into a Scrooge mood saying "bah, humbag!" on mostly everything.
*Sips the hot morning cup of Kalinga Robusta again*
Funny how a lot of things can be exciting and we would wish it would stay that way and then one thing happens and it weighs down the fun a bit. Don't get me wrong, I am currently at an amused stage rather than down. And the the thought shelf decluttering would be for the prevention of that down part to even start.
A lot of things in our life we tend to have a cycle of being excited about and then getting tired of it like an old toy some days after. Some things suddenly lose...
*Zest*. Not everything is like a cup of coffee that is part of the cycle, yet you are always looking forward to it. Some things done too often loses its jolt (for the lack of word) but not coffee.
*"Familiarity breeds contempt"* as one of my readings said a while ago. Same thing a friend told me years ago when we talked about the state of heart when we try to encourage brothers and sisters with the ultimate truth : *God loves you.*
*Sips the hot morning cup of Kalinga Robusta again, again*
Whispers. We regularly hear a lot and a most of the time we no longer have that filter to weigh which is true, in line with God's word, pure, etcetera. Some whispers are lies that are pleasing to the ears, too. And those, we tend to pet and protect more.
Whispers. They can start fire, you know?
Whispers. They can also blow out the flame that used to make your soul respond to the simplest miracle and blessing you get every single morning and turn that miracle of breath into a ... *frustrated sigh.*
Managing the whispers and making truth speak a louder whisper and rekindle that fire to be excited. We always need to remind ourselves and check ourselves of the things that we keep in that thought shelf.
How's your clutter?
*Sips the hot morning cup of Kalinga Robusta again, again.... again.. and yawns*
It is Christmas soon..
But what really are you excited about it?
I am revisiting the truth in the manger story.
I will be whispering the love story my soul needs to be excited about.
... Like every single waking day ..
`For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.`
`John 3:16 NKJV`
`https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.3.16.NKJV`
*Sips the last drop*
*What is your story?*
©️ Pichi28
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@AmazingWorld Thank you sis! hahaha saw that! heart happy :)
Random Quickie
I have less than fifty minutes to make a buzzer beater first entry of the month. I probably have less now because it took me a while to do the math. I am mentally playing Chris Brown's version of This Christmas. What for? I'm not sure. It is one of the random picks my brain picked for a song to play over and over n my head. I guess my brain got tired of Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song. Which I will always start singing in the part:
🎶 *Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. jack frost nipping at your nose. 🎵*
Then humming the rest and then going back to the same line. So now, I am singing,
*🎶 Hang all the mistletoe* ... 🎵
Skips the rest because I don't know the next line. Then belts out on..
🎵 *And this Christmas will be a very special Christmas to me..* 🎶
Then goes back to hanging the mistletoes. Now that makes me wonder if I really have any Christmas song that I memorized.
Do you have a favorite Christmas song? I cannot think of one at the moment.
Anyway, I and two of my close friends finally decided it is a good time to meet up and catch up. It felt like ages since we've last talked face to face although we do get in touch through messenger. It is still different to be having conversations face to face. We reserved a spot al fresco for a samgyup night and that was really filling.
Looking at the place it did feel like we are getting back to normal. It did lack more lights to make the place livelier and that the season may be "felt" but it was ok. I so still do pray we all keep safe and still be mindful of the protocols.
It was a holiday yesterday and as such, a lot of people were out.
Earlier that day before the meet up, I was also able to visit the usual place I hang out in while waiting for traffic and rush hour to ease off. The booths are up like the old days and I was scouting for the usual wagyu stall but they are not there. Maybe next time. As people are starting to mill in, even though I was excited to take pictures of happy strangers, I decided to have lunch else where.
I know one place where people would have a hard time going to unless they are working in one of the buildings surrounding it. So I drove over there.
Have you seen the works of these beautiful souls?
If not, go check them out quick!
I parked the car and walked to the elevator going to the lobby. I read the signs that their cinema is also open now. That got me really excited. It is tempting but I doubt I will be watching a movie in a movie house just yet. Oh, the smell of popcorn as I looked at the Now Showing board and the Coming Soon.
I took note of the tree they have in the lobby and took pictures of it, of course. But the place was a little dim for me. It wasn't as vibrant as I remembered it. The mall's lighting usually makes me smile and happy. That time, it was different.
I realized i kept walking around and I haven't found that one eating place I wanted to eat in. I would have picked a ramen place but it was unbelievably very hot that day that to eat a ramen will not be as fun.
I thought I was just getting lost. But i know the spots of the stalls I want to eat in and I stared at one boarded up. I was astounded. I had to ask the guard to confirm my thoughts (and memory). Then the guard told me that that store tried its best to thrive during the pandemic but it was not able to sustain. I asked about the other restaurants and I found two more closed down. The Italian restaurant I was tagging as "to try someday" also closed down.
That made me feel sad. I left that mall hungry and sad.
But I have to make a decision to eat in the area because exhaustion from the heat and a lot of walking was already getting to me. If I do not eat, I probably will not be able to prepare any food for me when I get home. I plan to take some rest and a bath before meeting up with my two friends.
I picked another spot. I was glad to have chosen it. Got to have a refreshing citrus drink and a glass of cold water.
I was able to carry out the bath and rest part before meeting up with my friends. At least I have enough energy to keep up with listening, laughing and sharing without my mood dropping because of exhaustion.
For some reason the heat yesterday and this morning was nasty. It is only now that the breeze is getting colder.
Our conversation over our samgyup dinner slash midnight snack was a wanton of life things. The advantages and disadvantages of having the non face to face classes; the work from home scenario; the commute time going to work during pandemic and now that we are slowly easing down the restrictions, etcetera.
We ended with a late night coffee.
It was a good start coming in to December 1.
The rest of December 1 was, well, a work day. But I did have fun taking that day off and away from the house.
How was your December first?
*What's your story?*
© Pichi28 | #ClubBrokeBCH
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On Vacation
Well, not me. I so hope it is me but no.
My thinking self is. I just feel so tired even though I have not done anything physically really tiring. Know what I mean? My being busy the past days, I guess is taking a toll on me - draining me tired and well leaving me with wanting nothing to write - long post, that is. Apparently I still have spikes and spurts of energy to post in noise. And it is sometimes a miracle my comments and interactions seem relevant still.
The loop goes, I wake up, say a prayer (guilty of not having a decent quiet quality time lately), check some messages, try to get myself to "start the engine". I go with questions:
What day is it again, today? Is it Friday?
Do I have an early meeting that I need to prepare for?
If I answer yes on the 3rd question, am I expected to speak or report on something in that meeting?
If not, yay to slow morning coffee. If yes I'd better get moving and put on my adult self, STAT!
And that loops in for the next five days.
It must be that the year is almost ending, and all the compliance and whatever was committed for us was expected to be completed within the next few weeks before everyone goes on their holiday mood. Yes, just mood. That means we would still be logging in while some and most and normally other workers will probably be off vacationing somewhere with their loved ones. Most of us are not taking time offs except for the holidays itself. I am, however, moving my office to the province some time near Christmas. I am gonna go visit my grandmother and spend Christmas with her. That! I am looking forward to.
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Also, aside from that travel to the province, I am looking forward to ice skating, snow ball fighting, sledding and skiing. Of course, I AM KIDDING. We do not have snow in the Philippines.
Anyway, because of the holiday happenings and expectations we all are suddenly very busy. I so super thank God my supposedly classes got moved to next year. That clears out my first two hours of shift and I can concentrate on my task and then have portions of the after -shifts helping out my colleagues.
No worries, we have time to chat and laugh at our situation and we do take breaks but even then, stress and pressure is real. And you feel it AFTER the adrenaline (?) rush. It is admittedly a mix of fun and not fun after all - challenge to complete as much as possible and help out colleagues too.
After that, I am brain fried. There was even one time after declaring day is done and over. I moved to the living room to destress and start watching Netflix. I lied down on the sofa and after few deep breaths, I was in dreamland. I had to force myself to wake up and then move my silly self back to the bedroom.
The only real break I get was that after shift that I go out and stare up the sky. Thank God for a patch of unobstructed view (save for the wires) of the night sky, the stars - the Orion is my constant companion - and the November breeze. It resets my head from thinking of work.
The sight puts my hyper thinking brain to a stop. And just enjoy the view. Then it calms down.
*God’s splendor is a tale that is told, written in the stars. Space itself speaks his story through the marvels of the heavens. His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky, showing his skill in creation’s craftsmanship.*
*Psalms 19:1 TPT*
*https://bible.com/bible/1849/psa.19.1.TPT*
*He sets his stars in place, calling them all by their names. How great is our God! There’s absolutely nothing his power cannot accomplish, and he has infinite understanding of everything.*
*Psalms 147:4-5 TPT*
*https://bible.com/bible/1849/psa.147.4-5.TPT*
And the beauty before me eases my thoughts for the night before I sleep.
It is easy to get overwhelmed by things we get to be busy with or things that occupy our attention too much - stressing or not. Pays to look up and be reminded that life is not all that.
There are far wonderful things to think of.
So weekends are a real blessing. Hopefully, tomorrow (more like in a while) I get to recharge myself some more. And get in the mood for the upcoming holiday, too. The Christmas list needs to be started (I am so late).
And also start on musing :
***What Christmas is to me? Why do I celebrate it? What is it about it that I am looking forward to?***
Ever asked yourself that? I mean we are used to having it as a holiday celebration and all. And we have the staple celebrations - corporate parties, family gatherings, etcetera. But personally, really, what is its meaning to you?
Without the tree, without the gifts, without the usual festivities, how would you celebrate it? Or will you be celebrating it still?
I think those are the questions I have in mind that is why celebrating Christmas in foreign place is still in my bucket list.
*What is your story?* *Do tell!* https://read.cash/c/write-your-story-bc94
© Pichi28 | `#ClubBrokeBCH`
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Big shoutout to @Eylz2021! I saw that sis! hahahahh Thank you so so so much!
Mumblings
I finally got myself in to Kucoin. I know nothing about it. I just got curious because I think I saw some posts of users using it. I read a tad bit about it through @Ruffa 's article here. But I did not download it yet then. https://read.cash/@Ruffa/whats-keeping-my-phone-alive-fc824e2a
It was not until I got to chat with a friend and he gave me some heads-up on what to watch out for and one of those is that one token I saw some few months ago stay green while the rest go red. I cannot remember if it was in the top ten then. I got attracted to its name. Since I was just skimming through coinmarketcap then and was just trying to get a feel of things I just marked that one coin as my favorite.
When my friend mentioned the coin, I thought it sounded familiar. So when I got the chance to check it out, I logged in to coinmarketcap, et voila, it is the marked coin. Ah! never thought our paths will cross again. Can I consider that a sign?
Let us put in some music before I go blabbing on. My head has been old-schooling in the music department and I would just allow my old soul self do some sharing.
https://youtu.be/Vk7jF-pEbKM
From its details, I can get some of that coin through Binance and Kucoin. Oh what do you know? Maybe it is finally that chance to explore Kucoin and then get some of that coin. So I proceeded with the needed transfers and then tried the spot and then got the coin I want.
Now what?
I wait.
How do you guys monitor your investments? I mean what is your system? Do you have like a spreadsheet that you take with you to monitor which of your coins are gaining? Or do you guys have some sort of super memory that you simply can keep track of your coins via slots in your brain?
I'm only keeping track of a few and my brain is already hanging trying to keep up.
Sponsor break....
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My fabul-awesome sponsors..
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November is ending soon. I hope BCH would fly again. That and the other coins that I invested in however small. A gain is still a gain.
Hoping somehow, you know, another round to the moon somehow? Love these guys' covers..
https://youtu.be/Ev_-gOW-gMo
Ah. The moon. Been missing both the moon and the sunset lately. Here is one I took some days back. Fortunately, a late-night hangout outside granted me a smile from this night light. Grainy and noisy shot but at least I got the bright moon and the stars. The Orion's there. You just need to like really focus to see it.
So many moon things eh? I was going to take a shot at tonight's moon. I was surprised to see it when I went out. It was not there when I checked my plants awhile ago. I had to go back inside and get my cam to refresh my collection hopefully. But when I got back out, the dark clouds covered it already and a light drizzle was starting. I would have waited for the clouds to scoot but maybe I will just check again later.
For now, to end the hump day night, a cup of joe before bed time and a little Bruno Mars
https://youtu.be/QfY9jeQ8cJc
*What is your story?*
© Pichi28 | #ClubBrokeBCH
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In Between Sips and Clicks
Whenever I do a random browsing and viewing through my gallery both in my laptop and my phone, I love the flashbacks that run in my head.
Pictures are mere still frames of what transpired, right? May it be an epic night out, a casual conversation, a catch up or maybe an impromptu getaway. Or a simple intimate moment with your self while walking down the street musing about some things and right in front of you a scene that starts speaking of incomprehensible stories and taking a snap of it makes you feel like you captured the story it is trying to convey.
I remember I called taking pictures as freezing a second in a frame. That second of capturing the light and the registry of whatever is in front of the frame cannot be repeated again no matter how many similar shots you took. And from that second roots a thousand possible stories. https://www.facebook.com/SecondInAFrame
*Pictures do paint a thousand words and it reels in a review of thousand pasts and replays of thousand dreams - fulfilled and still taking place.*
It takes you back in time.
Like this one for example. It flashed in my "some years ago today" in google photos. Three years if I remember the flash back correctly.
It was a night that we discovered that this particular Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Global City is serving wine. It was a thanksgiving-slash-Christmas celeb of me and my friends in the office. We have been working hard, not having time to talk to each other about life and not being able to plan our trips, we decided to set time for some dinner and coffee. Originally. That was the plan. We had to try this, though.
And another flashback came when I saw the picture of the Sangria we discovered in one of the nearby bistro near our place of work and it was one delicious drink. It was a perfect choice for non drinkers like us and a good pick for when we had a rough and tough day, not wanting to go home yet and we'd want to cool down a bit. Coffee of course comes after. Not right after but for when everyone's home.
That picture led me try to mix one up for myself. I did not know how to fix one so I tried googling it up. I only had my dad's red wine, his orange and his pear. So I said, whatever. I also remember I have a citrus juice drink and thought I can use that, too. The result was far from what I envisioned how it should look like. Besides, I was a little too lazy to mince the orange and the pear so, I dunked chunks of them in my small glass.
I crushed the orange and the pear briefly and then poured in the citrus juice and then the wine. I liked the taste though. While I was doing that of course was a chance to take shots of what's happening. It was a messy cleanup after.
While I was sipping the drink though, it reminded me for when I first tried Sangria. It was in Hongkong one weekend night. So me and my teammates share a pad so we have common living room, common kitchen, etcetera. So it will be hard stay in the living room and not mingle.
My colleague, Luke (not his real name), invited a friend, Linda (also not her real name), over who is working in one of the bars in Hongkong. We were with two or three other colleagues in the pad and most of them have met Linda from the previous times they have been deployed. They were telling me I should try and taste Linda's version of the drink and they are sure I would love it. She fixed us up some Sangria and ,man, that was crazy mix! So that was when I noted that "Sangria" is a friendly drink. Then the chips, some more booze and food came in and someone brought in the Magic Sing for videoke night. They set everything up while others get a good conversation going.
So while the adults do their rounds of shots on the table, we kids are swigging our favorite soft drink - mine's a coke (yes the drink) then. So while the Sangria was awesome I still know it is alcoholic so I stopped with after one glass. I and my friend Joey (not his real name) took turns in belting out our stress on the microphone. Then I picked one song from Whitney Houston. While I was punching it in, my friend looked at me with a questioning look on his face.
He asked, "You sure?"
We were already singing off-key on most of our songs so I said, yes. The adults are busy with whatever they are talking about. The only other person who would be a witness to my murdered Houston-ing would be Joey.
So I started with the song and Joey started laughing. He'd stifle that laughter in and snicker in the middle of the song, cover his mouth and then shake his head.
Then he told me something that will have Whitney's "Saving All My Love For You" and memories of Sangria that will forever be etched in my head. Turns out, the friend, Linda, is Luke's girl in HK while Luke is still married to someone else in the Philippines.
*What is your story? LOLs. Turning in for a good night night!*
© Pichi28
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Hey sis @bloghound !!! I saw that! Haha..
Thank you so so much!
It's a Plan!
Here I am lying back on my bed and planning my Saturday. Just done with my first cup of morning joe. How is it that two years have passed by and I am still adjusting to the thought of Saturday mornings spent not on the beach or underwater or some other city we intended to explore until we are so tired of walking around and the only other thing to do left is to take out your physical tiredness on your travel mates as one way of communicating you are already hungry, craving for a coffee refill, and could eat a whole cheesecake by yourself?
Ah. Such memories of pre-pandemia. Even our ultimate trip of the Euro last 2019 was flashing back in my insta and Google photo memories. Still thankful to God so much for that timely chance before a long, forced hiatus on travels even locally.
I cannot help myself but I am having these thoughts of planning "the after" and "making up" for lost time. Except that a huge part of me knows nothing is really wasted. Sure we can always muse about the "should haves" but the worldwide reset and rest may be something we all needed anyway. I hear someone saying, "what's rest?".
Anyway, we cope and recover differently. And yes we are getting back to "normal" now. I am seeing more and more travel getaways from my friends and people I follow in instagram and my kid brain is going bananas on picking each clip and putting it on my mental cork board.
"Oh, that!.. I am going to do that!"
Picked and tacked on the mental vision board .
"Oh that! I am going there!"
Picked and tacked on the mental vision board .
And then their reels and their stories end and my vision board goes back to its invisible locker.
I already have a clutter of fun things to do labeled : SOON.
Have you met.....
We are 324 days in already for 2021. Few more days and we are in for 2022. But we are mostly excited for the upcoming Christmas. There is that phenomenal, global excitement looking forward to that occasion - all with various different reasons.
I had this plan before to try spending Christmas away from home just for the kick of it.
*If I'd be spending Christmas elsewhere, how would I celebrate it?*
Our Indochina trip way back 2017 was supposed to be that. But I changed my mind and opted to miss out the last days of our trip so I can spend Christmas with family while my two buddies pushed through with the Ha Long Bay cruise. I am yet to strip myself off that thought of causing the kids to ask, "why was tita not with them" in that family picture.
So that is still a pending discovery. I am excited to know where I would be finding myself some Christmas else where. Haha.
For now, though, sticking to the now. Saturday with limited time because I have to face work before midnight again for midnight support.
I am enjoying this laying back, watching the soft, cool breeze of December blow my blue room curtains, planning on a sundown jogging half praying for a miracle of lesser people and lesser kids in the boardwalk though I know that will be impossible to wish for on a weekend with eased-up restrictions and the Christmas coming soon.
Hours before the sun down, I could use a little quiet time by a view of the bay (or the sea) coffee in hand a good book, a pen, and a nominated notebook.
Reality bites and that would be tagged as SOON, too. Let us see how this Saturday rolls out. There are side tasks that need attending to.
It is a plan.
How is your Saturday working out?
*What is your brain spill?* 😂
©️ Pichi28
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Thank you @foryoubtc09 !!! :)
Thank you @foryoubtc09 !!! :)
Right in Front of Me
Ever heard of people saying they keep looking for something everywhere and little do they know the thing they are looking for is right in front of their faces?
I walked out of my room to have a little change of scenery. Moving from in front of one wall to another wall is more like it. But at least, I will see a different clutter.
And I will be using that line, "right in front of me" and see what I can write about.
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*From where I am seated and right in front of me, I can see a small wooden boat with colorful sails.*
Its colors give me cheer as I remember the first time I saw it in person. I used to read about this in my grade school days. I never thought I will get the chance to see them for real.
The first time was when my parents were to attend a wedding in Zamboanga. My brother and I joined them. Of course, since we are already there, we must be able to roam around, too, right? My brother asked if we can go see the pink sands of Santa Cruz Island. And we did.
I got to see them boats like this again with my travel buddies last March 2019 for the birthday of our friend . That was my second time going to Santa Cruz Island. That time it was "safer" compared to the first time we were there.
Safer also meant more crowd. But that is fine. Was I able to ride one? Nope. Get on one, yes for photo session. The tour package to Santa Cruz Island included that.
*From where I am seated and in front of me, I can see Bangui windmill miniature.*
This takes me back to hearing the crashing waves of the South China Sea when it rolls on the shore.
I remember one cafe there, called Kangkang Cafe where we drank our coffee while we rest and watch the sunset. I wonder how are they coping up with this pandemic. We go see the windmills whenever we can when we go to Ilocos to visit my grandmother. These windmills can be seen from the shore of some of the beaches of Pagudpud (a little farther north).
*From where I am seated and in front of me, I can see a lighthouse - Cape Bojeador.*
I remember going there twice with two different groups. This one can be found in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. Some people say they feel something eerie in this area. I do not remember feeling anything except the heat of the summer sun and the fun of having everyone enjoy our long-planned road trip.
We did not do much here as we were trying to get to Pagudpud before sunset. So we got here, took pictures, rested a bit, ate dirty ice cream and went on our way.
Moving to a smaller space limits spots to place the things you buy during a trip to remember the place you once (or twice or many times) visited. I still have magnets and keychains stashed somewhere.
Over time, they just sit there and collect dust. But at times they are also silent story tellers of your experiences.
Dust they may have collected, but memories they've kept are still in tact (not quite in my sometimes unreliable memory).
*What is right in front of you and what is its story?*
I already moved from my original spot in the living room. I now have coffee in front of me.
Catching some snooze in few more minutes!
© Pichi28 | #ClubBrokeBCH
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Of Daydreams : My House Should Have These Rooms
I have never started out as a kid who had big dreams but it gradually and eventually grew in me. Most of what I answer to questions like "what do you want to be when you grow up?" was from a script laid before me. Not really intentionally to feed me with "this is the proper answer" but I believe in my heart the script was an aid to "guide" me to the direction to where the adults around me knew what one would call honorable and noble path. And it came from the utmost love and concern.
As years rolled forward, I seemed to miss singling out one direction. Instead, I try everything and discover which ones I want to keep and which ones I would rather not continue pursuing. Hence, I became acquainted with statements like :
*I do not know exactly what I want to happen but I know this current situation is not it.*
This is when I pay proper attention to options in front of me. And man, I start simulating the if-then-else in my head.
One of the many if-then-else's is building a house in my head. Of course, this branched out from the if-then-else to what-ifs. Then goes back to if-then-else. In short, I enter into a web of fun scenarios.
Like if I become a doctor, I probably will get this much money and I'd get to save some. Then the what-if comes in. What if I do get a lot of money, will I be building my own house? Oh, and if I do get my own house, then I will need to have the following in my house. So I list those down.
Spons wall! My awesome lovelies
Some options come from interjections or verbal wondering or question of a peer. So then it starts a new path and you start meshing that with theirs.
*If you are going to put up a business what would it be?*
I remember answering :
**a coffee shop** (rooting from my subconscious want to become a barrista. I was not yet fond of drinking coffee then. But I love the smell of coffee shops)
**with lots of book**s (rooting from my love for reading)
**where there is also a spot for open mic acoustic days or nights** (rooting from my love for music).
This one, minus the open mic was done by most coffee shops these days. That day dreaming was thwarted early because these cafes popped up long before I even got my first paycheck. So from business owner I became a consumer or customer - that was solidly planned. "Fated" if you must.
So with that thwarted, collectively, the peers decided to build our mansions instead - in our heads of course.
**I got to have a library.** Yes, room with floor-to-ceiling shelves and shelves of books of all genres.
**I got to have a music room.** All instruments please! A baby grand in the carpeted center of the room, A drum set caged in a fiberglass corner. The mixer at the far end. All speakers on all corners. An overkill studio. Dream big right?
**I got to have a swimming pool**. So I would not have to go elsewhere to swim.
**I got to have a movie room or entertainment room.** Theater! Ah yes, yes!
Ah. Such haven! A peefect abode!
But the reality is dreaming the output is different from the actual works to get there. Plus there is such a thing as UPKEEP.
With the work-from-home setup because of the pandemic, I realized, I never utilized much of what we currently have in our current house.
The living room, which is by function a replica of my day dreams, except the swimming pool part, is where I work in, where I sometimes eat meals in or drink coffee in. Heck, it has become my "bedroom" at some point.
So in the end, I realized, day dreaming those is cool. But chances are, I won't be able to use or make use of the rooms. Turns out, what I need is : a space I can lie down on anytime, a spot where the bathroom or toilet is, a spot where I can sit and face work on, a spot to eat in (not even a kitchen is needed except for washing dishes) and most likely my daily life will play out fine.
Then there is upkeep. Ah yes. If i continue on with my daydreaming I might as well add in a robo helper that will keep everything squeaky clean, dust free and moldless.
If you're daydreaming abouf your dream house, what would it look like?
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Locke and Key : My Top Keys
I am enjoying this series in Netflix. It came out last year but I never got to really start watching it until Theodore (I am not sure if he goes with the same name still) from here mentioned it in one of my pieces and I decided it is time to watch it. https://read.cash/@Pichi28/i-got-loco-for-these-tv-series-ffbae099
I pulled in a marathon for it but I only got to episode 8 I think of the first season. After that, I got a a bit busy with something else and lost the momentum and now, I am just at episode 10. Normally, after a long rest from a series I lose interest in it. So far I haven't been bit by that "lost interest" bug (if there is one) for this one.
I am amazed with how that script and storyboard was built and created. The imagination of the creator was wild, colorful and magical. In brief, this series falls under the Fantasy drama and Supernatural horror genre. Though the horror part is maimed and by the fantasy part - at least for me.
The Lockes have this special lineage as the Keykeepers. The mysterious magical keys were hidden in the "Key house" - ancestral house - and the three kids start to discover them one by one. Discovering these keys and one by one becoming introduced to what they can open magically is part of the excitement.
I am making a mental list of the keys I'd pick and I always find myself going, "Oooh, I want that key!"
"Oooh I could use that key!"
"Oh I wish I have that key!"
And OH!! You would want to check these AWESOME PEOPLE OUT :)
They are amazing and they have stories to tell, too!
And so the story writer of that , well, story really did attract that kid in me. I always love stories anyway.
As I am still in the first season, my choices are a bit limited and that's fine. My top keys are as follows:
1.) The Anywhere Key
That key that takes you anywhere you envision yourself going to. It fits doors' keyhole somehow. Hehe. So pick a door you see in the picture of any Disneyland, et voila, you're there. It is the traveler's key to traveling without spending. There is no cost at all.
No lifespan getting shortened.
No BCH to shell out.
Nothing.
2.) The Ghost Key
That key that Casper-izes you. You know? Turns you into Casper? Get it? No? Well, anyway. Similar to Anywhere Key but not quite. Similar in such a way that you get to travel and fly alright. But. As. A. Ghost. Yes, you get to fly. Yes, you can go through walls. Downside, no one alive will be able to see and hear you. You can only talk to another ghost. Another downside is you might freak anyone out and they may think you're dead because you will be leaving your physical body on the floor with a thud. Like dead weight. Haha get it? No? Really?
3.) The Head Key
Getting into your own head would be cool. Getting into someone else's head will make it easier to understand them.
There are other keys but I find no fun use for them. Identity key to turn you looking like anyone you can think of. Flower key to read someone else's memory, Matchstick key to light up stuff, Music Box key to like voodoo people into doing whatever you whisper on the music box.
So here are my picks. Now I can get back to watching it now that I got this off my head, eh?
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What a (Tues) Day!
**W**hat a day! What a weird busy Tuesday. I never thought today would be very busy. But that is part of how beautiful days are, right? If days ahead are very predictable then where's the "adventure" in that?
**H**ell week! I have been zeroing in on that term this day. Last I used it was when I was still a student ending my final days in college. That was a combination of thesis and preparation of the defense plus the minor subjects whose activities and deliverables seemed to demand more time compared to major subjects. Do you know that hell weeks for the Navy meant real heavy training. Training.
**A**ndra Day's Rise Up should be my finishing song for tonight in preparation for the morrow. It will be the same arduous task that flips from monotonous to engrossing from time to time - mostly just tiringly monotonous. But I will rise up anyway and so should you. Difficult days will pass, right?
Let me put in that video from her ...
https://youtu.be/hmHfo_3EGFA
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**T**here are just some days that no matter how smart you are playing your cards right, you will still feel that some tasks are repetitively annoying. They just don't seem to finish or get done! Hah!
**A**lthough it is right that this week will be draining, without knowing the minutest details of the next coming days except that it will surely just be tough, I am seeing this as an opportunity to give the tough days ahead to God and ask for that peace ahead of time.
**D**oing so, however things turn out this week, I'd see God's loving hand at work in me and through me. That way, I can enjoy the tough days ahead. Besides, work is just a portion of our life. Yeah, I know it takes up a huge chunk of energy and time from us.
**A**djusting sails need not just be about directing towards dreams and goals, it should also cover daily attitude. We are after all, facing the monstrous monotonous cycle of "getting and being busy". We need to recalibrate with the thought that our daily work-ship should be an act of worship, too.
**"Y**esterday" would be what we will be calling Tuesday now. Yesterdays, like that one-day-blooming flower below, will never be recovered.
But every "today" is a new adventure story. Let us apply what we learned from the previous yesterdays, shall we? Let us wake up each day a day wiser than we were yesterday...
Yesterdays are always full of learning if one is mindful enough to consider and "take notes" from maestro experience.
"What a day", right?
On another note, I am one thankful kid for BCH's flight awhile ago. I hope it continues to fly, though.
My back started to ache from sitting for too long on my chair for today. My hands and fingers and wrists are all tired! I need to often clasp and unclasp my hands to do a little exercise and rotate my wrist too.
"Whoah-nesday" is up next! It is budding.
And before facing that, let us all take a rest!
Hibernating in 3...2.... 1
Zzz
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Show Up.. Just Write
Ok. Just got into a short conversation with @Theblackdoll . She asked what I was doing and I replied that I was currently thinking about my life's choices - a slight joke of course - and that I am thinking about what to write.
She replied to my other post where I said I cannot write just yet. And she said why don't I write about *why I cannot write.* And I was like. Yes, why not?
The reason I *cannot* write is not a writer's block. It is actually the simplest reason why : over thinkingly being too conscious. I can put it in other ways like, my brain cells refuses to write. They are turning their backs at me when I decide to tap something. They are raising white flags, etcetera. That is because when I start to think of a topic, my brain fires off in all direction wanting everything in and then my brain cells just decides to get tired on me.
That was why I decided to free or relax my mind for a while with games like Mobile Legends and Splinterlands. Another noise-mate suggested I can play Sudoku - which is also one game I have in my phone. I do play it once in a while.
I want nothing heavy on a Monday night. You feel?
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There is actually a single thing lingering in my head for a week now. I know I am bound to write about it somehow. And I guess that time fits now. It was a fun thought that while I was also trying to relax my mind I came to two TED talks that somehow can be meshed with what thought I was toying about for a week now.
Creativity. Attention. Anonymity.
**and here my brain starts to wander off again
Creativity
One talk was from the author of EAT, PRAY, LOVE Elizabeth Glibert and she talked about her struggle about being creative and finishing another book following the very much liked and embraced Eat, Pray Love. She talked about the reality of fear in harnessing the creative juices. There is that fear of not being able to top what she previously did and might end up producing something that will not be as welcomed and embraced and accepted as her previous work.
She ended with keep doing it. Show up. I am not going to further expound on that one. But her talk is amusing, entertaining and inspiring you deserve to hear it for yourself and be able to connect with her stories. That said, here you go.
https://youtu.be/4HBJa279i8M
Attention
Now the next TED Talk I watched was that of Joseph Gordon Levitt. His talk centered on how attention crushes your creativity. I got interested with Joseph Gordon Levitt when he started his community HitRecord - to invite creative collaborators to create content with him or his team. I remember getting excited with this project of his. I told my creative friends about it. I might check it out again in a bit. https://hitrecord.org/how_it_works
He said something about getting attention and *paying attention.* Mainly paying attention to your craft. Also, wanting you to have that personal connection to what he is saying, here it goes:
https://youtu.be/3VTsIju1dLI
Anonymity
And now my thought plays around the word anonymity for over a week now. Both talks raises "being conscious" and that affects the way your self expresses itself creatively. When you start worrying about statistics, audience, feedback, etcetera. I haven't been as bold as I was in my writing for when it was just me, my pen and my paper. Staying anonymous and throwing it out wherever is different for when you start thinking of "how will it come out as" long before things are written down and if the regular audience will still "bite". Being under the veil of anonymity should give me that fresh piece of paper to write on each time.
So I have to get back to that mindset: Show up. Just write. PAY attention to none other what I am writing.
*Ciao!*
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Tsukiji in my Head
So things went fast after finding out my next assignment as I mentioned in the previous story. From the day I realized it is for real, the remaining days were spent preparing for the agenda when we're there. https://read.cash/@Pichi28/amusing-turn-of-events-8e6d8a08
**I did not have time to research about the place I'm going to.** I have no idea what more to be excited about except for sushi. The thought of eating that one in Japan excited me very much. I already liked ramen before that time but that's because of peer pressure (haha). It was an acquired taste for me before I really started having my own craving for it. Until eventually it became the preferred stress-buster on a Friday night sometimes even when the day is so super duper hot.
**The preparation work-wise was also peppered with a lot of time spent in the office until late hours**. Adjusting to what I am testing was also part of it - I became acquainted with Google Translate once more and how funny funky its translations were. But it did improve now big time as per my colleagues.
**I am not a fan of animes either.** I know Dragon Ball. I have seen episodes of One Piece and enjoyed it. I know Slam Dunk. But all the cartoons no longer appealed to me when I started working. And most of what I watched were dubbed in English if not in local dialects.
And because I did not have much time to research, most of my "trips" outside working hours and weekends were researched when I was already there. And some were noted from suggestions of friends who pinged me about where to go. "Pich, you're going to Japan, right? Go to this place .. this place and this place.. Look for.. this and that.. "
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Among the places to go to that I was told included a lot of commute. I first was determined to know the places around the area we're in where I can EAT. Priorities first, right? If we're going home late nights, where do I eat. If I become hungry, middle of the night where do I eat? On weekends where we will most likely have our time to ourselves, where do I eat?
Surprisingly when I searched for places to eat, the place where we were staying in was few blocks away from Tsukiji market. I have no idea what is in Tsukiji market until I searched about it.
Hello, sashimi! So this is that market where all the fresh cuts are dropped, deboned, sorted, cut, etcetera. They offer a tour as well in that area where you get to see the magic done. But I have no intentions of waking up really early on a weekend just for that.
My first long walk from our place was not this though. I went to Imperial Palace first. Best way to explore new city that is "safe" is on foot and yes take lots of pictures. So that I did.
Tsukiji Market was the next walk since it is near. Like really near. I walk out our accommodation's door, turn left and walk 3 blocks, et voila! It's there.
When I got there, the place was busy. A lot of tourists were there. There was a long line of tourists for scrambled eggs -Tamagoyaki - which was fun to watch how it was created.
It was a really busy and bustling market. It was a long eat strip! It became my Saturday morning walk after morning coffee IF I GET TO WAKE UP EARLY. I am not a morning person except for free breakfast.
These were my favorites there.
1.) Flame Torched scallops
I've never seen a scallop so big and the meat is really huge , chunky, sweet! It was very yummy.
2.) Wagyu steak cubes on stick
I remember being a little teary-eyed enjoying both. I found gold it felt. Haha.
Sadly though, I think Tsukiji market got closed and transferred else where in preparation for the olympics or something like that.
But my Tsukiji market morning walks have been one of the best weekend walks I treated myself to after a long week's busting my A .
I know I said sashimi. But I did not get my sashimi here. The places where they serve sashimi is always jampacked. I don't like long queues.
Maybe someday, God-willing I'd get to have another shot at going there and visiting the new market. I would love to stuff my face with this again!
*Itadakimasu*!
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@dziefem mare!!!! huhuh salamat ng marami sis! Thank you so so much! I so saw that :) Happy Newvember!!
@Pichi28
