My typical day as a mom
September 18, 2021
Hello read friends. I'm glad to find out that it's not only me who's having issues with noise but it's no fun.
Anyways, I was supposed to walk in the vaccination site today but the baby has been grumpy last night. I had to postpone it because I didn't have enough sleep.
I know there are moms here on read like me and I share the sentiment with you, mars, the difficulties of taking care of our dear babies.
I am a mom of 2. The eldest is 7 and the youngest is 1.
And since I've stayed at home, every day has become an ordinary, boring day for me. Not that I am not happy having kids, you know, I can no longer do the things I loved to do due to time restraints. Plus, the pandemic happened. Yes, I feel stuck.
We usually wake up between 8:00-9:00 AM, the baby would either go to her doodie for some Blue's Clues or play with her toys right away. Her latest discovery right now is the mirror. She'd go to the mirror right after waking up, smile, and started playing.
GGSS baby? (Gandang ganda sa sarili, baby?) (Just kidding. She doesn't know what Narcissism is.)
Then we'll go downstairs for her breakfast. She's a difficult eater, especially when she's teething. I have like 2-4 different types of foods and I'll stick to what she likes most. I hate it when she goes to sleep hungry because she'll breastfeed the whole night. So she takes snacks an hour or 2 before she sleeps.
Then she'll play a little bit before we she takes a bath. It's usually silent time, or just "we" time for the 2 of us after bathing. She'd either just breastfeed and sleep or breastfeed and play.
Forgive me for the mess. We sleep on the floor. We had to remove the bed because she might fall. Her playmate, that toy dog, is Violet. She sings and plays with her. Then Saoirse plays with her blocks and the piano. I am glad that my partner's eldest brother is single because he's the "Tito of Manila". He spoils the kids by buying them toys. The only toy I've bought for her recently was just the puzzles and she doesn't know how to play it yet.
When the kid is asleep, I can either watch movies in Netflix or write an article here in read. If I carry her while sleeping, all I can do is just comment on some write-ups single handedly. It's tiring to carry 7-8 kilos of sleeping baby.
We'll have snacks when she wakes up, watch some Youtube and TV. She'll then play for a few hours. Just like right now, I am free so I am writing. But I gotta to this fast because I had to take a bath.
I can no longer remember the last time I combed my hair. And when I had scrubbed my body. Because when I bathe, I had to clean the bathroom as well. Yup, I don't wanna bathe in a dirty bathroom. I pick the hairs and scrub the floor first. Sometimes I forget to brush my teeth.
I also have body pains every day. I guess it's because of the CS. Sometimes I wish I have one pain-free day. And that I can just sleep for a straight 8 hours without worrying for my babies. I want ME time!
So yeah, I think the moms here can totally relate on my situation: lack of sleep, tiredness, less self-care. I know we have to "love ourselves first". It's just that we need to sacrifice from time to time. I can do this. We can do this.
The self-pity, boredom, crying, sadness are common. I do think I have postpartum depression or deep sadness. *Kayo mga mare?*
One thing that I have changed in the house is sharing. Whenever we can, we buy "chichirya" and share it to everyone. The people in the house used to buy for themselves lang but it has changed. Of course, we would understand if they only have limited budget. But I'm happy that sharing has become a norm in the family. Yey!
I am sorry for this boring article. I got to go now. Have a great weekend guys!
**To my sponsors, thank you guys. You rock!**
**To my friends and visitors, please visit my sponsor's pages. They are all lovely people.**
All images and content are mine.
P.S. I wanna become a member of Club Broke BCH. How do I become one?
How do I change my noise.cash wallet? I tried checking the settings but I cannot seem to find the option to do so.
So coins.ph has been pending my tips from Noise. They will go directly into my wallet an hour after I submit a form. Gosh, I didn't know that the Philippines is getting strict when it comes to crypto. I think it's time to change wallets.
Retreat gone wrong
September 17, 2021
Friday
Howdy mates? I hope the weather has been kind to you today.
Are you familiar with retreats or recollections? It is usually conducted before graduation. It's some kind of a flashback on what you've done while you're studying, a realization of your mistakes, and asking for forgiveness from those you've offended so you can move on to the next phase of your life.
Private schools usually go somewhere else to have their retreats while public schools just do it on the campus. Well, it depends on what the majority prefers.
Just had this crazy retreat experience when I was in college.
It was the finals and everyone was going crazy, especially the Computer Science students because of expensive projects. Our course was one of the costly courses by the way so we have to find ways to stretch our budget. Unfortunately, the retreat or recollection was a requirement for graduation.
The Guidance Office talked to us about how much it will cost and the inclusion of their retreat services. I think it was almost a thousand pesos that time excluding our personal allowance. The facilitator kept on reiterating the word "graduation requirement" throughout the meeting. *"Wala na sa'y reaction paper pag sa Guidance mo magpafacilitate ug retreat"*. It means that they won't require us to submit a reaction paper if we choose them. I told them, *"The class needs to discuss this first and we'll let you know."*
*"Pres, di na jud makaya ang gastos. Nagreklamo na akoa parents"*, my classmate complaint that her parents are in pain with the school expenditures. *"My church can help you out, we'll make it affordable. It's only an overnight activity anyway."* Suggested by Ms. Joyce, our instructor. We chose the Christian church for the recollection. It was known in the whole campus that only our department didn't have the Guidance Office as our retreat facilitator.
*"Hadlukon man ta'g reaction paper"*, I blurted. (Means why would be scared with just a reaction paper?).
It was the retreating night and everyone's ready for the program. It started with a prayer and the schedule of activities.
And then we talked about the pains of our past. Everything started to become dramatic. I cried a lot, to be honest. I was mending my childhood wounds while some were emotional about their love life. And there was singing and praying and laughing. We were enjoying the moment. It was indeed a nice and unforgettable night. We were also lucky to do it on a weekend. The place was near the beach, so it was perfect.
When we were back at school, we all get started to get busy with our thesis. Then we were reminded by the Guidance Office to submit our reaction papers. I really didn't get why reaction paper was a fad that time. It's like we have reaction papers in all of our subjects, geez.
I was the first to make my reaction paper. I've noticed that the majority of my classmates were struggling with it. I went to my classmate Eli and said, *"Here is a copy of my reaction paper. Please observe how I wrote it. Everyone can follow through. Let this be your guide. And let's submit it on time so we can all graduate"*. We met the deadline. We were happy, yay!
Here comes March.
*"Hey Pres. the guidance counselor is so mad at you right now"*, an instructor told me.
*"Why? What did I do?"*, I was so shocked and clueless about what's going on.
*"She's going to tell everyone on the campus that the President and Dean's List of the Computer Department is a cheater! She'll actually do it on your graduation day!",* our dean madly announced.
*"Huh? I don't know what's going on!"*, I was almost crying.
*"Then she'll get a memo from our department if she's going to do that"*, my dean said.
The Guidance dean went to the office and gave me the documents. And I couldn't believe what I've seen!
Everyone copied my reaction paper, literally from the very beginning until the very end including my name! I didn't know what to say, I wanted the ground to just swallow me right away.
*"How can you explain that? You said you're honest? That's an integrity issue!",* the Guidance dean exclaimed.
I was dumbfounded. I only had good intentions. I didn't deserve to be judged like that. I became furious but I didn't know whom to be angry with.
Then suddenly my classmate Eli admitted, *"I did it, I gave everyone a copy but I didn't know that they won't make their own."* And I understood and forgave him.
I planned for my counter-attack. *"Why did it take time for her to figure this thing out?"*. And I've learned that she was on vacation in February. *"What did she do in March?"*, *"She really wants to put me down!"*. I was overthinking.
So what we did is, we advised everyone to rewrite their reaction papers. I supervised my classmates, helped them in any way that I could. I didn't speak to the Counselor even during our graduation day. But I had to humble myself and do so because she has to sign my clearance hehe. And when we talked, she wasn't mad anymore. I also discovered how kind and generous she is. Whew.
I learned that open communication is very important in resolving a problem. Overreacting to an issue will only aggravate it further. And it really pays to be level-headed. Even though I held a position at that time, I was glad that I still respected those who were above me and didn't fight back.
What about you? Have you experienced the same when you were still studying? Was your retreat an unforgettable one? Share it below and let's have a chat!
Oh, it's Friday and it's supposed to be a good, salary weekend for those who are working. I envy you guys! I missed working so much. Enjoy and be thankful that you have jobs because most of us don't. Take care of yourselves though, don't overwork.
To my wonderful sponsors: I appreciate your support always, always.
To my visitors and friends, do visit my sponsor's page if you haven't yet. And if you don't have a "Sponsor's block" please add it to your page. You'll never know your sponsor is just waiting for you.
**Images were from Unsplash.com
My cool-off poem to baby Rusty
<html> <head> <text color ="red">
<September 16, 2021>..I am not sure if they are using HTML, Javascript or CSS
in this code block so I'm experimenting. As you see, the color of the text is white
instead of red. I know kulang pa yung tagging ko.
</text color> </head> </html>
**Rusty** has not been so generous with my last 2 articles so I'm kinda disheartened, to be honest. But hindi sya nagkulang, ako ang mali kaya, nainspire akong gawan sya ng tula. Opo minsan ako ay nagiging makata.
So here is a poem for you "Mr. You Know Who".
I don't know why you've gone cold, may iba ka na ba? I know I am boring, ikaw ba ay nagsasawa na? I am trying my best to please you, ano pa ang kulang? Di mo nakikita effort ko? 'Wag kang mangmang!
Marahil di ako kasing galing nila, am not enough for what I am? Nagpapakatotoo ako sa mga sulat ko. I am real tulad nila, I'm not a sham. Alam ko I need to improve so please give me some time. Pero kelangan ko ng BCH, I need some dime!
I am hurting, nasasaktan ako. Maawa ka naman sa akin wag kang pusong bato. Do you want some space? Oh ayan ang kalawakan..Sige wag mo muna ako bisitahin pero wag moko iiwan.
But I need you. Do you, too, feel the same way? Gusto mo ba talaga umalis? Please, no, I want you to stay. Ikaw kasi. Yeah I know I always blame you. Pano ba naman kasi minsan ang barat ng tip mo.
'Wag ka maoffend, nagsasabi lang ako ng sama ng loob. Minsan kasi you make me feel that I'm still a noob.It's not you, it's me Rusty. I feel that you like them better than me.
This is my cool off letter or poem for you. Pero wag mo seryosohin. Kasi kahit minsan maliit, mahalaga parin tip mo saken. Ah, para magimprove mag Grammarly Grammarly. Sige nga point taken, pero di naman sya always free.
Do I need to review my SVAs? Okay sige, kung gusto mo nga eh pati ABCs. Sige na, tell me. What do I need to do to make you happy? Shall I leave or shall I stay?
Sabihin mo na ngayon bago ako mainip..Ooops joke lang walang basagan ng trip. Grabe ka di ka na mabiro. Tanong lang, sa pagtitip mo di ka ba natutuliro?
How many BCH do you have in your wallet, is it a few lang or walang limit? Rusty, tumingin ka sa iba pero wag mo kalimutang akin ka. Yung BCH mo beh ha, bigyan mo ako ng bongga.
Pasensya na, I am not sure kung ano'ng nangyayari sa akin. Rusty, hindi ikaw ang nagkulang. It's me. I guess I am going cuckoo. I need fresh air, I need vitamin sea! How about you? Are you bored? Do you feel like you need to get out and do something different?
Anyways, I hope you are all having a great day today despite the weather.
To my **sponsors**, thank you as always.
To my readers and co-authors, I appreciate everything that you do.
** All images were from Unsplash.com
I am happy that I have 152 subscribers in Noise, wow I didn't notice such an increase of subscribers and now I have more than 40 here in read. Thank you guys! You keep me going :) Let's help each other thrive here and in noise. Keep that love burning!
The "dancerous" me when I was still a shudent (student)
September 15, 2021
I **wasn't feeling well during the past few days. I figured out I lacked enough sleep. I am trying to rest as much as I can now and I am feeling a lot better. Please don't imitate me, health is wealth.**
What I will share with you has nothing to do with my introduction above, alrighty?
I'm a dancer since I was conceived. Dancing is my freedom, my ultimate form of expression, my passion, my soul. I usually dance like there is no tomorrow lol.
When I was like 6 or 7, my first dance was **"Lambada"**. Are you familiar with the dance? My cousins and I would line up and they would follow my dance steps.
My first school dance performance
I remember practicing an Ethnic dance when I was in Grade 1. There was a time when the main dancer was stubborn. My teacher said, "*Glessa will replace you if you won't listen to me*". I wasn't aware that I could dance that well to be considered as the replacement. But I almost missed the "big day" because my parents fought and my mother went elsewhere.
"*Don't dance anymore*", my Manang told me. I didn't wanna break my teacher's heart so I attended. I didn't have make-up, a flower, and an accessory for the dance because we didn't have money. My sister's friends pitied my situation and sponsored me.
I didn't join dance competitions during my elementary years because I got so chubby. My chubbiness took my confidence away haha.
"As long as you love me"
I was a freshie in high school when my group entered a dance competition. Our entry was Backstreeboys' "***As long as you love me***". We would practice every after class and every weekend. Our uniform was a yellow T-shirt and black pants. We never won but we had fun.
"*Maayo mosayaw nang tambok*", a senior student told his classmate. He meant, "*That fat one can dance*" and he was referring to me. I was surprised when he said it.
And that contest paved way for my membership in an elite group- it was a dance group of top students in our class.
We then participated in another dance contest. We'd dance in front of a mirror in our church's dance studio and I was loving every minute of it. The dance title was "***Lollypop***" by Aqua. It was one of the most memorable moments of my dancing life because my mother and grandma witnessed the event.
My first dance heartbreak
When I was a freshman in Uni I wanted to join the "Kalimulan" Dance Troupe. It offers scholarships, dance workshops, and free travel locally and abroad. And I knew that our PE teacher might be the ticket for it. So I thoroughly practiced my entry for our final exam- the application of our exercises in a dance.
My heart was rapidly beating when I was called in front of the stage. "***Let's get loud***" by JLO was my dance piece. And I did it with all my heart. I couldn't forget how my teacher smiled and encouraged me to go on. I wanna get loud, so loud by dancing! I wanna own the stage! It was my happiest experience at the uni.
I told my pastor that I wanted to become a dancer but I got declined. She said it is a "worldly" desire. I asked God, "You gave me this talent, why can't I show this to the world? This is what I love, I am happy dancing!". My dream died. My aspiration went to the grave. My heart sank. Then I stopped studying at the university.
Nothing could stop me from dancing!
When I transferred to another school, my potential was discovered by my Humanities instructor. Working students were not supposed to participate in any competitions but she became my backer and I was a dancer once again. Yes, I joined the cheer dance and the pop dance groups.
The practices were tiring but enjoyable. It was difficult for me because I was an officer, a working student, and a dancer.
And the very first dance contest that I joined in college was "**Bebot**" by Blackeyed Peas. I still dance to it whenever I hear the music. I got recognized and received an "Award for Dance" when I was in second-year college.
There were several dance competitions after it. I enjoyed the cheer dance despite not having a pair of white shoes. I wasn't sure why I was so broke that I couldn't afford to buy them or maybe there was no time. Despite showing my "bilbil" or baby fats in the cheer dance competition, the judges weren't disheartened. They were kind enough to score us based on our overall performance. Yes, we won in both cheer and pop dances.
My academic life became colorful and memorable because of dancing.
I wish I fought for my dream of becoming a dancer. The stage could have been my paradise and my world.
How about you? Have you given up a dream because you were told "No"?
Did you become what you really wanted to be? Share it by commenting below
and let's have a chat!
**These are my dear sponsors. Please do visit their pages and be inspired by their write-ups.**
**Thank you as always, my awesome sponsors!**
**To my visitors and co-authors, thank you very much!**
**The last image is mine, the other pics were from Unsplash
**The rest of the content is mine
Mga saba ug disturbo (Nuisances and disturbances)
September 14, 2021
It's so hot after a few days of rain. Thank goodness, we will be able to dry our clothes today!
We all have goals and deadlines to meet. Some of them are our everyday chores, and some are for our future. No matter how hard we try to follow the timelines to attain them, we cannot avoid the fact that there are distractions. Just like what's happening now, I'm writing this article while my baby is crying, demanding me to carry her. What a cute distraction. And she's gonna take a bath in a few minutes. Lovely.
There are actually different types of distractions, some are physical and some are psychological.
The psychological ones are:
Laziness- The mañana habit. Who isn't guilty? Because we are in the middle of the pandemic, we are giving ourselves an excuse to just do a task in another day. After all, we are just inside our houses.
Problems-Excuses, excuses, excuses. Problems are one of the main reasons why we don't wanna finish or even start a chore. Problems never end. We just have to deal with it.
I don't wanna go further, the two examples are enough. Let's move on to the physical distractions:
**The baby**- I take care of my baby most of the time hence I only have few hours here on read. She wants me to carry her again after putting her on the bed. She wants to play with the computer. Oh no, she's crying so hard now. Time for her bath <Control + S>
So I had to get her clothes and her face towel. Put her in the bathroom with her little chair, she doesn't wanna use the bathtub anymore. I prepared the little bucket with the toys in it and then her towel. It took us 10 minutes to finish the ritual.
Then I had to feed her. She's already sleepy so I had to distract her by giving her a different variety of food: oranges, Arroz Caldo, rice with broccoli, and her cookies. She's teething so she's choosy. Oh well, her sleepiness got the best of her so we had to stop eating and went to the bedroom. I was putting her to sleep when her dad entered the room, what a great distraction. I rolled my eyes- he got the message and left. <Save as draft>
**The resort and the videoke**- I am not a "**KJ**" or killjoy person. It means someone who spoils the fun. But I know how to respect other people's spaces. There is a resort near the house and they are kinda insensitive when it comes to respecting. They are so loud my goodness! Sometimes my father-in-law threw some stones in the resort because the videoke's too noisy, aside from the nuisance of the people in the swimming pool. We even reported them to the barangay and the police. And I am thankful that they stopped for a while now.
I am just really wondering why one has to shout during videoke, why does the volume need to be full when you're not having a concert. Whenever it happens, I always say "Oh, someone's having a toothache or why is that cow mooing so much? I think it's lost".
**The other neighbour**- Our other neighbour just renovated his house. But his window is facing our hallway. Yep, he'll see us whenever we go to the bathroom or go downstairs while he's playing or working. Sorry mate.
It was a tough battle and he surrendered. Now his windows are covered. We are the distractors yey!
But I hope he can forgive us if he keeps on hearing CocoMelon, Blue's Clues and Bubble Guppies. Aside from the crying babies and the shouting mommies.
**Netflix**- It's a distraction for me. Sometimes, I had to stop writing or checking my email because I wanted to see which series is trending or interesting. I will then try to watch a few episodes and stop. I either forgot what needs to be done next or go to sleep. You're bad, but I love you Netflix.
**Construction**- It has not ended! Our neighbours kept on renovating their houses, it's pandemic for Pete's sake. I am tired of hearing the pounding and the pouring and all that stuff. Plus, the wind's so polluted already. I had to clean our bedroom more frequently than ever. It even made my family sick.
This, my friends, is my entry for this week's writing prompt #Distraction. Should you wish to join, here are the simple steps:
Write anything about **distraction**
Write **100% original** content
**Join** and **submit** to the community **PromptlyJonica** https://read.cash/c/promptlyjonica-b4a0
**Tag** @JonicaBradley https://read.cash/@JonicaBradley
**Have fun!**
How about you, what makes you distracted? What do you do to avoid them or to focus on what you're doing? Let's chat by leaving your comments below.
I am panting...I had to finish this before I get distracted again. But hey yeah the baby woke up...I have to put her back to sleep...After an hour..The daddy entered the bedroom..There goes my wasted effort..
To my lovely sponsors: I love you guys, thank you, as always!
Seriously mates, visit my sponsors' articles and learn from them.
Cheers!
**Credits to Unsplash.com for the images
I once had royal blood, online boyfriend
`September 13, 2o21`
I hope Kiko had already left the Philippines. I haven't watched the news yet and I'm praying that it hasn't devastated the North.
How are you holding up on this rainy weekend my friends? It's Sunday and school's gonna start tomorrow. Here come the headaches and the dramas again.
I think most of you know I came from a broken family. I also observed that some Filipino men do not know household chores. Well, some of those who grew up in the province were taught by their parents but the majority weren't. That turned me off. And the thought of having manipulative parents-in-law discouraged me from having a Filipino boyfriend. I did have a boyfriend when I was 15 but none after that.
I wanted to have a foreign partner because:
They are more independent from their parents
They know the household chores
They are open-minded
I will have cute babies
Most foreign parents won't meddle with their children's relationships
I already shared that I was a working student in college. Everyone in our group was from financially challenged families so we were looking for ways to "ahon" not only ourselves but the whole clan. Just kidding, just the family.
Most of us would go to the Internet room to chat. The most famous Internet dating app at that time was Yahoo Messenger. Mind you, even our instructors did it so.
"CTC?", a user says to start a conversation.
"ASL please", the other one replies.
My first online boyfriend
I've met Mr. Bruce when I was 19. (Kind of forgotten which Yahoo Chat room it was, perhaps it was California because that's where my grandma lives lol.)
Chaz was 35 and I was 19. I actually didn't care about the age gap, I liked older men. His hair was dark brown, he's got red lips, and the most beautiful pair of eyes. His eye color changes depending on the light. I could stare at them forever. His handsomeness was a combination of Sean Connery and George Clooney. He was well-built and stood 5'11 I think.
He was the general manager of Hyatt Hotel in LA and was a boy scout. He came from a royal bloodline. His great-great-great grandad was the Scottish King Robert Bruce. That fact didn't intimidate me, I liked him even more. His authoritative figure challenged me.
He served his community by volunteering in the boy scout and I loved him for that. One time, he went to Disney in Orland and brought me some Mickey mouse stickers.
The competition
Since the majority in the working student group wanted to have an "Afam" or foreigner, there was a competition on who will marry the soonest. And who's boyfriend is the wealthiest.
Some of the former student assistants visited the school with their husbands. So the pressure of finding a chatmate got tougher.
Then an instructor's foreign bf visited her here in the Philippines. My officemates' boyfriend then arrived and they got married during his first visit. She stopped working as a student assistant right there and then. Everyone envied her because she's now "ahon" from difficulty. People would clap and say "*Isang kababayan na naman natin ang nakaahon na naman sa kahirapan*". It means, "Another countryman has gotten out of poverty".
My stubbornness
I was jealous that my colleagues' foreigners already met their families, gotten married, or engaged while nothing is happening to my love life.
I asked Chaz, "When are you going to visit me?".
"I will go there in Manila and conduct some seminars. That way, I can save on the plane ticket". He answered.
"This man's so "**kuripot**" means **frugal**, I told myself.
"What am I going to do when you're working?", I asked again.
"Shopping, sleeping, and just do whatever you like", he replied.
"I want you to come here in Iligan to see my family!", I stubbornly added.
I didn't realize that he was afraid because of the chaos in Mindanao. He was too embarrassed to admit it. Then the fights started. The relationship went on and off.
He didn't mention going to the Philippines anymore but it was okay with me. I wanted to be ready when we meet by finishing college first. I wanted to succeed by using my own diploma.
Then we talked about our wedding. We'll have blue and silver as the motif. I was excited browsing for my gown on the Internet. We had a fight about my allowance. I wanted more because I was envious of my officemate. He told me that he's still supporting his ex-wife even they're divorced. I was hurt. I didn't understand. I was selfish.
Our relationship got sour as time went by. Then one day, I saw his profile on Friendster and he had a Filipina friend. I got so mad. I contacted the girl and asked if they were together but she denied my allegations. Chaz did the same thing.
Our relationship ended without any formalities. I was just thankful for him because he supported me until my third year in college by sending monthly allowances.
I tried searching for him on the Internet after a few years but to no avail. I'm just curious. I wanted to check if he's already married. I've moved on although I didn't "ahon".
**Was there something that I could have done better? Should have I given him a benefit of the doubt? Was I immature? Kindly share your opinion by commenting below.**
These are my lovely sponsors, my friends. You definitely won't regret checking their profiles and reading their content. Trust me.
TO MY LOVELY SPONSORS: THANK YOU AND I HONOR YOU, AS ALWAYS!
`**All images were from Unsplash.com`
`**The rest of the content is mine`
Hello Rusty, my bot friend
September 11, 2021
Hello awesome people. I've been so stressed these past few days so I've decided to chill and make a song. And to our friends in the North, I hope you guys are all safe.
If you're not doing anything then please sing with me! 🎙️🎙️
The tune is an adaptation from "Sound of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel.
But before you do, make sure you have the music ready so you can go along with it. There is a minus one version of the "Sound of Silence" in YouTube I think.
Here it goes:
Hello **Rusty**, my bot friend
I wanna ask favor again
Because my stories weren't kicking
Had a few readers not much tipping
Not commenting nor engaging and I'm drained, really friend
Don't give a silent treatment
During the night I'm wide awake
Trying to write for Peter's sake
Aiming to get more BCH
People here in read can surely relate
Originality's the thing those cheaters get surely dinged I'm not kidding
Don't give a silent treatment
And I want more tips from "You know who"
Yeah and that you know who is YOU
I'll be generous just like you do, I'll be genuine and I'll be true
And I'll make it long, 3 minutes can't go wrong just ride along
Don't give a silent treatment
Holidays are now coming
Scammers are in read flocking
They copy there, copy here, and everywhere
Plagiarism checker, they don't care
And I'm worried that you visit them and not me, honestly
Don't give a silent treatment
Promise I will HODL
If being blessed by MacDesel
Please Rusty be so kind to me
I'll be good I'll write more great stories
I'll promote read and share it with my peers anywhere and everywhere promise sir
Don't give a silent treatment
I told myself to just relax, relax, and relax. Maybe it's because of the weather ⛈️ and the fact that it's 9/11. It reminds me of the devastation caused by terrorism😭 and the lives it has taken. The horrors it still brings to those who have survived.
Relax, relax, relax. It's the weekend. Everyone deserves to relax.
**The Filipinos are music lovers. We sing during birthdays, weddings, and even the funeral. The videoke is our favorite pastime of all time, aside from Mobile Legends.**
**Sing this song when you're stressed out from thinking about what to write hehe. This song was inspired when I was still new here in read. I do not mean to offend anyone especially my sponsors because they've been so generous and they try to engage in my articles as much they can. They're the best.**
**Relax, relax, relax🛀🏖️**
THANK YOU AS ALWAYS MY LOVELY SPONSORS.
Please do visit their pages and learn from their content.
**The lyrics are my original composition unless stated otherwise**.
The lead image is from Unsplash and the emojis are from Emojipedia.org
Relax, relax, relax.
Cheers!
Dancing and my family life
September 10, 2021
If there was something that bound my family: it's dancing.
I grew up in a dysfunctional family. My papa loved drinking and gambling with his friends while my mama was searching for the means of our survival. There were physical and verbal fights most of the time.
But I could clearly recall that moment when my family was the happiest. It was all of us in a disco with my teenage sisters. My parents were monitoring their dates. My papa was dancing with my mama while the flashlight was on in his pocket. We were all having fun. The only person who cannot dance gracefully was my Ate G, our eldest sister. That night was a bittersweet memory that never happened again.
My mama and I went for a dancing adventure
I'm not sure if I was 8. There was a barrio fiesta coronation night for a beauty pageant. The townsfolk flocked to witness that grand event and we didn't wanna miss it for the world so Mama and I went.
We started walking on a dark road on the way up a hill called "Matoug", which means "foggy". There was no single lamp post in that area, yup, we walked through the moonlight. I could feel the dust in my feet while I was slowly getting tired of walking. I only see a glimpse of those trees, my shadow shied away. It felt like forever.
I was scared at first because a "wakwak/aswang/monster" might grab me but it disappeared because everyone's walking and talking. Some had "sulo" or a torch from either dried coconut leaves or bamboo poles to clearly see the pathway. Creative, eh?
We finally arrived in a small place was surrounded by disco lights. I didn't care who was crowned because I wanted to dance in that dance floor fenced by woven coconut leaves. "Ayaw sandigi ang koral kay mahugno!". It means, "Don't lean on the fence so it won't collapse!", in English.
We loved "**bayle**". It's derived from a Spanish word "**bailar**" which means "to dance".
"**Mamayle** ta" or "Mangdisco ta"is a Visayan translation for "Let's go to a dance/disco". "**Mamaylihay**" is a person who loves to go to a dance. I was an 8-year-old "mamaylihay".
I was so immersed in the music. Who wouldn't be when they were playing the best disco music of the 80s and the 90s! There was a "SaturdayNight", "Wanna be my lover", "Please don't go", etc. I performed all the dance steps that I could possibly remember when "**Ooops undang sa ta kay magtubil sa ta!**". I froze because everything went dark and the music stopped. What the?! The announcer said that we had to stop our enjoyment because they had to refuel. They were only using a generator. I've never been so disappointed in my life. And it happened several times in the entire evening.
The party has ended. We started walking our way home on the same dark, rugged road. I was starting to imagine horrid creatures lurking everywhere. And I hated the fact that a "kabaong" or a coffin could appear flying any minute. Suddenly, I heard clip-clop..."Ay, okay ra ka bai?" It means "Are you okay mate?". The two men fell from their horses. How can the poor horse see through the night without any light on?
I was so relieved when we finally made it home. I slept my tiredness and frustration away. I told myself that I didn't wanna go to that kind of place again. But I really did it again with my elder sister when I was 12.
"**Mamayle** ta", she said.
I was tired after cleaning the bedroom yesterday so I had to rest. I hope I made you smile in this little adventure of mine. How about you? Did you have a wonderful or memorable experience with dancing? Share it below and let's talk.
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**Cheers!**
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A year plus of experience with my Morpher.com airdrop tokens
September 8, 2021
I do feel lucky that we still have the power and internet connection despite the bad weather. I feel sorry for those who are affected by this typhoon. I hope everyone's safe.
I've been seeing happy folks here about their cats and meows. On an airdrop that they've received several days or weeks ago. I'm happy for you, guys.
I joined several airdrops a year ago. Some of them were successful and didn't push through. I remember buying a Setocoin token on a pre-sale and another token that I've forgotten the name. I just figured out one day that they didn't have any value anymore in my Trust Wallet. I've lost almost a thousand pesos.
But I'm lucky that I joined the Morpher token. Last April 2020, I was given 1000 MPH tokens which I successfully claimed after my KYC.
After claiming the tokens, I then went to the website Morpher.com and bought several stocks. Yes, my friends, I have BTC and I'm one of the "stockholders" of Apple and Google. I feel like a millionaire already. Here's a screenshot of my trade history:
I actually didn't do anything in my Morpher account after buying the stocks. I did **HODL**!
So here's how they look recently:
If I understood it correctly, I gained 386.31% in BTC, 90.61% in Google, and 68.79% in Apple. I wanted to sell my BTC and buy BCH. Is it going to be a wise move? I want to study more about trading but my brain won't cooperate. I need your input on this matter.
Before I go on about my Morpher.com experience, here's what MPH is:
**MPH** is an ERC20 token, built on top of Ethereum like almost all of Decentralized Finance (DeFi). Following the ERC20 token standard makes MPH natively compatible with nearly all crypto wallets and crypto exchanges. Every trade on Morpher is placed using MPH tokens, and all gains/losses are paid out in MPH. Even with fiat-stable trading planned in a future release, MPH will always be the settlement currency. This is because MPH uniquely enables the entire Morpher Protocol (Source: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/morpher/)
**These are just a few of its features:**
No trading fees
No minimum capital requirement
Every market can be shorted
The protocol can support any leverage
The rest of the features can be viewed from its whitepaper. https://www.morpher.com/docs/morpher_whitepaper.pdf
At this moment 1 MPH token is at $0.0302 as per Coinmarketcap and it dropped at -10.13% today. Hopefully, it will go up soon.
Here is a screenshot of my Portfolio:
Can you confirm that I am reading this one right? Last July 24, 2020, I bought $10.47 worth of BTC in MPH tokens and its value now is $51.14 and I have gained $40.66 as its return. I am happy to be stand corrected, please forgive me for my ignorance.
I also wanted to try the withdrawal process of the website. There are 2 ways to do so. The first is through cryptocurrency and the second one is through the bank but that feature is not available yet.
So if I want to withdraw in cryptocurrency, I have to do this:
I got dismayed because I need to have at least 0.0438 ETH or **718.187667 PHP. It's not that big though but I just remember it's an ETH blockchain and the gas fee is kind of expensive. So I'll leave it until the bank withdrawal option becomes available.**
I am afraid to make some trading but how will I learn if I won't? But I will need some time to study and absorb all the terms and processes. I know it's just free money and I should take risks, am I right? Otherwise, I will not grasp anything and become knowledgeable in this field.
I will greatly appreciate your feedback or advice on what I should do.
How about you? Have you joined airdrops recently? How was your experience? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
**To my fellow writers, do visit these beautiful souls' profiles and check their write-ups. Learn and be inspired**.
**TO MY WONDERFUL SPONSORS: THANK YOU, AS ALWAYS!**
**Credits to: Morpher.com for the images and MPS features from its Whitepaper https://www.morpher.com/ https://www.morpher.com/docs/morpher_whitepaper.pdf
Coinmarketcap.com for the MPH definition https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/morpher/
**Please stay safe and stay dry.**
Cheers!
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The hiring process of the BPO Industry
September 7, 2021
How are you, friends? I am pretty sure it's raining cats and dogs elsewhere but I hope you're at home dry and comfortable.
I just recently published my article about the BPO industry because I think it's a misunderstood kind of industry. We received criticisms and mockery about our job from those who do not have any knowledge about it at all. Those who failed the hiring process were the most bitter of all.
The hiring and training processes of the Call Centers are unique and world-class. As per my experience, there is no such thing as "Padrino" or "backer system" in the BPO.
The application/hiring process:
**The very first interview is all about yourself**. Sometimes, the interviewer will ask for some details about you that are not in your resume. This is to gauge not only your communication skills but also your preparedness for the interview. While you're talking about yourself, your characteristic and attitude are being evaluated. They will then see if your character aligns with the company's values.
Some people fail early at this stage. The famous line, *"I'm sorry but I found some challenges on your A, E, I, O, Us and the P and F, V and B, etc."* is delivered at this phase.
Better luck next time.
**If you've passed the initial interview, the second one will be about your skills.** It's to check whether or not you have the potential for the role you're applying for. So if you've applied for a Technical Support role, you will be asked some technical questions like the Internet, the computer, the kind of Internet connections, what is 5G, etc. The rule of thumb is to answer as much as you can but don't be shy to say that you don't know the answer.
Some other companies will also check your English proficiency by short examinations/quizzes, essays, and email correspondence. If you're aiming for a Customer Service Representative spot, you'll be asked what was the most challenging experience you've handled. Or how you turned around a bad experience into a positive one.
You will also be queried on how much you're expecting for your salary or compensation. If you've set an amount they can't afford and see you as unfit because of your failing exam scores, you might not make it. But if you're doing well in the interviews and written exams, they might just give you more than what you've asked for. They don't just give credit to your exam results, they'll also consider your years of experience in your previous companies.
**The third round might be an interview with the Team Lead/Team Manager or Operations Manager.** This is just a formality for some companies- it means that you made it. But other companies are more strict. This round might be for Versant Or Berlitz.
Versant and Berlitz are automated English tests. They measure a person's performance using the English language in a conversational manner. Most of the interviewees won't make it to this stage.
If there's no English language test, there might be a mock call or a call simulation. You will be given a scenario and you need to resolve a problem. The resolution is up to you. It's a test of your professionalism and friendliness. If you have voice experience, you might get lucky. I frequently fail on this part.
Once you've passed all the interviews and assessments you will be then asked to sign some documents. It contains your salary and allowances, your benefits, your training and orientation schedules, and your medical examinations.
My advice for those who want to apply:
Research about the company you're applying for and the role that you're targeting
Make sure your resume is updated and professional-looking
Get plenty of rest and sleep the night before the interview
Practice speaking the English language in front of a mirror or with someone you're comfortable with
Eat enough on the interview day so you can focus on the process
Dress appropriately for the occasion. Semi-formal or casual attire will do.
Think positively. If you won't make it then there's something better for you.
Be mindful of your gestures during the interview. Make some eye contact with the interviewer.
Be honest about the reasons why you left your previous company but do not bad-mouth them.
I hope this sheds some light for those who are curious about the BPO's hiring process. I will share about the training process in my next article.
**Have you tried applying to one of the BPO companies out there? How did it go? Leave your comment below and let's chat.**
**THANK YOU, MY AWESOME SPONSORS!**
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The Pros and Cons of working in a BPO company
September 6, 2021
I hope everyone's safe and comfortable. If you're outside, or on the road, please be careful. Practice minimum health standards for yourself and for your family.
I've always been a workaholic- I have to render OT so I can have some extra amount to send to my daughter and mother. But I've always been on call whenever there's an extra head needed in the office even before I became a mom.
I loved working in the BPO or Call Centre companies and I missed it so much. I love the culture, the diversity of the people, the knowledge, and the training. I love meeting people from different walks of life. I've encountered architects, engineers, business owners, nurses, students, etc. And I asked the same question over and over again, "Why in the BPO?". Some said they got curious, because of the salary, the benefits, the hiring process, and it's what's available.
So let's talk about the pros and cons of being a "Kolsener" agent.
The Pros
**You can wear a jacket every day**- A what? A jacket? What's the big deal? Hmm, hello? We are living in a tropical country. The Philippines is hot but BPO workers need to wear jackets because of ACs (air conditioners). Yes, the floor is too cold fellas. And you can't wear just an ordinary jacket, it's got to be stylish and branded.
**You can wear shades too**- The darker, the better. Our eyes are most of the time, focused on the screen. For those who are night shifters, the sun's rays hurt the eyes a lot so we gotta wear shades after the shift. Just like the jacket, they better be on-trend.
**You can afford Starbucks/Coffee Bean/Seattle's Best**- Sociaclimbing 101 is real. Of course, you can buy it because you deserve to treat yourself! I'm just kidding with the social-climbing stuff. I hope I didn't hit home?
**You can speak English anytime, anywhere**- Yes, and this includes even when you're drunk or dreaming, or answering the phone. Just make sure you're enunciating properly.
**You got to eat at fast-food chains more often than before**- Because time is gold and you should always be punctual, eating at Jollibee or Mcdo is the best option. Unless you're dining with your TL or TM, then you have an excuse to be late. (Shrinkage is life, make sure you're friendly with the Workforce peeps).
**Oh let me share this personal experience about one of my calls**:
**Customer**: My customer number is A0D5 (My made-up number)
**Me**: Thank you. Just to be sure that's A for Alpha, 0...Is that "Oh" for zero or "Oh" for orange?
**Customer**:..................
**The Cons of being a Call Center agent**
**Forget about your social life**- Especially if you're a newbie or a "Call Center virgin". You'll get addicted to the money you'll have when you render OT. Just don't mind the tax though. You will have to file a leave so you can have extra days off aside from your 2-days rest days. Sad news, you won't be able to file a personal leave until you're regularized. But soon, you will learn that you can file a sick leave if you've had a hangover lol
**You have to be punctual**- Time is money and your company cannot afford to forgive your tardiness. It's a mortal sin. Except if you're good at persuading your TL. If not, get ready to make a good story on your NTE (Notice to Explain) form.
**Becoming a great pretender**- "Authenticity" sometimes does not apply to BPO agents. You have to pretend that you're having a great day, otherwise, it will reflect on your calls. On your scores. On your performance which will greatly affect the team, the whole company. So hold on to your emotions until the shift is over and go to your team leader's cubicle and cry.
**You need to strive hard**- You'll be graded every month according to your Quality score, tardiness, attitude, etc. Failing means you might lose your job. Tough, right?
**Unlawful practices**-Office politics and extra-marital affairs are just one of these. You'll be shocked to find out how "open-minded" these people are.
Have you worked in a BPO company? What did you like and not like? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
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**The rest of the content is mine
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Dreams and superstitions in the Philippines
Sept. 5, 2021
I spent a quite lovely time with my loved ones today. We should go back to making Sunday a family day again. I kind of miss bonding with my partner and my eldest. And I wanted to go offline but I got excited about this week's prompt so here I am sharing another story with you.
The Philippines is one of the most superstitious countries in the world. I think this is mainly because of the Spanish influence after the colonization. Superstitions are already part of our culture despite innovations and advanced technology.
Dreams are believed to be the gateway of reality and they are always attached to superstitions. Filipinos love interpreting dreams. If you go to Quiapo, you will see a lot of madams. They won't only interpret your dreams, you will also know about your future.
I do have some dreams that I could clearly remember, here are some of those:
My strange dreams
I was 9 and was battling with my life due to dengue fever. When I was sleeping, I saw my mother in the market buying oranges for me. I was wondering why I was looking at her from above. Then I saw a road leading to the sky, there were bright lights beside it but the rest of the background was dark. And I was alone.
It was between 2010-2011 when I dreamt of my mother's mom. She looked so radiant and was crying with happiness. I saw her unite with a cousin who died in 2007 (the soldier who was killed by the terrorists). I was shocked because she's alive and the other one's dead. I called my mama and told her about my dream. My grandmother died after 3 days. I guess it was a sign that she's going to pass away.
Sometimes 2013 or 2014. I saw my grandmother Gloria in my dreams. She was met by my father. I was wondering why it's happening because my grandma is still alive but she's seeing my dead papa. Then my aunt confessed that my grandma Gloria had stage 4 cancer. Grandma was in the ICU for 24 hours after the operation. I knew they kept a secret from me but my dreams revealed what it was.
**Here are a few dreams and their meanings according to our superstitions:**
**A boat/ship**- It means the death of a loved or close friend. I actually saw it in my dream and when I told my mother, she scolded me. She said I should have knocked on anything wood or bitten it like a pillar of the house or a bed's headboard to reverse the omen. I am not sure if it's true. A few months after that, we received a piece of news that my cousin (who was a solder) died on his duty.
**Water**- Like the sea or ocean. It is interpreted as a relationship. When the water is deep, it's a deep relationship. When it is clear or murky, it represents the type of relationship you have with your parent or your partner. Its smoothness or turbulence states the condition of your relationship.
**Falling teeth/tooth**- It means someone in the family or relatives is going to die. So if one dreams about it, you have to wake up right away and bite a piece of wood. Just don't chew and swallow the piece of wood.
**Flying**-It means that you have a high dream or aspirations. If you fall while flying it means that you might fail from achieving a dream or a goal.
**Death or dying**- Dreaming that you died isn't a bad one. It means change is coming or is already happening. It is the start of something new.
How about you? Do you know what your dreams mean? Did you experience strange dreams that came true or a dream that is too real that you never wanna wake up? Share your story by commenting below!
This is my entry for this week's writing prompt **Dreams.** If you would like to participate, these are the rules:
Write anything on **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!
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TO MY SPONSORS, I LOOK UP TO YOU GUYS. THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT!
Credits to Unsplash.com for the images.
**I'm gonna sign off early. You will hear from me tomorrow.**
**Sweet dreams, good night!**
An LDR with an awesome friend from the Land Down Under
September 4, 2021
Hey friends, how are you doing on this wonderful weekend? I know some of us are stressed for some reason. I am too, maybe I am just pressuring myself to publish an article a day which is impossible because I really don't have a lot of time sitting on my computer. I have a cute kid to tend.
I just realized that I've been in LDR with this Aussie guy for almost 7 years now. I told him that I'm going to write about our friendship.
Our destinies intertwined when I was with 24/7 in 2014 as a Technical Support Advisor...
The call
I was assigned as one of the "closers". Our shift ends until our business closes. It was kind of cool because we were only queuing until 8:00 PM Australia time and there will be like one or two calls until we go home. Australians believe in work-life balance so whatever issues they have, they'll take care of it until the next business days. Unless it is an emergency.
Customer Service is open until 5:00 PM AU time only, which means all after-hours calls are routed to the Technical Team.
"G'day. Thanks for calling, this is Mae. How can I help?", I greeted my customer in the other line.
"My name's G.C and I am concern about my bill..." We had a long talk about his account but unfortunately, the issue wasn't within our scope. He has to call CS to fix it.
I volunteered to call the team on his behalf. Elder people in AU need some extra TLC, take it from me. So I was able to resolve his problem with flying colors. He was so happy that he gave me his email address and phone number. But it's against company rules to get in touch with customers for personal reasons. I did email him, but after I resigned from 24/7.
We had several email exchanges but it was discontinued when I became too engaged with my personal issues. I got in touch with him again in 2017 and he sent me his first card.
I was so happy to receive his card. I didn't, ever, receive a gift from Australia. This makes it so memorable. He actually sent this to make sure the address was right and there is no hocus focus on our mailing system.
Our friendship's first challenge
Just like any other friendship, our relationship was tested. He was on the rocks with his wife and he was planning to find a younger Filipina to marry. I advised him (I actually scolded him like a daughter) that he might encounter an opportunist who will be just after his money. I've seen foreigners here in the Philippines who became broke, worst, beggars, after being fooled by their Filipina partners. Not everyone though. But he was already in his senior years and I was concerned. I don't judge him. He became a carer when his good wife had cancer. He wanted to be loved and to be cared for. I am glad he listened to me and gave their relationship a chance. Now he has a happy, growing family.
My birthday surprise :)
It was one of the happiest birthdays of my life. I didn't sleep after my shift when I received a notice from the Makati post office to collect a package.
Jaffas are orange-flavored round chocolate. It's one of the most famous Australian lollies. Its name after Jaffa, a town in Palestine well-known for its oranges.
I think he sent like 300-500 grams of Jaffas and I was having a hard time consuming it. I bought it in my office and shared it with my team. I was happy to have finally tasted something Australian.
He also sent me a birthday card, which is the red one. I was touched by his birthday message. I never felt so lucky to have a friend from another country.
A true friend cares for your spirituality
He is indeed, a one, true friend. He gave me the Bible so I could have a guide in raising my kids. He even left a note on what to read, a dedication on the very first page of the Bible. He cares not only about my life here on Earth but about the kind of life I may have in the afterlife. Nothing could be sweeter than that. Don't you think?
My mate is:
My adviser- He always wants the best for me and speaks from the heart.
My father- Yes, he is already in his 70's. I look up to him as a dad.
He is my confidante- I tell him everything that scares and bothers me and he doesn't judge me.
He is my pen pal- Or email pal. He always emails me even though I don't respond right away. Our last email was today about something romantic.
Oh, by the way, he also included 20 AUD in the package. I doubted whether to declare it or not, but I did, so I paid a tax.
I am lucky to have a cobber from the "Land Down Under"...(Cobber means a very good friend)
I hope to see him in New South Wales one day.
How about you? Do you have a long-time friend that you haven't personally met yet? How do you keep your communication going? Share it with me by leaving your comment below.
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Of war and terror
Sept 3, 2o21
**January 2000 at 8:00 AM**
I was already late for school. Tardiness is my favorite habit and I will never get tired of it. I was walking but my mind was too preoccupied with the exam and the clearance requirements. I badly wanted to still be at the top of the class. And I didn't notice my surrounding until I reached the school canteen.
"*Hey, you shouldn't be here!*", my schoolmate, Jason, was shouting at me.
"*Why? Where did everyone go?*", I asked.
"*The war broke out. Everyone was advised to go home. We won't have exams anymore. All school requirements have been canceled*", he replied.
I was worried about my grades. "*How are they gonna grade us?*", I asked again.
"*You worry too much. Hurry, let's go home now or the rebels will catch us!*", Jason hastily responded.
My mind started to drift away while we were walking towards the campus gate, trying to recall an incident a few days ago...
Jovelyn, my classmate, texted me, "*Are we gonna meet today at 3:00 PM for our Chemistry project?*"
"*Of course*", I sent her a short response. But I didn't show up because I got lazy.
"*There are rebels in Linamon exchanging fires against the gov't troops. We are yet to find out if there are casualties and civilians involved. Stay tuned.*", ends the radio announcement.
My mind went blank. I was worried about my classmates but good thing they were safe. They were laughing about the shooting because one classmate stepped on the dung while they were running away.
**Back to reality.**
I was on the street near our house. And just like in the movies where a war is taking place, several army trucks started to arrive. I began counting 1, 2, 3,...I think they were more than a hundred. And then the sky started to get noisy. I never saw a fighter plane before but I am pretty sure it's one of those.
After the army trucks' parade, some amphibians came. I've lost count. The soldiers looked ready and brave. They had ammunition and huge bags.
They were all going towards Lanao del Norte.
I wanted to pinch myself to check if I'm only dreaming but everything's real.
Then I started to see some unfamiliar faces. They looked lost, afraid, and tired...Some were women carrying their crying children, some were elders with their bags and pots, some were men with their household items. Some were lucky enough to find their relatives and sought refuge, some were not.
The nightmare began.
We would sleep with the roaring sound of the bombs. The ground trembles every time it explodes. The war doesn't respect wee time. People were fleeing in the middle of the dark night, afraid of being ransacked inside their homes. Our lights would go out. Everyone's scared. No one was safe.
A mother's tale
A few months after, our school resumed its normal operations but it became an evacuation center. I felt sorry for the evacuees because I knew they won't be comfortable, especially with bathing and stuff.
One time we were in civil-military training when I met an evacuee. She sadly told me her story.
*"I lost my son. They were commanded to run by the rebels while being shot at. The rebels also took our food and livestock. We were left with nothing. I don't know where to start after all of these."*
I was dumbfounded. I felt her grief, her sorrow, and her pain. My heart broke, not only for her but for all the victims of war.
What's the future of a war-torn country? Do we want our children to live in terror? How many mothers have to lose their sons, their daughters? How are we going to handle these terrorists who do not respect life, dignity, and property? Do we resort to peaceful negotiations, how about the sacrifices of our soldiers? Are they gonna be a lost cause?
These were the questions of my 15-year-old self while I was memorizing the 11 General Orders. Then I stood like a candle and looked like a tiger.
I just wanna share my personal story during the war in Mindanao while I was still in high school. And I hope this won't ruin your weekend.
Have you experienced war? If you did, how are you faring so far?
To my wonderful and awesome sponsors who I look up to THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND TRUST.
Do look into my sponsors' articles. Learn and be inspired.
And thank you for your time and effort in reading my piece for today, my dear friends. I honor you!
**All images were from Unsplash.com
Beauty beauty everywhere
**September 2, 2021**
This title is inspired by Blue's Clues' song *"Colors colors everywhere"*. It's about how colors are combined to derive the secondary and tertiary colors.
Beauty can be from the tone and mood of literature to the value and composition of a painting. Just like colors, it's everywhere.
It is a perception- one's standards can be different from another's point of view. But we can agree to disagree. And there's beauty in respecting disparity.
Personally, the most beautiful **celebrities** for me are Nina Dobrev (Vampire Diaries), Leighton Mister (Gossip Girl), and Kristin Kreuk (Smallville).
https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/vampire-diaries-nina-dobrevs-audition-was-so-bad-producers-forgot-her.html/
In this picture is Nina Dobrev. Her true name is Nikolina Kamenova Dobreva. She was Elena Gilbert in Vampire Diaries. She was from Sofia, Bulgaria, and is 32 years old.
The three celebrities that I have mentioned all have unique physical features which, for me, made them perfect. I don't know about their vital statistics, I only focus on their face value lol.
I took these photos at MOA Oceanside in 2010 while I was waiting for the fireworks display.
The **sunset** has always been a fascinating phenomenon to me. How can God make each sunset different every day? Why does the sky look so amazing every single blessed day? It's like God just effortlessly mixes the colors of His paintbrushes and easily draws His canvass.
Aside from the sunset, I also love **sunrise**. Whenever I am new to a place, I always try to wake up early to witness the magnificent rising of the sun. I just feel that it should be something I don't miss because I might not have the chance to return to that place anymore.
Now, this glass sculpture of the infinity sign is a fancy one. It was displayed at Rockwell, Makati. My friend's eye added to the beauty of the sculpture. If we only use our "eyes" to see the beauty of each person inside out, the world will be a much better place to live in.
This is the "Imagination" arc made by Plet Bolipata. She is a Manila blogger and an artist. She uses metals to doodle animals. She has an open-air exhibit in Bonifacio Global City and we happen to visit the park where her artworks were displayed. I love the combination of the flowers and the lights. I know I didn't catch the perfect angle for this work of art but for me, it's still beautiful.
This was taken in Serendra, Bonifacio Global City. My friend Lee, the girl in a green T-shirt, was my model.
You need to see the structure at a right angle so you will see the word "Truth".
In life, the truth may sometimes hurt but it does free us from the burden of carrying a secret or a lie. Living truthfully and peacefully radiates in one's aura. There's beauty in veracity and honesty.
Tagaytay is one of my favorite places to visit. I am always awed by the beauty of Taal Lake. I could stare at it the whole day because it looks so peaceful and calm despite the disaster brought by the Taal Volcano.
Taal Volcano is considered to be one of the world's smallest but deadliest volcanoes. It has thousands of tourists every year.
I remember way back in 2016 when my friends and I went to Tagaytay on Christmas Day, there was no available transportation from People's Park to Olivarez, so we walked our way to the main highway for I guess, 2-4 kilometers.
We talked, we laughed, we argued, and we fought-but at the end of the day, we were all friends. I remember our late-night drinking sessions, our silly stories, and our funny jokes. There's beauty in friendship, the happy memories embedded in my heart will remain until the day I die.
How I miss these guys. I am glad that they're all now successful in their own endeavors.
This is my entry for the weekly prompt #Beauty by @JonicaBradley https://read.cash/@JonicaBradley
If you would like to participate in this writing prompt, kindly follow these simple steps:
So the prompt word is "Beauty "
Write 100% original content
Tag @JonicaBradley
Write at least 600 words so the bot will give you something good
Submit to PromptlyJonica https://read.cash/c/promptlyjonica-b4a0
How about you, how do you define beauty? What do you do when someone disagrees with your definition of what "beauty" is? Comment below and let's chat.
TO MY NEW AND OLD SPONSORS: THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I highly recommend for you to visit their pages, you'll get a lot of tips on how to write effectively. Engage in our community too, you'll see how supportive these awesome people are.
THANK YOU FOR THE VISIT!
***Nina Dobrev's pic was from Cheatsheet.com*
***To Gio for our Kalayaan Pic- thank you*
***The rest of the content is mine*
I would like to shout out my words of gratitude for the sponsorship @Zcharina22 and upgrading his sponsorship @ARTicLEE...I am greatly honored by your trust and generosity :) THANK YOU!
Salamat ng madami sa sponsorship @Zcharina22, it's a great birthday blessing! Rest assured that I will pay it forward :)
Be kind to me, it's my birthday
Sept. 1, 2021
When I was a kid, I remember having only a balloon for my birthday. My mama and I went to the city and visited the church and then she bought me a balloon afterward. And then when I was 12, she brought me a cake from SM and a dress as gifts.
I didn't have big celebrations during my birthday ever since I was a kid because we couldn't afford it. I also didn't appreciate observing it because I didn't have a deeper understanding of what a birthday really means.
But now that I am an adult, I get excited every time my birthday is near. Because it is the start of the Christmas season. I don't know, I just feel special whenever it's September 1.
And I've been through a lot in life- you could only imagine and I'm glad that I've survived all of those. I am most of the time, misunderstood, so here's a poem as an explanation:
**When I am unkind and say hurtful words, forgive me and be kind to me, it's my birthday.**
**If I want some privacy and want to be just with "me", please be kind to me, it's my birthday.**
**I am still dealing with my ugly past and I'm trying to move on. Be kind to me, it's my birthday.**
**I have been through hell and back and I'm in pain. Be kind to me, it's my birthday.**
**I'm struggling with so much sadness and despair. I'm sorry if I'm heartless. Be kind to me, it's my birthday.**
**The world has taken a toll on me. It's full of hopelessness and fallacy. Be kind to me, it's my birthday.**
**The lamentations of humanity are a heavy burden that I no longer wanna carry. Be kind to me, it's my birthday.**
**Who says I am not grateful? I really am, you just don't see it every day. So Be kind to me, it's my birthday.**
**Do you think I am hateful and merciless? That's hearsay- you just don't know me yet. Be kind to me, it's my birthday.**
**That I am savage and brutally honest? The truth hurts, obviously. Be kind to me, it's my birthday.**
My prayers and wishes for my birthday are:
**End of this pandemic**- I miss the days when my daughter and I go out to just scoot, walk, and buy our favorite snack. It made me realize that those simple things do matter, and a parent's presence gives a child happy memories that she'll treasure when she grows up.
**The health of my family and friends**- We all have lost someone because of Covid and I always pray that my family and friends are always in good health.
**Food**- We all need food for nourishment and I pray that everyone has food on their table. To those who have more than enough, kindly share to those who are in need. We all have to help each other out in this challenging time.
**Safety and world peace**- Disasters and chaos are everywhere. I pray for humanity's heart to change: that we can forgive and resort to peace whenever conflict arises. As long as we have peace, we are safe.
I pray and wish that our kids will be able to swim on the beach, climb the trees and mountains, go fishing, go camping, or even malling soon.
I know I have been so imperfect and such a sinner but I am so grateful that God gave me another year to become a better me, a better mother, a better daughter, and a better friend. The blessing of good health, prosperity, and security is very humbling and for that, I am forever thankful.
How about you? Are you excited for 9.1 with Jose Mari Chan or for the 9.9 with Jackie Chan?
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To my wonderful sponsors: THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Do visit their pages: learn and be inspired.
-Credits to Unsplash.com for all the images
-The rest of the content is mine
Just logged in to my coins.ph account and saw I got 1 peso worth of XRP. It has bounced back! I shouldn't have spent them :(
Let's stroll and eat around Makati!
Hope everyone's having a great Monday afternoon! Tomorrow is another day, let's not worry too much about it yet. Worries won't add a day in our lives, nor add more figures in our bank.
We had our simple celebration in the house yesterday because my brother-in-law can't be with us on a weekday. So we had nachos, veggies salad, shawarma, carbonara, and chicken parmesan. I don't have some pictures because I don't have a smartphone yet.
I was inspired to publish this blog because of @CoquiCoin. She shared some pictures of the savory food she and her family ate just recently so I'm sharing mine. This is just a recall of that food that I rarely eat at restaurants though.
Makati is the business center of the Philippines- it has tall, sophisticated buildings surrounded by lush greeneries. It's very busy during the weekdays but it's like a ghost town during weekends. I love Makati, especially Ayala Ave. and Makati Ave. It reminded me of my humble beginnings in the workforce industry.
Not only that it boasts about its wonderful structures, but there are also some good foods in the area. So let's start with:
**Legazpi Village Sunday Market**
Legazpi Village is located in the inner part of Makati. The Sunday Market opens, of course, every Sunday as early as 7:00 AM until I think, 11:00 AM.
I missed food tripping so I went there and bought some siomai for I think 100-150 pesos. I was shocked because the owner cooked them himself. I found out that he was from Macau and just migrated to the Philippines. The delicious dumplings were big and they had extra shrimp and peas inside. It was savory. You could really tell the difference between an authentic Chinese dumpling and an imitation. I loved the dumplings and I enjoyed every bite of it.
I bought a stir-fried vegetable I forgot what it's really called, it's that one in the plastic container.
If you ever go to Makati, I highly recommend that you visit the place. It is full of great finds, from fresh, delicious international cuisines to a variety of products. You will also enjoy great background music.
Lemon cheesecake
This lemon cheesecake's deliciousness sparked rumors so we have to find out if it is true or not so we went to C' Italian Dining Valero. It's just within the vicinity of Salcedo Village. The restaurant was posh, and I felt so awkward lol.
The cheesecake was okay for me, it wasn't really mind-blowing. The cheesecake was a little bit thick, the lemon's tanginess was acceptable, the nuts didn't add any effect. I wish they made the cheesecake somewhat lighter. Overall, it was an "okay" experience.
The Wholesome Table
I loved the salmon in tomato-basil cream sauce. The salmon was cooked to perfection, the taste was light-it wasn't too salty. You can appreciate the different flavors of each ingredient. It felt like there was an explosion of flavors in my mouth.
This second menu was made of eggplant and parmesan cheese served with some garlic bread. I have totally forgotten what the name is of this menu but it was very delicious. I tried looking at the Wholesome Table food list but it's not there anymore. This one is a must-try and it's best eaten while hot.
Of all the restaurants that I've been into, I liked the Wholesome Table the best. They serve fresh, locally grown ingredients. They support the local farmers and are advocates of the farm-to-table program.
Aside from their delectable dishes, they also serve fresh fruit juices and shakes. You can have a look at their menu here. https://linktr.ee/Thewholesometable
I wish I can go out and dine again with my family but I think that's gonna be a dream for now. I am pretty sure that they will love going to these places I've mentioned.
How about you? Have you tried al fresco dining during the pandemic? Was the experience the same before the pandemic? Feel free to comment and let's have a chat.
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I was supposed to publish this last night but my kid got her teething issues. I wish she'll overcome it soon so she won't be grumpy and in pain.
To my sponsors, thank you so much for your kindness and your support.
To my visitors, please visit my sponsors' page, read their articles, learn, and be inspired. I also appreciate your time reading my columns and your effort in connecting with me.
I hope everyone's safe in these trying times. I know most of us are trying our best and we are doing great. I'm sending my virtual hugs.
**All images are mine
If I were my Papa
August 29, 2021, at 12:13 AM
The month is almost over and I still haven't finished writing an article to honor my dad. His death anniversary was on August 14. I was too preoccupied with Saoirse's 13th month's celebration (We only had ice cream).
My parents met when my Mama was 16 and my Papa was, I think 24. It was a whirlwind romance. I am pretty sure it wasn't built in the foundation of love, trust, and friendship because most of my childhood memories about them were all about fighting.
Given the chance to be in my father's shoes, here are things that I could have done:
Not marry my mama
It's not that I didn't want him to be happy. He should have asked himself whether he wanted to raise a family, not just marry out of obligation. They could have lived together first and figured out whether they are compatible or not. Then arranged joint custody if they weren't amicable. It could have saved them from hurting themselves. (If he married her because of love, things could have been different.)
I'd go back to Jordan
My papa was a class A welder. He went to Jordan to work and became the breadwinner of his family. When he came home to the Philippines in 1984, he was introduced to gambling and drinking by his friends. He got addicted to the vices. If he thought of our future, he could have returned abroad.
I will spend time with my daughters
My father wanted a boy, that's why he was so excited when my mama was pregnant with me. My name could have been Artagnan if I were a boy. He still named me though and I became his favorite daughter. But he didn't spend a lot of time with us. He spent it with his friends. But we did have some bonding moments:
My papa and I went to the city. I was 6 or 7. He got so pissed off because I kept on asking him to buy all the goodies I see on the street. He said, "I wish I didn't tag you along". In the end, he bought me a pair of sneakers.
I was 10. We went to the parlor, it was actually just a neighbor's house. The stylist asked me what hairstyle I'd love to have. I answered, "One length". I wanted to look good because school's gonna open soon. I was horrified because she kept on cutting my hair until it was too short.
I just made a research about "Coconut bob". It's the kind of cut she gave me. I thought I was just making it up when I said I looked like a coconut! I cried when we arrived home and blamed my papa. He was laughing at me, to my annoyance.
I do believe he tried his hardest to become our father. It may not be what he wanted to do. But despite his imperfections, I had a papa who:
Protected us every time someone wanted to bully us
Gave me a portion of his salary, especially when I was in college
Knew how to play guitar and taught me how to do so
Called me "Plangging and nak nak"
Planted trees whenever he goes to his lot. We did see the fruit of his labor.
Was always proud of me (I'm the favorite, sorry sisters).
Was a good cook. I wish he taught me all he knew about cooking.
I didn't see my papa until his last breath. I was here in Manila trying to find a good job so I could support his medications. I do think he spent his life according to his will, whatever the result of those actions may be.
To the "**Leader of the Band**", thanks for bringing some "rock n' roll" into our lives Papa. This one's for you.
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I am not bitter that my Papa wasn't the father I wanted to be, but I am thankful that I existed because of him.
How about you, do you have the best dad? What were the greatest lessons you learned from your father? Any unforgettable moments? Comment down below and let's have a chat.
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**To my visitors, thanks for your time in checking my page. I highly recommend you have a look at my sponsors' profiles and read their stories. Be inspired and learn.**
**To my generous and kind sponsors: thank you very much as always for the support and advice.**
**Coconut bob pic was from Photodetective http://www.photodetective.co.uk/jpegs/cocobob01.jpg
**Lead image was from Unsplash.com
**The rest of the content is mine
Goal achieved for the month of August- thank you read.cash!
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars." –Les Brown
I can't put my daughter back to sleep, she's too heavy for me to carry. Another 30 minutes of an hour of doing that will hurt my back so much.
Sorry, this has nothing to do with putting babies to sleep. But this is about an appreciation, a gratitude post because I have reached my goal for the month.
My goal is to earn at least $10 a week, yes. And I achieved it. THANK YOU RUSTY, MY LOVELY SPONSORS, AND MY CO-AUTHORS WHO GENEROUSLY SHARED THEIR BLESSINGS.
I used to desperately think about where we could get the means to buy our toiletries: my partner's family is taking care of our daily needs but I don't want to bother asking them for our personal needs. So, thank you, Read Cash.
Thank you, my awesome sponsors
Your sponsorships gave me hope that I deserve to be here. I may have fallen short but I will try my best to bounce back and write better articles. I am grateful because I learn from you guys every day. I appreciate your time in reading my stories, I know sometimes they are corny and non-sense but you are still kind enough to engage and comment your thoughts about them. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
**Thank you, my PromptlyJonica community**
I also joined other communities but so far, this community has been very generous to me. Thank you Ms. Jonica Bradley for allowing me to join your group and the weekly prompts, and your tips. Just like what I promised my sponsors- I will do my best to inspire new writers here and will pay it forward.
Thank you, my new-found friends
This platform paved the way in forging new friendships and for that, I am beyond grateful. I always look forward to reading your stories here every day. It makes me happy to see you succeed, makes me sad about your troubles and worries, and inspires me to go on on this adventure called life. Forgive me for my vents and thank you for not judging me.
Please do know that I won't judge you for whatever you share here too. We all have our triumphs and failures, our weaknesses and strength. It's an honor to be a part of this platform where people open their hearts and share a wonderful piece of themselves.
Thank you, my subscribers
I only had 12 subscribers last time but now there are already 31 of you. I badly wanted to open a bottle of "Empi Lights" to "nomo" or drink but I can't do that for now. How shall I celebrate? By saying, "I am honored to have you as my subscribers". Thank you for the trust and for your faith in what I do. May we continue to flourish and support each other here.
Thank you, Rusty
I didn't really know who Rusty is before. I thought he is a man. Why do you call him "Rusty?" again? I don't think he is "rusty" because he visits me regularly lol.
Rusy, I hope we can have a good, lasting relationship together. You may have a lot of girlfriends already and I am content to have you as my BFF for life. Just let me know if you wanna leave. Don't break my heart.
I calculated my earnings, I won't give an exact amount because I didn't include the tips on my short posts but it is almost $60. I had a good start for August and I'm finishing it with a bang. I only wished for $10/week to sustain our personal needs but It went beyond that. I am so happy and grateful! The quote above surely is true.
My key takeaways for the following months would be:
Inspire more writers and pay it forward
Read more articles or books for better posts and for added knowledge
Try to have more time in community engagement
Improve the "look and feel" of my page
Set the bar higher-achieve more goals
Aside from the security and good health of my family and friends, I consider my membership here as one of the greatest gifts for my birthday this year. **THANK YOU!**
I know August has not ended yet but I declare that I am victorious for this month and for the succeeding months to come.
**DAGHANG SALAMAT! MUCHAS GRACIAS! MARAMING SALAMAT PO!**
** All images were from Unsplash.com
**The rest of the content is mine.
Questions about life and things that matter
I hope everyone's warm on this cold, cold night. Few more days and it's going to be my birthday. The first day of the Christmas holiday in the Philippines. (Yes, the Philippines has the longest Christmas celebration).
Not that we're going to have a feast hehe. But I am still thankful, more than ever, that everyone that I love is safe and healthy. It's the best birthday gift for me.
Know what? Our bedroom light broke today, we just bought it a week ago. It made Saoirse happy because it was so bright that she could clearly see the entire room and play in our bed. I tried checking if it's just a loose connection but Jasper plugged it into another socket and it still didn't work.
Life like's that, sometimes, we thought that everything's perfectly fine until we're busted, caught unprepared.
Sigh...It's been so long since I have had this deep and heavy sadness. I carry it every day. And I am not sure when this will go away. I think it's here to stay. Sometimes I question my sanity. And I plea to God to hold it firmly. To don't let go.
So I have these crazy questions on:
Crazy random stuff
First, what was wrong with our freaking light? Arggh, I wish I have my own tester so I can check where the continuity issue is. Maybe I can fix it and save some pesos rather than buying a new one. Could you tell me if there's something I didn't do?
Life and its uncertainty
When will this pandemic end? I know everyone is agitated to go out, to meet with their friends, to travel, etc. Some of us are trying to get back to "normal" but undeniably, it is not the "old normal" anymore. Are we going to be prisoners of this pandemic for life? Is it true that Covid-19 is man-made, a biological weapon?
Something personal
Is there a possibility that I will see my mama in the future? Most of the people that I know lost someone. Am I not gonna see my mama who lives a thousand miles away from me? Is she gonna "go" first, or will it be me? What I'm worried about is: does she have the chance to see my wake before I go 6 feet underground? Is there an afterlife so we could meet if we're not given the chance here on Earth?
Do my friends still remember me? I miss them but it seems that they are busy with their lives. I haven't moved on, our happy memories are still in my heart. Will they come and visit me one day when this pandemic is over? Are they going to invite me for a reunion or catch-up?
Am I gonna see my close friend **Mai**, who is battling **stage 4 cancer**? Can I support her again, like the way I used to?
Am I gonna save this failing relationship? I do feel that we are going on the brink of separation. What? We don't talk after we argue. We no longer iron things out. We seem to be irritated with each other in every minor issue. I love him, I do but I'm lost. I wanna try to connect with him but I don't know "where the continuity issue is". Maybe I am as busted as he is. Lol.
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I am freezing cold as well as my brain so I'm gonna finish this article now. Hopefully, I can still watch Netflix after this because there are so many exciting series that I wanna look into. I doubt it.
How about you, what are your questions about life? Do you aim to know the answers or do you prefer to forget them?
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This is my entry for the 5th writing prompt: Questions by Ms. @JonicaBradley and I wish you will join too. I am looking forward to reading your piece.
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I highly recommend that you visit their pages and read their articles for inspiration and tips on how to become an effective writer.
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@jasglaybam
