@mgrshgian

I Should Have Done This Earlier I am in my mid-30s. If ever you'll ask me what is the one thing I could have done in my 20s, I would probably answer is moving out/living independently. For the past 31 years of my life, I was living with my family in Marikina. As in, my whole life I am with my mother, father, siblings, and dogs. We've been through a lot. "A lot" really means A LOT. We're not rich. My family is not rich. To be honest, we were living paycheck to paycheck when we were young. My father used to work as a gardener. My mother is still sew clothes for her customers. I started working at the age of 21, but I haven't build my personal savings or investments. My sisters are also working and earning just enough for their needs too. And I have a sister who is still in school. What I am trying to say is that, I didn't come from a well off family, with family inheritance or what not. I need to give some of my earning to my family to somewhat help with the daily expenses. And because of that, I was not able to move out at an early age. I can say this is also my fault. I used to spend my money on things that I really don't need. Or mostly in food, where I wanted to try almost every trending food or restaurants, regardless if it is expensive or not. I also go to places a lot before because of peer pressure. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed travelling. But I didn't even budget my expenses that time. If only I had enough knowledge on finacial management, maybe I could have moved out, lived independently, and still manage to help my family financially too. I really think Financial Management should be taught in schools. To think about it, moving out is a priviledge specially when you're wealthy enough to have your own place. It just so happen that most of us cannot afford even renting a place. Eventually, I started to move out in a way because of work, just to prevent myself from being late and avoid spending too much on Grab/Uber. I lived 16kms away from home to work. And also imagine the traffic situation here in Manila. I barely had a time for sleep during my shift. My then-boyfriend (now husband) suggested that I can stay with their place during my shift days so that I could lessen my travel time and at the same time, I could sleep longer. Then in my rest days, I go home in Marikina with my family. I also agreed to share payment with the rent even for a small amount. This was my setup since 2016. Even for that small span of time, I feel like I am living independently. I make my own food, I do my own dishes, I do the laundry, I go to the gym, do yoga, etc. Basically, I have my me time most of the time. I also learned how to manage my finances with the help of my then-boyfriend-now-husband. Now, I am currently living with my husband in the same apartment he offered me to stay in 2016. Some of our former housemates have already gone in other places. We're the couple left. Don't get me wrong. I still love my family even I want to physically separate myself to them. Maybe there are things that needs to grow and go out in their comfort zone. Just like my desire to live independently.

Life Happened: A Life Update and a Short Stopover Here at Read Hi! So I happen to check on read.cash again for a long time. It has been 2 months since my last post here. To give you an update, I started working in a new company last October. Finally, after a year of me being unemployed, this has been a blessing for us. I'm now 2 months old in my work and still in shadow training. Hopefully I could pass the final assessment this December with flying colors! I can't help comparing my previous work to now because, to be honest, it is really waaaaayyy different. From the schedule to the workplace itself, and to the people I worked with, I can say I am lucky to get a shot at this. I will not experience night shift again, my office is in Makati, and I get to work for 8 hours only (compared to my 12-hr work before). Hopefully I'll last here. There are plenty attempts of me to write here in read. However, I cannot find a time to write. I mean, after my shift I get to do the household chores still, and I only have a little time for myself like doing yoga, or playing video games, or skincare, etc. Sorry read if I didn't prioritize you. Huhu. I already have a list of my writing prompts for me to do again. So maybe one of these days, I'll post. I'm taking it at a slow pace. I also saw that some of my sponsorships were gone (maybe because I was inactive). Hopefully I could regain you back soon. Just also recently, I got to catch up with my 2 bestest friends FINALLY! We last saw each other (or I should say, completely gathered) was last February 2020, the day of my wedding. We went to Capitol Commons and had dinner. We talked and laughed just like the old times! Hayyyy, I missed them so much! Hopefully we can do that again soon. COVID cases in the Philippines has also declined significally. I don't know if I should believe in the numbers that DOH releases. But if their goal is to make us feel complacent, then I can say that it is working for me huhuhu. It felt like everything is normal again! I don't know, people around here are already celebrating parties like having so many guests, there are already bars opened, gigs, etc. I also see soooo many people in malls already! EVEN KIDS! I don't know what to feel. Not being KJ though, but the virus is still there! Hayyyy... Maybe all we really need to do is practice safe precautions, still wear masks, AND GET VACCINATED! Speaking of vaccines, I wanted to have my booster shot soon. I got completely vaccinated last July and there were reports that over time, the effectivity of the COVID vaccine wanes. So I have to get my booster on January. Hopefully I could have a schedule for that ASAP. Maybe that's it for now! I cannot promise to write too often, but I will do my best to post here. Ciao!

NBI Hit! I mentioned in my previous post (Salad Saturdays: Pre-Employment Requirements, Birthday, and other things again...) that I had an NBI Clearance experience that was funny and frustrating at the same time. https://read.cash/@mgrshgian/salad-saturdays-pre-employment-requirements-birthday-and-other-things-again-84218161 So I though of writing this one in a separate post. I'll be also sharing with you some of the steps I have taken in getting my NBI Clearance specially when you have a hit. *Disclaimer: This is not an official guide on how to get your NBI Clearance however, may this post help you with it. In my case, I have to apply for a new clearance since it has been 10 years since I had mine. For updated and complete guidelines, go to* *https://nbiclearance-online.com/nbi-clearance/nbi-clearance-online-application-for-2021-updated-07162021/* https://www.nbiclearance.org/ NBI Clearance is one of the most common pre-employment requirements needed for most of the employers here in the Philippines. I think the main reason is that to make it clear that you don't have any existing cases or any criminal record in the court. **SO, HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR IT?** There is not much different process when applying for it compared from pre-pandemic times. Only that, you have to secure an online registration for it now for a faster transaction. Go to https://clearance.nbi.gov.ph/ to register an account. You will see immediately the advisory for some of its qualified requirements. https://clearance.nbi.gov.ph/ I remember I prepared my passport (with my maiden name in it) and my marriage certificate (proof that I am married). After you tick 'Close', you'll see in the right part of the page where you need to REGISTER. If you are a new applicant, tick on 'NO'. Then fill out the required fields. Take note of the mobile number has to be active in order for you to get the generated OTP for confirmation. Click on 'READ and ACCEPT TERMS OF SERVICES' then the capcha that you are not a robot. Then click on 'Sign up'. https://clearance.nbi.gov.ph/ I will not go much about the details on how you fill out everything. You may check it out here https://nbiclearance-online.com/nbi-clearance/nbi-clearance-online-application-for-2021-updated-07162021/#Register%20an%20Account. By the way, I paid through GCash for a total of Php 155 pesos (Php 130 for the clearance itself, and Php 25 for the service fee.). But you can also pay directly in the NBI office that you will be applying on minus the Php 25. It is up to you if you want it online or not. **FROM MAKATI TO MONTALBAN REAL QUICK** One part of my online registration is that I have to choose which NBI Office I will apply my clearance. Since I need it immediately, the earliest time and available slots available is in Rodriguez Municipal Hall. Nearby offices in Makati are all full and they have slots for the next week. I had no choice but to go to Rodriguez, Rizal. Imagine, 25 km from my place! I had to take multiple commutes before I get there. My application went smoothly since there are very few people lining up for application (which is nice!). It only took me 5 mins there. However, my name has a hit. So, I have to go back after a week to get my clearance. **WHAT'S A HIT?** Even in my maiden name before, I already have a hit. So, what is it? If your NBI clearance application has a “hit” status, it means that either you or your namesake (i.e., a person who shares the same name as you) is linked to records or information that are criminal in nature. - From Filipiknow.net https://filipiknow.net/nbi-clearance-hit/ I know to myself that I don't have any criminal cases or anything that warrants a case in court. So what made my name a hit? According to what I have read online, most likely because my first name is too common that it warrants a hit. *Labo di ba?* For example, my name is MARIA CHENELIN KINEME CRUZ. Even if you have a unique first name and a common surname (or vice versa), if there is a MARIA CRUZ that has a criminal case, then your name will be considered a hit. *Labo pa rin di ba?* I mean, they could have it filtered more specific. Ughhh database things... **THE FUNNY AND FRUSTRATING PART...** In my case, after a week I came back to Montalban to get my clearance. I was really expecting it to get it there at the moment when the NBI Clearance office told me: *"Ikaw ba yung kukuha ng clearance?" (Are you the one who will get the clearance under this name?)* *"Opo. Bakit po?" (Yes, why?)* *"May kaso na nakapangalan sa iyo. Puntahan mo to sa NBI sa may Taft para makuha mo yung clearance mo." (Your namesake has a pending criminal case. You may go to NBI in Taft to get your clearance.)* To tell you, I am shocked and angry at the same time. *Yung kapangalan ko may kaso?! Galing pa ako sa malayo tapos hindi ko makukuha ngayon yung clearance ko?! AAAAAHHHHH!* I have no choice, I need them to expedite my clearance so I did go to the NBI Main Office in Taft, Manila. **THEN, I FOUND OUT THAT...** I endured an hour and a half going to Taft from Montalban (thank you for the LRT and MRT trains, my commute was quite fast). I didn't need to line up outside just to get into the NBI Office. The NBI Officer in Montalban told me to go to the Quality Control for checking of my record. I read online that they will conduct an interview for you to check your identity and if the case really belongs to you. So this NBI Agent somewhat interrogated me. And I found out the reason that I have a hit. NBI Agent: "*Hmmm... (my name)... Meron kang tumalbog na cheke.*"(You have a stale check.) Me: "*Wala po akong cheke or any checking account!*" (I don't have any checking account!) NA: "*Kelan ka pinanganak?"* (When were you born?) Me: *October 7 19*** NA: "*Kelan ka kinasal?"* (When did you get married?) Me: *February 1 20*** NA: "*Maliban sa Marikina at Makati, may tinirahan ka pa bang ibang lugar?"* (Aside from Marikina and Makati, did you have any other residential addresses?) Me: "*Wala po. Dun lang sa Marikina at Makati lang po."* (None. Only in Marikina and Makati.) NA: "*Kelan mo pa ginagamit yung pangalan mo na married?"* (When did you start using your married name?) Me: "*After po ng kasal ko."* (Right after I wedded.) NA: "*Sure na wala kang checking account sa kahit anong banko?"* (Are you sure you don't have any checking accounts in any banks?) Me: "*Wala po."* (None.) Then he told me that a certain (my name) has a case of a stale check, who resides in Valenzuela City. He might need me to go to San Juan Court for additional documents needed. I am really tired and hungry that time that I don't have energy to go there. Since it is already 3pm, the NBI Agent just told me to file an Affidavit of Denial, have it notarized and attach a photocopy of my marriage certificate. Then he will release my clearance. No need for me to go to San Juan. That just gave me a big relief! He advised me that there is a nearby Notary Public that I can go to. So I went there, secured my Affidavit of Denial, then got back to the NBI Agent. They released my clearance! YEEEEYYYY!!! After hours of commute, moist face mask and face shield, and a lot of walking, I FINALLY GOT MY NBI CLEARANCE! I got home via Grab. I really wanted a milktea so bad because of what I have gone through. So I ordered one when I got home. It was funny and surprising because I really can't believe that I have a namesake, and that namesake has a court case! She made my life so difficult in securing my NBI clearance. Anyway, I don't know the takeaway of this story hahaha! I mean, life should be much easier and better only if these things can be accomplished online. I am not only talking about the NBI only but all of the government offices. And to that someone who has my same name, I hope you clear your case soon. That's all for now! Until my next post! *Check out my sponsors! They have amazing entries here in read!* *You can also check out my other entries* *here**!* https://read.cash/@mgrshgian *Lead image screencap from* https://clearance.nbi.gov.ph/

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Salad Saturdays: Pre-Employment Requirements, Birthday, and other things again... It has been a week for me since I last wrote my entry here. I’ve been busy the whole week for my requirements for work. I only had 2 weeks to prepare those so I had to rush everything. Anyway, since this is Salad Saturdays entry, I’ll just tell everything and anything under the sun. **PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS and GOVERNMENT OFFICES** Once I got a hold of the pre-employment checklist from my new employer, I immediately searched on how to get those. It has been a long time since I got to experience getting the requirements again because I never jump shipped companies in the past 10 years hehehe! And since I haven't updated my government records after I married last year (Feb 2020), I also thought this is a nice time to update my records too. SSS, NBI Clearance, PhilHealth, PAGIBIG, and BIR. To be honest, I find it 50-50 ok and not. OK since there are less people who are there in those offices, you don't have to line up for a long time. However, it is still doesn't sit to me ok because I think updating of these things can be done online. It is disappointing knowing that your taxes are not invested in these offices to serve people conveniently. I mean, we have a budget. I just want them to put it in their IT infrastructure so that we do not have to suffer going to those offices for a simple updating of records. My NBI Clearance journey is a different story. I think I might have a separate entry for this. I find this funny and frustrating at the same time. Stay tuned! **GHOST OF TSUSHIMA DIRECTOR'S CUT** https://in.ign.com/ghost-of-tsushima/164820/news/ghost-of-tsushima-directors-cut-ps4-india-upgrade-price-revealed Before my birthday, my husband asked me what do I want for my birthday. It was a spur of the moment question so I really haven't thought of my answer then. I told him "*Uhmm, maybe I'll buy a new bra? I don't know.*". I realized what I really want when I was at the MRT going to Cubao for my NBI Clearance. I've been longing to have Ghost of Tsushima. They just recently released its director's cut. Meaning, it has an additional story line to be played and other bonus content unlike with its initial release! It's kind of expensive that's why I just told myself I'll buy this when I receive my first salary in my new company. But then, since my husband asked me, I took advantage of it HAHAHA! I asked him through chat if I can have it. He replied "*Gora sa Tsushima. Birthday gift ko na.*" ("*Go for Tsushima. It's my birthday gift to you.*") AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!! I'm soooo happy that I had it! Yiiiii! I already finished the main story of it back then (when I just borrowed it from our ex-housemate here) and currently playing the extended Tales of Iki Island. It's nice because my previous game data has been carried over there so no need for me to repeat the main story and weapon, gear, and technique upgrades. **SECOND PANDEMIC BIRTHDAY TO ME!** Yes, this is my second birthday on lockdown, in a pandemic. As I said in my IG post, I am still lucky enough to still celebrate my birthday unlike thousand of people who didn't even make it. We just celebrated my birthday at home. That morning, I did 2 sets of yoga because it made me feel good. My husband let me buy the food for lunch to celebrate my birthday after his shift. We had: Amber's Spaghetti and Pichi Pichi Andok's Letsong Baka Classic Savory's Half Chicken Go! Salad's Salad (forgot the name) Ube Macapuno Custard Cake from Tivoli Cakes and Pastries (from our godfather. Yes, he bakes. And yes, the cake is reallyyyy good specially the custard on top of it! You can find him on Facebook!) https://www.facebook.com/tivolicakespastries/ We gave some of our food to our next-door neighbors here in the apartment. (kaya please don't judge if you see na madami food tapos dalawa lang kame ng asawa ko. hahaha!) Then later that afternoon, my friends surprised me with a cake too! It was a Tres Leches cake from Freya's Oven! The cake is not too sweet and has like a vanilla ice cream taste. I highly recommend you to try this too! https://www.facebook.com/freyasoven My timeline from FB, IG, and Twitter were filled with greetings too! Grateful for people who took time to greet me on my day. It was indeed a good day! My heart is happy and my tummy is full! **ELECTION TIME IN THE AIR** It also happened that in my birthday week is the start of filing of Certificate of Candidacy in the upcoming elections this May 2022. Because Philippines is really in a desperate time now, many aspirants filed for candidacy, gunning for the presidency. It's too early to tell who's who. All I wanted was to bring back the kind of leadership we really deserve. As the late Ninoy Aquino quoted "Filipinos are worth dying for.". We deserve good governance and leadership. I suggest you assess every candidate as early as possible. Check their track records and their platforms. Do not hold on to fake news that you see in social media. Research more with reliable sources. Watch their interviews, listen to the podcast where they guest in. Through that, you can decide which is which. I have many wishes for my birthday. That includes that we may all survive until the pandemic ends and we can get back to normal soon. I know the light is still in the far end of the tunnel, but I am still hoping for the better. That's it for my Salad Saturdays! I hope you had a great week! Until my next post! *Check out my sponsors!* *You can also check out my other posts* *here**!* https://read.cash/@mgrshgian *I am also in* *noise.cash**! You can follow me there for some of my good "noise" content there!* https://noise.cash/u/mgrshgian *Lead Image from Unsplash*

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The Ondoy Experience My sister @melsiebelsie just posted her experience with Ondoy here. And I kinda feel I had to share mine too since she already mentioned me in her post hehe! https://read.cash/@melsiebelsie/ondoy-our-first-time-experiencing-flood-361c5e9b *Just a disclaimer, I may not remember the exact things happened since this was already 12 years ago. And I'm sort of sleepy now but I'll do my best to share with you what had happened to me during Ondoy.* Anyway, for introduction (and for your information as well) Typhoon Ondoy (*International name: Ketsana*) was one of the most devastating typhoon that hit in the Philippines in 2009. I can't remember that my mother and I were arguing about me going to school. But yeah, I insisted going to school for a thesis together with my friend, Nasha. The rain that time was not that super strong, but it is continuous and with no winds. I have to take note that I was wearing a shirt, leggings and a combat shoes just because I want to look "cool" in it while it's raining hahaha! I went to our school (which is located in Manila. I really had to travel hours from our home in Marikina to get there.) to meet Nasha and do the thesis. However when I got there, they already suspended the classes. I saw Nasha and we decided to go home. I think that was already lunchtime-ish. I just lost track of the time. Anyway, we did our best to go home and protect Nasha's laptop from the heavy rain because, you know, it's a laptop. Together with the initial copy of the thesis. We were drenched already. Mostly all of the students were having a hard time going home because there are less jeepneys passing by. I heard that some portions of Aurora Blvd are flooded deep that the jeeps cannot pass through already. With luck, there was a jeep that endured the flooded Aurora Blvd. We got there together with other students who wants to go home already. We're all wet. Then the jeep managed to pass the heavy flooding of Aurora Blvd up until Gateway in Cubao. It took a while before we got there. Then Nasha and I decided to take the LRT2 from Cubao to Santolan since we thought that the way going to Marikina is already not passable due to the Marikina River on high levels. When we got to Santolan Station, all people were flocking in the platform since seeing Marcos Highway is flooded already. The flood was leg deep already when we got there. Nasha and I decided to walk in the flooded Marcos Highway all the way to Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall for the luck of having jeeps there going to Nasha's house in Antipolo. As we get near to Sta. Lucia, the water continuous to rise. Remember my outfit? Imagine me walking in flood in combat boots. You'll get what I felt that time. I think after an hour we reached Sta. Lucia. However, the mall is closed. So people are outside in the cold. All wet. The guards was just taking commands from the management not to let us in. But after a while, they decided to open the mall since even the people who work there cannot go home too due to flooding. Nasha and I decided to eat. We saw a stall that re-opened that sells hot soup. Then we ate there. It was comforting. Then we looked for a place in the mall to settle in to. I think we were near the mall entrance at the ground floor, but not really close to the entrance itself. Came nighttime, I can't remember exactly the sequence of the events happened while we were inside the mall. Since I don't have enough money that time, Nasha took care of the expenses. She bought us briefs (because panties are too small for us so we resorted to briefs.) from a nearby boutique who also reopened. We got to the CR with a long queue of people there. There was also a chaotic moment where the supermarket (that was in the lower ground floor) reopened even if the flood water are there. The store people managed to get through the items by putting chairs to step on the flooded supermarket. They were selling some food that are still decent to eat. Nasha bought us a pack of Lemon Square cupcakes to get through the night. I remembered I didn't actually had a decent sleep back then. I just waited for morning so we can check if it is possible for us to get home. The water in the highway somewhat subsided. We saw some military trucks that fetches people so that they can get home. Nasha and I happen to see a surviving jeepney at a gasoline station, taking passengers going to Antipolo. I can't remember if the driver charged us with a fee. But it helped us get to Nasha's home. Antipolo is a high place nearing the mountains that's why their place was not flooded. I can't remember the exact days I spent there. But Nasha's parents were kind to let me in. I saw the news on TV that the way going to Marikina proper is still flooded and vehicles can't and was not allowed to pass through. So I had to wait. I recalled that my mother texted me (can't remember if it's through Nasha's phone or in my phone that I borrowed from my parents) saying I need to go home immediately. Just seeing the news that time, I got angry and frustrated too telling them that I cannot go home as soon as they wanted because the roads are still flooded. I sent a very long message to them telling of the situation. I know they are worried sick but I have to explain that I can't go home ASAP. I told them I'm ok in Nasha's place. After days, I went home. I saw the aftermath of the flood in the center proper of Marikina. All full of mud and smelled bad (smelled like dead rats but what I discovered is that there are still dead bodies that was washed by the flood. Clearing operations was still on going that time.). I got home and I saw our house somewhat cleaned because my parents and my sisters are still cleaning the house that time. To make up with my time away from home, I took charge of the wet and muddied clothes in the laundry. I have to manually wash them because our washing machine back then was submerged in flood and cannot be fixed anymore. I think it took me a week to finish them all. We were still lucky to be able to survive that. Imagine other people who had endured much more during that time. Our city recovered after all of that. Our city has learned through that experience. They improved their disaster management after Ondoy. So whenever there is a strong typhoon that will hit Metro Manila, they look up to Marikina City. Just recently, we had this Ondoy-like typhoon again by the name of Ulysses (International Name: Vamco) that hit Metro Manila last November 2020. It was more difficult because we have to deal with a typhoon, and a pandemic at the same time. More and more recently, Metro Manila gets flooded easily. What could have been its cause? We all know the culprit. Clogged waterways, old drainage systems, and the amount of trash we leave due to improper waste disposal. If we can do a our part, even in small ways like proper disposal of our garbage, we could prevent this heavy flooding in the long run. Share with me your Ondoy experience too in the comments. Thank you for taking time reading not only this post but also my other articles as well. You may check them out in my page! https://read.cash/@mgrshgian Until my next post! Also check out my sponsors as well! Lead image from Unsplash.

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100 Random Question: Pick & Answer 10 Questions Challenge! I happen to pass by this article by @Theodore who will be giving away his week of earnings in read.cash by answering 10 out of the 100 random questions he posted. If you want to join also, here's his write up about it. https://read.cash/@Theodore/giving-away-my-1-week-full-amount-salary-in-readcash-aede4b7c To you Theodore ( @Caleb07 ) happy one week here in read.cash! Let's get it on with the questions! **What’s it like being you right now?** I swear, you wouldn't want to be me because I'm just an average woman in an average world. Nothing interesting, really. **What makes you nostalgic?** The cold and dry season here in the Philippines aka "Ber" months. There were moments in the past that happen most of the time during this season. The cold air basically is nostalgic to me because it reminds me of my night walks in some places. **What’s the best gift you’ve ever given?** **Time**. I can also say that this is also one of the best gifts I receive. As the saying goes, "The ***greatest gift you can give someone*** is ***your time***, because when you ***give your time*** you are giving a portion of your life that ***you will*** never get back.". My husband taught me this and I realized that this is true in some ways. **Whom do you secretly admire?** It will not be a secret anymore if I tell you here. Hahahhaa! **What’s something you never leave home without?** Cellphone. Even in the pre-pandemic days, I can't leave without it. I always have a mini heart attack whenever I can't find my phone in my bag. I find my cellphone very useful to me like when I want to ignore people, I just use my phone. When I get lost in a place or whenever I want to go to a certain place that I am not familiar to, I use my phone for directions. When I am bored, cellphone. When I want to answer my own question, phone. I am somewhat dependent on my phone. **Who has been the biggest influence on you in your relationship to money?** I can say it's my husband. When we got together as a couple, I am really amazed on how he manages his money. I really want to adapt to his habits and ways on how to save money. Now that we're husband and wife, he is the one that handles our finances. **What weapon would you carry during the Zombie Apocalypse?** Anything that will generate fire. Sure ball, the zombies will be dead. Actually, it crossed my mind before that if a zombie apocalypse will happen, I will die instantly. I don't know why but I think I will not last. **Where do you want to be right now?** I really want to go on vacation right now. Anywhere but the beach or somewhere cold. We were not that privileged to have our own car that's why we cannot travel. Another thing, we're in a pandemic. We can't afford if one of us gets sick. So we have to stay home and limit ourselves in going out. **What’s the meanest thing someone has ever said to you?** I remember this vividly. I was in a bus on my way home from Makati. I was standing because the bus is almost full. Then it stopped at Megamall to let passengers alight and get in as well. Then this *ate* was behind me. She was about to alight the bus so I am giving her way. But we're both big that we can't fit. Then she told me "*Anubayan! Ang laking harang kase eh!*" ("What the heck! You're a big obstacle!"). WOW, as if she's not big too. Then she pushed me. For me, it's not right to call a person like that specially when you don't know the person. I can accept it if I was your friend or someone close to me but a stranger telling me that? It's not acceptable. **How do you show your love for others?** I am more of a touchy, huggy huggy type of person. In short, my love language is touch. I hope this has also gave you a little bit of idea about myself too. I really look forward for this kind of challenges here. Thank you for reading! Until the next post! *Check out my sponsors!* *Lead image from Unsplash*

Madaliang Salad sa Madaling Araw Dapat matutulog na ako eh. Kaso andami kong naiisip. May mga oras na hirap akong mag isip talaga ng isusulat dito sa read. Gusto ko kase na organized, interesting, at maayos yung isusulat ko dito. Kaso wala talagang specific na topic yung kaya kong isulat. Minsan naman may mga oras na may naisip na ako, pero parang pang noise sya sa ikli. Kaya minsan sa Twitter or noise ko na lang sya pinopost. Sampol tong ginagawa ko ngayon na pagsulat. Spur of the moment lang to kase may mga naiisip ako pero di ko alam paano ikoconstruct. Or basically hindi lang talaga ako makatulog. Hahaha! Nga pala, kelangan ko na talaga matulog kase andami kong aasikasuhin para sa bago kong work. Naeexcite ako ng very light kase after a year, may trabaho na ako ulet. Kaya kelangan pag igihan ko. Kung kelangan magpaka-Jollibee (in a good way) gawin natin! Basta looking forward ako para doon. Medjo hassle lang mag asikaso ng requirements ngayon na pandemic kase hindi ka talaga makakalabas at makakapunta basta basta. Kelangan mo magset ng appointment schedule talaga pag hindi available online. Ewan ko ba, madami naman pera gobyerno pero hindi magdevelop ng modern na paraan para sa mga ganito. Dami time mangurakot hayst. Pinoproblema ko pa pala kung may open ba na pa-picture-an ng 1x1 sa mall ngayon. Di ko kaya mag edit ng picture wag kayong ano. Hahaha! Siguro ikwento ko na lang din sa mga susunod na araw yung adventures ko sa pag kuha ng requirements. Sakto bukas, NBI Clearance ang nakasched kong gawin at pa-picture. Balitaan ko kayo. Malapit na rin ako mag-birthday share ko lang. Tas the day after non, deadline ng requirements ko. So parang hindi ko ren maeenjoy birthday ko gawa ng kelangan ko masubmit agad requirements ko. Pero oks lang. Ganun talaga bhieeee tiis tiis lang. Anu pa't magiging ok rin ang lahat. Kung hindi lang pandemic, baka nakaplano na kame ng asawa ko ng bakasyon. May mga times na medjo inggit lang kame sa iba na nakakalabas labas jan kase may kotse sila. Eh hindi tayo mayaman na may maraming pera pang antigen test so waley. Dito lang talaga sa bahay. Pero yun nga, tiis tiis pa rin. Anu pa't matatapos ren tong pandemyang ito. Wag nyo na tanungin kung ilang taon na ako. Wala na ako sa kalendaryo. Hahahah! O sha sige, pipikit na talaga ako. Try natin ulet magpost ng maayos na article in the coming weeks. Yung todo english ganon. Hahaha! Sana bisitahin ulet ako ni Rusty kahit tagalog yung post ko. Huuuu I miss you Rusty! Totoo na to. Magandang madaling araw!

Salad Saturdays: Writer's Block is REAL and among other things... May bago na naman po tayong segment na tatawagin nating... Salad Saturdays just to make up with my Five Senses Fridays na hindi ko nagagawa 2 weeks in a row na. And I apologize for that. I will do my best this upcoming week na makapagpost! Why Salad Saturdays? Or why do you call it Salad Saturdays? Uhmmm basically random things lang itong isusulat ko. Parang salad, na random gulays ang nakalagay. Tapos Saturday ngayon. Hence the title. Anywaaayyy... Madami dami rin akong ganap these past weeks. Pero isa pa lang yung nai-share ko sa karamihan. You might want to check it out if you're interested. A Hauntingly Creepy and Chilling Story... https://read.cash/@mgrshgian/a-hauntingly-creepy-and-chilling-story-fa87e40b So ayun na nga... May mga gagawin pa ako kaya isisingit ko lang din to. Baka makalimutan ko ng tuluyan yung mga bet kong i-share. ****BINANCE**** https://www.google.com/search?q=Binance+logo&rlz=1C1VDKB_enPH947PH947&sxsrf=AOaemvKAyHtrN7wKsHhfKO7yTrwexxNSTQ:1632569581977&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=DTs9P_MOvQ1_BM%252Crhql-MxsDe7LYM%252C_%253Bi8snSK6CUZxSnM%252CwEVlQ00Hy7citM%252C_%253BaNgAubmzfhmuyM%252CJwDyBKzVlInsWM%252C_%253BGQ_LGU0lJDK6AM%252CilvAH0cLgAaMSM%252C_%253BW3HarNwtI1d_pM%252C6sH4Yqagz8x6zM%252C_%253BTgu3sCvFGa3K0M%252CZanyAhZVickJNM%252C_%253BGUrvFP8bv_63uM%252CW8baI6ZILfcLWM%252C_%253BixnDCMJh_CZ3VM%252CQEzZ18zj0XSFDM%252C_%253B-dYWOv_edSxkHM%252CilvAH0cLgAaMSM%252C_%253B3VhNlz7imK83gM%252CDQ6cWCPBKNabQM%252C_%253BLSW2E5T6jcCDDM%252Cawj7euGWbXEdlM%252C_%253BqSRF1BwVzBo9_M%252Cc848dlI4qk62zM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kTC4xX9EmQAroSSMesnwdS3qTtukA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiwooTQg5rzAhUyxYsBHXKeB2gQ9QF6BAgLEAE&biw=1280&bih=587&dpr=1.5#imgrc=yftxaYVvTY9xcM Nag install ako ng Binance kase nakikita ko dito sa read na may mga nagsusulat tungkol doon. Hindi ko pa fully nababasa at naaaral paano gamitin to pero nag install ako. SInubukan ko naman sya i-figure out pero litong lito pa rin ako sa kanya. Kaya tingin ko kelangan ko ng masusing reasearch at pag aaral paano ko gagamitin to. Ang gusto ko kase yung mga naiipon ko na tips from noise and read eh medjo may paglagyan tapos iiinvest(?) o ite-trade(?) para kahit paano madiscover ko lang paano ang kalakaran ng cryptocurrency and trading and among other things. ****LALISA**** https://www.google.com/search?q=lalisa+album&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjXl_7nhJrzAhWsy4sBHTX2B1MQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=lalisa+album&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIECAAQAzIGCAAQCBAeMgYIABAIEB4yBAgAEBgyBAgAEBgyBAgAEBgyBAgAEBgyBAgAEBgyBAgAEBgyBAgAEBg6BwgAELEDEEM6CggAELEDEIMBEEM6BAgAEEM6CAgAEIAEELEDOgUIABCABFCltgJYxr0CYM6_AmgAcAB4AIABaogBnwSSAQM0LjKYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABAQ&sclient=img&ei=LApPYdfRJqyXr7wPteyfmAU&bih=587&biw=1280&rlz=1C1VDKB_enPH947PH947#imgrc=XiCIJm-Ba03TyM Disclaimer lang na hindi ako hard core na Blackpink fan ha. Pero juskooooo! Nung ni-release ni mare mo Lisa tong Lalisa eh ILANG WEEKS AKONG LSS! Hanggang ngayon! Kulang na lang aralin ko choreography neto charot HAHAHAHHA! Mas may impact to sa akin kesa sa Solo ni Jennie at On The Ground ni Rose. Sana si Jisoo may solo ren. ****SQUID GAME**** https://www.google.com/search?q=squid+game&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjT__r7hJrzAhVBdpQKHXKwD2AQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=squid+game&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzILCAAQgAQQsQMQgwEyBAgAEAMyBAgAEAMyBAgAEAMyBAgAEAMyBAgAEAMyBAgAEAMyBAgAEAMyBAgAEAMyBAgAEAM6BwgjEO8DECc6CAgAELEDEIMBOgUIABCABDoICAAQgAQQsQM6BQgAELEDOgQIABBDOgoIABCxAxCDARBDUPcSWMMeYIwgaABwAHgAgAFiiAGvBpIBAjEwmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=VgpPYdP8H8Hs0QTy4L6ABg&bih=587&biw=1280&rlz=1C1VDKB_enPH947PH947#imgrc=2JWhPlWJDQQgJM Nung una, ayoko panoorin kase mabilis ako mataranta pag ganitong klase ng TV series or movies ang papanoorin ko. Chaka wala akong tiyaga sa series na tig 1 hr halos per episode. Pero naging exemption 'to kase kasama ko asawa ko manood neto. Ang ginawa namin para hindi ako ma-overwhelm masyado sa mga pangyayari eh every episode, nagbibreak kame. Sakto naglalaba ako nung araw na yon so after every episode, sampay. Siguro naman alam naman na ng karamihan yung hype ng nasabing series. And in fair, maganda sya for me. Nainis lang ako sa ending nya. Actually dun sa ginawa ni Gi-hun sa last episode ako nainis. Bastaaaaa panoorin nyo na lang. ****NEW WORK, NEW ME!**** Charot lang yung new me. Hahahaha! Pero yes, after a year of being unemployed, I got a job again! I can't believe it at first. Kase sa isang taon, halos yung mga interview ko eh lagi ako hindi nakakapasa. Parang naisip ko na noon na yung mga job interviews ko, naging routine ko na lang na magpapainterview ako then after ng interview, hindi ako pasado. Tuwing may failed interviews ako, inaaral ko kung ano yung mali ko tapos sinusulat ko yung dapat ko na sagot sa question na yon if ever maeencounter ko sya ulet. Eh nakikinig pala asawa ko minsan sa mga interviews ko. So binigyan nya ako ng tips. Yung huling tips nya yung sobrang nakatulong sa akin. Sabi nga ren ng isa ko pang kaibigan, pag interview talaga, i-sell out mo sarili mo and prove them na ikaw ang dapat na nasa position na iyon. And so I did it. It worked naman! Di ko lang inexpect talaga. Thank you Lord sa opportunity! ****WRITER'S BLOCK**** Hindi ko alam kung maike-claim ko na "writer" ako to experience this. Pero ayun nga, nung mga nakaraang weeks nga bukod sa occupied ako sa preparation sa mga job interviews, eh wala akong maisip talaga na maisulat na something interesting or kung ano man na topic. Hindi ko ren naipush through yung Five Sense Friday ko kase kulang sya at hindi ko talaga maisingit. Kaya bilib ako sa iba dito sa read na nakakapagpost ng articles almost everyday eh. Hindi sila nauubusan ng ideas. Kudos to you! ****HITMAN 2, RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2, AT PLAYSTATION NETWORK PLUS MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL**** Siguro ito yung mako-consider ko na budols ko for September? Hehehe! Yung Hitman 2, libre naman sya na download kung naka PSN Plus ka na membership. Eh kaso, natapos ren yung PSN Plus membership ko netong nakaraan, so hindi ko sya malaro. Kailangan ko irenew membership ko kaya ayan, nagrenew ako ng pang isang taon ulet. Si RDR2 naman, binili ko sa Datablitz out of impulse. Kase ang dapat kong bibilhin eh yung expansion pack ng The Sims 4. Kaso sabi ni kuya, karamihan online at downloadables mo na sya mabibili. Kaya para hindi mapahiya, bumili ako ng ibang game. Matagal ko na rin gusto laruin yung RDR2 kaya binili ko na. Sana may time ako para matapos tong mga pending games ko. ****CUTTING MY OWN HAIR**** Naisipan ko na gupitin na yung sarili kong buhok for the following reasons: Dry na yung dulo ng buhok ko dahil bleached sya Nag ECQ nung nakaraan in which salons are closed Hindi na ako makaantay dahil ang haba na ng buhok ko sobra. Kaya ang ginagwa ko, bumili ako ng gunting pang gupit sa Lazada (yung legit na pang salon para sure na maganda yung pagkakagupit), nanood ako ng mga videos kung paano gupitin ang sariling buhok, at emotionally pinrepare ko sarili ko na pag pumalpak ako, papaayos ko na lang sa legit na parlorista pag nagbukas na ang mga salon. Sinunod ko pala yung video ni Brad Mondo on how to cut your own layered/shag hair. Hindi ako pwede na plain na cut lang ng buhok kase makapal ang buhok ko. Soft-layer or layered talaga ang go-to hairstyle ko para hindi mukang sabog ang buhok ko. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRMTAusXwBY&list=WL&index=26&t=433s At... Ok naman kinalabasan in fair. Salamat rin sa assist ng asawa ko yiiiii! Kaso nahahabaan pa ako sa kanya, kaya iniklian ko after a day. At sa totoo lang, maayos pa rin sya! I mean, neat pa rin tignan kahit sariling sikap. Not bad for a first time! This is my entry for now. Salamat sa pagsubaybay! Check out my sponsors! Please also check my other entries on my page! https://read.cash/@mgrshgian *Lead Image from Unsplash* *Most images featured from Google.*

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A Hauntingly Creepy and Chilling Story... *Disclaimer: I chose not to tell the real names behind the story.* *This is based on a true story a.k.a our experience last week.* One normal weekday morning, my husband and I were disturbed by a foul smell. I told my husband "*Amoy patay na daga ah.*" ("Smells like a dead rat ah."). My husband, being a slight OCD person, looked for the source of where the scent was coming. We searched inside the apartment even though we are confident that we don't have rats here. We even cleaned, but to no avail. It came to our minds that we will just endure the smell until it comes off naturally. Until the next day... The scent was still there. But whenever we close the doors and windows, the smell is not there. So, it somewhat verified that the scent was coming from the outside. I let my husband buy our *meryenda* (snacks) outside while I was having a job interview. After the interview, he came back. We were shocked at what we found out. While he was buying snacks, the *tindera* was a bit disturbed (as described by my husband). There was a presence of a *barangay tanod* there already. They were talking about a man who might be inside his house. His wife asked some of our neighbors to check on her husband since it has been like a week since he hasn't gone home in Pasig. He is also not responding to calls and text. The *tindera* asked the aid of the *barangay tanods* to check. And they found out that the man was dead and rotting inside the house already. It is the wife's husband. So that's where the scent is coming from. We were in total shock and scared after we found out about it. And we were not the only ones who can smell the scent of a dead body. We all thought that maybe it was just in our own houses. It was creepy but sad in a way. Creepy because of the thought that you are already smelling the scent of a dead body already, comparing it to a dead rat. Sad because of the thought that the man is alone and died inside his house without anyonr knowing. The *tindera* knows the man personally so it was quite sad on her part too. That night, the *tanods* picked up the body and transported it to somewhere for autopsy and also for proper burial too. His family was also informed of the incident. The next day, the scent was gone. But still, I can't wrap the fact that this incident can really happen in real life. Our former housemate got the news and he told us that he knows the man personally. He was a good man who fixes electronics here like TV, radios, etc. He was also from the Bicol region. I don't know how to close this story. I can still remember the scent. I also kept thinking how his family felt when they discovered about the news. I just hope and pray for his family to be ok in this trying times. I also prayed for the soul of the man. It has been a while since I wrote here. I really got busy in the past week. And I can't wait for you to share a good news! I'll have a separate article about it. Thank you for reading my post. *Lead image from Unsplash.* By the way, check out my sponsors here! And please do also check on my page for some of my previous posts!

Hello! I know, I don't have much of a following here but I think I must let you know... I might not post a Five Senses Fridays tomorrow because I haven't drafted it yet. I've been busy preparing myself for this week's job interviews. I am grateful for the opportunities coming. Hopefully, I can pass the interviews and hopefully I can have a job. If I can squeeze a little time drafting my post before Friday (or before Saturday hits), I might publish my Five Sense Fridays. Let's see! Have a great day people! :)

That Time When I was REALLY Wasted. I happen to pass by a post on noise.cash that triggered my memories when I was terribly drunk. I have to tell you, I am an occasional drinker. Most of the time, I drink with friends whenever there's an occasion to celebrate or when in team buildings hehehe! I'll be sharing with you three drunken stories of mine. I am not ashamed to share these because I find these funny for me. *****2011***** I am a year old already in my company. Somehow, I already gained friends that time. One of my colleagues, Joel, was celebrating his birthday. He invited some of our officemates (including me) to drink after shift since it'll be our rest day the next day. Our office is near Central BBQ Boy Grill back then so Joel chose to celebrate there. In Central, they have this offering of buy 3 pitchers of Bad Boy/Girl/Trip (name of their drinks), take 1 pitcher for free. We're twelve people at the table. And we ordered like 3 sets of the promo I mentioned. So, it's like we consumed one pitcher for each. I felt tired and sleepy while drinking then. So I positioned myself in the table like I was sleeping or something. Then, Dennis (one of my officemates and was beside me) asked me if I am still ok. I raised my head and told him I'm still good. So, I continued drinking until I felt I was going to puke. I went to the CR to vomit. I realized I passed out in the CR while vomiting when a group of girls were trying to wake me up. One of the bouncers helped me to get up. I was so groggy that I can't even stand straight and walk. The bouncer assisted my to our table. And to my surprise, while they are taking me out of the CR, all people who are drinking there clapped and cheered! All while I am still not in myself and about to pass out again. My officemates were surprised to see me with the bouncers so they rushed to me to guide me back to the table. Then, a gay guy (that I can remember of) came to me and made me smell a White Flower oil and put some in my nose and neck. I felt a bit better after that. My officemates let me rest at the table for a while before we head home. I was still weak from all the vomiting. So, Joel decided to offer me to ride home. Rona (another officemate) also accompanied me and Joel in the taxi going home. While in the taxi, I continued to puke through the window while the taxi is running. I was really trying to compose myself before I get home so that my mother will not notice that I'm terribly drunk. I came home at 3am I remember. My mother is already awake then because she'll prepare things for my father for work. She just let me go to the bathroom to clean up then I slept. *****2016***** My group of ex-company friends organized a get-together in Fraser Place Manila which is a walking distance from the office. I still went there despite of me having a morning shift the next day. I planned to sleep there so that I can make it on time for my shift. However, this is what happened (I still find this very funny when I recall it HAHAHAHA!). I was having so much fun with them that I drank waaaayyyy tooo much! Please don't judge me. Hehehe! All I can remember is that I drank tequila then made Smirnoff Mule as my chaser. Then I had beer after that. Then, I went down the building to accompany two of my friends there. The smell of cigarette smoke coming from the street store nearby triggered me to vomit. So, I puked much outside. My friends saw me then decided to help me back in the room. I was trying my best to still look normal going back to the building because the guards might block me to enter the premises. Gladly, my friends and I made it inside. We got back to the room, then I puked some more in the bathroom. Some of my girl friends assisted me in changing clothes and putting me in bed to rest and sleep. I think I only had 3 hours to sleep before I start my shift then. They set my alarm at 5am so that I can still have enough time to prepare and go to work at 6am. When the 5am alarm got off, I can still feel that my head is spinning and I cannot even stand up and walk to the bathroom. All of my friends are asleep and I was shy to wake them up to help me. What I did is that I crawled my way to the bathroom to take a bath and change clothes. After I prepared, I approached one of them (I forgot who) just to let her know that I'll be going to work. I looked at my watch and it's already 5 mins before 6am. That's when I really got my adrenaline rush up and forgot that I was still feeling drunk then. I had to run so that I can make it on time in the office. I logged in the time tracker and it was like 5:59am in the clock. I made it! HAHAHAHA! I spent the rest of my shift napping many times. Luckily, it was Saturday and the workload was not that many. *****2019***** My tequila-other-alcoholic drink frenzy didn't end in 2016. So here's 2019, when my friend Macky had his birthday at Tipsy Pig. After my shift, our friends and I went to Tipsy Pig. Allen, Scel, and Vince were in Bam's car. After we got there, we saw some of our ex-colleagues also invited to the party. We had dinner first before we get to cocktails. Since everything is paid for by Macky, we got to get many food and drinks. I had gone for the cocktails the most. Then hours past, Macky ordered tequila. I did what I did the last time. The dangerous combination of tequila and cocktail as chaser. Allen accompanied my to the CR since I feel like puking. I occupied a cubicle just for me to sit and shove my face in the toilet for vomiting. I remember Allen was worried because I was taking so long in the cube. I heard a lady who offered me hot coffee to drink. It somehow made me feel better but I still can't get up. It's difficult when you're drunk and sleepy at the same time. I didn't notice that Allen took my phone and looked for my address to ride home. Ayemi was contacting my now-husband telling him that I was dead drunk and that he should fetch me. But he was not answering because he's sleeping. Macky and Vince were kind enough to get me home safely. I clearly remember I saw my husband in the gate waiting me. He was awaken with the messages he received from Ayemi that time. He guided me in our apartment and let me wash up and sleep. I forgot that I still have shift the following morning. I woke up at 5:45am telling my teammates that I'll be late but I slept again. I had a terrible hangover. Then I woke up again around 7am. I'm an hour late for work. I checked on my laptop to see if there are pending things to be done since 6am. Luckily, it was all clear. My husband made me a bowl of chicken noodles to ease my hangover. I went to the office around 8am. I spent my day napping again because of the hangover. Again, little workload on a weekend. Vince checked on me if I was okay and if I was at work. I kept on apologizing to him because he witnessed how drunk I was. To tell you, he's my team lead and a friend too so it was kind of embarrassing. Hahaha! Basically, the moral of my drunk stories is never go drinking after your shift. Do not go with the tequila and other alcoholic drink as chaser. And lastly, don't drink if you know you still had work the following day. I cannot say I'm a responsible drinker since I tend to overboard sometimes. But please be responsible to yourself when drinking. I'm lucky to have friends who were there to assist me when I'm terrible drunk. Now, I'm in my age where I just enjoy a glass of wine or just a can of beer in my fridge. I'm thinking, I will never have that youthful drinking energy back. I will still be a casual and occasional drinker but I will make sure that I will not end throwing up again. Thanks for reading my entry today! Share your drunken moments that you'll never forget in the comments below! Until my next post! By the way, check out my sponsors! I also post weekly called Five Senses Fridays! Please check it out! Five Sense Fridays! (September 3 2021) https://read.cash/@mgrshgian/five-sense-fridays-september-3-2021-4bfd9c88 Five Senses Fridays! (September 10, 2021!) https://read.cash/@mgrshgian/five-senses-fridays-september-10-2021-eefe9306 You can also check out my other posts on my page! https://read.cash/@mgrshgian *Most images from Google. Lead image from Unsplash.*

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Five Senses Fridays! (September 10, 2021!) *I would like to apologize because I wasn't able to publish this on time! I ran to many errands this week and I have to prepare for an upcoming job interview (I hope this is it!). Well anywaaayyy...* Here is my Five Senses Friday entry for this week! Btw, if you’ll ask what is this Five Senses Fridays, you may refer to my previous post here! https://read.cash/@mgrshgian/five-sense-fridays-september-3-2021-4bfd9c88 Let’s get started! **SIGHT** Whenever my husband is on his rest day, he makes it a point that we watch movies on Netflix. So, for this week, we watched two movies. *****School of Rock***** It is a comedy/music film in 2003 starred by Jack Black where he plays as Dewey Finn, a struggling rock guitarist who was kicked out of his band. He disguises himself as a substitute teacher in a prep school to earn money. After seeing his students that has talents in music, he recruits them and formed a band for the Battle of the Bands. I know, I am late to the party because I just watched it now. Hahaha! I pretty enjoyed this movie because of how Jack Black played his character, plus the students (the actors I mean) that time are really playing music instruments. I am an admirer of kids playing music instruments very well at a young age (because that is kinda my frustration hahaha!). It was a feel good comedy movie in my opinion.   *****Flu***** A 2013 medical disaster movie in which a deadly strain of an avian flu outbreaks in Budang in South Korea. A group of illegal immigrants that carried the virus has spread it, causing the city to result in quarantine and chaos. To be honest, while I was watching it, I can’t help but to cringe in the first parts of the movie wherein it shows how the virus spread and infect numerous people. I mean, everyone is coughing and sneezing without covering their mouths! Given our current, real-life situation, I think you’ll get me on this. Another thing, I am wondering how the protagonists in this movie is quite immune to the virus. Hehehe! I was also intrigued with the face masks that the doctors there use. Did I also mention that one of the immigrant character is a Filipino? You can search it up in Google to know more about Lester Avan Andrada! https://annyeongoppa.com/2019/09/16/look-here-are-filipinos-who-have-starred-in-korean-productions/ But all in all, it was a good movie. For me, it was a roller coaster of emotions while watching this. **HEARING** For this week, I listened to Wil Dasovich's Superhuman podcast where he featured Ninong Ry. I am a fan of Ninong Ry because his videos are very informative specially to me, who is really interested in cooking. His videos is more of showing you how to cook and the reasons or science behind it, rather than a recipe video. https://open.spotify.com/show/1StfPQ4LMk1K9TK56gMqvC?si=sF15ejuiT2ic_1EaaMaviw&dl_branch=1 In the pod, he shared his life as a regular worker to being a Youtube sensation. He also narrates how the pandemic affected him and his family business. He also shared his struggle and management with anxiety and burnout. I didn't expect the other side of Ninong Ry after I listened to the episodes of the pod. I find him relatable in some ways (given that we are at the same age hehehe). Check out Ninong Ry's collaboration too with Wil Dasovich! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9eMzH8UGgE **SMELL** Before the 9.9 sales in Lazada and Shopee, I have made my own budols. Buuuuuttt... I also have budols for 9.9. I'll be having a separate article for that too. Hahahaha! Anyway, I only have a few in my pre-9.9 budols that have arrived. I was fond of shirts that are a little "vintage looking" so I got these shirts from Hype Couture. I already owned two from them before, and I can say that their shirts are really good. They never failed to provide good quality shirts! https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/hype-couture?tab=promotion&path=promotion-29016-0.htm To tell you, when it comes to shorts or pants, I always have a hard time looking for the perfect fit. Let's just say I am thiccccccc. You can get the picture. Hehehe! For my house clothes, I only own very few shorts. So my husband told me to buy more shorts. And I found these in Lazada. https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/k-store1630151358?tab=promotion&path=promotion-29016-0.htm I have gone with the wide leg shorts for a sure fit in the thighs. When I did the fitting after it arrived, it was comfy and not thin. It didn't look ugly too for my legs. I can say this is a good quality shorts! **TOUCH** I am not a fit person, but I am proud to say that I did some workouts 4 times this week! Yeyyyy!!! Well, I just did moderate intensity of workouts because I felt that my strength has not gone back to normal yet. In the 4 days, I did mostly yoga. My go-to yoga is Yoga With Adriene and Travis Eliot in Youtube. These two are my favorites because I find them calming and caring during practices. You can check their respective channels for free yoga videos. https://www.youtube.com/c/yogawithadriene https://www.youtube.com/user/traviseliotonline Aside from yoga, I also did Low Intensity Interval Training via the Rebel app. Rebel by the way is a health and fitness app available for everyone. It has collection of workouts, healthy food recipes, and health tips for you to achieve your goal in fitness. The app is available on Apple App Store and Google Play. **TASTE** One of my friends celebrated her birthday this week. Since we cannot go out, my friend Allen and I decided to send Abby (the celebrant) something. We thought of food as a gift. I suggested something of a dessert except cake. So we arrived to the decision of buying Abby some cookies! I heard Mo' Cookies are good. And since they have a branch near me, might as well I buy it and also have a box for myself too to taste. I haven't tried Mo' Cookies before. I just learned about it in Instagram. And they are right, the cookies are sooooo goood! Not too sweet and not *nakakaumay*. After I purchased it, I packed it as a gift and sent it to Abby. Allen and I are happy that Abby liked it! We didn't know it's her favorite! We're glad that we made her happy despite of the distance we had. Check out Mo' Cookies on Instagram and Facebook! https://www.instagram.com/mocookiesforyou/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/mocookiesforyou/ That's it for my Five Senses Fridays! Share me yours in the comments or tag me if you have written about it here in read.cash! I would love to hear from you. :) *By the way, check out my generous sponsors!*

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What If? It has been almost 2 years since this pandemic started. I can clearly remember that time when the Philippines is looming for a lockdown. The night of March 12, 2020, I was on night shift then. There were rumours spreading that there will be a lockdown. I shrugged it off thinking that if ever a lockdown will happen, I can get to experience work from home. I was also thinking that the lockdown will last for only a month. Little did I know that will be the last day that I'll be seeing my teammates and the office. Many things happened that night in my 12hr shift. From rumours, to receiving an email instructing us to get some laptops to take home. From witnessing how long the lines are in the cashier at the grocery, to panic buying of essentials. From a possible person under investigation because he had a close contact to a person who has COVID19, to almost tagging us in our team as PUIs because of that. From disinfecting the whole floor while we were on shift, to issueing us face masks before we go home. I also remembered they conducted an emergency townhall without giving us further information on what to do. It was a long night basically. After shift, I jokingly told my teammates "See you next month!". And that's it. I never got to see them again. What if COVID19 didn't happen? What would I be doing now? What's my status? The pre-pademic reality is getting blurred as time goes by. And I can't help thinking of the things that I should be doing at the moment, without a threat of dying because of the virus. Maybe if COVID19 does not exist, I could have stayed in my job. I could have signed up for a crossfit class to try on. Maybe, I could've attended more yoga classes than before. Maybe, we could've celebrated my birthday somewhere. We could've have finished planning and building our house in Cavite. Maybe, we could've had a baby. We could've celebrated Peñafancia Festival. We could've gone out of the country for vacation for the first time with my husband. We could've gone videoke or partying with friends. We could've celebrated Christmas and New Year with our families. Maybe, my father-in-law could still be alive by now. Maybe, I could have tried other things that are out of my comfort zone. We have so many plans. But COVID19 is a b*tch that gets in the way. Also, I can't help thinking that these 2 years has been wasted. Everyone has been deprived of the time that was supposed to be productive, or something. Even worse, thousands of us have been deprived of the life that they could have been living if only COVID19 didn't happen. Sorry if I get too sentimental on this. Recalling pre-pandemic things and our future plans somewhat makes me have a thing to look forward to. Just to keep my hopes alive. Even if it is a bit murky, I still believe that everything will get back to normal. It may not be soon, but it will. *Thanks for reading my piece of mind! I hope you're having a good day* *despite of everything that's happening. Until the next post!* ✌ *Check out my generous sponsors!* *Lead image screencapped by me while playing Ghost of Tsushima hehehe*

I Need To Write Something Today, So I Decided To Answer Questions… Since last week, I was thinking of something to write until I saw a post from @OfficialGamboaLikeUs She answered some questions coming from @dziefem 's entry too. So, now here I am, doing the same. By the way, all questions came from here so if you want to do the same, you may refer to the link. https://conversationstartersworld.com/good-questions-to-ask/ I’ll be selecting and answering 10 questions only since 350 is waaaayyy too much. Hahaha! *What social stigma does society need to get over?* For me the stigma of gender roles (if that’s what you call it). I mean, we are all people that are capable of doing things regardless of gender. In whatever you do, it must not be judged on what your gender is but on how well you execute things. *What are you currently worried about?* I am worried with many things. After hearing a batchmate’s death, I am worried that the virus is really getting near to everyone. I am paranoid in everything because of this pandemic. *What movie can you watch over and over without ever getting tired of?* Love Actually. I will never get tired of watching this. My husband introduced me this movie when we were still boyfriend-girlfriend. We always watch this during Christmas season. This movie has this feel-good vibe that really suits for Christmas (because yes, this is a Christmas movie). I like how all the characters are related to one another. Another thing, the cast are star studded! If you can, you must watch this. *When you are old, what do you think children will ask you to tell stories about?* I have many stories to tell if they will be asking me. But I think they will be curious about the current pandemic. Hopefully I could tell them that this pandemic lasted for 2yrs or something. And that how the government failed us during this time. *What animal would be cutest if scaled down to the size of a cat?* I was thinking a lion. Given that a lion is a feline with just many hairs, it will be cute if it is scaled down to a small size! *What’s something that will always be in fashion, no matter how much time passes?* I swear by white shirt. A white V neck shirt. You can do many mixes and matches in a white shirt. And why do I specify V neck? Because it looks good on me. Haahaha! *What “old person” things do you do?* By old person you mean “adulting”? I’ve been doing it since I started working until now. If you are meaning like what an old person does, I can say walking slowly and rubbing menthol-y things in my body before I sleep. *What was the last photo you took?* I took this picture this morning because I want to post it in noise.cash. *What movie quotes do you use on a regular basis?* I usually use “I know!” from Monica in FRIENDS. I know, FRIENDS is not a movie but this is all I can think of since I use this way too much. *What would be the worst food to be liquefied and drunk through a straw?* Anything that is not a fruit and milk is the worst! Imagine if you try to liquefy a hamburger, or a doughnut, or a fish. It looks like a vomit or may look like a sh**. That’s all for now! I might do a Part 2 of this not that soon hehehe! Again, you may refer to this link if you want to try answering random questions. https://conversationstartersworld.com/good-questions-to-ask/ See you on my next post! BTW, check out my lovely sponsors! *Lead Image from Google. Most photos were grabbed also from Google.*

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Five Sense Fridays! (September 3 2021) Inspired by the Wake Up with Jim and Saab podcast on Spotify, they sometimes feature their Five Senses Fridays. https://open.spotify.com/show/2XHFo2TJOnajlzVY9IVV2n?si=q8WONSvtTMmEThieeR5qxA&dl_branch=1 So, what is it? It is basically sharing new things that you explored within the week that is categorized under our five senses. -          **Sight** – which means you can share TV shows, videos, or films that you saw within the week. -          **Hearing** – music, podcast or maybe a soundbite that you have listened or discovered. -          **Smell** – something that makes you happy for example, ahmmm, newly discovered scent of an essential oil or scent of the food that made you happy, etc. -          **Touch** – a physical activity or anything that you touched??? Hahaha! -          **Taste** – basically, FOOD! For my debut entry, may I present to you my Five Senses Friday for the week! **SIGHT** Since I just finished The Big Bang Theory on Netflix, I haven’t watched any TV Series yet again. I am continuing watching FRIENDS again whenever I feel like it. Anyway, since I was kind of lazy these days, Youtube is our go-to app on TV to watch everything. From news to music to reviews, etc. So, I stumble upon this channel called Best Ever Food Review Show. It is a food and travel channel hosted by a funny man named Sonny. It features food reviews, travel in other countries to try their food and their culture. Most of the videos I watched from this channel focused on some countries in Asia (since Sonny is based in Vietnam) but I think he has already featured some place in the US (that yet I have to watch). What I like about this channel is that they produce good reviews and videos without being too serious or too boring. The editing is good, the topics and features are good, and Sonny is also good too as a host in a way that he’s funny without making fun of the culture or the food he presents. I recommend you to subscribe to his channel. https://www.youtube.com/c/BestEverFoodReviewShow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y71XMcHjv_0 **HEARING** I recently listened to Stories After Dark podcast episode wherein it featured the death of Teddy Diaz of The Dawn. I was not really familiar with the band The Dawn in a sense that I am a fan. However, I’ve known some of its recent members like Jett Pangan, Francis Reyes, and Buddy Zabala. And I have a little knowledge of how this band started, or who are its previous members. Until I heard of the name Teddy Diaz. I thought he just left the band. But it turns out, he was murdered in the 80s. It was kind of tragic because he was murdered for no reason at all. Kind of a mistaken identity. It was really senseless. It’s sad because that time, his band was at it career high when that happened. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0k8D3HtpeJctQkkAwYbB9m?si=5d8968b6fcc8484a I also happen to listen to Bianca Gonzales’ podcast Paano Ba ‘To episode with guest VP Leni Robredo. You can call me bias but whenever VP Leni speaks, you can get many insights from her that are inspiring. In this episode she was asked basically her life as a student, lawyer, wife, mother, and as a public official. I quoted some in the last statements she said when Bianca asked her what advise she can give to the people who are listening in finding what they are meant to do and the path they are meant to take. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0snODuVV3Th7R41MPWkYbj?si=4f00a9eb8b664f63 “You are where you are meant to be.” “Where you are now is where you are meant to be now.” “The grass will be greener where you are, depende sa ‘yo.” “…because this is where you are really supposed to be, make the most out of it.” “If you take care of the Now right now, it will lead you to the next.” **SMELL** I don’t really have an actual entry for the Smell category this week. But let me share you that I became obsessed with scented candles lately. But then I stopped for a while due to reasons I can’t disclose yet hehehe! But I’m back! I think last month I bought again a scented candle from Soyscape PH, a local soy candle brand (check their IG and Shopee here!). I swear by their product because their candles scented well. Not too strong and not to subtle. I usually buy any candles that has a lavender scent and I can say their candles has one of the best lavender scents for me. The names of their candles are also witty like “Payamarn”, “Pampafresh”, “Kalma Lang”, and others so you better check their products out! https://www.instagram.com/soyscape.ph/ https://shopee.ph/christopherallenbanaag?categoryId=100636&itemId=6779410949   **TOUCH** I haven’t engaged myself again to workouts due to recent events (that I don’t want to disclose yet. I’ll do an entry about that in the future.). My doctor advised me to take a month’s rest for recovery. So, what am I doing now to be active? Last week, I somewhat managed to do yin yoga just to stretch my body again. But then I still suffer major headaches. Maybe I was not capable of doing active things yet again. For now, I am still recovering and I plan to do workouts again gradually. I am also taking meds for my headaches (or related to it). Hopefully I could get back my strength again.   **TASTE** Last Tuesday was my attempt to do Chicken Ala King. I got the recipe from Chef Tatung of Simpol in Youtube. I can say it was a semi-success! Semi because I was about to garnish it with corn and carrots but then, it got rotten already. My mistake was I put it in the chiller instead in the freezer for weeks. The smell got weird so I didn’t attempt to include it in my dish. However, I got the sauce right! Check out Chef Tatung’s recipe here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osFi_E5GEp0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osFi_E5GEp0 I hope you enjoyed my Five Senses Friday! Comment below what are yours!

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Coffee, Coffee, Coffee... I was having second thoughts if I’m going to write anything about coffee. I am a coffee drinker but I have a very little knowledge on the kinds of coffee or how it was made or anything. But I think I can say that I can taste if the coffee is good or not. Let me share you some of my favorite coffees that I drink, drank, and will be drinking. Regardless if it is brewed or instant, barista-made or store bought, still it’s coffee, right? By the way, this is not ranked by how they taste. I might give some of them a rating for its taste or preference. *Let me start with some of my constants. Whenever I get a chance to order or go outside or simply happen to pass by the coffee shop, these are my usual orders.* **TIM HORTONS' ICED COFFEE and STARBUCKS RESERVE'S VANILLA BEAN LATTE** I instantly fell in love with these two! Before when I was still working, Tim Hortons' and Starbucks are walking distances. So, when I have extra money, I buy these. But to be honest, Tim Hortons' coffee is way cheaper than Starbucks so I really prefer this over SB. **7 ELEVEN, MCDONALD'S AND FAMILY MART'S BREWED COFFEE** I always prefer the cheaper options because you know, we're not that rich that can afford to buy Starbucks everyday hahaha! Whenever I need a quick caffeine boost at an affordable price, these are my go-to. The price range is just below 100 pesos. 7 Eleven does not sell iced coffee for now. But they have variety of hot beverages available like hot chocolate and French Vanilla. As for McDo, they have many coffee flavors to choose from ranging from Iced Black coffee to the ones that has milk or vanilla in it. They also have hot black coffee and hot choco too. Family Mart has also the Hot and Iced versions of their black coffee. And I heard recently that they have the Matcha Flavors too (that I have to try soon!)! **TOBY ESTATES' AND BO'S COFFEE ICED MOCHA** When I don't feel like drinking hot or black coffee, my option will always be Iced Mocha (Mocha the coffee ha, not the person LOL!). And I can say that the best iced mocha that I have tasted so far is from Toby's Estate! Kind of expensive, but worth it! After that Toby's mocha experience, I told myself that this will be my gold standard whenever I try new coffee shops. So, I happen to pass by Bo's Coffee (this was last year when the restrictions were loosened and I have to do errands at the mall.) and ordered Iced Mocha. It was not bad but it also doesn't match the taste that I remember at Toby's. **RAFABEL'S HOT MOCHA AND CELSIUS' ICED MOCHA** This is counted as one of my constants because, like I mentioned a while ago, whenever I try new coffee shops, I always go for Mocha. Rafabels's Cafe and Patisserie is located in Naga City. I was with my now-huband and my mother-in-law when we had this in Rafabel's kiosk in SM Naga (pre-COVID). It taste quite well unlike the previous mocha coffees I have tried. I can't remember how the iced mocha tasted like in Celsius Cafe Lounge since I was in the moment with my friends. I mean, we haven't seen each other for a year due to the pandemic and we took the chance to see each other when the restrictions loosened in Manila. This also explains why there are three coffees in the photo hehehe! What I can remember here is the staff that are really nice. I will go back here if I will be given a chance again. Celsius Cafe Lounge is located in Marikina City. *Now, let's go with the Instants. Some of which I discovered during the start of the lockdown.* **CULTURE BLENDS' ITALIAN CREAMY WHITE AND AMERICAN BLEND LATTE** My friend April, who is also my coffee buddy in my previous work, recommended me these. Among all the available flavors of Culture Blends, these are my favorites! Because of these, my husband is now drinking coffee too whenever he's on shift. **BO'S COFFEE BOTTLED LATTE** I found this in the grocery. I told myself I want to try this since I haven't tasted this in a bottle. So far, it's just ok. It doesn't taste like a real coffee drink. Maybe because it has preservatives, IDK. Though, my husband liked it. But not much. **DALGONA COFFEE, MY VERSION** Of course, who will forget the iconic Dalgona Coffee. I also made one for myself at the start of the lockdowns. My first version does not taste what I expected since I used Nescafe Instant Coffee and Milo as its base instead of milk. It felt like my effort in whisking the coffee is not worth it of the outcome of the product. However, in the second round of ECQ in Manila this 2021, I did this again. This time, I already had a milk frother for whisking the coffee much faster and a milk for the base. And this time, it tastes good and much better than the first one I did. *Next, we have the Beans. I am still learning until now how to make a homemade brewed coffee so I resorted in buying beans and other tools used in making coffee. To share with you, I bought a coffee press, coffee filters, and a Moka Pot. Just to satisfy my need of a hot black brewed coffee.* **COMMUNE'S BENGUET ARABICA AND CAVITE ROBUSTA BEANS** When I learned that Commune has a delivery, I immediately ordered their beans. Some of its proceeds were donated to a certain charity that I forgot to take note. And I can say, this coffee is good! And it might be better if I learn how to brew this properly. I'm also glad that this is locally sourced. Support local! **KOPI AMARI'S BENGUET, MOCHA, AND HAZELNUT GROUND COFFEE** After my Commune beans, I purchased these from my husband's officemate. It's is way cheaper than Commune's but also deliver same great taste when brewed. It's just sad that recently they are out of stock of these. *Lastly, these coffees are from my friends' new business ventures.* **BUT FIRST, COFFEE'S VIETNAMESE COFFEE AND ICED MOCHA** My former lead and also a friend, ventured out a coffee franchise of But First, Coffee in V. Mapa, Sta. Mesa, Manila last May 2021. And all I can say is that both coffees are really good! I can't wait to try other flavors of their coffee! I'm glad that recently they are already available in FoodPanda and Grab Food so they are more accessible now. Check out their FB page here! https://www.facebook.com/butfirstcoffeevmapa **BEAN BREWERS MANILA'S WHITE MOCHA AND ICED MATCHA LATTE** Another one of my close friend, together with his colleagues, opened their own coffee business last June. Their kiosk is located at Unbox PH in Greenhills, San Juan. I remembered this is really an effort in ordering this since they don't have FoodPanda or Grab Food yet. So we resorted in having Kuya Grab delivering this from Greenhills to Makati. I really enjoyed both the Matcha and the Mocha. The Mocha tastes really close to what I remember at Toby's! I can't wait to visit their branch! Hopefully soon! Check out their FB page here! https://www.facebook.com/beanbrewersmanila That's it for our coffee series! Comment below if you love coffee too or any other recommendations that I can try! *Lead image c/o Unsplash* *Most of the photos were taken by me. Others are from Google as indicated in its captions*

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Sort of Introducing Myself? In the past months, I have a numerous encounter of “Introducing myself”. Literally, because I was (and still) applying for work. It was very formal. So, for another round of introduction to myself, I’ll make it less formal or let’s just say, more of a personal note. I’m Grace, but online I would prefer to be called Grasha. It is also my moniker in most of my social media accounts. I am in my mid 30s and currently unemployed. I am from Makati City, Philippines. Before I became unemployed, I was in the IT industry for 10 years. I worked as an IT analyst for a decade in my previous company (which I will not be naming though). Then last August 2020, I resigned. I will not disclose the reason behind it. But let’s just say it got ugly. Hehehe! Anywaaaayyy… One of my sister introduced us to noise.cash. That was also the time when I was also introduced to BCH. In which until now, I am still studying everything about it. I am more active in noise.cash because I find the convenience of sharing something in short format. And at the same time, earning BCH through tips. Then she introduced us to read.cash if we want to write something of a longer format. I can’t really say that I do like writing? I used to blog before in my 20s. Most of the time I kept it private because most of my content were about me ranting about things in life, or pretending to write something to my “crush” or whatever. You cannot really consider it as a content hahaha! There also came a time where I wanted to have a foodie type blog content, but it didn’t push through. My friend and I also planned to have a podcast but we parted ways already. I have so many things in mind that didn’t become a reality because I am doubting myself so much and so many things had happened.  I am hoping that through read.cash, I might rekindle myself with blogging or writing a much relevant content online. Maybe along the way, you could know more about myself as I write future articles here. Looking forward to share with you my stories in this platform! 😊