So today marks the first year of my hybrid work from home and office setup. It's been really a challenge, commuting is quite expensive because of carpools, managing to maximize my time in the office and of course the dangers of being out there in the public. In that one year, I've experienced two return to ECQs that added another difficulty in fulfilling tasks but I honestly prepared for those instances thankfully because I don't want to be caught off guard and have my work affected. Anyway, despite the challenges of the past year, I'm very grateful to have a job these days. And hey it will be my 12th year working here. It amazes me that I lasted this long to be honest but I'm grateful to find a home.
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Cracks
Monday, June 28, 2021
Long Lasting
This pandemic definitely has changed me a lot, as I really have more worries personally and in the grand scheme of things in my country
I will now forever be worrying about my parents' health now more than anything really.
Worried for my nephew and generally the young students here, online school/module learning just isn't it. The quality of education for the middle and lower class is struggling pre-pandemic what more now?
So many businesses closed, struggled, just getting by. I've been back working at the office for nearly a year now and this business district where our office is located is still so eerily quiet.
The pandemic also has been used by our corrupt politicians, they just got more powerful. The elections are next year I'm worried about what the results will be. I don't trust how the general populace thinks here. I mean despite all the mishandling, once they received cash aids they are all so thankful and forgetful like we owe it to the politicians because they are so kind and not because this is their responsibility.
The relationship between the government and the general public here is so emotionally abusive.
More than the health hazards really, I'm just more worried and angrier with our current political climate as a result of the pandemic management. That's gonna stick for a long time I'm afraid.
Sunday, June 27, 2021
What It Is
Saturday, June 26, 2021
Decency
Today the 15th president of the Philippines Benigno Simeon "Noy" Aquino III was laid to rest today. I didn't expect to be this emotional while watching it. As I've said before I didn't vote for him and was not really passionate with his term but after what I've witness the past 5 years, I have a new perspective now. All day people close to him or admired him would say the word 'decency'. He truly was a decent man. We can criticize him and his decisions without fear of getting trolled or attacked by
Friday, June 25, 2021
"And I will never be dominated!"
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Farewell PNoy
Former president Noynoy Aquino died today. I was shocked. While I admit I didn't vote for him and I did had my fair share of complaints during his administration but in hindsight, he is a competent and most importantly a decent man. I miss having common decency with those people in power. I long for those times especially during the last 5 years. Farewell PNoy, you are missed.
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
PreVax
I'm so excited to get vaccinated! But the demand is high right now and I have no schedule yet but a lot of people surrounding me are getting vaccinated so I really hope to get one soon but I really want to get a brand I like!!! But I'm coming to terms that whatever I'll get, I'll accept as long as I get the protection. But please let an ideal brand land on my shoulder once the time comes!!! I've been reading and watching materials relating to COVID19 vaccines to get myself educated. I trust science of course and never really doubted it despite so much skepticism is being spread around. But researching is helping me better understand this and also if I ever be in the situation where I have to explain this to people who are skepticl or worst fear mongering, I have a fact-based statements to say! This one from VOX which explains why side effects are a good thing is so educational and made me understand our immunity system more.
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
FOMO
I'm definitely feeling envious about getting vaccinated now but I really need to time it carefully when the vaccine I'm more comfortable with is widely available. The demand right now is very high but hey I need to be patient and also careful as well.
Monday, June 21, 2021
Conscious Effort
Sunday, June 20, 2021
Exhausted
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Medium
So some family members are having conflict right now with each other that I'm the one being the bridgeway for them to communicate. All the issues are so so shallow but I don't know pride takes over? I know it will eventually die down and they will just talk normally as if nothing happened. It's a common thing here, it's so exhausting but what can I do and be the mature one? I can't afford to be annoyed, I can't afford to blow up, I have to be the one who will give way, I have to be the one to understand. It's so stressful to be the shock absorber but I can't not care at all. It's in my nature. Nothing ever changes.
Friday, June 18, 2021
Connected
My nephew is turning 13 in a 2 months and yeah I definitely see the teenager now. While I do like that he is becoming more independent with some stuff but I do miss the kid in him. We used to love watching movies but now he's kinda over it as he is into more playing Roblox with his friends online. It makes sense of course that he is finding where he fits in and in a pandemic this is the way kids socialize now and I like that he finds a group where he is having a good time. I can't help but feel sentimental though because I've been part of his life every step of the way. I'm not sure I'll be a parent of my own but glad I had a taste of being one as I help raised my nephew. Now that his childhood is essentially over, I do hope I can help guide him the best way I can in his teen years too because it's a tricky phase of one's life. May God bless my nephew always.
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Shieldless
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
No Changes
It's been almost a year since I went back to the office after a 3-month work from home setup due to the virus. Time flies yet it feels so slow. It's been a year of hearing "unti unti pagbubukas ng ekonomiya" and yet there's no real progress. The streets of Ayala are still sad to look at. It's been almost a year of going to the office twice or thrice a week because carpool is expensive so I can't do it everyday. it's been almost a year of surviving and struggling. Almost but still not quite enough.
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
More Push
So once again I didn't do something I should have done long ago: speak up about a concern. I just feel so apprehensive and afraid of rejection. I've been through a lot of those in my life that I always condition myself of losing before even finding the result is, lower expectations, lower chances of feeling bad? Not really but I still do to it myself over and over again. Okay maybe tomorrow, I'll finally do it.
Monday, June 14, 2021
Good Push
Mother's checkup went nice today thankfully. We also got an explanation why the clinic branch near us is temporarily closed due to lack of staff and doctors as some are doing vaccination drives and some doctors (including my nanay's favorite) left. Her diseases are controlled although her sugar level was a little hight compared to three months ago but not on an alarming level yet. The doctor also gave sound advice regarding vaccination and hopefully Nanay will be convinced later on take it.
Sunday, June 13, 2021
Tomorrow Too Please
So a felt better, there's still some pinches of pain from time to time but overall all was good and no excruciating life wrecking tooth ache. Thank God! Tomorrow, I pray for favorable results too. I always get nervous and trying my best to stay positive by not dwelling too much with thoughts like this. But it always lingers, But please Dear Lord, don't my worries happen tomorrow.
Saturday, June 12, 2021
Sting
My toothache was really a challenge today! I did some errands for the family and it was struggle to function. I drank paracetamol and there was some relief but it wouldn't last that long. I will do ponstan tor advil tomorrow if the pain still persists. I know the best option is to go to a dentist but I can't afford to do so right now. My health card has dental but on select dental clinics only and they're in NCR so accessibility is an issue too and based from an officemate our dental package does not cover all fees especially during this pandemic with added protocol-set added fees to be shouldered by the patient. So I really hope this toothache like the previous ones I had won't last long or gets more complicated. I can't right now.
Friday, June 11, 2021
ComebACHE
My tooth ache is back after months of not having it. The sting is punching! What's weird is that this came back a day after I talked to a friend who was waiting inside a dental click to have his tooth extraction. What kind of signal is this?
Thursday, June 10, 2021
Out of Comfort
So the routine medical test for my mother had an unexpected hurdle because her clinic is closed and won't re-open until next year due to some unexplained reasons! We were recommended to another branch nearby which was fine but their lab tests services are currently on hold for unexplained reasons again! I don't know what's happening but I'm guessing it because this clinic chain is reconstructing as their old name was dissolved and now carries the name of the bigger health care organization. But it's hassle because my mother likes going to this clinic as she feels more comfortable and my mother being comfortable is my #1 priority. Anyway, we will do a lab test on another clinic which she is fine with tomorrow but still have her checkup and read of the lab results at the other branch of the clinic she likes. Anyway, like always I pray to God that her lab results will be not alarming. We do this every 3 months but I can't help myself from worrying but of course I hide it from her because that's the last thing she needs.
Wednesday, June 09, 2021
Planet
So today I paid our cable service at their office because as per their social media they have billing issues that prevents paying via third party like online wallets like GCash or even Bayad Center. You can only pay through their app or website which based on the comments on their social media pages have issues too! So no choice but to go straight to their office so I can get paper receipt as well just in case! Our cable service was better channel lineup, signal and customer service before when they were just simply an independent company but since they got acquired by a bigger company the service have gone worst. Good thing we never subscribed to their internet service which is expensive but has mediocre connection based on the hundreds of complaints on their social media page! I thought of cutting this connection too but the monthly fee is cheap and it never changed since we subscribed to them back in 2007. Our only other pay TV option is Cignal which is appealing but they don't have certain channels we regularly watch (ANCT/Teleradyo/MYX/C1). I'll considering leaving if they force us to move to digital cable because we are still in analog SD cable system. If I'm gonna go digital might as well go for the superior service. For now, like most aspects of my life gonna frustratingly settle for mediocrity.
Tuesday, June 08, 2021
Interlaced
I made some technical errors at a work task which sucks because I had to redo everything that had an error. However, with these mistakes, I do learn more especially a lot of things I wasn't aware of before and that keeps me more alert to not make the same mistake again and I learn more. I need to be more like this and make each mistake into something more on the positive side instead of beating myself up over and over again. I gain nothing from it but additional angst which just keeps me from moving forward. Note to self: More of this, less of that
Monday, June 07, 2021
Faith
This vlog of Nicole Hyla had me in tears! I can't imagine going through this kind of ordeal. Same time last year, we had major health issues with Nanay and I was so scared what more a parent of a child going through a life threatening illness! This was heartbreaking to watch also inspiring that fight for your faith because it's really hard these days but when you see stories like this, it gives you hope
Sunday, June 06, 2021
Resisting
I posted this on Facebook exactly a year ago
Maybe I'm just in denial but I can't fully embrace the "new normal". I would just like to think of this period as "temporary normal". I don't want to lose hope, we can still go back to the life we knew before
I still feel the same a year later. I'm dealing with it because I have to and I have no choice. But I can't accept that this is the "normal", no way it is and should be that we just give up that there's a road to go back to a life without these restrictions, without these fear.. I need to keep hope alive.
Saturday, June 05, 2021
Menial
I watched a TV show today that made me reflect about my life. I love and hate it at the same time. I love because a good show like that stimulate one's mind but hate because it ends up making me evaluate my life's choices again. It sucks because it just reminds me what I don't and can't have. It's an ongoing cycle too that just have pauses because hey pandemic and frustrating government! I really should have been doing more productive things in my life than watch TV. I wanted an escape but reality won't really let me do it. I hate feeling this way over and over again. No real growth and I just continue to beat my self up everyday.
Friday, June 04, 2021
Step Back
I'm in a dilemma right now on how to speak up over a concern. I know I have a point but I feel so apprehensive saying it because I just think it won't work out in the end or I don't know if I have the right words to say. to send my message across. Also I'm shy. Or scared? I'm 33 and I can't really be assertive sometimes. That's why I never get ahead in life because my fears control my decisions in life. The fear of making things more complicated than it should be. Afraid to rock the boat. I always do.
Thursday, June 03, 2021
Then and Now
Just finished attending the virtual premiere of the digitally restored and remastered SOLTERA staring Maricel Soriano. This year I've been lucky because I've attended a lot of digital premieres this year thanks to the generosity of the ABS-CBN Film Restoration head Mr. Leo Katigbak! I knew Sir Leo when he was still the head of Studio 23 and he would post on the channel thread at Pinoyexchange! I was able to interview him too for my thesis and I feel flattered that he still remembers me! Anyway, we are Facebook friends so after I've watched three digital premieres this year (Radio Romance, Tinimbang ang Langit and Soltero) , he have been inviting me to their digital premieres this year. And I've watched the digital premieres of Separada, Hey Babe, Paano Kita Iiibigin, Prinsesa at ang Pulubi and now Soltera. It's been my theatrical experience this year and great trip back memory lane. This movie SEPARADA I've actually watched in a theater when I was a kid back in 1999! My mother wanted to watch it so she tagged me along so I really didn't have a choice haha! Anyway, it's such an experience to watch a movie again now that I'm older and have more experience and insights so to speak! Anyway, the Sagip Pelikula Film Festival continues on KTX.ph and for this week here are the featured films!
Wednesday, June 02, 2021
Cooler
So it rained hard today and thankfully on my commute to the office and back home it wasn't because that would have been stressful! Earlier tonight though the rain and winds were strong and there was another power outage! I actually fell asleep and just woke up a few minutes ago because power's back. And now I can't sleep so I opened my laptop and here I am! The rains have subsided though and I hope there won't be hard rains again tomorrow. But at least the weather is cooler now after weeks of torturous heat! I was planning to do some work tonight but hey the brownout prevented me so there's that.