28,707

 Highest cases ever and I fear this is just this is just start of more record cases. Vaccine cards being an entry pass is now getting more common. I'm worried but managing to be as relaxed as possible. Life has to go on, we can't afford to do lockdowns anymore . I'm currently watching the latest season of The Amazing Race and this was the season that was affected by the pandemic so  it's so eerie to watch this episode knowing it was just weeks away when the world changed forever. But also love to see life again when it was really normal. 

What Ifs Cycle

 My life is always about a test of patience and how to control the situation from escalating to unnecessary drama and source of stress. It's so unbelievably hard because there are just so many intersecting factors I have to address. Most of the time I sacrifice my own happiness. I know I'm doing the right thing but whenever I faced troubling times I can't help but wonder if I followed the path I really wanted to take where would my life will be right now? I think this will forever haunt me. It's just the stress talking right now because ultimately I would have regretted it big time if I chose not to prioritize this matter in my life. It would have been more painful if I didn't make this choice. But I wish this line of thought will not cross my mind again. It's a real internal torture. 

Seven Days In

 Spent nearly 5 hours waiting to get my nephew's second dose of vaccine. First dose last December was just an hour. There were so MANY people today. I was pissed off how disorganized they were, the minors should have separate schedule or they should have allow the adults first dose and booster on the same schedule or same site. They could be short staffed I know but still they should have had better planning. Many people rushing to get vaccinated because of the restrictions now for the unvaccinated. I have mixed feelings about that, I get the idea of encouraging people to get vaccinated already but I feel like the implementation of this would be messy and could be abused for power trippers.

First week of 2022 and so chaotic already. 

17K

 Cases are rapidly rising and as someone who still goes to the office, it is quite scary but I gotta march on. Paracetamol are now gone in pharmacies, it's quite unsettling. While for sure there are hoarders out there but there is legit demand for it. What a way to start the year. How many have I said that I hope this ends soon but it's now 2 years and we still can't escape this virus. How long are we gonna wait?

It's here

So last week cases were down to less than 300 and in just a few days we are now at 10K. Cases are surging all over the world to alarming numbers. Omnicon effect. I know quite a few personally now who have teste positive. The office earlier was so bare with people. In a way that feels safer with less people around but also nerve wracking to think what's happening. Trying to remain as calm as possible too, devoted a lot of time focusing on work. It's somewhat encouraging that according to reports most cases are mild. I'm quite hoping this is it for Covid. The last alarming variant. And after this we could now live a life as close to what it once was, I don't expect to covid to fully disappear but just less deadly. Please let this be Lord.

Secondhand

 So I bought this used HP laptop for a cheap price yesterday and currently using it to type this post. My current laptop works fine but has monitor issues which I haven't replaced yet but now that I have another laptop I can use for work purposes then I will finally have it fixed as soon as I have the extra money to do so. This laptop has issue like battery is dead so it needs to be plugged in always which is not new thing for me because my current laptop has the same issue and honestly I've been using laptops like a desktop and just at home. The only time I brought a laptop out in the open is when I used it for my thesis defense! This laptop also has limited storage/memory which is fine because I will just mainly use this laptop for work so word and excel are all I need. On that secondhand store where I bought this, there was also a secondhand Mac available that I was tempted to buy but it went above my budget and I've never really used a mac outside the video editing one I used at work so I got more practical picked this one because it was the cheapest. Anyway, I hope this laptop will last me a long time. In fairness to me I've had 3 laptops in my lifetime and all were used for than 5 years at least. 

Here We Go Again and Again and Again

 Covid cases are rising again that it's hitting close to me. My video editor is isolating right now after her sibling tested positive although his test result was negative. Looking like restrictions are here again and the annoying comeback of the mandatory face shield use is imminent. I'm worried but I need to stay calm. It doesn't help that lingering thought of my family's safety especially Nanay's health is affecting me that much. I'm reading up that at least hospitalizations are not as high and just many mild cases and South Africa where this was officially discovered is seeing a fast trend of lowering cases. Hopefully, it won't be deadly.  Come on let this end already. 

Resolution

 Good thing my family decide not to go out on New Year's Day. I actually had a good 4-hour afternoon nap which is quite refreshing! Back to work on Monday and looking forward to it because I have a lot of things to do and I'm thankful because I need to stay busy to keep my mind from thinking of negative things. I will attemp to have a New Year's resolution by trying to control my pessimism and alarmist attitude. I won't say I will be completely off it but I will try to remain as calm as possible when facing life's pressures. I owe myself that/

365 Days

So I blogged every single day in 2021 365 days. First time ever in 16 years of my blog's existence. Yes, I combined my yearend TV and Movies retrospective in one post so I would have exactly one post per day hahah! Anyway, I  know majority of my posts since I started posting daily are not polished! With mostly random vague thoughts filled with rants, fears and anxieties. Basically my shock absorber but it has really help grapple with complicated feelings the past 2 years or so. I'm fearful of what could happen this 2022. Where I will be 365 days from now? Hopefully, the worst case scenarios will just stay in my mind and will not manifest. It's really rough but I will carry on and face everything life throws at me the best way I can/ 

My 10 Favorite TV Comedy Episodes and My 5 Favorite Movies of 2021

  Here is my annual rundown of my favorite episodes of the sitcoms/comedy programs I watched this year. Like in previous years for variety purposes I just chose one episode per show. Check out my top 10 lists over the years: 2020,2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013,2012

1. Superstore Season 6 Episode 15 "All Sales Final" 

The series wraps up in such a beautiful moment for the Cloud 9 crew and represents how this show captured the joy and pain of being part of the working class. 

2. Only Murders in the Building Season 1 Episode 10 "Open and Shut"

The season finale of this wonderful comedy mystery featured a top performance from Steve Martin reminding us how a great and charming comedian he is. 

3. Hacks Season 1 Episode 8 "1.69 million"

Jean Smart's knockout performance in the standup comedy routine where she confronted a chauvinist is  an all time great. She makes this show so good.

4. Mom Season 8 Episode 18 "My Kinda People and the Big To-Do"

One of the heartbreaking cancellations for me this year, despite the short notice the show was able to do the best series finale they can under the circumstance with a funny and heartfelt final share of Bonnie. 

5. Ted Lasso Season 2 Episode 4 "Carol of the Bells"

I've been longing for a good Christmas TV episode and this show gave me that. It was cheerful, positive but also not too saccharine, just the perfect merry blend

6. What We Do in the Shadows Season 2 Episode 8 "The Wellness Center"

This episode is a terrific showcase of the talented cast and how this nails mixing the dark humor with traditional comedy. 

7. Ghosts Season 1 Episode 6 "Pete's Wife"

You know a new show is clicking when 6 episodes in you already feel like you've been watching for many seasons and know the characters for so long. This episode in particular had a great balance of laugh out loud moments and tender heartfelt moment

8. Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 8 Episode 9-10 "The Last Day"

The series wraps up with one final heist game that's crazy fun with the clever and funny twists and turn and ended up with a showcase of how awesome this ensemble is

9. Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Season 2 Episode 13 "Zoey's Ex

Another show that got canceled this year but was still able to pull off a very solid finale that left the characters in a good  place although the show did get a wrap up holiday movie

10. Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3 Episode 2  "Bowango" 

The wedding episode was such a vibrant display of the Nigerian culture with a very earnest intentions that makes this underrated show such a gem. 

****

My Five Favorite Movies of 2021

5. The Mitchells vs The Machines

A good tale of how our dependence to digital world could hurt us by interrupting communication lines on  a personal intimate level. 

4. Luca

A simple story of  friendship and self-identity with a heartfelt take on finding one's self. 

3. Encanto

A rare mainstream animated movie that didn't go full action adventure but the entire conflict was just inside the house both physically and emotional level. The songs were so fun too especially the jam  "We Don't Talk About Bruno"

2. Raya and The Last Dragon

The main mythology needed more time to be fleshed but the animation is just on another level and so breathtaking. The message about community conflict and misunderstanding also resonates in this polarizing world.

1. CODA

I'm not a Child of Deaf Adults but I definitely could to the lead character's conflict of being in between family responsibilities  and the desire to design one of own's path. 

Favorites from the past years:

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015
2014
2013
2012
2011

My Hot 100 for 2021

My favorite songs for 2021

1. Happier Than Ever - Billie Eilish

2.  Leave The Door Open - Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson Paak)

3. Brutal - Olivia Rodrigo

4. Elyu - Ben&Ben

5. Easy On Me - Adele

6. Drivers License - Olivia Rodrigo

7. Cut & Run - Lifehouse

8. All Too Well (10 Minute Version) - Taylor Swift

9. Binibini - Zack Tabudio 

10. MAPA (Band Version) - SB19 & Ben & Ben

11. good 4 u - Olivia Rodrigo

12. Save Your Tears - The Weeknd & Ariana Grande 

13. Upuan - Ben&Ben

14. Bad Habits - Ed Sheeran

15. Heartbreak Anniversary - Giveon

16. papercuts - Machine Gun Kelly

17. Lunod - Ben&Ben feat Zild and Juan Karlos

18. Levitating (remix) - Dua Lipa feat DaBaby

19. Treat People With Kindness - Harry Styles

20. Damage - H.E.R

21. Kiss Me More - Doja Cat & SZA

22. Traitor - Olivia Rodrigo

23. Gabay - KZ Tandingan

24. Pasalubong - Ben&Ben and Moira Dela Torre

25. Shivers - Ed Sheeran

26. Magpahinga - Ben&Ben

27. Nangangamba - Zack Tabudio

28.  Oxytocin - Billie Eilish

29. Sabel - Ben&Ben and KZ Tandingan

30. Kapangyarihan - Ben&Ben and SB19

31. Skate - Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson Paak)

32. deja vu - Olivia Rodrigo

33. Meet Me At Our Spot - The Anxiety, Willow, Tyler Cole 

34. Swimming Pool - Ben&Ben and Chito Miranda

35. Marupok - KZ Tandingan

36. Kahit Kunwari Man Lang - Agsunta and Moira Dela Torre

37. To Be Loved - Adele

38. Kasayaw - Ben&Ben

39. Beautiful Mistakes - Maroon Five feat Megan Thee Stallion

40. My Universe - Coldplay and BTS

41. Dumaloy - SUD 

42. Peaches - Justin Bieber, Daniel Ceasar and Giveon

43. Till Forever Falls Apart - Ashe and Finneas

44. Hate You + Love You - Cheat Codes and AJ Mitchell

45. Maligaya Ang Buhay - Inigo Pascual

46. Our Song - Anne Marie and Niall Horan

47. Cold Heart (PNAU Remix) -  Elton John and Dua Lipa

48. He's Into Her - BGYO 

49. Anyone - Justin Bieber 

50. Follow You - Imagine Dragons 

51. Heartbreak Anthem - Little Mix and David Guetta

52. Andito Tayo Para Sa Isa't Isa - Various Artists 

53. Waving Through a Window - Ben Platt 

54. Cover Me in Sunshine - Pink and Willow Sage Heart

55. Love Again - Dua Lipa

56. Kulang ang Mundo - Sam Mangubat

57. Ibang Planeta - Zild

58. We're Good - Dua Lipa

59. Permission to Dance - BTS 

60. What a Life -Scarlet Pleasure

61. Sugat - Ben&Ben and Munimuni

62. Agatha All Along - Kathryn Hahn

63. Ilang Tulog Na Lang - Ben&Ben

64. Run - One Republic

65. Kayumanggi - Ben&Ben

66. Come Through - H.E.R and Chris Brown

67. Visiting Hours - Ed Sheeran 

68. Bang! - AJR

69. Leave Before You Love Me - Marshmello and Jonas Brothers

70. Take My Breath - The Weeknd

71. Piece of the Puzzle - Trisha Denise

72. Inevitable - Ben&Ben

73. We Don't Talk About Bruno - Encanto cast

74. Tabi Tabi Po - JMKO

75. Me Niego - Reik, Ozuna, Wisin

76. Monsters - All Time Low and blackbear

77. Willow - Taylor Swift

78. Here's Your Perfect - Jamie Miller

79. Shy Away - Twenty One Pilots

80. Girls5eva - Girls5Eva Cast

81. Stay - The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber

82. Tinadhana Sa'Yo - Zephanie

83. Ako Naman Muna - Angela Ken

84. Don't Go Yet - Camilla Cabello

85. Lead The Way - Jhene Aiko

86. Sigurado  - Belle Mariano

87. Bazinga - SB19

88. Smokin Out the Window - Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson Paak)

89. Pahina - Kiss N Tell

90. The Light - BGYO

91. Ang Hirap Maging Mahirap - Davey Langit feat Kritiko

92. Overpass Graffitti - Ed Sheeran

93. One Right Now - Post Malone and The Weeknd

94. Husavik - Will Ferrell and Molly Sandén

95. Transparent Soul - Willow and Travis Barker

96. Todo De Ti - Rauw Alejandro

97. Asi Me Gustas - Pau y Davo feat Diego Bollela

98. Shot in the Dark - John Mayer

99. Your Power - Billie Eilish

100. Paraluman - Adie

My Hot 100 for 2020

My Hot 100 for 2019

My Hot 100 for 2018

My Hot 100 for 2017

My Hot 100 for 2016

My Hot 100 for 2015

My Hot 100 for 2014

 My Hot 100 for 2013

My Hot 100 for 2012 
My Hot 100 for 2011
My Hot 100 for 2010
My Hot 100 for 2009  
My Hot 100 for 2008
My Hot 100 for 2007

Tempted

 So today I resisted to do something I used to do pre-pandemic because first it will cost money and second time constraints! I really wanted to do it for relaxation but as always my rational side always wins out. It was the last working day of the year and I wanted to celebrate surviving by giving myself  treat, a frivolous one. Maybe next year I can do it? The thought of it excites me but then again covid cases are rising again. I'm pretty sure omnicron variant has spread here already so I got to be cautious too. There's just a lot of things I need to consider before doing that frivolous thing really. So much complications for such matter that's basically insignificant 

Installed

 So I was supposed to work at the office today but the new cable/fiber Internet bundle provider I applied for last month finally contacted me yesterday to inform of the schedule of the installation today. I tried to re-schedule it on Dec. 30, a holiday, but they have no work on that day so I adjusted my schedule to accommodate them because I have to be here as my parents and nephew will not know how this works out. They texted a schedule within 8AM-4PM but it was nearing 4PM and they haven't arrived so I had a little meltdown (but still respectful) towards their customer service because they tried to moved my schedule to tomorrow morning which isn't possible for me because I NEED to go to the office tomorrow, I was thisclose to cancelling it and have my reservation fee refunded but my pushback forced them to still come to our house even if it was 5PM already. They are a new service in town so they better make up for this delay. Anyway, I'm now using the Internet service and so far so good. The cable service looks better with better channel lineup and video reception for some channels that had never ending issues with our current and soon to be former cable provider. Now that's next on my agenda  is to cancel that cable subscription. Good thing we are on old subscriber predating the acquisition from a bigger company that had lock-in periods (mainly because of the Internet service which the old cable company didn't have). Hopefully, that disconnection service won't be a hassle!

Knocks

 I'm struggling with my pessimism lately. Of course, I keep it to myself because I don't want to be that person I don't like dealing with, a person full of negativity. I'm deeply worried about one aspect of my life and in lull moments I think of what would I do if the nightmare I'm imagining actually happens. I knock on wood furiously each time my mind crosses that. It's a superstition I got from my family where if you do that you could stop something bad from happening but to be honest it has become a mechanism for me to stop myself from going even deeper with negative thoughts. It ain't easy to be in constant fear and the past two years didn't help things further. It's quite a miracle I'm standing tall as it is. Oh Lord please don't let these nightmares' I have from happening. I'm begging you.

Turn Around

 So Christmas started rough and stressful  but thankfully it got betteras the day went on. Nanay even if she stayed inside the van for the whole day for precaution enjoyed the basic roadtrip we had because she was outside the house and not in a clinic for the first time in months. We dropped by two malls to buy food - Market Market and Powerplant Mall, we chose to go there because the parking will be easier as there won;t be huge crowds which we were right. Nanay wanted to see the light show in MOA but the crowd in MOA was insane. There were no parking and so many people it's not safe so we just decided to go home so we can rest early too.

Thank you Lord that our Christmas was solid. My Christmas wish is the same as my birthday wish this year. Good health for my family especially my parents, I want more Christmas spent with them in good health condition

Spoiledmas

 Officially Christmas but sadly our mood was spoiled due to unnecessary drama. We ate early so most of the family members are asleep now. It's for the best at this time. Peace and calm. There are plans today that I hope will turn things around or at the very not give additional stress. I hope that one will not ruin the mood later and maybe realize the aftermath of that truly selfish action. Please that would be the gift I want for this Christmas - peace of mind even for just today.

Eve of Resentment

I'm so exhausted, I know my role on this day is bigger now but on top of that others just chose to add more stress because of pure nonsense. If we learn to let go of things and focus on what matters we can avoid stressful situations but no others chose to pamper their ego and make more things harder than it already is I won't be merry tonight and maybe even tomorrow. 

Doors Closed

 Today we found the clinic my mother has been going to for diabets management since the pandemic started has closed down permanently. There were warning signs with them cutting out lab services then all the doctors who checked up my mother left. This week is supposed to be her every 3 month checkup after doing her lab results and the doctor then said we should just come after Christmas for the checkup. I went to the clinic earlier to ask for the doctor's availability so I was shocked when I found it out closed down. Too bad I love their services so much and really took care of my mother well. We will now go back to her old clinic/doctor which was her original one but they closed down during the height of the pandemic so we had to find a new one and we landed in Family Doc clinic and we've been very satisfied. Too bad their next closest open clinic is still so far! Oh well, maybe a pandemic casualty? Another one. Hay.

Three Two

 So today I received something unexpected! It was for something I worked on a couple months ago and now seeing the fruit of that labor! I didn't know I will receive it today so it was a nice surprise! I immediately placed that blessings on a safety net. This inspired me to push myself more next year and let my inhibitions go. Maybe it's not yet late.  Hopefully. 

A10S

 I was planning to buy a new phone because my Alcatel smartphone is nearly 7 years old with battery issues and well its 4GB storage is you know so outdated and I need more internal storage because of the essential apps I'm using like GCash, Paymaya and the Smart/Globe apps! But my sister handed me her old phone because she got a new one as part of renewing her postpaid plan! Great and definitely saves me money. I'm now acquainting myself with this Samsung phone and honestly because I'm so used to my outdated smartphone, I'm a little lost now! But I'll get used to this of course and it's necessary to have a more current smartphone in this era

But I still have a keypad phone as backup with an old SIM I've had since college!