Cutty

I just want to remember every bit of this busy Christmas season.  It was extra busy this year, juggling two businesses, a 70th birthday party, a wedding and Christmas.  Sometimes, I really wonder how am I still standing. Looking back, a few days after the festivities, it is really the busyness of the season that makes it special and memorable. 21:  We had a singing engagement at the Tamarind St. residence of the T family.  I was a bit distracted because of Tita Tessie's condition.  David looked distraught.  I called Vic several times to send reinforcements to SLGC.  We thought she wouldn't make it till the next morning. 22:  I woke up early for the morning mass then spent the rest of the morning finishing up Mama's cake for her party.  Then, Vic and I visited Tita Tessie at the hospital.  Vic was dealing with customs requirements while I was having my hair done.  I sang for Kuya Jopet and Ate Love's wedding.  I sang everything....

I wasn't expecting a challenging day.  I was just expecting it to be quite busy.  I didn't want to stress about it and I didn't want to overthink.  I have agreed to sing for the First Communion mass then a birthday celebration for Javi in our Marikina house.   It was quite fun and meaningful.  The first communion mass was so simple yet so special.  We were blessed to hear the kids joyously singing in Latin.  Lunch was also a surprise welcome party for our balikbayan relatives.  It was a quick catch-up.  We weren't expecting a lot of people to celebrate with us too.  We had enough food to go around. It is funny how simple things make our hearts full.  It was like we had Christmas in November.

For several months now, my husband and I have been juggling the EV importing business and this ambulatory center we are putting up.  In August, we hosted a grand birthday party for FIL, received balikbayans then sent them off.  The kids started school in August too.  Did I say that their schools are quite far from each other? It has been a busy past few months.  I am not used to waking up early every morning to bring the kids to school then head off to work.  I am starting to feel tired.   It is an adjustment.  At first, I was enjoying being an "empty nester" when all kids are in school.  But now that work is piling up, I miss those quiet times at home.   I am so looking forward to having a vacation soon. I need to recharge.  

 "Everyday is a privilege not promised to many." I saw this in one of those IG reels and it resonated with me.  Just last week, I've had three friends and relatives who passed on.  The one that shocked me most was the death of a former colleague, not so much older than me.  I didn't know that she's been battling with the Big C.  I regret not reaching out to her and not being able to pray for her during her most trying times here on earth.   This is why I find offense when people feel sad about growing old and losing their youth.   Let us strive to appreciate the miracle of life everyday.  We should be thankful that we can still enjoy the company of our family and friends.

  We must not compare ourselves to other people.  There is always someone better, someone who has more. Compete with yourself to constantly make yourself better than you were before.  This will give you a boost of confidence that will radiate from within.  Make yourself busy so there'll be no time for envy.

It was an overwhelming week.   Partida, holiday pa on Monday.  We hit the ground running on the first day of the week due to an unexpected arrival of our shipment.  My brain is over-thinking.  Where do I park those vehicles?  How is this going to affect our cashflow?  Are the documents complete for release?  Did I just get scammed by a supplier?   As much as we try to prepare for surprises, there are still some things that just can't be controlled or just wont be controlled.   I've exhausted all my energy for the week in one work day alone.  Stormy afternoons seem to reflect what's going on in my head. However, not all surprises are stressful.  Some bring joy...like finding the dress you've been looking for, finding something you need on sale, collecting payment from a business transaction, finding easy solutions to problems, unexpected roadtrips, bringing a trunkful of produce from a client visit, making a sale witho...

I was watching the life story of Arnold Schwarzenegger on Netflix and I didn't know that he is a very wise man.   I only know him as an actor.  I didn't know about his struggles in his youth or that he is a successful businessman.  He made his first million dollars even before he entered Hollywood.   He lived a good life, achieved so much at a young age.  He endured and succeeded.  He is not afraid to try new things and is not afraid to fail.  He has the brains and the brawns.   For a moment, it seemed that he had it all.  It is sad that his marriage didn't survive the trials.  Nevertheless, his drive and will-power are admirable.  

 ... that it takes me no time to pack, but it takes me forever to unpack?    I usually pack months or weeks in advance.  I set aside clothes early on so I have time have them washed again, if needed.  I like to plan this out early because waiting till the last minute makes me forget things. Unpacking is a different issue.  It is the most dreadful chore.  I don't know if it is the cleaning up or the fact that vacation's over. 

Our first trip after CV-19 hit was a winter trip to Japan.  We would have wanted to go during December.  But, we decided to go on the first week of February instead so we can catch the Ice Festival in Sapporo.  Revenge travel was fierce so we decided to wait it out. Apparently, we should have waited longer.  The lines at the Japanese Immigration took us 3 hours before we got out.  We expected it in Manila, which turned out to be faster.  We almost missed the last train to the city.  All our previous arrangements had to be postponed because we got out too late.  The Internet service we booked and paid had closed for the day.  Imagine, navigating from Narita to the Tokyo at almost midnight, with limited Internet service.  Globe Roaming was faulty at that time. This was not our first time to arrive this late in Tokyo so we didn't expect to be inconvenienced this way.  We were held up at immigrations for too long.  We didn't have e...

It has been 3 years since we last travelled as a family.  My children were a lot smaller then.  They used to be all dependent on me and my husband.  We usually do not have a Yaya who travels with us.  I had to buy their food, decide on where to go, prepare their clothes, prepare water and snacks for the day.   My husband is usually in-charge of luggage and logistics.  We had 4 children below 12 years old in tow, with my husband leading the pack.  I walk in the back with the youngest, always counting if we have the correct number of kids with us. This year, we took the bullet and decided to fly to Japan for winter.  The experience was refreshing.  We only had one whiney kid.  All the rest were independent and helped along the way.  They all had places to go, apart from the usual spots.  One wanted to visit a car factory.  The other one wanted to visit the Pokemon Center.  I can delegate laundry duty and other chor...

I am not really a pet person.  I do appreciate a friendly dog, every now and then.  But, my day will go on without them.   My brother is a pet person.  I remember when he was still a toddler, he would have a variety of pets.  He'd have puppies, birds or ducklings.  He lost his pet last night.  His dog, Choco, has been battling a disease for weeks now.  Choco had been on antibiotics and Ensure.  We thought he'd make it because he's been showing signs of strength.  My brother said that he will never get used to losing a pet.  I know it is never that easy for him.  I still have that memory of him, so devastated, he couldn't go to school.  He was lying in bed face down, sobbing.    I imagine, when it is our time to lose our longtime friend, Sally, my children will be the same.  Sally and Choco were from the same mother.