Cutty

During one of my virtual travels, I chanced upon this YouTube video about the northern lights.  I liked the aesthetic and calmness of the video that I was drawn to check out the other ones in the channel.  It helped that the videos are narrated in English so it was easy to understand. Jonna Jinton is what I consider a real-life Elsa.  She is an artist, photographer, jewelry-maker, and musician thriving in the beautiful region of North Sweden. She has long blond hair and she likes taking a swim in icy cool waters in frozen bodies of water.  She records ice sounds and makes music out of them.  Her rock formations are wonderful photography subjects.  Her small business operation creates jobs for her small community in the North.   She loves nature and she lives in a cabin in the middle of the woods.  She uses torches and candlesticks at night so she may be living off the grid too. I could be wrong.  Her vlogs have this ethereal feel, so di...

I've been home-schooling my youngest for two years now.  It is both convenient and economical.  However, during times of isolation, he is also isolated from his home educator.  Yes, we stopped our sessions in the meantime.  Now, he has a lot of free time to fill up.  He has his devices but I guess he's had his fill of the Internet. Yesterday afternoon, he asked to speak to his kindergarten classmates.  He is bored daw .  Nobody wants to play with him.  His siblings are all older than him.  Nakakaawa .  While I have my ways to keep myself occupied, I've forgotten how my youngest will fill up his day. Since my middle children are capable and independent, I've asked them to help "entertain" our bunso .  Bettina will bake, do art, teach Joaquin how to play the guitar.  Bettina is very patient with him.  She is the perfect big sister.  Javi, on the other hand, is Joaquin's "best friend."  Javi will teach him how to pl...

 How do I keep myself sane while in isolation?  Since I am currently asymptomatic, I am mobile and able to be productive, here's what I have been doing: 1.  Bingeing on Netflix and Viu 2.  Re-arranging my living space to make it more functional.   3.  De-cluttering my space 4.  Engaging in work-related activities 5. Read. 6. Plan for the day we get released from isolation. 7. Online shopping 8.  Order grocery and meds 9. Make arrangements for disinfection 10.  Plan for less contact in waste disposal. Distracting myself with all these does wonders for my mental health.  There is no time to feel overwhelmed.   

Omicron hit home.  We got exposed to a family member.  Vic showed symptoms 2 days after exposure.  My eldest exhibited symptoms  the following day, without fever.  5 days after exposure, I am waiting for my symptoms to make themselves known.  Still, I am assuming that I am also positive. I admit, I couldn't grasp the thought of having it in our home.  My primary concern was my unvaccinated children.  Though what we got was mild, there still is no certainty how my unvaccinated children will react to this strain.   I tried to prepare for it as soon as we heard that our primary exposure tested positive.  I put all our meds in place, I tried to gather information from those with unvaccinated patients, planned our meals, briefed the whole household on what to expect.  This way, we can limit the impact of these adjustments.  Personally, having all these in place made it easier for me to have a sense of control.  Managing th...

Ever since the pandemic started, I haven't really attended any big gathering.  When I say big, I mean more than 20 people in a small enclosed space.  But, yesterday, I had to be present at such a gathering.  It was my cousin's wedding and I was asked to sing a few songs. I was surprised at how some people have such confidence in themselves that they are Covid-free and that they are not going to get the virus.  It was so alarming to see so many people in the wedding industry who have their masks improperly worn.  Photographers, musicians, sound technicians.  Some are completely without them in spite of constant reminders and big posters.  I was so nervous for myself and my family, most importantly for the newlyweds.  I couldn't bear staying in there that I had to step out.  That was when I realized I was weak and nearly shaking.  I was already regretting my decision to go to the reception.   Before settling down at the reception...

Our homes have been our refuge for the longest time.  Though I appreciate the comfort and security our family home gives my family, cabin fever is setting in. I really have that deep yearning to leave and explore.   I miss traveling.  I miss seeing beautiful places and trying new things.  I know we all do.  I miss the freedom that it gives me.  I miss it so much, it is making me weep.  Do you know that feeling that you want it so much but there is nothing you can do about it?   All I can do for now is acknowledge that THAT the time will come, eventually. ============= When that time comes, this is what I plan to do: Organize a trip to the US with my family and parents.  I would love for us to go together because we haven't done so before.  I would love for my parents to be reunited with their siblings in the States.  I can just imagine being with  A JUNK trip to Europe.  I haven't shortlisted which cities and cou...