Cutty

The house in the outskirts of Tagaytay is one of the few things left behind by my late MIL.  She furnished the house a couple of years before she succumb to cancer.  She was the ultimate homemaker despite keeping her own corporate job.  She's had her fair share of bad relationships with house helpers but her homes were always immaculate.  They were well-furnished and clean.   The Tagaytay house was that.  It was furnished with things she liked and bought from her trips to Megamall or Venezia.  Her magazines, nearly 20 years old, are still there.  She'd visit the place once or twice a week, just to amuse herself after her retirement. My children never got to meet her.  Whenever we visit the house, which wasn't often, I'd tell my children that everything they see in that house was Mommy's.  You see her taste in style and furnishings in the things around this house.  She planted beautiful, lush plants that made the house warm and ...

How are you doing?  We often say that we are okay.  I feel that this time, I have no right to complain.  I am better off where I am.   But, are we really okay?   I guess the resilience of the Filipino is just carrying us through all these challenges.   When the Delta variant came into the scene, I felt that this is closing in on my tiny protected bubble.  The stress of having to deal with a more fierce virus, on top of everything else is starting to affect us. Thankfully, it is not a constant feeling. I heard that, eventually, this virus would come into every household.  It is just a matter of time.  Hmmm.  I refuse to believe that.  I will only allow it when it has been watered down to the common flu. ----------------------- I have started taking voice lessons with Chris in April.  Five months in, we've been noticing improvements in my vocal production and confidence while singing.  Chris has been very generou...

Putting on making for my video recordings has been a struggle lately.  Due to lack of practice, what used to be a 10-minute routine took forever to finish. I am not a professional make-up artist, but I get by when needed.   I was not happy with how the make-up appeared on the video.  I had to wash my face and re-apply a different foundation.  This time, I used a non-reflective one. I had forgotten that stage make-up is different from make-up for the camera.  Make-up for natural light is different from make-up intended for artificial light.   I guess, part of the struggle is having unmaintained skin.  As they say, good make up starts with a good base.  Being stuck at home, all I cared about was not having zits and allergies.  I've been lazy.   I am kind of regretting being inconsistent with my skincare.  I need to go back to my derma for treatments.  My age is also starting to show, so that is a reality I am tryin...

By definition, petiks  is  (slang) noun: in Filipino ( Tagalog ), referring to a  procrastinator  or a person who habitually unwinds.  Source:  urbandictionary.com ----------------------- I cherish days like today, yun " pa-petiks-petiks " lang.  When my children were younger, I never had similar days in abundance.  It was always rushing to do things or someone needs something.  Now that my children have become independent and can now entertain themselves, I find myself enjoying these petiks days.   Here's how I spent my petiks day. Christmas is only 4 months away.  Several months ago, I decided on getting more meaningful decors for our tree and not be swayed by trends.  I was able to get some ideas on how to style my tree for Christmas.  I have short-listed some gift ideas, too.  My Lazada cart is filled up too.  "Add to cart" is the motto of the day.  I'm bingeing on YouTube also.   What a...

          A year into the pandemic, the virus is still looming over us with no end in sight. Businesses are still struggling.  Another school year has begun for the kids.  Because of that, I have been granted some "muni-muni" time.             Sitting down at my desk, I realize that I have made giant leaps in one year.  It took a great deal of time management on my end.  It is rewarding to see how our home-schooling arrangement has benefited my children.  I have become a more patient parent-teacher.  I have implemented changes in the family business and I am seeing positive results.  I am now in the position to give help, rather than stay on the sidelines.  I have been taking voice lessons and I am noticing how I have improved over time.  I am on my way to financial independence and my spending habits are improving.  Weight and health management is still a work in prog...

It is okay to be kind.  Just don't let people abuse your kindness and generosity. Source:  https://boostupliving.com/powerful-quotes-for-inspirational-days/

When a family member gets sick, my world stops.  It is not because I am crippled by anxiety.  The mental load is heavier. I can function but my attention is divided.  It is so time-consuming that I can not do anything else. The endless waiting in the ER, the battery of tests to determine if it is an upper respiratory tract infection, UTI, Dengue or Covid, the monitoring of temperature.  Hay.  Whatever it is, we try to contain it so no one else gets it.  Otherwise, the cycle will not end. Now that things are going back to our new normal, I am trying my best to catch up.  The backlog is enormous.  But, I am glad that I am slowly ticking off items from my list.