Cutty

As this year draws to a close, I can therefore say that 2021 has been good to us.  It is definitely better than 2020.  There were hardships, but comfort and convenience were in abundance too.  I found out who I can depend on and who were there just for show.  There were realizations that I learned to accept.  I learned to accept each person's limitations, when to challenge their boundaries, when to observe and when to take over.  Decisions were made.  Issues were resolved.   I do not want to jinx it, but, 2021 is bliss compared to 2020. 2022 holds a lot of promise.  New opportunities are coming.  It is time to set new goals and follow through goals that weren't met. 2022, please be good to us.

Christmas in Europe.  I want to visit the Christmas markets, see the wonderful gigantic trees and taste the local Christmas fare.  I can just imagine the smell of pine and winter chill. I've seen EU in spring, summer and autumn, but never in winter.  It will happen next year.  I can feel it in my bones.  

Vic and I would go on walks after dinner.  It is much cooler, less crowded and we can remove our masks.  We'd see houses and their Christmas decors.  We'd see nice trimmings that we'd like to add on to our own home some day. We'd also see houses that were flood-stricken, houses that seemed unable to recover from Ondoy and Ulysses. These days, it is not enough to have money to build your own house.  We have to set aside funds for upkeep and maintenance.  Owning a house doesn't end with building it.  The expenses never end.  There should also be Plan B for incidents that warrant emergency repairs.   It is a sad realization.  But, it is also a lesson worth remembering.  

Answered prayers are unexpected blessings.  This Sunday was just about that.   ---------- Recent realizations about family have been a cause of worry for me these past few days.  I've lost some sleep over it.  I've prayed hard about it.  But, Sunday lunch was a testament of God's answer to my prayers.  It is far from resolved.  But, we will get there eventually.  A lot of good came from patience, understanding, compassion and humility. ------------ A visit to my in-laws also proved to be a blessing, too.  I've been meaning to purchase a new phone, to replace my 3 year-old one.  But, we've been gifted with a very good unit.   I believe my savings will remain just as it is.   I wasn't expecting this and it feels great to be on the receiving end once in a while.  

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...