22 for 2022 (Awaiting Completion)

I think I won't be able to complete my 22 things to do for 2022. We are again in a state of semi-lockdown. Self-imposed. Omicron kasi. I don't think I'll also be able to do a 40 things I want to do before I turn 40 because... pandemic. Oh yeah, I turn 40 this year. Blech. But my sister taught me to see this as a blessing- not all people are given the opportunity to live until their 40th birthdays, so now I almost always see getting older in a positive light. Ayun lang may mga downsides like white hair, triggered hyperacidity due to the littlest of things (such as but not limited to not eating or pooping on time, TMI, harharhar), takes time to catch up on sleep when I make puyat, 

So here are my sort of resolutions this year and also what I want to do/happen ☺

💜1. Track my expenses RELIGIOUSLY. I started March last year- I was able to list down my expenses and also make an excel file of my cash flow- but come November and December which were my busy months, I failed to write everything down. I need to train myself to write all expenses at the end of the day. 

💜 2. Start reading books again. YA na nga lang hindi pa ako makarami, harhar. And to think I kinda have a lot of time in my hands because there weren't many orders coming in. Well, I have BTS and kdramas to blame for that. My resolution for this year is only eight books and I hope I get to accomplish that.

💜 3. Eat healthy. Which means less Coke, less chips, less sugar, more veggies. It's relatively easier since I can't go out and eat whatever I want when I crave for it (like samgyup, for example), but we still have our friendly neighborhood sari-sari store that sells Coke and chichirya and also village marketplaces that sell merienda (kwek-kwek 👀) and have it delivered to our doorstep. Dahil nga tumatanders na ako, I need to somehow lessen my intake of these sinful food. I need to make a conscious effort to eat healthy para pagdating ko ng 50,60, I will still be able to enjoy life. 

💜 4. Exercise more. At the start of the pandemic until October last year, I was religiously exercising in the morning with my father at the balcony. Medyo mandatory yung attendance but come Nov/Dec when we were busy with Christmas orders, I stopped. And until now I haven't started again. Late December, I got sick and isolated myself for more than 10 days, so naunsyami na naman ang aking dapat morning routine. Because of omicron, I also avoid being at the same spot as my parents. Mahirap na. I need to exercise inside my room or at least do stretching but, you know, my mind is willing but the body is weak. I hope I muster enough discipline to do this again. 

💜 5. Take my vitamins/supplements everyday- not to be kunat with my money and buy the needed meds. Health is wealth after all. Bakit kasi ang mahal ng Liverprime!

💜 6. Post more photos on Instagram. I take lots of photos but only a few make it on Instagram. Or Facebook. Most of these photos end up in my computer memory or external storage and I get to see them only when I look for some photos or when I try to organize my files. I want to post them on IG because when it's there I see it more often- I'll be reminded more often of the memories that come with the photos. 

💜 7. Plan ahead. Be less of a procrastinator. A N G H I R A P N I T O ! ! ! Bilang isang master procrastinator (and a good one at it 😉), I always wait for the last minute to do things. Lalo na ngayon na you can't really plan things. We make orders, a surge happens, customers cancel or postpone their orders. But with regard to life in general, I should train myself to not wait for the last bottle of whatever that is to be opened before I buy a new one. I want to put this quote a saw on Twitter- If it takes less than five minutes to do, do it immediately. Your life will instantly become much more organized and productive.

💜 8. Try watching Goblin again. Haha. Pang-ilan ko nang attempt ito. 

💜 9. Start journaling on paper again. Ang limit ko na mag-blog at hindi na ako nagjo-journal on paper. Sometimes I read my old posts and I'm reminded of things or events that I would have never remembered had happened if it weren't for those posts or journal entries. Pero gusto ko this time, with more photos, with washi tapes- mas may art eme. Hihi. Let's see if I can actually do this. 

** to be continued **

22 Days in Community Quarantine and Counting

I must document this very memorable time in my life, in our lives. And looks like I have the time. Ha.

This COVID-19 pandemic has caused so much stress, panic, loss and damages. Ang sarap sisihin kung saan nanggaling 'eto, yung source kasi they coud've nipped it at the bud or at least less damages when they've quarantined themselves earlier. Eh nag world tour pa sila! Ayun wala nang silbi ang sisi sa ngayon. Although I still believe that they should be fined.

I am in a state of panic cos I live with my parents who are both in their mid-70s. Both are super makulit at matigas ang ulo. Pre-community quarantine, they refused to stayput at home. Buti ngayon at wala rin naman silang choice, they stay home. But they still handle money coming from outside which should not be done kasi nga diba- virus carrier ang pera. Hay stress.

Aside from the community quarantine, we're also implementing a household lockdown- no one is allowed to leave the house, even to the sari-sari store, to minimize interactions to the outside world where every trip could pose a risk. I do the grocery run. I used to love doing the grocery but now, I dread it. I'm scared of the possibility of bringing something inside. Ayoko na.

Instead of worrying, I will instead channel my energy into doing a to-do list when this is all done.

La Traidora's Post-Pandemic To-Do List:

1. Offer a thanksgiving mass. My sister based in NY caught the virus and THANK GOD she's much much better now. Still praying for her full recovery. Bawal makampante. Baby, it ain't over 'til it's over.

2. Eat. Unlimited samgyupsal. Viking's. Frankie's Chicken Wings. Unli samgyup and especially Viking's I consider as luxury and only for special occasions. But after this, I will pig out. Kung may pera pa pala ako LOL.

3. Stock up on food. My sister made a go-bag for emergency purposes with a few canned goods, a pack of Skyflakes crackers and instant noodles. Ngayon alam na natin na hindi yun enough. At the very least, isang go-bag per person. Not one or two for the whole household. I realize that it is important to keep stock of food, alcohol and meds at madaming stock.

4. Take container gardening seriously. Never thought something like this pandemic would happen in our lifetime. Started container gardening just because there's a sense of fulfillment one gets when you've successfully grown something from scratch. Now, I see the importance of keeping a garden of edibles. When the coast is clear, I will buy lots of potting soil/mix and start trying to grow tomatoes, green leafy veggies and kung ano pang puede mapatubo dito.

That's it for now. With three more weeks to go before this extended community quarantine ends, in the event that it doesn't get extended further, I'm sure I'll think of more things to start doing.

Here are a few photos I've taken while in quarantine

night sky

growing these from scrap

sunset from my window

resolutions

Let us get on the bandwagon and make resolutions for the new year, why don't we?

Lose weight

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Okay, this year I will not be specific. I still want to lose 30 lbs but if I lose just 10, it'd be perfectly fine. But I do wish I could lose more than that kakarampot 2 lbs I lost last year.

Better time management

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And this is where spending too much on the internet would fall under. Meaning, I shouldn't be spending too much time tumblring or researching about other people on facebook (aka stalking), ha! Time must be spent on productive tasks that would earn me big bucks ;-) And also this is where being more hands on with the business belongs. It follows, actually. If I spend less time online, I will have enough time to do stuff pertinent to businesses.

Develop a daily morning routine

Last 2010, I was able to make myself wake up at 7am everyday, whether or not I have something to do that early. That's already early for someone who works from home and compared to 2009's 9am wake-up alarm. But this 2011, I want to follow a strict routine upon waking up and not spend too much time lying on my bed, awake and thinking about stuff in general.

Be more open to new things

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I'm a creature of habit and deviation from my routine usually agitates me. I'm one who isn't open to changes, much more to sudden ones. I stick to what is familiar. I like my life and what's happening with and in it (which, btw, is not much but I am contented) but this 2011 I feel I'm in the mood for something new. I'm almost 30 and I think it's high time I try something out of my usual.


Be more patient and kind

I think one can be patient in two ways- one is when it comes to waiting, time-wise, and second is patience towards other people. I can wait for hours. I was trained to wait haha. But my patience is tried when it comes to teaching others how to do stuff or when I'm asked to repeat something more than twice, basta something to that effect. Ergo, I snap at people quite easily. I noticed that I became more hostile when this business started. With employees like mine, can you blame me? Well, that's the challenge for me- to keep my cool at all times.

To look clean and polished all the time

Not for anything (or anyone) else but for myself. In Templar's The Rules of Life, Rule #26 is Dress like today is important. They say you'll never know who you'll meet that day- it could be the president, y'know ;-) And another one from Nina Garcia, there are no ugly women, only lazy ones. This year, my pegs are Rachel Bilson and Olivia Palermo.

Learn to make cupcakes

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I like making cute stuff and cupcakes are no exceptions

Get a lovelife, for crying out loud

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Well, I kind of came into terms with this aspect of my life already. Kung dumating okay lang, kung hindi okay lang din. I wouldn't be searching every nook and cranny of the globe just to find somebody to marry, like my life depended on it. But this year, I claim YOU. Sabi nga nila, it's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.

Avoid negastars (energy black holes) and avoid being one 

I am consciously trying to always look into the brighter side of things and so far, it's working. Sometimes lang talaga, things are screwed up on their own that no amount of optimism can make it look good. On times like these my mantra is always THIS TOO SHALL PASS. Works everytime ;-) Shut negastars out. Not permanently, though. Only when they're being dementors and are sucking the good vibes out of me. On the other hand, I will also try not to be someone else's wet blanket. Ika nga, walang basagan ng trip.


Read more books

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Will stick to two books per month. For the past years, this is included in my resolutions and although I haven't been really hitting my target, I'm okay with my numbers but it wouldn't hurt to target up, right?

Watch 100 movies this 2011 aka The 100 Movies Project 2011 ed.

Didn't hit last year's target so I will try again this year.

That's it. Not final yet but it's a start. I will try my very best to stick to this list. Excuse me while I make my life even more amazing this 2011 ☺

gratitude list

Things haven't been all rosy as of late and everything's pretty effed up. I'm putting the blame on the mercury retrograde that's ending on the 26th pa of September. Parang ayoko nang ganito pa for two more weeks. So I will try to fend off BV by consciously reminding myself of the simple and finer things in life. Remember, this too shall pass.

1. New sheets.
   
2. Chelsea Handler hosting the VMAs. She's so funny I love her.
   
3. The VMAs airing in the Philippines just a few hours after it airs in US
4. Already halfway into El Zahir
5. Dinuguan ♥
6. a birthday card with $20 pa-birthday ;) from AB, via air mail. Snail mail is still the best.
   
7. Lunch, movie and merienda with my BFF
8. that bazaar slot
   
9. a clean-er room
10. family lunch outs
11. Max's Pork binagoongan
12. New season!!! Gossip Girl on the 13th, Chuck and How I Met Your Mother on the 20th and Glee on the 21st.
    

things i blame on the mercury retrograde

because things are a little shitty these days

1. SUCKY BIRTHDAY The day I was so excited for didn't turn out to be as awesome as I hoped it would be. Ayan kasi keeping my expectations up and my hopes high. Wala man lang akong birthday cake!
   
2. LOW SALES Tapos na ghost month, mababa pa rin ang sales. I need sales to pick up so bad, most especially that I am in dire need of funds right now. Dear sales, please pick up!
   
3. Pizza Hut not having stuffed crust pizza. Went to two Pizza Hut branches and both didn't have stuffed crust. Boo.
   
4. Pizza Hut's shitty service. Dahil ba Super Panalo promo lang kami? Haha. But still diba... because of this, I think it will be awhile before I step foot in there. I really want to boycott Pizza Hut because Philippine franchise is owned by Mar Roxas and family but because I so love their stuffed crust pizza, I (excruciatingly) patronize their product. But since their service is so sucky, I think there's no more reason to continue patronizing them.
   
5. Not making it to the doctor in time
   
6. Overactive hormones giving me blackheads and pimples galore
7. Nail spa drama and other business-related concerns that aren't exactly positive
8. a botched facial at Nisce =/
   
9. and many more!

Though I would have to say there were good things that happened within the period, such as:

1. getting that bazaar slot
   
2. new stash! :P

Shet, yan lang pala.
Hay, HAPPY THOUGHTS, where art thou?

killing time

Home on a Friday night, as always. Anyway, just a few weeks before my birthday, wee! Contrary to Ycel's belief, I haven't started with my countdown just yet. So to make the clock tick away like mad, I'm creating a list of what I want to accomplish before my birthday and things I'm looking forward to.

Books I Will Read:

  
Movies I Want to Watch: 

Books I Want to Read:

Haay, the things one does to kill boredom. Actually contemplating on turning this PC off and just finish reading P.S. I Love You which is taking me forever to finish. Getting to the good parts so I think it'll be speedy from now on, hopefully. I have a date with Channel 32 later at 9:50 pm- NCIS and Bones.

And oh, I am in anticipation of the following (aside from my birthday):

1. JA's first birthday
2. birth of new baby
3. Christmas 2010
4. my Garnier shampoo from AB heehee☺
5. Sundays, still

How uneventful, ya? But guess what, I still love my life ♥ It could be the most boring existence there is but hey, it works for me. While others complain that life is complicated, I revel in the sheer simplicity and ease of how I'm living mine. Remember, thoughts become things. Lagot ka ;)

Daddy Di Do Du

Home alone on a Sunday afternoon, which is a welcome change from the usual lunch-outs. At least I don't have to take a bath early, I can watch my variety shows, BF/GF (yes, I actually watch that stuff) and the weekly chismis talk shows. And speaking of variety shows, I watched ASAP awhile back and saw Kim Chiu flailing her bones arms, eeeeyuck. Can someone give her something to eat, please!

Anyway, this is a post about my daddy since it's Father's Day today. I sent my daddy a text message earlier to greet him. I was able to talk to him and greeted him again when AD called him on the phone. He was playing mahjong. I'm sad that he's all the way there in the province on Father's Day. Though I think any day can be Father's Day, so we'll just celebrate it next week when he comes home from the province.

I love my daddy ♥ I love mommy and daddy very much but since today is Father's Day, this is about him and how he's been the greatest dad ever. With daddy, it's just that I always feel that my efforts are not in vain. He has always appreciated every little thing that I do. Whenever I used to come home from school with a grade a few points shy of being in the Honor Roll or Dean's List, whenever I show him my latest "work of art", he'll always tell me, "ang galing-galing talaga ng anak ko." Kaya naman I never want to disappoint him that I got a bit hard on myself when I knew I couldn't and wouldn't be a lawyer like he wanted. Though I think he has come into terms with that fact, like I have. Now, I just want to be successful financially to be able to provide them the comforts of life like they have done for us when we were much younger (and actually, up to this very day). He and mommy are the perfect team. And even if mommy's favorite is Vicky, I don't mind and it's okay because I am my daddy's favorite (feeling ko lang) :P

 Happy Father's Day, Appa ☺

Top 10 Reasons Why My Daddy is the Greatest Dad Ever:

1. He taught me my math. He wasn't the most patient teacher there is but still, it was because of him that I memorized the multiplication table. Yes, there was one time when he locked me inside my room and was not allowed to go out until I memorized my tables of 6, 7 and 8. I didn't take that against him. Kahit bobo pa rin ako sa math hanggang ngayon, at least namemorize ko naman ang Table of 2 hanggang 10. 
2. He taught us to eat our veggies. I was actually shocked that not everyone I know eats veggies, because I always thought everyone else's dads made them. I'm just proud that I eat vegetables and I mean, ALL vegetables- even vegetables we didn't even know existed. Of course, as young kids we were iffy but according to my dad, "Papakainin ko ba kayo ng masama." Well, minsan masama ang lasa tulad ng ampalaya pero mabuti naman ata sa katawan. 
3. He gives me extra (and bigger) allowance whenever I would go out malling with my friends. But this was waaaay waaay back when I was in grade school and high school. Or when mommy would only give me P20, he'll give me P100. Ha. 
4. Minsan lang ako makapasyal with daddy and only with daddy and there was this one time when I was in high school when he accompanied me and Vicky to National Book Store in Q Plaza. That was the first day of school and we needed to buy school supplies that we lacked. I saw this pack of Goody headbands that was very pricey (up to this day, mahal pa rin naman ang Goody eh) and I made daddy buy me those. He did. No questions, no conditions. I still keep the packaging in my box.
5. He makes me ubit whenever we eat hipon, crab or anything that needs extra effort to eat. In Tagalog ata, ubit means himay. Even if I'm already two years and three months shy of being 30, inuubitan niya pa rin ako. Without even asking him to. 
6. He taught me how to use a hammer and a saw and now I am my own handyman. For extra hardy-work, there's Nonoy but I can pound on that nail myself. 
7. He constantly reminds us of our life goals, or lack thereof. We didn't really like those miting de avances which could take hours but I do appreciate them. Of course, I don't want to be grilled as to my life goals and ambitions and this was done more frequently during that time when I was in a semi state of depression, but it was that grilling that made me want to make something out of my life. Until now it seems that I haven't made anything out of myself naman but I'm more determined. Unti pa sigurong determinasyon...
8. According to a quote I once came across, the most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. And even only for this reason alone, I know I have the bestest father in the world. 
9. He's also the best cook. Never mind na medyo walang aesthetics, after all, lasa naman ang importante. He makes the meanest dinuguan ever.
10. And have I mentioned that (I think) I am his favorite? Haha. Bwahaha. 

Daddy's coming home on Saturday and I'm excited to have our lunch out next Sunday as a family but a bit sad cos we'd still be incomplete. Anyway, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to my daddy and all the fathers out there who have actually done some fathering.

Any man can be a father but it takes a special person to be a dad.

How to Spend your Guilt-Free Three-Day Holiday

It's already April. Definitely one of those time-flies-real-fast posts. First day of April and coincidentally, also Maundy Thursday, so I promise (for the nth effin' time) that I will quit coke, eat sensibly, exercise or have some kind of physical activity and snack wisely. I swear I could have heard myself swear a kagillion times that beginning next month, I will start my diet. Sa awa ng Diyos, hindi pa dumarating ang month na yun. Hopefully, this is it. I will make this month the it month. Wish me luck!

I remember last year we strictly observed Holy Week, as in no meat for the week, attended a 3-day recollection in Ateneo and as for my sacrifice, abstained from using the PC and going online 'til Easter Sunday. Sadly, this year I kinda slacked off~ didn't go on confession in time for the Holy Week, ate meat just a few hours ago and am online as we speak. And no, there will be no recollections for me this year. Hanap na lang sa TV if they're televising good recollections.

♥ tumblr all you want. Everybody's on vacation so why not join the bandwagon? And what better way to spend a lazy day than going online and reblogging all those purdy pictures with balloons in them. Well, yeah, I kinda do this everyday but I feel guilty doing it since I spend too much time on tumblr; ergo, neglecting the pertinent stuff. And for three days, I get to do just that sans guilt.

♥ Actually read the book I've been putting off for forever to read. As mentioned before, I have this one book every two weeks resolution so as not to stupefy myself in the process of getting old. Pang-alis daw ng Alzheimer's. Realized that I am not too fond of fiction. I'd rather read trivia, self-help or (surprise! surprise!) textbooks. Currently reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and hopefully, I'll finish it by Easter. New life ang drama sa Easter and I think if I were to start a new life effectively, first thing to do is to STOP PROCRASTINATING.

♥ Have a DVD-marathon. If only I was able to buy DVDs from my suking pirata. Boo. Looks like will be watching korean dramas online instead~ Personal Preference (Taste) starring Son Ye-jin and Lee Min-ho aired in Korea just yesterday. Thank God for the internet and thank you mysoju for online streaming of Korean dramas.

Well, it's not really guilt-free since the Holy Week should be time for introspection and remembering what Jesus has done for us, lowly beings. I will still try my best to attend masses and the like but of course, hindi naman siguro kasalanan kung makapag-tumblr ako paminsan ;) Have to go already. Need sleep badly.

Top Tearjerker Movies

According to www.ew.com, these are the Best Movie Tearjerkers. The movies in red are the ones that I've already seen... actually, it's not much. Depressing count, I reckon.

50. Rudy (1993)
49. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
48. Cinema Paradiso (1989) i have the cd, haven't seen it yet
47. Moulin Rouge (2001)
46. Million Dollar Baby (2004) estoy de acuerdo....
45. Truly Madly Deeply (1991)
44. Dead Poets Society (1989)
43. Sounder (1972)
42. Now, Voyager (1942)
41. Little Women (1933, 1994) didn't make me cry... just got annoyed at Kirsten Dunst's character
40. Umberto D. (1942)
39. The Champ (1979)
38. The Iron Giant (1999)
37. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
36. Jerry Maguire (1996) can't remember if this movie made me cry. nevertheless, still liked it
35. Philadelphia (1993)
34. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
33. Imitation of Life (1959)
32. West Side Story(1961) i have the cd too but i haven't gotten myself to watch it
31. Romeo and Juliet (1968) watched it back in high school, but i wasn't really watching... i think no one really watches during film viewings in class
30. Cocoon (1985)
29. The Way We Were (1973)
28. To Kill a Mockingbird (1972)
27. The Deer Hunter (1978)
26. The Great Santini (1979)
25. Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)
24. Charly (1968)
23. The Joy Luck Club (1993) loved this one
22. Longtime Companion (1990)
21. Steel Magnolias (1989)
20. Stella Dallas (1937)
19. Ordinary People (1980)
18. Love Story (1970)
17. Glory (1989)
16. Titanic (1997) over-rated
15. Life is Beautiful (1998)
14. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
13. Brief Encounter (1945)
12. Old Yeller (1957)
11. The Notebook (2004) read the book but I didn't shed tears
10. Field of Dreams (1987)
9. Ghost (1990)
8. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) haven't seen it yet but when my sister told me the story, i cried
7. Brian's Song (1971)
6. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
5. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
4. An Affair to Remember (1957) watched the Warren Beatty-Annette Bening version and also loved it
3. Sophie's Choice (1982)
2. Bambi (1942) Bambi???
1. Terms of Endearment (1983)

I still have to go see the other movies and see for myself if they're really the best movie tearjerkers. Here is my top 10 though...

My Top Ten Tearjerkers
10. My Girl and I (Korea)
9. Love Affair (US)
8. A Moment to Remember (Korea)
7. Land Before Time (US)
6. One True Thing (US)
5. Sad Movie (Korea)
4. Oh Brother! (Korea)
3. Life as a House (US)
2. Message in a Bottle (US)
1. Taegukgi (Brotherhood) (Korea)

So these are the movies that didn't make me cry... they made me bawl!!! Sa Tagalog, hagulgol! Most especially with Taegukgi, I while the credits were rolling I was still crying inconsolably. As in may hikbi hikbi na!

I have to watch the other films on the list that I haven't seen yet. Who knows? My list might still change?