Yes, Let's Do This

photo courtesy of www.kaneadvice.wordpress.com

     My continuing feeling of loneliness still envelops my entire being. As much as I want to interact with people today, it just feels like I'm not getting anywhere. Probably because I feel ignored. I am used to not being the center of attention. I enjoy doing things better when people aren't crowding around me. But, now that I've forging relationships with people, the feeling of being ignored or being swept under the rug hurts more, because they are from the ones that you care the most. 

     So what's a lonely boy got to do on a Saturday afternoon? I decided to embrace this lonely feeling and went to Quiapo just to explore. It always amazes me that I'm still able to discover new things. For a moment I felt like being embraced by a friend who's been waiting for me. 

     Being lonely ain't that bad, sometimes.

Working Birthday

photo courtesy of www.latestfreestuff.co.uk

   So today is my birthday. I don't expect the day to be any different or special. But I am thankful that I am here and spending this day with the people that matter to me. That in itself is good gift that keeps on giving everyday. Allan bought me ensaymada with a lots of icing and caramel sauce on top. It actually looks like a cake. And it's delicious too. His sister and her kids also dropped by to spend a couple of days with us. It's going to be a lot of fun looking after Allan's nephews as those two are not one to lose their energy. Oh kids. 

   Now as I told myself a year ago. Don't stop. 

   

Melting

photo courtesy of www.cbwadifference.com

   Summer is about to end and yet its energy-draining effect is still full on. Today I traveled from Pasig to Manila. I left Pasig around 5 AM and I was already expecting that traffic will be horrible since it's the first week of classes. The trip took less than an hour. There was no traffic build up because the private schools that bus passes along haven't started their classes yet. 

   I was just starting with my work when I felt that the heat was beginning to bother me. At around 2 PM, female parental unit and I decided to go out and sit by the front of the house and do some people watching. We were surprised that not only was it not as hot as the inside of our house but there was a cool breeze blowing every five minutes. We sat for about an hour and gossiped about our neighbors.

   I decided to go to church after that and while I was walking, I could not help but get weaker because of the heat. When I got to the church I was so zapped out that I dozed off for a bit during the priest's homily. I was so naive to think that my walk back to the house would less hot. It was still sizzling outside. 

   Overall I still feel that I managed to be productive despite the heat. 

   

From My Family to Yours

photo courtesy of travellingtemplar.com

   The madness of the noche buena is over. Everyone is taking a nap after the eating and the celebrating from last night. But today spending time with your loved ones. So wherever you are enjoy this Christmas day.

Laundry Day

photo courtesy of balconalia.com

   Doing the laundry is something I enjoy. Along with washing the dishes. A lot of the people I've met have expressed disdain doing these two chores. But for me, I feel a certain calm in dumping the clothes in the washer, putting the laundry powder, and watching it spin, waiting for the foam to appear, or the water to darken. It's as if this whole process is not just for the clothes themselves but for me as well. I always feel clean and fresh after a laundry session, even at times I'm left sweating and sticky. 

   When I started doing the laundry after female parental unit had an operation, it was always a battle of who can out-snark each other. Being a veteran in washing clothes, she was more than eager to pass on the knowledge to the point that she would be doing it herself. Meanwhile, me, the person who resents authority as a hobby would go against her in every laundry session. As time passes by, the arguments have lessened and what replaced it is another way for us to bond and to talk more. We've somehow managed to use every laundry day to talk about not just the usual neighborhood gossip but also our frustrations, things we want to accomplish, and a lot more. We've become more honest with each other, learning things that we never knew before. And with this, me and female parental unit have always looked forward to our special laundry day.

   This is what happens I guess when you get older. 

Gossip Girls

photo courtesy of thewriteworkshop.nyc

   Working from home has completely erased the chances of me falling into hours of gossiping with co-workers. Not only has this increased my productivity, but also made me focus my energy on finishing the job. I always fall into the trap of gossiping with my co-workers that tasks eventually pile up and I have to extend extra effort just to finish them. Since I don't have anyone to gossip with here at home, my workflow have been fluid. 

   

   But there are times, like today where I enjoyed falling into the trap. Female parental unit sat beside me while she was changing pillow covers and started dumping a lot of neighborhood gossip. Normally, I just smile and try to zone her out. But today, I found myself engaging with her while still working. Not only did I found it odd, but also amusing. Days like this should be like the one we had. This is one memorable perk of working from home.   

Nappy Time

photo from blog.thehoya.com

   When I was young, I hated taking naps. Whenever we were in the province, this was strictly enforced because it was supposed to make us grow taller. At seven years old, I knew they weren't telling the truth. It even went as far as me telling my mother that the only reason we're being "forced" to taking naps is because the adults (them) are lazy and deemed them irresponsible. 

   Through the years, taking a nap in the afternoon has somehow found its way into my system. Now I can't go on a day without shutting my eye for half an hour in the afternoon, especially right after eating. There were times when my nap would go for about several hours which would leave me awake the entire night. Fine tuning my nap time has led me to better sleep in the evening. Knowing what time I should hit the sack at night gives me an idea when to take a nap and how long it should be. It also has allowed me to be more alert especially when I'm working. I don't feel anxious whenever I do the tasks given to me.

   Basically, everyone who naps has his or her system in integrating this into their daily lives. Though some might view it as a waste of time or makes them feel like they're missing out on something, napping is one of those pleasures that does not require a lot of money or effort. And I feel like people should be doing this.

   So nap away.