Yesterday, I had the chance to plan for my blog, read, do some jobhunting, research for my website, and listen to music while satisfying my craving for eggs ben. I hung out at a cafe and ended up enjoying it. It has been a while since I consciously parked myself at a coffee shop to have an "office day" and I now understand why the coffice (coffee + office) trend is becoming ubiquitous these days. I have observed many coffice warriors surrounding me yesterday and it was comforting to be part of a collective, so to speak. Immersing myself in an air of productivity was inspiring, and I did get to do things quickly without me knowing it. I enjoyed the "company" and the busyness around me. While the lunch was sponsored by my family (my mom had a lunch event so I was able to have noon to myself), I owned that free time by maximizing it and basking in a work environment. While coffee shops are a third place for most people (with the home and the office as the first and second places, respectively), I put myself first during my coffice lunch and promoted myself through jobhunting, researching possible blog ideas, and finishing a novel. It was fabulous and I felt renewed afterwards. I look forward to more coffice moments and yes, I think this is a wonderful way to recharge!
Day 5: #30GratefulDays | Pixie Update
I keep my hair short out of necessity. My mane is prone to hair fall due to my hypothyroidism. I used to keep my hair long but it was a hassle to maintain and really, hair fall is not pretty. It was not fun changing my hairstyles just to cover a bald spot. In 2014, I have finally had enough and I finally donated my hair to Cuts Against Cancer.
I started with a bob, then I eventually went for my now-standard pixie cut. It is very easy to maintain, as I only need to put wax on it and have it trimmed each month. It is also easier to live with, as I workout outdoors and having short hair makes it a breeze to dance. It is also liberating to be a pixie girl in the Philippines, where having long hair is still the popular standard of beauty. I think this is sexist and having a pixie is my subtle statement against the patriarchy. Having short hair can be beautiful, fashionable, and yes, feminine. While I am not against the LGBT community, I am straight, so this is not even a gender thing. It is merely a necessary move to save my hair, and in the end, I saved myself from blending in a sea of long haired girls.
I found my identity in styling my short hair and making fashion work for me as I can go edgy with minimal effort. Also, this fuss-free style has made me less conscious about my appearance. I just go with the flow and face the world as I am.
Such is my life with having a pixie. Every month is a chance to start over on a hairstylist's chair. And every haircut is cathartic. If you need a change in your life, have a trim or go big with a haircut! Trust me, a few snips here and there can make a huge difference in your outlook and confidence.
Day 4: #30GratefulDays | Word of Mouth
Do you enjoy public speaking and listening to true to life stories? I do, and last night, I was privileged to be one of the speakers for Word of Mouth. It is a monthly gathering of storytellers and friends who are asked to observe a "no judgement" rule. The topic of the evening was "Modern Romance", and I spoke about my tendency to join workshops and realization that my return to traditional crafts has helped me focus on face-to-face love. I depended less on technology and focused on loving myself more in order to be able to share that love to others. It was freeing to tell my story even if I am not really the typical heroine in usual romance settings.
What made the night special though was listening to the other storytellers. It was refreshing to unplug from the mundane and simply appreciate the sincerity of their personal love stories and perspectives. Not to mention that the coffee at the venue, Cool Beans, was comforting. It was a relaxing and intimate evening of genuine human connections.
Word of Mouth is something I like being part of, whether as an audience member, a speaker, or online follower. I admire how the people behind this movement has brought together various storytellers in order to broaden our mindsets and open our hearts to the different facets of humanity. It is here that I have met the most honest people and have been moved by the rawness of each sharing. I look forward to more Word of Mouth nights and hear more stories without judgement and reservations.
Day 3: #30GratefulDays | International Design Conference
I was privileged to have learned more about Design Thinking yesterday at the first Design Thinking Conference. It was a productive and inspiring day, and I had an engaging time. It was also a delight to attend an event at the hip Green Sun Hotel. Here are my learnings from the conference:
1. Design thinking is a problem solving methodology which employs human centeredness in finding solutions.
2. Empathy is the first step in improving experiences.
3. Design thinking is not just for creatives. It is the future of thinking outside the box as this employs the steps from inspiration, ideation, and execution.
4. Design thinking inspires working together and engaging as a community to improve the circumstances of everyone.
5. Discomfort is essential to inspire improvement. In the same manner, boredom is important to promote new ideas.
6. Systems are key to forming better habits and establishing change.
7. Storytelling is an appreciation of our commonality as humans. If we will appreciate each other's story, we can simplify our lives through what we have in common and take action through a more engaged thought process.
8. Improving my own future through design thinking can be achieved by blogging about wellness, my own discomfort, what actions I am taking to better my situation, and the inspiration behind my journey.
I look forward to moving forward with design thinking and attending more events to continue learning on the said topic. When I asked the speakers if this is just a fad, I was told that it is here to stay because design thinking makes everyone utilize creativity to solve challenges. If this is the wave of tomorrow, then I look forward to a better future. Life by design is purposefully lived and well-thought of.
Day 2: #30gratefuldays | Magnets
Magnets from my BFF
My magnet collection
Magnets from my recent trip to Singapore
I collect magnets from all my trips. Since my loved ones know about this hobby, they tend to buy magnets for me as tokens. Yesterday was memorable as I had lunch at Italianni's with my best friend from college. He recently went to Baguio for business, so he got me three magnets from there. I am happy to be remembered and it warms my heart that my collection is growing, one memory at a time.
Collecting magnets gives me a tangible connection to the places I have been to and the memories created in each location. For those that were given to me, I am grateful to be in my loved ones' minds. I look forward to growing my collection with the desire that my passion for life with magnetize me to better experiences and meaningful pursuits.
Day 1: #30GratefulDays Launch with Brekkie
My life has been a roller coaster ride of late. I have resigned from my job, resumed my daily workouts at the park, blogged everyday as always, and sent my CV to companies that are hiring. It is easy to lose my bearings and focus. To be honest, there are days when I just want to give up and mope around. However, I have since learned that owning my narrative is key to overhauling my life. If I cannot take responsibility for my own existence, even for things that are beyond my control, then I will end up going nowhere. And since I want to get back on my feet, I have decided to own my joblessness, my hypothyroidism, my fitness goals, my jobhunting, and my thirst for knowledge. Speaking of thirst for knowledge, I do not have money to enroll in graduate school. I also cannot commit to a fixed term knowing that I may have a full-time job soon. I am dying to join a life coaching or passion project boot camp but my lack of funds is preventing me from doing so. As a result, I am reading and buying books to educate myself and keep my mind abreast with the latest trends, lingo, and possible endeavors.
I recently purchased a book entitled "You Can Be Happy Again" by Edwin S. Soriano. The author is a life coach and while I am still halfway through the book, I have already picked up plenty of positive tidbits to keep me going. One of these learnings is the importance of gratitude. Having a thankful attitude changes everything. To improve my life (as the author has dared me to do so), I am launching #30gratefuldays which will document my life here on my online diary but with a thankful twist. Instead of focusing on my need for employment, fulfillment, and what have you, I will spend the next month highlighting what I am grateful for. I am eager to see how this turns out.
For day one, I am thankful for my quick breakfast at Mister Kabab, a cult favorite here in Quezon City. I always have their special chicken chelo kabab and brewed coffee. It may have been a fast meal after my workout, but it did wonders to elevate my day from blah to fabulous. It really helps to diversify my schedule every once in a while, as long as it does not break the bank. I am thankful that I was able to have a delicious brekkie and I was able to finish the novel "The Ugly Sister" by Jane Fallon, which was a funny Brit wit chick flick while doing so. I look forward to the next thirty days and who knows, I may really improve my perspective by focusing on what to be grateful for.
Zumba and Breakfast
It is no secret that I enjoy my daily workouts. I religiously exercise each morning because it helps balance all my systems, especially since my hypothyroidism tends to put everything off-sync in the absence of physical activity. I have also noticed that exercise works wonders for my mental health. I feel better about myself after compeleting a workout, and my mood throughout the day is more consistent. It is the endorphin rush that keeps me going and happy. Because I workout first thing in the morning, it is essential that I have a hearty breakfast. Now that I am unemployed, my default brekkie are two pieces of pandesal and peanut butter. However, I felt extra hungry earlier because our instructor switched things up with more taebo. As a result, I craved for toasted naked longganisa, brown rice, and egg. I rushed to Breakfast Bin the minute my workout wrapped up. I had my longganisa fix and it was utterly satisfying.
I have realized that depriving myself is never a good idea. Even if I am currently on a tight budget, an occasional meal to satisfy my cravings would not hurt and it makes all the Zumba moves worth it. Breakfast also regulates my metabolism, which is a big deal with hypothyroidism. I get full and I also balance my health with a nutritious post-workout breakfast.
Just Dance!
Today, my Zumba group was featured at Bagong Pilipinas, a morning show. It was fun to dance in front of a live video camera and I enjoyed grooving to the beat as our instructor was being interviewed. I used to be conscious about my dancing because I am not a skilled one, but I realized earlier that I no longer care. Here's to letting go and dancing to the beat of life!
Sam's Singapore
Singapore for me is an easy place to unwind and relax. As an urbanite, I find more tranquility in city noise and busyness. Being on holiday amidst a progressive and modern city is my kind of paradise. Here are a few vacation tips I have if you are planning to visit SG.
1. Go to the library@orchard for a free! If you are a bibliophile like me, you will definitely enjoy spending hours reading in this gorgeous space known for its wave-shaped bookshelves. There are also comfortable seats and nooks for you to plug your gadgets and your mind.
2. There are ice cream uncles selling cheap ice cream sandwiches for only SG$1.20. My favorite flavors are durian and mint chocolate chip. Do ask uncle to serve it in bread.
3. If you like quality stationery, drop by Kikki.K at iON Orchard for Swedish-designed leather notebooks, planners, paper, and office supplies. You will fall in love with the simplicity of each piece. You will find yourself eager to plan ahead with their planners and paper inserts.
4. Never skip a visit to the National Museum. The story of Singapore is creatively told for each visitor to understand the determination of this island nation to succeed amidst insurmountable challenges.
5. Another museum worth visiting is the National Gallery. You will be blown away by its extensive collection of definitive exhibitions featuring the best of Southeast Asian art. Do appreciate the beautiful architectural details as well which can be found all throughout the gallery.
6. Take the MRT! It is reliable, safe, and easy to grasp via Google maps. Singaporeans are also helpful and polite so do not hesitate to ask questions if you need directions or assistance with train stations and lines.
7. If you are too exhausted to take the MRT, you may also ride a car using Uber and Grab.
8. Do workout everyday and walk as much as you can!
9. It is advisable to exercise the day after landing home to ensure that all the delicious food from your vacation is efficiently burned.
10. Do unpack immediately to effectively transition yourself to your life back home.
Those were my tips for making your SG holiday memorable. If you get tired, you may want to chill out with a cup of Kopi (coffee with evaporated milk) which can be found along any hawker food hall or food republic court. Make the most out of each moment and just enjoy yourself in SG!
Causes for Animals SG
I swung by CAS SG's Animals Day Out. I donated a small amount to have photos taken with friendly doggos. I got pupper kisses and cuddles. Definitely worth smiling for charity!
Breakfast Matters
I enjoy eating breakfast so much because it energizes me throughout my day. It is also a requirement for me to eat breakfast forty-five minutes after I take my thyroxine hormone tablet. Because of this, the first meal of the day has become an important part of my lifestyle. I build my meals around the first one I have, and I tend to indulge in it the most because I usually have it after I workout.
The past three days have been special because I have been eating breakfast at the Mandarin Orchard Singapore. I workout every morning at the hotel gym so I am starving by the time I reach the buffet. This is the best breakfast buffet I have ever had. My favorites are the matcha muffin, pancakes with condensed milk, lor mee, cheese, and teh tarik.
It is awesome to have fancy breakfasts every one in a while. I do hope I can get a job soon so I can have breakfast at an office again. For now, I am enjoying my last brekkie here. I look forward to more filling mornings to come.
library@orchard
I am thrilled to have explored one of the branches of Singapore's National Library here at Orchard Gateway. I am stunned by the flowing architecture of this space. It is conducive for reading, writing, and just plain hanging out. I am inspired by the openness of this place.
Commuting Alone
I enjoy commuting alone because it keeps my mind free to think of things that matter like this blog or my jobhunting. Unlike driving, commuting gives me a sense of being one with the collective. I find joy in going places faster. Singapore's MRT system is modern and efficient. Having experienced the country's convenient public transport was a memorable break from the horrendous commute I have back home.
Slinky Friday
I justness finished my visit at We're the Furballs, the popular dog cafe here in Singapore. I had a lovely time with all the dogs, especially with Slinky the dachshund. She's so soft and silky! It was worth the train ride. I am so thankful to my friend Addy for recommending this to me🐶!
Lourdes at SG
I survived the MRT here at SG! I just visited the beautiful Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Bugis. Mama Mary has granted me many miracles, and I am praying for more. I have faith that her intercession will always be my most effective secret.
Eating Colorfully
My lunch yesterday was at Food for Thought, located at the National Museum of Singapore. Their Smoked Salmon Hash was heavenly! There was salmon, avocado, hash, poached egg, and greens. It was amazing and healthy. I am continuing my creative journaling whenever I can to prove that I can eat healthfully and colorfully.
Just Wear That Dress
I am currently wearing a dress I bought for less than Php250 at a department store. It fits me perfectly and I am giddy that I am finally able to wear body fit outfits. Here's to continuous fitness goals and confidence!
Eat That Ice Cream!
I am currently on vacation and I worked out this afternoon so I can EAT! I decided not to deprive myself during this trip. Yes, I had the ice cream that my heart has been set on for so long. I had durian ice cream from a sidewalk vendor along Orchard Road. It was so good! And also, I had the corn ice cream twirl at McDonald's. It was refreshingly satisfying. Vacations should be enjoyed. Just like my ice cream, which I devoured before it even melted.
Keeping You Posted
Today, we got to explore the Fullerton Hotel, which was formerly the main post office of Singapore. Now, it is a lovely hotel with a charming vintage charm. It is also the gateway to another destination of ours, the Merlion Park. I have decided to make the most out of my vacation. I may not have much right now, but I can totally live in the moment and that is surely the best thing about making life beautiful.
Stay Drawn
It has been quite a while since I last played with my art journal. I have been engrossed with books and yes, surviving unemployment. Being stuck in a plane with good food was the perfect catalyst to my hiatus from journaling. I was inspired by the colors in my breakfast to draw and long my meal. The result is a delicious blur on my tastebuds and traveler's notebook.