This morning was quite eventful. I did not workout at the park due to a massive vehicular accident which caused terrible traffic along main thoroughfares in Quezon City. It was already too late for me to go to my Zumba class, so I just proceeded to have a hearty meal at Breakfast Bin. I always order their toasted naked longganisa with brown rice and scrambled egg. Of course, I pair my food with brewed coffee and a book. It was a welcome respite from the traffic jam and consistent honking of horns this morning. I enjoyed just reading and unwinding with my food, my coffee, and my solitude. Dining there on weekends can be impossible, as it only has three tables inside. The weekday dining experience made me believe that detours in life are not supposed to be regretted, because they may be the breaks that we never knew we needed. It has been a while since my last proper breakfast, as I have been living on fast food these past few weeks. Having no work means being broke, so my proper meals are only possible when my family or A shoulders the bill. Nevertheless, I am not the type to rely on such privileges. If they happen, then I am thankful. If not, then I can make the most out of what I have. A detour every now and then though can be good for the soul. If done in moderation, it can even inspire me to seek things bigger than myself and cross boundaries beyond my limits.
Narrative
The past few months have been challenging for me. I had to resign from my previous job due to circumstances beyond my control. I was unprepared for unemployment, so I had to budget what little savings I had left. While I still live with my parents, I have to spend my own money for my workouts, basic necessities, meals, and books. It was not easy, but I am still thriving after a month and a half of having no work. Having gone through this experience has allowed me to appreciate the simplest things, such as a fast food breakfast and the occasional lunch treat from my family and A. While other people may think that having no work (yet) is a disadvantage for me, I am making a choice now to own my narrative and transform this period from one of uncertainty to that of personal improvement. While I am waiting for my next job, I am reading books, exercising daily, and eating healthy meals. Life will not stop for me, so I would rather own this story so I will keep on going. There are plenty of ways to enjoy life. For now, allow me to make the best out of my unemployment so I can be a better employee when I get hired soon.
Offering
I often visit the St. Clare Monastery because I like the ritual of offering a tangible gift to an intercessor. The monastery is located at Katipunan, making it easily accessible whether I am driving or commuting. Prayer is an important part of my fitness journey because I envision my health goals in front of an altar. I also pray for my special intentions, such as landing a good job soon and for blessings for me and A. I like how it is integrated in my schedule, because I consider prayer to be a lifestyle rather than a chore. It is essential to include it in my plans if I want my intentions to be granted or given special consideration. Whenever I am at St. Clare, I map out my vision, my goals, and how I plan to realize them. For my relationship with A, I think of stability and his success in his career. For my health, I see myself without suffering and still in good shape. It is design thinking in process, and the only difference is the ritual of doing so in front of an altar. By offering myself, I give a part of my being to further my intentions. By living a life of prayer, I am renewing my faith. And when I lift up everything to God, I find myself trusting in Him wholeheartedly.
Coffee Nature
I am currently having coffee at Human Nature, my favorite affordable natural store. I am here at the beginning of each month, as I have to restock on toiletries that are kind to my skin. Their advocacy speaks to me, because I support social enterprises and I believe that they are the key to a progressive economic future for our country. While I am having their free-flowing brewed coffee here, I am reflecting on how long I have been supporting Human Nature. I have been a loyal customer since 2010, but I have been a member since 2013. In my close to four years with them, I have witnessed their beautiful advocacy firsthand through immersions at the GK Enchanted Farm, my training and qualification as a Core Advocate, and my two weekends as a camper in the GK Startup Social Business Camp. I admire how they are able to impart to their stakeholders the power of "walang iwanan" (no man left behind). They do not fire their staff, and everyone is given living wages above minimum standards. Best of all, everything is Made in the Philippines, and they provide jobs to those who need them most. As a customer, I feel happy to support such a worthy cause and I look forward to witnessing more milestones for the brand. I am glad that their products care for my skin, hair, and body. They also awaken the Filipino in me to be proud of what can be achieved when we all work together. For now, I am finishing my coffee and I am excited for my next shopping trip here soon.
Carrying On
There are days when I just want to give up. This morning, I was feeling moody. I was not excited for my workout and I wanted to go back to dream land. However, I remembered the endorphin rush that I experience after exercising. That motivated me enough to push and proceed with my agenda: to burn calories and dance, dance, dance!
My secret to a good workout is to channel all your energy to your routine. Do not quit! If you feel tired, drink water or just slow down your pace. You may also talk to your instructor or trainer about some concerns (my urgent concern when working out is my scoliosis). That way, he could modify the routine or circuit for you and make your routine more enjoyable and bearable.
Workouts feel fulfilling when I am able to execute the steps with ease. Doable steps should be balanced with challenging myself. In that case, I add a barre workout video when I get home. It keeps me on my toes and challenges my core. It also makes me toned. There are plenty of free barre videos online. My favorite YouTube personality for barre fitness is Jessica Smith. Go visit her channel and try her 12-minute barre workout video to jumpstart your routine.
My advice for those who do not feel like continuing their workouts is to begin with a routine that you like. Think of the endorphin rush that you will get afterwards. And lastly, just show up! You will always feel better after burning calories and bad vibes.
Craftsmithery
I am currently at Craftsmith Living, a secret cafe / home store hidden in a condominium in Makati. It is bustling with the mundane activity of a cafe which serves third wave brew. It is also full of miscellany in neutral colors and millennial pink. I am in awe of the different photos taped on the walls, the plants strewn around, and the poetry books scattered all over the place. It is the perfect setting for my blogging workshop this morning. I am excited to meet Martine De Luna of Make It Blissful, and I cannot wait to learn the tricks of the trade. I am sure that I will learn more about living the craft as I absorb the beauty that surrounds me this morning.
Holiday Fitness
I had to fight the urge to press the snooze button this morning. I slept late last night reading on the Romanov sisters (I am fascinated by their lost lives), so I felt sluggish at 5:00 AM. I had to drag myself to prepare for my workout. I drove to the park and began my routine. It was easier said than done, especially when my mind was still in my book. I then worked it on the dance floor, until I got the hang of it. An hour and a half flew by and before I knew it, my workout was done.
I was happy that my willpower has won over my laziness today. Deciding to workout on a drizzling holiday morning was not an easy choice, but it was the healthier option as opposed to sleeping in. Whenever I feel like pressing the snooze button, I contemplate on the regret I will later feel. It is enough for me to seize the morning and sweat it out. After all, there is nothing like dancing like nobody's watching to jumpstart my holiday.
Curry Cure
Lately, I have been feeling discouraged because I am still unemployed. I am looking for work in Ortigas or Quezon City, with normal office hours (dayshift), and fixed weekends and holidays off. As I mentioned in a previous post, my savings are already running low. I am currently relying on support from family, like today's kimchi curry lunch at Coco Ichibanya. I realized that even if I am uneasy about my current circumstances, I am still fortunate to have loved ones who feed me. I am lucky to have enough for workouts and necessities. I am also glad that my lifelong love for reading has kept me entertained for so little. I felt cured from the sadness I sometimes feel from being unemployed. Really, sometimes, a great meal is the answer to life's difficult circumstances.
Ten Years with World Vision
I received this card in the mail today. I was reminded of my decision to sponsor a child back in 2007, when I was still finishing my junior year in college. I used my allowance to send monthly fees and back then, they still relied on faxed deposit slips to confirm my payment. Now, I send the payment from my salary (or savings, as is the case with my current unemployment) and email for confirmation. A lot has changed since the past decade, but my commitment to my sponsored child remains the same. Sharing my blessings to further the education of one little girl has given me a sense of responsibility. It dignifies my work since there is the spirit of advocacy which is priceless. On a personal level, I am determined to look for a good job now so I can keep on supporting my girl and uphold the values imparted to me by World Vision. It is my prayer that I will be blessed with a job soon and I look forward to supporting this worthy organization for many years to come.
Angel Food
I am currently having angel hair puttanesca wth San Mig Light. It reminds me of my carefree university days when I would have beer with almost all my meals. It was a great time to reminisce, but I would rather focus on the present. These days, I am praying for my jobhunting while enjoying life. It may not be my ideal way to enjoy 2017 but I am grateful that I am able to read books, workout, and enjoy the company of my family, friends, and of course, my A. Here's hoping that I will get a good job very soon so I can buy more books and eat my heart out while maintaining my figure through fitness!
Living A Full Life
I am currently enjoying spinach ravioli on this Monday holiday. I am happy because I am with my family. The ravioli is delicious! It has the right amount of cheese and spinach to make me giddy over a plate of ravioli. I always order this whenever I am in an Italian restaurant. My ultimate favorite pasta dish, gnocchi, is not widely available here in the Philippines so i have to settle with ravioli.
I realized that I order this because it is easy to eat, as it is technically pasta dumplings. I enjoy life to be full and flavorful, and like my favorite ravioli, I let it satisfy me with simple ingredients yet complex flavors. I live life to the fullest no matter what my circumstances are. It is my hope that I can have more ravioli in the future to fill me up!
Maruya at Raffles
I am currently eating Php17 maruya (fried banana fritters in pancake form) here at The Raffles Makati, the venue for the Readers and Writers Festival 2017. I am waiting for Abbey Sy to begin her Student of Life Workshop here at the Ballroom Two. I am washing it down with convenience store americano and a lot of optimism. I may not have enough cash to buy all the books I want (I am thriving on ebooks, which are more affordable), but I can afford to have a wonderful time at an event hosted by one of my favorite authors and artists. I may be eating maruya today, but I have no shame in devouring it with gusto in a fancy hotel ballroom. I am excited for the last day of this year's festival. Again, I love being surrounded by fellow bibliophiles. I am definitely inspired by the energy here, and I look forward to next year's festival.
Reader Happy
I am now here at the Raffles Hotel for the second day of the Readers and Writers Festival 2017. I enjoyed the talks yesterday, and to quote the wise Mina V. Esguerra, #kapitlang! As a reader and writer, I am holding on to the stories in my mind, the passion for words in my heart, and the gravity which plants my feet firmly on the ground. Festivals like this one make me feel alive and renewed. I am happy that there are so many people who are also passionate for the written word. For now, I am going to attend another talk and I am sure I will have more key takeaways to sustain me as I read, write, and dream.
Training Day
I am currently in the MRT. I am going to attend the Readers and Writers Event at Raffles Hotel. It is not my cup of tea to drive from Quezon City to Makati, so here I am aboard a car with no aircon. In exchange for that, I will be spared from the horrendous traffic along EDSA. My comfort may be compromised, but hey, I am actually seated right now and I get to reach the venue in less than an hour.
I used to ride the MRT everyday when I was still working. I like riding it every now and then so I will still get used to the commute. I also get to sharpen my survival skills. Commuting in Metro Manila is not easy, but I am determined to rise above the challenges. Hopefully, I will find a steady job soon and I will ride the MRT to a fruitful career. For now, I'm enjoying my trip to an event for bibliophiles.
Unemployed but Fulfilled
This morning, I woke up feeling grateful for another day. I do miss working, but while I have already accepted that I could not control my circumstances, I am thankful that I have a home, a family, friends, and of course A. I attended my workout feeling renewed and excited to begin a new day. It may seem trivial to most people, but having a daily routine works wonders, especially for unemployed people like me. My workout routine and reading help me stay aware of the world around me and most importantly, of myself. So while waiting for my job, I plan to exercise, keep on reading, and enjoy life!
Ciboptimism
Today, I had solo lunch at high school/college dining staple, Cibo. I had my usual pumpkin soup, farfalle alla genovese, red grape shake, and americano. It was comforting to eat growing-up food while being unemployed and waiting for my next opportunity. I remember being uncertain about the future too as I enjoyed Cibo food before. I was and I am not miserable. I believe that returning to an old favorite renewed my belief in myself and just like my days in uni, I see the world again as full of possibilities, rather than limitations. If you are also undergoing challenges at the moment, I suggest that you return to an old haunt. Who knows, you might also gain a new perspective- or return to your optimistic self.
Cup of Joy
Yesterday, I had a sinfully good cup of ice cream at Papa Diddi's. I had a wicked combination of tres leches and chocnut scoops. Both flavored complemented each other well. When combined together, the taste would remind me of frozen hot chocolate. It may not have been my cheat day, but I enjoyed my ice cream with gusto. I savored every spoonful. Since Papa Diddi's only uses carabao's milk, their scoops are creamier, richer, and smoother. It was a lovely experience, considering that A was with me and the raindrops were falling on the rooftop.
I worked out this morning, and I realized that the ice cream made me happier because it reminded me of simpler times. Back when I did not worry about counting calories, I enjoyed each meal and dessert. Having dessert these days is a luxury which I cannot always afford, as I have budget and health considerations. Nevertheless, an occasional cup of ice cream to remind me that life is beautiful will not hurt.
Square One
This morning was a memorable one. A and I dropped by at the OMI Retreat House to say hello to Fr. Phil. He was my Ninong Oscar's superior during his seminarian days. He has recently been instrumental in helping A and we are both thankful for his gesture. Going around the center was like a throwback for me because it reminded me of childhood summers at Cotabato, where Ninong Oscar was a seminarian. The place was serene and secluded so I felt close to God. I also felt blessed this morning. It was a priceless way to begin the holiday and to close the long weekend. I look forward to more conversations with Fr. Phil and of course better days ahead with A.
Strokes of Learning
Yesterday was a busy day for me. I started my Saturday with my usual Zumba, followed by brisk walking and a hearty breakfast. Afterwards, I got ready for my calligraphy workshop, which was hosted by Hey Kessy and conducted by Tin Espinas.
I already practice brush calligraphy, so I was expecting to know the basics of pointed pen calligraphy. I was challenged with the different tip of the provided writing instrument. It demanded more control and also, estimation of the ink. It was tedious but I enjoyed it because it was totally new for me. I was terrified to mess up my work, and yes, I did splatter my paper with excess ink. Eventually, I was able to execute the basic strokes and even submit our required output, as shown in the photo above.
The key takeaway for this session was that the fear of learning something new is only an illusion. I may have messed up with my work, but I survived the class. I managed to submit the required card. The best part was being picked up by A after the class so we could have late lunch, coffee, and a lazy drive to his public speaking engagement for Word of Mouth. He did fantastic and I enjoyed being a stage girlfriend.
Indeed, it is always soul-reviving to learn new skills and listen to honest stories. I cannot wait to have more soul food soon.
Groove and Grin
There are days when I just want to stay in bed to read. This morning, all I wanted was to wrap my blanket around myself again and go back to my ebook. However, I knew that Saturday mornings are awesome for working out. So I changed into my gear and drove to the park.
I burned to the beat and forgot about my worries. For an hour and a half, I was good at something. I followed our instructor, and improvised some steps along the way. I was grooving and grinning. It was not easy to smile when things are uncertain. However, I am lucky to be alive and able to dance.
I hope that the coming week will be better. Tomorrow, I will dance again. And the day after that too. I will keep smiling, grooving, and hoping.