Limitless Entrepreneur Day 1

I am currently taking Melyssa Griffin’s Limitless Entrepreneur Retreat online. It’s day 1 for me, and I am excited to go on this learning journey whilst on quarantine. I will be sharing my progress here on my blog because I believe that sharing my vulnerability and areas of improvement can help others too.

I have a Human Nature online store (please support! We deliver during the Enhanced Community Quarantine!) that I operate from home. Aside from that, my motivation for completing this retreat is to get to know myself better and have a more entrepreneurial mindset. I strongly believe that this mindset will enable me to thrive better in a post-pandemic world.

Here are my answers to the journaling questions that Melyssa asked prior to joining the retreat:

1. What attachments do you have in your life that you are noticing more than usual? This could include your relationship with money, time, stability, certainty, routines, and relationships with people around you.

• Dependence on routine

• My relationship with scarcity as we live in a world with finite resources

• My attitude towards pain and loss

• My uncertainty about the future

2. What stories have you created around those attachments? Are you attached to money, and therefore fearful of spending? Are you attached to your role as a parent, and finding it hard to allow yourself to work with your kids home from school? Are you attached to your daily routine, and therefore feeling uprooted as things are changing quickly?

• I am still living on a schedule to maximize my productivity

• I am scared to spend money

• I find it difficult to appreciate some blessings that I have because of the thinking that all of this will eventually disappear

• Grief, which persists amidst this pandemic

• I try to create small wins whilst at home to have some certainty during the present (ex. I make earsavers for our frontliners)

3. When you think of the story you have created from this attachment (for example, "I feel like I no longer have control over my schedule"), where do you feel it in your body? (It’s common to feel this in your chest or stomach area.)

• I feel it in my chest.

  • There is a certain heaviness that I feel whenever I process how uncertain the future or my schedule will be in the world we live in.

4. What is a more empowering way you could reframe this story? For example, if your story says, "money is going to be hard to make right now, and I’m going to suffer because of it," perhaps you could reframe it to, "I’m being gifted an opportunity to think of creative, money-making ideas that I otherwise wouldn’t have thought of."Or "I’m always amazed by how money finds its way to me -- I’m a magnet for money!"

• “I am being given all this time to help our frontliners by crocheting earsavers for them. By scheduling my crafting routine, I get to make earsavers while enjoying the things I love, such as watching movies, webinars, and listening to podcasts. I also improve my communication skills by coordinating with my team members at Earsavers for Lifesavers PH and chatting with frontliners online. I also ensure that my quarantine story is being shared in real time via my blog, speakoutsam.com.”

5. What does it look like for you to embody this new belief? What do you need to release?

• It feels refreshing as it is a totally new way of reframing the quarantine for me.

6. What’s possible for you and your business now that you have adapted and embodied this new belief?

• It is possible to thrive in a pandemic because communication and self-determination are still possible while staying healthy and safe at home.

30 For Fabella

I dispatched 30 earsavers to the Department of Pediatrics of the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital Department of Pediatrics today. It was heartwarming to receive this assignment because according to contact person Dr. Jillian Santiago, they have some recovered pediatric covid patients already. It is my hope that my simple earsavers will help them do their work with ease and comfort.

For this batch, I used hand-dyed cotton yarn from Dreams Yarnshoppe. I am drawn to the blue and white hues of these earsavers, as it calming and pleasing to the eye.

I am still volunteering for Earsavers for Lifesavers PH, a nonprofit committed to connecting crafters with frontliners who need earsavers during the pandemic. I find joy in staying at home and helping our brave frontliners heal the sick. The Covid-19 virus may be deadly, but our healthcare workers have proven to the world that there is a sense of humanity in this crisis. It is up to us backliners to support them in any way we can.

Pattern used for the earsavers I make is by AmiEriCrafts.

To volunteer as a crafter, delivery angel, or materials sponsor, please reach out to Earsavers for Lifesavers PH today! And let us continue to stay home and help our frontliners from a distance.

God bless us all!

Crocheting Discipline

I dispatched 50 earsavers to the Karangalan Health Center today. It is an important hub to contain the Covid-19 outbreak in Pasig City. My grade school friend, Tosca, is a nurse and frontliner at this health center. It is my hope that my earsavers will somehow bring comfort and joy to amidst the challenges that come with flattening the curve.

This lockdown has been full of surprises for me so far. I am religiously posting my flute covers on my Instagram account on a daily basis. I have finished a couple of scarves while at home, including this crocheted scarf which I am particularly fond of because I stitched it while watching Crash Landing On You. My Human Nature online store (please buy and support my business!) has been doing well as I still ship orders via LBC during the enhanced community quarantine. I have even completed a t-shirt yarn basket to hold my works-in-progress or as we fondly call them in the crafting world, WIPs. Most of all, I finished crocheting an amigurumi Frontline Hero Bear (pattern can be downloaded for free here).

However, the biggest quarantine surprise for me is Earsavers for Lifesavers PH. I never imagined that I would still be able to help flatten the curve from home, but I managed to do my share. So far, I have already crocheted 343 earsavers to 7 partner institutions that are fighting Covid-19. I am one with the frontliners in their selfless service to caring for the sick.

Making earsavers (pattern is from crochet entrepreneur and teacher AmiEriCrafts) has instilled in me the discipline to create during an uncertain time. It has empowered me to help our frontliners in the comfort of my own home. This has given meaning and substance to a seemingly endless quarantine period.

I must say that I have also improved my multitasking skills because I was able to finish batches of earsavers while watching educational webinars, listening to podcasts, joining meetings via Zoom, watching movies, and get this- enjoying concerts from my favorite artists such as Ebe Dancel and Lea Salonga via livestream.

Crocheting earsavers has also been an application of design thinking. The problem of ear pain from wearing medical-grade masks has motivated crafters to make earsavers. I personally applied a pattern which I saw on YouTube, and continued making them using materials which I already own.

The best part is knowing that I am able to help alleviate pain. I was able to chat with some of the frontliners who received my earsavers. I was relieved that my handmade earsavers are working fine, and that they no longer experience having rashes or blisters on their ears.

It is really rewarding to know that my small contributions have helped our frontliners cure the sick.

I reward myself after completing each batch of earsavers (a batch consists of 30-50 pieces) by knitting scarves. Knitting after crocheting is similar to programming using a different language after coding with another one. It is like a massage to my mind and a comfort to my hands.

I am thankful that I found this group of crocheters who simply want to help our frontliners through earsavers and crochet (or knitting and sewing). I am continuing the practice of making earsavers for as long as my yarn supply permits.

For now, let us all stay home and try to do our share to help flatten the curve!

Aia, Barbie and Kitchie to hold online concert for the benefit of music venue workers

Aia de Leon, Barbie Almalbis, and Kitchie Nadal are teaming up with GNN (formerly known as Gabi Na NamanProductions) and Smirnoff Mule for a special digital concert to raise funds for the employees and workers of live music venues in Metro Manila.

Happening on May 1, Friday at 8:00 pm, the Facebook show will serve as the third installment of their critically acclaimed, sold-out concert, Secrets and will be streamed live on the trio’s official Facebook page.   

The initiative is part of the alternative rock icons’ ongoing efforts to help the music community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and a primer to GNN’s 5thanniversary celebration.

“Deprived of operating to serve people with live entertainment, music venues have temporarily shut down, and are struggling to manage their overhead expenses,” says Gabi Na Naman Productions’ Milley Habito, one of the executive producers of Secrets III: An Online Concert featuring Aia, Barbie and Kitchie. “Thanks to the girls, we’ll be given a chance to cover some of the funds needed to support employees and workers of independent music venues and bars. We cannot imagine a vibrant, bustling music scene without these people who have dedicated their lives in helping run the gigs. The waiters, cooks, kitchen helpers, cashiers, parking attendants, food servers, tech guys, security personnel and other employees deserve our help too.” 

Some of the confirmed beneficiaries include independent music venues such as Route 196, Mow’s, Saguijo Café & Bar, Jess and Pat’s, ‘70s Bistro, 123 Block, Social House and more to be announced.

The star-studded fundraiser and concert will also feature never-before-heard collaborations among the three award-winning singer-songwriters, as well as individual performances featuring their Greatest Hits and rarities. 

source: GNN

Quarantine Joys

The enhanced community quarantine or ECQ has been challenging for all of us. We all miss our routines and our normal lives. However, I also believe that I should not take this time for granted. Life is too short, so we have to make the most out of what we have.

Here are some of the simple joys that make my quarantine memorable:

1. I enjoy driving to buy bread at Pan De Manila Maginhawa branch. I miss my foodie street, and I am glad that the bakery where I regularly buy bread, ice cream, and 3in1 coffee is open to serve us.

2. I really get excited whenever I receive my online purchases! Here I am with my box of coffee from LazMart.

3. And here I am overjoyed to receive my yarn stash from Baguio-based artisan Crocheted by Carisse. Guys, let us continue supporting small businesses during the ECQ. They need all the help during this difficult time.

I will never take my blessings for granted again! Simple joys make my quarantine meaningful and memorable. I hope that you also have some everyday miracles that define your lockdown.

God bless us all!

50 for JRRMMC

I donated 30 earsavers to our brave frontliners at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC) Internal Medicine department. The last photo was provided for me by Dr. Kim Acosta, one of JRRMMC’s frontline heroes.

It was fun to crochet this batch while listening to podcasts. The quarantine and Covid-19 pandemic has caused me to feel anxious and insomniac, so the crocheting definitely helped provide a sense of calm. I am hoping and praying that a cure and a vaccine will be discovered soon.

For now, I will continue crocheting earsavers for frontliners! If you also crochet, knit, or sew, please connect with Earsavers for Lifesavers PH. They also accept sponsors for deliveries and notions such as yarns and buttons.

God bless the Philippines!

50 More For VMMC

I dispatched 50 earsavers yesteday to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center Outpatient Department. They kindly shared to me the last photo in this post. I feel fulfilled that I am doing my share in helping our frontliners even while at home. I volunteer for Earsavers for Lifesavers PH, a nonprofit that aims to connect crocheters, knitters, and sewers so that we can make earsavers for our frontline heroes. The process may be tedious because everything is handmade, but the rewarding feeling is unlike any other. This project is truly the highlight of my quarantine.

If you are a crafter, or if you can sponsor deliveries of earsavers, please visit Earsavers for Lifesavers PH! Help frontliners feel more comfortable while battling Covid-19 today!

Ramen at Home

Yesterday, my mom and I had delicious Yummy Tokyo ramen for dinner. They were kind enough to send me Make-at-Home ramen kits to enjoy while on quarantine. My mom cooked them- I chose miso for her, and curry ramen for me. Both were delicious!

Yummy Tokyo has invited me to the opening of their Ortigas branch right before the community quarantine was enforced. It was my last blogger event before the lockdown. I am grateful for their generosity, and for remembering me during this pandemic. I really appreciate the ramen kits as it gave me a foodie advenuture at the comfort of my own home.

If you want your own Make-at-Home ramen kits, please order from Yummy Tokyo today! They are delicious and truly worth your money.

Stay safe and healthy at home, friends!

Earsavers for VMMC

I sent 50 earsavers yesterday to the dialysis unit of Veterans Memorial Medical Center. My high school friend Helen is a frontliner there. As a nurse, she explained to me that they are already using band aids to relieve the pain caused by the garter in face masks. It made me happy that this batch of earsavers went to her team, and that I was able to serve a hospital in my neighborhood.

I am still volunteering as a crocheter for Earsavers for Lifesavers PH. If you can crochet, knit or sew, please consider making earsavers for our frontline heroes. You may also sponsor deliveries to hospitals.

May God bless all our frontliners and may we find a vaccine and cure to Covid-19 soon!

Quarantine Flutist

I started playing the flute again on a daily basis since the enhanced community quarantine was declared. I made sure to get some music into my life while at home. This helped me fight cabin fever, as well as cheer me up on days when I badly missed exploring the city. Learning a new song each day has also showed me that I am capable of doing and executing actions. Indeed, I am still thriving at 33.

Check out my flute covers on my Instagram account. I try to post a song each day while on quarantine. You may also find previews of all my lockdown performances on my Highlights, aptly titled “Flute Jams'“.

See you there!

Human Nature Fan

I recently went to the Human Nature Flagship Store to purchase some orders. My client lives in an area inaccessible by the courier, so I did the shipping myself. These small gestures of kindness go a long way during the quarantine. A bag of natural toiletries really makes a difference in making someone’s day. If you need anything for your personal and home care needs, please support my Human Nature Online Shop by clicking here!

My bestsellers include our shampoo bar, which I personally love. It makes my hair smooth and shiny! Another bestseller is our strengthening conditioner, and of course, our cleansing bars.

Do support my store! Together, let us make each day under quarantine count, naturally.

Carrying On

I just finished crocheting a batch of fifty earsavers for World Citi Medical Center. I volunteer for Earsavers for Lifesavers PH, a nonprofit focused on bringing crocheters and knitters together to craft earsavers for frontliners. Just like my first batch of donations, I used the pattern by the talented AmiEriCrafts.

I learned through crocheting several earsavers that establishing good habits has prepared me for the pandemic. Even before the lockdown, I was used to crocheting while in a meeting, commuting, or watching movies. I was never idle. Now that I am under quarantine, I am still crocheting both to help our frontliners and to decompress in between completed batches of earsavers.

I am also used to multitasking. I am still able to squeeze in some work in between crocheting for my Human Nature online shop (please support by clicking here!) and freelance writing job. I am also an avid listener of podcasts while working and crafting. Indeed, I am trained for the quarantine.

I do look forward to the day that this lockdown will be lifted. For now, I am enjoying the privilege to serve our frontliners from home.

May we all thrive during this difficult but educational time!

Battle Crafter

I decided to make more earsavers. I do not know for sure how many I can finish with my limited yarn supply, but I am trying to make more. Our frontliners need them to prevent their ears from becoming irritated by the garters in medical-grade masks. I am amazed that something so small works wonders to boost the morale of our tired doctors and nurses. If I can make more earsavers to cheer up our heroic frontliners, then i will do so.

It is interesting that crocheting and knitting for our frontliners in the age of Covid-19 is similar to Knitting for Victory during World War !!. We are battling an unseen virus now, so we must all do our share to ease the burden that our frontliners are carrying. We can all do more good if we will work together.

Now is not the time to stay negative and fight amongst each other. Instead, let us all help our frontliners win the war against Covid-19. To be a delivery sponsor or crafter of earsavers, please message Earsavers for Lifesavers.

God bless us all!

Earsavers for Easter

I finished crocheting 113 earsavers last Easter Sunday. I dispatched them through Earsavers for Lifesavers, a nonprofit that aims to pool crocheters and knitters together to make earsavers for frontliners.

I received this photo from Nurse JC of Chinese Gen, who was one of the recipients of my creations. It warmed my heart to see my handmade earsaver in action. It is very fulfilling to crochet for our frontliners, and I feel honored to be able to help out from home.

Please consider donating as a delivery sponsor or volunteering as a crocheter or knitter for Earsavers for Lifesavers. We can all work together to provide ease and comfort to our frontliners, one earsaver at a time.

Hooking for Frontliners

Yesterday, I delivered 113 earsavers to frontliners. I crocheted these bands to prevent ears from being irritated by the garter of medical-grade face masks. Our health care workers on the frontline are already overburdened as it is. Little things such as these earsavers can go a long way in providing comfort and cheer during this pandemic.

I am working with Earsavers for Lifesavers PH, a nonprofit that aims to pool together crocheters and knitters to make earsavers for our frontline heroes. There are knit and crochet patterns written by the talented fiber artist Amiericrafts on her Facebook page. She also has a pattern for buttons to close the loop on these bands.

Please help us make more earsavers for our modern-day heroes as they fight Covid-19! Visit Earsavers for Lifesavers PH today to volunteer as a crocheter/knitter, delivery angel, or to request for earsavers if you work at a hospital.

God bless us all!

Heart for Healing

The locket that I ordered from Pulseras by Kim’s fundraising sale has finally reached my hands! My heart-shaped locket is made of stainless steel and gold-filled chain, which are premium materials that can withstand the test of time. As always, Kim has packed my purchase with love, and a note was even included to thank me for my support.

The locket came with a photo-printing service. I sent Kim a picture of me with Piolo, the cuddly lab who always hangs out with me at Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe. This will serve as a reminder that this quarantine situation is only temporary, and that I will see Piolo again when the time comes.

I am so glad that I supported this fundraiser to help fight Covid-19. I am praying that a cure and a vaccine will be developed very soon. For now, let us all stay at home and do our share to support our brave frontliners!

Frontline Hero Bear

I finished crocheting this Frontline Hero bear the other day. The pattern is by Aixan Legasto, a Filipina crochet pattern writer who is better known as Yarn It, Darn It. The design has since gone viral around the world, and crocheters are enjoying this amigurumi while under quarantine.

I personally loved the challenge of stitching this bear together in a span of two days. Like all crocheters at the moment, I made do with what I had at home. I used some leftover yarn from previous projects. Luckily, it was enough for me to finish this project.

I am rooting for all frontliners who bravely put their lives at risk to keep us all safe! To crochet your own Frontline Hero bear, please download the free pattern here and tag Yarn it, Darn It when posting photos of your finished dolls online. Stay safe, everyone!

Blue for A Cause

I got to support another fundraising effort for those in need during the pandemic. I ordered this lotus ring from handmade jewelry instructor and artist Thingamabobs Art Jewelry. I chose blue chalcedony as its center stone, and it will be set in brass. Because of its bespoke nature, it will be made after the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine. I really do not mind this, because I have a weakness for handmade anything.

This was part of Soulflower, Co.’s Lingap Fund Sale, wherein proceeds will be donated to Lingap Pangkabataan. The NGO is in need of funding during the pandemic. It is still ongoing, so do check out this fundraising endeavor. You will be able to get first dibs on the best local handmade leather craft and jewelry, and help a nonprofit rise above the pandemic.

I hope that you will also support our frontliners and those in need while we are all under quarantine. Being separated does not mean that we are not united in helping others. Together, we can make a bigger impact. Someday, all our efforts will pay off and we will be able to rise again.

Let us help others while we wait for a cure or a vaccine for Covid-19!

Quarantine Shopper

Staying at home during the enhanced community quarantine can get tiresome. Fortunately, I have errands to run outside which allows me to catch some sunshine.

Traffic-free roads, sunshine, and beautiful trees were all easy on the eyes. I drove to my first destination in leisurely manner.

I was pleasantly surprised to have my car disinfected by this station located beside Quezon City Hall. Next to it was a P2P bus which serviced health workers and frontliners. Seeing these elements brought a smile to my face as it showed the collective efforts of both the public and private sectors to fight Covid-19.

I was able to purchase bread from Pan De Manila, which enforced social distancing and a no-mask, no-entry policy. I am all for these safety measures to protect both their staff and customers during the pandemic.

I can honestly live without rice but I cannot live without bread! This is simply a must during my time at home.

I was also able to catch some vegetable vendors in front of the Department of Agriculture. I bought some much-needed vegetables before going home.

It is a privilege to be able to shop for necessities during this health crisis. I am committed to staying at home because I want to be safe from the corona virus. By doing my part, I am helping our frontliners treat their patients better because I am one less patient to attend to. I am hoping and praying that we will see the end of this situation soon, so that we can all get back to our lives.

For now, I am living life one day at a time.

A Positive Impact

I went shopping the other day for purposeful items which will benefit our heroic frontliners. I want to help in my own small way during the enhanced community quarantine. Fortunately, two of my favorite brands have offered to make it easier for me to pay it forward.

Rags 2 Riches has recently released their summer collection aptly named Sol. It is a joyful collection of bags and clothes made of upcycled materials. As always, each item is made by Filipino artisans.

Proceeds will go to frontliners and families affected by the pandemic. This was enough for me to support this worthy cause.

Image from Pulseras by Kim

Another local brand that I continue supporting is Pulseras by Kim. The jewelry brand has recently dropped a fundraiser collection to benefit frontliners as well. I bought this locket, which featured a free photo printing service with each purchase. Of course, this made the decision to purchase easier.

Shopping for a cause is one of my favorite things to do. I hope that you will also support brands that pay it forward, because we can all make a difference even while at home.