Sakaling Hindi Makarating 2018

Last Saturday night, I watched Sakaling Hindi Makarating by Ice Idanan at Cinema Centenario. I have previously been to this microcinema at Maginhawa, and of course, it was perfect to view one of my favorite local films in my new hangout. 

I first watched SHM back in 2016, during its gala screening at Shangri-La Plaza. I was fresh from a breakup then, so the movie resonated with me. I watched it for the second time last year during its nationwide commercial release, and back then, I was in a relationship so the movie had a different feel for me. This time around, it is already 2018. I am single once more and I am determined to be happy by myself. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to be with someone soon. But it is also important to realize that happiness begins with myself.  

SHM in 2018 was the ultimate reminder to self that a breakup is not the end of the world, but the beginning of a newfound love.  

This love is for myself, which is dedicated to pursuing new experiences. I will no longer dwell on the heartbreak. Rather, I would rather focus on moving forward with a zest for life and adventure. 

After the screening, the director Ice Idanan had a forum to answer questions regarding her movie. I learned that the film was inspired by her own heartbreak many years ago. As I am also healing from my own breakup, I am finding the will to live from fitness and mindfulness. Hopefully, I can emulate Ice and create something wonderful too as I trust the process of recovery. 

Watching this movie for the third time has made me realize that love is a journey which begins and ends with myself. If I will fall in love again, I will be able to share this love. As long as I continue loving myself, I will be fulfilled. Finding myself is a lot of BS because I have already found the secret to happiness. It is up to me to sustain it and pay it forward.  

National Gallery of Singapore

I spent my morning at the National Gallery of Singapore. It was breathtaking. Here is my photodump of my visit. 

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🐶! 

Lugaw Luxe

Eating arroz caldo at The Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Lounge has become a tradition for my family whenever we travel. It is fascinating that the simple breakfast staple I buy for P25 at my local park can be elevated to a luxury. I am aware of how fortunate I am to have been given the privilege of traveling with them to Singapore to celebrate my mother's birthday. I am unemployed so I am unable to afford this without their support. I am very lucky to be able to have a short break from reality, and I am praying that by the time I get back, I will already have job interviews to attend. I really miss working, so I hope to be able to join the workforce soon. For now, I am enjoying my porridge while we await our flight. It is a priceless family memory.  

Raindrops

I am staying at home today as the raindrops sound ominous at the moment. There are moments when the rain weakens, and it is reduced to a drizzle. However, I would not want to take a chance especially since some roads are already flooded by now. I have decided to stay in and workout using my YouTube videoes. It was refreshing to burn calories in the comfort of my own home after spending several weeks following my Zumba classes at the park. Since I have a small space, I chose power walking combined with toning videos. By the time my workout hour was over, I was dripping in sweat and I could feel my thighs and bum on fire. ​

I had pandesal, peanut butter (I am allergic to peanuts and nuts but I can tolerate peanut butter), banana and coffee for breakfast. I love slow mornings because they are conducive for reading and catching up on social media. I also enjoy planning my upcoming days and weeks over a cuppa. I am supposed to go out later but we have postponed our get-together as the typhoon is expected to intensify as the day goes by. For now, I am enjoying the sound of the rain and the book in my hand. ​

Fluffy Love

Yesterday was a fun-filled day for me and A. We attended the third anniversary bash of Barkin Blends, the first dog cafe in the country. We had an amazing time because it was a Harry Potter-themed event! We were personally welcomed by Bernadette, the entrepreneur behind the cafe, who outdid herself this year. All her dogs are adorable, friendly, and trained to entertain guests. Whenever I can drop by, I make it a point to hang out at the cafe and have a cuppa with my favorite dog Ella, who is a chiweenie. If she is not in the cafe, I spend time with the other dogs and they do cheer me up when skies are gray and whenever I just need some fluffy kisses. ​I tried visiting a cat cafe before but it's just not the same. I'm a dog lover through and through, and I am very happy that Barkin Blends has become a haven for human floof fans who cannot have pets of their own.

I attended the weekday mass today at a new chapel near my place. It was serene and calming, and I was glad to have spent my time with the Lord. The closing song was "Give Thanks", and it struck a chord with me. These past few weeks have been challenging as I am still unemployed, but if I will maintain an attitude of gratitude, then my perspective will be more accepting and positive. I later had a snack at Dunkin Donuts. I may not be able to afford expensive meals for now, but I am capable of treating myself. Having me time after my Sundate and prayer hour is uplifting. I should do this more often so I can keep my priorities and plans in check.​

Who knew that a few hours with loved ones and the Lord could jumpstart my week? I'm stoked to carry on with whatever life will throw at me this week. For now, I am enjoying my coffee and solitude. ​

Sundayness

There's something about Sundays that make me reflective and thankful. I realized this while driving to breakfast. I was craving for a chicken fillet ala king breakfast meal with large coffee, so I drove to McDonald's. The sun was shining, the sky was insanely blue, and Katipunan was free of its signature traffic jam. It was a gorgeous morning.  

I was eating my meal when this beautiful Golden Retriever appeared with his owners. He was smiling the whole time and he charmed me while I was enjoying my breakfast. His owners packed his treats and made sure he was hydrated while they were eating. The doggo looked joyfully at peace with himself. Whereas here I am, worrying about my joblessness and lack of resources. I realized that it is a lovely day and I am still able to workout, eat breakfast, and read books. I am blessed beyond what I can comprehend and I am certain that there is an opportunity for me out there. I still have yet to seize it.  

For now, I'll take from this doggo's cue. Be cute and stay hydrated. Because life is too beautiful not to be enjoyed. 

Communicating with Guys

I am in a stable relationship with A. We have worked out our issues through counseling and we have discovered that building our life together is not a one-time deal. It is a journey that constantly needs care, attention, and mutual respect. While we are not married yet, we are both improving ourselves. I am fond of reading books that resonate with me, either through self-help or inspiration. These books provide the perfect balance to my fictional novels which make my life interesting and colorful.

Last week, I bought this affordable book at Nationals Bookstore. I was browsing through it when I realized that it is the ideal book for me. I am not daydreaming that A should marry me right this moment. Rather, I know that like any working relationship, we need to communicate effectively with each other if we want to grow and mature together.  

I have just finished reading it and it is a goldmine of wisdom for any woman who is in a relationship. I now understand why A tells me that I am a nagger. I believed that I was only asking him to do something, but thanks to this book, I have learned that it is the approach that makes men think that a woman is nagging. Once a man thinks that a woman is nagging or forcing him, he shuts down. In the same manner that when a man makes insulting comments to a woman, she also shuts down. There were many points of interest in this book, and I highly recommend it. It is an easy read and it is a wise investment for your relationship. I guarantee you that it will strengthen your bond and improve how you and your partner communicate with each other. 

Longganisa Detour

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. 

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.  

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.

100 Tula Para Kay Stella

I just watched 100 Tula Para Kay Stella starring Bela Padilla and JC Santos. It was significant for me because I was in college during the period the movie was set (2004-2008). They played Rivermaya, Sugarfree, and had the spirit of the OPM I know and love. It also featured a protagonist who writes poetry for fun and a leading lady who was a rocker with black lipstick. The plot was totally relatable and dare I say even genuine. I felt that my college life was being played on screen and the acting was very natural. If you have any qualms about watching this movie, I suggest you set them aside because this is worth your time, money and feels. It is a heartbreaking and inspiring movie.