I cannot recover from sickness without doing the laundry

 

One of the household stuff that I do not enjoy doing is washing clothes, specially the heavy maong pants. Couple of years ago, I started buying non-maong jeans because I do not enjoy washing heavy pants.

I'm just recovering from illness but my laundry bag is two-weeks due. Hence, this 10 pairs of pants laundry. I cooked three lucky me pansit canton with lots of chopped carrots after I hang them as a reward for myself of doing something that I need to do even if I don't want to do it.

Afterthought man is sick

Got sore throat and allergic rhinitis for two days now. But it was unbearable only last night. I got runny nose, muscle pain and bloated eyes. I went to the nearest generic drug store and bought myself what I thought would help me best. Multivitamins to boost the immune system and antihistamine for my allergic rhinitis. Had myself some tissue paper for the colds.

After drinking my med last night, drug finally knocked me out an hour later. When I woke up today, I still don't feel well. Sore throat is still on. Muscle pains still present. And nose still leaks. This is the first time I got sick I think. Seems like the ridiculous weather in the Metro has something to do with it.

It's around 4PM today when I finally decided to give myself a warm bath. And cook food for myself. It's a pity that I don't feel well and I'm still cooking my own food. (Life time partner, where are you?!) I'm happy though that I'm about to finish the book I'm reading by John Grisham. What I like about the author is that he writes stories wherein I don't have to think much. Some writers are deep, too deep sometimes that reading will not equate to leisure. Grisham writes okay. No no-brainer, no-much thinking either.

I hope to get well soon.

No sir, this is art. Not sin.

Last Sunday, after the worship service, my housemate, Soldier, and I went to the mall. He needs to run an errand and asked me if I can accompany him. Having nothing to do, I agreed. It took more time to do the errand than what he said  it would take. Later, when he was done, I wanted to visit some art galleries found in a top floor of the mall. While browsing some good art and looking at some fine details of several artists' techniques, Soldier and I came across an art gallery that showcases female bodies as subject. Human bodies in general are not easy to execute. My eyes are fixated on some art works, in wonder of how figures are drawn when Soldier, just behind me said, "Ay! Pornography!"

I frowned at his comment. Katawan lang pornograpiya na? Gusto kong ihampas siya sa pader. I tried explaining why the human figure has always been a common subject on visual art. But he is really close-minded on relating human bodies to pornography.  I will never go to exhibits, nor appreciate culture and arts with him again. Never.

Dog versus girlfriend

I was just reminded of a girl I imagined I would marry way back in college. I could imagine that time how she would raise up my small children, seven minions to be exact. And how we would try to manage the family life in general. For a starter, she's a good friend so I know her a little notch than skin deep. She's pretty, smart, sexy but not showy. And she does amazing stuff like caring for poor and oppressed and abandoned. However, one time I learned she does not like puppies and dogs. And animals in general. It was a deal breaker. I can imagine myself raising kids with a dog or two. She doesn't. A total turn off, I didn't do anything to get to know her deeper. Dog blood is thicker than girlfriend blood.

A treat after day's work

I facilitated groupwork activities with some young women staying in a residential unit in Bataan. This was to prepare them to be cohesive for another big event that they'll be involved with the following week. My work here started at 4AM and ended at around 2PM. It wasn't that horrible because I like waking up and working early in the morning. The venue was like a cheap public-accessible resort with three swimming pools.

After a long day's work, I grabbed myself an ice cold Antonov, watch people basking in the sun and getting tan, uttered a short thank you to the One who led me to this kind of work, of helping people help themselves.

Life is beautiful.

Failed bball play

I woke up early today to play basketball with a roommate. But when we arrived on the court, my stomach got really upset. I needed to rush back to the house. So much for basketball. Maybe let's try again tomorrow.

Another day in detention center

One of the clients I had ,let's call him Jay*, didn't finish the diversion program his family court has given him. He never reported back to the rehabilitation center where he was placed, both by us and the court. He was supposed to finish the 6 month program in the rehab center. On his 30th day, he escaped. Tumakas, ika nga. Because of that, a warrant of arrest will be soon issued to Jay. And some minors that we have in the detention center learned about it.These minors knew that I helped in fast facilitation of diversion program of the minor. A rather defiant minor approached me and said, "Sir, were you not ashamed that the one you helped is not worthy of the help you gave? Tumakas siya. Hindi ba daw ako nahihiya sa ginawa ko?

I was shocked by the sudden and amusing question. It was really interesting. Why would I be ashamed in the first place? Did I do something wrong? From the last time I check, I wasn't the one who disobeyed the court order regarding the diversion program.  I was ready to be defensive but the curious side of me made me stay quiet for a few seconds. Then, instead of explaining myself, I probe further where his question was coming from.

Gloomy post

I've been not feeling well. I feel that my bedroom wall is color beige when in fact it's white.
And the wall, that depressing wall seems easily deteriorating.

Several things happened two Fridays ago and followed by another horrible thing the following Saturday night. The rain outside is pouring and it feels gloomy. It is so sad that it feels like even the rain water is crying.

When we are sick, we become our mothers' children again.

Pepe lies 

and he lets his thoughts flows for a while before

sleep snaps him off.  

Pepe thinks of his childhood, 

when he was sick like now, 

and his mother was taking care 

of him.  

Pepe remembers her hand 

as it touched his forehead and side neck, 

feeling its concern, 

her worried voice, 

her eyes full of empathy.

Pepe wishes that he can just be

taken care off by someone

since he has been alone taking care

of himself for more than 14 years now.

Happy mother's day!

MOTHERS! 

Even when they're wrong, they're right.

Sunflowers along university avenue

Got the privilege to be in UP during summer and have a quick snap shot of this yearly tradition of having sunflowers along the University Avenue to beautify the area for the graduation rites during April.

On securing birth certificate

This is part of the adventure of getting new work. I have to secure my original copy of birth certificate from National Statistics Office. Not just one but three. I will be working in a government institution yet they ask three copies of original certificate from another government institution. (I guess they do not trust their own system that's why three original copies are required. HA! Well it's not funny, really.)

My friends from the city hall advised me to come to NSO QC by one in the afternoon since less people would like to do transactions during hellish temperature. They were right. There were around a little less than two hundred people as opposed to the one I saw one time in the morning which maybe around a thousand.

Update regarding the new and improved me

So far this is what I've been learning and practicing the past few months----
Getting to know people and really hearing from them. And knowing what they enjoy and like. But also maintaining healthy boundaries with them.