Finally, after two years, I was able to fly out! 

This has been long-overdue travel.  Because of this pandemic, I was not able to visit my folks and my brother. My father passed in 2020, and I was not able to go home and pay my last respects. 

So, at the first instance that Covid cases decreased and the situation made it easy to travel, I grabbed the chance. 

I spent New Year's with my widowed mother and my brother and stayed with them for the whole month of January. I loved every day of my time with them. There's something about being with your mom and in your ancestral house that makes you feel like a child again. LOL.  

Awkward. Ha ha! I am wearing facial masks, and everywhere I look, the others are in masks, too. I love traveling but this one, it is my first time feeling anxious. You don't know where the enemy is, you just arm yourself with whatever you have.    

Anywez, let me share with you what the travel is like during this pandemic. 

From Manila, I flew via Philippine Airlines to Dumaguete on December 30, 2021. I love traveling with PAL because they are reliable. At that time, I only needed to prepare my vaccination cards and valid ID to travel. I didn't have to download SPass or the like, or present a negative RT-PCR Test. These requirements depend actually on the LGU requirements of your destination. So, if you're traveling, check the LGU requirements of your destination.

I prepared photocopies of my vaccination card and valid ID because these are the ones you will present at the airport or pier. 

When I arrived at the Dumaguete airport, I was ushered to the table where personnel will check your papers. There was a quick interview, just a couple of questions: "Where are you from?" "Where are you going?" Provide the specific addresses to both questions.  

It's good to be ready with photocopies because they will keep them.  I had 5 photocopies with me. Better ready than sorry. 

Once cleared from the airport, I proceeded to the Dumaguete pier as I had to travel to Siquijor yet. At the pier, I presented again photocopies of vaccination card and valid ID to the customs officer who will stamp them for approval. Then I presented the stamped papers to the ticketing personnel of the ferry boat to get my tickets. 

At Larena, Siquijor, I showed again the same papers, and was asked the same questions: "Where are you from?" "Where are you going?"

  

In Siquijor, if you are a returning resident, you only need to present the vaccination card and a valid ID. If you are a tourist, then you need to present a negative result of the RT-PCR test. 

Overall, the travel was a breeze, save for the stormy weather, so we had a rough boat trip. But all's well that ends well. I am just happy to be home with my mother and brother.

I will travel again soon, and I pray, travel will be safer and easier by then. 

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No. I don't get the chance to be bored. Ha ha! I have online meetings left and right. I think it also helps that these meetings are fun to be in, so you don't get stressed at all. Tip: you gotta choose your activities well.

First, obviously, traveling. I started my 2020 with travel to Japan, and summer of that year, we were going to Korea and Sri Lanka. Two destinations of which were for free. *wink*

But the saddest part of this no traveling situation is when I was not able to go home to pay my last respects to my father. Even as I write, I still cannot go home for his first death anniversary. I was about to but their place is locked down at the moment. I wouldn't want to risk it because I am going home to my elderly mom. 

I just pray she and my brother will be covered by God's mantle of protection. 

Second, going out and meeting up with friends. It's not entirely prohibited but I just refrain from endangering their lives as well. 

Third, going malling on a regular basis. To destress before, I would go malling and shop! Ha ha! But now I do it rarely! I found other ways to unwind and destress, which are far cheaper. 

Fourth, going to salons. I cut my own hair, treat it DIY as well, and do my nails now. I realize, I no longer need to go to salons. My nails are healthier and my cuticles are thinner, which I really like. I also have really good skincare that I don't need facials anymore. What a revelation for a woman like me!   

Fifth, spending impulsively. This pandemic taught us which things really matter. You don't need a lot of shoes, sandals, clothes,  bags, or even accessories to survive the day. LOL. Go back to the basics and wear what you have, after all, you will only be showing your face or half of yourself in your online meetings. What matters is what is between your ears. 

What did you let go?

Day 28 Minimalism challenge, Clear out your makeup collection. I already did! We don't need much at this time.  

Ⓒ 28 September 2021

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Day 18 Minimalism challenge, Venture outdoors. I wasn't able to do this today and you know why. But for sure, tomorrow, which is a Sunday, I am going to smell the flowers! 

Ⓒ 18 September 2021

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Day 16 Minimalism challenge, Don't spend money for 24 hours. Now, this is the kind of challenge I want to do! LOL

Ⓒ 16 September 2021

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How is your work-study-from-home setup coming along? Who knew this setup will become our norm! 

I have been working from home for six years but at first, we didn't know how to adjust because this time, we are four. My husband is also running his consulting from home and my kids are having online classes. 

So, I'm sharing some tips how we were able to make it work harmoniously. 

First. Get a secure and stable Internet connection. When I was the only one who was working from home, our PLDT Home worked well. But when three others joined in, our Internet connection could not cope anymore. Even if we had to get a a higher plan, I still get dropped from my Skype and Zoom meetings. 

So we decided to get another provider, Globe at Home. That solved not only our connectivity problem, but also cooled four heads. LOL. 

We also just upgraded to PLDT Fiber because they said they were fazing out PLDT Home. 

Second. Assign or choose a dedicated work or study space. At first, my children, who are in college, would just be on their beds or on the dining table. 

My husband would join me in my work station. No problem because isn't it cool to be working side by side with your sweetiepie. Ha ha! The problem with this is during meetings. We would hear each other's conversations. So, he had to find his own space. 

My kids had to get their own study tables to be more conducive to learning.   

Third. Have an open communication with everyone. It's important to tell each one what's your sked like for the day. My kids would say, "I have a recitation/exam today." or "My video is open, ok." "I am going to be speaking today as I report." My husband and I would do the same.

When everyone knows what's happening, you get support and you minimize any noise or unnecessary movements that might disturb or disrupt a meeting or an activity. 

Happy working from home, everyone! 

Day 9 Minimalism challenge, Donate old books. We already did. Right now, what we have in our library are memoirs, biographies and other books that are valuable or meaningful to us. Even my kids don't have textbooks anymore! 

Ⓒ 9 September 2021

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I know the frontliners like doctors and nurses love what they do, which they often say as their calling. But at this time, I know they are exhausted.  

It's easy to say I am doing what makes me happy when everything is ok. In the same way that it's easy to say everything will be fine, if you are in a good place.  

How difficult must it be to be okay when everything is not okay. 

Day 3 Minimalism challenge, Toss out old socks. Not only old socks, but all socks. LOL. What we use now are footsocks from Uniqlo for the boys and Payless for me. 

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Ⓒ 1 September 2021

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Ⓒ 20 August 2021

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Source: The Week in Charts, McKinsey & Company

Today, Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan are placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) starting August 4, 2020. 

This corona virus is not yet going away--still infecting, still claiming lives, and still affecting the economy. 

It is not getting easier expecially for workers in sectors that are hardly hit by this pandemic. In the image above for example, it is estimated that those sectors on the top six see recovering five years later yet. 

These workers have families. These workers have needs. 

In the past two years, I discovered a way of life that has become a passion and an advocate for me--that is to become a purposefulpreneur. As such, I have been reaching out and and helping those who have lost their jobs or who are in between jobs to find alternative ways to cope. 

If you are one of them, check out this graphics:

Ⓒ 03 August 2020

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