Meta is collecting

I don’t know if any of you noticed, but since I have been home during the last three days, I have had the time to scroll through FB. Well, I thought I could. It turns out that FB Meta is now collecting a monthly fee to use the platform without any adds. One needs to subscribe.

To me the question is just, is it worth it to pay a hefty yearly costs of 119,88€ if you are using a laptop/desktop to access it or 155,88€ if you are using a smart phone? The fees are 9,99€/month or 12,99€/month respectively.

FB was doing fine in the beginning. It helped people connect to long lost family relations, friends, schoolmates, etc. It helps some in their business advertisements. It did good to some. But unfortunately, it also gave crazy ideas to others. Some use it as a means to share their stupidity and vanity, posting their mansions, luxury belongings, cars and their eccentric lifestyle in FB.

I try not to let it affect me. Its their own tick and own cr** to flaunt to the world, but I honestly find it disgustingly annoying.

Going back to the “fees” issue on FB, what to do? The whole world is already addicted to FB. It will definitely earn Zuckerberg a few more digits to his bank accounts. For me, I am sticking to this blog site. Every now and again I guess I will use FB, but I do not need to pay for it. At least for now, NOT yet… and hopefully it will stay that way.

Day seven: How about you? Ready to join in the craziness of some, too?

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Preparing for the year 2024

And just like that, the year is almost over.

It’s a cycle… just like a birthday, anniversary or menstrual experience of women. Well, something that happens longer than 28 days, anyway.

Somehow, deep in my subconscious, despite having had a positive outlook before 2022 ended, I had a gut feeling – a weird feeling to which I decline to describe as negativity. I couldn’t fully believe and accept then, that the year 2023 would be much better.

Alright, perhaps I am being bias, but I can explain. This is my own personal insight from the recent happenings on what is going on globally, be it pandemic, war or political and civil unrest in different parts of the world. Remember the 2020 pandemic that supposedly originated from China to which the Chinese tried to send out signals that it came from somewhere else and was only discovered by them. This, just like the Spanish flu that happened way back in 1918 that cause millions of deaths around the world. This also halted the economy and caused a lot of businesses to fail due to the complete lockdown. The whole world stopped. Nothing was generating income and government had to subsidize for the people to survive. People had to live a life in seclusion for almost two years, at least those who lived and survived. But millions of people also died – a death so lonely because they couldn’t be with their loved ones till their very last breath expired. So sad for the families who got left behind, feeling so helpless that they were not allowed to be with their ailing family member till the very end.

Although I wanted to remain positive about what the changes 2023 would bring to our lives, somehow, after having experienced the pandemic times, I deeply believed that 2023 was not much better than 2020 and 2021.

Remembering 2022, just when normalcy slowly crept in, a sick and twisted fate shocked the whole world once again. Come February 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine and the vicious cycle started over again – my gut feeling started to become a reality.

Worst was, going down towards the later part of the year, “the war between the Israel and HAMAS in the Gaza on Oct. 7, is the latest in seven decades of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians that has de-stabilized the wider Middle East. In Hamas’ rampage, some 1,400 Israelis, mainly civilians, were killed and 229 were taken hostage” (Reuters 01.11.2023).

And whilst this unrest was happening in the western hemisphere, on the other side of the horizon people were struggling to survive the natural calamities that also wanted to take part in the party of tragedies. Earthquakes, heavy rains, flooding and landslides, name it all. Mother nature also wanted to be recognized. She is like the CEO of it all, suddenly joining the Board meeting unannounced. She arrived in grace and style. As if to say, “Show me what you still have. How do you plan to surpass all these? Give me my worthy share of respect in attendance.”

We still have less than two months until we welcome 2024, and who knows what else would come. Somehow, I feel like the cream topping of it all has not yet dawned on us.

Considering all these unimaginable changes that came together with 2023 I hope that when the year changes, just like weather, I hope it will also bring a nice breeze of Spring wind and healthy sunny days with it. Hopefully, when 2023 ends, with it the war and political conflict that has affected thousands of people around the world will also stop. It has done more than enough damage. The whole world has had enough of deaths be it from the war and or from the pandemic.

I hope 2024 brings with it a good change.

On a personal point of view, it was overall a good year for me. I could survive being on furlough from two months. Whilst all my other colleagues were obliged to stay home, my immediate superior and I had to continue working both remotely and partly on site. So, I could keep my sanity intact trotz the lockdown. I also got the opportunity to learn another aspect of the business that my company has been handling. For this, I am really forever grateful to the people who entrusted the job to me. When the operations was recalled, the whole team had to undergo a big change as well. Our relocation was the main part. A couple of colleagues were scheduled to go on a long term maternity leave, so we had to hire newbies. From the interviews, trainings and helping the newbies settle in, as well as organizing a smooth relocation was just part of the action that I had to undergo after the the calm had passed. All in all, everything has been established well. Of course, all of it would not have been possible without the support of my whole team.

Now, towards the end of 2023, I am already looking forward to the year 2024 and the surprises that it would bring. Though it might be a given that the new year could also bring in a bit of unnecessary bad luck, I am still more optimistic than before.

So, as early as now, i am preparing myself for the new ME and what 2024 has planned for me. (This may sound selfish and egoistic but hey.. this is my humble abode in the web, so bear with it 😉 )

Get rid of the old, the clutter and negativity!
Shoo away hatred, bitterness and animosity,
The New year will soon be here, oh 2024 bring me…
Fill my jar of wealth with brand new hope and more prosperity.

Day six: Eever hopeful, let us be!

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Time and Tide of our fate

It’s not working out anymore
Through the years of ups and downs
Hot and cold and a mixture of in-betweens
Sometimes true joy and proud success we did share
Alas! its not enough to last another decade of our years!

Day five: Fated, we are not!

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Happy birthday to me

Another year has past!!
It is true how time just fly by.
The seconds and minutes and hours.. turn into days, weeks, months and eventually years…
Years turn into a decade… and now it has been 5!

The joys and pains,
The sacrifices and rewards,
The wounds took time to heal..
Now one can hardly see any scars engraved.

What does it bring me? Who else can tell?
Through all the years it has been, and yes, life has been fair.
Acquaintances just come and go,
But real friends family will forever be there!.

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To leave or stay…

My one regret in life…

Why did I not think of it seriously?
When I was studying and was told to start planning a career path
From choosing the course, which studies to major in, I thought…

Well, I really don’t know anymore what I was thinking.
I was much too much distracted…
With silly things actually, and also with financial problems.
At that young age, it should not have happened.
But then, in my country back then, like so many other families it was a common thing.

The children are raised helping the parents get by in life.
Only a small percentage of the families were living a comfortable life…
where the children are not burdened with the obligation to help the parents.
Even now, I guess to most families it is still the same.

After working hard. Taking risks and being brave enough to swim
Among the many different kinds of fish, poisonous, prickly and slimy fins.
Swimming among piranhas, sharks, stingrays and whales.
Surviving is the only name of the game.

Regrets?.. well, I don’t have time to mull on it.

Day Four: I must come out of my C-zone!!!

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Seasonal plans

Springtime should actually bring in good vibes, hope and fresh start. Just like autumn brings in melancholia and downtime after a busy summer. A time to slow down and relax before starting off for the next busy time with the series of Holidays following afterwards.

Seasons changes 4 times in a year. Sometimes it comes early and sometimes it comes late. It could be extreme or just mediocre. I know of somebody who would describe a season as lousy!

I on the other hand cannot be lackadaisical about seasons. I originally come from a country where we have only two types of climate: wet and dry. Wet could come bringing along blasting winds and thunderstorms. Causing flood and chaos. In the middle of it all, or perhaps a bit after the weather has calmed down, the weird way the Filipinos adjusts to the situation, calamity or otherwise has always been very commendable. Helping each other with smile on their faces despite the tragic situation. That is just how it is. The culture is totally different. It might be the same in other parts of the world also, but I cannot vouch for that. I can only truly say I experienced it myself. That is how it is.

Ok, to deviate from the deviation… (funny, there must be a better way of saying that).

Dry season on the other hand, could be so cruel, but still everybody embraces it. The heat, the sweat the tangent smell! Combine that with pollution and the worst is already there.

People go out wandering in the mountains or island hopping. Although it is terribly warm, the grand turquoise beaches and crystal seawater, of the lakes or lagoons make the weather bearable. Some also succumb to the public pools and recreational resorts with several water fun activities. The downside, it could get very expensive. Either you stay at home and risk of having the air-conditioning on all the time. Or you travel out but the expenses could also soar like the temperature. So, it’s up to you how you want to cherish and enjoy or suffer. Main thing is you learn to live with it.

All right.. I admit I got lost in my flow of thoughts again.

Forgive me for being such a neuron-case.

Okay, so, just like spring, dopamine is running excessively in my veins. Just like spring is bringing good vibes, my mind is playing a trick on me. I am fantasizing about how I will spend my retirement days. It is still some years ahead, but I just can’t seem to wait anymore. I am going back!!!

Going back to my roots – yes! I am going back to the Philippines. Not yet for good, but hopefully, a good start to a new project.

After spending more than two decades of my life outside the Philippines, I think I have earned enough stars to finally give in to the urge of home-sickness. When that time comes, I would have lived longer abroad than in my homeland. Who knows how I will fare. The ways, the habits, the mentality and the culture. I mean, of course I am still very much a Filipino. But I can also imagine that people will see me otherwise. Except for my physical features, I do admit that I have also evolved and have gotten used to the European way of life. The European way of accomplishing things. Needless to say, since I am a Filipino through and through, I would definitely readjust again to the Filipino ways. As they say, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”… but then again, I still can help but wonder how I will manage it. Or how others who knew me before would see me now. Jajaja!!! It should really not matter. I shouldn’t care. I should just live my life as how I want. I guess, I will do just that!

Hold on, my project! My symptoms are showing. Do you notice it? Yes, ADHS is somehow creeping through every sentence I start with. Going back… I need to prepare for a proper retirement.

First off: a new residence. Looking for a second homestead. Preferably outside Manila but not too far out also.

Second, a place enough for two but can also accommodate my visiting family.

Third, something that will not eat up a big part of our retirement savings.

Fourth, somewhere where I can still do my hobbies and where husband can also enjoy his.

Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for success in this endeavor.

Day three: Houses for sale are aplenty… what is for me to find is somehow tricky!

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Social media

Why I am still still stuck with blogging?

Because I just can’t be bothered with other trending platforms at the moment.

Maybe someday soon.

For now, I will be here.

I’ll get there, one way or another.

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Pent-up emotions

Do you keep it inside of you?
Do you drink alcohol till you drop?
Do you cling on to friends, for fear of doing anything you would regret later on?
Do you cry in public places and moving transportation?

Or do you hide until the time you realize that the world has already moved on…
and it’s only you left moaning, crying, wasting tissues and squeezing hankies dry?

Do you binge on everything?
Or do you rather obstinate on anything?
Do you instead lounge into denial?
Or continue to live a lie?

That low life-scum pretense of a man who cheated
Does he really deserve your time, wealth and health, by bringing you down lower than earth!

Day two: How are you?

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Mind concept

Winning a game, reaching a goal, even if in the end it’s still a loss – does it even make sense?
How you got there – baring all bottlenecks, trials and obstacles is the grand price of it all!

Day one. My Waterloo: I have a list! Can you guess?

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A man and a woman

How does a woman enjoy her day off and holiday at home?

Well, it really is simple.

She wakes up early. Washes her face, perform her morning rituals and then proceed to the kitchen.

Empty the dishwater.
Bake a cake.
Tidy up the kitchen.
Work on the ironing.
Prepare coffee and lastly, clear up the clutter in the living room and the dinning table.

Two hours later, Man comes into the room.

Greets woman good morning. Gives her a hug.
Does his morning rituals of brushing his teeth, measuring his weight and drying his bike outfit which was soaked the whole night.
Then he declares: “I will clean the coffee maker”
He places water in the coffee maker water tank, adds the cleaning liquid and then press the “on” button.
Great!!! His day hast started!

And yours?

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Seasons upon Love

In the wee small hours of dawn,
The sky opened up to a yawn,
The silent blow of the wind whistles
As the sun crept slowly in the meadows.

Butterflies like to flutter
Winglets with so much color,
It flips, it swing’s, it dances,
From flower to flower it stops to hover.

Water flows down along the river bed,
My hatred washed away with it,
My feelings slowly dissipate…,
Into the depths of the ocean where it ends!

I think I may love again
I’m ready to be hurt again,
Only this pain I can endure,
When summer turns to autumn
and winter ends too soon.

The snow in my heart melts into spring…
Like joy to a child with her silly grin
Lessons in life carried on till the end,
Like a love that endures time and time again.

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Sorrows of a Wee

Another day, another week, another month till finally…Another year!
Hoping all will be better, safer and virus clear.
Alas! Covid has mutated,
And leider, so is her dear.
Her life has crumbled, her heart is aching.
A child is at the clinic for grieving,
To what I call a lame attempt at dissipating.

What start is this? I ask myself
Never did I imagine it would all end up like this.
The mother is a wreck, the daughter – well, needs to be checked!
Now, a camera in the room is the only solution.
Like Big Brother, watching her every motion.

Who is to be blamed for this tragedy?
Surely not the child herself – that’s definitely a nee!!!!
The parents as one could also be to blame.
But, — really? It’s all just a shame.
The mom blames the father,
And the father just shrugs his shoulders.
Whatever it is, the child must never be left
Alone on a platter, her inner self slowly shattered!

She feels neglected.
She feels suffocated.
Perhaps sometimes, even intoxicated!
From all the toxin in and out of her abode.
The only solution for her is to float.
Fly away and never come back.
Come back to this hellhole, what she though was not.

Growing up in the belief that she was a princess.
Shedding all her guards down, now she’s feeling like s**t!
A loss of time and effort and nothing to gain.
Now, she is living in pain.
Is this a tragedy?
Or can this be destiny?
The child wallows in sorrow, what should have been glee!

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