What To Do This 2021

I haven't made resolutions for the longest time as I rarely meet my own expectations but after 2020, I think it's time I set goals for myself.

First of all, I seriously want to pursue my Korean language lessons. I already have the books and everything but I'm just too lazy to do so on my own--especially when I hit a difficult portion. I guess my learning style is that I need someone to teach me vs teaching myself. More often than not, I get stuck at the particles and markers that I end up quitting. To think I bought some Korean children books as well so I can practice reading grade school level books. 

Last night, while waiting for the New Year, I watched the KBS Drama Awards live. I had a difficult time figuring things out as I was using context clues and I had to slowly read the captions. Took time for me to read Deurama as Drama. Next year, I hope to be able to watch the live streams without struggling. 

Next, hopefully, we can travel this year as I really need to visit my mom and sister in the US. Too many things have happened there especially with my sister being diagnosed with breast cancer and my mom and stepdad contracting COVID. I want to see and hug them both.

Third, I'm seriously considering continuing my bakery business. Will be doing some changes in my line-up next year. I'll certainly retain my Korean breads but might change the others. Or will be offering them at different dates. I haven't really thought about it but will definitely refine my operations. 

Fourth, be more patient with my kids. I want to develop my relationship with my eldest child who will turn 12 later this month. I can't believe I have a teenager already and I'm already having problems relating with him. He's always cranky (he takes after his dad) and I miss the sweet boy that he was before. 

Fifth, watch at least 50 Kdramas this year. I usually don't set a target but this year, I want to achieve that. 

Hwaiting!

Editing in Cold Blood

Unbeknownst to many, I was awarded Best Creative Writer when I was in College. It was an award for a talent that I thought I would have no use for in my chosen line of work. 

Fast forward to more than 20 years later, I managed to make use of that talent for my job. 

It's my responsibility to review and edit official audit responses of the units that I oversee. I would rewrite them to make them more "palatable" without losing the original intent or message. 

I managed to see the result of my efforts last night. One of the units had an initial rating of deficient and we met with the auditors to discuss the results and of course, defend their process. It was grueling as it involved a lot of back and forth discussions and I had to do it alone as the resource person was out of commission. Fortunately, what I wrote down must've passed scrutiny. The unit received a pass rating.

I got an email from my boss later that evening telling us we did a good job. That was worth more than the pass rating. :) 

Bread Galore

I finally gave in to peer and family pressure and agreed to sell my cream cheese garlic bread. I've been baking madly since the quarantine and have been posting my baked stuff on my IG and FB accounts. I really had no intention of selling but people have begun asking me to make some for gifts. I then had a logo made, ordered boxes and opened up for orders. 

My first delivery date is on Saturday and I'm nervous. I've stocked up on ingredients and hopefully, our kitchen will cooperate. I'm sure I'll get tired of garlic soon. Thinking of adding new stuff in my list of products after this batch.

If you wish to order, mosey onto my socmed sites. Please do give a like or follow.

FB: Kitchen 216 

IG: Kitchen 216

Wish me luck!

How?

I used to be a prolific writer. I could write sentences and come up with plausible stories in just a whim. Am not sure how this skill disappeared or depreciated during time. 

I look back at my old blog posts and I would write so much then. Nowadays, I would find it a struggle to even come up with the proper words.

This pandemic has put a toll on everyone, me not excluded. I thought that I was a homebody but I'm now rethinking that. The only reason then why I prefer to stay at home was to take a break from life. But now that I'm always home, how do I take a break from life? 

At least I do not have to worry about the incessant Metro Manila traffic now. I remember waking up in the morning and worrying what route to take to avoid traffic. I've been waking up since mid-March without that in my mind now. However, work is now mostly in my mind which bothers me. How do you now escape when work is at home?

I'm turning 45 in a few months. Should I look forward to it? I'm not scared of getting old. The only thing that bothers me is the reality of facing menopause. I had a taste of it last month and let's just say, I don't want to go through that again. I woke up that morning feeling heavy and depressed and after talking to a friend, I started crying. When my period came that afternoon, I felt lighter and happier. I mean, I have periods every month but the last episode was definitely different.

I just want this year to be over even if it's memorable.

Why KDrama?

Woo Do Hwan (The King: Eternal Monarch)

I've been watching KDramas for a relatively short time (since June 2018) and I've already watched quite a number. By my count, I'm 7 shy to reach a 100--that is excluding movies and variety shows.

Friends and relatives can't seem to understand my "addiction" to the genre and why I exert so much effort to read the subtitles. I guess I'm a speed reader so it's easy for me to read but other than that, I've fallen in love with the stories, production and of course, the beautiful oppas.

At first, I couldn't understand why they looked so effeminate but I ate my words when I saw them act and they proceeded to charm their way into my heart. Watching the dramas is my happy pill and they provided me the distraction and stress reliever that I badly need.

During this ECQ, I had a handful of people message tell me that they now understand where I'm coming from and why I'm crazy over the dramas and the oppas. I'm glad I was sort of vindicated and at the same time, I'm happy that I have more people to share my interests with.

So far, these are the current dramas in my plate and I want to add more!

ONGOING:
The King: Eternal Monarch
Hospital Playlist - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Good Casting

CONCLUDED:
Cheese in a Trap
Are You Human?

That's few considering I can watch more than that at the same time. Still checking out the new ones and even the old concluded dramas. I need some romcom to cheer me up.

Smokey Mountain Reunion - May 3, 2020

I've always known them as the brainchild of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab. They went through several versions until their group eventually retired. But their songs were a part of my youth.

They reunited yesterday virtually for Bayanihan Musikahan. They sang this medley which brought tears to my eyes when I first heard it this morning. Though sung online, they were able to deliver superbly that I felt the heartfelt message of the song/s.

Paraiso
Help me make a stand
Paraiso
Take me by the hand
Paraiso
Make the world understand
That I could see a single bird
What a joy this tired hungry land could expect
Some truth and respect from the rest of the world.

--

Singing we are gonna love people of the world
We are gonna make you a better world
We all respect you people of the world
We are gonna make you a better world

----

Somehow, I've been playing this repeatedly throughout the day. One of my favorite performances during this ECQ.


 

Cooking Mama

I've been cooking non-stop ever since this ECQ began. Best of all, I was able to cook meals that I never thought I'll be able to do before.

So far I've tackled:

1. Kimchi Fried Rice
2. Deep Fried Oreo Cookies
3. Jajangmyeon
4. Pandesal
5. Tuyo Pasta
6. Sun Dried Tomato with Grilled Chicken Pasta
7. Squash and Potato Soup with 5 spices
8. Banana and choco chip bread
9. Tuna with sun dried tomato pasta
10. Corndogs
11. Strawberry Jam
12. Orange marmalade
13. Kimchi pancake
14.Levain-inspired cookies
15. Gungjung Tteokbboki (Royal Rice Cake)
16. Chapaguri
17. Kimchi
18. Naan Bread

Probably the most painstaking thing that I did was the preparation for the jams. It was then that I burned myself.

I would like to explore more cuisine and expand my cooking skills. Good thing I have an awesome assistant at home who I can teach and who I can learn from as well.

Next up, growing my own vegetables.