Poetry

Frustrated with all my clutter, I've started sorting through all the papers and stuff that are stored inside our room. I found some poetry that I wrote more than 20 years ago. I cringed at some of them but there are some that I wish to save. Like the poem below:

CAFÉ

Eyes crimson and heavy amidst vodka

conversations and cigarette breaths

I elude sleep, eat peanuts

spiced with gossip. Drink vodka

cooled with iced laughter.

I elude sleep but succumb 

To the amnesia of drunkenness

ECQ Season X

We can only breathe a resigned sigh when the government called for another 2-week lockdown to hopefully stem the spreading of the dreaded delta COVID virus variant.

I know that we are a resilient species but the past year and including this year is quickly wearing down our resolve. I also know that this too will end and I can't wait for that to happen. But as what we say in the vernacular, hindi ko alam kung saan tayo pupulutin nun. 

A lot of people have been playing the blame game and I'm not exempt from that. We could only look at envy as we see how other countries have successfully battled this unseen enemy and have gone back to their normal lives. Tayo kaya? Sana all.

I'd hear, konting tiis nalang. Lilipas rin to. Pero minsan, nakakapagod na rin siya. 

Smart Home

I've always been a fan of automation--of being able to do things better. More often than not, I'm at the end-user and always have someone to do the nitty gritty programming for me. But ever since I saw my oppa's, Ha Seok Jin, high-tech home on his YT channel, I was inspired to do the same thing for our bedroom. 

However, I'm not much of a techie and I abhor the thought of programming anything (that's why I quit my Com Sci course) so I didn't bother much to think about it. But when a member of one of the FB groups I belong to posted an idiot-guide on how to do simple smart home tricks, I decided to try it on my own. 

My hubby recently installed his old Google Chromecast on my TV as he bought a new one. He paired it with my Google Home on my phone and I initially just used it in casting VIU, IQIYI and my other Kdrama watching apps on the TV. Just for the heck, I tried saying, "Hey google, open the TV" and it just responded. I was so lit! 

I went back to the idiot-guide and followed the advice of the poster. I went to Lazada and Shopee and bought the following:

1. Google Nest Mini Smart Speaker - This will serve as the main controller. Out of all the stuff that I ordered, this was the last one to arrive. It's easy to include in Google Home. Am a bit wary though in the information being stored but it's just so convenient!

2. Google Chromecast - This is actually nice if your TV is not "smart" and has no apps installed. But in my case, I use it to cast the kdramas from the apps that I use (e.g. VIU, IQYI, WeTv and Viki). I know it also contains Netflix but I already have it installed on the TV. For this instance, I use Chromecast to turn the tv on/off.

3. LASCO Wifi Smart IR - This is what I use to connect my aircon as well as other appliances that can be controlled by Infrared and within line of sight of the device. 

4. Wifi Smart Plug - I used this to wirelessly connect my non-IR devices such as the electric fans. 

I've managed to connect all the appliances to my Google Home and I'm actually amazed. My Google Nest arrived late so I've been controlling everything first via my phone which is such a hassle as it will only work if my phone is unlocked. 

So far, I managed to voice-activate the aircon, tv and electric fan. My next project would be the lights and eventually, the curtains (the last as it's the most expensive due to the needed motor). I also intend to program in some "if-then" scenarios. I'm pretty excited over it as the possibilities are endless. 

Now, if I can just get rid of all the clutter in our room. There's just too much stuff which I haven't used in over a year. The hoarder in me refused to let them go. 

Here's Ha Seok Jin's video where he explained how he did it for his home.

Hindi Ka Nag-iisa

 

When Pres Noynoy died last June, I wasn't able to grieve for him as much as I did when his parents passed away as I was in the middle of my own crisis. It's only now that I felt the impact of his death.

He was not the perfect president--and I doubt no one ever was or will be. I have had my own frustrations with him but as a Filipino, I am proud of what he had accomplished and the legacy that he had left behind. 

I grieve not only for the man who died but I also grieve for the time that I can truly feel proud about being a Filipino; of my government; of my country. 

I've always known the realities of having different parties and sides  but for the past 5 years, never have I felt our country so divided. It's difficult to bring up that feeling of patriotism and love for country when you don't see that trait being exhibited by our leaders. Our recent victories in a worldwide sport event and even the bayanihan of some of our countrymen during this pandemic managed to bring up some love but that was even tainted by politics.

We have our chance to resurrect our patriotism or even salvage our country as we elect a new set of leaders next year. I have yet to see the final roster and make my choice but I hope our fellow citizens will have the same mindset. 

Hopefully, one day, we can truly say to our neighbor again, "Hindi ka nag-iisa".

Bruises

 

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

I bumped my hand against a table corner last Monday. It didn't hurt that much so I was surprised when I saw a bruise starting to form the next day. 

It started to being a light red until turning a fascinating hue of maroon and purple. It's already on Day 4 and there tinges of yellow and green on the side. 

Am just captivated with how my skin can have different colors without getting a tattoo. 

Congratulations, Hidilyn Diaz!

 

After almost a hundred years since the Philippines started participating in the Olympics, we won our first ever Gold. 

I cried with her when she realized that she won and cried more when our National Anthem was played. 

What made the win more symbolic was who she won against. 

At 4'11", she lifted weights that are twice her body mass which made her win more astounding. She brought home the message to the Filipinos that size does not matter. We may be a small country but we have a big heart and no bully or frustrating leader can douse this fire that is burning in our hearts.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! 

Days Like These

I truly had the most relaxing weekend that I had in months. And it did not take an out of town trip to get my mind back on track. Actually, am not sure if it is in track but I'm happy that I spent the weekend just chillaxing, sleeping and not having work hound me. 

I also have a new oppa who inspires me--Ha Seok Jin. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find his merchandise as he's not as well known as the other oppas out there. Whenever I search for his name in Shopee, Jin's BTS keeps on popping up. Come to think of it, I also tried looking for his merch when I was in SK at the request of Mayeth but was not successful. It's ok though. I don't have to share him with lots of people. He's the only actor who I included in my Google alerts and even turned on my IG and Youtube notifs for him. I never did that to anyone even during my ALDUB fangirling days. I must have had it bad. Now if I could learn Korean fast enough so I can watch his YT videos without waiting for the English translation. It's really so frustrating. I really can't be self taught even if I have all these books to teach me.  

Learning a language is a two-way thing. I have to practice it out but that's what I'm missing--a constant language companion. Same as how I contracted an American accent when I was in the US. My learning has always been auditory. So hard to adjust.