Archive for April 2020

Home Archive for April 2020

I used to scribe about the highlights of my week following the “The Sunday Currently” series which was started by SiddThornton all over the blogosphere. Although I didn’t religiously post them here on my blog, I used to have them on my journal. Those are nothing lengthy nor special but they were functional ways for me to keep track of my weekly progress or to remind myself that regardless of how slow or fast time passes, my week hasn’t gone to waste. For more than a month though, it seemed to me that everything happened in blurry slow motion pace as of some scenes from Wong Kar Wai’s pictures.

Everybody is facing a similar challenge or shall we say an enemy: the ncov19 pandemic. I still find it crazy to imagine the reality that we are facing today. It is a reality that almost everyone in the globe is facing wherein handful things have been put to halt and most of us are in the cusp of uncertainty’s tongue. The quarantine in our city started in the middle of March. When will it be lifted? There’s an indefinite and uncertain answer to that.

If the pandemic didn’t exist, most people in our country would probably be enjoying the beach or pursuing various activities that would fulfill their #travelgoals. I might be in similar situation but I would also be spending so much time at work. My colleagues and I were tasked to submit shtloads of work documents up until the second week of April which means that I now have so much time in my palm to decide on how I would like my days to go by.

Honestly, much of those are spent planning on what (my family) we are going to eat for the day and when and what are the things that we should be getting the next time one of us has to go to the grocery.

Most of the days feel dull, difficult, and mundane, and I have to admit, I feel so much frustration from it. Still, I understand the gravity of the crisis and the need for us to abide and cooperate for everyone’s health and safety. Some days though, I try to do something to lift up my spirit and spice up my quarantine days so as not to feel more down and anxious. One of those days include today where I decided to write how I’m currently doing based on the prompts below.

🌼Reading

My reading department hasn’t been so wealthy ever since I started working in a university. I still read a lot, but much of those revolve around academic literatures. For this seemingly never-ending vacation though, I plan to finish my pile of to-be-read books. I'm also reading my students' responses to the writing prompts I gave them.

🌼Writing

This?

🌼Listening

I’m a fan of the new American Idol. I know it’s not something hype or whatever, but looking at aspiring people chasing their dreams using their own voices inspires me a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t dream to be the next Lady Gaga but I love listening to music. The best part about AI for me are the original songs written and performed by their contestants. Do listen to Out Loud by Alejandro Aranda, I Hope by Gabby Barrett, and Roses by Maddie Poppe and you’ll know what I’m talking about. Stevie Nicks will always be a darling to my ears to her songs are also constants!

🌼Watching

I have been watching a lot of movies and tv series in Netflix. Most of what I’m watching are Korean hit series and Spanish films so I think I’ll be fluent in speaking Hanggul and Spanish once the quarantine is over. Lol What I’m currently finishing as of this moment is the cute Korean drama Crash Landing on You (CLOY) which isn’t bad, but I think I love Itaewon Class much better.

🌼Thinking

About the things that I’ll be doing during or after the quarantine especially finishing my graduate paper and some ways not to overthink. I’m painfully a pessimist and an over thinker and it just gets crazy once I let an idea take my mind over.

For one, I am thinking about the imminent economic collapse in our country. For a developing country like ours', this is something that is inevitable since much of our government funds have been used in providing assistance to the en masse. I can't imagine how things are going to be after all of this. I still have to get myself a temporary job which would serve as a first aid kit for the time being where most of us couldn't go out for work. I guess one of the worst things that could happen after the quarantine is not to have a job or an alternative source of income.

🌼Smelling

The four seasons fruit juice with pomegranate tea on my side. Ahmad Tea London produces heaven in tiny teabags!

🌼Wishing

For a better situation.

🌼Hoping

For all of this coronavirus-related problems to be over.

🌼Wearing

A blue floral sleeveless dress because our house feels like being in an oven right now.

🌼Loving

My phone, my books, and my art materials.

An acrylic painting I did on an old thrifted bag of mine.

🌼Wanting

More acrylic paints and watercolor pads. Baking supplies because people hoarded 98% of them. I can’t even get a flour or a butter stick anywhere near me right now.

🌼Needing

A warm hug or a slice of moist chocolate cake. I can’t tell the difference.

🌼Feeling

Overwhelmed. Anxious. Fck up. Grateful.

🌼Clicking

My keyboard. Duh.

Pardon me if some of the things I wrote on this post a little disturbing. I just want to be fully honest at least in this little virtual xanadu of mine. I fervently hope for better things and sending some prayers to our front liners and to those who have lost someone due to the coronavirus. It's once of the reasons why I don't like sharing some other stuff online because I don't want to feel indifferent about others' suffering. Somewhere on the other side of the globe must be crying over someone they loved and lost. I can't imagine something similar happening to my family and close friends (God forbid). When I think it over, death is always in the corner bringing someone with him everyday regardless if the virus exists. If anything, this crisis makes me think and emphatize on others. At least that's what I hope and think I do. I hope that while reading this, you are in a comfortable situation – healthy, safe, and sound.

I’m aching for all of this to be better and I’ll still be here even after all of this is over.

Stay safe. 💖

love lots,

Tin

What others would call green or sustainable living wasn't something that I am consciously doing when I was younger. However, for the past few years, it has become one of the things that I would like to consistently embody in my daily life. What they say about wisdom coming with age is probably true. While I'm not all-knowing about sustainability, I'm aware of its huge impact on everything and everyone around me. It's something that I try to practice, but I also know that I fail in some areas. Honestly, I can't say if I could do it all 100%, but the thought doesn't discourage me from what I can do because I know that regardless of how insignificant or little my efforts would be, they would still make an impact.

By definition, green or sustainable living is a lifestyle that seeks to conserve and preserve whatever beauty that the Earth has bequeathed us. A colossal thing to achieve, but entirely possible. In the Philippines, despite the news that most of us Filipinos rate high in care for the environment, most of us find it a challenge to start. I guess that's the thing about good change. We know that we want and change it, but we feel unsure about setting a rendezvous point to realize our goals. Sounds grim but we can always start at something. Each of us can be part of creating ripples of good things that will turn into something big. Everything that is impactful starts with something small and we don't have to be Jane Goodall or Leonardo Di Caprio to do our part in giving the planet what it deserves. The Earth has yet to be restored, but when we do it together, soon it will be at hand.

I have yet so much to learn when it comes to the sustainable living but here are some tiny, yet useful ways that I can think of as its starting point:

🌱🍃 Nature Getaway🌱🍃

Decide an area where you would like to begin a sustainable practice. It could be anything that you feel comfortable with. One of the easiest choices is opting for a nature getaway instead of reveling in something cacophonic. In the world of #travelgoals, going for a travel plan that is healthy and sustainable is crucial not only for your wellbeing but also for the environment. Choose your travel destination well. Check if the place embodies what is hailed as sustainable tourism. Seek to answer questions like is the place practicing proper garbage proposal and is concerned with human development?

🌱🍃 Green Rides 🌱🍃

It's no secret that carbon omission has so much to do with pollution. Riding a bicycle or opting for better and earth-friendly vehicles are great ways to help the earth breathe. This is of course only applicable to some, but still, our choices can contribute so much.

🌱🍃 Live with Nature 🌱🍃

People are getting crazy about buying home decors that would make their home look so much chic than it already is. A beautiful home does not need to be expensive and yes it could be sustainable. For instance, you could work on a breathable air-lapse home that feels cool sans the use of air-conditioners. Buying from local manufacturers and designers is also a perfect way to achieve a lovely interior while also supporting the local economy, not to mention local artists. Living plants are also great decors!

🌱🍃 Walk for the Earth 🌱🍃

If you have to go somewhere for an errand, walk if you can. This is great especially if the distance is doable and if the weather condition allows. You wouldn't only save the earth from leaving a carbon footprint, but walking is also a great exercise.

🌱🍃 Grow Your Food 🌱🍃

The ncov19 brought about so many challenges to mankind. So many aspects of our lives have been affected especially our food consumption. I bet we can all agree on how going for groceries has been a challenge. This is why people opted in making their own food and growing them. If your current space allows, growing your own food is a fantastic way to practice sustainability and some cash. Don't worry, this doesn't mean that you have to tend to huge vegetation. Start by growing plants that grow easily such as onions.

🌱🍃 Stay Clean with Sustainability 🌱🍃

A huge portion of trashes in our landfill comes from the packaging of our sanitary products such as soap, shampoo, laundry detergents, deodorants, and menstrual pads. The good news is that more and more eco stores are now open to cater to our needs and keep the environment clean. Instead of the usual sanitary items wrapped in plastics, choose eco-products made with natural ingredients and packaged in compostable or recycled materials. Because some of these products are made with natural ingredients, they are also much better for our health. The same thing goes for grocery items. Eco stores discourage the use of plastics so you can refill items that you need using what you have at home such as bottles or Tupperware. You can also practice sustainability in major grocery stores and malls by bringing your own eco bag and refusing the use of plastics. I've done this so many times where I got so many blank expressions from salespersons. Those stares are nothing because I know I have made a purposeful choice.

🌱🍃 Mind the Ocean 🌱🍃

The ocean is a cauldron of life. Long before humans walked the earth, the ocean made so much ancient life possible. People often forget and ignore the life that grows and thrives in the ocean. It's no secret that in this modern age, people still treat the ocean and other bodies of water as a huge dumping site which is sad and just wrong. Countless studies and documentaries have exposed and supported the significance of life in the ocean, but most people rarely heed such calls. I believe one of the best ways to save the blue life is by practicing cleanliness even when were inland and by educating the young ones about its essence.

I would say that the pandemic that we are all going through right now is another call from the earth in living life to the fullest while looking into what's only essential. This is also the best time for us to reflect on our past actions especially those that we aren't proud of and to start something worthwhile and sustainable. Sustainability doesn't only stop with environmental concerns. It goes beyond as it also molds a person into someone better. That is something that I am working on. We don't have to be perfect at this, but little by little our actions would grow into something big - much bigger than the sky and the ocean. I hope these simple steps would help.

I have so much more to add such as reducing our food waste and limiting our shopping activities. It may be a no-brainer for some, but I am linking those into helpful videos from Vox. Please let me know other things that you know or do with regard to sustainability.

Thank you so much for reading and I hope this helps. Keep safe and have a great day!

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