Made a Protective Case for my Mini Air Purifier

A friend of mine mentioned on X that the most popular gadget used during the elections is the Jisulife fan. I have a fan, but it's not Jisulife (haha) and maybe I'll make a case for my Tylex fan next time. One thing that I use regularly is a mini air purifier. I have severe asthma and use it whenever we go out. It's just annoying that the switch easily turns on whenever it's in my bag. The solution was to make a protective case for it. 

I made the case as a learning project since I haven't done anything to cover a rounded gadget. Of course, I used scrap fabric from a previous project so I don't waste any of my precious stash (haha). It was quite easy to make and I'll probably make another one soon to improve my craft. Here's how I made it:

And the end result:

#BeKind #StaySafe

You Win Some, You Lose Some

After voting yesterday, we headed to Wendy's for breakfast. It's a rare opportunity to have breakfast out. We arrived at Wendy's before six in the morning and soon enough a number of senior citizens arrived too. 

While eating I felt some sadness. I realized it's the first time we went to vote without my Mom. I checked the voters list and only me and Miggy were on it. Mom didn't vote during the presidential elections even though we went to pick her up. She wasn't feeling well and told us to go ahead and vote. 

One thing I also looked forward to was seeing our neighbors, the Titos and Titas and friends I grew up with. Sadly, I didn't see any of my Mom's friends and just saw one of my friends. I may have been too early, but then my Mom would've been 90 years old this year. 

I'm writing this post while watching the news. I'm happy to see two of those I voted for senators are in the top 5 and the party list I voted for is #1 on the results. The rest of those I voted for did not win (maybe only the vice mayor?). Oh well, you win some, you lose some. At least there's still hope. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Voted Early (Philippine Elections 2025)

I'm really grateful to COMELEC for opening the precincts early for PWDs, senior citizens and pregnant women. We went at 5 in the morning to vote to avoid the crowds and more importantly, the heat. 

I wasn't feeling well yesterday. My mind willed my body to cooperate. I did not want to miss exercising my right to vote. I was still a bit unstable when we arrived at 5:06am. 

The process was pretty straightforward. Check your name on the list and cluster, go to your precinct, show your ID, sign on the list, get your ballot, vote, feed your ballot to the machine, check the receipt and then get inked. We were done in less than 15 minutes considering I kept making sure I did not overbite (of course I had a kodigo).

I was expecting to see my Mom's friends. I belatedly realized my Mom would've been 90 this year, so most of her friends would be +/- 10 years of her age. I'd usually see Tito Mel overseeing the PPCRV and childhood friends running around as volunteers. I've been away too long and the PPCRV volunteers now we're probably kids when I lived abroad.

I never changed my precinct. My voters ID is still the original one they issued when I registered for the Sangguniang Kabataan elections. My whole family voted in the same precinct and I actually found my Mama Lola's voters ID from the 70s. That's what you call legacy :)

Vote wisely!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Public Office is a Public Trust, Time to Break Political Dynasties

 "Public office is a public trust" is enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution (Article XI, Section 1). It is a clause that all of us should remember, especially candidates.

What we've been going through in the past 9 years has been disenheartening. Year after year, candidates promise to do things better, to make our lives easier. Sadly, we're still plagued by so many issues, especially corruption. I remember during PNoy's time, it was Secretary Butch Abad's job to put controls on spending and regular reports on reducing corruption was made. We saw a lot of improvements especially in our economy. 

A big problem that contributes to backward progress are the political dynasties. My professor, Dr. Julio Teehankee, has made a study on this and discussing why electing the same family is bad for us. In the city I live in, the same family has been ruling over the local positions for over a decade now. They just switch around positions (congress/mayor/vice mayor etc.). You'd think that after ruling over our city for over a decade they would have at least solved all flooding issues.

Sweetie sent me a list of local candidates. He noted that there are 5 people with the same family name. They are obviously from the same family. I hope they realize that public office is not meant to be a business or security blanket for you and your family. There are surely a lot of talented and skilled people who can manage our city. 

Vote wisely tomorrow!

#BeKind #StaySafe #VoteWisely

Caterpillars have been Eating My Calamansi Plants

I've been trying to grow veggies the past few years. All the greens I tried to grow are gone. My Calamansi project started in September 2023. It took time for the seeds to sprout and now I have several of them growing in bigger pots. I placed them in two areas of our home to ensure they grow. 

I have so far managed to keep them from dying. I spray Neem oil weekly and feed them fertilizer every other week. Biggest pest for my calamansi are caterpillars. Some grow so big they finish all the leaves! Luckily, the bigger plants survive, but some smaller plants don't, huhu. 

I researched companion plants for citrus fruits. They supposedly help ward off pests. You can plant marigold, basil, lavender, peas, tomatoes, chives, garlic, and fennel. I got marigold seeds, but haven't had the chance to plant them. My basil, lavender, tomatoes, chives and garlic all died. One thing that is left standing are my fennel plants (was sold to me as dill!). 

Plant on the right had fennel in the same pot.
Left plant didn't, so all the leaves are gone!

Anyway, since it's been so easy to grow fennel, I just cut off some and planted it beside my calamansi plants. After a few weeks I noticed that the leaves of the calamansi plants  started growing bigger. Those that didn't have fennel were continued to be pestered by caterpillars. 

Leaves slowly growing back after I added fennel to the pot.

I have since added fennel to the rest of my calamansi in the pocket garden and they are slowly growing new leaves to replace those eaten by caterpillars. Yes! Now I can focus on making sure they are fed well and hope they'll finally produce fruit by next year!

#BeKind #StaySafe #VoteWisely

Habemus Papam! Long Live Pope XIV

We were watching something on YouTube when Sweetie saw a post that said white smoke have come out of the chimney. It was past midnight already, but we decided to wait for the revelation of the new Pope.

As a Filipino, I was hoping it would be Cardinal Tagle. I avoided watching or reading any news about "Pope-ables". I told myself it's best to let the Holy Spirit guide the Cardinals.

When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was introduced as Pope Leo XIV, I felt some disappointment, but I told myself God chose him for good reason.

I heard from a discussion when the Conclave started that the name a new pope Chiara reflects his goals. I immediately looked up what Pope XIII was known for and one of the things he did was create the prayer to St. Michael. It's a prayer for protection against evil and the devil. From that alone I understand why Pope Leo XIV chose this name. 

EWTN also mentioned that Pope Leo XIV is from the Augustinian order. I'm happy about that because I was born on the feast day of St. Augustine. It is a huge reminder for me to cling to my faith amidst all I'm facing. I prayed hard for healing when Pope Leo XIV gave his blessings (with additional prayer to Pope Francis for his intercession). 

I wasn't able to see when Pope Francis was revealed as the new pope. I was busy recovering back then from heart surgery. It would be interesting to see where Pope Leon XIV leads us all.

#BeKind #StaySafe #VoteWisely

Throwback Thursday: Childhood Toys and Clips

I was so happy when I found my Barbie collection. I lost hope that I'd still find it, but I knew Mom kept it for me. I was probably in high school the last time I brought out my collection. I boxed them all up and kept them on the upper shelves of my room. Years passed, I moved out and I knew it was just there. 

It took awhile, but they finally showed up. My 12 Barbie dolls, the bed, and all their clothes. Since the collection wasn't moved for decades, it accumulated a lot of dust. I cleaned the bed and the clothes first. I was happy to see the bed was still intact with little repair needed for the linens. 

Washing the clothes took awhile, apparently I have a lot! Good thing I had the dolls wear homemade clothes because their original clothing are still intact. I giggled when I saw the clothes I tried to make. I think it was the reason why I stuck to quilting, I couldn't get the logic of making clothes (except skirts!). Mom made a few and they're still beautiful. I'll make a proper photo shoot of the clothes when I have time. 

Together with my Barbie stuff were my clips from childhood! I had very short hair back then and my Mom would just clip them on me. I think it's a Goody set. Looks like I didn't use it that much, so I just took a photo and sent it for donation. Hope a baby girl would be able to use it more than I did :)

#BeKind #StaySafe