Our Summer Cove

I have been making two posts a day. I've still been feeling morose and angry about what happened at home, but I'm trying to stay positive so I've been keeping the other post in draft. I release bad vibes that way. I guess I also need to heal from what we went through. 

I spent an entire day cutting fabric for my Mom. I hope this will jumpstart her passion for quilting. I noticed she stopped sewing. She didn't even unbox any of the materials and books I sent her. She kept all of it in her cabinet. Well, I hope she starts working on it and takes it slow. She sews much faster than I do, haha. I also made some templates for her because I know she won't use the quilting rulers. 

I haven't sewn for a month now. The last project I finished was the pink vinta throw pillowcases, the Harry Potter coasters and potholders. I need to work on my summer curtains since it's been very hot lately. I got block curtain fabric via Lazada. I wish though there were more options for block curtain fabric. I'm figuring out how to make them look nicer. 

The boys and I have been staying in the craft room to escape the heat and the bad air quality. Sweetie installed an old TV in the room. That means we'll likely have movie nights in the craft room too. It's just been really warm even at night to stay anywhere else in the house. It's funny because we have more space at home, but we're just naturally convening in smaller areas to be together. 

My step count has gone down drastically since I've been cooped up in the craft room. I used to hang out during the day at the dining table and that forced me to walk far to get things or go to the toilet. The boys though prefer to get things for me so I don't breathe in the bad air. My step count has been cut to a third

#BeKind #StaySafe #VoteWisely

The Duhat Tree Summer

I am writing this post to annoy my favorite cousin, Tina.

This is a story about an unforgettable summer, 20 summers ago.

In our clan our parents partnered us with a cousin -- someone who's about the same age and sex. So there was my Ate and Ate Tess, Kuya Koko and my Kuya, Ate Joanne and Ate Angela, Ate Jolyn and Ate Lindy etc. and then me and Tina. Tina lived with my parents when she was baby and my Tito Tony and Tita Josie only managed to get her back when I was born. So it was but natural for us to be "partnered" and she's been a partner in crime eversince.

Tina and I are complete opposites. Beside Tina, I'm the quiet, fair and thin one. Beside me, Tina's the talkative, loud and chubby one. We both always got in trouble -- something I usually tried to prevent, but we still always did. We both had a kid at the age of 18. She's got three now, I only have one. Well, we always have a crazy time and always have a special gift for each other during Christmas even though we don't get to spend time together anymore.

Tina and I spent a summer at Shell Tabangao, Batangas where my sister worked. We were ten years old and were left to our our devices the whole day. My sister, ever the OC and planner, would leave us a list of tasks every single day on the fridge. After completing the tasks we'd go out and play and attend our Red Cross swimming/life saving classes. And every day we'd scour around the beautiful golf course and make up stories.

One hot summer day, Tina and I with my sister and some of the other Shell engineers went around the golf course and came upon a Duhat tree. The tree was full of fruits so we started picking them. Tina and I were both short (at least I grew hehe) during that time and she insisted on going up the tree. I warned her that the bark didn't look sturdy, but ever the pasaway she got up the tree to pick some fruits.

And then I heard a cracking noise and saw Tina fall from the tree. My sister and her colleagues rushed to her side, did first aid and brought her to the hospital. My sister left me under the care of Lito (now Fr. Lito, a Jesuit priest in NY) who I fondly call "poodle" (he was balbon!) and I ended up spending one night in the guys dormitory.

Tina and me during that fateful duhat tree summer.

So that was the summer I learned about being cautious. My cousin Tina has ever since used that incident as an excuse for her pango nose. Crazy as ever, I'm sure I'll get a beating for this on our Christmas reunion.

**I miss my bangs!

Playing on Ice

I always wondered how ice skaters could glide ever so gracefully on thin metal strips on slippery ice. I watch in awe whenever I get the chance to view competitions on TV. And I was simply awestruck when I watched an ice hockey game in the US last year.

You see, I couldn't even balance myself properly on a balance beam, much less stand up straight on roller skates. I remember getting all bruised up when I was 16 and my friends strapped on roller skates on my feet in Tagaytay. It was a disaster. I stuck it out with skateboards eversince.

I don't see myself as the super adventurous type, but I like trying out new things. So last night at the invitation of a friend who plays ice hockey, wobbly legs and all I wore the stinky ice skates and got on the ice.

First and foremost, the skates were heavy, stinky and it was difficult to stand on dry ground on it. It felt like I was on stilts. But I told myself I had to be brave since I brought Miguel along. How would you be able to teach your sheep if you don't know how to graze the land yourself? So, it was a challenge. I had to motivate myself and inspire Miguel to follow suit.

It was a liberating experience indeed. I was so surprised that we managed to go around the rink (holding on to dear life at the edges), but at least we managed to stand on ice without falling on our fannies and got to glide along a few meters at a time.

And methinks I'll be going back to Mall of Asia soon to try it out again.

Maybe I can still become a figure skater after all. Hmmm... NOT!