I Finally Got a Haircut!

Well more of a trim since I'm still looking for a place here in Singapore where I could donate my hair once I get a real haircut. My hair have gone unbearably long.

I don't even remember the last time I got a haircut. It may have been September or November last year. I was set to get a haircut last January, but the Taal Volcano erupted and I couldn't go out because of the ashfall (due to my wonky lungs). I read that getting a haircut was risky so I asked my doctor last week if it's safe for me now to get one. He said yes.

Luckily we chanced upon an empty QB House. It's a shop here in Singapore that provides hair-cutting services for just SG$12. Regular salons usually cost at least 5x more. I've never tried it since I normally wait until I get home to get a haircut (or in Japan when I feel like splurging). The service normally just takes 10 minutes (the way I like it!). So in I went when Sweetie suggested it.

The auntie who did my haircut seemed so excited to cut my hair. She actually took longer to cut it (I know because a guy came in after me and finished before I did). I was just expecting a straight trim, but she offered to round up the edges. I guess auntie was bored. I was happy to indulge her. She also gave some advise on how I could find a salon or org where I could donate my hair. She said though that it's not common here in Singapore. They usually take the hair and send it abroad to make it into a wig.

Auntie chopped off about 3 inches of my hair and it honestly still looks very long. I hope my next haircut would be where I could donate hair. I'm not sure though if they'll accept my hair since I read they don't accept those with grey hair (I developed a lot in the last few months! Gaaah!). Anyway, I hope I made auntie's day since she seemed really excited to cut my hair hehe.

CB//156 #StuckAtHomeDay/186 #WFH106  #StayHome #BeKind   

How I Cope with Homesickness

I miss those days I could just hop on a plane and be home for the weekend. I used to do that a lot when Sweetie and Miggy still lived in Manila. We had a brief respite when all of us were in Singapore while Miggy was studying. Miggy's finished school and has been in Manila for a year now. I was able to see him monthly since he went home since we'd have him over in Singapore quarterly and I went home every so often. I was expecting to do the same this year, but I haven't seen Miggy since February. This is the longest time we've been apart :'(

I pinged my childhood friends this afternoon and told them I'm feeling super homesick. The longest time I've been away from home is 6 months. I was only 4 years old then and we spent 6 months in the US. I turned 5 on the way home from the US. I don't think I felt homesick back then since I had my Mom and Titay to play with everyday. So I pinged my friends this afternoon and told them I was feeling super homesick. They are scheduling an online meetup this Friday (yay!).

This is how I cope with homesickness -

Nag Miggy on Chat - all day, everyday lol.

Order Filipino Food - I can cook, but there are dishes that are best cooked for you. I even put together list of where I get Pinoy food.

Watch Vlogs from Back Home - we watch vlogs from all over the Philippines, I prefer the vloggers with pets though haha. I'm also watching this vlog from a Filipino-Italian based in Australia, his Mom reminds me so much of my Tita Olive.

Ping my Family and Friends - of course, must get tsismis! Errr I mean check on family and friends lol. I especially miss those times I meet up with friends at Commune. Or have weekend get-togethers at Mom's.

Build my Balikbayan Box - probably all Filipinos who work abroad do this. I only finally did this only this year. I didn't need to before because I used to just bring home all my pasalubong. This is the reason why I'm planning for Christmas now.

I'm so grateful to my friends who have been watching out for my family while we're away. <3


CB//155 #StuckAtHomeDay/185 #WFH105  #StayHome #BeKind   

Forever with Mama Mary

My Mom is a devotee of Mama Mary and she developed our love for Mama Mary too. I was so proud when I was invited to contribute to the book "Mama Mary and Her Children" (book 6). I took a leave and flew home to Manila to attend the launch. Fr. James Reuter, S.J. was the one who started the book. I was really so grateful I was invited to contribute by my friend, Rowie Matti, because Fr. Reuter was my Dad's mentor and basketball coach. And the book being a tribute for Mama Mary made my Mom so happy. (We also got my Kuya to contribute in the same book).

I always run to Mama Mary whenever I have problems and whenever I have a request. When I was growing up my Mom would tell me the prayers she's been granted. One story she's told over and over again was her prayer for Ate to pass the chemical engineering board exam. She passed and was the topnotcher (#1!). I would also always see Mom with her rosary at hand -- usually by her bedside. She has one favorite rosary that I gnawed on when I was a toddler. She still has it and the odd colored bead is still there.

When I think of Mama Mary, I naturally think about my Mom because of her devotion to her. When I finally got to visit Rome, I cried when I saw the Pieta. It's my Mom's favorite image and it's always been her wish to see it. I was hoping we could bring Mom to Rome (and the Holy Land), hopefully after the pandemic. I brought home an image of the Pieta for her from Rome. She was so happy she handcarried it back home form Singapore (it was quite heavy!).

I must admit, I have been amiss with my spiritual wellbeing in the last few months. I was crushed when we couldn't go hear mass. It's what makes me feel complete every week. What has helped me the last few months is reading Didache every night before I sleep. It's a good guide for praying, reflecting and it provides reminders on what is more important. Tonight I shall say a prayer of thanks to Mama Mary and ask for her guidance on something I have been thinking about for almost a year already.
Happy birthday Mama Mary! Love you forever!

CB//154 #StuckAtHomeDay/184  #StayHome #BeKind   

It was a Bad Day

Last Monday started on a bad note. I was feeling unwell and saw my doctor during my lunch break. My stomach acidity was triggered when I went for physiotherapy just after lunch. And then it got worse when I enjoyed eating too much during my birthday weekend. By Monday my body was going bonkers so I went to see my doctor. With just a few questions he knew what went wrong and gave me a some medication and a lot of reminders.

I was back to my happy self the next day and I resumed my usual activities. Attended my physiotherapy session on Wednesday. My PT adjusted my activities to lessen the impact on my tummy. I was feeling okay the next day and we even went to the park. Friday was busy and I puttered around the house all weekend. I was happy I didn't need to see my respiratory doctor since he said if things got worse to go see him again before the weekend.

I had been ignoring a symptom which I've been feeling for a few weeks now. I sometimes feel like I'm being choked. My doctor explained that it's probably some of the acid reaching my throat. Last night though the feeling was quite unbearable and this morning I was having difficulty breathing. I already took a shower and was getting ready for work when I felt really weak. I laid down on bed and when Sweetie checked on me I told him I probably needed to go to the emergency room.

I was not sure if it was my tummy or my lungs. I just watched a vlog last night where they mentioned, "If you're feeling pain make sure to get yourself checked!" So I did. We were ushered to the A&E (ER here in SG) and I was greeted by a Pinoy nurse. The A&E is located in I think a basement parking area. I was the only patient and was quickly attended to by a nice doctor who explained everything to me. He said not to be worried because it's just still the acid affecting my throat.

There was one important tidbit the doctor explained to me -- even just drinking water can affect my tummy. So even though I've been following my doctor's advise, there are other adjustments I need to make so my tummy will go back to normal.  I usually just eat 3 meals per day, but now I need to chop that up to smaller meals. I love drinking water, but I need to drink in smaller quantities too. I didn't sleep well last night and doctor advised to rest for two days. I'm not allowed to do anything exhausting so my body can recuperate. Arggghhh.

It was a bad day, I'm still experiencing the symptoms. Hope tomorrow will be a better day. Pray for me okay?


CB//153 #StuckAtHomeDay/183  #StayHome #BeKind 

Tomato Plants are Bearing More Fruits!

It took awhile before my tomatoes started to bear fruit. I had to learn how to pollinate them by hand since bees rarely visit my balcony. The mustasa plant decided to bolt already and there's a bee that has been visiting it daily.

I've been hovering over the tomato plants the past two weeks because the cucumber plant has been plagued by a pest. I've been actively pruning the tomato plants to remove affected leaves. I don't want to use insecticide so I've been using neem oil to ward off the pesky bugs.

Surprisingly the plants are bearing more fruits. I'm not sure if it's the bee, the frequent pruning, hand pollinating or the neem oil that encouraged the plant to bear more fruit. It's probably a combination of all the efforts. The fruits though are so small. I planted it from one huge tomato that I sliced into four so I'm not sure why it's not growing bigger. I'll need to research more about that issue.

What about you? How are your plants?


CB//152 #StuckAtHomeDay/182  #StayHome #BeKind 

Thinking About My Christmas Project

I just woke up from a nap. We've been busy tidying up since after lunch and I also took care of scanning some stuff. It took longer than I expected and I tired myself out from puttering around the house. I haven't started planning for my Christmas project which is what I set to do this afternoon.

I try to plan for Christmas early. When I have enough time I try to send out homemade Christmas cards and quilted gifts. I haven't been consistent in my plans since making things by hand takes time (not just time, but forever!). For this year we probably won't be able to come home for Christmas. I'm still hoping we can have Miggy and Mom over for Christmas. I can't imagine celebrating Christmas without Miggy and my Mom.

For the Christmas cards I'll probably head over to Art Friend to get some supplies so I can start the project soon. What takes time when I prepare the cards is writing out the addresses! I had an address stamp made early last year, but we moved! Haha. I should order a new one soon. I'm still thinking what kind of cards I'll be sending out.

Two years ago I made pouch bags for friends. It was all handmade and I embroidered their name on the pouch. I made about 30 sets which took three months. I also made some pillowcases for some friends, but I didn't finish it in time for that Christmas. I was supposed to give it last year, but I took a break and it was lost in storage. I found it today and decided to use it after we installed the elastic sofa cover hehehe.

Hmmm, it's going to be challenging this year because I need to finish whatever I make by October so I can ship it back to Manila early. I already have an idea what I'll make. I just need to determine how long it will take for me to make it. What do you think? Do you have any suggestions on what I should make for Christmas?


CB//151 #StuckAtHomeDay/181  #StayHome #BeKind 

3 Things You Need to Keep Healthy According to My Doctor

I went to see my doctor today. He's the one who did my open heart surgery (twice!) seven years ago. He remembers me well because they only discovered I was a complicated case after they opened me up. The original 2-hour surgery lasted 4 hours and then they had to do it again a few weeks later when I had water in my heart. He is one of my heroes. His expert hands ensured I would live.

He is one of my favorite doctors because he's so chill. Whenever I come for a check-up we always end up having a long chat especially when he's not busy. He took over management of my MTS issues last year and has been really supportive whenever there's something weird going on in my body. He checked my heart and said that the valve is beautifully placed and there are no leaks. In a few months he said we could likely remove one of my maintenance meds. Yay!

I've been going to this clinic for 8 years now, this is my first photo in it haha. 

I've been nagging him on when we can remove one of the maintenance meds. I gave him the good news that my respiratory doctor discontinued one of my inhalers. I really want to eventually get rid of all of my maintenance meds. My doctor said that medicines help in some way, but ultimately there are three things you can do to be healthy.

1. Diet 

When I told him a few months ago I was learning how to bake bread, the first thing he asked was, "Does it have a lot of butter?" So far the buns I've been cooking does not require a lot of butter so it's been okay. My doctors don't prohibit me to eat anything. The only usual reminder is not to eat acid inducing food and to eat on time. 

2. Exercise

Since I've been working from home my doctor has been teaching me quick exercises I can do in between meetings. I actually taught my colleagues some of it. It's usually stretches you can do so your back won't hurt. I'm lucky my physiotherapist is so patient with me. I feel we'll soon be back to the strength I had in early April. She said soon I should be able to go biking. Yay!

3. Sleep

Eight hours of sleep is what you need everyday. For your body to be restored overnight you need 8 hours of sleep. Ahhh I don't have any issues about sleeping long. It only gets interrupted when I have early morning meetings. Oh, my doctor also said that if you drink sleeping pills that doesn't help restore your body when you sleep. His advise for those who have a hard time sleeping is to take a walk after dinner. That would tire you out and you'd have a good night's sleep. I had a good night's sleep last night because our walk in the park covered 2 kilometers.

I think to support all three points one should also top it up with positive thinking. :)


CB//150 #StuckAtHomeDay/180  #StayHome #BeKind