This two month lockdown made me realized a lot of things...
1. I love cooking for my family but hey, I'm just human, I do get tired. Especially, when you constantly do it twice to three times a day in this hot and humid weather. Kakaluto mo pa lang lunch, iniisip mo na yung preparation sa dinner. Sabi ko minsan sa asawa ko at anak ko, "para akong may canteen ah!" In return naman, we do order and take out food at least once in a week. Pero kapag iniisip ko na it would take a long time before we could dine out again, I feel sad. It is a fave activity of ours- dining out at least twice a week.
2. I miss going to the wet market/grocery twice a week with no restrictions. Before, I do this after my Zumba because our gym is just a few steps from the grocery. Nowadays, going out and doing this is already a major production. You have to wear a mask, goggles or glasses, a hat and gloves, for some. In my belt bag, aside from money, phone and keys, I need to have my quarantine pass and an alcohol spray. Once you get to the grocery or palengke, you have to wait in line for quite a while. Inside, I have this sense of urgency to finish off my errand. I tend to become paranoid. Nagiging germophobic na yata ako. And this is supposed to be a stress busting activity on my part dapat. I love going through the aisles and check even those things that I don't need without thinking that I might pick something na full of germs. Iba pa yung pagdating mo sa bahay, ako rin ang mag-di-disinfect or maghuhugas ng pinamili ko. I got traumatized(or just tired) yata once, I didn't go out talaga for two weeks straight.
3. I don't miss the mall at all- well, initially. But every time I thought of buying something that I need like a simple kitchen utensil(ex. spatula), or a piece of furniture or an appliance that I thought before wasn't an immediate necessity, I do want to head out and proceed to the nearest one. I need to re-paint or do a makeover DIY but all the hardware stores nearby aren't in operation. Sa mall, may Ace hardware, True Value or Handyman.
4. I need to go plant shopping again. Some of the ones I bought last February went to plant heaven na. I also regret that I didn't buy pechay seeds when I had all the time to grab one in my many trips to the supermarket or hardware store.
5. A roadtrip or a plane ride isn't gonna happen soon. I miss the beach and I wanna go back to Japan.
6. 'Nagtatampo' na yung make-up, alahas, sapatos at damit ko. I miss wearing them. Sometimes, I put on perfume kahit nasa bahay lang. When I do my grocery and wet market errands, yung brows lang ang pwedeng ayusin di ba. One time, I put on some lipstick, pero mag-ma-mask pala ako. Face palm moment.
7. This is not the best time to get sick and be hospitalized. Boosting one's immune system and having a healthy diet(the hardest part) should be prioritized now more than ever. Alam mo yung yung feeling na may sore throat ka lang, then Covid-19 comes to mind. If there's an urgent medical attention that I need siguro oral prophylaxis by my dentist. The last time I had was January or February yata. It is due na by June.
8. If there's one big financial advice you need to hear from me and if I could nag you just like how I am to my son- don't forget to save up for the 'rainy days'. It may sound too cliché, but even there's a pandemic or not, CASH IS GOLD all the time. You may all have the fanciest things around you, but if you don't have the liquidity to spend during an emergency, everything else won't matter. Of course, you may sell them but it will buy you time. Iba yung meron ka na agad at your own disposal whenever, wherever. I don't need to elaborate more, but, it is one BIG worry off your mind.
9. Rough times bring out the best and worst in people. Doon mo malalaman HOW a person will face an adversity head on. It is one true test of character and....values, if I may add. Makaka-adapt kaya siya o tatakbuhan niya ang realidad?
10. I'm beyond thankful that my family isn't experiencing a major trial(health concerns, death, family feuds, etc.) alongside with this pandemic. I pray that it won't come in the nearest future. Have mercy on us and many thanks, Lord.
