Just Hello Series

Just Hello 2022

What have I been up to lately?

 

Hello, everyone! It has been long since my last personal post — I observed this has been my intro ever. LOL. — I have been meaning to post here but I too became occupied with a lot of things. So after everything, I am here to catch up with you all, guys.

I realized for many months that healing requires a lot, especially in prioritizing balance in all aspects of one’s life. The pandemic also has become taken years but see, vaccination program came and it is our ray of hope for every single day that we face.

Hence, what I have been up to lately? Well, what I can say is that I have done so many, many things. These followed suit my healing journey.

  • I successfully made a lifestyle shift and this made a positive effect on my financial situation. Having been in the limelight (within my circle) made me explore a lot of things and interests too until I observed that I am going beyond the necessary. Countless times, I got lost. My situation made me step back and assess. In the end, I was able to find my path. Life might be not so easy, but it was manageable. I am so grateful.

  • I continued journaling. My planner has been my faceless sibling during my tough times. Finding your path means planning well and my notebook made it possible for me. I took it seriously, sometimes I just laughed at myself but it has been helpful and fulfilling. I even recommended it to my cousin who is starting out her career. I thought a planner will take her to places.

I also ventured into creative journaling. How my eyes are shining bright to washi tapes, vintage and junk papers, cute stickers and all. I checked out a few carts in Shopee (but in moderation) and some materials are still from China, so it took days and weeks but made me excited as well. My Instagram doesn’t help either! Ha. My engagements in arts and crafts affected the algorithm of my IG. It keeps on suggesting many materials. It is fine though. I have lots of paper materials I collected after so many years. I even found my stationeries back in high school and my heart was leaping with happiness. I am so funny. Haha. Seriously, my current hobby made me ponder those small things are something, for even in a short time, it takes us away from our busy realities and transverse us to a new, enjoyable world. I live for these hobbies that saved my mental state many times.

Relating to this, I also continued with my old hobbies. I have watched Hometown Cha Cha Cha and Mr. Romantic and my experience really entertained me and added more value to the work that I do daily. I still am learning to cook more recipes during the weekend. Just yesterday, after our simple family lunch for her birthday, my mom taught me how to make a hamonada like hers. Hehe.

I also listened to Taylor’s Swift music when I can. This means while I am riding to and fro work. Hehe. I like her soothing music such as Folklore, Evermore, and the song All Too Well – The Pond Studio version. Since Folklore, she has released Evermore, Fearless Taylor’s Version, and Red Taylor’s Version. Hardworking artist there is! But I only purchased a physical album of Folklore (which happened to deliver two albums!) and gave my extra copy to my roommate months ago. After that, I got satisfied with my Spotify subscription.

Moreover, I still love arranging flowers. Our weekly supply from our suki made this possible. Just this time, I already ask her to send more red roses. The white flowers are the ones we bring along when we visit Tatay. Sometimes, when I got so busy and nanay and my aunt are just the ones who can go visit, I just arrange the flowers before traveling to the city.

I also visit coffee shops, though not as often as before but coffee is really part of me already. Many times for the past few months, My best buddies, Paolette and Banjo Kim, and I went to Café Bali. They serve a really good coffee. I am also keeping my faith that hopefully, I can buy a manual coffee maker soon. And also, don’t you know, I have been dying to bake. Our oven is lying without use for many months already. But I need to buy some more tools such as mortar and pestle and manual grinder or sort. Ah, I like manual things these days. Hehe. It gives me joy that I can go back to the old times through these, though it really requires you more time to accomplish your activity but it does teach me to be patient. I also saw that manual noodle maker of Mari Jasmine, I like it very much. Hopefully soon, soon, in months or a year, I can gift that to myself.

It comes to reading, I can say I more read school books these days. I guess I have to postpone some “story” books and keep it to be read in the future. Do you also know that my Mama Ding and my nephew Daboy are reading my Harry Potter book set I bought from Shopee? Haha, really, Harry Potter is timeless! I guess it is a good buy, after all.

  • Apparently, I am in my last semester for academic requirements. After writing this blog, I will be attending a virtual school activity, as well as studying my lessons. How I am so glad to realize last month that I was able to endure the last 3 hard semesters (UP, you already!) and now, I am on my final semester for academic requirements. My personal mood is celebrating. The thought of having a new, tougher semester and Master’s Thesis semester after this, does not affect me either. Progress is motivating and it makes me look forward some more in life.

  • My Instagram account took over several hours of my day and it is fine. My IG Collections — It is like Saved Links in Facebook — of sewing, crocheting, arts and crafts, fashion hacks, make-up, easy recipes, making bows and ribbons, and a lot more, added to my many, many hobbies! Hahaha. I bought a mini sewing machine and my mother is fond of it very much. I am also happy that these traditional activities made me spend more time with my family. The new recipes even made me love staying at home much longer and not getting stressed anymore.

  1. I have been collecting more cosmetic products than usual, but of course, again, in moderation. Having been in Shopee at times —while riding taxi, or jeepney, or rela. LOL, — I learned that there are a lot of cheaper products online. I really like Squad Cosmetics. It suits my skin type and it offers peachy palettes that are a few of my greatest interests in make-up. Looking at my best helped me gain back my confidence and I intend to keep that, the simplest thing that I can do.

  • I have been serious with my blogging. I have been working with my blogging stuff since 2022 came. I was elected as one of the officers of our blogging organization and it inspired me to be more responsible. I follow deadlines to my blog and also social media postings. It is part of my resolution to make sure that I do not delay so much, especially that most of my clients pay well. Well that, as long as I do not sacrifice work and class.

Just a week ago. I attended the opening of Art Tents 2022. It is a creative event at Ayala Centrio Mall that featured many great local artists and their work such as stickers, paint, tattoos, fashion finds, accessories, dried flowers, journals, calligraphy kits and so much more. I went there and got home a lot of stuff such as my neutral-colored scrunchies from Andicrafts. I like it paired with my neutral-colored tops while enjoying my time at home. If you have visited my Instagram, I have been flooding about Art Tents.

Mentioning about my tops, I have been eyeing many ukay-ukay finds, specifically white lenins. I love having a few in such a cheap price. It is like I had found a diamond among many colorful stones. Lol. Hopefully, when this pandemic will be over, I can visit and buy many, many white and dirty white stuff. It has been my color for many months already.

I also happen to visit a diving photo exhibit weeks ago. I documented it on my Instagram. The exhibit is organized by Department of Tourim Region X. It displayed several photos on the underwater beauty of Misamis Oriental.  Honestly, I am happy to see physical activities lately. Those lit up my hope over these stressful pandemic days.

  • I have also been visiting restaurants these days, of course, being careful and following health protocols. Dating made me do so. I am happy to found someone to spend my days with. Having soulmate makes you rise and shine for a new day. It is like looking forward to a good adventure during your free time. Honestly, I am already good now, being able to talk about life lessons after binge-watching a good Korean drama, or what restaurant offers good cheese ramen aside from Tea O’Clock and Chingkeetea, or why I like staying home when it is raining. Hehe.

  • Months from now, I am also looking forward to seeing some more films in my feed. I have this analog camera I got from my friend 2 years ago at a good price, but I still need films! Hehe. I am really, really excited about this new venture of mine in photography.

That’s for it for now. I know, I babbled a lot. Haha. See you around, guys, and do not forget to stay safe. Let us survive pandemic together.

Irene is a lifestyle and travel blogger from Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. She is just one of your typical storytellers who appreciate the wonders of life. Most of the time, she seeks for a beautiful place and get lost in it.

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