Grade One

 

My firstborn officially started Grade One yesterday. Actually, school started last Wednesday but it was all orientation stuff. His new school is using Google Classroom and we have to familiarize ourselves with it because in Kinder last year we used Zoom and Seesaw. We also have to adjust with waking up early (6:15 A.M.) and of course the Mommy has to wake up early also. I've been accompanying him so far to teach him how to click links as they switch through classrooms.

I am so relieved that I am done studying but also feel bad for my son because frankly, virtual classes for someone so young, sucks (for lack of a better word). School is 50% interacting with friends and even frenemies and he is so missing out on it. He only had a year of face to face school before the pandemic happened. I feel more sorry for my 2-year old daughter, one time we went out and it was raining hard so I carried her and used an umbrella. She started crying so hard like she was really frightened - I realized it was her first time to be out in a downpour under an umbrella. 😔

Anyway, P has a really small class as there are only 10 of them. So far the "real" classes we've had are Music and PE. I can see that the teachers also find it difficult to get the kids' attention especially when they all start talking at the same time. At least in a classroom there's that special teacher look that can make kids go quiet just. like. that.

I was a total nerd growing up and graduated with honors. That said though, I will really really REALLY  try not to go all Tiger Mom mode on my kids. They're free to discover where or what they're good at. My only prayer is that they don't flunk out, to get a college degree, and have a job that would give them a comfortable life. Whoa, thinking so far when we've only just begun with Grade One. LOL.  #

On Biking

 At the ripe old age of 40, I think I finally know how to ride a bike. Our 6 year old son learned to bike last year, and this year, hubby trained his sights on me. It was a bit funny that I would wheel around the condo basketball court on a folding (foldable?) bike with training wheels. Some spunky kid commented: "Why are you biking with training wheels?" and another girl sweetly asked me, "Is it your first time on a bike?" Yes, kids, so get outta my way! Hahaha.

Since we are still on lockdown, I just go round and round the basketball court. For some time, hubby left one training wheel on, but now, he has also raised the other one, which technically means I can bike? Heehee. 

One time at dusk, the night sky was so clear and the stars were coming out, with the summer evening breeze softly brushing my face as I wheeled on, that I finally felt the thrill of biking. Won't be hitting the road or any trails soon, but will continue to wheel on. #

Pink Super Moon

 

 I love pink things. I know that the pink supermoon won't be literally pink, but I was tickled pink (pun intended) when I looked up and saw a big moon with a pinkish hue.

 

 

 

 

New Flowers

Yesterday was my hubby and I’s wedding anniversary and he said that he forgot to order a bouquet. I replied that I want to go to Mindanao Avenue Garden Center to buy flowering plants na lang.

We went this morning after running a couple of errands. It was our first time to go. We noticed that there was a line of cars going inside the place and my hubby started complaining. 🙄 The center has several stalls but the path for cars is so narrow it was one-way. When we left we had to back up the car. I had to be quick. 

 

I was looking for plants that I can put in my vacant plant boxes. I already have a lantana and it is easy to care for and flowers easily. I bought six pots.

I used to have a pompom plant which died so I bought one. I also liked the dwarf sunflower. It was not my intention to buy mostly yellow flowers but they look so cheery so there. My haul was 400 pesos for eight plants without pots.

I was planning to re-pot them tomorrow morning but I got excited na.

 

Please please please don’t die on me. 🙏🏻 #

First RT PCR Swab Test

 I am working on something that requires a nasopharyngeal RT-PCR test. I have undergone two rapid antigen tests before, the first was through blood pricking at the office before we went back during GCQ last year and the second was a nasal swab when we had a hotel staycation. Thankfully, both negative.

I kept putting off doing the test because of the surge in cases. However, the deadline was looming near. I decided to have it done at Metro North Medical Center and Hospital because it is near our house. I inquired through phone first and they said they accept walk-ins in the morning.

 

 Photo from Metro North Hospital website

 

I arrived at around 10:00 A.M. There is a small room set-up outside of the hospital. I input my information on tablets located at the entrance. I told the guard that I was going to avail of the RT PCR test for work. A nurse went out and gave me a form. She said a doctor's referral was required, but since I was not exhibiting symptoms and it was for work, she just got me a referral from the emergency room. She also asked for an ID and I forgot to bring one. I emailed it to them na lang. After a while, the cashier went out and collected my P5,500.00 payment in cash.

Now, for the swab. I was ushered into the small room outside the hospital. The nurse took samples from both my nostrils (double ouch) and throat. It was a bit uncomfortable and I felt like I was gonna cry and sneeze at the same time.

The result was emailed to me after one and a half days. Thank God, negative! It pays to be OA in the age of COVID. #

Painting with the Kids

 

 When the lockdown started last year, my son suddenly developed high-grade fever followed by intense coughing. COVID tests were really scarce then and we were scared to go to a hospital. We gave him paracetamol every 4 hours but the fever kept coming back. We had no choice but to bring him to the ER where he was diagnosed with acute respiratory infection and sent home to continue meds. When he and hubby arrived home, he had watery poop. His former pedia said to treat him as if he had COVID. We had no yaya then and my senior citizen MIL was helping us out so we had to send her to my SIL's house so she won't catch what my son had. I became mommy, yaya, cook, lavandera and cleaning lady for 2 weeks so I didn't have the luxury of bingeing on Netflix, decluttering, or taking up a new hobby like the rest. It was the longest 2 weeks of my life and while we never found it if it was COVID, I am now grateful that we managed to survive it.

Alas, we are back on lockdown and mercifully, none of my kids are sick. I finally have the time and mental head space to open the big box of crafts my friend sent my kids last Christmas pa. We discovered that my kids like to paint. Well, more of my daughter, who has appropriated a big box of crayons and markers supposedly gifted to her brother.

Here are my son's works:

On Fittonias

Way before everyone started buying (or hoarding) plants, I had a mild interest in growing plants. We have a terrace which gets adequate morning sun so I dabbled in buying plants. However, most plants used to die on me. I managed to kill cacti and euphorbia plants (which are basically cacti also). 

When the pandemic started, my MIL was with us. She has a great green thumb and had a vast garden in the province. I knew she was bored in our tiny unit so I started buying plants, pots, seeds, and soil so she could start sprucing up our balcony. And she did! 

This was our balcony in June 2020:

 Of the (numerous) plants I bought, I was drawn to fittonias because I read they were diva-like: they hate the direct sun, they wilt when thirsty, and perk up when watered. They also have dark green leaves that have white, pink or red veins running through them. I was curious, and I was challenged to keep them alive.

 This was the very first fittonia I bought. I think it was around P650.00. 

 

40

I turned 40 at the beginning of the year. I consider it as a sort of blessing (for lack of a better word) that the lockdown occurred early last year that I have not yet even begun thinking planning for my 40th birthday. I don’t usually celebrate my birthdays in a grand way, since it’s so close to New Year’s, we just lump my birthday feast with New Year’s Day lunch or dinner. I just thought though that turning 40 entailed a grand celebration, but Covid-19 shot all plans to hell.

Whereas I usually celebrated with family and friends, this year’s celebration was much much more quiet because we were unable to go home to the province. We’ve also chosen not to meet up with friends for the meantime. So we just had lunch with my SIL and nephew, sans yayas who were on extended Christmas vacation (buti pa sila).

 One thing about being older is better spending power. I gifted myself with a pre-loved Louis Vuitton Saleya bag. It’s my first one. When hubby asked me what I wanted, I forwarded to him a photo of a Louis Vuitton monogram Victorine wallet. He bought it and even added an Alma BB bag (surprise Neverfull sana but he saw my Saleya and I said I don’t like bags without zippers). From zero LVs to three real quick kung kelan nowhere to go and scary to sanitize luxury items LOL. I really want to use them though because YOLO but still researching how to safely sanitize them.

 Downside naman is that I get tired more easily. I don’t take the elevator to my 4th floor office and I am out of breath when I arrive - or it could be due to the face shield and mask combo. I get lower back aches from time to time that I really miss our weekly home service massages, sob.

 One of my wishes is that Covid be gone really soon so I can relish how life begins at 40. #