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. #