Things as they happened . . .

I just realized the last blog I wrote was in 2020.  A lot has happened.  I wanted to go back to writing and try to summarize the past as far as I can remember.

Covid. March 16, 2020 - National lockdown happened.  It was terrible.  Unexpected.  Tumigil ang mundo.  Ramdam ng mga tao ang pagbabago.  Maraming naapektuhan, maraming nadepress.  But life must go on.

Wearing face masks became mandatory.  No one is allowed to cross the city without approval from the originating city.  

The factory stayed operational despite the lockdown.  We convinced our employees to stay inside the factory and continue working, we need to deliver.  The company provided their needs.  It lasted for about 2 months.

Work from home setup was introduced.

In November of the same year, I tested positive for the virus together with my husband and son,  I can't even describe the feeling.  Physically painful, mentally torturing, and emotionally draining.  Johnny had a fever, accompanied by a severe headache.  I nursed him, then my son was next, he felt so weak with joint pains.  I was ok.  A few days later, I was preparing breakfast, sauteed the garlic for the fried rice, and boom!!! I can't smell it.  I ran to the bathroom and tried to smell the shampoo and soap, but I can't.  We all went to the Covid testing center and we all tested positive.  I don't know how to stay optimistic about the situation.  What I know is I can't be beaten by the virus, I have to stay focused.  We stayed home, and lock the gates so nobody can enter the compound.

After 2 weeks of quarantine, we were allowed to go out after testing negative.  Realizations?  Too many.  We are now living in uncertainties, we do not know what tomorrow can bring.  Live your life according to what you believe.  We hold on to our faith.  It's important.  Serve God, be a good person, forgive, and forget.  Money is useless at times like this.  Express your love to your family and to everyone.  Do not stress yourself with the things you can't control.  Stay healthy.

We became more active in biking.

                              

2021 - The work-from-home setup continued.  Zoom calls became popular as the best platform for e- meetings.  While I was enjoying the setup, I didn't realize, people get depressed.  There are people who struggle and it's real.  As a leader, I asked myself, what can I do to help?  Good thing we have a strong and reliable HR team in the company, willing to support and do the extra mile. 

                          

Different variants of the virus were introduced in 2021.  Omicron, Delta among others.  The government is pushing so hard to get everyone vaccinated.  I had my first in June 2021- Astra Zenica, my second after 3 months, and a Pfizer booster in January 2022.  When we had our strategic planning in Washington DC, I booked an appointment at CVC pharmacy for my second booster.

2022 - It started to ease up.  Malls start to open, restrictions were lifted, and wearing masks is not mandatory anymore, we are allowed to attend gatherings.  But is it really safe?  There are still occasional lockdowns in China, affecting the supply chain.  Are we truly safe?  

My hope is that 2023 will be the year when we can get our lives back.  Life will never be the same, we will always be dealing with the aftermath of the pandemic for many years to come.  But those years during the pandemic have taught us a lot.  It taught us to appreciate the things we have, and the people around us. To be contented, and that money isn't everything.  It also taught us to be strong, to be more expressive.  Give love and be loved.  Spend quality time with the family, be more affectionate, and say I love you as long as you can.  Prioritize our physical and mental health.  We will never know what tomorrow will bring.  Life is short and precious, spend it wisely.  Live your life as if it's your last.  Forgive and be happy.

Relieve stress and anxiety

The spread of infectious disease globally has caused a lot of changes in people's lives.  I personally would like to reflect on how the pandemic affected my work, my family, and my faith.  The fear and anxiety when this will end can be emotionally overwhelming.  Knowing that at this time, there is no specific vaccine or treatment available yet.

To protect oneself, we have to stay healthy and avoid face to face interaction with people.  The only way to isolate ourselves is to stay at home.  From an 8 hour job in the office, my world has turned upside down.   I have to endure working from home and was forced to manage my time effectively.  I also need to consider an operational factory and a number of managers who need directions. And like me, I know that they are also struggling and trying to cope up with stress.  We call it the new normal.  

We maximize social media platforms to get everything running and to connect to the world. But it can sometimes be stressful. You don't know when to stop and disconnect.  Burnout often happens.  After four months of working from home, I realized that working from home can be particularly challenging when you are surrounded by different distractions. We need to learn how to manage our time properly.  I can share some things I did to cope up with stress.

Learn when to disconnect - Remember that our work is endless, as long as you read emails, it will be difficult to stop.  So please learn when to disconnect.  In a diverse company like GrainPro embracing the new normal is really a challenge.  

Zoom call with the team

Take your calls outdoor while enjoying a cup of coffee

Rest - This is important. Our job requires mental strength and this can be more exhausting than a physical job.  Try to have complete rest.

Watch Netflix, eat chocolates, it won't hurt.

Focus on other things - Researchers have found that even taking very brief breaks by shifting your attention elsewhere can dramatically improve mental focus.  Shift your attention to something not related to what you are doing even for a few moments.  It helps.  Believe me.

Tend to your garden

Catch a dragonfly (make sure to free them afterward)

Recharge - Stress can take a toll on our body even if we do not have a physical job.  Take time to take care of our bodies.  Exercise.  Do something fun.  As I always say, happiness is defined by no other than YOU.  Do what makes you happy.  It can be a variety of things.  Gardening, spending time with family and friends, painting, baking, reading books, watching your favorite Korean drama etc.

Fat out.  Cycling is fun!

If you miss them, be with them.

Samgyupsal yum!

Pig out

Pray - The importance of faith can not be underestimated.  The world can go wrong but strong faith can carry us through.  

                                                  

Brunei - the fifth richest nation

It has been a while since I wrote a blog.  I just can't help but be inspired and share my experience during my trip to Brunei.

I went there with my husband as a celebration of our 30th wedding anniversary.  The destination was actually picked not on purpose but on budget.  We planned to go to Thailand and I was trying to book for a cheaper flight but unfortunately, the rate going to Bangkok is high all year round.  So I kept browsing and I came across Brunei, half the price.  So I decided to book for the two of us on a 3-day vacation.  

Then I started to look for cheap hotels, (that's what back packers do) when my Boss convinced me to book for Airbnb.  I started browsing and I found 3 hosts in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei.  The first thing to check when booking Airbnb is the feedback of the guests who came from that place.  Then of course the location.  So I chose Lau's House.  Their house is a 15 minute drive from the airport.  Our host is a couple from Malaysia and Indonesia with a cute 2-year old daughter. I've read so much positive experiences before I decided to book this one.  The rate is cheaper compared to a hotel plus it will be a new experience for us.

Our host Eirene with her cutie little daughter Becca.

We arrived late night, but a friend who works in Brunei picked us up at the airport.  We reached Lau's house at Simpang 41.  It's a simple one, clean and homey with a spare air conditioned room where we stayed.  The following morning, James (the husband) dropped us off to down town and told us where all the interesting places we could visit.  With a map on our hand, off we go.

First stop is the "Water Village"  where the Cultural and Tourism Gallery is.  The place is called Kampong Ayer.  We were the first and only visitors that time because it's too early.

Taken at the Cultural Gallery.  Oooops no taking pictures inside, sorry. 

39,000 people live in this water village and considered as the world's largest water village.

We noticed that almost all the establishments, malls, stores have Filipino workers.  We learned that the amount of workers in Brunei is almost 23,000.  Starting salary is about $400 and some of the kababayans we talked with were already in Brunei for like more than 10 years and receiving salary of more than $800.

Her name is Chelle, lived in Brunei for 3 years with her husband and their kid.  She said living in Brunei is simple yet peaceful.

One thing I can say about Brunei is....there is no traffic.  As my hosts put it, it's paradise there.  If you are from Manila or India or Jakarta?  You will appreciate Brunei.

Then our friend Marlowe, who's working in Brunei for almost 7 years now, took time to tour us to the town of Seria where the Billionth Barrel Monument is located.  The monument was built in 1991 to commemorate the production of the billionth barrel of oil extracted in the rich Seria field.

With my friend Marlowe.  

Taken at the Billionth Barrel Monument 

The place is simply spectacular.  You can feel the richness of the land.  With all the oil extraction machines around you, that pumps the oil non-stop.  This is where the wealth of Brunei is coming from and it's there right beside us.  Simply amazing.

Taken in front of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. The mosque's most recognizable feature - the main dome, is covered in pure gold. 

It's called the most beautiful mosque in Asia Pacific - Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, it's the symbol of their Islamic Faith.  I just learned that they are not allowed to build high rise buildings taller than their mosque, so most of the buildings in Brunei are on average height.  People go to this place and pray.  Our hosts warned us that since it is a Friday, every establishment in the city close down from 12-2 pm to give way to their prayers.  We have to grab an early lunch.

Below are some of the interesting places we've visited:

Inside the super elegant 7-star hotel in Brunei.  The Empire Hotel.  

This is where the Sultan of Brunei resides.  It's called the Istana Nurul Iman.  Located on the riverside of Brunei River , a few kilometers south of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei.

In front of the most lavish and largest mosque in Brunei.  Jame-asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque.

Jame'asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, located in Bandar Seri Begawan, is the largest mosque in Brunei. It was built to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the sultan's reign, and opened in 1994. It is known locally as the Kiarong mosque. 

It's impossible to miss this mosque.  It's glaring at night. You can get here by bus for a very cheap 1 Brunei dollar.

The escalator on my back is the sultan's own personal escalator at his private entrance to the mosque.

This experience for me is one of the best I have ever had.  I learned a lot about the culture, the country and the people.  I wouldn't mind coming back, maybe 2 years from now.

An update on my Bucket List

It's been years since I wrote my bucket list.  A friend once advised I can update it now and see what have I achieved over the years.  Let's see:

My bucket list may not be that interesting but it consists of goals that I want to achieve, dreams I want to fulfill and experiences I want to do before I die.  Here is my list.

1.  👍 Visit Grand Canyon

I visited this place in 2014 when I was in California.  My brother works and currently lives there. 

2. Visit Disneyland with my grandchildren 

This will happen in November this year.  I am saving up for this.

3. Visit Petra Jordan with my husband

Still on the list.

4. Visit Santorini, Greece with my husband

Working on this

5. Finish my MBA

I am halfway through.

6.  👍 Have our own car

I have mine.

7. Visit Norway with my husband

Still working on it.

8.  👍 Play with snow

One item ticked.  Did this with my sister and her family in Nevada.

9. Visit Safari

My colleague Rose Ndungu promised to take me there

10. Visit Jerusalem

Still a dream

11. Put up a small nursing home for elder people 

This is one of my optimum dreams, to put up a small home for elder people so we can give them the best care they deserve even before they die.  I still don't know how to do it but I am hoping I will be able to do this in the future.

Praying for this!

12. Be able to support at least 10 children to send to school

I learned to value education during the mid-years of my life.  It came late but pursued to finish my degree.  I want to start helping people, of course, the less fortunate ones who can't afford to go to school.  I think I already started my first step as I provide school supplies to a few children close to me.  I have been doing this for quite some time now.

Currently, I am supporting mostly relatives.  Giving school allowances and helping with their tuition fees.  Almost there but still a long way to go.

3 items ticked on my list.  Hoping to be able to make my dreams happen in the future.

I call it...PERSEVERANCE

June 2007 when I was hired at GrainPro Phils., Inc. as the Logistics and Purchasing Manager.  I was qualified I think because of my experience with Import/Export process from my previous jobs. I applied with all honesty as I did not finish any course in college.  Luckily, I was hired.

June 2008 was my job anniversary at GrainPro, Tom, our President evaluated my performance and he was quite happy with what I have achieved in one year but he asked me if I want to continue my studies.  I told him that I will think about it.

Years passed, every anniversary he would ask me if I have plans of getting a degree, I told Tom that  I am enjoying my position, and I am learning a lot so I think there is no need to study as I know my craft very well, I can basically manage 2 departments, so why do I need to study?  He was consistent on reminding me to think about finishing a degree.  Every year I would tell him, I will think about it.

Year 2011 when I learned about  New Era University-Vantage Education Management, it is an Open University  that offers on-line study.  I inquired and got interested, I told myself...why not try.  So I enrolled October 2011 but unfortunately I have to start as a freshman.  I decided to take up BSBA-Marketing Management.

Today, I received an email from the school that finally I will be graduating. Yes! When I saw my name on the list of graduating students, I was overwhelmed and ecstatic.  I ran to Tom and told him the good news.  He was so happy hearing about it.  He was a big part of this success as he pushed me every single time. Now I realized that if it was not because of his persistent nature, I will not be able to complete this course.  

I owe a lot to my colleagues too.  It was not an easy journey for me.  At the age of 44, I have to start from scratch.  The good thing is that I have all the support I have ever needed.  One of the disadvantages of studying on-line is that you so not have somebody or a Professor whom you can ask questions if you do not understand the topic or you need any further clarifications.  You have to do everything all by yourself.  Good thing is, there is Mr. Google and my ever supportive office mates.  From Accounting to Engineering, you name it, I have all the support.  Most especially to my family who believed in me and who is always standing by me.  Above all, our Almighty God who made all of my hard work, a success.

On April 29, I will be receiving my first ever college diploma.  It is a feeling I cannot explain.  I am just elated on this new found success in my life.  I finally did it and I call it...perseverance.

I love Coffee

Where does good coffee come from?  My friend and colleague Daniel claims good coffee comes from his homeland - Ethiopia.  True to his words, Coffea Arabica originated from Ethiopia and growing Arabica plant has become important to the economy of the country. Ethiopia is the world’s seventh largest producer of coffee.

But wait, my beloved friend Chema from Central America has something to say too, he totally disagrees to the facts stated by Daniel.  He claims good coffee comes from Brazil.  Brazil is the world's largest producer of coffee mainly because of its climate which is perfect for growing coffee.  

Hey, what do these facts have to do with me?  I would love to share that I am a coffee lover.  My fondness of drinking 'real' coffee, and I mean real coffee came not from Starbucks but from the everyday brewing of coffee in our office.  I came to love the smell of freshly brewed coffee.  The smell alone increases my adrenaline.

I can't last a day without coffee

Sisters

Having a sister is like having a best friend, you can't get rid of.  You know whatever you do she will always be there - Amy Li

Is this true to me and my sister?  Maybe yes.  We didn't grow up together, i have very few memories of us playing together.  What I could clearly remember is that she is far more feminine than I am.  She is Cristy, named after my father Cristobal.  She's 2 years younger than I am.  

Our Father was a US Naval Base employee for over 30 years.  He was granted a Special Immigrant Visa by the US government which serves as a way for my siblings to go to the states.  They migrated in Hawaii.  A place my father loved and admired so much.  

Cristy got married at 25, to Juan, also a Filipino but raised in Hawaii.  Blessed with 4 kids, she is trying to balance her work, being a mom, a wife and her active participation inside the church.

Meet Cristy, my sister, friends call her Kitte.