Category: Gratitude

Life is short, week 33 of 52
Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Work

Life is short, week 33 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status report: Finished my nebules, and I don’t know if I’m hallucinating the cigarette smoke going into the vents.

Life moments of the week:

1. Chester being back at the vet, diagnosed with stress. I get it Chester, I miss her too. So much so this week, when I realized how much you follow me around now. She was such a big personality, and she loved on both of us so well, that we’re both feeling the hole she left. It’ll get better, I promise.

2. A wake up call. There’s nothing like a jarring realization to reset you. This past week, I got a punch in the gut of sorts and had to walk away for a minute. It was frankly, demeaning, but also, a good way to pull me back to earth. You never really know until it gets called out — how much your efforts mean to people. Two years ago, this would have prompted a lot of emotional reactions. Now it’s more reason to find meaning in not just one part of my life. Including evaluating where I am and where I need to be. Maybe I’m learning to be more mature. Or maybe I already know where I need to get to.

3. Being able to sing again. I have been literally coughing for a month. So much so if I have more than 30 minutes of conversation, I lose my voice. So I haven’t been singing. Not even speaking when I don’t have to. It’s being managed by really good asthma medication (And overtesting against covid) and now I can sing again. And I have been hitting musicals. Lea, Idina, Kristin

Song of the week: This is Me by Kaela Settle

-J

Life is short, week 32 of 52
Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Work

Life is short, week 32 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status update: Once a week nebulizing, but an almost everyday relationship with my inhaler. Only one migraine for the week which is a win — but also upping my caffeine intake by a lot with yakult jasmine iced teas. Eh. We do what we can.

Moments of the week:

1. New routines with Cheester. He has been extra clingy with Chibi being gone and has been “going to work” and then “heading back” every day. We may have overdone it with the treats but we live, we learn.

2. Timing. Cheester had mild stasis on a Friday — but also Doc Ferds, our favorite vet was in town out of schedule. I am thoroughly grateful for timing for this instance. We might not have saved our Chibi, but she is saving her Chester(is what I’d like to think.).

3. Time to breathe a bit. I have been running ragged learning new things and making sure we’re able to deliver. It’s challenging, and it’s overwhelming and incredibly stressful, but at the end, we’re growing. The after work moments of being able to laugh at the last season of Brooklyn 99, and restocking the fridge with 3 kinds of ice cream are what gets me through.

4. Dinner/lunch with a couple of friends. Yes I usually just want to sit and listen at the end of my workdays these days. But seeing friends — even if I don’t contribute as much to conversation, is a blessing. Just laughing about silly things. Eating too much. Smelling like Korean barbecue even after two showers. All worth it.

Song of the week: I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For by U2

-j

Life is short, week 31 of 52
food · Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life

Life is short, week 31 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status report: Hives 7 days a week, and now nebulizing my asthma — and got my first inhaler. I need to get my shit together. Or get more sleep. One or the other.

Moments of the week:

1. Learning a new skill. A couple friends came over with a full kit and caboodle and spent most of Saturday teaching me and my sister a new skill — putting on our own makeup. Honestly — was much less stressful than I thought. Can I remake the look without close supervision? That’s yet to be proven. But I did order a mirror because there is a shortage of it in this house. Baby steps. I’ve always enjoyed a smoky eye — and was able to create a brown tinted one successfully. That’s not a small thing for a person who didn’t own foundation (until her sister bought the wrong shade and had to give it to her).

2. A group chat. Honestly, this chat keeps me sane a lot of the time. These are wonderful friends and people I respect. They show up, and are a big part of why I’m still alive and kicking.

3. A great cheese plate. Said cousin from the week before gave us ingredients for a heck of an amazing cheese plate. I always make the ugliest looking ones — but this one was styled by said friend, and actually looked fanfriggingtastic.

Song of the week: Make Me Wanna Die by The Pretty Reckless

-J

Life is short, week 30 of 52
food · Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life

Life is short, week 30 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status report: I think I’ve developed GERD because now I get woken up by the feeling of nausea. Anxiety hives are twice a day now. I live on a diet of sugar and caffeine.

Life is short moments from the past week:

1. Cheester being such a good coworker. We’ve been attached at the hip, which makes it hard to actually go out, but it’s like he’s taken it upon himself to be my emotional support animal. And because I’ve had a really overwhelming few weeks, it’s really made a difference.

2. Learning a lot. It’s a lot. I’m always the first person to admit I’m not an expert, but I always make sure to ask questions. I’m still on a “do you know this” stage for a lot of things, but so far everyone on this learning journey has been incredibly kind, go above and beyond, and has so much willingness to help.

3. Seeing old friends. We literally spent a few hours saying we’re old. Realized we’ve been friends for more than a decade. Hung out with another friend at her amazing place. I lost several hours of sleep but it was well worth it.

Song of the week: Take a Chance on Me from the Mamma Mia soundtrack

-J

Life is short, week 26 of 52
Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Songs to listen to · Thanks

Life is short, week 26 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status update: Migraines and insomnia. Advil close to running out, and Tylenol has stopped working for headaches. Is the insomnia causing the migraines or are the migraines causing the insomnia?

Life is short moments of the week:

1. Chipped teeth getting fixed. Teeth are expensive, and now even more so. I broke two front teeth and was semi-hillbilly like for a day. It was nice seeing the dentist I’ve seen since I was in the single digits. Couple decades later and we’ve seen her get married, have two kids, and now have one graduate college.

2. Routine checkups turning into health scares. Mom is great about regular checkups, dad not so much. She took him with her on a routine checkup that turned very scary for a couple days. Thankfully it was handled (not by me, but people who are actually awake and around when doctors are on), but here’s crossing all fingers and toes that it resolves soon. I haven’t seen my doctors since the pandemic started, but I hope it’s not terrible. (i know i know. I’ll figure it out)

3. Seeing family. Family time is amazing and is a great way to reset. We had to go home for Ninang’s 40 days, and to finally clean out Nanay’s things. As a grandkid that didn’t grow up with her and having limited shared memories, I was very thankful to have an opportunity to reminisce. Also to take some of her things home. I’m literally going to be rocking some grandma style soon and I can’t wait.

Song of the week: Hold my Hand by Jess Glynne

-J

Life is short, week 25 of 52
Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Thanks

Life is short, week 25 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status update: Two almost caffeine migraines, and antihistamine sleep aids with some random af nightmares.

Life is short moments of note:

1. Learning to make a childhood favorite. I have an aunt that makes the most amazing food. She has always been skilled in the kitchen. Anything that she makes is the best version of it (but definitely the least healthy). My favorite is a squash vegetable mix that she makes with okra, eggplant, fresh shrimp shells, and apparently, the fat from frying pork. I made it this week with the shrimp shells i stuck in the freezer, but no pork fat oil. It was great, but missing squash blossoms and a bit more umami (just needs more oink). But it was great. It reminds me the next time I’m in the bay, I’ll ask her for her cooking secrets. Nobody writes anything down in this family.

2. Assembling my first desk. I have always had help with my furniture, and the last thing I assembled I’ve thrown out because of my shoddy work, and almost gave up on the replacement as well. My other desk, which was a gift, was falling apart. I was picking up screws and hinges and it was basically at risk of collapsing any moment. I knew I shouldn’t be too dependent on other, more skilled people and learn to at least put together a desk. So I did. It hasn’t fallen apart yet which is promising.

3. Baked goods. I have been having entirely too much. But in a very comforting way. I know I need to have less sugar — but it helps to stay awake. And have something nice when things are rough.

Song of the week: Have a Little Faith In Me by Joe Cocker

-J

Life is short, week 23 of 52
food · Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life

Life is short, week 23 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status report: Hives, 5 out of 7 days. I’m going to need to restock antihistamines soon.

Life is short moments of the week:

1. Getting to my favorite local market. Farmer’s market has always been solid. Super fresh veggies and seafood in reasonable prices. Which meant I spent more than usual on veggies and fresh ingredients. Scored sashimi, lemons, and such fresh shrimp. Always makes me feel better, even if my wallet feels lighter.

2. My favorite Italian place in the city. In the 90s, an Italian former papparazo married a Filipina, and they opened a restaurant in Cubao Expo. It was exceptionally good that day — everything was done a la minute and served perfectly. My mom was groaning in fullness but it was only because her pants weren’t stretchy and her belt was high up. She is the most of the three of us to want to suffer for fashion.

3. The best new smell i’ve smelled in a while. While at Cubao Expo, Joannaman pointed out a candle shop she said she follows on Instagram. It was The Doctor Chandler shop. First sniff and we were hooked. Mom bought their Oxytocin scent within the first 4 minutes, while Joannaman and I spent 15 minutes smelling most of everything. We had to narrow down our likes to one, and I picked Testosterone. Joannaman didn’t buy anything, but my list of what else to try are Adrenaline, Carbon and Oxygen. I am frankly obsessed and light this candle when I wind down at the end of the day and am lying down. I will prolly do this until I get super tired of it.

Song of the week: The Story by Brandi Carlile

-J

Life is short, week 21 of 52
Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life

Life is short, week 21 of 52

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status report: Caffeine withdrawal migraines and regular hives. Aka back home and normal for my old age

Life Is Short moments of the week:

1. Being able to say goodbye, and hug loved ones I haven’t seen the past two years. It feels like a lot of my updates sound dramatic. Long story short, a great aunt passed away last week, and I was driving. We missed her passing by 30 minutes. I was feeling so bad about it, but found our later she hasn’t been conscious in three days.

While it was a sucky reason to finally be able to go home to my mom’s hometown, it was such a blessing to hug and spend time with the family, which we haven’t done since 2020(!). Hopefully no one gets sick so we can keep seeing each other.

2. Spontaneous outings. With my friends being adults (mothers, fathers, grandmothers, caregivers to seniors, etc), it takes so much to plan time together. When it came together suddenly on a Monday it was too good to worry about being awake 26 hours and counting. We ate at 6 places in 4 hours, and laughed until we got tired.

3. Food delivery. Working nights and getting caught up at work, I sometimes forget to eat until I’m almost blacking out from lack of sugar in my system. By then I’m crashing and eating so much sugary junk to catch up. It’s not healthy, and not a great feeling. So when I know I will be home most of the working week and have no time to make food, I get a full week of food delivered. It is a godsend.

Song of the week: OMW (Back Home) by Clara Benin

-J