What I’m grateful for, week 50 of 52

December 21, 2021 Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

1. Incredibly smart people that are kind. Often, one can show up without the other. I’ve been lucky enough to know and love people that are both. I learn so much everyday and I’m thankful for the people that make that a human experience and not just a transactional one.

2. Progress. I am an extremely impatient person, and more than once I have cried about setbacks the past week, but at the end of the day, even the smallest steps are still steps. I can often forget that, so this is a good reminder.

3. Being able to witness people show up to an office talent show. It may sound lame, but with less than a week’s notice, talented freaking people showed up and did not phone it in. It could have been so easy to just be chill and not have anyone participate, but we saw amazing talent, and it’s such a great baseline for next year. It’s the little things.

Song of the week: Tayong Dalawa sa Pasko by Nobita

What are you grateful for?

-J

Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Songs to listen to · Thanks

What I’m grateful for, week 48 of 52

December 6, 2021 Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

1. The beginning of independence. Sounds ridiculous for someone who’s 35 years old, but also in a very traditional, conservative country and family. I am being vague on purpose, but independence means a lot to me — especially what it took to get there.

2. Great support. I have leaned on a lot of people, and continue to lean on still. It still takes a village to survive this (gestures at everything), and I’m glad my tribe is solid.

3. The healing power of music. I’ve tossed, turned, had incredibly vivid sad dreams this week, and when I get up — the only people awake are across the world and are hard to hug. Solution? Music. I’ve listened to bass drops and classical symphonies, and Disney to get my headspace a little out of funk, and it’s helped a ton.

Song of the week: Eleanor Rigby, rearranged by Cody Fry with an 80 piece orchestra and 400 person choir. I have been a puddle on the floor, especially with these lyrics:

All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?

I’ve found my new funeral song.

What are you grateful for?

Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Thanks

What I’m grateful for, week 47 of 52

November 30, 2021 Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

1. Belly laughs with friends after two years. This pandemic sucks and it has permanently fucked us up, but when it comes to the real stuff, I’m glad to know I have them. And they know they have me.

2. Holiday time off. Night shift is rough, and I won’t be able to keep this up for too long, so time off is a blessing. No alarms. Being able to do things in the day without being utterly exhausted, almost incoherent. Sleeping. It’s a lot.

3. Love. And I don’t mean the romantic stuff, but the other forms of it. Love for friends. For amazing people. For emotional support animals. For people that are in the background. Love is a difficult, complicated, heartbreaking thing, but I’m thankful I get to experience it.

Song of the week: Budapest by George Ezra

What are you grateful for?

-J

food · Gratitude · Love/Life · Thanks

What I’m grateful for, week 44 of 52

November 8, 2021 Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

1. Meeting a friend’s newborn via Zoom. I’ve seen pictures, I’ve asked about the baby, but I finally met her this week. She was wonderful. This thing I’ve done where half the people I love will always be half the world away? Honestly hurts, but that’s what happens when you keep your heart open. People can get in. And now I have a whole new generation of loved ones across the world.

2. New food with old friends. One of my favorite couples took me out this weekend and it was fantastic. To be around them, to walk outdoors, to see beautiful things and have dope food. I know I wasn’t the best company but I was really very happy.

3. Making one of my favorite banchan. It was terrible because it was too salty, but now I know I can. Veg + sesame oil is a fantastic combination I will always try.

Song of the week: I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes) by The 1975

What are you grateful for?

Gratitude · Jodythinks · Thanks

What I’m grateful for, week 43 of 52

November 1, 2021November 14, 2021 Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

1. Gummy worms. Sounds lame, but a tub full is one of my favorite stress treats. And that’s exactly what helped me this week. Not gonna lie, a whole tub can’t be healthy, but every little bit helps.

2. Reuniting with one of my favorite shirts. After I complimented him on it, a friend literally took the shirt off his back to give to me, (of course he had another layer on) and it is now my favorite pieces of clothing. Not just because of how insanely cute the print is, but the story behind it.

3. The healing power of food. I made a whole bunch of food in a day and ate most of it myself. There’s a lot a full stomach can do. Especially when you’re working with limited choices.

Song of the week: Save Me by Aimee Mann

What are you grateful for?

Gratitude · Love/Life · Thanks

What I’m grateful for, week 42 of 52

October 25, 2021November 14, 2021 Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

1. Being able to cook. Work has been kicking my ass lately, and it feels like one thing right after another. There are a lot of things I cannot, and will not even try to control, but being home means access to the kitchen I’ve cooked in the most. I cooked a few things this week, and the thing that I love about cooking as a concept is that it’s fairly predictable and you know you’re getting something out of it. My audience though, fairly divided. But that’s another story.

2. Negronis. My last one being in a bar in Haight-Ashbury, having a double I made this week, almost has me back in cozy season with one of my favorite people. For now, alcohol.

3. Fresh sheets. I’m still buried under a mountain of laundry and not the right weather to do it, but hey, had to do something. While my sheets will always be imperfect (because rabbits), they are mine and I do what I can to make myself comfortable.

Song of the week: Sun and Moon by Lea Salonga and Simon Bowman

What are you grateful for?

Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Thanks

What I’m grateful for, week 38 of 52

September 27, 2021 Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

1. Safe travels. It’s very scary travelling right now, but I was fortunate enough to have journeyed to my destination with little issues. Even more so, to have a whole row to myself for a long haul flight. Being able to stretch out and actually sleep a majority of it, big plus.

2. Airconditioning and a nice view. I am in isolation right now, and will be for the next week. Being stuck in one room is bad, but climate control and a way to look out to the sunrise, super helpful.

3. Sugar and caffeine. My two biggest vices (besides charming, intelligent men) and I have been abusing them this week. I’ll do less sugar soon, but caffeine will still be my partner in night shift, and if anything, these brain altering chemicals are the least of my worries.

Song of the week: Shit Show by Peter McPoland

What are you grateful for?

Gratitude · Love/Life · Thanks

What I’m grateful for, week 37 of 52

September 20, 2021September 27, 2021 Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

1. Gorgeous food. I was fortunate enough to score tables at great places in a fun city this week, had spectacular food (which matched the bill), got the full dining experience, and for a self professed food enthusiast, was pretty fucking great.

2. An almost romantic train ride. One of these years I will do one of those beatiful train car rides to be experience it once. Getting on a train for 2 hours in a beautiful coast, on a quiet car, was really pleasant. Like a good reset.

3. Getting things done. I was not fully ready for my weekend and i had a lot of help. I truly believe my friend Anna can run a small country and not break a sweat. Family also came through with a ton of help and guidance. I travel technically alone but I always have the help of my “tribe(s)”

Song of the week: On Fire by Switchfoot

What are you grateful for?

Gratitude · Love/Life · Thanks

What I’m grateful for, week 31/52

August 10, 2021August 19, 2021 Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

1. Homes and homies. I have been shuttled around so much, and have had access to friends’s homes and families. I have slept better, ate better, and have laughed harder than I have in so long, and I cherish every moment. I am a sap, and will hold snapshots in my head as long as I can.

2. Private karaoke rooms with like minded friends. Singing at the top of my lungs, with friends who were also singing as loud > hitting actual notes.

3. Access to family who are usually so far away, and loved ones who trek with you when you forget things. I was able to hang out with a beloved aunt and come back in the same day. I know how lucky I am to be here, I just forget sometimes when I’m extra whiny.

Song of the week: Ocean Eyes by: Billie Eilish

What are you grateful for this week?

Gratitude · Thanks · Work

What I’m grateful for, week 22 of 52

June 7, 2021 Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

1. Small wins. Like this Thursday’s end of day dinner of tacos and ice cream. I did not deserve it because I have not earned it workout wise, but boy did it feel great after a long day.

2. Good people. We had five new folks start with our team this week, and it was fantastic to confirm that they were good folks and really fit the team, culture and brains wise.

3. The Roadrunner trailer coming out. With his third death anniversary being today, him being everywhere just feels like a healthy way to celebrate his life. I can’t wait for it, and will also need a ton of ice cream to get through it.

4. A productive weekend. Picking up Cheester’s meds. Seeing our cousin that we haven’t seen in more than a year. Doing a little bit of retail therapy. Moments that matter a lot.

Song of the week: The Future by San Holo

What are you grateful for?