OC Weekend Staycation

 The weekend was spent with relatives at Orange County for two events. First was for Raziel and Jack's vow renewal and reception, the final leg of their wedding journey which started on March 2020 but due to the pandemic, the grand party had to wait. Last Saturday at The Hangar 21 in Fullerton, guests celebrated with the couple with fun ,dance and drinks. It was such a notable occasion to mingle with relatives unmasked, and we were able to hug and kiss one another.

The following day, 16 of us trooped to Disneyland Park. My last visit here was on February 2019. I myself was surprised to hear my scream upon seeing Mickey and all the other characters during the parade. I guess I was too glad to be there and feel that life is really indeed back like how we knew it before COVID.

My gorgeous sisters Arlette and Tal were with me. Our communication is constant and consistent and I like that , we make time for each other. Texts and photos about anything under the sun are sent almost on a daily basis. We tried the Star Wars Rise of the Resistance ride (  I am not sure if I am correct with the name), it was not a very exciting ride for me since it has no drop, nonetheless, the graphics or however you call it is ultra impressive. Fyi, I haven't watch a single movie of the said infamous movie series.LOL!!!

I am too ecstatic anyway to have a serving of the signature chicken at Plaza Inn. It was all what's on my list since my cousins' announcement that we are going to Disneyland. My obsession with food is too much!!!

My cousins and I are never shy. We danced with Sleeping Beauty castle as background. In PH , there's this dance craze called Paruparu G and there we were amidst the throngs of people, we strutted our moves!!!

We did Star Tours, Buzz Lightning and Disneyland Railroad. I people- watched and just spent the remaining of the day gingerly chatting with cousins, playing with Athena and of course, taking loads of photos.

My frail health cannot take too much fatigue and inadequate sleep hours anymore plus my allergic rhinitis was a killjoy. I was not in my best form but I had fun. I mindfully chose to appreciate and savor the minutes and days I was with the caring bunch of company around me. I embrace the present and the people who want me in their circle. I think this is one helpful way to survive the daily grinds of life. It is not pure rejection and abandonment after all.

Disneyland. The Hangar 21. OC.

Easier

 Today, I opted to open Netflix and randomly selected The Adam Project, "the #1 most-watched today" on the channel. I didn't sleep through the movie. It was a funny, witty, intellectual and exciting one. The chemistry with the two "Adams" was so strong. Knowing me, there will always be a line or two that catches my attention. For this movie, it was what the 12 year-old Adam said to the older one:

"It is easier to be angry than to get sad."

There were many days I though about this, like had I chosen to be mad, will the sadness fade???

Anger. Sadness. Confusion.

A Thousand Years

I tried soooo hard and you did too.

One step forward, three steps back.

And we go back to each other's hearts.

No matter how, it is epic fail.

You say I am the cause of your headaches

And the effect of your happiness.

You in turn are the cause of my grief 

And the effect of my peace.

And so after all these, I must say

Maybe we can wait a thousand years

Like Edward did for Bella

For this irrevocable, unequivocal love.

I am your love and calm.

You are my soulmate and beats of veins

We are best friends and playmates

You and me now and tomorrow.

Love. Always. Constant.

I Hope

 I hope you are learning to give yourself the credit you deserve. I hope you are beginning to recognize just how strong you are for pulling yourself through each and every difficult time in your life. I hope you allow this realization to walk with you, alongside any obstacles or roadblocks you might encounter along your journey.

 I hope you know just how much you are capable of and that no matter how challenging a situation may seem, you have the courage to keep moving, to keep growing and to keep healing. I hope you can look in the mirror and say, " I am proud of you," and really mean it.

 And above all, I hope you realize just how incredible you are, and just how much you deserve your own love.

-momentaryhapppiness (instagram)

Strength. Courage. Hope.

A Fruitful Off Day

 A rare Tuesday off for me today. I awoke at 7 in the morning and headed to Kaiser for my annual blood work. May the results be all within normal range.

I hurried out after to have my much needed caffeine dose and searched for a local shop nearby and selected Apartment Cafe at Foothill Boulevard. It is a small pink-colored place serving smoothie, protein shakes and sandwiches. I ordered their Americano and Roast beef bread. Love to support new, local joints.

In my community, fitness classes are offered and at last I had the time to join the Pilates Class led by Natalie. We were five in the session, it has been a long long time of hibernation for me in one- hour frame of such activity but I managed. I look at the older women and I cannot stop. Shame for me to do that!! My legs were shaking after. I wish I may join other classes like Yoga and Zumba soon.

Cooking is one therapy for me. If I will always have enough spare time, I would love to be in the front of the stove and use my pink pan. As it would be Ash Wednesday tomorrow, I did shrimp pasta with pesto sauce. Pasta is my forte I am comfortable serving and sharing it with others as I get praises. LOL!!! Cooked sinigang using pork spareribs, the way I cooked it takes the longer time as I panfry for a bit the meat in onion and fresh tomato sauce. 

In the afternoon, my wrist splints ( carpal tunnel syndrome, do not destroy me!!!) from Amazon arrived together with the Salonpas patches.

I readied the needed 2021 documents for my 2022 tax filing. Please, let me have refunds!!!:)

I joined our family Zoom rosary and led the Pope Francis' prayer. Now I am glued on TV for Biden's first of the union address. God bless America!!!

To cap off the day, here I am scribbling my first March blog post.

It is a good day. I noticed the new leaves of trees, I hear the words and music of Dua, I feel my feet touching the wooden floor of my apartment. I taste the creaminess of G's leche flan on my palate and tongue.

Thank you universe for this Tuesday. It is a welcome respite to my bruised heart and restless mind.

Tuesday. Fruitful. Mindful.