Journal

COVID Day 6: More of the Same

I accidentally smeared some gravy on my nose as I was taking a bite of my pork chops, and for a moment I fooled myself into thinking my taste was back. It was not. I just had a faint whiff of the mushroom.

Meals have been such a joyless, soulless experience lately, a routine of sitting on my bed with a packed meal in front of me. Once, it was even the floor, wary I was going to spill my cousin’s lechon paksiw on a mattress I don’t even sleep on (I have two beds in this quarantine bedroom—maybe I should spend a night on the other one).

I never minded eating alone, but boy does it get completely lonely when I can’t even enjoy the food.

Journal

COVID Day 5: Breakthrough

9:03 a.m.

Despite the comforts of a hotel room, the crankiness is setting in. There’s a small window that brings in very little sunshine and not much else. Meals are a soulless experience when I can’t taste or smell anything. I’m trying to keep busy, but it’s very slow-going because I tire easily and need frequent breaks.

Part of having COVID isn’t just dealing with the symptoms—it’s a mental struggle.

Journal

COVID Day 3: I’m Alive, and I’m Live

Taking a break from my usual writing to embark on something completely new to me: going live.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my very first Instagram Live, and boy do I like to ramble 😅

I started sharing about testing positive for the coronavirus through close friends Instagram Stories, and besides all the well wishes, I got so many questions. It struck me how people are so curious, mainly because all we hear are the scary aspects, which then discourage people from getting tested if they suspect they have it. 

Journal

COVID Day 2: The Reality

In a nutshell: COVID-19 is real, you guys.

I can’t even tell you how I got it because I didn’t come into contact with anyone who is positive, or at least they had no idea they are. All I know is I’m always wearing a mask, disinfecting, practicing social distancing, and I make it a point to shower the moment I get home, and I STILL got it.

Culture, Dining

Lunar New Year 2021 at Radisson Blu Cebu

Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái!

I’ve been feeling a little weird about the Lunar New Year this particular year. I’m not full Chinese and feel like I can lay no claim over this holiday, but for the past ten years or so, I’ve always celebrated it in big ways thanks to being invited to events.

This time around, most Chinese New Year festivities are non-existent, if not significantly scaled down. So it really does feel like I’m missing a lot —the blinding sounds of the firecrackers, the elaborate Lion and Dragon Dances, the Yee Sang Toss, among others.

Still, there’s a lot to be thankful for in this new year: I’m in good health, my family and friends are safe and well, and work is picking back up again, slowly but hopefully surely *manifests mental Prosperity Toss*

Also, there’s Chinese food.

Cars, Reviews

It’s the MINI Things

Sometimes, I think I just really need to pick on someone something my own size.

As someone who has always driven a trusty subcompact sedan, the experience of bigger cars has eluded me save for the occasional test drives. This has only added to my fascination with them, that I rarely spare much smaller vehicles a glance—well, perhaps a glare because a bunch of them have those god-awful “Caution: New Lady Driver” stickers (… why).

The only exception is a MINI Cooper, because how could I look away? The vintage charm of its exteriors is enough to catch my attention, and also no one who owns one would have the right mind to stick those misogynistic signs on them.

At least, I certainly hope not.

Despite never straying too far from the classic looks that have made the MINI such an iconic vehicle, everything is completely modern on the inside, which lends to a very comfortable and enjoyable ride. It’s a great companion for navigating the streets of Cebu, even as a daily driver. I’ve said that before about the MINI Cooper F56, and I can definitely say it again with the all-new MINI Cooper S 3-door.

Beauty

I Found My New Favorite Facial

In the past two years, I started taking skincare more seriously.

A little too seriously, perhaps.

When I was in my early 20’s, it was something I took for granted. I only did it when I felt like it, or when I had new products to play around with. Otherwise, it was a terrible cycle of staying up late and sleeping with makeup on.

But then two years ago, I saw my first ever under-eye wrinkle and freaked.

Dining

MIXT Salad Bar: Toss It Up!

If only proper salads were as accessible and affordable as fast food, I’d likely be eating a whole lot healthier.

But until I can get a decent salad from a drive-through as a value meal, I’m more than happy to celebrate a new salad business, especially one that has such fresh and delicious offerings.

MIXT Salad Bar is an impressive addition to Cebu’s growing number of healthy food options, making tasty gourmet salads accessible to health-conscious locals. It was founded by Dr. Journey Joyce Yamyamin and Chef Noel Daigo Jr., and their collaboration on the menu results in product offerings that are not only healthy and filling but are also flavorful and enjoyable.

Beauty

Gorgeous Beauty: Makeup for the Empowered Cebuana

In all honesty, it’s been a while since I got excited about makeup.

The face needs to be covered with a face shield and face mask anyway, and it gets all hot and melty underneath, so most of the time I really couldn’t be bothered. In fact, the handful of times I actually applied makeup, it felt so foreign to my face I couldn’t wait to wash it off.

These past few days with Gorgeous Beauty single-handedly reminded me why I love makeup in the first place — to look good, and to feel good.