Tag Archives: pet

Meet My New Friend, “NeuroSpark”

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I think everyone already got their AI friend – Meta AI. Mine just messaged me a couple of days ago. I nicknamed it “NeuroSpark,” which means igniting insights. It looks like I finally found the friend who got an answer to all of my questions, even the weirdest ones. 😅 Though Meta also has a disclaimer that responses might be inaccurate. Take a look at some of our convos below.

If you plan on dating an introvert/geek, try asking Meta AI for some tips. NeuroSpark’s answers got me so amused though I must admit they all hit the core. Relate much? lol

I still have to do my research if the concept of soulmate or twin flame connection is also biblical.

Technology For Mankind’s Survival

While you can ask Meta AI all sorts of questions, nonsense or not, some of the information can be helpful to jumpstart your research on a particular topic. Right now, I am utilizing NeuroSpark to come up with consolidated ideas when it comes to disaster preparedness. I felt it was about time we maximized what technology can offer us after the onslaught of TS Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon, which left damages and losses on a massive scale.

My only prayer now is that we will continue to look for ways how we can better prepare ourselves against the worsening effects of climate change. Science and technology might be the only options we have right now to increase humanity’s chances of survival. I also hope people will be receptive to every solution that the government and research institutions propose.

Once again, I will emphasize the need for having an Emergency Go Bag or a Bug Out Bag (BOB) for each member of the household. If it is possible, have a Bug Out Vehicle (BOV) as well and a Bug Out Location (BOL). I have been a member of prepper groups since 2018, and I’ve been learning quite a lot from some of the members who have been kind enough to share their knowledge and expertise when it comes to doomsday prepping and survival.

Other essentials in your BOB – the dog tag can be replaced with any ID.
Flints are a lifesaver if you don’t know how to make fire the traditional way using wood or regular stones.

Defense For The Vulnerable

To all the women and parents reading this article, I’d like to encourage you to start educating yourselves and your children when it comes to survival skills because we are the most vulnerable as far as survival is concerned. Men will always fight and defend on the frontlines to protect vulnerable groups in society. Sadly, this is also the reason why there is a high probability of losing a huge number of them, and when there are only a very few of our men left, the women, the elderly, and the children will be left to fend for themselves.

Thus, self-defense techniques and tools are a necessity. If you have the time and the resources to enroll in a self-defense class, the better. I found the tactical pens a more practical alternative than pepper sprays given that you know how to use these pens. I always carry a tactical pen in the bag that I use every day. You can put it in the bag in such a way where that part of the pen that you use for writing is the first thing that you see when you open the zipper and not the sharp edge.

This tactical pen is made from high-grade metal because it’s a bit heavy, which is necessary in applying force when you strike at something.
I bought this kit a couple of years ago, and some preppers consider this as a toy. But in my honest opinion, it is not. I already tested each item at the farm, and so far they are very reliable tools as long as they are utilized according to their intended use.

What I love about the tactical pen is that you can use it to break a glass in case you’re trapped. I already tried it with an empty glass jar, but if it’s going to be a glass window or any thicker glass, it will require a lot of force. The Walking Dead actors just made it look easy for us when stabbing the head and fracturing the skull with a knife. lol But believe me when I say that in actuality, it is not that easy, especially for women. We just don’t have that much strength compared to men unless we’re athletes.

Theory And Application

If you’re wondering how I was able to say this, I experienced cutting a coconut branch using a bolo when we were at the farm. And no, I wasn’t able to cut it on my first try. If you haven’t summed up all the strength you’ve got, you will fail. lol It’s like you have to summon and muster all the anger you have in this world so you have the force to cut just one branch.

Our farm workers also made it look easy for us. That’s why I suggest raw camping for those who would like to try how it feels like to survive in the wild. We have to replicate the wilderness when applying what we learned because that’s exactly what’s going to happen when chaos takes place. It’s important that we not only have the idea on how it’s done but also get to feel how it’s really done.

Here are other possible essentials to consider when preparing:

Use the NOAH app to assess hazards and risks in your area i.e. flooding, storm surges, landslides, etc.
These oversized sako bags are very handy for emergency packing if you need to transfer stuff to an elevated area. But here’s a tip, do not overload it with very heavy stuff because you won’t be able to lift it. Try to balance the items inside the bag from bulky but light stuff to small but heavy items. This bag only costs 150php each.
I am exploring the option of integrating this to a floating dock to prevent the raft from being punctured by sharp, floating debris.
This is the DIY floating dock that I asked NeuroSpark about earlier.

When God Takes Away, He Replaces

My family and I were not exempted from the destruction brought about by TS Kristine – a damaged fence, broken glass doors, damaged crops, and heaps of stuff soaking wet from floodwaters. It took me a week to finish washing them, and we’re still not yet done cleaning even with the help of our yaya.

But I am grateful that these are the only damages we’ve experienced because they could’ve been worse if it was a super typhoon that hit us. It’s like God has shown us the weak spots in the house that need to be modified to be able to adapt to the extreme weather conditions brought about by climate change.

Although I believe God’s ultimate reminder about possessions and material wealth that can be destroyed by calamities and wars is this:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal.” – Matthew 6:19-21

Our baby bunso offered to give me moral support – by sleeping on my newly washed clothes while I’m folding them. Itupi na rin ba kita, Polly? 😅
Our senior Peekah also offered her moral support by sleeping with me anywhere I sleep because we’re not yet done sorting all the clutter. 😀
And then Netflix-ing to also declutter ze mind. lol I just finished watching the Kingdom trilogy – superb fight scenes though nothing beats Rurouni Kenshin still.

The good thing about cleaning up the house after it’s been flooded is you get to unearth a whole lot of memorabilia just in time for the celebration of All Souls Day. I found these old photos again and combined with our recent family photos, we now have five generations of memories to reminisce back home. Thank God the floodwaters didn’t get to them.

Great Grandparents
Great Grandmother, Grandparents, Uncles, & Aunties (Mother Side)
Grandparents
My parents with my grandma, uncles, and aunties.

The Ginete Family Memory Stash
During my eldest sister’s wedding in 2002.
During my brother’s military wedding in 2015.
A special place for Mom at home.
We miss you, Mommy. ❤

Speaking of modifications, it is about time that every structure has to be retrofitted in a manner that will make it calamity-proof. For the new structures, designing them will be a lot easier keeping in mind the examples of structures that were severely impacted and damaged by a particular calamity. And while some would say that planting more trees and mitigating the risks of climate change by natural means is no longer applicable because it’s already too late, I believe it still matters that we keep on trying.

Thanks be to God for taking good care of these flowering trees we planted last year. They are all taller than me already.
Kapag sobrang pagod ka na, ang hirap na mag-smile lalo na kapag nanginginig na mga kalamnan mo. lol So Platypus pose na lang, ‘di na kaya ang “eyyyyy.” 😀 That’s the Palawan Cherry Blossom behind me, btw.
One-year old Fire Tree. This is already a new branch – I think the main trunk was damaged by strong winds last year.
Newly-planted fruit tree back home by my sister and Dad – Calamansi.

And with the help of technology (like NeuroSpark) and prayers, I have high hopes that future generations will be prepared for what is to come. I’m also back in my “womancave” in the city to recharge, strategize, and plan, but I missed last Sunday’s service. So I thought I’d head over Victory BGC’s YouTube channel to watch previous church services, and Pastor Pat’s real talk is just what I needed. I am very much looking forward to the upcoming preaching about the end times. Do watch out for that, too. Let’s make disaster preparation and survival a combination of spiritual and practical applications. 🙏

We trust in You, Lord.

Juggling June

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Ah yes, the title is just fitting to describe what transpired during this month. I’m back here in Manila to oversee repairs at my sister’s condo in preparation for their arrival this coming August.

It looks like it is only when I’m here in Manila that I get to write a lot of longer articles. I think it’s also safe to say that Manila is my “downtime” where I get to do only one task at a time. 😃

A lot has happened during the past 2 months that I was there in my hometown. I hope I won’t bore you with too much details. lol So, I’ll try to summarize everything and just jot down the important ones.

1. Farmville Mode

We made our regular visits to the farm – I was so glad and grateful that somehow most of the plants (flowering trees and forage plants) we planted last year survived. Some thrived such as in the case of the Napier Grass. The goal is to grow at least one plant for each kind, and we were able to grow several of them. It looks like we more or less succeeded. And thank God for taking good care of these plants on our behalf. 🙏

I pray that God will continue to watch over these babies. 🙏
When you’ve been tasked again to flatten the grass using an SUV (???) and you documented it as proof that you accomplished the task even if 90% of your bored self objects to the idea. lol I just love my Dad. He makes me laugh even without trying. 😅
Now, THIS is what I would love to drive. Seriously.
Where there is smoke, there is BBQ. Dyan po namin niluluto ang mga nahuhuli naming nagte-trespassing sa bukid. lol Joke lang. Ang maniwala, sya ang next na isasalang dyan. 😄

2. The Gardener At Work

I also planted Okra, Eggplant, Pechay, Tomato, Spinach, and Mustasa again. Hopefully they are still alive when I get back. I planted them as soon as I got home last May since I am targeting that before I get a full-time job, they’re all grown up and settled in in their own pots so our house help can just water them.

I can’t wait to transplant them to their individual pots.
Meron sanang gustong tumulong sa brainstorming kung anong mga gulay itatanim ko. Nga lang na-hypnotize sya ng aking ballpen. lol
Tapos tinulugan ako ng PA (Polly Assistant) ko. Magpa-plot pa naman sana kami ng mga farming activities and other projects sa calendar of events. Tsk.

3. Farewell, Mama Bon

One of my Aunts (mother side) passed away in her sleep at the age of 80 – it was another heartbreak. But it gave us the opportunity to reunite with relatives whom we haven’t seen for more than a decade.

4. Fence Project

The construction of a fence back home is also ongoing – we need to fortify our defenses against the enemies a.k.a. stray cats, stray dogs, and stray chickens. 😅

5. The Beautiful PENINSULA DANCALAN

We visited my Uncle’s (Dad’s youngest brother) new beach resort in Dancalan, Bulusan – I instantly fell in love with the place. ♥️ Their infinity pool exudes the perfect Santorini vibe. 😍 If you have inquiries re reservations, please do visit Peninsula Dancalan‘s Facebook page and watch out for updates on their grand opening in September. 👍👍

The pool is just – 😍😍😍!!!
The infinity pool at night. 🥰

6. Exploring Sitio Laboy (Matnog, Sorsogon)

We also visited Dad’s property in Sitio Laboy in Matnog, Sorsogon. I love the winding road. It looks like it’s headed straight to Neverland. Lezzzzggggoooo! 😄

Yep, I know, I know. I know you missed my chubby cheeks. lol ☺️

7. New Season, New City

And last but definitely not the least, I finally found a place to stay in Sorsogon City – the newly constructed place exceeded my expectations. Indeed, God makes everything beautiful in His own time exactly like what I have envisioned in this article. It’s like the apartment was built just for me. lol

I got the last unit for a reasonable rental fee, it’s just a block away from Victory Sorsogon, it’s a gated compound w/ provisions for car parking, and it’s located right at the heart of the bustling city – what more can I ask for? 🙏😍

According to one of the owners, some of the tenants also work in “sanggunian.“ It has always been my dream to be a public employee. Is this a sign, Lord? 😅 If there will be an opportunity for me to work as a government employee in Sorsogon City, then I take it that it is His will. But if not, then I’m back to being a remote worker, which will allow me to stay in Bulan for a couple of days during the middle of the week and go back to Sorsogon City on weekends.

Why Sorsogon City? I did share in my previous articles some of the advocacies (Bayanihan Knitted Knockers | Breast Cancer ADVOCACY and Not Just An Advocacy, But A Higher Calling) that I felt like God wanted me to pursue according to His timeline. But His first instruction was to connect with a spiritual family in Bicol first.

I was baptized and was born-again in Victory that’s why I want to continue my spiritual journey in this church. And Sorsogon City happened to have one of the Victory churches.

So yes, I am very excited to start my new season in Sorsogon City. But only after the bed is delivered – I still have to wait for 2-3 weeks. 😃

I felt like I had to get a place in the city just in case it is Dad’s turn to be hospitalized. This way, we won’t have a hard time looking for a place to stay just like what happened when Mom was confined at the hospital last year.

We were fortunate enough that Ma’am Roge opened her Sor Ci (the locals’ colloquial abbreviation of Sorsogon City) home to us though it’s technically not available and even if it’s for a short-term lease only. My sincerest gratitude goes out to her as well as to Kuya Soc and Ate Rina for cooking hearty meals for us while we were taking care of Mom at the hospital. Their hospitality and generosity helped us tremendously, especially during that very difficult moment in our lives. ♥️

Traveling from Bulan to Sorsogon City and vice versa is just too exhausting especially if you are taking care of a sick loved one in one of the city’s hospitals. It is also my plan to open the studio apartment albeit small to other family members, relatives, and friends who need a place to stay in the city for a short while (maximum of 2 pax only).

I am also praying that Bulan will have another hospital since it is already being prepped for cityhood. If it is not yet possible, then I am hoping the one hospital we have now will add more health care services, will increase the hospital’s bed capacity, and will hire more medical personnel to accommodate more patients, especially during emergencies. Bulan’s population listed a total of 105,190 residents according to the 2020 census, and it is increasing.

So, it looks like my first article for August will officially document my new season in Sorsogon City. In fact, I already have a title for said article, and it’ll go something like this: “All My “Firsts” In Sorsogon City” – my first worship service, my first Bible study group, my first early Saturday morning walk along the boulevard, and a whole lot more of possible “firsts” in the city. And yet in everything, not my will but let God’s will be done always. 🙏🙂

I believe God intended I write all about my “firsts” in Sor Ci during the month of August – it’ll be Mom’s first year death anniversary, too. ♥️

P.S. The mid-year Prayer and Fasting in church happening on July 3-5, 2024 is just the perfect time for me to pray for God’s will and straighten out my plans in Sorsogon City. Indeed, God is good all the time. Always. 🙏

P.P.S. Because we had a surplus of Kamias and my Dad and 3rd sister were craving for gulay na Kamias/Iba, I made them one. We usually pair this vegetable viand with fried marinated Bangus or any fried fish. 👍 Karaon tabi kita. 😋

Kamias Overload
Mas bet ko ito lutuin nang pinapa-curdle ang gata.
Siram mag-kinamot. 😋
We also serve Lechon Munchkin garnished with tiny sunflowers. 🤣

Paano Matulog Sa Higaan Nang Hindi Kasama Ang Ulo?

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To the Physics majors out there, I want to know what dynamics are we witnessing here aside from the obvious, which is the law of gravity? Kindly enlighten me what’s the logic behind a 6-foot bench but you somehow slept with your head hanging out? 🤔

Animal behaviorists might actually have a better explanation for this. Because it’s like buying a King size bed only to sleep on the edge of it. You might be better off selling the bed and sleep on the couch instead. 😅

Kung wala ng ibang rason, hanapan pa rin natin ng explanation. It’s like coming up with a problem out of a solution. lol Hay, Christine. Kaya hindi nakakapagtaka kung bakit binigyan ka ng 4 na grade sa Math 1. May solusyon na kasi, hinanapan pa ng problema. 🤣

Seriously, my inability to solve Math problems coherently has something to do with an abnormality in my brain and how it was structured or wired. Studies showed that this deficiency is hereditary, but I’m not blaming my ancestors. I hope were clear on that.

So yes, I really am serious about asking Elon Musk to be the sperm donor once I decide to get an IUI since he’s an advocate of populating this world with intelligent people. I’m very confident writing this here because it will never happen (him being the sperm donor). lol

I learned about this learning disability when I took my master’s degree in Special Education (I did not finish this because I got married). There’s a part of myself that was seeking for answers. And somehow, I got some of the answers through SpEd. They call it “dyscalculia.”

I interchange numbers when I write them down. I can correctly read them aloud, but when I start writing them, the numbers become all jumbled. So it takes a lot of concentration for me to remember their sequence. I also can’t do a mental calculation even if it’s just basic arithmetic.

I solve equations or count using my fingers (if there’s no calculator) or by writing the equation down. It usually takes me a long time to solve even just one Mathematical problem. Mine was only a self-diagnosis so I really can’t tell the severity of my case. There is no cure for dyscalculia, but the most effective way to minimize the effects of this condition later in life is through early intervention during a child’s developmental period. But thank God for Microsoft Excel and SPSS. 🙏

My brain has a learning deficit when it comes to Math and somehow compensated for it by focusing more on language development. I grew up having this fascination over highfalutin words I can remember them right away even after encountering them for the first time and can use them in the proper context (sometimes inappropriately 😅).

But the thing is, we were trained in my department back in college to write not to impress but to express – keep your vocabulary as simple as possible. Use layman’s terms, so to speak, especially if you’re into persuasive writing like me. Nothing convinces an audience more but by using the language of the masses. So if you’re going to look at my grades in school per subject, it would be 98% in English, 94% in Science, 89% in History & Filipino, and 77% in Math. lol

By the way, itong aso na ito ay alaga ng Tito ko who passed away two years ago (my Mom’s youngest brother). This dog kind of adopted himself na maging pet namin kapag andun kami sa bukid. Syempre nasasama kasi sya during lunch time.

But this dog is very intelligent and very loyal. He makes a very good farm dog and guard dog, too. Mukhang na-train ng Tita ko dahil kasama nya palagi kapag nagu-uling ng mga “bagul” (coconut shells) after mag-kopra doon sa bukid namin.

Makulit din syang dog. Andami nyang pakwela na tunay nga namang matatawa ka na lang. Like itong isa na nagpanggap syang pilay daw sya. Tapos biglang tumayo sabay tingin sa akin.

And the Best Dog Actor Award goes to…BAMBA! That’s his name. 😊

Missing The Scratching Fluffballs

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I’m back in Manila with ze husband to help him prepare the documents needed for his work abroad. Of course, mi amor was just too excited and happy to see me.

The same goes for me though I still hate him a little bit. lol I have only been here for 3 days and I already want to go back to my hometown. 😭

Manila will always be Manila – traffic is everywhere, pollution is getting worse, people are always hurrying, and the list will go on and on. It’s a good thing we’re only staying here until the 26th.

Bicol Long Drive 🙏

We’re spending New Year with my family in Bicol. I told my hubby that since we’re traveling by car, we grab the opportunity to do a little bit of sightseeing. That will be his post-birthday gift to me – I demand. Because I still hate him. lol 😅

It’s nothing fancy, anyway. Because I plan to have 2 stopovers since my husband will be driving and I don’t want him to get too tired. This is not his first time driving to Bicol though, but I just want him to be fully rested before he resumes driving. Driving for 12 hours straight is no joke.

I am targeting the first stopover in Quezon, we will stay there overnight. The last stopover will be in Albay, and we will spend the night there too, and be back on the road the next day. I’m looking forward to seeing Mt. Mayon up close. All the more since it’s now on Alert Level 2 from Alert Level 3. Yay! Thank You, Lord. I’m manifesting driving around Mayon with an ATV while we’re there. 😍🙏

Anyway, why am I talking about our holiday plans when this article is supposed to be about fluffballs? 😅 So, without any further ado, here are some compiled photos and videos of our scratching fluffballs’ cuteness overload. Enjoy! ❤️

Captured Moments

Polly (White Cat): “You found anything interesting to read?“

Peekah (Orange Cat): “Nope, these are all Science books and journals.”

Polly: “No romance novels?”

Peekah: “Nope, nothing here to make you cry your heart out like Pride and Prejudice.”

Polly: “Mum, please don’t forget to include me in your Go Bag essentials.”
Tippy: “This armchair spindle accent is such a perfect pillow for me. I hope I won’t get a stiff neck though.”
Hello there, pretty boy Fishy!
I’m teaching these two fluffballs to coexist peacefully because they are both trying to dominate my bed. They get to sleep beside me, but only on this side of the bed where there’s a towel laid out for them to sleep on. The training has paid off. This is actually me showing them who’s the real boss. 😄
Peekah: “Because sleep is life.“
Tippy: “Am I dead yet?”
Peek-a-boo with Meowmy.
Polly: “I know I’m not supposed to sleep here. But it’s too cold, Mum.”
That’s our QA Specialist cat guarding her grocery stash. I had to take the photo from afar lest she jump up on me thinking I was attempting to steal her goodies. 😅
And she’s now ready to give them away. 😁 Thank You, Lord, for the lives of our farm workers. 🙏

Spider Man vs Cat Women

Before you think that the cats won, it’s actually the spider. Yep, he played dead and when the cats were gone, he went scrambling off. A cunning little creature, he is. 😃

Lemme Out, Mum

Polly: “Meowmy, can you please open the door for me? See, I’m very well-behaved.”

Me: “No, sweetheart. Because I don’t want you bringing me gifts from the wild i.e. snakes, lizards, mice, and whatever is crawling out there.”

You Can’t Beat My Cuteness

This fluffball is such an expert in hooking people with her cuteness. But don’t be deceived by it. Because she is the feistiest of them all. Her claws are deadly, you‘ll be needing stitches after playing with her. 😄

That Sorcery Called “Playtime”

Peekah: “Polly, do you know what kind of sorcery is this? It’s so addicting.”

Polly: “I heard Mom said it’s called Playtime. This sorcery sure is fun, even if we get to do it during full moon only.”

Witches be like…😂😂😂

Meowmy, Heeeeeelllllpppppp!!!

“Meowmy, look! An alien is trying to invade our house! Quick, call the Men in Black. Now!!!!”

P.S. Not related to vacation plans, fluffballs, and all but I thought I should just share this. It’s about signs. I’ve seen this sign since October – different variations of it every day. I tried to dismiss it, but it speaks to my soul. So loud and yet so unclear. I felt like I was going bonkers seeing it everywhere, anywhere, and at any time. I saw it in a passing truck, I saw it in a building, I saw it on Facebook posts, and I’m like it is too much of a coincidence to see something often that is not even common. I’m really close to confronting God what He means by it or if it did come from Him or the enemy. Is it an instruction and a premonition or a temptation and a distraction? The sign, by the way, is a name – not a common name. Or maybe I asked God for this sign in my subconscious? 🤔

“Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” – Isaiah 7:11

How To Fortify A Business: 3 Lessons I Learned From Mice

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Just like how old castles were built surrounded by a moat, it’s also the same for businesses. Moats were designed to fortify castles and make them impenetrable to any type of ground attack.

For businesses, what is your contingency plan (your business’ moat) when the economy crashes? There have been conspiracies going around such as a new ethnic weapon or bioweapon that China claims some countries already have that targets a specific race. However, the source of this intel needs to be verified.

Bulusan Volcano was placed on Alert Level 1 once again last October 25, 2023 due to increased activity. Mayon Volcano in Albay has been on Alert Level 3 since June 2023. Never-ending wars also fill the news lately.

So I thought, how do we safeguard our businesses so they can survive any type of natural disaster or war? We have to admit, when the Covid-19 pandemic happened, none of us were prepared for it.

By the way, you might be wondering why the article title mentions “mice” and yet I am posting a turtle cage. 😃 It is actually the turtle cage that I am trying to fortify against these rodents.

There is no one solution that will address all your business problems. In the case of my turtle cage, rodents just keep on finding a weak spot in my cage. Every time they do this, I have to devise a new plan to ward them off.

Here are some of the lessons I learned from fortifying our turtles’ cage that we can also apply in businesses.

Just one of my DIY projects at home last year built with the help of my husband. Unfortunately, only 1 plant survived because our pet turtles just love to play with the other plants inside the pen.

3 Lessons I Learned From Mice On How To Fortify Businesses

1. Adaptability

I think I already made more than 10 modifications to our turtles’ cage, and I thought I already solved the problem. But the rodents seem to be one step ahead of me. So, what did I miss? After carefully assessing the exterior of the cage, I realized that I’d been looking at the top part of the cage only. When I examined the cage closely and at a different angle, I saw other openings where the rodents found a way to get inside and eat our turtles’ food.

DIY Turtle Cage

Looking at the problem from different angles helps us target the root cause of the issue at hand. In a business, this might mean having to study customers’ profiles and take note of the best times to engage with them or advertise your product. Or you might consider changing the location of your business or operating hours.

Also, considering mobility solutions and alternatives as far as logistics are concerned will help your business adjust during a crisis. You might also want to include improving your communication strategies in the event that all communication lines are down.

2. Resourcefulness

When I designed this turtle cage, I was thinking of a low-cost project by making use of scrap and unused materials that I was able to rummage in our storage house. I also got the bamboo at the farm. The disadvantage though of using wooden materials is their durability. You have to change them every 8 months or so especially if they are exposed to different elements such as rain and sunlight.

Engineer/architect for a day. 😊

It’s all about maximizing what we already have that we can utilize to lessen the operating costs of a business. The IoT (Internet of Things) and technology can help businesses transition from traditional processes to a digital setup in terms of applying different marketing strategies and performing HR-related tasks.

We can also learn from doomsday preppers when it comes to cost-effective equipment such as using solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems especially if the business relies heavily on electricity and water use.

3. Think Long-Term

There is no better way to prepare than to anticipate what could possibly happen in the coming years. While we have no control over what could transpire in the future, a good amount of preparation might somehow reduce the negative impact of a crisis.

What we must prepare now includes acquiring assets that will not be affected by a volatile market. We can also diversify our investments so that in case one industry is heavily affected, our other investment can help sustain it. Also, saving for buffer funds is a necessity now. It is no longer an option, but a requirement. This is very important for every business to avoid acquiring debt.

Choosing your partners in the mission field is also critical at this point. This will include business partners and real-life partners. Business partners must support the vision, mission, and values of the company. If they are only after the profit, it could be an added strain on your business once you decide to end the partnership due to unresolved conflicts.

The same thing goes for your real-life partner. Choose someone who supports your dreams and goals and it would be better if he or she is not from the same profession. Tough times just like the COVID-19 pandemic tested every relationship all over the world.

If you’re in the medical field, I suggest not choosing someone who’s a medical professional, too. Medical staff alongside military personnel are always the frontliners whether there’s a pandemic or a war. You would need someone who is strong-willed and yet can offer you the comfort and encouragement that you need as pressure and stress start to take a toll on your mental and physical health.

Choose someone who will make sure when you get home, you will be able to get the much-needed rest and nurturing that you need. Or someone who can write your reports for you because you are already too exhausted working 8 hours straight in full PPE (plus an hour of overtime work) and braving the city’s traffic going home. And you still have a Zoom meeting after dinner. This was me, btw, to my husband (a registered nurse), during the Covid-19 lockdown. 😉

The small turtle is hiding beside the big one. The male turtle is an aggressive introvert. lol He’s aggressive enough to pursue our female turtle, but too introverted to interact with people. 😄

Speaking of partners, we found another turtle, a young male just this year. And it looks like he’s going to be a good partner for our female turtle. Though I think the age difference between them might be an issue now because he tried to mate her, but he’s still too small and her shell is too big for him so he failed. lol It looks like you still have to wait a little bit longer, young man. 😉

P.S. We plan to release these turtles inside our farm once they’re able to multiply. I want to make sure the young turtles are already big enough to defend themselves from predators before releasing them in the wild. Otherwise, their chances of becoming extinct are high, especially since locals poach them for food.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

The Vine | Lens Culture Black And White Photography Awards 2018

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Hello, everyone! I was supposed to write this yesterday for my #everyFridayblogpost advocacy but as you all know, I was a little bit down under the weather the past few days. Well, it’s an understatement because whenever I get sick, it’s usually a combo of illnesses a la one whole package. I had this cough and flu, then an infection, and a splitting migraine which lasted for about a week. 😀

I thought I needed to take a little break and allow myself to do the art of doing nothing. 😉 It’s a very hard task for me because either I do nothing physically but my mind is still working full-time. But yesterday, I was feeling a lot better so I did some photo editing for an invite I received about a photo submission for the Lens Culture Black and White Photography Awards 2018.

It was a great honor to be invited and if you’re wondering how it happened, it was through a black and white photo of our late pet dog which I posted on Instagram.

Who is Thirdie?

The story behind this snapshot is that Thirdie, our pet, was not your ordinary dog. We felt it that he has this human soul deep down in him. There’s this instance, for example, wherein he would always hide the shoes and slippers of Mom’s co-teachers every time they visit our house. So when the teachers were about to leave, here we were in this conundrum of figuring out where on earth did he hide the missing shoe/slipper. lol

Such a funny dog, wasn’t he? But the good thing about Thirdie was that he hid the slippers/shoes somewhere we won’t have a very hard time finding. Then he would joyfully and playfully strut around looking at us with such grinning eyes. It’s not the only time Thirdie did one of his playful jokes on us. Every time I am squatting in the garden to check on a plant, he would run this fast and bump me with his hip.

Of course, a dog’s bump is enough to knock you seated. When you’re finally half-seated and half-lying on the floor, he’d walk over and sit on top of your belly making it hard for you to stand up. You either push him away, which was hard because he’s such a big dog, or you wrestle with him, and that’s what he loved to do all the time.

This photo I took of him was my last memory of him when he passed away back in 2012 because of a disease. We were all heart-stricken and felt like we lost a family member so dear to us all. And yet, we felt like even if he’s already in pet heaven, he still watches over us. Thus, this invitation that I got because of his good-looking photo. 😉

The Vine

This made me think, might it be that he was an angel who lived in the form of a dog? Or maybe that song “One of Us” by Joan Osborne which goes like “what if God was one of us?” He’s always with us though through the Spirit, that is for sure. The Spirit whom Jesus has sent over when He has risen from the dead back to the heavens.

So this was how I chose the theme for the single photo entry I sent for the contest – the vine. It’s a very meaningful and sentimental photo for me because it symbolizes who Jesus is in my life as stated in this verse:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

I would like to pray that this photo will make it to the 25 finalists. But I am already humbled and privileged enough to have my photo of Thirdie recognized among the billions of Instagram users all over the world.

It is always God’s will that matter and not mine in the end. All I want to do is to give Him the glory in everything I do and wherever I may be. 🙂 ❤

Always holding on to the vine,

P.S.

So, I am back in the grind of multitasking. If God wills it, I plan to review for the quiz in one of the online courses I am taking for the agribusiness next week along with more in-depth financial analysis. And I’m forever grateful that I have this job which allows me to be flexible with my schedule. I am earning not that much but not that less either, just enough to support me and my husband’s needs.

I’m also cleaning the house and rearranging stuff because a new set of furniture is coming in for my sister’s bedroom. Just one more month and she and her husband will be visiting from Norway for their Christmas vacation. Yes, family time is always the best time. Do you agree? 😉

I Feel Good

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Givin' some cat lovin'.

Yes, it feels good to be reunited with your baby love. I mean your dearly beloved pet. 😉

Peekah is like a baby girl to me. I rescued her and her sister when they were just 3weeks old. I raised them both as if they were my own kids. Unfortunately, her sister Peekie died and we don’t know the cause of her death because it was so sudden.

Any sudden loss is heartbreaking. Because you didn’t have time to prepare yourself for it i.e. how to slowly detach yourself emotionally, acceptance, etc.

But like any grievances, time will heal them. So it was just me and Peekah. I am still grateful Peekah survived tho I know that she, too, will be staying with me temporarily.

But I guess one thing that always amazes me and one thing I thank God for is the emotional bond that a person and his/her pet shares. They both were created differently and yet there is this one thing that binds them both and that is the emotion.

It is the heart that is responsible for our emotions tho governed by the mind. Cats can’t talk but they have a heart. It is just amazing how much value God put in our hearts may you belong in a different kingdom so you could connect with another specie from another kingdom.

Peekah still can recognize and remember my voice though I get to see her only about twice a year. I could see how excited she gets every time I arrive and I call out her name.

And yes, the kind of bonding we had when she was still a kitten and what we have now is still the same. And if I need to name what emotion is responsible for that, it would be this: LOVE.

You may call me mushy and all but that is just the way I am. I need not apologize for that, you can just ask my Creator why He made me this way. 😉