Tag Archives: pet cat

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.

Gliding Through Life’s Ebb And Flow

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It’s good to be back home – home is indeed where the heart is. Because I left my heart in Sorsogon. 😉🥰

What I love about being here in my hometown is that I only need to travel for 5 minutes if I need a seascape breather and another 5 minutes if I need a nature break at the farm – just the best of both worlds. Bulan also has one of the best sunsets. ♥️
Bulan’s version of the Spanish Armada. 😃

I rested for a couple of days after I got home because traveling for 18 hours by land (got stuck in traffic in Manila & in Ragay, Cam Sur) can be physically tiring. Though I must say God is always full of surprises. DLTB’s newest lazyboy bus is called Stallion Express.

When I booked my bus ticket online, I can’t help but laugh. The Stallion Express is just so fitting because my surname is “Ginete,” which is pronounced as “hinete.” “Hinete” is the Spanish term for horse jockey. So as a horse jockey, I rode a stallion (w/ wheels) going home. lol 😅

DLTB’s Sorsogon Bound Stallion Express
Inaantay ko nga na sana magkaroon ng Unicorn Express kaso baka byaheng langit naman sya. lol
Photo Credit: Sorsogon 101 Facebook Page

The entire trip was very comfortable though. The Stallion Express did not fall short as far as convenience and comfort are concerned. I love this bus because I have the option to choose the single seat allowing me to sleep comfortably because I don’t have a seatmate.

Photo Credit: Sorsogon 101 Facebook Page

The comfort room inside the bus is also clean though I used it only once because I’m claustrophobic. So I still use the public toilets during stopovers. The seats can also be reclined in full, and the leg rest is just perfect for short people like me.

I haven’t tried using the toilet while the bus is moving.
Photo Credit: Sorsogon 101 Facebook Page

So, why take the bus and not the plane going home? It’s because I don’t travel light every time I go home. 😃 If I take the plane, I will still have to take the bus from Legazpi City to Bulan and that would be another 3-hour trip. Transferring my heavy bags will be too much of a hassle.

I took the shuttle from Sorsogon City going to our hometown. But the trip was shorter, and the shuttle terminal is also at SITEX where I got off coming from Manila.

The time to rest was mandatory – my infection albeit mild constantly serves as a reminder to me to be more mindful of how I spend my day and what I eat. I would’ve gone back to my multitasking unicorn self after I got back if I was 100% healthy.

I also got the result of my urine culture and sensitivity test from St. Luke’s BGC. I am thankful the result showed no growth, which means no bacteria was found in my urine sample. But it also means something else is causing the infection and the mild inflammation somewhere in my abdomen.

Praise God for tele consultations, it’s now easier to schedule an appointment with a doctor. I am using the Now Serving app because they have more specialists compared with KonsultaMD. I have no symptoms so tele consultations are more suited for cases like mine or those who want their lab tests interpreted.

I am praying my ob-gyn tomorrow will be able to identify the cause of my hematuria and come up with the right treatment to clear the infection. 🙏 These are the moments wherein God reminds me to be intentional in everything that I do or say keeping in mind the brevity of life.

It’s as if every hour that I spend should be meaningful. I now appreciate moments spent with my Dad and my siblings even more making sure I’m creating more happy memories with them than bad ones. This season is teaching me to slow down and appreciate the mundane and simple things in life – those that truly matter when you start recalling your past.

At dahil naalog ang utak ko sa byahe, mag-Filipino naman tayo dahil hindi pa kaya ng brain cells ko mag-straight English. lol May mga pagkakataon na tinatanong ko si Lord if it is necessary I share what I am going through. And His answer was, “yes.” I had to share my journey at baka makatulong din sa iba na similar ang pinagdadaanan and makapagbigay ng karagdagang impormasyon na mapapakinabangan nila later on.

Itong season ng pagaantay na ma-clear itong infection gives me the opportunity na mag-realign ng mga plano. Adjustment period ulit pero ang priority na ay ang health.

At malaking factor sa healing ang positive outlook and sunny disposition sa buhay aside sa faith. So what makes me happy? Isa sa mga nagpapasaya sa akin dito sa bahay ay ang mga alaga naming mga muning, which are all rescued cats, by the way. 🙂

Me to Tippy: “Uhm Ma’am, closing time na po kami. Ang viewing time po namin ay from 8am – 5pm lang po.” 😆
Polly: “Mum! Stop being a catto paparazzi. It’s so annoying.” 😅
When sleep is L-I-F-E-R.
Mga prabens cats hindi marunong gumamit ng scratch tower. 😆 Thanks, Kuya and Heather, for this pretty pasalubong! ♥️
Ang overweight Meowmy ang kinapoy makipaglaro. lol

And as always, music heals the soul. I was browsing the internet para sa mga acoustic covers at na-discover ko na meron palang musical instrument na guitalele. It’s a ukelele that has 8 strings like a guitar. Curious ako sa sound nya and how it’s played. This might be next on my list of musical instruments na ita-try ko. 👍

Then I stumbled upon this duet cover of Michael Buble’s Everything na tinugtog ko din kahapon sa gitara. I fell in love with this song a couple of years ago pero cover lang din ang una kong napakinggan by Joseph Vincent and Alexa Yoshimoto. Nalaman ko later on na lang na Michael Buble originally sang it pala. Huli lagi sa balita ang mga divergents and nonconformists kasi hindi mahilig sumunod sa uso. 😆

The best duet cover of “Everything” for me.

When God reminds us to rest, we rest. Every second is just too precious. Let’s enjoy life while we can – live with purpose and make good memories. And keep the good fight of faith always. ♥️🙏

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” – Acts 20:24

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

What To Do

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What to do when you see your cat playfully rolling and rubbing herself on the floor exactly at the spot where your pet dog frequently urinates and defecates?

And before this, you have been smothering THIS CAT with kisses, rubbing your face all over her body, and letting her sleep beside you in your bed.

Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

Yes, I think you counted how many letter “A”s there are in that word.

And yes, you can imagine my face. All I could blurt out was, “What is wrong with you?!” 😱

If my cat can answer, she’d probably reply with, “You loved it anyway, Mum. You didn’t even notice I was wearing THAT perfume all this time.” 🥴

So, who is crazier?

Is it me who asked the cat what’s wrong with her? Or is it the cat who loves the scent of urine and feces for her perfume? 😃

And now, she’s evicted from my room. lol Poor creature. Well, only until I’ve given her a full sponge bath. 😻

How Country Cats Roll: Animal Talk

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Ever wondered how a day in a cat’s life goes? This made-up conversation I came up with back in my hometown between our cats, Polly (white cat) and Peekah (orange cat), might give you a clue. 😊

Polly: “Hey, Peekah! Come and check this plant out. Something’s peculiar about this plant.”

Peekah: “Why, what is weird about it?”

Polly: “I am not so sure. But do you mind checking it out?”

Peekah: “Hmmmm, lemme see.”

Polly: “Have you seen it already?”

Peekah: “I don’t see anything.”

Polly: “Look closely.”

Peekah: “Oh c’mon, Polly. That’s a part of the plant. That is the flower! A weird-looking flower. I’ll leave you there and smell some real flowers somewhere.”

Moral lesson: Cats do smell and check out flowers. 😅

P.S. I’m writing this because I’m on bed rest – flu’s to blame. Pls. pray for my healing, and thank you for reading! ❤

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

Took this some days ago but the cat filter is just perfect for today’s topic. Fyi, I take selfies way less than your average millennial. I look the same every day. 😉