I started blogging way back 2004… from then free blog platforms up to a point where hubby said, I needed to have my own. Since then, depending on time I could only do blogging intermittently. Some months more often than the rest. Why, because I did not give in to becoming a professional blogger. I got offers, but I chose to make a living by slaving myself in the coorporate world instead. Okay, stop asking why… I have asked myself the very same question for a decade. 

So, well, anyway, in my previous log I did mention that a lot of the bloggers I used to follow before, have retired or stopped blogging. For some reason, their blogites are still reachable, but they are not active anymore. Their last blogs were like posted sometime in 2010 or latest is from 2012. So what happened?

Vlogging, Podcasting and yes FB happened.

Just like that, when the trend changed, they jumped on the bandwagon and left blogging at least indefinitely. But I stayed. Okay, I got left behind. Oh moot! Okay fine. I admit, this is how I want to accept reality as well. But then you see, corona came, stayed and looks like it will not budge for a while. So, it is good that I stayed. It’s better that I got left behind. At least, now, I have something else to keep myself busy with for a while or at least when I am not working. It definitely is a good distraction from online shopping. 

Sometimes things just happen. Sometimes we need to accept, adjust and keep on moving. But, for me, it looks like I am still sticking to my blogging. I keep it not for financial reasons anyway…it is just to keep my sanity. A very good diversion to retail theraphy. 

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Okay, I’m just chilling and songs kept going through in my head… like a broken record..

“Some guys have all the luck!”. (Rod Stewart)

Luck comes to them like a breeze. Sometimes served on a silver platter. Other times, by chance. And in some cases, because of the help of media, law and assistance of the people who care for him. 

Unfortunately, even if luck is already on their side, they still prefer to turn around and do the opposite of what is expected of them. Perhaps thinking luck would still be with them, even then. Sometimes, I feel like, okay.. one goes choses to climb up a mountain… as luck is with him, despite all the hardships, he reaches the top… and then what? Feeling that “top of the world” feeling— he then decides to take a free willy risk. With outstretched arms, facing the edge od the mountain rand… and then… do a bungee jump only without the safety belt and rope attached to his body. 😕  (duhhh!!!)

But, why choose to go this way?

Is it because they don’t get it? Is it because they need it? Is it because they are just too st****d to understand it?

Let’s say, as intelligent as he is, he does know the consequences of his actions. So in this case, he just might need the kick out of being in media.. in public .. endangering himself because he gets a high out of it. Does it not bother him how his relatives feel? How his loved ones are suffering? His wife, parents, siblings? Imagine the worry that he brings to them. Or perhaps, they also don’t care anymore? Even then, I still don’t get it.

Then again, I’d say: “hey, If he survives the 30 days, he’ll be fine. Hopefully, social media and civil watch will keep him alive. Otherwise, him, as an adrenalin seeker, will be no more, no more, no more– ” …

Next on the track: from David Bowie’s version of My Way…
…”i did what i had to do… and saw it through without exemption… I did it my way!”

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Hmmm… finally managed to update my php version for my blog.
Not to say, without any problems encountered. Of course, I had problems. I think, even the tarsier who only looks as dumbed as it actually is, will also encounter problems with the process as well. 😉

Okay, nobody said it is easy. I get it. That’s why some bloggers don’t do the technical maintainance part of their blogs themselves. They get it fixed! Professionally! Perhaps, they only do the final click of uploading. Everything else is done by, well… somebody else.

I have to claim, that most of the works in my blog are handled by me, myself and I. If something does not seem to work well, and I can’t seem to fix it myself after spending like a hundred hours on it already, then my very own personal, private IT Helpdesk jumps in… *lol*

He jumps in, but not without a very long and repetitive lecture on the mistakes that I made. The simple, dumm error that usually accompanies my laziness to analyze properly and concentrate fully on the tasks at hand. Hence, I get stuck at some point and the rest of the time I would just end up with online shopping 🙂 🙂 🙂 up to the point where I get a headache and back pains from vegetating in front of my laptop. Then my fingers get stiff… and finally, my CC gives up! *lol*

Anyways, for the past several months, I have been neglecting the change. Why?, Well, first off, because I was still unsure of doing it myself. I have totally forgotten how I did it when I started my own blog. That was already like more than a decade ago. I just got lazy and pretended that nothing has changed. It seemed like I just wanted to live in the past. As if the world stopped turning and nothing great has changed. Well, I did notice that the turn of the century came, that everything else online is more expensive and that my last bills for the previous shopping craze was much less than at present… hmmm, there goes my limit again. Oh, I am digressing again.

Up to some point it worked, but then, some plugins were slowly giving me problems. A reminder kept popping up tells me that my version of php is waaaaaaaay too old, it needs to be updated in order for new features of the plugins to work, etc. etc.

So, I finally succumbed.

The procedure:
#Backup first! – I regularly do a back up of the whole database and files. It definitely makes everything so much more easier and faster.
#Log-in to internet host customer platform
#Go to “My Accounts”
#Click on “Expert Settings”
#Go to PHP Version Analysis – here you would find the current version you are using. Alternatively, you can upgrade your php version from this point on. However, one cannot reset it back to the old version once the change request has been made.

If all goes well, then this first part will go smoothly. From downloading the database, which would depend on how big the file is, it could go from 2-3 hours or more. The switching of the php version though will only take few minutes or with say few clicks.

Then, the next stage of the change has to be done. At some point, you go back and log in on your blog site and presto, your dashboard is full of red messages for errors. Obviously, most of your current settings, if not all, is not compatible with your brand new version of php paltform. Now, the real work begins.

You need to change themes, configure layouts. Check for the correct plug-in that works with your theme, php version, etc.etc. This took me the whole night. Well, I also needed to clean up my files. Then did some editing on my lay outs, choose another back up lay out, in case i get bored with the current one, then again perhaps two more extras. Last but not the least, just had to check every link I have on my blog if they were all still actual.

Unfortunately, I found out that some bloggers have stopped blogging since 10 years ago. I guess, right about the time when FB boomed from then on, a lot of bloggers retired. Or maybe switched to FB, which is way easier and most economical. So, a lot of my links has been removed. I should propbably start blog hopping again and see who is still doing the same. 😉

But for now, I need to go to sleep. I have another online event in a few hours and I do not want to like like dracula on video cam. *lol*

So, I would have to say, log-out and lights off for now.

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My birthday is coming up… 

I’m turning a page over…

I will.

I’m claiming the key to fulfill my dream.

In this process, I am also building my faith and confidence in my Savior again.

A decision that I made some 3 decades ago—

I do believe that everything is possible with God.

And I thank God for His Love, Guidance, and Faithfulness…

And I thank Him for his continued blessings in my life.

I thank God for LIFE!

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As sure as tomorrow comes,

As long as the waves roll back in the ocean.

As long as the the wind blows,

And the sun shines.

The rain drops stops,

The green leaves glow and the rainbow will show.

The world will continue to rotate –

And so remains my Faith…

My name is er–rhy, Indeed it is a mystery!

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It may be both , it does seem.
But then again, it must have been…just waking up to a dream!

Just a kiss indeed…

Lips warm, dry..

I thought it should be thought wet, but it was not.. it was nice!

I was lukewarm, but the kiss was hot and slowly burning up.

Suddenly, the connection was not dry anymore,

And the body movements I pondered on,

They proved to be a mysterious rhythm, not just norm.

In the end, it was nice.

Romantic, warm and pleasant — it was really nice!

Somehow bruising, but definitely nice!!!

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Tapos na ang weekend. Ang araw ng Linggo ko ay natapos sa  pag pa plano kung ano ang kakainin namin at sa pagluluto nito.

Sa hindi ko naman maipaliwanag na pangyayari, mga bandang alas siyete ng gabi, biglang sunod-sunod ang pag dighay ko. Hindi ko naman ito mapigilan kasi masarap naman talaga ang pakiramdam pagkatapos dumighay. Di ba nga ang mga baby, pagkatapos dumede, agad pinapa dighay?  🙄  🙄 

(My Sunday was spent planning and cooking the meals. Suddenly, for some unknown reason, at around 7pm, I started releasing air from stomach but not from below (duhh!!) – OK, I have to say, just like a baby, I was happy belching out repeatedly– 🙄 :roll:)

Illegal belcher ang loley! Kung may MMDA dito, mati tiketan na sana ako.

“Ribbit! Pardon me.”

Sabi ni Baners: “Anyare sayo?” (Hubby asked what happened ?)

Sabi ko: “busog po”. (I replied: Tummy tum-tum is full)

Sabi niya manners daw. (Mind your manners, please.)

Ayy.. .manners! Oo nga pala!!! Okay lang suminga at mangolangot sa harap ng ibang tao huwag ka lang dumighay! …

… haaayyyy! ang buhay nga naman ng alalay! 

(You may drill your nose or blow it till your lungs bursts out in front of others.. just please DO NOT belch!)

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EMS training 20 minutes a week should help with muscle toning and weight loss.

Well, that’s what all the brochures and fitness instructors claim. It may also be true…

Question is: to use an EMS machines or go with the old school method of traditional workout?

What is EMS Training? EMS

EMS according to ems training.com, stands for: (= electrical muscle stimulation or electromyostimulation) is a new trend sport that originally comes from physiotherapy. This high-intense whole-body workout uses low-frequency electrical impulses to stimulate those muscles that are often ignored by conventional training methods.

With the EMS machine, one gets plugged to a machine while doing some stretching techniques. They claim that this method is used to train astronauts. It takes only 20 minutes a week to achieve the goal of muscle build up and toning. The longevity of the 20 minute training would probably depend on the financial capability of the person.

But what if after three months, no progress has been made? To stop the session would be like giving up after so little effort has been made. On the other hand, to continue the session, without seeing any progress even after some months would just be a waste of time and money.

I am still on it. Although, I did miss some weeks due to the corona pandemic which forced all the establishments to close down temporarily.

Needless to say, after 4 months, there has been no change in muscle build up. I also have not shed a single kilo from my weight.

But, I guess it, like all the other method, the effect does not happen overnight.

I have to continue with the system, no give justice to the saying: “no pain, no gain”.

It doesn’t really matter much, what method one uses… as long as one perseveres with the workout!

Let’s do it! Let’s stay fit!

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Cycling – I can do anytime outdoors or in our living room. 

Trekking – I prefer to go to a foreign place and explore it by foot while enjoying the food,the culture and the scenery of the area. Yes, more like a vacation destination or adventure. It does take more time, finances and effort.

But, at the moment, I am happy with cycling… 

So, off to pedal for now! 

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I hit my 23rd year anniversary in stepping on European soil this month. Wow, that’s more than a quarter of a lifetime for a human being!

I arrived Europe in June 7, 1997 via Malaysian Airlines flight from Manila International airport. Destination: Brussels, Belgium.
Up to that point, I never realized that I would be spending the next two decades in this continent – Europe. I never imagined that I would change my nationality, therefore, betraying my native land – my birth country.

Here is where I met all kinds of strange and beautiful humans… in private life, via online/internet and yes through work.

So, what pushed me to come here?

I was happily living in the Philippines with my family back then. Back then, we didn’t have much in life. Actually, it was more like a struggle growing up with my four siblings. But we were happy together. The trivial quarrels among us was just the normal process of growing up experiences. Then four became five. Kally, our youngest brother was born 3 days before I turned 18 leaving a huge gap of 16 years from the youngest of the girls.

Somehow, life became a struggle. My father, who used to work outside the country intermittently, decided to stay at home and tend for our youngest brother. My mom became a career woman and everyone else was busy with their High School or College life. My siblings just came home from their dorms or apartment rental during weekends. I was left alone at home with my parents and our youngest brother. I simply assumed that was my fate. That is how my life was dictated by destiny.

The million dollar question is: is Destiny predetermined? Or do we achieve it by the actions and decisions we make along the way?

What if it is true that a human being has 4 cycles of life? In each cycle my destiny is predetermined, then there must be four paintings hanging on a wall depicting the stories of my life. The paintings tells the story of my Fate. Every action and decision big or small, is already painted. I just need to live it. If I do decide to have a change of heart along the way, then this is also already pre-ordained. I cannot escape it. IT is the FATE that my lifeline is bound to follow. If I go against that line, then is it destiny playing its part? I think i am confusing myself. 

What is Destiny? What is Fate? Are they both connected to each other? Or are they two separate lines pulling against each other depending on the life cycle being lived at the moment? 

Next question is: Am I at my 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th life cycle? 

At the age of 16, I thought I should also get a job to be able to help my parents financially. It was not hard since, at such a very young age of 12 I was already doing summer jobs in one of the most popular Publishing company in the Philippines. Hence, getting into the bandwagon of working and studying at the same time was not hard to imagine for me.

Time flew and I was slowly earning well enough to contribute to the family’s monthly income. Back then, while we were all happy and healthy growing up together, we had to face the reality that the earnings were not enough to send all four kids through college almost at the same time plus having to tend for a baby.

While everyone struggled to finish studies and slowly graduated from college, the air at home was getting lighter. At this point, my other two sisters were also ready to help the family have a better standing, hence, the planning to go abroad started. First was the third child, then I left and afterwards, the youngest of the girls with her daughter . . .  one at a time we migrated to the land of french fries, chocolate s and lace embroidery…. that is Belgium!

Twenty-three years later and 15 kilos heavier, meet the new me… mind you, looking only 10 years older, hahaha. (I only wish it were so).

But yes, I am still in Europe. Not anymore in Belgium though. I finally settled my roots in Germany.

In the Northeast part of Frankfurt am Main is where I set up my roots together with hubby.

Perhaps, here is also where I will grow old and wrinkly. Till then, one day at a time… Living contented, happy and healthy!

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During the quarantine days, I cleaned the apartment from every nook and cranny, wall to wall and every window.
My glass windows are like bigger than the standard size. So cleaning them alone takes me already one whole day. The south part of my living room wall is mostly made out of glass panes. That alone is a challenge for me. In the earlier times, I could clean the whole place in one day. Of course, that was 23 years ago…hahaha!

Anyways, when I am done with the cleaning and baking/cooking, a bit of online scrounging, e-learning and online streaming; sometimes, I still, at the end of the day feel homesick. It sometimes brings me down into a teeny bit of depression mode. When these tiny, molecular sizes of homesickness and depression comes down to me, hubby always notices it immediately. His never ending home remedy: “I should eat rice and bulad (dried fish)!” Rices makes me happy. Bulad even so. That is why, I always have reserves of bulad from the Philippines in my basement freezer. There are just some Filipino food that one cannot buy here in Germany. Or if it is indeed available, the price is like 400% more expensive. And it still does not taste as good. It must be geographical and environmental, climate induced and of course companion related.

In short, eating bulad and rice alone, does not make it as enjoyable as when one eats it in a warm place, with family and/or close friends. It also, most definitely does not taste the same if it’s not eaten with bare hands!

Recently, I got two packs of bulad and 4 pcs of red salted egg from a friend. I promised myself that I would enjoy it one day with fresh cooked plain rice. 

Until now though, i have not touched it. I couldn’t bear to eat it alone. I want to be able to enjoy eating it with friends but because of the coronavirus, everybody is ordered to stay at their own place. No visitation allowed. No short or long travels. No unnecessary excursions, etc. 

So, until when will this pandemic last?

How long must we still suffer, being away from our family, our loved ones just because we are hindered by this dilemma. 

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