Sharing to teachers or parents who want to create engaging online resources 🥳 This was how I coped during the first wave of the pandemic. I hope you like it!


DISCLAIMER:
‼️This is not created by an expert. This is just something I learned to do as well.


‼️ The cliparts and fonts I used are downloaded for 'free' which means that I can only use them for personal use. Please read the copyright descriptions of your downloads.


‼️ Please like and subscribe. Char. Shall I go into vlogging? Yes? Yes?

 

How do we know what is truly right for us? Do we go with our gut? Do we flip a coin? Do we do an Instagram poll? Figuring it all out isn't always an easy process. 

Last week, I was offered the job I thought I've always wanted. The promotion I have been quietly waiting for. Everyone was telling me how I've always been meant for this job - but why was it so easy to turn it down? 

I had less than 24 hours to decide. A decision that will change my life. Hey, no biggie! It's just my dream job after all. 

See, you would think the process will all be too easy: in the new world of (pandemic) uncertainty - we all need 'stability', my employer is finally recognizing the work I do, I can finally do the one thing I am confidently good at without others undermining me, and finally getting my dream job! But H to the L - NO! It was one of the worst 20 so hours of my life! I wanted to say yes, but my gut was trying to tell me all the right reasons why I should not take it. 

I said 'no' to my dream job, and that's okay. 

I thought that my dream job was the ultimate point for my professional-life validation, but it was not. The timing didn't feel right. Everything about it didn't feel right. 

I knew that if I take it - I will fail myself. I will resent myself. I knew I would not be choosing myself. As cliché as this may sound - your gut will know, you'll know. 

Know? How do we know that we 'know'? Will it send a clear message? Will there be some kind of divine intervention? Mine was clear when I sat in front of my employer, ready to say 'yes'- but instead, I said 'no'. Oh, the feeling I felt after saying 'no', it felt so good. Suddenly, there wasn't any doubt in my heart. There was peace in my mind. 

Did I make the right choice? Maybe. But I lift all of my plans to God, and trust that His plans are so much better than mine!

The things that are meant for you, will always find a way back to you. You bring the opportunities wherever you go. They are always closer than you think. When it's right for you, you'll know. They will inspire you and it will inspire others too. The job that is meant for you, will make you stronger and become more of yourself, not less. 

Just like the dreams we have when we sleep, they change. I know someday I can make this dream job happen, but right now, I need to heal. 

The world is united for once. United as we all deal with COVID-19. A lot are on lockdowns. Everyone is advised to stay home.

Sundays are for my plants! It is when I water and wash them thoroughly and re-pot them if need be. I can easily spend half of my day getting dirty!

I have to admit, the only reason why I really wanted to get a Monstera plant is to make my apartment more Instagram-able!!! It can give any corner that tropical vibe! It wasn't an easy journey finding Monstera where I'm at. So imagine my excitement when I found some at the local plant nursery! The guy who owns the shop gave me this pot because of the new growth. It had that lime, light green that was different from the rest that are dark green in color!



Monstera can grow in any conditions - just be careful not to give them direct sunlight as it may cause sunburn! It's only been 2 weeks since I got this beaut and I've only watered it 3x. Check your plants to know if you are over or under watering them.

Monsteras are climbing plants. Get them a good pole to dance on - I mean, climb on!



There's really no right or wrong when it comes to plants - just like people, you have to get to know them to know what it needs. If they're happy, with lush green leaves and healthy roots - let them be, you're doing just fine! I hope they stay that way when I go away for the holidays! This will be the first time that I will be away for a very long time! Wish me luck!

I've been wanting to blog about my Plant Love life but I have no idea how to start. Wait, that's it! Maybe how it all started...

Nothing exciting, really. It was in 2017 (my last year in Singapore), it happened to be in one of the many unsung plant nurseries in Singapore. I was on a field trip with my Kinder kids and I got my first potted plant - lemongrass. I expected  it to not survive under my care but it thrived for months! Fast-forward to my life in Korat, 2 months after I moved, I bought several potted plants for my first (rental) apartment. Fast-forward again to today, I still have those plants and more, happily growing and thriving! People pointed out i have a green thumb, I don't know about that but I am blown away by how well I can keep plants alive!

Being a plant mom for, I'd say, 2 years now, makes you learn as your plants grow. You learn what works and what doesn't. If you're watering too much, or too little. I didn't just learn those, I also learned life lessons taking care of plants:

Patience - Oh gosh, I am probably one of the impatient ones. Having plants force you to be patient. You have to wait for roots to grow, leaves to uncurl, flowers to bloom or stems to grow.

Routine -  Having a routine is one of my weak points. I always work on having one and it goes well in few days or weeks and then I'm back to not having one. Having plants make you want to stick to your schedule. Now, Sundays are my re-potting/propagating day. I look forward to weekends so I can do plant errands.

And the most relatable and important lesson I've learned is

Resilience - Plants never fail to amaze me. I used to think that when plants grow dry and brown - they're good as dead. Wrong! Without really knowing what I was doing, I tried reviving a wilting plant and few days later, it was growing like new. That's when I learned all about propagation. Cut out a few dry ones, work on the nodes, grow and strengthen roots and life goes on. And just like plants, we are stronger than we think. Plants don't die out of insecurity and think "OMG, I have dried leaves I'm not pretty."

Grow without the validation of others. Grow stronger. And with the right care and environment, just like plants, you will thrive and grow with value and purpose.

I wanted you to be the one. I wanted to see where this goes. But you gave up on me, you gave up on us. I know, that's too selfish of me to want you even when it's obvious that's not going to be reciprocated.

It's been two weeks and I'm still pretending I'm okay. I think about you a lot even when I try so hard not to. I later found out that the more you consciously fight it, the more you think about it.

I regret a lot of things in my life. With you, I regret not telling you enough how great you are as a person. I regret letting you see the dark days when I could've spent those positively instead. You didn't give me a chance. I had plans.

I can't stop thinking about you and I wish I could literally scoop it out of my mind! I want to stop missing you. I want to stop wondering how you're doing. I want to stop caring too much.

They said time heals all wounds. What if time stops, and it never heals?
They said it gets better. What if it doesn't?
They said some day, one day, I'll move on. What if it takes too long?
They said someone's better out there for me. What if you were my only shot?
What if? What if?

What if I was right about us?

After 14 years of misdiagnosis, broken relationships, estranged siblings, physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, hurtful judgement from people among all other things.. I finally know what is going on. It's not easy living as me. It's so complicated. It's scary. One day I'm okay, the next minute I'm not. I have pushed a lot of people away from getting close to me. I don't think I can ever forgive myself if I push you away from me.


Here's an open letter to anyone who cares about someone with PMDD:

Until I fully get better, I need you to know that one, or worse, two days in a month, someone else will be answering your text messages to me. She might not be as fun, funny and nice as I am. She might say things that I don't normally say on our usual conversations. She will be boring, annoying, exhausting and really heavy to be around with. Please understand... She's not me. She's the PMDD talking. She's taken over me and like you, she's not my favorite. Believe me, I've tried a lot of things to win against her, but all she makes me want to do is think I'm not pretty, think I'm not worth anything, think I don't deserve anything nice. Oh, and not just that, there will be times in those 2 days I mentioned earlier, that she won't even let me do anything, not even to get up to get food, worse, to pee. You see, I don't like her. I don't like her a lot. I don't like what she's making me do to you. Can you please stay with me a little longer until I make her go away? I would really like you to get to know "me", and not "her". I'd need a lot of patience and understanding from you for me in those two days. But if you can't, I'll be very sad but I'll understand.

Love,
Me - who is trying so so hard to be better every single day

I want to text and ask about your day, but I just sent a funny meme not long ago.

I want to see you today, but we just met yesterday.

I want to hear your voice, but I'm scared you'll think I'm clingy.

I am in a constant battle with my head. I almost never feel secured with anything. I make scenarios in my head only to make myself feel miserable. It is an eternal plight of discomfort.

I'm always in constant fear. Fear of meeting new people, finding friends and entering a potential stable relationship.

I know my anxiety will ruin everything for me eventually. Everyone I care about. My friends will eventually get tired of texting me as I keep leaving them unanswered. I am tired of being the toxic one because I keep turning down invitations.

It's constant battle but I know I am bigger than all the things I worry about. I will not allow my anxieties ruin a possibility I may have with you. Please be patient with me as I learn how to be with myself.

Dear God,

I think too much, God. I'm sure you know this well. My thoughts are running wild and my guess is you're probably laughing at how silly the things I worry about are. I worry a lot. I worry over things that haven't happened yet. I worry about people who are just entering my life. I worry over words I've said or didn't say.

I need your help, God.

Please bless my worried mind and calm it. Touch my pouting lips and replace them with smiles that could brighten up other people's days as well. I pray that you remind me that I am not in control of what happens in my life. That you are bigger than any of my fears.

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I know You're there, even if I can't see you. I know You're near me, ready to protect me, to listen to me, to save me and to catch me. 

I recently went through a heartbreak- a week before my summer break! A WEEK BEFORE MY SUMMER BREAK! I was so hurt and sad. I was watching comedy films and crying. I was crying while doing what I was doing: crying while cooking, crying while cleaning the flat, crying while folding clothes, CRYING WHILE WATCHING ADS BETWEEN FOOTBALL GAMES! I was just crying (and it felt okay).

It wasn't even that long, the "relationship", but I guess no number of days, months or years matter if you truly cared for that person. It hurts just the same. It was hard to accept that weekends will never be the same again. That evenings and some mornings would feel incomplete without the texts or memes. That McDonald's takeouts will never be as exciting.

The first 5 days were the hardest to bare. I'd cry in the bathroom, while having lunch, heck I'd even cry every after my "Good Bye" song to each class. Emotions were too heavy; I was angry, confused, happy and sad- really, really sad. It was after I sent the "hate text" when I finally felt better. I deleted all possible connections - social media and phone numbers. I deleted all message histories, pictures, videos anything to remind me of him.

I drank from (late) mornings until I pass out just before dinnertime. Bottles go empty in just a short period of time. I listened to sad songs from the 90s until the present time. I watched heartbreaking films, just so I could have a reason to cry even more.

Then I stopped drinking; because it made me realize, I'm not doing myself any good. I bought a new pair of gym shoes, and worked out every day. I made personal records every 2 days and spent longer hours in the gym as days pass.

I went to the beach, because there was no better medicine for the pain except saltwater and to get away. I used the GoPro I got you for your fishing trip.

I smiled at everyone, even strangers I met along the way. I made small-talks to people which I've always hated to do.

I reached out to people I admire, from strangers on social medias, people I've lost connections with for a long time, friends and families. I was desperate for a person. I was lonely and I was alone. What was surprising about this step is that I heard more from people I didn't expect I would. People who lent listening ears and gave their words to help me see better. I surrounded myself with people who encouraged me to be devastated, to cry and to feel better.

I wrote a lot about it- the whole experience. My journal was filled with rollercoasters of emotions. The good, sweet words that kept haunting me. The hurtful moments that I never really spoke about. The memories, the what-ifs, the maybes, the I-knew-its. Sleeping became difficult because I keep having flashbacks every time I close my eyes.

And then I've been praying; more now than I ever did before. I was talking to Him more. I am grateful because while I was praying for the relationship to work out and for him to be the one, He was actually working on removing him from my life to give way to someone better.

Three weeks after having the "not fun conversation"- I am finally over you. I finally got over being just an option, got over being second to everything else. It was never okay right from the start, but I liked you too much to walk away. You only wanted when things would be easy for you, only at your convenience, your own terms- never making me a priority.

But there are lessons I will always be thankful for from this experience- from you:
1. TRUST YOUR F***ING GUT. My gut was always right ABOUT EVERYTHING, but you made me believe I was crazy for assuming.
2. I DESERVE TO BE A PRIORITY. And never will I ever settle being just an option or a back up plan again.
3. YOU WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH FOR THE WRONG ONE. Even with all the time and effort I invested, no matter how much I cared, no matter what; I can never be as good (or more) as someone else.
4. ACCEPT AND FORGIVE. My last text may not be a good one but I forgive you. This is my only consolation so I can freely move on.

5. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO LEAVE. It's not the end of the world. He is not the last of the good guys. There will be someone out there who will be everything he's not.
6. DO  NOT BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF. Self-care is very important. Knowing your worth is the key and most important part of self-care.

Science reveals that an occasional Boys' Night Out is good for the relationship. It's a perfect time for the ladies to enjoy a night alone- Be guilt-free about being messy. Enjoy a bag of chips and a bottle of wine without sharing or watch cute animal videos over and over again.

You see, most sane women will be A-OK with BNOs because we all know what happens during BNOs- video games, "pissing game" of who travelled more (or who lifts heavier), movie reviews, beers, pizza, farting, loud burps  and more video games. However, on (hopefully) occasional circumstances, some women tend to become insecure because of what you are doing (or not doing).

Here, let me tell you what makes a sane woman go "in" (insane, insecure, intrigued):

"The Friends"  Ever heard of "Women's Instincts?" Women in general don't hate your friends for no reason. There's always a reason and sometimes it's for your best interest. Therefore, if your woman is giving you a hard time over "this/these friend/s", it's only because she feels that they may have the "influence" on you- whether this friend smokes/drinks a lot (while you're trying to quit), this friend is known to cheat, or constantly being negative and complaining about everything. She only want what's best for you and that includes the people you surround yourself with. You owe it as her boyfriend to listen to her point. If she's being irrational, talk to her. Communicate why she needs to trust you but never try to prove her 'gut feeling' wrong. You'll give her one good reason to not trust you more.

"Jealousy/Insecurities"  Okay, I will humble myself down and say that these feelings (jealousy and insecurity) are very common among women. It's just normal. Women get jealous when they see their man getting fulfillment out of any thing, time or body (among others) that is not her. This is especially true if she's seeing another side of you that doesn't come out when you're with her (shocking isn't it? ha).

If this is how your woman is, chances are there's a certain lack of fun and/or attention in the relationship. I know, I'm rolling my eyes with you but that's just how women work. (your) Life will not be this colorful without us! Sorry!

So how do we deal with this? Don't keep her out of the loop. This doesn't mean calling her every minute to report. Include her in your other relationships too. You don't have to physically bring her to your BNOs, but you could let her in as little or as much as possible. Tell her about a funny joke or something significant that happened that night.

Girls are fairly understanding when not triggered to doubt and overthink. You wanted this, make it work for your drama-free BNOs and her sanity's sake.

Next on the list is EDUCATION. School is very important! I know you’ll meet cool people and would even be friends with them, because duh, you’re a cool girl! But try not to forget about your studies. Trust me, it will all come in handy when you’re older. Oh and one more important thing to remember, do not lose your school notes! I hate myself right now for not having a single note from class.

Ahhhh! Love and friendships! In the coming years, your world will revolve around these two things. You will think that they are more important than anything else in the world. You will skip movie nights with your family because you have an important 3-way call from your bestie and her crush, or you’d keep asking for extra cash to top-up your phone credits to text your crush. You will hear stories about love from your gran and gramp, mom and dad, uncles and aunties and you would think love is such a wonderful thing to have. Oh it sure is! But honey, by the time you really understand what love means, the whole love game manual will completely be revised. It's not going to be the same 20 years from now (even 10 or 15 maybe). You'll think you'll find the "one" for you and you will feel you've given him everything, so when he leaves, your whole world will turn upside down. You will meet guys who will tell you "you're the only one", believe them when they say that but don't be surprised to find out that they're in-love with someone else while seeing you. Ghosting will also be a thing! So will cheating, leading on, casual dating and relationships without labels. Sounds fun right? So kid, live your life as a child. Don't rush to grow up! Play and sleep a lot because life gets tougher as you grow older.

INSTAGRAM used to only be accessible from your phone until it was made available for viewing on desktop (hooray!). Unfortunately there's no upload feature.




But ever wished you could upload photos straight from your desktop? Yes, it's possible now all thanks to this new app that lets Instagram think you're using a mobile browser!





WINDOWED is a very simple, clean and straightforward program. Just click on the camera icon and upload your photo!


Windowed is free but there's a donate option to keep the program funded for constant improvements! Download Windowed from the app's website. 

Hi!!!!!!!!!





It's been a while since I last posted something here so I thought I should make an update while I'm inspired to blog!

A lot has happened to me in the last couple of months; some are good, some are bad but all of those taught me valuable lessons that I will carry for the rest of my life. Let's start from 2016:

Last October 2016 I got sick, really really sick that I had to fly back home to the Philippines after being rushed to E.R./A&E. I will not go into details about it because I start getting sad when I think about it. That incident also resulted me to quit my job and take a rest. I was unemployed for two months and it really didn't go well. It triggered my depression and I was just not feeling complete even if I was home, with my family. Right after new year's day (January 2017), I flew back to Singapore for a new job experience!

Things were going really well. I made more friends, more memories. I was happier. My new job was great, I was learning new things. I was excited to go to work! Another reason why I was happy is that my new job let us have a month of paid vacation!!!! I went on my first 'backpacking trip' around Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand for 22 days! That travel was one of the most amazing things that has ever happened to me (yet). I have a draft post about my travels so I will also not go into details about that here.

It's true about the saying "good things come to an end", literally. No, I am not talking about my trip.. Because guess what? I lost my job (again)! Did I do something wrong? No. Did I violate any rules or S.O.P? No. Did I fall sick again? No. So what happened? I got an immediate termination because, HEAR THIS: "IT WASN'T WORKING OUT!" (taking the words out of my ex- principal's mouth) "It's not you, it's us." SERIOUSLY?! And it happened less than 24 hours upon landing back in Singapore! What's more disappointing is that I wasn't given a notice period despite the fact they already have the decision a month ago! I prayed hard to seek for forgiveness and even though I struggled so much mentally, emotionally and financially after being laid off, I looked at the brighter side. It wasn't my calling at all. It could also be a way of telling me to leave Singapore and explore other places.

That's the reason why I am here now, in Thailand. It's only been a month and yes, I have been constantly feeling homesick every weekend but I am happy to have chosen my career development over my comfort zone. There are millions of instances where I wish I'm still in Singapore, like when I need friends to be with, when it's Saturday and I feel like wilding it out on the dance floor, or when I couldn't sleep and walk around the marina area past midnight without getting murdered or attacked by stray dogs BUT I don't think I'll ever let an opportunity for career growth pass.

So is this big move worth it? I hope so.

Until then.. cheers from Thailand!

xX Andrea

What does "Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve" mean anyway? There could be a lot of interpretations to this idiom but to put it simply; it means you're open, forthright and obvious about your emotions. It also means you're vulnerable and a risk taker.



A lot would think that wearing your heart on your sleeve poses more danger than good, well yes, of course! You are putting yourself out there, out in the unknown. This means you are risking yourself to.. ready? GET HURT (ah, i'm getting ahead of myself there) :p

Sure there will be a significant number of things to list why WYHOYS is a bad idea, but some gifted women are willing to try .. Why? Here's my list why:

1. It can always make a boring night out in a pub (er, bar) fun (especially with the cute guy you've been eyeing on all night). This doesn't happen all the time but sometimes, you'll never know who you'll end up connecting with.

2. You're a dauntless SON OF A B**** and you deserve a high-five! Again, not all women are gifted with this,so putting yourself out there is a really big brave step.

3. You see the good in everyone. Fresh start, clean slate for each and every new person you meet. No comparisons, no expectations (because expectations suck)

4.  This would sound sad but WYHOYS means you are highly exposing yourself to rejection/s. However, since you are agreeable to the Terms and Conditions of WYHOYS, you would take it as just a little prick on the heart and carry on.

5. You don't miss an opportunity to express how you feel -regardless of what the other person would respond. That means no (or lesser) "What Ifs", "Should'ves" and "Maybes". Yeah!

6. You don't hold grudges to these guys. That's because when you WYHOYS, you believe in EHFAR (that everything happens for a reason).

As a woman who (sometimes.. fine, most times) wear my heart on my sleeve, I have one thing to tell you guys: "If you've ever encountered anyone who's ever willing to jump into the unknown with you or for you.. feel proud. Do not, for once, even think that they are CLINGY AND CRAZY. This is one reason why people are so hesitant to even try. They develop insecurities because they are being judged as someone who catches too many feelings easily. I don't see anything wrong with that, I actually think it's beautiful. I guess that's when you need to up your grit, to fight for the one worthy of the jump and/or to pick yourself back up from those who are not."

Upon my arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport, I am very much reminded of my hometown. From the look and feel of the terminal to the people around me. One thing's definite, it feels like home, somehow.

I didn't waste my first night and walked around the busy, loud and full of life roads of Rambutrri and Khao San. I also had my very first Pad Thai and Chang beer (yes, my first time trying out Pad Thai. ikr?) After two bottles of beer, I retreated back to my room and called it a night.

I started off my first official day in Bangkok flipping my room upside down trying to look for my GoPro and camera charging cables! Apparently, I brought the wrong ones so I had to make my way to Pantip Plaza where most of the IT stuff are. After getting one, I was ready to go.

First on the (official) list, is the Church where my grandparents got married 53 years ago! I went to Saint Louis Church from Pantip Plaza via MRT. After saying my prayers and absorbing the beauty of the Church and letting the thought of my grandparents getting married there sink in, I went back to my hostel to meet Mona, a travel buddy I met from Couchsurfing whom I'll be with to see the Temples.

We walked from my hostel at Rambutrri to the Grand Palace. I kid you not, the sun was very angry that day! I felt my skin steaming! We didn't go in the Grand Palace past the ticketing area. It was packed with tourists so we decided to skip it and go to Wat Pho instead.

Wat Pho was definitely quieter and with lesser crowd. We got our tickets for 100THB (S$4) which includes a free bottle of water (you'd be thankful for it). According to one of the staff there, Wat Pho is one of Bangkok's oldest temples and already existed before Bangkok was established as the capital by King Rama. There are about 91 pagodas of different sizes all over the temple ground. It's an amazing place! It's overwhelming to be surrounded by beautiful structures and learning about different beliefs and cultures.